PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MINUTES WILL NOT BE FINAL UNTIL
THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM AT ITS NEXT MEETING.
January 11, 2007
The Board of Directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 75 held a regular meeting at Mt. Ararat Middle School on Thursday, January 11, 2007.
The following Directors were present: Robert W. Hill, Chairman; Maryane Burns; Dorothy “Dee” Carrier; Dorothy Gardner; Sheila Havey; David A. Johnson; Jane Meisenbach; Andrea Najarian; Joanne Rogers; Donald A. Russell, Rebekah Stimpson; Gwendolyn Thomas; and Roland Tufts.
Also present were Sam Prindall and Sara Todd, student representatives to the Board of Directors.
1. Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
The Pledge of Allegiance 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
Adjustments to the agenda were noted and integrated appropriately into the minutes.
3.1 additional student recognitions
4. Table action on minutes of the December 14, 2006, regular meeting
8.5 Mrs. Rogers requested a discussion of changing a Board meeting date.
8.6 Consolidation – Added to Superintendent’s Report
3.1 RECOGNITIONS AND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Ø Welcome from Brenda Brown, Principal
of
Ø Candace Myers and her Spanish classes – Donation to Good
Shepherd shelter in
Ø Ann Soucy’s students – Recognized for participation in the Coastal Cleanup at Mackerel Cove
Ø Barry O’Neill, Physical Education teacher – Recipient of Harpswell Recreation Recognition Award
Ø Samantha York,
Ø Dee Carrier, Harpswell Board representative – Times Record Newsmaker of 2006
Ø John Brassil – Advanced Placement English and Language Composition syllabus posted on College Board website
Ø
Ø Josh DiBattista – First team utility player
Ø Brad Sturgeon – Second team fullback
Ø Brian Friday & Curtis Cochrane – Second team defensive line
Ø Brad Sturgeon – PTC All-academic
4. To take action relative to accepting as printed the minutes of the December 14, 2006, regular meeting of the Board of Directors
The minutes were tabled.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
6. NEW BUSINESS:
6.1 To acknowledge the intended retirement of Dorothy “Dottie” Timberlake, Williams-Cone School Literacy teacher, effective August 31, 2007
The intended retirement of Dorothy “Dottie” Timberlake, Williams-Cone
School Literacy teacher, effective August 31, 2007, was DULY ACKNOWLEDGED.
6.2 To accept the resignation of Jeremy Willette, Middle School Foreign Language teacher, effective immediately
Mr. Willette
has been on leave of absence teaching at the
It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mr. Tufts, and VOTED (unanimously of those present, as Mr. Johnson had not yet arrived) to accept the resignation of Jeremy Willette, Middle School Foreign Language teacher, effective immediately.
6.3 To provide from Contingency $60,000 in additional funds in the legal services account for FY 06-07 to cover the unbudgeted legal costs associated with the District’s pursuit of the Middle School and Bowdoin Central School construction claims and with the Harpswell withdrawal process
Business Manager Ron Lavender answered questions on this request for use of contingency funds. It’s expected that the District will continue to expend approximately $9,000 a month in legal fees through the end of the current fiscal year.
It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously of those present, as Mr. Johnson had not yet arrived) to provide from Contingency $60,000 in additional funds in the legal services account for FY 06-07 to cover the unbudgeted legal costs associated with the District’s pursuit of the Middle School and Bowdoin Central School construction claims and with the Harpswell withdrawal process.
6.4 To provide funds from Contingency in the total amount of $21,190 to fund the costs for property and casualty insurance, workers compensation insurance and unemployment compensation for FY 06-07 that cannot be accommodated within the budgeted funds
Business Manager Ron Lavender noted that an exact amount is being requested to cover exact costs.
It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Carrier, and VOTED (unanimously of those present, as Mr. Johnson had not yet arrived) to provide funds from Contingency in the total amount of $21,190 to fund the costs for property and casualty insurance, workers compensation insurance and unemployment compensation for FY 06-07 that cannot be accommodated within the budgeted funds.
