PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MINUTES WILL NOT BE FINAL UNTIL

THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM AT ITS NEXT MEETING.

 

March 22, 2007

 

The Board of Directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 75 held a regular meeting at Maine Vocational Region Ten on Thursday, March 22, 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; Gwen Thomas; Kim Totten; and Roland Tufts.

 

Not present was Rebekah Stimpson.

 

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 by Chairman Hill at 7:05 p.m.

 

2.        Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

The pledge of Allegiance to 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

 

Added to the agenda was recognition of Dee Carrier’s re-election to the Board as a representative from Harpswell.

 

3.1      RECOGNITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

√         Welcome – Shirley Hartwell, Director MVR 10

 

                        Assistant Director Barry Lohnes welcomed the Board to MVR 10.

 

√         Michele Aronson – Participant in the first Annual Maine Writing Project’s Digital Storytelling Festival

 

√         Martin McDonough – Supporting the Bowdoin Central School entry into the First Annual Maine Writing Project’s Digital Storytelling Festival

 

√         Sandy Bickford, Mt. Ararat Middle School Athletic Director – Invited to speak at the Maine Athletic Directors Conference

 

√         Lisa Hogan – Chosen to participate in Challenger Learning Center workshop

 

√         Ashley Thompson, Mt. Ararat High School senior – Business Services Marketing competition at 2007 State DEC A Conference (two medallions and 3rd place overall trophy)

 

√         Lauren Frank, Mt. Ararat High School senior – State HOSA Conference (2nd place in HOSA Bowl)

 

√         Dee Carrier – Re-election as Harpswell representative to Board of Directors

 

4.        To take action relative to accepting as printed the minutes of the March 8, 2007, regular meeting of the Board of Directors

 

It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Carrier , and VOTED (788 yeas, 0 nays, 146   abstentions, and  66 absent) to accept as printed the minutes of the March 8, 2007, regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

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

 

There were no nay votes.

 

Abstaining from voting were Ms. Thomas and Mr. Tufts.

 

Absent was Ms. Stimpson.

 

…        Chairman Hill announced that certain agenda items would be taken out of order.

 

8.4      Trek Across Maine – Britt Wolfe, Mt. Ararat High School Assistant Principal, addressed the Board about his quest to organize a group of District participants in the annual Trek Across Maine, the largest fundraiser for the American Lung Association.

 

He also mentioned the “cram the van” food drive currently underway by the high school’s students, to provide food for those in need.

 

5.        OLD BUSINESS:

 

5.1      To hear an update on the Appropriations Committee’s work on the school district consolidation proposals before it

           

Representatives Kerri Prescott and Seth Berry were present to update the Board.  Ms. Prescott distributed a sheet listing the highlights of the Education Committee’s majority and minority reports.

 

Mr. Berry highlighted the original majority report and additionally a “strengthened” majority report, as well as highlights of Senator Peter Mills’ proposal.

 

Superintendent Wilhelm referenced a recent Times Record article which cited districts’ frustrations with not knowing next year’s subsidy amounts.

 

Mr. Berry has spoken at the Democratic caucus and with the Commissioner of Education.  The concern expressed by the State is that if the subsidy amounts are released, the State may be faced with taking some of it back with interest.  As Mr. Berry has stated before, he cited health care and energy costs as major contributors to the rising costs of education.

 

Mrs. Gardner suggested inviting the Education Committee to “shadow” some of the departments in M.S.A.D. No. 75.  She feels that the District does not “splurge.”

 

Ms. Najarian feels that it’s going to be a long time before subsidy amounts are released  if the Commissioner is waiting for the “dust to settle.”

 

Mr. Berry reminded Board members that this situation would have been different if the Governor’s consolidation plan had not been put into the budget. 

 

Mr. Russell asked whether anyone from the State has looked at any of the smaller units to actually pinpoint where cuts can be made.  Mr. Berry admitted he didn’t know.  He said that Jim Rier of the Department of Education has said that because of the District’s large size, M.S.A.D. No. 75 will likely stand alone but that he also had strongly suggested that even larger districts should begin looking to smaller districts in attempts to collaborate.

 

Chairman Hill thanked the two representatives and encouraged them to continue pressuring the State for the funding document indicating next year’s subsidy allocation.

 

6.3      To discuss the District’s options for application to the LRA for Annex property

 

Rich Roedner (Topsham Town Planner and Redevelopment Manager of LRA) and Bruce Van Note of the Topsham LRA, were present to discuss the District’s possible interest in making application for Annex property. 

