2015 MSD Annual Report/8.5 x 11 - Merrimack High School · ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE CHAIR 2015-2016...

ANNUAL REPORTS

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MERRIMACK, NH

for the

Year Ending June 30, 2015

� DISTRICT OFFICERS �

MODERATOR

Lynn Christensen ....................................................................................... 2016

CLERK

Patricia Heinrich ......................................................................................... 2016

TREASURER

Richard Hastings ........................................................................................ 2016

SCHOOL BOARD OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES

Christopher Ortega, Chair ....................................................................... 2016

Shannon Barnes, Vice Chair .................................................................... 2016

Cinda Guagliumi ........................................................................................ 2017

Davis Powell ............................................................................................... 2018

Andrew Schneider ..................................................................................... 2018

Jacob Marcus, Student Representative .................................................... 2016

PLANNING AND BUILDING COMMITTEE

Richard Hendricks, Chair ......................................................................... 2018

Gage Perry, Vice Chair .............................................................................. 2016

Stanley Heinrich ......................................................................................... 2016

Finlay Rothhaus .......................................................................................... 2017

Laurie Rothhaus ......................................................................................... 2017

Sue Sheridan ............................................................................................... 2018

This Annual Report was prepared and printed in its entiretyby the MSD Printing Department located in Merrimack High School.

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T SPage

Merrimack School Board .......................................................................................................................... 1

Report of the Merrimack School Board ................................................................................................... 1

Merrimack School Board Logic Model ..................................................................................................... 2

Annual Reports

Superintendent of Schools ........................................................................................................... 3

Director of Special Services ......................................................................................................... 4

Director of Library Services ........................................................................................................ 5

Principal, Mastricola Elementary School ................................................................................... 6

Principal, Reeds Ferry Elementary School ................................................................................. 7

Principal, Thorntons Ferry Elementary School ......................................................................... 8

Principal, Mastricola Upper Elementary School ........................................................................ 9

Principal, Merrimack Middle School ........................................................................................ 10

Principal, Merrimack High School ............................................................................................ 11

Merrimack High School Graduates - June, 2015 .................................................................................. 12

Colleges Accepting MHS Graduates - June, 2015 ................................................................................. 14

Report of the Planning and Building Committee .................................................................................. 16

Annual School District Meeting Report

Session 1: Deliberation .............................................................................................................. 17

Session 2: Ballot Voting ............................................................................................................. 19

Auditor's Report ...................................................................................................................................... 21

Comparative Enrollments ...................................................................................................................... 26

2016-2017 Proposed Budget

Budget Committee ..................................................................................................................... 28

Distribution of Our Education Dollar ....................................................................................... 29

Business Warrant ...................................................................................................................... 30

MS-27 State Budget Form ........................................................................................................ 33

Proposed 2016�2017 Budget Summary ................................................................................... 40

Budget and Revenue Summary ................................................................................................ 41

Special Education Programs and Services Expenditures and Revenues ................................ 42

To the Citizens of Merrimack:It is my pleasure to submit this report as we conclude the

2014-2015 school year. It is the goal of the School Board each year to support the

Merrimack School District Logic Model through ourpolicymaking and budget decisions. The Logic Model servesas both a short term and long term guide for growth in ourdistrict and is currently under revision. The Model�s goalsand objectives will be extended beyond students� continuedprogress in reading and math achievement, the acquisitionof technology skills and a safe learning environment forstaff and students to include a focus on student directedlearning with the goal of producing life long learners.

District administration, in collaboration with the SchoolBoard and site based leaders, is now implementing acontemporary, research based model of teacher evaluationand performance that aligns with both state and districtgoals. This model was approved by the School Board andthe Merrimack Teachers Association (MTA) and replacesthe model that had been in place, and served the districtwell, for over 30 years. Its passage represents thecontinued diligence and hard work of the EducatorPerformance and Evaluation Committee, a committeecomprised of members of the School Board, DistrictAdministration, teachers, and parents. The School Boardwishes to thank all involved for the successful developmentand adoption of this critical tool in improving effectiveteaching.

The Merrimack Safeguard Committee successfullysecured a second, consecutive five-year federal drug freecommunity grant. This grant funds the position of a SchoolResource Officer/Juvenile Officer for Merrimack MiddleSchool and the town of Merrimack as a whole. DetectiveThomas Prentice serves the Town and School District inthis important role. The grant also provides funding of

ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

2015-2016 MERRIMACK SCHOOL BOARD

1

(L-R): Christopher Ortega (Chair), Jacob Marcus (Student Rep), Cinda Guagliumi, Davis Powell, Andy Schneider, Shannon Barnes (Vice-Chair)

other initiatives to help prevent underage drinking, tobaccoand other drug use by our town�s youth. This communitybased group that seeks to help local youth and familiesmake positive choices represents a diverse cross-section ofour community, and new members are always welcome. Ifyou are interested in getting involved you may contactDetective Prentice at:

[email protected] the rapid changes in technology, the School Board

implemented a new Student Use of Information TechnologyPolicy to reflect these changes for years to come. TheBoard is committed to revisiting this policy and the othersthat preceded it as changes in technology and its usecontinue to evolve.

Effective learning can only take place in an environmentthat is safe. The School Board is committed to the safetyand security of our students and staff. This year theSchool Board and the Merrimack Police Departmentaccepted a grant and contracted for the COPsync 911service. COPsync 911 is a �Real-time threat alert system�that immediately, directly, and in real-time connects thestaff of a building under potential threat with the fiveofficers closest to the building�s location.

The School Board continues to monitor any legislativeactivities pertaining to the New Hampshire StateRetirement system and the potential for cost shifting to thelocal town and school district levels.

It has been my pleasure and honor to serve the studentsand citizens of Merrimack for the past six years.

Respectfully submitted

Christopher Ortega, ChairMerrimack School Board

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

TO THE CITIZENS OF MERRIMACK

School board members and administratorscollaborated to revise the school district�s Logic Model(see page 2). The tool outlines the district's goals,objectives and strategies to meet desired outcomes. Thedistrict's intent is to ensure that students demonstrategrowth through progress monitoring in reading andwriting, and in math, science and social studies. It isalso important for students to acquire and applytechnology skills. One of the most important goals is forstudents to become self-directed and life-long learners.

The district sponsored the second August Academyfor educators which is a focus on professionaldevelopment prior to the beginning of school.Nationally renowned Scholar, Greg Tang provided akeynote address on how to engage students in a deeperunderstanding and application of mathematics. Thatpresentation set the stage for ongoing work throughoutthe year.

The district science committee continued its develop-ment of a revised K-12 science curriculum, focused onbig ideas and essential questions that help studentscenter on the chief purpose of a science standard whichis application and understanding.

The Educator Performance and EvaluationCommittee completed its work on the new educatorevaluation model and prepared for implementation in2015-2016 by training all staff on the model and theprocess.

Merrimack High School educators from manydepartments collaborated on the development of avariety of interdisciplinary courses to be offered in the2015-2016 school year. The focus of the work was tocombine courses that highlighted the unique characterof each content area and reinforced the blending of thetwo.

District-wide planning for the initial implementationof Smarter Balanced, the statewide assessmentinvolved the collaborative efforts of classroom teachers,technology instructors and district technology staff,librarians, administrators and many others to ensurethat students experienced an optimal assessmentenvironment. The Merrimack School District was verysuccessful in this endeavor because of the staff'sperseverance and teamwork.

The school year 2014-2015 concluded with a numberof professional staff retirements. Five of sixteenretirees spent more than three decades in theirpositions. It is gratifying to think that veteraneducators have chosen to spend the majority of theircareer in Merrimack. The retirees were Marcia Parzick,speech pathologist at James Mastricola ElementarySchool; Susan Treloar and Sandra Wyatt, classroomteachers at James Mastricola Upper ElementarySchool; Nancy Flynn, nurse, Linda Garces, English

language arts teacher, George Havener, social studiesteacher. Ronald Krikorian, technology educationteacher, Gail Severy, special education teacher andHeather Sweeney, science teacher at Merrimack MiddleSchool; and David DeLisle, social studies teacher,Sandra Eherenman, nurse, Diane Plantier, Englishteacher, Susan Ruggeri, special education teacher,Raymond Sleeper, science teacher, John Snell, scienceteacher, and Jon VandeCar, technology educationteacher at Merrimack High School.

