PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MINUTES WILL NOT BE FINAL UNTIL

THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM AT ITS NEXT MEETING.

 

June 21, 2007

 

The Board of Directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 75 held a regular meeting at Mt. Ararat High School on June 21, 2007.

 

The following Directors were present:  Robert W. Hill, Chairman; Maryane  Burns; Dorothy “Dee” Carrier; Dorothy Gardner; David A. Johnson; Andrea Najarian; Joanne Rogers; Donald R. Russell; and Kim Totten.  Also present was Sara Todd, student representative to the Board of Directors.

 

Not present were Sheila Havey; Jane Meisenbach; Rebekah Stimpson; Gwen Thomas and Roland Tufts.  Also absent was Sam Prindall, student representative to the Board of Directors.

 

1.         Call to order

 

            The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hill at 6:34 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 noted, as follows:

 

Table action on minutes of June 7, 2007 meeting (had been prepared, but not in time to be mailed)

 

Add 6.16a – To accept the resignation of Nancy Hurd, Mt. Ararat Middle School teacher, effective August 31, 2007

 

3.1       RECOGNITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

Ø         Diane Fournier and the Freshman Girls Track Team – State Champions

 

Ø         Don Foley & the Varsity Boys Tennis Team --  KVAC Champions

 

Ø         Sam Chard & Jill Carney and the Varsity Girls Lacrosse Team – KVAC Runner-up

 

Ø                 Molly Parker, Daniel VanNote, Ben Grotton, Kristina Johnson, Jessica Lathrop, Caroline Ducharme, Alexander Bessey, Greta Drake, Evelyn Dickinson, Mary Montalvo, Matthew Pelletier, Tyler Totten, Luc Pham, and Alexander French --  Winners at the 61st Maine State Science and Technology Fair

Ø         Andrea Najarian – In recognition of her service as a Bowdoinham representative to the Board of Directors

 

Ms. Najarian was presented with a token of appreciation for her service as a member of the Board of Directors.

 

Mrs. Rogers thanked her for serving on the Harpswell Withdrawal Committee.  Mr. Johnson noted that she had “jumped in with both feet.”  Mrs. Carrier said that the Board has profited from her service on the Board. 

 

Ms. Najarian noted that the District is very well served by the Board and its administration.  She said she now knows what is meant when people say “it’s been a privilege to serve.”

 

Ø         Mary Ulrickson, Michael Pascarella, Luana Smith, Dottie Timberlake, Chris Chapman, Don Foley, Michael Barrett and Kathy Martin – In recognition of their dedication to the children of M.S.A.D. No. 75 on their retirement

 

Teachers attending were presented with a memento of the Board’s appreciation of their service. 

 

Ø         Sara Todd – As this is likely Ms. Todd’s last meeting as a student representative to the Board of Directors, appreciation was expressed to her for her service. 

 

Mrs. Rogers stated that the Board has been exceptionally well served by Ms.            Todd, and Mrs. Carrier told her she was very proud of her.  Mr. Johnson is sure she will go on to “great things.”  Mr. Russell indicated he was immensely impressed by her thought process.  Mrs. Gardner noted Sara’s realization that she was not on the Board “just to listen.”

 

Ms. Todd feels that the Board has given her so much and cited the example of teaching her how to both listen and speak up.

 

Ø         Mrs. Rogers noted the recent deaths of Margaret Logan, who had been a food services employee in the District for over 21 years, and Eva Minot, who established the first elementary school band in M.S.A.D. No. 75.

 

4.         To take action relative to accepting as printed the minutes of the May 10, 2007; May 23, 2007; and June 7, 2007, regular meetings of the Board of Directors

 

Mrs. Gardner pointed out the need for a correction on 6.10 of the May 10th minutes.  {The recorder notes that it was actually Mrs. Carrier who made the motion seconded by Mrs. Gardner.}

  

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (511 yeas, 0 nays, 133 abstentions, and 356 absent) to accept as corrected the minutes of the May 10, 2007, regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Voting yea were Ms. Burns, Mrs. Carrier, Mrs. Gardner, Mr. Hill, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Russell, and Mrs. Totten.