 

Mr. Roeder explained the process whereby local entities can apply for some of the Annex property, which will become available with the closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station. 

 

He noted that management company GMH is not interested in continuing to rent any of the Annex housing units to individuals.    From now until May 30, all interested parties must apply to the LRA and the appropriate federal entity.  If the applicant can demonstrate that the property will be used as specified in the reuse plan, the applicant can purchase the property (perhaps at a discounted price).  Mr. Roeder stated that property could be offered at a 100% reduced (from market value) price.

 

Superintendent Wilhelm clarified that hypothetically if the District is interested in any of the property, it makes application to the Department of Education and the LRA decides whether the proposed use fits within the LRA’s acceptable planned uses.    Ms. Burns asked whether the Department of Education has any written parameters for application.  Dr. Wilhelm restated that it must be able to prove need for the property and obviously would be clearly tied to educational purposes.

 

Mr. Van Note commented on the close proximity of the District to the property.

 

Mr. Roedner complimented the students with whom the Reuse Authority dealt in the student visioning exercise, indicating they are certainly phenomenal enthusiasts for the community.  Sam Prindall thanked the LRA for asking students’ input.  He cited the need for additional parking at the school and stated that a teen center is another suggestion made by several students.

 

Mr. Roeder is meeting next week with the leaders of two homeless advocacy groups regarding possibly partnership to assist this population.

 

Mr. Roedner made a PowerPoint presentation and gave an overview of the project, outlining the goals of the Authority, citing examples of appropriate use.  He noted that some of the buildings on the project are old and not relatively adaptable to future reuse.  Particulars of the project can be accessed at www.topshamLRA.org.

 

A survey was distributed which Board members were invited to complete.  Ms. Najarian felt the Board needs to sit as a group to further discuss this issue.  Superintendent Wilhelm agreed.  Chairman Hill suggested that the Facilities Committee meeting be expanded to include this exercise.  Mrs. Carrier asked about the possibility of a workshop before a Board meeting.  Mr. Roeder offered to do a visioning session with the Board.

                                   

6.        NEW BUSINESS:

 

6.1      To acknowledge the intended retirement of Mary Ulrickson, Williams-Cone School Grade 5 teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2006-2007 school year

 

The intended retirement of Mary Ulrickson, Williams-Cone School Grade 5 teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2006-2007 school year, was DULY ACKNOWLEDGED.

 

6.2      To undertake a first reading of the school calendar for the 2007-2008 school year

 

A minor correction had been made to the original draft, said correction not affecting any dates.

 

“Common” dates with Freeport and Brunswick are the first day of school, October 5th as a staff development day, and the length of the Christmas break.  Snow days will be added to the end of the calendar.

 

This is considered the first of two readings, and the Board will be asked to grant final approval of the calendar at its next meeting.

 

6.3      To discuss the District’s options for application to the LRA for Annex property {taken out of order}

 

7.         COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

7.1       Board workshops/Finance Committee – Mrs. Totten noted that the March 19th Finance Committee has been postponed to Monday, March 26th, in hopes that the District will have received notification of next year’s subsidy figure.  The Finance Committee is not going to postpone finalization of a budget but instead will do the best it can with information available.

 

7.2      Adult Education Advisory Council – Director Diana McCain has asked the Council for feedback on reducing the fee for out-of-District registrations, as other districts do not charge such a large premium for such enrollees.

 

7.3            MVR 10 Cooperative Board – Mrs. Meisenbach reported (referring to tonight’s recognitions) on accomplishments by MVR 10 students at both DECA and HOSA conferences.

 

8.        SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:

 

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

 

8.2            Work Ready Credential – Superintendent Wilhelm reported on his work with the Coastal Counties Work Force Development.  A “work ready credential” was originally directed toward those out of work or under- employed, then it was decided to gear it also towards those leaving high school.  Such a credential would certify that a student was adequately prepared to join the work force.

 

8.3      Sports Done Right – Superintendent Wilhelm met with high school coaches on March 13th regarding their role in the implementation of Sports Done Right.

 

            8.4      Trek Across Maine {taken out of order}

 

8.5      Letter from Governor Baldacci – Board members had been given the         Governor’s letter responding to correspondence sent him by Dawn Prindall and other interested parents regarding the high school renovation project’s ranking on the State’s priority list.

 

8.6            Update on Harpswell legislation efforts – Board members had been given information on a bill entitled “An Act To Provide State Support for State-approved School Construction Projects in Certain Municipalities.”  The Superintendent will testify on Harpswell’s behalf at the hearing regarding the proposed legislation.

 

9.        ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

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