Merrimack Educational Support Staff are veryimportant in the operation of the school district.Several of them have spent a good portion of theirworking life in Merrimack. Six staff members retired inJune. The retirees were Ann McPhee, preschoolparaeducator at Reeds Ferry Elementary School; ChrisMauser, administrative assistant and Donna Schuster,Title I tutor at Thorntons Ferry Elementary School,Joanne Duggan, special education administrativeassistant for three elementary schools, Joyce Dembow,paraeducator at Merrimack Middle School and MarjorieBrown, paraeducator at Merrimack High School. TheMerrimack School District is fortunate to have had somany dedicated employees.

Employees demonstrate their dedication not only inlong-term service but also in ongoing professionaldevelopment. Michelle Roman, former language artscoordinator and teacher leader at James MastricolaElementary School (JMES) illustrated her commitmentto JMES and the district by attaining heradministrative certification. Ms. Roman successfullycompleted her first year as the assistant principal ofJMES.

Members of the Leadership Team, comprised ofsystems and building leaders, are responsible forfulfilling the district's mission and its day-to-dayoperations. One of the district's most significant leaderswas Debbie Woelflein who retired after thirty-six yearsof service to the students, staff and Merrimackcommunity. Mrs. Woelflein was an English teacher,department chair and assistant principal at MerrimackHigh School. While teaching she was named NHTeacher of the Year in 1996. Mrs. Woelflein was alsothe district's instructional supervisor and assistantsuperintendent for curriculum. She completed hercareer in Merrimack as the middle school principal.This administrator will be remembered for the hugecontributions to the school district.

Respectfully submitted,

Marjorie C. Chiafery

3

REPORT OF THE

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES

The Merrimack School District Department of SpecialServices received its Annual Performance Report (APR)for the 2013-2014 academic year. The APR, and itsdissemination to the public, is a requirement of theFederal Government.

Indicator 1 measured the percent of youth withIndividual Education Plans (IEPs) graduating from highschool with a regular diploma. Sixty-five percent (65%) ofour students with disabilities graduated with a regulardiploma/ seventy-one percent (71%) statewide.

Indicator 2 measured the percent of youth with IEPsdropping out of school. One percent (1%) of our studentswith disabilities dropped out/one percent (1%) statewide.

Indicator 3 measured participation and performanceof students with disabilities on statewide assessments.Ninety-eight percent (98%) of our students participatedin statewide assessments/ninety-eight percent (98%)statewide. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of elementarystudents with disabilities were proficient on statewideassessments measuring grade level standards inreading/thirty-six percent (36%) statewide. Fifty percent(50%) of high school students with disabilities wereproficient in reading/thirty-six percent (36%) statewide.In math, thirty-three percent (33%) of elementarystudents with disabilities were proficient/twenty-sixpercent (26%) statewide. Nine percent (9%) of high schoolstudents with disabilities were proficient inmath/twenty-six percent (26%) statewide.

Indicator 4 determined that the Merrimack SchoolDistrict (MSD) did not have a significant discrepancy inthe rates of suspensions and expulsions of children withdisabilities compared to all students. It also determinedthat the MSD did not have a significant discrepancy inrace or ethnicity in the rate of suspensions for greaterthan ten days for students with IEPs.

Indicator 5 measured the percent of students withdisabilities aged six (6) through twenty-one (21) placed indifferent educational environments. Approximatelysixty-seven percent (67%) of our students were inside theregular class eighty percent (80%) or more of theday/seventy-three percent (73%) statewide. Six percent(6%) of our students were inside the regular class lessthan forty percent (40%) of the day/eight percent (8%)statewide. Six percent (6%) of our students withdisabilities were served in public or private separateschools, residential placements, or homebound or hospitalplacements/three percent (3%) statewide.

Indicator 6 measured the percent of children agedthree through five with IEPs that attend a regular earlychildhood program and are receiving the majority of thespecial education services in the regular early childhoodprogram. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of our preschoolstudents were inside the regular class/fifty-one percent(51%) statewide. No (0%) district preschool students werein a separate special education class, school or residentialfacility/eighteen percent (18%) statewide.

Indicator 7 measured the progress of preschoolerswith disabilities who entered the preschool performingbelow age expectations and showed significant progresswhen they exited the program in the areas of social andemotional skills (100% Merrimack, 81% statewide),early language (100% Merrimack, 80% statewide), anduse of appropriate behaviors (93% Merrimack, 78%statewide).

Indicator 8 measured the percent of parents with achild receiving special education services who reportedthat schools facilitated parent involvement as a meansof improving services. Thirty-eight percent (38%)reported that our schools facilitated parentinvolvement/thirty-seven percent (37%) statewide.

Indicator 9 determined that the MSD did not havedisproportionate representation of racial and ethnicgroups in our special education program.

Indicator 10 determined that the MSD did not havedisproportionate representation of racial and ethnicgroups in specific disability categories that are theresult of inappropriate identification.

Indicator 11 measured the percent of children whowere evaluated and eligibility determined within sixty(60) days. One hundred percent (100%) of our studentswere evaluated within sixty (60) days/ninety-sixpercent (96%) statewide.

Indicator 12 measured the percent of childrenreferred by early intervention services prior to agethree (3) who have an IEP developed and implementedby their third birthdays. One hundred percent (100%)of our preschool students with disabilities had an IEPin place/ninety-six percent (96%) statewide.

Indicator 13, successful transition plans, was notevaluated this cycle.

Indicator 14 measured the percent of youth withdisabilities who were enrolled in higher education orcompetitively employed within one year of leaving highschool. Forty-three percent (43%) of Merrimackstudents enrolled in higher education/forty percent(40%) statewide. Seventy-one percent (71%) ofMerrimack students were enrolled in higher educationor competitively employed/sixty-three percent (63%)statewide.


John F. Fabrizio

4

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL DISTRICT

TECHNOLOGY and LIBRARY MEDIA SERVICES

Merrimack School District Technology and LibraryMedia Services continued to support district, school andcurriculum initiatives, several of which were new.

The 2014-2015 school year was the first year for theSmarter Balanced Assessment, which presentedchallenges in getting prepared and supporting digitalassessment on a larger scale than previouslyattempted. The technology and library staff at thedistrict level and in all six schools workedcollaboratively to identify equipment needs, assist withsetup and training, and to help administer theassessment. Equipment was shared between schools,and troubleshooting and support were communicatedboth within the district and at the state and regionallevels. The outcome of an impressive collective effortwas a smooth testing process with many valuablelessons learned and a great sense of accomplishment.

As part of the district�s Capital Improvement Plan(CIP) for Technology, two classroom sets of laptops oncarts were deployed in each of the three lowerelementary schools. This both increased the youngerstudents� access to technology and created moreopportunities for technology to be integrated directlyinto instruction. Increased technology integration intoinstruction at all levels has been greatly helpedthrough the CIP project of installing projectors in allinstructional spaces and increasing access to a widerrange of online resources and learning tools.

In addition to improvements to instruction, the CIPalso helped complete the district-wide installation of aVoice Over Internet Protocal (VoIP) phone system,which has lowered the cost of service while improvingthe quality. This was a multi-year project and resultedin all district buildings using the same phone systemfor the first time.

Adoption of standards for instruction andcompetencies for assessment has resulted in manychanges to curriculum and instruction. In particular, atthe High School the library staff collaborated closelywith the departments to ensure access to nonfiction andfiction texts that directly support the subject areas.There was also much work done to ensure resourceswould be available for the interdisciplinary courses

coming the following year. The high school library wasalso reconfigured to provide an additional classroom labspace to help accommodate the ever growing demandfor access to technology for instruction. The library andtechnology educators at all levels have worked tocontinually integrate information and technology skillsinto the daily learning of all students.

Overall, this was a year of ongoing improvement andsupport for evolving instructional and assessmentinitiatives.


Nancy L. Rose

5

REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL

MASTRICOLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The 2014-2015 school year at James MastricolaElementary School (JMES) began with a busy summerwhich included converting the heating system to gas andthe installation of automated doors at the front entrance.Additionally, a monitor to view the perimeter of thebuilding was installed in the front office. This hasenhanced the surveillance and videotaping capabilitiesfor the security cameras.

