PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MINUTES WILL NOT BE FINAL UNTIL
THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM AT ITS NEXT MEETING.
The Board of Directors of Maine School Administrative
District No. 75 held a regular meeting
at Mt. Ararat High School on
The following Directors were present: Joanne Rogers, Chair; Maryane Burns; Caroline
Eliot; Dorothy Gardner; Robert W. Hill; David A. Johnson; Jane Meisenbach;
Andrea Najarian; Jeffrey Steinert; Kim Totten; and Roland Tufts.
Not present were Dorothy “Dee” Carrier and Jeffrey
Rowe. The seat previously held by Edward
Cook, III and vacated by his resignation remains vacant.
Also present were Tasha Cornish and Sara Todd, student representatives
to the Board of Directors.
1. Call to order
The meeting was called to order
by Chairman Rogers at
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
The Pledge of Allegiance the
Flag was recited by those present.
3. To
consider action relative to additions or adjustments to the agenda and to ask
for comments from the audience
An agenda adjustment was noted and
added under Recognitions and Acknowldgements.
3.1 RECOGNITIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
√ Moment
of silence for
√ Mary
Booth and Karen Kilmer – Successful M.S.A.D. No. 75 Health Fair
√ Chairman
Rogers acknowledged those who participated in preparations for the January 28th
referendum on Harpswell’s petition to withdraw from M.S.A.D. No. 75 – speakers
at the informational hearing, those participating in the TV informational
production, and the entire Board for allowing the dissemination of necessary
and valuable information.
4. To
take action relative to accepting as printed the minutes of the
It was moved by Mr. Johnson,
seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED
(unanimously of those present) to accept as printed the minutes of the
5. OLD BUSINESS:
5.1 To
undertake a second reading of and approve revisions to the District Medication
Policy (JHCD) and the Buildings and Grounds Management Policy (EC) and the
Community Use of School Facilities Procedures
... Ms. Eliot arrived at
Woodside Elementary School Nurse
Naomi Mullane indicated she had verified with Dr. Lawrence Losey that the
District’s protocol regarding the treatment of unexpected allergic reactions is
correct (administration of epinephrine by a registered nurse). Dr. Losey also noted that using a cell phone
to dial 911 is prudent.
It was moved by Mrs. Gardner,
seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED
(unanimously) to accept the second reading of and approve revisions to the
District Medication Policy (JHCD) and the Buildings and Grounds Management
Policy (EC) and the Community Use of School Facilities Procedures.
6. NEW BUSINESS:
6.1 To
accept Richard Rytky as a tuition student at
Superintendent Wilhelm informed
the Board that acceptance of this student has the Administration’s support.
It was moved by Mr. Johnson,
seconded by Mr. Steinert, and VOTED
(unanimously) to accept Richard Rytky as a tuition student at
6.2 To
approve the transfer of an Educational Technician II position from
It was moved by Mr. Steinert,
seconded by Mr. Hill, and VOTED
(unanimously) to approve the transfer of an Educational Technician II
position from
6.3
To appoint Rosemarie
DeAngelis as .4 FTE Speech and Language Pathologist as of January 18, 2006,
for the remainder of the school year at Master’s +15, Step 30
It was moved by Mr. Steinert,
seconded by Mrs. Totten, and VOTED
(unanimously) to appoint Rosemarie
DeAngelis as a .4 FTE Speech and Language Pathologist as of January 18,
2006, for the remainder of the school year at Master’s +15, Step 30.
6.4
To consider the value of offering credit for
student participation in the high school Advisory Program
Karen Tilbor, Dean of
Post-Secondary Planning at
Dr. Wilhelm noted that he feels
for the first time that the advisory program has substance to it.
Mrs. Gardner asked a question
regarding substance abuse counseling, and Dr. Wilhelm noted that cases are
being referred to counselors in the community.
He also stated that it is also planned to put some money into the new
budget for this.
6.5 To
hear a report on the District MYDAUS {
Mary Booth presented an overview
of the District Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey. The
Ms. Eliot urged the Superintendent
to “get out the word” (via newsletters, sending it home) on these startling
statistics. She would like to see the
February 28th forum publicized.
6.6 To
enter executive session to discuss the contract with the Merrymeeting Employees
Association pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. 405 (6) (D)
This session was postponed until the
next meeting. Board members were urged
to inform the Superintendent of any questions they have.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
7.1 Adult
Education Advisory Committee – No report was presented, due to Mrs. Carrier’s
absence.
7.2 MVR
10 Cooperative Board meeting – No report was presented.
8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
8.1 Harpswell
vote – Superintendent Wilhelm noted that LD 1953 is scheduled for a public
hearing with the Education Committee on February 8 or 9 (will be
announced).
Mrs. Rogers asked whether a 2/3rd
vote is required to pass the proposed legislation. Superintendent Wilhelm responded that it is
an emergency bill and does need a 2/3rd vote to pass. The sponsor, Art Mayo, will remove the 2/3rd
vote requirement if he thinks it won’t get a 2/3rd
vote, then it would just need a
majority vote to pass.
Mrs. Rogers questioned Gordon Weil’s
statement that withdrawal from the District would mean that Harpswell would
“get a better deal.” Superintendent
Wilhelm stated that the statutes governing withdrawal from an SAD outlines
things that need to be negotiated and provided examples of those items. He indicated he has seen nothing about
negotiating different terms for cost sharing with any other towns – just
between Harpswell and the Board.
Mrs. Rogers questioned Gordon Weil’s
statement that the Legislature passed the bill providing 25% funding of special
education costs for Harpswell because the Town voted against the budget. Superintendent Wilhelm noted that the
legislation was approved by the Legislature before the M.S.A.D. No.75 budget
referendum.
Mrs. Rogers noted that Gordon Weil
made the distinction that a study is theoretical and the withdrawal process
practical.
Mr. Steinert asked whether there is
any obligation for Harpswell to do a study if the vote passes. The Superintendent stated that there is no
obligation to undertake a study. Mrs.
Rogers said the Selectmen could have included money for such a study. She stated that the Selectmen have asked for
$50,000 on the Town Budget Meeting warrant.
Superintendent Wilhelm thinks the Board might have to provide a similar
amount.
8.2 Sports
Done Right meetings with students – Superintendent Wilhelm has met with middle
and high school students (picked from teams), indicating that the students took
the task seriously, asking questions.
8.3 Superintendent
Wilhelm informed Board members there’s a
movement to enact legislation to allow teachers to have greater input in the
negotiation of policies. MSMA does not
support this.
9. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was declared
adjourned at
The meeting
was reconvened at
Board Chair Joanne Rogers asked the
Board if it would approve broadcasting the Superintendent’s Report separate
from and at an earlier date than the Board meeting broadcast, because it
contained information critical to the Harpswell vote on January 28th . The
Board unanimously approved the request.
The meeting was adjourned at