PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MINUTES WILL NOT BE FINAL UNTIL

THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM AT ITS NEXT MEETING.

 

May 27, 2004

 

The Board of Directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 75 held a regular meeting in Room 201 of Mt. Ararat High School.

 

The following Directors were present:  Stephen K. Harris, Chairman; Maryane Burns; Catherine Curry; Caroline Eliot; Michael Feldman; Dorothy Gardner; Patrick Grotton; David A. Johnson; Andrea Najarian; Joanne Rogers; Jeffrey Rowe; Linda St. Laurent; Jeffrey Steinert; and Myna Stephens. 

 

Also present were Bill Jack and Jared Libby, student representatives to the Board of Directors.

 

The regular Board meeting was preceded by a public hearing on the proposed FY ’05 school budget at 6:00 p.m.

 

1.         Call to order

 

            Chairman Harris called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.

 

2.         Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

            Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

3.         To consider action relative to additions or adjustments to the agenda and to ask for comments from the audience

 

            Agenda adjustments were made as follows:

 

            (correction)

6.14                 Appoinment of Sarah Wishart should be at Bachelor’s, Step 0.

 

(correction to previously-noted adjustment)

6.15a               To appoint Patrick Conley to a one-year probationary contract to teach 6th grade language arts and social studies at Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Master’s, Step 0

 

(delete)

6.23                 To enter executive session for the purpose of discussing a personnel issue

 

(add)

new 6.23            To consider using dollars remaining in the high school allocation in this budget for equipment repair to improve staff parking at the high school

 

(add)

8.4              Harpswell Islands School playground

 

3.1              Recognitions and acknowledgements

 

-                     Colin Roy – KVAC Athletic Director of the Year

 

-                     Mark Rogers – Gatorade Maine Baseball Player of the Year

 

-                     Mt. Ararat High School Chamber Singers – First place at the Montreal Heritage Festival Competition

 

-                     Mt. Ararat High School Wind Ensemble – First place at the Montreal Heritage Festival Competition

 

-                     Mt. Ararat High School Jazz Band - Second place at the Montreal Heritage Festival Competition

 

-                     Mt. Ararat High School Treble Choir – Second place at the Montreal Heritage Festival Competition

 

-                     Mt. Ararat High School Music Program – Sweepstakes award in the festival categories of choral, instrumental and overall

 

-                     Mt. Ararat High School – Winners of State Science Fair – Brian Flynn, Emma Hamilton, Ben Cox, Drew Martel, Will Perry, Laurel Koepke, Diana Mendez, Holly Sawyer, Emily Clark, Alex Bernier, P.J. Karonis, Roby Moulton, Adam Paine, Zoe French, Kate Reichert, Sarah Dennison, Danielle Plourde, Elizabeth Guerette, Allison Doe, Sara Todd, Greta Drake, Alex French, Noah Lumsden, Reuben Fischer-Baum, Hilary Mordecai & Mike Hennessey

 

-                     Alex French, Noah Lumsden & Sarah Dennison – Winners of Navy Award at Science Fair

 

-                     Chris Chapman, Mt. Ararat High School art teacher – Published in DISCOVERY:  Fifty Years of Craft Experience at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

 

-                     Mike Mercier, Michelle Arsenault, Zachary Soper, John Johnson, III, Jacob Montalvo, and Elizabeth McCourt – Mt. Ararat High School vocational students named Students of the Quarter for their respective programs

 

-                     Richard Keen, Mt. Ararat High School art teacher – Exhibited at the HOME exhibition at UNE Art Gallery

 

-                     Dorothy Hill – Generous donation of her time advising the Mt. Ararat Middle School Sixth Grade Math Olympiad

 

-                     Orion Performing Arts Center and Sue Shaw – Dewing Foundation Grant for Artists in the Classroom

 

-           Robin Beltramini, Nancy Greindl, Mary Booth and Marla Blake – School-Based Health Center Grant from United Way

4.         To take action relative to accepting as printed the minutes of the May 13, 2004, regular meeting of the Board of Directors

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (923 yeas, 0 nays, 77 abstentions, and 0 absent) to accept as printed the minutes of the May 13, 2004, regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Voting yea were Ms. Burns, Mrs. Curry, Ms. Eliot, Mr. Feldman, Mrs. Gardner, Mr. Grotton, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Najarian, Mrs. Rogers, Mr. Rowe, Mrs. St. Lauent, Mr. Steinert, and Mrs. Stephens.