We welcomed JMES� new assistant principal, MichelleRomein. Previous to becoming the assistant principal,Michelle served as the Language Arts Coordinator atJMES from 2011 to 2014.

The first Curriculum Night was held in the fall. Thisevening event was designed to give parents an overviewof their children�s experiences at JMES and touchedupon each area of the MSD Logic Model. Teacherspresented information about the core curriculum areasand specific grade level information. Common slidesabout the school-wide efforts were also shared withfamilies.

JMES is a Positive Behavior Interventions andSupport (PBIS) school. The theme for this year was�Living the Big Three.� The theme was kicked off with astaff presented skit on what �Living the Big Three� lookslike in various parts of the school. Students continued toreceive �Gotchas� for being seen exhibiting behaviors of�Living the Big Three.�

In both literacy and math, teachers met weekly intheir Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) to collaborateabout curriculum, instruction, and assessment.Performance Plus, a data warehouse offered through theNew Hampshire Department of Education, wasintroduced to aid in the collection and review of data.This tool allows educators and teams to efficiently sortvarious types of data in order to make instructionaldecisions for our students.

As part of our commitment to literacy and as a kick-offto the Scholastic Book fair, JMES held its Principal�sStory Hour. The evening�s theme was �Our ReadingOasis.� An important special guest reader for theevening was Liz Gotauco, children�s librarian for theMerrimack Public Library.

This year JMES�s fourth graders participated in thefirst JMES Science Fair. Interested students createdprojects focused on water. The projects were judged byvolunteers associated with the Merrimack WaterDepartment. Finalists from our JMES fair competed atthe state water fair which was held at Wasserman Parkand attended by all Merrimack fourth graders.

Under the guidance of Jackie Moore, EducationTechnology Integrator (ETI), students in grades one

through four completed an �Hour of Code�. Theylearned why coding is important and the role it plays intheir world as 21st Century Learners. This knowledgewas then used to design programs for Dot and Dash,our newly acquired robots!

To celebrate the visual arts, Sue Bosiak, art educator,arranged the JMES Art Show held in the spring.Hundreds of works of art, created by our students,adorned the halls of JMES. Mrs. Bosiak also organizedthe annual Artist in Residence program for grade fourstudents with world renowned basket maker and NewHampshire resident, Alice Ogden. This integration ofthe arts and social studies gave students theopportunity to learn about and weave a basket fromresources native to New Hampshire.

The community of JMES was also treated to winterand spring concerts performed by the JMES Chorus andthe newly established Bells Ensemble under thedirection of Mrs. Beaudet, music educator. The JMESChorus also performed in the district-wide Celebrationof Song.

As part of its collaboration with the Merrimack SchoolDistrict, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)held an undergraduate course at the MastricolaComplex. SNHU students met weekly at JamesMastricola Upper Elementary School (JMUES) for thecoursework component of the class. Directly following,the SNHU students spent an hour each weekshadowing special education teachers at both JMESand JMUES. This was a positive experience for oureducators and the SNHU aspiring educators.

The Parents and Teachers Together (PATT)sponsored many of the traditional events that havebecome a part of the culture of JMES including: IceCream Social, BINGO Night, T.I.G.E.R, HampsteadPlayers, the Discovery Museum and the visiting Author,Matt Tavares. We also continued our collaboration withthe Merrimack High School students that included:Baseball Day, MHS Science Fair, and the Teddy BearPicnic.

The 2014-2015 school year was a busy one! The JMEScommunity of students, staff and parents continued towork together to provide our young learners with anactive and engaging educational experience. It is thiscollaboration that makes James Mastricola ElementarySchool a special place to learn and work.


Emilie D. Carter

6

The Reeds Ferry Elementary School continued toemphasize and focus on continuous improvement andstudent growth throughout the 2014-2015 school year.We are fortunate to employ amazingly talented anddedicated staff, and to work in a community whereparents, businesses and the town and school boardscontribute to our goals and successes.

As soon as the 2013-2014 school year closed, atalented cohort of educators stepped forward to workthroughout the summer on various curriculuminitiatives in preparation of the 2014-2015 school year!A math committee was formed to do extensivealignment work relative to math standards andinstructional frameworks. The committee�s work wasthen presented to all pre-k through 6th gradeprofessional staff at the August Academy. The model of�teachers train teachers� is a highly familiar andeffective practice in Merrimack. The curriculumrevision work continued to occur in the areas ofliteracy, science, and writing, with refinements evidentin instructional practices across all learningenvironments. At Reeds Ferry School, ProfessionalLearning Teams (PLTs) occur weekly, where educatorscollaborate and reflect upon their instruction andclosely examine student performance data.

Throughout the school year, staff and students honedtheir skills and utilization of various technologies. Weare pleased to have whiteboards and projectorsthroughout classrooms. The third and fourth gradestudents utilized technology for the Smarter BalancedAssessment that took place in May. Thiscomputer-based adaptive assessment is in its earlyyears of adoption. The Reeds Ferry School educators,pre-k through fourth grade, have become highlyproficient at examining student performance datathrough a variety of assessments in order to quicklyand accurately respond to individual student�s learningneeds. A building based Response to Intervention (RtI)team meets regularly with administration to determinenext steps for instruction and to reflect upon bestpractices.

Reeds Ferry Elementary School has an activeWellness Committee. A strong and spirited group ofeducators ran many activities for students and familiesthroughout the year, including an evening FallFestival, a week of Winter Olympics, a Walk-a-Thon,Snowshoe Club, Bike Rodeo and spring Family FunNight. We are thankful to Merrimack�s Shaw�s North

for selecting Reeds Ferry as the recipient of their WeLove Our Schools program. Their donation allowed usto beautify the flagpole area with new landscaping. Thelandscaping was done by a former RFS student, DanEdmonds. Former students Erin Finken and HopeDaley conducted a community project by establishing a�mitten box� for our school, another example ofcommunity partnership.

As in years past, we selected an Artist-in-Residenceto work with our fourth grade students. Our parentorganization sponsored folk musician Jeff Warner. Hisvisit to Reeds Ferry School was featured on NewHampshire Chronicle. Audiences were able to view hiswork with our students and learn about the history ofAmerican folk tales and early musical instruments.

A special event occurred at the end of the school yearduring a school board presentation where educatorsand our youngest students highlighted to the public a�day in the life of early education�. The preschool andkindergarten students� testimonies encapsulate andcelebrate everything we continue to stand for: qualityeducation, every day, for every learner.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kimberly Yarlott


REEDS FERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

7

At Thorntons Ferry School (TFS) we continue to helpour students learn the skills of the 21st century, likecollaboration, creativity, communication and criticalthinking, through technology integrated projects withspecialists helping students. Great thanks to our families,our Parent and Teacher Group (PTTF) and districtpartners for the support that contributed to thedevelopment of the Thorntons Ferry Learning Center. Thisis a dedicated, shared learning space where students andeducators collaborate in an open, flexible, technologysupported learning environment.

Critical thinking and creativity are taught andreinforced in our day-to-day instruction and are fosteredthrough integration of school-wide projects and learningopportunities. Our Gifted and Talented Program offeredstudents creative opportunities, including InventionConvention, which promotes children�s problem solvingand creative thinking skills. Many students attended the2015 Young Inventors� Celebration sponsored by theAcademy of Applied Science as they teamed together tofocus on inventions for the classrooms.

As our community and state partners worked closelywith our school to promote student success, we alsocollaborated with these partners to support their efforts.Thorntons Ferry students contributed over $14,000 (anincrease over last year) to the American HeartAssociation, and families, when they jump-roped their wayto second place in the state for our overall contribution.Our student led Community Council raised money for localfamilies through a food, clothing and toy drive and TFScelebrated cooperation month and the 100th day of schoolby donating over 400 food and clothing items for theFamilies in Transition Program. We enjoyed partneringwith Merrimack Public Water Works to host and attendthe first-ever Water Festival in Merrimack.

In partnership with our PTTF, we continue to offervarious enrichment and social/emotional programs suchas: Artist in Residence (Drums Alive), Visiting Author(Matt Tavares) PBIS (Positive Behavior in School �assemblies and teams, TIGER Character Theater, the�shine your light� program and a host of wonderful familyevents.

