PLEASE
NOTE THAT THE MINUTES WILL NOT BE FINAL UNTIL
THE
BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM AT ITS NEXT MEETING
August
9, 2007
The Board of Directors of
The following Directors were present: Kim Totten, Chair; Maryane Burns; Dorothy
“Dee” Carrier; Dorothy Gardner; Sheila Havey; David A. Johnson; Jane
Meisenbach; Joanne Reinhart; Joanne M. Rogers; Donald Russell; and Roland Tufts.
Not present were Robert W. Hill, Rebekah Stimpson,
and Gwen Thomas. Also absent was Sam
Prindall, student representative to the Board.
1. Call to
order
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Totten
at 6:03 p.m.
2. Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance to
the Flag.
2a. To
enter executive session to undertake a disciplinary hearing to consider the
suspension or expulsion of a student pursuant to 1-M.R.S.A. 405(6)(B)
This
was not held.
3. To
consider action relative to additions or adjustments to the agenda and to ask
for comments from the audience
3.1 RECOGNITIONS
& ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Ø
Wilbur
Wilson – Appreciation for 19 years of work for M.S.A.D. No.
75 – Superintendent Wilhelm noted that in the years the District has retained
ownership of Pejepscot School, Mr. Wilson, who lives across the street from the
school, has served as “Facilities Supervisor” for the building. Now that the school has been transferred back
to the Town of
Ø Sandy & Scott Trach – Congratulations
on the birth of William Franklin Trach on August 1, 2007
Ø Board member service – Superintendent
Wilhelm related he had recently read an article relative to the difficulty
encountered by some systems in having candidates run to serve on school
boards. He expressed his appreciation
for the full complement of dedicated Board members which this district has.
Adjustments to the agenda were
noted, as follows, and integrated appropriately into the agenda.
4. Table action on minutes of July 12,
2007, meeting
6.2a To accept the
resignation of Clare Cline, special
education teacher at Williams-Cone School, effective no later than October 7,
2007
6.5a To terminate the
contract of Josh Ottow, high school
Social Studies teacher, effective August 9, 2007, and to appoint Josh Ottow as Assistant Principal of
Mt. Ararat High School for the period August 1o, 2007 t0 June 30, 2008
6.5b To increase the
contract of Karen Erdmann, Bowdoin
Central School Title I teacher, from .75 FTE to full-time, effective September
1, 2007
6.5c To consider adding
another third grade teacher at Woodside Elementary School in order to address
increased student enrollments to be paid for by contingency in the event that sufficient
dollars cannot be found in instruction
4. To
take action relative to accepting as printed the minutes of the July 12, 2007, regular
meeting of the Board of Directors
The minutes of the July 12, 2007,
meeting were tabled.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
5.1 To
hear a report on the status of school unit consolidation
The
Chair moved this item to the end of the agenda.
6. NEW BUSINESS:
6.1
To accept the resignation of Stasia Lowe,
It was moved by Mrs. Carrier,
seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED
(unanimously) to accept the resignation of Stasia Lowe,
6.2 To accept
the resignation of James Wilkens, Transportation
Director, effective August 31, 2007
It was moved by Mrs. Carrier,
seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED
(unanimously) to accept with regret the resignation of James Wilkens, Transportation Director, effective August 31, 2007.
Mrs. Carrier expressed her feeling
that the atmosphere and “receptiveness” of the Transportation Facility changed
dramatically after Mr. Wilkens assumed the position of Director.
Superintendent Wilhelm noted that Mr.
Wilkens will be with the District through the opening of the new school year and
is confident that the District will experience a smooth opening of the new year.
Chairman Totten
wondered how many more good employees the District will face the loss of, with
school consolidation.
6.3 To
appoint Elizabeth Kocsis to a
first-year probationary contract to teach 6th grade at
This
item was delayed until the arrival of Ms. Kocsis.
6.4 To
appoint Sarah Roughgarden to a
first-year probationary contract as 1st grade teacher at
It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded
by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously
of those present, as Mrs. Meisenbach had not yet arrived) to appoint Sarah Roughgarden to a first-year
probationary contract as 1st grade teacher at West Harpswell School,
at Bachelor’s, Step 2.
6.5 To
appoint Sarah Dawson to a first-year
probationary contract to teach 7th grade science at
It was moved by Mrs. Carrier,
seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED
(unanimously of those present, as Mrs. Meisenbach had not yet arrived) to
appoint Sarah Dawson to a first-year
probationary contract to teach 7th grade science at Mt. Ararat
Middle School, at Master’s +15, Step 13
… Mrs.
Meisenbach arrived at 6:12 p.m.
