PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MINUTES WILL NOT BE FINAL UNTIL

THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM AT ITS NEXT MEETING.

 

May 23, 2007

 

The Board of Directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 75 held a regular meeting at Mt. Ararat High School on Wednesday, May 23, 2007.

 

The following Directors were present:  Robert W. Hill, Chairman; Maryane Burns, Dorothy “Dee” Carrier; Dorothy Gardner; Sheila Havey; David A. Johnson; Jane Meisenbach; Joanne Rogers; Donald A. Russell; Rebekah Stimpson; Gwen Thomas; Kim Totten; and Roland Tufts.

 

Not present was Andrea Najarian.

 

Also present was Sam Prindall, student representative to the Board of Directors.  Student representative Sara Todd was not present.

 

1.         Call to order

 

            The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hill at 6:30 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

 

            There were no adjustments to the agenda or comments from the audience.

 

3.1       RECOGNITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

Ř         Don Baker – Recipient of Big Brothers/Big Sisters School Partner of the Year Award

 

4.         To take action relative to accepting as printed the minutes of the May 10, 2007, regular meeting of the Board of Directors

 

            These were tabled.

 

5.         OLD BUSINESS:

 

5.1       To approve a resolution for the acquisition of Navy property to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve a resolution for the acquisition of Navy property to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education.

                       

{The resolution was duly prepared and signed by Chairman Hill on Friday, May 25, 2007.}

 

6.         NEW BUSINESS:

 

6.1              To undertake a first reading of policies:

 

            BEA-School Board Use of Electronic Mail

            EGAD-Copyright Compliance

            EGAD-Rule-Copyright Compliance Administrative Procedure

            GCSA-Employee Computer and Internet Use

            GCSA-Rule-Employee Computer and Internet Use Rules

IJNDB-Student Computer and Internet Use “Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)”

IJNDB-Rule-Student Computer and Internet Use Rules

EC-School and Athletic Facilities Policy

JHCDA-Food Allergies Policy

 

                        The above-listed proposed policies received the first of two required readings.

 

6.2       To extend the contract of David Cowing, elementary Special Education Coordinator, to August 31, 2007, and to appoint him to the position of Functional Life Skills teacher at Mt. Ararat High School, at Master’s +15, Step 17

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to extend the contract of David Cowing, elementary Special Education Coordinator, to August 31, 2007, and to appoint him to the position of Functional Life Skills teacher at Mt. Ararat High School, at Master’s +15, Step 17.

 

6.3       To appoint Jeff Trippe to a second probationary contract to teach English at Mt. Ararat High School, at Master’s, Step 18, for the 2007-2008 school year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Jeff Trippe to a second probationary contract to teach English at Mt. Ararat High School at Master’s, Step 18, for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

6.4       To transfer Marianne Warner to the position of Grade 5 teacher at Williams-Cone School, effective September 1, 2007

 

            It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Havey, and VOTED (unanimously) to transfer Marianne Warner to the position of Grade 5 teacher at Williams-Cone School, effective September 1, 2007.

 

6.5       To accept the resignation of Tracy Ginn, middle school art teacher, effective August 31, 2007

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Tracy Ginn, middle school art teacher, effective August 31, 2007.

 

6.6              To hear a report on the high school MEA results

 

Assistant Superintendent Sally Loughlin and High School Principal Craig King presented this report.  A handout detailed comparisons of average performance of all 11th graders, details on percentage of participation, and graduation rates.  Ms. Loughlin told the Board it should be proud of the math results.

 

6.7       To consider adjustments to the high school attendance policy

 

Assistant Principal Britt Wolfe and Principal Craig King were present.  Mr. Wolfe indicated the only change being requested is directed towards students with more than 25 absences.  He has checked with the District’s attorney, who found no legal problem with the proposed language.  There is an appeals process incorporated into the policy.  Ms. Burns asked the number of students with excessive absences the administration is dealing with.  Mr. Wolfe estimated there are 150 students with more than 20 absences.  The proposed changes would allow only five unexcused absences per quarter to pass.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve adjustments to the high school attendance policy.