Student helpers are organized as part of our StudentAmbassador Club welcoming new students and families.Other helping teams include the student-run communitycouncil, groups for students around positive social skills,daily check in, check out program, new student welcometea, and recess clubs and after-schools clubs.

The assessment system, Star 360, was implemented forour students, and students throughout the district, whoare at risk in math and educators across our schoolparticipated in a whole-school, book study by Dr. NikkiNewton, �Guided Math in Action K-5: Building EachStudent�s Mathematical Proficiency with Small-GroupInstruction.

Significant gains were made in assessment practicesthroughout the elementary schools in our district with theimplementation of the state-based Performance PlusStudent Management Reporting System that housesstudent information and data in the areas of reading,math and writing. At their fingertips, educators can nowaccess key student academic current and historical dataonline which expedites the data review process. Educatorscan work real-time within their professional learningcommunities to review student and grade-level data,examine and analyze results and make changes that arebest for students.

In closing, we thank all of our partners for the countlessways that you support our school community and we lookforward to our continued growth as a community oflearners and leaders. We welcome you to access ourThorntons Ferry website, PTTF TFS Facebook Page,signup for our PTTF email blasts and our District SchoolMessenger email vehicle to receive current informationabout our school and district throughout the year.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bridey Bellemare


THORNTONS FERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

8

During the 2014-2015 school year, James MastricolaUpper Elementary School (JMUES) refined the way wedifferentiate instruction utilizing the Response toInstruction (RTI) approach. At JMUES, RTI is theproactive and systematic integration of school resourcesto promote achievement for each learner. Our commongoal is to promote the growth of each child on theirindividual trajectory aligned with rigorous educationalstandards. Decisions made regarding students�academic, social-emotional and behavioral needs werebased on multiple data points analyzed in context overtime.

To meet the learning needs of all students, wescheduled Tiered Instructional Activities (TIA) toprovide students differentiation in reading. TIAincluded an opportunity for each student to participatein small group or whole group instruction. During smallgroup instruction, students worked to secure proficientskills in the areas of fluency, print processing, listeningcomprehension, and/or word identification. Duringwhole group lessons, students strengthened theirreading and writing skills by creating original scripts tosupport our school wide expectations of respect,responsibility, and safety.

JMUES students participated in several differentwellness programs. Fifth grade students experiencedthe Police and Children Together (PACT) Programunder the direction of Officer Robert Kelleher from theMerrimack Police Department. Our sixth gradestudents participated in Project Safeguard, a day-longon-site wellness conference bringing students andparents together to hear experts speak about a range ofwellness topics affecting adolescents and their families.In addition to these events, the JMUES StudentSupport Team provided all classrooms with bi-monthlywellness lessons addressing such topics as stress,bullying, and friendship. These activities reinforced ourPositive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)Program, as well as provided students with toolsnecessary to make appropriate social choices.

The students at JMUES were provided enrichmentopportunities through various field trips and in-schoolpresentations. Grade five students, as part of thescience curriculum, visited the Boston Museum ofScience. They also had the opportunity to visit theIndependence Museum in Exeter, NH, which depictedcolonial life in America. Grade six students participatedin the Enterprise City Program. This program offered

students the opportunity to learn, hands on, bankingand financial management skills. In addition to fieldtrips, grade five students attended an in-schoolpresentation on colonial life and viewed memorabiliafrom the American Revolution.

The JMUES students, staff and community membersare to be commended for their commitment to learningand dedication to our school. Students participated inthe Fischer Cat�s Reading Challenge and the Bikes forBooks Program to promote literacy. Students and staffengaged in multiple Relay for Life fund raisingactivities to support the American Cancer Society. TheJMUES staff was recognized by the Amherst, NHWalmart as part of their Educator AppreciationProgram. Mrs. Kathleen Martin was nominated by TheNational Education Associations Educational SupportPersonnel for her excellence and leadership skills. Sheand colleague Carol Scopa, (paraeducator at ThorntonsFerry School) were chosen to represent New Hampshireat the National Education Association�s EducationalSupport Personnel Annual Conference, in New Orleans,Louisiana. Additionally, Mrs. Carolyn Belfiore was therecipient of the 2015 Jo Campbell Education SupportPersonnel Award for the State of New Hampshire. Mrs.Belfiore received the award as a result of herinvolvement with MESSA membership and recruitmentfor her affiliation with local and state associations,work on negotiations and grievances and communityactivities. She will attend the 2016 National EducationAssociation�s Educational Support Personnel Con-ference as the recipient for the State of NewHampshire. Community members Pat McGrath andPeter Giacapuzzi returned to present their �Success isUp to You� program at JMUES. Finally, the upperelementary community, in conjunction with the ParentFaculty Association, continued to be distinguished as aBlue Ribbon School, which recognized the contributionsof school volunteers.


Marsha McGill


MASTRICOLA UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

9

In the 2014-2015 school year Merrimack MiddleSchool educators continued to implement and refineassessments, standards, and instructional practices.Staff met regularly to discuss results from assessmentsand continued the refinement process to help provideaccurate information relating to student learning. Inthis pursuit, the middle school also piloted the STARMath assessment, which provided staff with anopportunity to see information that was gatheredthrough the 20 minute online assessment. Staff workedto create common summative assessments for studentsin the area of English Language Arts and collaboratedwith Merrimack High School related to the Honorsprograms available there.

Merrimack Middle School students were also therecipients of a variety of honors throughout the schoolyear. The 2014-15 school year saw the reinstatement ofthe Watkins Speech Contest. Three studentsparticipated in this activity; Jared Vitchkoski � Firstplace, Kourtney Wall � Runner Up, and ZacharyRichard - Runner Up. Oloya Latigo won the GeographyBee and Dylan Driscoll won the annual WatkinsSpelling Contest, both represent Merrimack MiddleSchool at the state level. In addition, Merrimack MiddleSchool was well represented by many students at theNew Hampshire Band Directors Association (NHBDA)Middle-Level Honor Band Festival, South CentralDistrict honor Band Festival, and Solo and EnsembleFestival.

All of our seventh grade students had the opportunityto participate in an �in house� field trip called WildlifeEncounters. Staff from this organization brought avariety of animals including Bennettís wallaby, articfox, and an American alligator all of whom were rescuedfrom the wild, to our school. The Merrimack MiddleSchool Parent Teacher Group (PTG) sponsored thisevent so all students could participate free of charge.Students also completed a habitat project in the GraterWoods which provides the essential environment for theendangered New England cottontail rabbit.

Over 50 Merrimack Middle School Studentsparticipated in the 2014 Hour of Code in which they hadthe opportunity to learn more about technology and theessential role it plays in society. Students also presentedfull productions of the musical Joseph and the AmazingTechnicolor Dreamcoat as well as Bull in a China Shop.

Our 7th grade students had the opportunity toparticipate in the Camp Sargent experience in the fallas well as the spring of the 2014-15 school year. This

experience provided students with hands on teambuilding opportunities offered through low/high ropeexperiences, canoeing and creating a skit. Thisexperience also included educational elements from the7th grade curriculum such as a farm experience andNative American Culture. The 8th grade students hadthe opportunity to participate in either the WashingtonD.C. trip or local experience which provided themopportunities to gain practical understanding ofgovernment and the rich history of our nation and state.

Through the many efforts of the Merrimack MiddleSchool PTG and its numerous volunteers, the schoolreceived the New Hampshire Partners in Education(NHPIE) Blue Ribbon Award. Merrimack Middle Schooland the Nashua YMCA also received the NHPIE GoldCircle Award. We were also the recipient of acontinuation of the Federal Drug Free CommunitiesProgram grant for a second five years. This grant willcontinue to assist supporting a School ResourceOfficer/Juvenile Officer at Merrimack Middle School toprovide ongoing education about drug and alcohol use,as well as being a resource to support students, families,and the Merrimack community.


Adam Caragher


MERRIMACK MIDDLE SCHOOL

10


MERRIMACK HIGH SCHOOL

Significant changes in the curriculum and thelaunching of a student-based community serviceprogram � �Merrimack Cares� � were the hallmarks ofthis academic year. By introducing 6 new AdvancedPlacement courses as well as 5 new interdisciplinarycourses, MHS intensified course offerings, while over300 seniors sporting their Merrimack Cares/MerrimackGives Back � shirts travelled throughout theMerrimack community engaging in community serviceprojects. Meanwhile, MHS hosted its fifth ChallengeDay series - a nationwide program that addressesbullying and harassment, focuses on gooddecision-making and positive culture building.