 

            There were no nay votes.

 

            Abstaining from voting was Mr. Harris.

 

5.         OLD BUSINESS:

 

6.         NEW BUSINESS

 

6.1              To accept the resignation of Robert Kane, .6 FTE Mt. Ararat High School Social Worker, effective August 31, 2004

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Grotton, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Robert Kane, .6 FTE Mt. Ararat High School Social Worker, effective August 31, 2004.

 

6.2       To accept the resignation of Becky Myers, Middle School Social Studies teacher, effective August 31, 2004

 

It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Becky Myers, Middle School Social Studies teacher, effective August 31, 2004.

 

6.3       To accept the resignation of Barbara O’Neill, Mt. Ararat High School Science teacher, effective August 31, 2004

 

It was moved by Mrs. Curry, seconded by Mr. Grotton, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Barbara O’Neill, Mt. Ararat High School Science teacher, effective August 31, 2004.

 

6.4              To accept the resignation of Sally Allen, Woodside Elementary School Special Education teacher, effective August 31, 2004

 

It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Eliot, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Sally Allen, Woodside Elementary School Special Education teacher, effective August 31, 2004.

 

6.5              To accept the resignation of Julie Young, Woodside Elementary School Grade 4 teacher, effective August 31, 2004

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. St. Laurent, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Julie Young, Woodside Elementary School Grade 4 teacher, effective August 31, 2004.

 

6.6              To approve the request of Kathy Goddu, Mt. Ararat High School Speech Pathologist, to reduce her contract to .8 FTE, effective September 1, 2004

 

It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Grotton, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve the request of Kathy Goddu, Mt. Ararat High School Speech Pathologist, to reduce her contract to .8 FTE, effective September 1, 2004.

 

6.7              To approve the request of Faith Madore, Bowdoin Central School Special Education teacher, to reduce her contact to .5 FTE, effective September 1, 2004

 

It was moved by Ms. Eliot, seconded by Mrs. St. Laurent, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve the request of Faith Madore, Bowdoin Central School Special Education teacher, to reduce her contract to .5 FTE, effective September 1, 2004.

 

6.8              To acknowledge the intent of Cheryl Nelson to return to her Mt. Ararat High School Special Education position, rather than retire

 

The intent of Cheryl Nelson to return to her Mt. Ararat High School Special Education position, rather than retire, was DULY ACKNOWLEDGED.

 

6.9              To consider a request from Sara Gleason, Harpswell Islands School Grade 3 teacher, for a one-year leave of absence without pay

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Ms. Eliot, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve a request from Sara Gleason, Harpswell Islands School Grade 3 teacher, for a one-year leave of absence without pay (for the 2004-2005 school year).

 

6.10          To appoint Jayne McPherson to a second probationary contract as Title I Literacy Specialist

 

It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Rowe, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Jayne McPherson to a second probationary contract as Title I Literacy Specialist.

 

6.11          To appoint Amanda Lewis to a second probationary contract to teach English at Mt. Ararat High School for the 2004-2005 school year

 

It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Rowe, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Amanda Lewis to a second probationary contract to teach English at Mt. Ararat High School for the 2004-2005 school year.

 

6.12          To appoint Mark Blaisdell to a one-year probationary contract to teach Chemistry at Mt. Ararat High School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Bachelor’s +15,  Step 1

 

It was moved by Mr. Steinert, seconded by Mr. Rowe, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Mark Blaisdell to a one-year probationary contract to teach Chemistry at Mt. Ararat High School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Bachelor’s +15, Step 1.