Ms. Najarian asked Mr. Lavender what other large needs for use of contingency funds may exist at this time. He indicated that the only need he foresees needing contingency funds for is to cover the over-expenditure of contractual staff development (course reimbursement).
… Mr. Johnson arrived at 6:45 p.m.
6.5 To hear a report from Brenda Brown and Rosalie Stebbins on the Read 180 Program
Principal Brenda Brown introduced Rosalie Stebbins and Carol Wells. Ms. Stebbins oversees the program and teaches two classes of sixth graders. Ms. Wells teaches one seventh grade and one eight grade class. Read 180 is an intensive intervention designed to meet the needs of students who are reading below grade level. They both agreed that the school has more need than can be accommodated. Students in Grades 6-8, BILD (self-contained special education program) and Alternative Education students are being serviced by Read 180.
The teachers reviewed the components of success of the program and provided the details of the instructional model. They distributed to Board members a list of students’ responses when asked what they wanted the Board to know about the program.
Ms. Burns asked if teachers of other classes note any difference in students’ work. Ms. Wells indicated that it’s too early to be able to discern any carryover to students’ other classes. They both would like to see the program in the elementary schools.
Mr. Hill asked their estimate of how many other students could benefit from this intervention. Ms. Stebbins indicated that another 60 could benefit.
… Ms.
Havey excused herself from the meeting at
approximately 7:30 p.m. due to another commitment (between items 6.5 and 6.9).
6.9
To
hear a report on the 11th grade SAT scores {taken out of order}
Principal Craig King presented this report. He distributed reports of all high schools’ results on the tests in writing, mathematics and reading.
On each, he had designated schools
of similar size (to
John Brassil shared with the Board the results of what he termed a successful Saturday SAT administration. Some had feared a large absenteeism that day, but almost all the students appeared to take the test.
6.6 To hear a report on the budget process for developing the 2007-2008 budget
Superintendent Wilhelm had provided to Board members the template being used to develop the budget this year. An analysis of factors impacting the FY 07-08 budget had been prepared and was distributed.
Dr. Wilhelm noted that in a few weeks the Board will see a much more substantive report, reflecting areas of possible reductions.
6.7 To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to enter into a long-term lease with Maine State Music Theater for 17 weeks usage per year of the second floor of the Lodge, Building 364, effective May 1, 2007 and ending August 3, 2013 (that is, seven {correction noted} annual lease segments), based on rent that includes a lump-sum payment prior to May 1, 2007, of $61,261.00 as reimbursement for repairs to the building and payment of an annual amount of $4,150.00 to cover the estimated cost of utilities
Ron Lavender noted the lease is the same, except for the duration. Superintendent Wilhelm recommends approval of the lease request.
It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to enter into a long-term lease with Maine State Music Theater for 17 weeks usage per year of the second floor of the Lodge, Building 364, effective May 1, 2007 and ending August 3, 2013 (that is, seven annual lease segments), based on rent that includes a lump-sum payment prior to May 1, 2007, of $61,261.00 as reimbursement for repairs to the building and payment of an annual amount of $4,150.00 to cover the estimated cost of utilities.
6.8 To hear a report and consider a recommendation from the Facilities Committee regarding ventilation projects that were included in the FY 06-07 Facilities Plan and District Budget
Mrs. Carrier reported that the
Committee feels that the
It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the recommendation from the Facilities Committee regarding ventilation projects that were included in the FY 06-07 Facilities Plan and District Budget, as outlined above.
6.10 To approve the authorization of Harpswell Channel 14 and Topsham Channel 3 to broadcast M.S.A.D. No. 75 educational programming
Superintendent Wilhelm stated that a policy is not necessary. The Policy Committee recommends that the Board provide authorization for both channels to broadcast public domain programming – games and events open to the public.
It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve the authorization of Harpswell Channel 14 and Topsham Channel 3 to broadcast M.S.A.D. No. 75 educational programming.