Notably, the daily attendance rate hovered at about96% and, of the 307 seniors who graduated, 88%continued their education after high school with 58%attending a four year college, 30% enrolling in atwo-year college or seeking other post-secondaryeducation, 7% going directly to careers, and 4% joiningthe military, leaving 1% undecided.

MHS students excelled academically. One hundred-four (104) students took 181 AP exams in 16 subjects.Eight-five percent (85%) of the exams received a scoreof 3 or higher. Eighteen (18) students received thePresident�s Award for Educational Excellence. MHSNECAP scores remained significantly above the stateaverage as students and teachers prepared for the newSmarter Balanced Assessment Program.

One hundred one scholarships were awarded to MHSstudents on Awards Night totaling $957,950.00. TheNational Honor Society, led by advisors Bill Maniotisand Jan Moynihan-Cooney, inducted 53 students whocontinued the tradition of volunteerism by engaging inseveral community service functions: the Teddy BearPicnic for first graders, the senior citizens HolidayDinner, a blood drive, and the Lazarus House Hike forHope.

The Science Olympiad team won its seventhconsecutive state title and competed in the nationals;the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science andTechnology (FIRST) robotics team competed at theVerizon Center, at regionals, and in national compe-tition.

Students also earned honors in the performing arts.Nineteen students represented MHS at the NHAll-State Jazz Festival, nineteen participated in theAll-State Chorus, Band & Orchestra, while the Concertband received an �A� rating at the All-State LargeGroup Festival.

The MHS Theatre Department took students to theNew Hampshire Educational Theatre Guild (NHETG)Theatre Workshops in October, performed HigherPower in November, and The Pajama Game at the

Opera in the late spring. In January, the theater grouppresented a Night of One Acts including VelveteenRabbit, The Pattern is Broken and Locked In � eachstudent directed. They were also asked to performLocked In at the NH State Festival. TheArtist-in-Residence, Carolyn Rordam, continued thestained glass project. Gifted and Talented studentslaunched the Winter Olympics Festival and engaged intraditional activities including the Students HelpingStudents Tutoring program, Destination Imagination,Granite State Challenge, the Rotary Speech & Voice ofDemocracy contests.

Several athletic teams engaged in social awarenessprojects as well. Moreover, SADD presented ananti-drinking and driving program with the cooperationof the State Liquor Commission�s Office, and sponsoredRed Ribbon week discouraging teen drug use.

In New Hampshire Interscholastic AthleticAssociation (NHIAA) competition, hundreds of boys andgirls participated on one of 50 MHS teams. The girlsvolleyball team won the D1 State Championship going22-0 and set a State record for dominance dropping only2 sets all year. Tammy Lambrou was selected the D1Coach of the Year, while senior Jen Coffey was selectedas the NHIAA Student-Athlete of the Month forSeptember, DI Player of the Year, and Gatorade Playerof the Year for NH. Coaches John Snell (Track), andCathy Merra (XC) were also voted as coaches of theyear. AD, Eric Sabean, continued the Student-AthleteAmbassador program wherein 23 student-athletes wererecognized as scholar-athletes at the state level by theNHIAA. In all, MHS student-athletes received over 150regional and state awards for their excellence on theplaying fields, court, and in the classrooms.

True to tradition, MHS was chosen as a Blue Ribbonrecipient for its volunteerism and a Gold Circle schoolfor its many business partnerships. World Languageteacher Kevin Champigny received the No Bell Prize,which included a $6,000 cash award. The year endedwith an impressive and respectful commencementceremony; Jan Moynihan-Cooney delivered the keynotespeech in Mr. Johnson�s absence, while valedictorianIsabelle Beauregard, salutatorian and class presidentJames Jolly, as well as the president�s designee, ConnorPearson, along with advisors Cheryl Riley and WendyPackard, chose �Rise Above the Rest� as the classtheme.


Kenneth W. Johnson

11

MERRIMACK HIGH SCHOOL 2015 GRADUATES

Jesse Josiah AdamsZachary R. AmodioAngelica M. AndradeEmily Paige Arcudi

◊ Ryan Christoper BallardAustin M. BannisterChase D. Bantham

◊ Elizabeth M. Barbera◊ Ryan P. Barry

Dallas M. BascioJulia Kaitlyn Bates

◊�� Dylan J. BeaulieuRobert Jeffrey Beaulieu

◊ Zachary W. Beauparlant◊�� Isabelle Nora Beauregard

Noah R. Belanger◊�� Amanda N. Belliveau◊�� Julie E. Berberian

Nicholas K. Berube◊ Nathan D. Blais

Joy Masego Boang◊ Madison Claire Boerner

Christopher T. Boilard◊� Danielle Bonner◊� Anna E. Boucher

Sarah Michelle Bourbeau◊� Katherine R. Bouressa

Kelly E. Bourque◊ Zachary M. Bowman◊ Connor J. Boyce

◊�� Katherine E. Brennan◊ Matthew A. Brewster

Ethan Hunter BrodellDylan J. Browne

◊ Austin B. Buda◊ Jacob A. Buda◊ Meagan J. K. Buda

Corey A. BurrellJoseph P. BurryJenna M. Byrd

◊ Eric M. Cabral◊ Joseph P. Calabro

Meghan E. CamaraRobert A. CamberlainGabrielle O. CantoSara R. Capano

◊ Erin Kathleen Carey◊ Brendan J. Carter

Bryan Jonathan Charland◊ Bryce E. Chouinard◊ Madison M. Chouinard◊ Corey G. Clarke

Connor D. Cloutier◊ Matthew J. Coburn◊ Jennifer N. Coffey

Nicholas R. Colombo

Tara M. Comire◊ Caitlin J. Considine

Ana Carolina Viana CostaJesse L. CovatisJackson R. CrawfordShawn Robert Crement

◊ Benjamin C. CroninKiera C. CrowleyZachary R. Curran

◊�� Emily Maria Anne CurtisMitchell R. Dalton

�� Matthew R. Daneau�� Alexander T. Dano�� Paul H. Davidson

Kalylah Davis◊ Andrew H. DeGregorio◊ Cheyanne S. DeMattia

Misael J. DemitriusGarrett Paul DentonRoss D. DescheneauxLily A. DesrochersJustin L. Devanna

◊� Ashley E. Devereaux◊ Santino DiPalermo

Joshua R. Duarte◊ Colby N. Dubois◊ Jack T. Duffy

Allen J. DurkeeBrandon R. EarlMadison P. Eger

◊ Julia May EichmanMaisie Anne EliasLaura B. ElliottNicholas R. Elmer

◊�� Sierra Paige EricksonAustin J. Farrens

◊ Michael B. FerroneJason M. Fitzgerald

◊ Jordan C. Fleckenstein◊ Jason J. Fortin

Kasey Marie Foster◊ Katelyn Fournier

Shane Michael FoyeZoe Ashley Fraize

◊ Amanda L. Franklin◊ Austin J. Franzen

Stephen Adams GageKaitlyn E. Gagne

◊ Jeffrey Michael GallagherLucas K. Gardenour

◊ Joseph R. GiampietroAshley A. GiguereAustyn Cammaron Gilmore

◊ Summer S. Golden◊�� Sarah Emily Goldstein◊� Kelsey L. Golemo

◊ Bailey S. GoodwinJessica L. Goodwin

◊ Alexandria A. Grace◊ Ashley J. Grassini◊ Brittany A. Gravallese◊ Casey J. Grigg◊ Julia M. Grist◊ Felix J. Guerette

Michael D. GuestAndrew R. Guilmette

◊�� Kyra H. Gustavsen◊ Gifford A. Hall

Donald Andrew HalpinCailey W. Hambleton

� Kaitlyn R. HansonCahi A. HardyBrandon J. HargreavesNeal H. HarringtonJordan Covey Harte