 

6.13          To appoint Joan Mason to a one-year probationary contract to teach Biology at Mt. Ararat High School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Master’s, Step 0

 

It was moved by Mrs. Curry, seconded by Ms. Eliot, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Joan Mason to a one-year probationary contract to teach Biology at Mt. Ararat High School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Master’s, Step 0.

 

6.14          To appoint Sarah Wishart to a one-year probationary contract as a Grade 1 teacher at Williams-Cone School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Bachelor’s, Step 0 (correction noted)

 

It was moved by Mr. Steinert, seconded by Mr. Rowe, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Sarah Wishart to a one-year probationary contract as a Grade 1 teacher at Williams-Cone School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Bachelor’s, Step 0.

 

6.15          To appoint Sarah Bohlman to a one-year probationary contract as a Grade 8 Social Studies teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Bachelor’s, Step 0

 

It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Sarah Bohlman to a one-year probationary contract as a Grade 8 Social Studies teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Bachelor’s, Step 0.

 

6.15a   To appoint Patrick Conley to a one-year probationary contract to teach 6th grade language arts and social studies (correction noted)  at Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Master’s, Step 0

 

It was moved by Mrs. St. Laurent, seconded by Ms. Eliot, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Patrick Conley to a one-year probationary contract to teach 6th grade language arts and social studies at Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2004-2005 school year, at Master’s, Step 0

 

6.19          To hear a report from the Mt. Ararat High School Boosters on plans to build a new snack shack

 

Carl Paine, Jerry Smith, and David Strong of the Boosters were present.  Mr. Paine presented the plan for construction of a new snack shack, noting that it would be larger with improved sanitary facilities (with the portable toilets being replaced by bathrooms).  The Facilities Committee had met with the Boosters regarding the project, and it had been decided to explore hooking up the disposal system at the bus garage.  Mr. Harris also noted that it had been decided to move the location of the shack back another five feet or so.

 

It was moved by Mr. Feldman, seconded by Ms. Najarian, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve the Mt. Ararat High School Boosters’ plan to build a new snack shack, as articulated this evening, with the understanding that the Board/Boosters are still finalizing the plans for the sanitary facilities and that the snack shack will be moved back an additional five or so feet.

 

6.16          To nominate Board members, if interested, as Directors of the Maine School Boards Association

 

No Board member expressed an interest in being nominated as Directors of the Maine School Boards Association.

 

6.17          To consider a request from Colin Roy to configure the Freshman Football Coach position to an Assistant Coach position

 

Athletic Director Colin Roy asked the Board to approve his proposal to reconfigure the Freshman Football Coach position to an Assistant Coach position, stating that the responsibilities for the positions are the same.  The stipend would increase from 6% of the base salary to 8% of the base salary, or $500.

 

It was moved by Mr. Feldman, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (846 yeas, 154 nays, 0 abstentions, and 0 absent) to approve a request from Colin Roy to configure the Freshman Football Coach position to an Assistant Coach position, as outlined above, reflecting the increase in stipend compensation.

 

Voting yea were Ms, Burns, Mrs. Curry, Ms. Eliot, Mr. Feldman, Mrs. Gardner, Mr. Harris, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Najarian, Mrs. Rogers, Mr. Rowe, Mr. Steinert, and Mrs. Stephens.

 

Voting nay were Mr. Grotton and Mrs. St. Laurent.

 

There were no abstentions.

 

6.18          To hear a report from Moe St. Pierre regarding the vending of soda next year

 

Food Services Director Moe St. Pierre reported that the State is going to ban the sale of soda in schools next year, and he proposes removing soda from schools effective September 1, 2004.  He proposes removal as of the beginning of the school year, as opposed to removing it perhaps in only a couple of months, when the official date of mandated removal takes effect. 

 

Mary Booth and Mr. St. Pierre also reported that the State is working on guidelines for removal of “junk” food from schools.  Mr. Feldman suggested approving now a plan to remove junk food, but it was decided to act only on removal of soda at this point and to act on removal of junk food after the State completes it guidelines on what constitutes junk food.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. St. Laurent, and VOTED (unanimously) to eliminate the vending of soda in schools next year, effective with the first day of school.