 

There were no nay votes.

 

Abstaining from voting were Ms. Najarian and Mrs. Rogers.

 

Absent were Ms. Havey, Mrs. Meisenbach, Ms. Stimpson, Ms. Thomas and Mr. Tufts.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (578 yeas, 0 nays, 66 abstentions, and 356 absent) to accept as printed the minutes of the May 23, 2007, regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

As noted earlier, the minutes of the June 7, 2007, meeting had been prepared but not in time to be mailed.  Copies were distributed to Board members this evening.  Action on the June 7th minutes was tabled.

 

5.         OLD BUSINESS:

 

5.1       To consider changes to the Middle School Leadership Team configuration

 

Superintendent Wilhelm noted that the Teachers Association expects to hear from the Board after approval of the changes, to negotiate the stipends connected with the proposal.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Carrier, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve changes to the Middle School Leadership Team configuration, contingent on agreement with Merrymeeting Educators Association (amount of stipends connected with the proposal).  If the percentages negotiated are greater than the estimates in the proposal, this item will come be brought back to the Board for further consideration.

 

6.         NEW BUSINESS:

 

6.1       To certify the results of the June 12, 2007, budget referendum

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to certify the results of the June 12, 2007, budget referendum.

 

6.2       To elect a Board Chair and Vice Chair for 2007-2008

 

                        This item was deferred until after action on the teacher appointments.

 

6.3       To appoint Emily McLeod to a second probationary contract as Special Education teacher at Woodside Elementary School, at Master’s, Step 2, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Emily McLeod to a second probationary contract as Special Education teacher at Woodside Elementary School, at Master’s, Step 2, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.4       To appoint Jennifer Cotreau to the positions of .5 FTE Elementary Special Education Coordinator and .5 FTE District-wide Behavior Consultant, at Master’s, Step 14

 

                        It was noted that the salary amount for this position is $60,000.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Jennifer Cotreau to the positions of .5 FTE Elementary Special Education Coordinator and .5 FTE District-wide Behavior Consultant, for a salary of $60,000.

 

6.5       To appoint Kristen Thomas to a first-year probationary contract as Choral Music teacher at Mt. Ararat High School, at Bachelor’s, Step 5, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Kristen Thomas to a first-year probationary contract as Choral Music teacher at Mt. Ararat High School, at Bachelor’s, Step 5, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.6       To appoint Lennie Mullaney to a continuing contract as an art teacher at Mt. Ararat High School, at Master’s, Step 17, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Lennie Mullaney to a continuing contract as an art teacher at Mt. Ararat High School, at Master’s, Step 17, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.7       To appoint Heather Monsen {correction noted} to a first-year probationary contract as a part-time art teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Bachelor’s, Step 1 (prorated), for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Gardner, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Heather Monsen to a first-year probationary contract as a part-time art teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Bachelor’s, Step 1 (prorated), for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.8       To appoint Cathy Varela to a first-year probationary contract as a Spanish teacher at Mt. Ararat High School, at Bachelor’s, Step 1, for the 2007-2008 contract year

                       

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Cathy Varela to a first-year probationary contract as a Spanish teacher at Mt. Ararat High School, at Bachelor’s, Step 1, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.9       To appoint Zachary Fields to a second probationary contract as an art teacher at Mt. Ararat High School, at Bachelor’s, Step 3, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Zachary Fields to a second probationary contract as an art teacher at Mt. Ararat High School, at Bachelor’s, Step 3, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

            6.2       To elect a Board Chair and Vice-Chair for 2007-2008

 

In the rotation, it is Bowdoinham’s turn to have one of its representatives serve as Vice-Chair.  Superintendent Wilhelm related that Ms. Stimpson is not comfortable in this role, so it is now Harpswell’s turn for one of its representatives to act as Vice-Chair.

 

Following a caucus of Harpswell Board members, the following action was taken.