◊ Troy C. Hartmann◊ Devon Tyler Hastings◊ Shannon L. Healey

◊�� Mackenzie J. HennasGarrett C. HenzleyAshley M. HerrickIan T. HerrmannNhan E. HoBrendan J. Holley

◊ Meghan E. HopkinsMaegan E. Howe

◊� Tyler J. HoyleJason M. HughEmilee JensenBrandon A. Johnson

◊ Sarah Esperanza Johnson◊�� James P. Jolly

Alyssa M. JonesAnkita Juvvadi

◊ Nicholas A. KachmarAlicia E. Kane

◊ Alexis N. KapsambelisJacob M. KennedyMerida G. KepnesTyler J. K. KimballBrandon Thomas Kindlimann

◊ Kathryn G. KingAustin James Knust

◊� Trevor T. LaceySavannah Leigh LaChanceJames A. LafondGabriel J. LaForgeNathan M. LamMichael David Lang

◊ Ashley L. LangelierAnthony J. LapianaKayla A. LaSala

12

◊ New Hampshire Scholar� National Honor Society* Top 15%

Lacey E. Lauture◊� Kyle J. Lawson◊�� Shannon K. Leavenworth◊�� Renee D. LeClaire

Timothy J. L'Heureux◊� Valerie A. Libby� Raithe C. Liberty

Allison C. Lindbom◊�� Kayla A. Londono

Janette Lopez◊ Morgan E. Lussier◊ Adam M. Lynch

Jacob D. MacDonaldConnor D. MacInnisSummer MacPhersonJames R. Madden

◊ Elizabeth Grace MageeMakayla Rachel Marchand

◊ Cassondra J. MardenTroy M. MarksJoseph James MarshallConnor M. MartinMorgan L. Martinage

◊�� Alyssa E. Maston◊�� Kellie A. Mathewson

Samantha Matthes◊ Julianne C. Mayville

Robert E. McCarthy IIIAnthony William McHughConor E. MeighanAshley C. MelloLauren Marie MenardJeffrey David MenardDana A. Mendes

◊ Caitlin T. MinearCameron M. MonahanTaeya Sherrai Montgomery

◊ Paige A. MontyJarrett James MoralesLuke E. MoreySarah J. MorganKyle C. Moschen

◊ Jessica L. Mulhern◊�� Daniel J. Mulligan◊ Jennifer A. Mulligan

Grace A. MulveyMackenzie Mariah Murphy

◊� Renee M. Murray◊ Nathan A. Narducci

Gabrielle Lynne Naylor◊ Colin G. Neve◊ Wesley J. Notter

Christopher J. Nowalk◊�� Logan T. Nozell◊ Morgan L. Nugent

Aidan P. O'BrienAndrea Lynne Olson

◊ Timothy R. O'Neil

Robert D. OreYuka OshigeRachael Ellen ParadisMikayla K. ParentHayley D. ParrottStephen J. ParsonsZachary M. Partin

◊ Caitlyn A. Paulson◊� Conner J. Pearson

◊�� Emily E. Pelletier◊ Thomas D. Perkins

Wesley V.A. Perrier◊ Julia C. Perry◊ Amanda J. Petrain

Riccardo Petrilli◊ Jacquelyn E. Petrocelli

Conor S. Pickett◊�� John Richard Pitten

Devan E. Plourde-McElroyAshley R. PoirierAlison C. PoudretteLeean M. Power-DiMascioCharles J. ProutyHannah Soolunya ProvencherChristopher John Puglisi

◊�� Hersh RaiEthan R. RancourtMatthew John RanieriMichael W. RaymondCheyenne A. Regnier

�� Dylan T. Richardson◊ Stephen M. Ring

Joseph L. RivardScott T. RiversChristopher B. Romero-KlevishaTaylor R. RosatiNoah S. RoyValentina RuizSeth Allen Russell

◊ Sarah C. SadhwaniAutumn Raine SayballJordan R. Schaub

◊�� Tayla L. SchipillitiRyan A. SchneiderAleesya Marie Schreech

◊�� Rachel Catherine Schwartz◊�� Shoshana C. Sernik

� Steven C. Sexton◊ Darby Bishop Shaw

Sarah E. ShawSarah A. Sibley

◊ Nicholas L. Simmons◊ Keo J. Simonson

Ryan Edward Sinclair◊ Kevin Allan Sloane

Benjamin O. Smalley◊� Abigail Alexa Smith◊ Brett C. Smith

◊ Hannah R. Smith◊� Katherine M. Smith

◊�� Katherine E. Spencer◊�� Allison M. Stankiewicz

Ryan S. StevensAndrew H. StockhausenJordan Scott SullenbergerKathleen Mary SummersTyler C. SundstromLogan Louis Sweesy

◊ Stephanie A. Sylvester◊�� Rhianne E. Tallarico

Shawn M. TheriaultBrianna Hope Therrien

◊ Michaela Joelle ThomasAusten D. ThomsonAshlyn M. Toursie

◊� Matison A. TrotterChristian W. TurcotteJillian N. Turner

◊ Tanisha D. Urgent-Mitrano� Schuyler R. Vaillancourt◊ Craig R. Valenti

◊�� Abigail Faith Varano◊� Jonathan R. Wallace

Taylor M. Walls◊�� Sandra LeighAnne Walser

Ian J. WalshCaleb Nguyen WareJustin John WatkinsKelly A. Watkinson

◊ Alec P. WatsonEmily A. WatsonHaley A. Watson

◊ Pierre H. Watt◊ Emily A. Weaver

◊� Benjamin J. WheelerTodd R. WhittakerAustyn J. WhittinghamSarah A. Willan

◊�� Blake J. M. Williams◊� Hollie V. Wilson

Tyler J. Witkowski◊ Noah Wood◊ Megan C. Worster

Brandon Robert Zaher◊�� Erin M. Zanni◊ Jefferson E. Zannoni

Morgan Alexandria Zyla

13

Alderson-Broadus CollegeAmerican University - DCAmerican University of ParisArcadia UniversityAssumption College - MAAuburn University - ALBabson CollegeBay State College - MABecker College - MABelmont UniversityBeloit College - WIBel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology - COBennington College - VTBentley University - MABoston University - MABowling Green State UniversityBrandeis University - MABrevard Community CollegeBridgewater State University - MABrigham Young University - IDBrigham Young University - UTBryant University - RICalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoCalvary Chapel Bible College - CACase Western Reserve University - OHCastleton State College - VTCatholic University of America - DCCentral Connecticut State University - CTChamplain College - VTCity College of New York - NYClark University - MAClarkson University - NYClemson University - SCCoastal Carolina University Colby-Sawyer College - NHCollege of Saint Rose - NYCollege of Wooster - OHColorado Mountain College - COColorado State University - COColumbia College Chicago - ILCurry College - MADaniel Webster College - NHDrew UniversityDrexel University - PAEast Carolina University - NCEastern Nazarene CollegeElmira College - NYElon University - NCEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University - FLEmerson College - MAEmmanuel College - MAEmpire Beauty SchoolEndicott College - MAFairfield University - CTFitchburg State University - MAFlorida Institute of Technology - FLFranklin Pierce University - NHFull Sail University - FLGeorge Mason University - VAGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGordon CollegeGoucher College - MDGranite State CollegeGreat Bay Community College - NHGreen Mountain College - VTGrove City College - PAHampshire College - MAHampton UnivesityHigh Point University - NCHofstra University - NYHusson University - ME

Members of the Merrimack High School Class of 2015 were accepted at the following institutions ofhigher learning:

Indian River State College - FLIndiana University at Bloomington - INIthaca College - NYJames Madison University - VAJohns Hopkins University - MDJohnson & Wales University - RIKeene State College - NHKent State CollegeKing's CollegeLa Salle University - PALafayette College - PALakes Region Community CollegeLasell College -MALe Moyne College - NYLesley University - MALong Island University, BrooklynLouisiana State University - LALoyola University Maryland - MDLyndon State College - VTManchester Community College - NHManhattan CollegeMarymount Manhattan College - NYMassachusetts College of Art and Design - MAMassachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences - MAMercyhurst UniversityMerrimack College - MAMiami Dade College - FLMichael's School of Hair Design & Esthetics - NHMississippi State University - MSMontana State University, BozemanMontserrat College of Art - MAMount Ida College - MAMuhlenberg College - PANashua Community College - NHNew England College - NHNew England Institute of Technology - RINew Hampshire Institute of Art - NHNew Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades - NHNew Hampshire Technical Institute - NHNew York Film Academy - NYNiagara University - NYNichols College - MANorth Carolina State University - NCNortheastern University - MANorthern Arizona UniversityNorwich University - VTOhio State University - OHPace University - NYPaul Smith's College - NYPennsylvania State University - PAPlymouth State University - NHProvidence College - RIPurdue University - INQuinnipiac University - CTRadford University - VARegis College - MARensselaer Polytechnic Institute - NYRhodes College - TNRider UniversityRivier University - NHRoanoke College - VARochester Institute of Technology - NYRoger Williams University - RIRowan University - NJRutgers University - NJSacred Heart UniversitySage College of Albany - NYSaint Anselm College - NHSaint Joseph's College - MESaint Lawrence University - NYSaint Louis University - MO

14

Saint Michael's College - VTSalem State University - MASalve Regina College - RISeton Hall University - NJSiena College - NYSimmons College - MASouthern Maine Community College - MESouthern New Hampshire University - NHSouthern Vermont College - VTSouthern Virginia University - VASpringfield College - MAStetson University - FLStevenson University - MDStonehill College - MAStony Brook University - NYSuffolk University - MASummitt University-PASusquehanna University - PASyracuse University - NYTemple University - PAThe Culinary Institute of AmericaThe University of Alabama at BirminghamThe University of ArizonaTowson University - MDTrinity College - CTTufts University - MAUnion College - NYUnited States Naval AcademyUniversity of Alabama - ALUniversity of Bridgeport - CTUniversity of Chicago - ILUniversity of Colorado at Boulder - COUniversity of Connecticut - CTUniversity of Delaware - DEUniversity of Hartford - CTUniversity of Hull-UKUniversity of Maine - MEUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst - MAUniversity of Massachusetts Boston - MAUniversity of Massachusetts Dartmouth - MAUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell - MAUniversity of Minnesota - MNUniversity of Missouri - MOUniversity of New England - MEUniversity of New Hampshire - NHUniversity of New Hampshire Manchester - NHUniversity of New Haven - CTUniversity of North Carolina - NCUniversity of North Dakota - NDUniversity of Pittsburgh - PAUniversity of Rhode Island - RIUniversity of Richmond - VAUniversity of Rochester - NYUniversity of Scranton - PAUniversity of South Carolina - SCUniversity of South Florida - FLUniversity of Southern California - CAUniversity of Southern Maine - MEUniversity of Tampa - FLUniversity of Tennessee - TNUniversity of Vermont - VTUniversity of Wisconsin - WIUniversity of Wyoming - WYUtah State University - UTUtah Valley University - UTUtica College - NYVillanova University - PAVirginia Polytechnic Institute & State University - VAWashington University in St Louis - MOWentworth Institute of Technology - MAWestminster College - UTWheaton College - MA

Wheelock College - MAWilkes University - PAWorcester Polytechnic Institute - MAWorcester State University - MA

Good luck to the graduates who enlisted in the Armed Services. We have students entering the:U.S. Air ForceU.S. Army and the Army National GuardU.S. Army ReserveU.S. Marine CorpsU.S. Navy

15

Report to the Citizens of Merrimack

March 2016

The Planning and Building Committee is chartered with providing long-term strategicresearch and planning for the Merrimack School District. It is the only Planning andBuilding Committee in the state whose members are elected.

In light of the emergency situation regarding the middle school roof, the Board had todelay the new central administration office being placed on the ballot again for anotheryear. We did, however, continue discussions on the office building and began a reviewof possible other site locations within the immediate area to see if any were feasible. Atthis time, information is being explored and costs are being calculated.

We were asked to update and review the research we had complied on a new track andfield as the track will be placed alone in the District budget this year. We hadpreviously looked at it in combination with a possible new turf field, but in addition toother unforeseen expenses the Board decided to have the track installed alone due tothe fact the track could no longer be repaired or used by any team. The Committeerevised its information to reflect costs and arrangements to install only an eight-lanetrack for the upcoming year.

We will continue to research the field solution as the current field�s condition continuesto be a challenge to accommodate the many teams needing to use it. The newadministration building will again be reviewed and updates given to the Board asneeded.

Sincerely,

Richard Hendricks, ChairGage Perry, Vice-chairStan HeinrichFinlay RothhausLaurie RothhausSue Sheridan

PLANNING & BUILDING COMMITTEEMerrimack School District

http://www.merrimack.k12.nh.us/PBC/

16

Year Estimated Amount

2015-2016 $208,398

2016-2017 $212,331

2017-2018 $220,201

and further raise and appropriate the sum ofTwo Hundred Eight Thousand Three HundredNinety Eight Dollars ($208,398) for the currentfiscal year, such sum representing theadditional costs attributable to the increase insalaries and benefits required by the newagreement over those that would be paid at thecurrent staffing levels? (Majority voterequired). (Recommended by the School BoardVote: 5-0-0). (Recommended by the BudgetCommittee Vote: 11-0-1).

Mrs. Christensen recognized Mrs. Barnes who movedArticle 3 as written. Second: Mr. Powell.

Mrs. Barnes spoke to her motion by saying that thiscontract covers the School District support staff, whichincludes custodians and other maintenance staff,paraprofessionals, administrative assistants and foodservice workers. She said this is a three-year contractwith a 3% pay increase for each employee and a 1%decrease in the amount that the District contributestoward the health insurance plan. She said that, whilethe District has a three-tier plan, the amount theDistrict pays toward health insurance is based on thebottom tier: the HMO plan. This will result inapproximately $50,000 savings to the District each yearor $150,000 over the term of the contract. Mrs. Barnesalso said that the contract includes a longevity bonus ofthirty cents an hour for employees who have been withthe District for more than 30 years.

Mrs. Christensen called for discussion on the article.

There was none.

Mrs. Christensen declared Article 3 moved to the ballotand read Article 4.

Article 4: Shall the District, if Article 3 isdefeated; authorize the School Board to callone special meeting, at its option, to addressArticle 3 cost items only? (Majority voterequired). (Recommended by the School BoardVote: 5-0-0).

Present: School Board members Christopher Ortega,Shannon Barnes, Davis Powell, Andy Schneider andCinda Guagliumi; Superintendent Marjorie Chiafery;Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mark McLaughlin;Business Administrator Matthew Shevenell; and LegalCounsel Alison Minutelli.

At 7:00 PM, Moderator Lynn Christensen called themeeting to order and led those present in the Pledge ofAllegiance. Mrs. Christensen asked Mr. Ortega tointroduce the School Board and other officials on stage.Mrs. Christensen asked Stanley Heinrich to introducethe Budget Committee. Mrs. Christensen explained theprocedures to be followed during the meeting and statedArticle 1 was election of officers, which would take placeby official ballot on April 14th

Mrs. Christensen read Article 2:

Article 2: Shall the Merrimack School Board beauthorized to accept on behalf of the District,without further action by the voters, gifts,legacies and devises of personal or realproperty which may become available to theDistrict during the fiscal year? (Majority voterequired). (Recommended by the School BoardVote: 5-0-0).

Mrs. Christensen recognized Mrs. Guagliumi whomoved Article 2 as written. Second: Mr. Powell.

Mrs. Guagliumi spoke to her motion by saying that thisarticle appears on the ballot every year to allow theSchool Board to accept property gifts on behalf of theDistrict after public discussion and a vote by the Board.


There was none.


Article 3: Shall the District approve the costitems included in the collective bargainingagreement reached between the School Boardand the Merrimack Educational Support StaffAssociation which calls for the following netchanges in salaries and benefits at the currentstaffing levels over the amount paid in theprior fiscal year:

Merrimack School District ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING

Session 1: DeliberationMarch 4, 2015

17

Mrs. Christensen recognized Mr. Powell who movedArticle 4 as written. Second: Mrs. Barnes.

Mr. Powell spoke to his motion by saying that shouldArticle 3 fail, this article gives the School Board theoption of holding a special meeting to discuss cost itemsonly without the need to petition the Superior Court tohold a meeting.


There was none.