 

6.20     To approve the grant contract with the Maine Bureau of Health for the School-Based Health Center

 

The Bureau of Health has granted the School-Based Health Center $28,000 for 2004-2005.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Gardner, seconded by Mr. Steinert, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve the grant contract with the Maine Bureau of Health for the School-Based Health Center (enabling the District to accept the grant of $28,000 from the Bureau of Health for 2004-2005).

 

6.21     To approve the M.S.A.D. No. 75 application to the State of Maine for renovation and additions to Mt. Ararat High School

 

It was moved by Mrs. St. Laurent, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve the M.S.A.D. No. 75 application to the State of Maine for renovation and additions to Mt. Ararat High School.

 

6.22     To accept Jessica Meadows and Russell E. Meadows, III of Gardiner as tuition students to Mt. Ararat Middle School for the remainder of this year and to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to accept tuition students on the Board’s behalf

 

It was moved by Mr. Feldman, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept Jessica Meadows and Russell E. Meadows, III of Gardiner as tuition students to Mt. Ararat Middle School for the remainder of this year and to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to accept tuition students on the Board’s behalf.

 

Superintendent Wilhelm will report to the Board on occasions of acceptance of tuition students into the District.

 

6.23            To enter executive session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter

 

                        This item had been deleted from the agenda.

 

(new)   6.23            To consider using dollars remaining in the high school allocation in this budget

                        for equipment repair to improve staff parking at the high school

 

It is proposed to use $5,600 from the high school’s allocation to grade and lay down gravel in the area next to the practice field behind the gym and in the area where buses pick up and return athletes from games behind the gym.  During the recent rainy periods both areas have become rutted and difficult to use.

 

Following discussion the Superintendent suggested tabling this item until after the Finance Committee report.  The Chairman so moved the item.

 

7.            COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

7.1              MVR 10 Cooperative Board – Mrs. St. Laurent reported on the dedication of a garden site in recognition of retiring Director Iver Carlsen.

 

…                    Mr. Feldman left the meeting at 7:35 p.m.

 

7.2              Finance Committee – Ms. Najarian reported on the May 24th Finance Committee meeting.

 

The Committee recommends the following:

 

-                     Reserve a portion of contingency (savings of $15,000)

-                     Modify the insurance buyout provision from 40% to 30% for applicable employee groups (savings of $10,000)

-                     Delay hiring the second assistant principal at the high school for six weeks (savings of $11,000)

-                     Delaying hiring a new Assistant Superintendent for one month (savings of $5,000)

-                     Reduce amount of funding for student activities support at the high school replacing vending revenues (savings of $5,000)

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept (and implement) the above-listed recommendations of the Finance Committee.

 

6.23          To consider using dollars remaining in the high school allocation in this budget for equipment repair to improve staff parking at the high school (item had been tabled earlier in the meeting to allow for Item 7.2.)

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Ms. Najarian, and VOTED (unanimously) to use dollars (approximately $5,600) remaining in the high school allocation in this budget for equipment repair to improve staff parking at the high school. 

 

7.3              Curriculum Committee meeting – Mr. Steinert reported on the 5:00 p.m. meeting of the Curriculum Committee.  The Law requires the Superintendent to certify by the end of June the Board’s assessment plan.  This will be presented to the Board at its June 10, 2004 meeting for a formal vote.

 

8.            SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:

 

8.1              Financial report – Business Manager Ron Lavender presented this report.

 

8.2              Next step with the high school workshop – Discussion ensued, and it was decided to continue this initiative with an ad hoc committee of the Board becoming part of a larger group.

 

8.3              Graduation – Superintendent Wilhelm requested that Board members not planning to use their graduation tickets to return them so that others may use them.

 

8.4              Harpswell Islands School playground – Parents want to work to improve the playground, and this involves taking out perhaps 15 trees.  It was reported that the current playground is too shady with a major problem with bugs, with frequently breaking tree limbs creating hazards on the playground.

 

9.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

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