6.11 To undertake a first reading of the M.S.A.D. No. 75 District-wide Parental Involvement Policy (File IGBC)
This is the first of two required readings.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
7.1 Policy Committee meeting – Ms. Burns reported that the Policy Committee had further discussed the importance of involving coaches in development of a policy to implement the Sports Done Right principles.
7.2
Facilities/Finance
Committee meeting – Mrs. Carrier stated that unexpected costs for repairs
to the high school elevator had been discussed.
Funds are available from the
It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to implement the recommendation of the Facilities Committee regarding elevator repairs, as outlined above.
Mrs. Carrier also noted that parent Dawn Prindall had presented to the Facilities Committee a plan to work with a few parents in an effort to move up the high school renovation project further on the State’s priority list.
She also said that the Board will see a detailed list of capital improvement projects during the budget process.
7.3 SBHC – Ms. Najarian reported that an outside entity will be engaged to monitor the Wellness Program.
8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
8.1 Financial report – Business Manager Ron Lavender presented this report.
8.2
Mediation – Superintendent
Wilhelm reported that the December mediation on
8.3 Reading for Board members – The Superintendent had provided reading to Board members. He suggested that after the next Board meeting a brief workshop be held to allow him to show the PowerPoint presentation being used to talk to staff about the future of education.
8.4 Meeting regarding school construction legislation – Superintendent Wilhelm announced that Harpswell Town Administrator Kristi Eiane has arranged a meeting with Leila Percy, Ms. Eiane, himself, and any interested Board meetings in Beth Edmonds’ office on Tuesday, January 16th.
8.5 Change in Board meeting date – Mrs. Rogers requested that the February 8th Board meeting be moved to the 15th. No objections were heard.
8.6 Consolidation – Superintendent Wilhelm distributed two documents. One was the text of Dr. Gordon Donaldson’s study of consolidation and the other the PowerPoint presentation made by Commissioner Gendron at the Superintendents’ Winter Convocation regarding the Governor’s plan for consolidation.
Dr. Wilhelm overviewed the
plan. In 18 months the State’s SAU’s would be consolidated to 26 (from the current 250)
and would be clustered around vocational center regions. M.S.A.D. No. 75 would be consolidated with
Services rendered by CDS (Child Development Services) are intended to be integrated into the public schools and managed by the regional districts. The pupil-teacher ratio is to be set at 17:1 at the secondary level, to determine the EPS subsidy amount.
Superintendent Wilhelm indicated part of the Plan calls for 90% of “new” money to be returned to taxpayers. Clarification needs to be presented to answer the question of whether this means that districts can only spend 10% of new money. If so, 87% of school districts would realize only a 10% increase in GPA.
Dr. Wilhelm admitted that the idea of consolidation is not going to disappear, stressing that this plan is not about tax reform – but educational restructuring. The Governor appears to be looking at fiscal issues first, then at the students.
Ms. Najarian pointed out the Select Panel report concluded that that consolidation was ideal in districts operating like SAD’s, with between 3,000 and 4,00o students.
Ms. Thomas admitted to having no problem with consolidation but feels it has to be done differently, saying that “clumping” together large numbers of students won’t work.
Mrs. Carrier questioned, in a large district, how long it would take to be able to speak to the Superintendent.
Superintendent Wilhelm indicated that the next step is for the Board to meet with legislators.
Student representative Sara Todd indicated she is “stunned” at this plan and expressed her disbelief that it’s being done in the name of efficiency.
Superintendent Wilhelm listed the District’s leverage points – size (scope of plan), timing, need for local control, and financing issues.
Mr. Hill suggested a letter from this Board be sent regarding its concerns about the Governor’s plan. Superintendent Wilhelm agreed that ultimately the Board can send a resolution, but that the Board needs to have an alterative perspective to present. He stressed that the Board needs to get together with legislators before much more time passes.
The Board will meet in workshop session with legislations at the January 25th Board meeting. Chairman Hill urged Board members to notify him of issues they feel need to be addressed.
Before adjournment of the meeting, Mr. Johnson announced that his son has been hired as an Educational Technician in the District and that he plans to abstain from voting on any issues which may directly affect him.
9. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was declared adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
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