PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MINUTES WILL NOT BE FINAL UNTIL

THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM AT ITS NEXT MEETING.

 

July 12, 2007

 

The Board of Directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 75 held a regular meeting at Mt. Ararat High School on July 12, 2007.

 

The following Directors were present:   Kim Totten, Chair; Maryane Burns; Dorothy “Dee” Carrier; Dorothy Gardner; Sheila Havey; Robert W. Hill; David A. Johnson; Joanne Reinhart; Joanne M. Rogers; Donald Russell; Rebekah Stimpson; Gwen Thomas; and Roland Tufts.  Sam Prindall, student representative to the Board of Directors, was also present.

 

Not present was Jane Meisenbach. 

 

1.         Call to order

 

            The meeting was called to order by Chairman Totten at 6:37 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

 

Adjustments to the agenda were noted, as follows, and integrated appropriately into the agenda.

 

4.                             Add to agenda the consideration of minutes of the June 7, 2007 regular meeting (inadvertently omitted from the listing on the agenda)

 

Add 6.6a                 To appoint Allison Barrett to a first-year probationary contract as a 6th grade Language Arts & Social Studies teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Bachelor’s +15, Step 2, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

Add 6.6b                  To appoint Erin Carrigan to a first-year probationary contract as a Social Worker at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Master’s, Step 2, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

Add 6.6c                 To appoint Lancy Swanson to a first-year probationary contract as a Special Education teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Master’s, Step 4, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

Add 6.6d                  To appoint Lisa Hogan, Middle School science teacher, to the position of District Technology Integrator

 

Add 6.7a                 To accept the resignation of Catherine Sleeman, Mt. Ararat High School special education teacher, effective August 31, 2007

 

Add 6.7b                  To accept the resignation of Britt Wolfe, Mt. Ararat High School Assistant Principal, effective no later than August 15, 2007

 

3.1       RECOGNITIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

 

Ø                 Welcome Joanne Reinhart – Bowdoinham representative to the Board of Directors

 

Ø         Woodside Elementary School“Thank you” from Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program

 

Ø         Sandy Bickford, Middle School Athletic Director – Certified as an Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administration Association

 

Ø         M.S.A.D. No. 75 Trek Across Maine team – Raised over $6,200 for the American Lung Association of Maine

 

4.         To take action relative to accepting as printed the minutes of June 7, 2007 regular {correction noted}; June 21, 2007 regular; and June 28, 2007 special meetings of the Board of Directors

 

It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (867 yeas, 0 nays, 66 abstentions, and 67 absent) to accept as printed the minutes of the June 7, 2007 regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Voting yea were Ms. Burns, Mrs. Carrier, Mrs. Gardner, Ms. Havey, Mr. Hill, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Reinhart, Mrs. Rogers, Mr. Russell, Ms. Thomas, Mrs. Totten, and Mr. Tufts.

 

There were no nay votes.

 

Abstaining from voting was Ms. Stimpson.

 

Absent was Mrs. Meisenbach.

 

It was moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (713 yeas, 0 nays, 220 abstentions, and 67 absent) to accept as printed the minutes of the June 21, 2007, regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

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

 

There were no nay votes.

 

Abstaining from voting were Ms. Havey, Ms. Stimpson, and Mr. Tufts.

 

Absent was Mrs. Meisenbach.

 

On the June 28, 2007 minutes, Mrs. Carrier noted that Mrs. Totten should have been identified as the Chair (not Vice-Chair) of the Board and noted that the record should indicate that the District’s attorney, Peter Lowe, was present.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (779 yeas, 0 nays, 154 abstentions, and 67 absent) to accept as corrected the minutes of the June 28, 2007, special meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Voting yea were Ms. Burns, Mrs. Carrier, Mrs. Gardner, Mr. Hill, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Reinhart, Mrs. Rogers, Ms. Stimpson, Ms. Thomas, Mrs. Totten, and Mr. Tufts.

 

There were no nay votes.

 

Abstaining from voting were Ms. Havey and Mr. Russell.

 

Absent was Mrs. Meisenbach.

