PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MINUTES WILL NOT BE FINAL UNTIL

THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM AT ITS NEXT MEETING.

April 19, 2007

 

The Board of Directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 75 held a regular meeting in the District Office on Thursday, April 19, 2007.  {The April 12, 2007 meeting was cancelled and rescheduled to this date.}

 

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


Not present was David A. Johnson

 

Not present were Sara Todd and Sam Prindall, student representative to the Board of Directors. 

 

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

 

The following adjustments were noted:

 

4.        NEW BUSINESS:

 

4.1      To accept the resignation of Cooper Dragonette, high school art teacher, effective immediately

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Carrier, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Cooper Dragonette, high school art teacher, effective immediately.

 

4.1a    To accept the resignation of Hailie Furrow, high school Spanish teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2006-2007 school year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Hailie Furrow, high school art teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2006-2007 school year.

 

Ms. Havey noted that Ms. Furrow was an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher and will be sorely missed.

                                                                                               

4.1b    To accept the resignation of Betsy Hayward, Woodside Elementary School speech pathologist, effective at the conclusion of the 2006-2007 school year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Betsy Hayward, Woodside Elementary School speech pathologist, effective at the conclusion of the 2006-20o7 school year.

 

4.2      To acknowledge the intended retirement of Kathleen Martin, Mt. Ararat Middle School Language Arts teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2006-2007 school year

 

The Board of Directors DULY ACKNOWLEDGED the intended retirement of Kathleen Martin, Mt. Ararat Middle School Language Arts teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2006-2007 school year.

 

Superintendent Wilhelm noted that Mrs. Martin has served the District well in various capacities – elementary teacher at Bowdoin Central School and language arts teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, in addition to her service in other positions.   Ms. Najarian stated that her child had enjoyed having her as a teacher.

 

4.3      To authorize the Superintendent of Schools to enter into an extension of the existing lease with Schiavi Leasing Corporation for portable classrooms at Mt. Ararat High School for a period of 58 months beginning September 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2012 at an annual rate of $39,875.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to enter into an extension of the existing lease with Schiavi Leasing Corporation for portable classrooms at Mt. Ararat High School for a period of 58 months beginning September 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2012 at an annual rate of $39,875.

 

4.4      To undertake a second reading and approval of a school calendar for the 2007-2008 school year

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Carrier, and VOTED (unanimously) to undertake a second reading and approval of a school calendar for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

4.5            To consider rescheduling of the May 24th Board meeting and public budget hearing

 

A scheduling conflict exists in that the Town of Topsham has scheduled a Town Meeting on the same evening as the May 24th Board meeting and public budget hearing.                                     

 

It was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Rogers , and VOTED (unanimously) to reschedule the May 24th Board meeting and public budget hearing to Wednesday, May 23rd in Room 201 of Mt. Ararat High School.

 

4.6      To approve a budget recommendation from the Board Finance Committee for FY ‘08

 

            Business Manager Ron Lavender provided details of adjustments which had been made to the draft maintenance of effort budget.  Administration recommends to the Finance Committee areas of potential savings, as follows:

 

 $19,352 (administrator insurance buy-out)

            $55,000 (lease computer replacement)

            $56,000 (one middle school position)

            $10,000 (technology integration)

            $40,000 (capital improvement)

$ 8,251 (curriculum stipends)

 

            Mr. Lavender provided percentages of increases to the District’s towns, as follows:

 

            5.99% (Bowdoin)

            4.81% (Bowdoinham)

            3.97% (Harpswell)

            4.81% (Topsham)

 

            Chairman Hill asked how firm are the State-provided subsidy amounts.  Superintendent Wilhelm said that the numbers provided are what the State is telling the District to use in its budget formulation.

 

            Mrs. Carrier expressed dismay that Harpswell (as a minimal receiver of subsidy) will not receive its special education funding, as provided for in LD 1953.  The State has expressed its intent to change the Law to correct its mistake in its assertion that the Law was misinterpreted last year, with the State believing that there existed a 5% “kick-out” clause; and in implementing the Law as if it did, the State intends to make the Law conform to its interpretation for 2007-2008.

 

            Mrs. Rogers requested that the District’s attorney meet with the Board of Directors at its next meeting to discuss the Board’s intent to sue the State over this issue.    She feels it is unconscionable for the Commissioner to circumvent the intent of the Law.

 

            It was moved by Mrs. Rogers and seconded by Mrs. Gardner to request the presence of the District’s attorney at the next Board meeting to discuss the Board’s intent to sue.

                                   

Mrs. Carrier stated it’s unfair for the State to ignore the law (seeking relief for Harpswell) and to have the Commissioner sit with the Board and say money is available for relief.  She feels the Department of Education must back down on its intent to change the law.

 

Ms. Najarian pointed out that the bill wasn’t overly lengthy and can’t believe someone on the Commissioner’s staff didn’t see there was no kick-out clause.

 

Superintendent Wilhelm announced that legislators will be meeting with Harpswell town officials and any members of the Board of Directors who can attend at 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 23rd in Room 201 of the high school.

 

The motion made by Mrs. Rogers and seconded by Mrs. Gardner to request the presence of the District’s attorney at the next Board meeting to discuss the Board’s intent to sue was VOTED (unanimously).

 

It was moved by Mrs. Rogers, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve a budget recommendation from the Board Finance Committee for FY ’08 in the amount of $36,424,407.

 

The warrant articles will be voted on at the next meeting, with warrants being signed immediately.

 

6.        CORRESPONDENCE:

 

Board members had received a copy of the Commissioner’s response to Dawn     Prindall’s letter regarding issues at the high school and the District’s renovation project on the State’s priority list.   The Superintendent will further discuss this with Mrs. Prindall.

 

7.         ADJOURNMENT:

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

 

/bb/minutesBd04192007