 

6.8       To hear a recommendation from the Facilities Director to issue a letter of intent for a Performance Contract for energy savings and learning environment improvements and to authorize the Superintendent to issue the letter of intent and to enter into negotiations with the recommended company

 

Chris Shaw distributed a hand-out detailing the process to this point.  He cited examples of how savings can be realized.  Upon completion of negotiations, the contract will be presented to the Board for approval.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the recommendation from the Facilities Director to issue a letter of intent for a Performance Contract for energy savings and learning environment improvements and to authorize the Superintendent to issue the letter of intent and to enter into negotiations with Honeywell, the recommended company.

 

7.         COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

7.1       Curriculum Committee – Mr. Hill reported on the May 17th meeting when the Curriculum Committee met to learn more about Kieve, Unity Project and Stay on Track Program.  The May 3rd Curriculum Committee meeting had yielded a recommendation to replace Camp Kieve with the Unity Project (already in place) and with the Stay on Track Program (new for Grades 6-8 students).   A vote is not necessary.  Mr. Hill reported that the Committee had unanimously recommended this action.

 

7.2       Side Letter B meeting – Superintendent Wilhelm reported that Board negotiators had met on May 21st to fulfill the requirements of the side letter.  The group will reconvene in the fall before negotiations begin to assess the data gathered relative to salary, reimbursement, merit pay, National Board certification and flex days.

 

8.         SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:

 

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

 

8.2       Excellence Award -- School Climate & Physical Environment – Superintendent Wilhelm reported that the State has presented the District with these awards.  Each award is worth $2,000.

 

8.3       Maine Community Foundation Grant -- The Foundation has awarded $7,000 to the high school to put Junior Achievement into the school (part of the Maine Readiness Campaign plan).

 

8.4       United Way grant --  The School-Based Health Center has been awarded $15,000 by United Way for next year.

 

8.5       Hydrogen car – Board members had been provided an article on the hydrogen car built by high school students Chris Adams and Earl Shields.

 

8.6       Civil Rights questions – Superintendent Wilhelm distributed copies of an editorial written for the high school newspaper, The Talon.  A “day of silence” had been observed in recognition of the challenges of homosexual orientation.  Two weeks later an event was sponsored celebrating heterosexuality.  Participants in the first event were upset by the second event.  With a potential conflict around 1st Amendment rights, Steve Wessler of the Center for Prevention of Hate Violence met with representatives of the two groups.  Ms. Havey asked whether (in the Day of Silence) students were using it as an excuse not to speak, to which Dr. King responded that procedures are going to change to allow speaking in class.

 

8.7       Completion of “Common Application” – Seniors are being asked to complete a college application, and there are a few who don’t want to do so.  Principal King indicated that seniors were notified in the Fall Senior Symposium that this would be required.  Ms. Burns asked the consequences of not completing an application.  Dr. King stated they won’t receive their cap and gown. 

 

Mrs. Carrier encouraged administration to continue having students complete the application.   

 

Mrs. Gardner related a conversation she had with a mother whose daughter this year did not complete the application, as she’s not going to college right away and told of having another daughter who went to college and didn’t want to march at graduation.

 

Dr. King indicated that school administration will do a better job in September-October of communicating to seniors that completion of a college application is a requirement.

 

8.7       Consolidation/alternate plans – Superintendent Wilhelm distributed the latest information on school consolidation, indicating that the irony is that this initiative was originally intended to save money.  A legislative vote is expected within two weeks.  He believes the opt-out provision creates an unequal playing field, citing an example of (for instance) Cape Elizabeth, a minimal receiver of subsidy, opting out of receiving subsidy.  M.S.A.D. No.75 is a high receiver and cannot afford to do the same. 

 

8.8       Superintendent’s Evaluation – The document for Board members to evaluate the Superintendent’s job performance needs to be completed and returned to Mrs.Rogers before or at the June 7th Board meeting.

 

8.9       Clarification – In making the presentation at the May 10th Board meeting on possible participation in the OMC Wellness Works Program pilot, Superintendent Wilhelm was advised by officials of Merrymeeting Educators Association that he had used “endorse” in the wrong fashion, in relating the Association’s reaction to the proposal.  The Association has asked that the minutes reflect that the representatives did not use the word “endorse” in describing the Association’s reaction to the proposal.

 

9.                  ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

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