 

{Chairman Totten reordered some items on the agenda.}

 

6.         NEW BUSINESS:

 

6.1       To appoint Sarah Cowperthwaite to a first-year probationary contract as high school art teacher at Bachelor’s +15, Step 8, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Gardner, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Sarah Cowperthwaite to a first-year probationary contract as high school art teacher at Bachelor’s +15, Step 8, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.2       To appoint Whitney Michele Reeves to a first-year probationary contract as a Grades 2/3 teacher at West Harpswell School, at Bachelor’s, Step 3, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Whitney Michele Reeves to a first-year probationary contract as a Grades 2/3 teacher at West Harpswell School, at Bachelor’s, Step 3, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

                                                           

6.3       To appoint Ryan Holmes to a first-year probationary contract as high school physical education teacher, at Bachelor’s, Step 3, for the 2007-2008 contract year                     

 

            It was moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Ryan Holmes to a first-year probationary contract as high school physical education teacher, at Bachelor’s, Step 3, for the 2007-2008 contract year.                                                        

6.4       To appoint Sara Eaton to a first-year probationary contract as a school social worker at Woodside Elementary School, at Master’s, Step 10, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Sara Eaton to a first-year probationary contract as a school social worker at Woodside Elementary School, at Master’s, Step 10, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.5       To appoint Katrina Barter to a first-year probationary contract as a .6 {correction noted)  FTE school nurse at Williams-Cone & Harpswell Islands Schools, at Bachelor’s, Step 13 (prorated), for the 2007-2008 contract year

                       

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Katrina Barter to a first-year probationary contract as a .6 {correction noted} FTE school nurse at Williams-Cone & Harpswell Islands Schools, at Bachelor’s, Step 13 (prorated), for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.6       To appoint Peter Slaski to a first-year probationary contract as a seventh grade mathematics teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Master’s, Step 6, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Peter Slaski to a first-year probationary contract as a seventh grade mathematics teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Master’s, Step 6, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.6a     To appoint Allison Barrett to a first-year probationary contract as a 6th grade Language Arts & Social Studies teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Bachelor’s +15, Step 2, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Allison Barrett to a first-year probationary contract as a 6th grade Language Arts & Social Studies teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Bachelor’s +15, Step 2, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.6b     To appoint Erin Carrigan to a first-year probationary contract as a Social Worker at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Master’s, Step 2, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Erin Carrigan to a first-year probationary contract as a Social Worker at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Master’s, Step 2, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.6c     To appoint Lancy Swanson to a first-year probationary contract as a Special Education teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Master’s, Step 4, for the 2007-2008 contract year

 

It was moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to appoint Lancy Swanson to a first-year probationary contract as a Special Education teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Master’s, Step 4, for the 2007-2008 contract year.

 

6.6d     To transfer Lisa Hogan, Middle School science teacher, to the position of District Technology Integrator

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to transfer Lisa Hogan, Middle School science teacher, to the position of District Technology Integrator.

 

6.7       To eliminate one .5 FTE Kindergarten position at Williams-Cone School and to transfer Roxanne Auclair, .5 FTE Kindergarten teacher, to .5 FTE first grade position, and to appoint Lisa Boyle to a first-year probationary contract to the position of .5 FTE first grade teacher, at Bachelor’s, Step 9 (prorated), to share the first grade assignment with Ms. Auclair

 

Ms. Burns expressed her feeling that it is best for children of this age to have only one teacher all day long.

 

Principal Otis Thompson explained that these two individuals work well together and that next year’s first grade probably won’t support the current number of sections.  Ms. Havey related that a similar arrangement had met with mixed results, citing a lack of continuity.  Mr. Thompson related that both individuals will be together at noon.  He related he had received no objections from anyone, after he had invited those with concerns about this job-sharing proposal to forward them to him.

 

Superintendent Wilhelm indicated that Ms. Boyle will be in the school all day – in her role as part-time literacy teacher and the position being shared with Ms. Auclair.

 

Mrs. Carrier asked what would have normally happened in a case of having to eliminate a section of a grade due to a lack of adequate supporting enrollment.  Mr. Thompson said the position would have been advertised, as was the case in this instance.