 

Mr. Hill nominated Mrs. Totten to serve as Chairman for 2007-2008.  Mrs. Rogers seconded the nomination.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers and seconded by Mrs. Carrier that nominations cease; and Mrs. Totten was DULY ELECTED (575 yeas, 0 nays, 69 abstentions, and 356 absent) Chair of the Board for 2007-2008.

 

Voting yea were Ms. Burns, Mrs. Carrier, Mrs. Gardner, Mr. Hill, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Najarian, Mrs. Rogers, and Mr. Russell.

 

There were no nay votes.

 

Abstaining from voting was Mrs. Totten.

 

Absent were Ms. Havey, Mrs. Meisenbach, Ms. Stimpson, Ms. Thomas, and Mr. Tufts.

 

Mr. Johnson nominated Mrs. Carrier to serve as Vice-Chairman for 2007-2008.  Mrs. Rogers seconded the nomination.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Gardner and seconded by Mr. Russell that nominations cease; and Mrs. Carrier was DULY ELCTED (577 yeas, 0 nays, 67 abstentions, and 356 absent) Vice-Chairman of the Board for 2007-2008.

 

Voting yea were Ms. Burns, Mrs. Gardner, Mr. Hill, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Najarian, Mrs. Rogers, Mr. Russell, and Mrs. Totten.

 

There were no nay votes.

 

Abstaining from voting was Mrs. Carrier.

 

Absent were Ms. Havey, Mrs. Meisenbach, Ms. Stimpson, Ms. Thomas, and Mr. Tufts.

 

6.10     To transfer 1 FTE special education teacher position from Woodside Elementary School to Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2007-2008 contract year

            &

6.11     To transfer .8 FTE Speech & Language position from Woodside Elementary School to a .8 FTE Social Worker position at Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2007-2008 contract year

            &                                                                                           

6.12     To move 1 FTE Speech & Language position from Mt. Ararat Middle School to 1 FTE Special Education teacher position at Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

            Patrick Moore, Director of Special Services, explained the rationale for Items 6.10, 6.11 and 6.12.

 

            It was moved by Mrs. Rogers and seconded by Mr. Johnson:

 

            To transfer 1 FTE special education teacher position from Woodside Elementary School to Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2007-2008 contract year

&      To transfer .8 FTE Speech & Language position from Woodside Elementary School to a .8 FTE Social Worker position at Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2007-2008 contract year

&      To move 1 FTE Speech & Language position from Mt. Ararat Middle School to 1 FTE Special Education teacher position at Mt. Ararat Middle School for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

            It was moved by Mrs. Rogers and seconded by Mrs. Carrier to amend the motion that Business Manager Ron Lavender execute the appropriate budget revisions related to these transfers/moves.

 

            The motion made by Mrs. Rogers and seconded by Mr. Johnson to approve Items 6.10, 6.11 and 6.12 was VOTED (unanimously).

 

6.13     To consider a request from Karen Dilley,  .4 FTE Social Worker at Williams-Cone School, for a leave of absence for the 2007-2008 school year

 

            It was moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve a request from Karen Dilley, .4 FTE Social Worker at Williams-Cone School, for a leave of absence for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

6.14     To extend the current contract of Andrew Logan, MLTI Coordinator, through August 31, 2007, and to accept his resignation, effective August 31, 2007{correction noted}

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Hill, and VOTED (unanimously) to extend the current contract of Andrew Logan, MLTI Coordinator, through August 31, 2007, and to accept his resignation, effective August 31, 2007.

 

6.15     To accept the resignation of Nan Rubin, Mt. Ararat Middle School speech & language pathologist, effective August 31, 2007

 

It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Nan Rubin, Mt. Ararat Middle School speech & language pathologist, effective August 31, 2007.

 

6.16     To accept the resignation of Patrick Conley, Mt. Ararat Middle School 6th grade teacher, effective August 31, 2007

 

            It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Patrick Conley, Mt. Ararat Middle School 6th grade teacher, effective August 31, 2007.

 

6.16a   To accept the resignation of Nancy Hurd, Mt. Ararat Middle School teacher, effective August 31, 2007

 

            Superintendent Wilhelm requested this item be modified to reflect that Mrs. Hurd is actually retiring.