6.5a To
terminate the contract of Josh Ottow,
high school Social Studies teacher, effective August 9, 2007, and to appoint Josh Ottow as Assistant Principal of
Mt. Ararat High School for the period August 10, 2007 to June 30, 2008
Action
on this item was deferred, pending Mr. Ottow’s arrival.
6.5b To
increase the contract of Karen Erdmann, Bowdoin
Central School Title I teacher, from .75 FTE to full-time, effective September
1, 2007
Superintendent Wilhelm offered the
rationale for this request.
It was moved by Mrs. Rogers,
seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED
(unanimously) to increase the contract of Karen Erdmann,
6.5c To
consider adding another third grade teacher at Woodside Elementary School in
order to address increased student enrollments to be paid for by contingency in
the event that sufficient dollars cannot be found in instruction
It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded
by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED (unanimously) to
authorize adding another third grade teacher at
6.6 To select
a voting delegate for the State School Boards Association Delegate Assembly on
October 25, 2007
Mrs. Gardner suggested that either
the Chair or Vice-Chair could appropriately serve in this capacity.
Mrs. Carrier explained that she will
be unable to attend this year’s
6.7 To
consider a request from High School Principal Craig King regarding Advanced
Placement Testing
In a survey conducted by Principal
King, a majority of staff members felt that students taking Advanced Placement
courses should take the exam. Students
would be responsible for the cost of taking the exam, unless they could
demonstrate financial hardship. Dr. King
said the cost of the exam is $82, and if a student meets free or reduced lunch
requirements, assistance can be given to allay the costs.
Mrs. Carrier admitted she has a
problem with mandating the taking of this exam, and
Dr. King reminded Board members that students are not mandated to take AP
courses.
Mrs. Totten suggested that some
students might take the courses more seriously if they had to take the
exam.
Dr. King cited an example of a class
of 21 students in an AP course, wherein only three took the exam. He feels this raises an ethical question,
stating that students can download a transcript to show they are taking AP
courses.
John Brassil noted a trend in their
senior year for students not to take the AP exam. He pointed out that $82 is not a high price
to pay to be able to opt out of taking, for instance, Freshman English in
college.
Superintendent Wilhelm asked when
students have to commit to taking the exam, and Dr. King indicated that the fee
is due in early January.
Dr. Wilhelm suggested perhaps AP
courses could be called something else, if students don’t take the exam.
Dr. King said that some students tell
colleges they are taking three or four AP courses, with no intention of taking
the exam.
Mrs. Reinhart emphasized that taking
the exam results in good savings on college costs.
Dr. King
stated that the school takes pride in offering 14 AP courses.
Dr. King indicated that the school
gets back $13 of the $82 fee and suggested those dollars could be used to
defray the costs of students taking the exams.
Mrs. Carrier asked whether this item
could be tabled until more thought can be given to the “cost” to students, and
investigation given to Dr. Wilhelm’s suggestion to calling AP courses something
else when students opt not to take the exam.
Dr.
Wilhelm would like to know the total costs of students’ taking the exams.
Mrs. Totten asked if administration
could survey parents to determine whether it would hinder their child’s taking
AP courses if they have to pay the $82 to take the required exam.
Ms. Havey
related a personal experience, wherein her son said he would take Academic
English rather than take AP English and have to take the exam.
Dr. King suggested running two
classes with the same content, one called “honors” and the other labeled “AP.”
Mrs. Gardner thanked Dr. King for his
efforts to financially assist economically disadvantaged students. Dr. King will return to the Board at its
August 23rd meeting with the requested data.
6.3 To appoint
Elizabeth Kocsis to a first-year
probationary contract to teach 6th grade at
It was moved by Mrs. Carrier,
seconded by Mr. Johnson, and VOTED
(unanimously) to appoint Elizabeth
Kocsis to a first-year probationary contract to teach 6th grade
at Mt. Ararat Middle School, at Master’s, Step 0.
6.8
To consider a request from High School Principal
Craig King to explore with his faculty a reconfiguration of student services
leadership at the high school
Principal Craig King is approaching
this in an attempt to find as effective a configuration as possible. Superintendent Wilhelm said that
administration has been looking at this model for several years and thinks if
the high school could spend a year looking at it (even if it doesn’t adopt this
model), the school and administration would still benefit.
It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded
by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously)
to allow High School Principal Craig King to explore with his faculty a
reconfiguration of student services leadership at the high school.
….. Britt
Wolfe, former Mt. Ararat High School assistant principal,
addressed the Board, thanking the members for their support during the past
three years. He expressed how much he
enjoyed working with the staff and the Board, noting he feels he has grown
professionally. He indicated that he has
taken his attitude and the information he has gleaned from his service in
M.S.A.D. No. 75 to his new position.
Board
members wished him well in his new position.