 

While feeling the situation is not ideal, Ms. Burns is willing to think this arrangement might work because of the numbers and the fact that it is for only one year.  She stated her feeling that communication between the school and home is not always satisfactory and hopes that parent conferences can be held with both teachers.

 

Mrs. Totten would be interested in a mid-year report on how this arrangement is working.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers and seconded by Mrs. Gardner to eliminate one .5 FTE Kindergarten position at Williams-Cone School and to transfer Roxanne Auclair, .5 FTE Kindergarten teacher, t .5 FTE first grade position, and to appoint Lisa Boyle to a first-year probationary contract to the position of .5 FTE first grade teacher, at Bachelor’s, Step 9 (prorated), to share the first grade assignment with Ms. Auclair.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Ms. Thomas, and VOTED (unanimously) to amend the motion to include that this arrangement will be reviewed at the end of the year to determine its effectiveness and necessity of continuing the job sharing.

 

The amended motion was VOTED (856 yeas, 77 nays, 0 abstentions, and 67 absent).

 

Voting yea were Ms. Burns, Mrs. Carrier, Mrs. Gardner, Mr. Hill, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Reinhart, Mrs. Rogers, Mr. Russell, Ms. Stimpson, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Totten, and Mr. Tufts.

 

Voting nay was Ms. Havey.

 

There were no abstentions.

 

Absent was Mrs. Meisenbach.

 

6.7a     To accept the resignation of Catherine Sleeman, Mt. Ararat High School special education teacher, effective August 31, 2007

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Catherine Sleeman, Mt. Ararat High School special education teacher, effective August 31, 2007.

 

6.7b     To accept the resignation of Britt Wolfe, Mt. Ararat High School Assistant Principal, effective no later than August 15, 2007

 

                        Mr. Wolfe has resigned to assume the position of Principal of Biddeford High School.

 

Superintendent Wilhelm indicated that Mr. Wolfe would like an opportunity to address the Board about this.  He expressed pleasure that Mr. Wolfe is advancing in his career and said that he is sorry to lose him as an administrator in M.S.A.D. No. 75.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept with regret the resignation of Britt Wolfe, Mt. Ararat High School Assistant Principal, effective no later than August 15, 2007.

 

Expressing an interest in serving on the Selection Committee were Mrs. Rogers, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Gardner and Sam Prindall.

 

6.8       To review the current context of the District’s No Child Left Behind application development process and seek input from stakeholders to improve the District’s 2007-2008 NCLB program plans

 

Assistant Superintendent Sally Loughlin had prepared an overview of the NCLB grants, ’07 funding of each, and the programs initiated under each grant.

 

                        Mr. Hill thanked Ms. Loughlin for the report.

 

 

6.9       To approve the sale and award of the $362,500 capital improvement bond to a financial institution as per the vote included in Exhibit 6.9

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Hill, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve the sale and award of the $362,500 capital improvement bond to KeyBank National Association as per the vote included in Exhibit 6.9, as follows:

 

1.             That pursuant to the provisions of 20-A M.R.S.A. Section 1311, as amended, and all other authority thereto enabling, and to provide funds for the costs of minor capital improvements at various District facilities (the “Project”), all as approved by the voters of the District at the District Referendum held June 12, 2007 and to provide the costs of issuance, the Treasurer and the Chairman of the Board of School Directors are hereby authorized and empowered in the name and on behalf of the District to borrow up to $362,500 and the Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of School Directors of the District be and hereby are authorized and empowered, in the name and on behalf of the District, to execute and deliver such agreements, documents and other instruments as the Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of School Directors may deem necessary or appropriate in order to effect such borrowing, such agreements and documents and other instruments to contain such terms and provisions, not contrary to the general tenor hereof, as the Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of School Directors may approve, their approval to be conclusively evidenced by their execution thereof; and

 