 

            It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Carrier, and VOTED (unanimously) to acknowledge the intended retirement of Nancy Hurd, Mt. Ararat Middle School teacher, effective August 31, 2007.

 

6.17     To appoint a Board member to the Maine Vocational Region Ten Board of Directors

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Carrier, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Mr. Johnson to the Maine Vocational Region Ten Board of Directors.

 

6.18     To approve the Superintendent’s recommendation for District Office Staff Wages and Benefits, effective July 1, 2007

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve the Superintendent’s recommendations for District Office Staff Wages and Benefits, effective July 1, 2007.

 

6.19     To provide funds from contingency in the amount of $12,300 to provide and install a replacement food steamer {correction noted} in the kitchen at Mt. Ararat High School

 

This is an unexpected expense and replacement costs must be taken from contingency.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to provide funds from contingency in the amount of $12,300 to provide and install a replacement food steamer in the kitchen at Mt. Ararat High School.

 

6.20     To extend the contracts of District administrators one year and adjust their salaries per the recommendations of the Superintendent

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Hill, and VOTED (unanimously) to extend the contracts of District administrators one year and adjust their salaries per the recommendations of the Superintendent, as listed below.

 

                        Mary Booth, Health Education Coordinator, salary of $45,000

                        Sally Loughlin, Assistant Superintendent, salary of $85,556

                        James Wilkins, Transportation Director, salary of $50,290

Steve Reed, Custodial Supervisor, two-year contract extension, salary $35,141 for first year and $39,045 for second year, upon satisfactory performance

                        Christopher Shaw, Director of Faculties & Projects, salary of $57,000

 

6.21     To hear a report from the Superintendent on the District’s progress toward its goals

 

            The goals for the 2006-2007 year are as follows:

 

            (1)        Focus on and achieve a high level of learning for all students

            (2)        Provide for greater personalization of student learning

(3)        Increase the numbers of students applying for and successfully attending post-secondary training and decrease the number of disaffected students

(4)        Increase the involvement of parents in the community and the community in our schools and our schools in the community

(5)        Emphasize character development that sets high standards for tolerance, diversity and democracy education

 

            Superintendent Wilhelm distributed a grid that laid out a plan for each specific objective of the goals.  He indicated that, for the most part, the goals have been met or are really being worked on.  All the goals (and objectives) in one way or another are interconnected.  The goal relative to civic learning is relatively new.  When the Board meets again on this item, the principals will present their focus areas.

 

6.22     To discuss M.S.A.D. No. 75’s approach to the State’s new consolidation requirements

 

New information had been distributed to Board members.  Superintendent Wilhelm feels that some of the parts of the consolidation plan are still being worked on.  M.S.A.D. No. 75 is one of five districts in the State which qualify as highly efficient.  He gave an overview of the budget validation requirement.  M.S.A.D. No. 75 must approach its “neighbors” relative to consolidation. 

 

Brunswick Schools Superintendent James Ashe is hosting a regional meeting on consolidation to be held on July 17 or 18.

 

Business Manager Ron Lavender noted that the original law called for a 50% reduction in administrative costs and 5% reduction in special education, transportation and facilities costs.  He stated that has now been taken out, affording the District more flexibility and opportunity to seek other ways to save money.

 

The State’s website will feature a FAQ’s section.

 

6.23     To enter executive session to discuss the Superintendent’s evaluation, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405 (6) (D)

 

At 8:40 p.m. it was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to enter executive session to discuss the Superintendent’s evaluation, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405 (6)(D).

 

                        The executive session ended at 8:50 p.m.

 

6.24     To consider an extension of the Superintendent’s contract and his salary for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Ms. Najarian, and VOTED (unanimously) to extend the Superintendent’s contract by one year at a salary of $116,563.

 

7.         COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

8.         SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:

 

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

 

8.2              Summer Board meeting schedule – The Board did not set its summer meeting schedule.

 

9.         ADJOURNMENT

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

 

 

 

 

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