Article 5: Shall the District discontinue theAsbestos Removal Fund with said fundprincipal and accumulated interest to date ofwithdrawal, to be transferred to the SchoolDistrict's general fund?

Approximate Amount Remaining

Balance Fund Purpose Year Created Remaining

Asbestos 2007 $50, 525.00Removal Fund

(Majority vote required). (Recommended bythe School Board Vote: 5-0-0).

(Recommended by the Budget Committee Vote:11-1-0).

Mrs. Christensen recognized Mr. Powell who movedArticle 5 as written. Second: Mrs. Guagliumi.

Mr. Powell spoke to his motion by saying that theDistrict has been working to remove asbestos tiles fromall schools for several years and funding the on-goingprojects in the operating budget. He said the Districtexpects to have the removal projects completed by 2016and will no longer need this fund. He stated the intentwas to dissolve the fund and use the money left to fundthe next article.


There was none.


Article 6 (Special Warrant Article): Shall theDistrict raise and appropriate an amount up toFifty Thousand Five Hundred Twenty FiveDollars ($50,525) and transfer that amount tothe School District Repair Capital ReserveFund? (Majority vote required). (Recom-

mended by the School Board Vote: 5-0-0).(Recommended by the Budget Committee Vote:10-1-1).

Mrs. Christensen recognized Mr. Ortega who movedArticle 6 as written. Second: Mrs. Barnes.

Mr. Ortega spoke to his motion by saying that thisCapital Reserve Fund is used for general unforeseenand, thus unbudgeted, repairs to District facilities andequipment. He said the fund was used this year torepair the high school bleachers and the current balanceof the fund is $21,000. He said any expenditure fromthe fund requires a School Board vote.


Mr. Heinrich asked what the intention of the SchoolBoard was if Article 5 fails.

Mr. Ortega stated that he considered Article 5 andArticle 6 as two separate warrant articles and, as such,even if Article 5 failed, Article 6 would be funded.

Bob L�Heureux asked what happens if the actual finalamount in the Asbestos Removal Fund is different from$50, 525. Mrs. Christensen stated that Article 5dissolves the Asbestos Removal Fund and whateveramount is in the fund at dissolution goes into theGeneral Fund.

Mr. Tenhave asked why the article contains an amount�up to� since it is a special warrant article. AttorneyMinutelli told him that DRA allows that language andthat the amount that would be put into the Repair Fundcould be less that $50,525 but would not be more than$50,525.

Mr. Tenhave asked if the tax rate would be set based on$50,525 or on the amount the School Board decides toput into the Repair Fund. Attorney Minutelli said thetax rate would be set on the actual amount that theSchool Board decides to put in the fund.

There was no further discussion.

Mrs. Christensen declared Article 6 moved to the ballotas printed and read Article 7.

Article 7: Shall the District raise andappropriate as an operating budget, notincluding appropriations by special warrantarticles and other appropriations votedseparately, the amounts set forth on the budgetposted with the warrant or as amended by voteof the first session, for the purposes set forththerein, totaling $70,408,919? (Should thisarticle be defeated, the operating budget shallbe $71,005,822 which is the same as last year,

18

with certain adjustments required by previousaction of the District or by law, or thegoverning body may hold one special meeting,in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, totake up the issue of a revised operating budgetonly)? (Majority vote required). (Recom-mended by the School Board Vote: 5-0-0).(Recommended by the Budget Committee Vote:12-0-0).

Mrs. Christensen recognized Mr. Heinrich who movedArticle 7 as written. Second: Bill Cummings(Huckleberry Lane)

Mr. Heinrich spoke to his motion by saying the budgetincluded a maximum health insurance increase of 4.4 %and a 10% retirement increase. In addition, theproposed budget includes $35,000 for a bus to takeMerrimack students to a charter school, which is inMerrimack and a new maintenance truck. Mr. Heinrichsaid that some of the things the Budget Committeediscussed included additional maintenance staff andfunding for a district-wide mental health professional.He also said that some of the things that are not inbudget are window replacement, cafeteria tables andchairs, and middle school sidewalk repairs. He thankedthe Administration and the School Board for their hardwork on the budget and stated that the proposedoperating budget is $596,903 less than the defaultbudget.


Mr. Tenhave asked why a budget increase of 2.61%resulted in a net tax impact of 5.63%. Mr. Shevenellstated the difference was the result of a reduction inanticipated revenue.

Mr. Tenhave asked how much this would increase taxbills. Mr. Shevenell said the impact was 90 cents perthousand or $180 on a $200,000 home.

There was no further discussion.

Mrs. Christensen declared Article 7 moved to the ballot.

Mr. Heinrich made a MOTION to adjourn. Second: Mrs.Barnes.

Mrs. Christensen called for a vote on the motion.

Mrs. Christensen declared the MOTION PASSED andadjourned the meeting at 7:27 PM.

Session 2: Ballot Voting

April 8, 2015

The Town Moderator opened the polls at 7:00 AM. At7:00 PM, the Moderator closed the polls and allowedthose present to finish voting.

At 7:30 PM after results were tallied, School DistrictModerator Lynn Christensen announced that 2,165voters had cast ballots with the following results:

School Board � three years, two seats

�Andy� Schneider � 1,513 votes�Davis� Powell � 1,472 votes

The Moderator declared Andy Schneider and DavisPowell elected.

Planning & Building Committee � three years,two seats

�Sue� Sheridan � 1,474 votesRichard Hendricks � 1,400 votes

The Moderator declared Sue Sheridan and RichardHendricks elected.

Budget Committee � three years, four seats

Jordan Guagliumi � 1,365 votesDavid Illg � 1,324 votesSylvie Pare � 1,371 votes

The Moderator declared Jordan Guagliumi, David Illgand Sylvie Pare elected.

Mrs. Christensen announced that there were over 100ballots with write-in votes for the 4th seat on theBudget Committee and she would announce results forthat seat after the write-in votes were counted.

Budget Committee � one year, one seat

�Bill� Cummings � 1,626 votes

The Moderator declared Bill Cummings elected.

Article 2: Yes � 1,657 votes No � 294 votes.

The Moderator declared Article 2 passed.





19







At 8 PM, after the write-in votes for Budget Committeehad been tallied, the Moderator announced that CaitlinOrtega had received 36 write-in votes and was declaredelected to the Budget Committee.


Pastricia HeinrichSchool District Clerk

20

26

Merrimack School DistrictComparative Enrollments

Enrolled Enrolled EstimatedGrade 9/2015 1/2016 9/2016

K 207 210 184

1 257 262 252

2 277 275 258

3 249 247 272

4 283 285 256

Sub Total 1273 1279 1222

5 271 269 277

6 306 302 265

Sub Total 577 571 542

7 283 278 302

8 303 300 272

Sub Total 586 578 574

9 274 276 301

10 333 323 277

11 280 276 327

12 346 338 292

Sub Total 1233 1213 1197

Spec. Ed. (Out-of-District Place-ments and Students Ages 3 & 4) 129 138 135

GRAND TOTAL 3798 3779 3670

27

MERRIMACK SCHOOL DISTRICT

Merrimack, New Hampshire

2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7

P R O P O S E D B U D G E T

28

MERRIMACK SCHOOL DISTRICTBUDGET COMMITTEE

2014-2015

Stan Heinrich, Chair .......................................................... 2016

Richard Barnes, Vice Chair ............................................... 2015

Kevin Bobbitt ...................................................................... 2017

William Cummings .............................................................. 2015

John Hanson ........................................................................ 2017

David Illg ............................................................................. 2015

Shelly Jacoby ....................................................................... 2017

Carol Lang ........................................................................... 2016

Lisa Mooney ......................................................................... 2016

Chuck Mower ...................................................................... 2017

Valerie Pellegrino (resigned January 2015) ...................... 2015

Chuck Skarda ..................................................................... 2015

Ex-Officio School Board

Cinda Guagliumi

Davis Powell (alternative)

Pat Heinrich, Secretary

29

DISTRIBUTION OF YOUR EDUCATION DOLLAR

Proposed Budget 2016-2017

2015 MSD Annual Report/8.5 x 11 - Merrimack High School · ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE CHAIR 2015-2016...

Documents

Transcript of 2015 MSD Annual Report/8.5 x 11 - Merrimack High School · ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE CHAIR 2015-2016...