2.             In order to provide funds for the Project described in the foregoing, the Board of School Directors hereby approves and authorizes the issue, sale and delivery, as evidence of the aforesaid borrowing, of 2007 Capital Improvement Bonds (the “Bonds”) of the District in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $362,500, such bonds to be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Chairman of the Board of School Directors and to contain such other terms and provisions as the officers executing the same may approve, their approval to be conclusively evidenced by their execution thereof; and the authority and discretion to fix the date(s), maturity(ies), interest rate(s), call(s) for redemption, place(s) of payment, form and other details of said bonds or notes, and to provide for the sale thereof, is hereby delegated to the Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of School Directors; and

 

3.             That said Bonds are hereby sold and awarded to KeyBank National Association pursuant to its proposal dated July 11, 2007.

 

4.             That all things heretofore done and all action heretofore taken by the District, its officers and agents in the authorization of said Bonds are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed and the Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of School Directors are each hereby authorized to take any and all action necessary or convenient to carry out the provisions of this voting, including delivering said Bonds against payment therefor.

 

6.10     To enter executive session to consider the re-admittance of an expelled student per Title 20-A 405 (6)(B)

 

At 7:15 p.m. it was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Hill, and VOTED (unanimously) to enter executive session to consider the re-admittance of an expelled student per Title 20-A 405 (6)(B).  It was noted that Brenda Brown, Don Gray, Matthew Killan, Anna Feldman, and Keri Chaput will be allowed to remain in the executive session.

 

                        The executive session ended at 8:10 p.m.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Carrier, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve the re-admittance of an expelled student per Title 20-A 405 (6) (B), with stipulations.

 

6.11     To hear more information regarding Public Law 2007, Chapter 240, Part XXXX, School Administrative Reorganization and its effect on M.S.A.D. No. 75

 

Business Manager Ron Lavender provided information.  He stated that this Board must decide by August 30th whether it will stand by itself or consolidate with others.  The Board must demonstrate why it comes to the conclusion at which it arrives. 

 

Superintendent Wilhelm reported that a preliminary meeting regarding possibilities of consolidating with Lisbon has been held.  Brunswick will host a regional meeting on consolidation at Brunswick High School on July 17th.  Board members are asked to email Becky Brillant regarding intentions to attend.

 

Mr. Lavender presented funding scenarios including the possibility of Lisbon’s joining the District.

 

Mr. Lavender noted that the State is taking the narrowest view of what central office administration is, stating that some systems don’t have to find as much savings, since some systems are municipalities (i.e. Brunswick) and those towns don’t charge them, for instance, for preparing payroll.

 

Mr. Hill asked why Lisbon was approaching other systems, and Superintendent Wilhelm stated that under the Law, they must attempt to “partner” with another system.   Dr. Wilhelm indicated the Board needs to know what it will take to achieve necessary savings and where it would find the dollars to retain local control at its current level, if the District were to stand alone.

 

Superintendent Wilhelm stressed that time is short.  He asked if the Board wants to continue its discussions with Lisbon.  Mrs. Carrier, Mrs. Totten and Mrs. Rogers are interested.

 

            5.         OLD BUSINESS:

 

5.1              To consider setting Board goals for the 2007-2008 school year

 

Mr. Hill expressed the sentiment that “it’s time” to achieve some of the goals listed.

 

Ms. Burns thought that No. 2 was vague and should be more specific about what we want to achieve.  She commented that we need to work on communicating with parents.

 

This item will be re-visited by the Board.

 

7.         COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

7.1       Curriculum Committee report – As Chairman of the Curriculum Committee, Mr. Hill reported on this evening’s meeting regarding the identification process for 8th grade algebra.

 

8.         SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:

 

8.1       Meeting with School Union 30 – This item was incorporated into Item 6.11.

 

8.2       Jobs for Maine Graduates – The District is now eligible for this program and is moving toward reinstating it.

 

8.3              Summer Board meeting schedule – The Board will meet on August 9th.

 

8.4              Superintendent Wilhelm announced that Principal Sandra Trach will begin her maternity leave on August 1st.

 

8.5              Superintendent Wilhelm informed the Board that the recently-denied employee grievance will be going to arbitration.

 

9.         ADJOURNMENT:

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

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