6.5a To
terminate the contract of Josh Ottow, high
school Social Studies teacher, effective August 9, 2007, and to appoint Josh Ottow as Assistant Principal of
Mt. Ararat High School for the period August 10, 2007, to June 30, 2008
Principal Craig King introduced Mr.
Ottow, noting that the Selection Committee had been composed of students,
administrators and Board members.
It was moved by Mrs. Carrier,
seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED
(unanimously) to terminate the contract of Josh Ottow, high school Social Studies teacher, effective August 9,
2007, and to appoint Josh Ottow as
Assistant Principal of Mt. Ararat High School for the period August 10, 2007,
to June 30, 2008.
Mrs. Carrier served on the Selection
Committee and noted that the Committee had been impressed with Mr. Ottow’s
enthusiasm. Ms. Havey appreciates that
Mr. Ottow is a “known quantity.”
6.9 To
hear a preliminary report on the District’s Grade 3-8 MEA results
Board members had received a written
report on the Grades 3-8 MEA results.
Assistant Superintendent Sally Loughlin gave an overview of how the test
is scored and announced that administration is considering putting this information
on the District’s website.
6.10 To
establish a Board meeting schedule for the 2007-2008 school year
It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded
by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously)
to approve as presented a Board meeting schedule for the 2007-2008 school
year.
6.11 To approve District goals for the 2007-2008
school year
Superintendent Wilhelm presented an
overview of the goals and asked the Board to endorse them, with the intention
of returning to the Board at its August 23rd meeting to ask for approval.
Mrs.
Reinhart noted this is a “wonderfully ambitious list.”
Mrs. Rogers asked what would be
brought back to the Board. Dr. Wilhelm
noted that administrators plan to discuss the goals at their retreat, and
hopefully build some leadership around the goals.
It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded
by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously)
to endorse these goals, with the understanding that (at its August 23rd
meeting) the Board will receive more information on which ones will receive
more emphasis.
7. COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
8. SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT:
5.1 Consolidation
– Superintendent Wilhelm reported that data is being collected in an
effort to discover economies of scale.
By the end of August the Board must notify the State of its intent
regarding consolidation. The Board can
indicate it will “stand alone” or will consolidate. The Board needs to determine how many
“intents” it will file.
Mrs. Carrier asked the
Superintendent to speak about the Planning Committee which must be formed. Dr. Wilhelm noted that the Regionalization
Planning Committee will consist of four Board members from the District and one
from
At that point, a facilitator would join
the process. While “standing alone”
would be less complicated, the State will give preferential consideration
regarding construction projects for those units who are consolidated.
Superintendent Wilhelm stated the new
unit will have new Board members and will decide who will work administratively
for it. It will also develop a budget.
Town officials will be invited to an
August 21st meeting to discuss options for consolidation. Only one meeting has been held with
representatives from
Superintendent Wilhelm noted that the
District could file two letters of
intent, and this would give the Board more working time.
Mrs. Totten suggested holding a
workshop on August 23rd. It
was decided to conduct a workshop from 5:30 to 7:00, with the regular meeting
beginning at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting,
the Board will have Selectmen’s input from the August 21st
meeting. Superintendent Wilhelm will
contact
8.1
State Lap Top Initiative for high school teachers
Assistant Superintendent Sally
Loughlin announced that MacBooks will be distributed
to all certified faculty at
Mrs. Totten is concerned about
possible additional costs. Superintendent
Wilhelm stated that dollars had been budgeted to give a laptop to all high
school teachers, and that these dollars are to be used to pay for costs related
to the MacBooks.
8.2 Meeting regarding Bill Fitzsimmons’
proposal for a 501(c)(3)
Superintendent Wilhelm reminded Board
members that Mr. Fitzsimmons had presented his 501(c)(3)
proposal to the Board this past spring, and that the Board asked that a meeting
be arranged with Mr. Fitzsimmons and
affected stakeholders. The
Superintendent thought that a “smaller” meeting would be in order to begin the
process, so Mr. Fitzsimmons met with the President and Vice-President of the Boosters
and answered questions relative to the proposal. At the end of that meeting it was agreed to
take the proposal back to the Boosters and Friends of
8.3
Financial report – Business Manager Ron Lavender
presented this report.
8.4 Main
Street meeting – Superintendent Wilhelm reported that in the Main Street Committee’s
implementation of the Northern Village plan, the District’s property is to be
considered “educational” in use. The LRA
is looking at the land around the campus, and the land around the current Annex
Housing will be considered for housing purposes. The so-called “military triangle,” property
near the Commissary, will be devoted to commercial uses, but are intended to be
compatible with the District’s uses.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting was declared adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
/bb/minutes8907