PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MINUTES WILL NOT BE
FINAL UNTIL
THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM AT ITS NEXT
MEETING.
March 20, 2008
The Board of Directors of
Maine School Administrative District No. 75 held a regular meeting at Maine
Vocational Region Ten on March 20,
2008.
The following Directors were
present: Kim Totten,
Chair; Maryane Burns; Dorothy “Dee” Carrier; Dorothy
Gardner; David Johnson; Scott McKernan; Jane Meisenbach; Joanne Reinhart; Joanne Rogers; Donald A.
Russell; Rebekah Stimpson;
Gwen Thomas; and Roland Tufts.
Not present was Robert W.
Hill. Also absent were student
representatives Sam Prindall and Lisa Rogers.
1. Call
to order
The
meeting was called to order by Chairman Totten at 7:05
p.m. This evening’s meeting was preceded
by dinner served by students.
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
Agenda adjustments were noted as follows and were integrated
appropriately into the agenda.
{add}
5.2a To submit an
Alternative Plan to the Commissioner of Education to allow the four District
towns to function as a Regional School Unit, pursuant to P.L. 2007, Chapter 240
{add}
8.4 Chinese
program
Ø The Chair will recognize members of the RPC in the
audience who want to speak.
Ø Mrs.
Rogers thanked her fellow Board members for their kindness to her upon the loss
of her granddaughter. She especially
thanked the
3.1 RECOGNITIONS
& ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Ø
Welcome from Barry Lohnes,
Director of MVR 10
Ø Moment
of silence – Ruth Veno,
Ø Commendations:
Ø
It was also noted that Kelly and Kat
will both travel to
Ø Connor
Fitzsimmons –
Ø Evan McDuff,
Steven Tringali, Joseph Miller, Sean Perkins, Meghan Dano, Lisa Rogers, Jan Bessey and
Ashley Rood – Mt. Ararat High School delegates and alternates to the American Legion
Boys State and Girls State
Ø Keegan
Brennan – selected by
Ø
Ø Cheri Towle,
Rebecca Williams & Evelyn Barbour,
Ø Consumer
Blue
Ø Kristina Johnson/Ellen Pinette - 1st
Ø Alex Spies - 2nd
Ø Laura Hill - 3rd
Ø Paul Morris, Christopher Menz, Joshua Walker & Gabriel Elliot - Honorable
Mention
Ø Consumer
Pink
Ø T.C. Schofield – 1st
Ø Zach Frietag
– 2nd
Ø Nicole Crippen
– 3rd
Ø David Roux, Courtney Burne, Miranda Riendeau-Card,
Caroline Tufts – Honorable Mention
Ø Environmental
Ø Caroline Ducharme
– 1st
Ø Emily Cromwell – 2nd
Ø Emily Bowie & Francis Meisenbach – 3rd
Ø Douglas Smith, Casey Williams &
Ø Chemistry
Ø Maryellen Colson – 1st
Ø Janelle Surace
– 2nd
Ø Tim Holbrook – 3rd
Ø Kristen DeMars
– Honorable Mention
Ø Biology
Ø Morgan Kinney – 1st
Ø Katrina Cornish – 2nd
Ø Heather Bolduc – 3rd
Ø Daniel Van Note, Mallori
Manson, Brittany Getch, Jordanne
Woodbury, Jasmine Shields, Annie Cochrane & Nick Demosthenes – Honorable
Mention
Ø Psychology
Ø David Brann – 1st
Ø Meghan Fogg –
2nd
Ø Chloe Emerson – 3rd
Ø Elizabeth Stone, Genevieve Beaudoin, Michelle Brann, Valerie Johnstone,
David Thomas & Korin Nickerson – Honorable
Mention
Ø Physics
Ø Michaela Tepler
– 1st
Ø Linnea Tilberg – 2nd
Ø Michael Ferdico
– 3rd
Ø Nathan Cloutier,
Ryan Lussier, Kris Reed, KathrynPopadak,
Brett Milliken & James Oliver – Honorable Mention
Ø Best
in Class
Ø Tyler Washburn – Freshman
Ø Tyler Totten – Sophomore
Ø Tyler Totten – Eagle Scout status
Ø Kim Totten,
David Johnson & Jane Meisenbach – Congratulations
upon being re-elected to seats on the M.S.A.D. No. 75 Board of Directors
5. OLD
BUSINESS:
5.1 To
hear information and gather input on No child Left Behind, required reporting
and the program status and development process
Assistant
Superintendent Sally Loughlin presented this item. Paper copies of the NCLB report cards will be
sent out with the District newsletter.
Ms. Loughlin highlighted for the Board the purpose of Title I, funding
mechanisms of the program, and progress made this year.
Superintendent
Wilhelm thanked Ms. Loughlin for her exceptional work on the report card,
indicating that this is a great start to getting the word out to the public,
part of the NCLB reporting requirements.
… Mrs.
Reinhart arrived at 7:10 p.m.
5.3 To
determine a budget to take to public hearing
Business Manager Peter Gray opened the
discussion.
Superintendent
Wilhelm pointed out that the District will be losing $305,000 in Medicaid
Reimbursement, as well as $636,373 in state subsidy.
If
the District consolidates with
A
list of possible budget reductions was presented, and the Superintendent noted
there is the possibility of another half-million in reductions and that the
Finance Committee is waiting to see if they are viable. A total of $1.5 million in potential
reductions was listed.
Superintendent
Wilhelm asked the Board whether it’s expecting the Finance Committee to still
“own” a budget amount before the hearings or it it’s willing to take the
options to the hearings and seek public input.
Mr.
McKernan pointed out that by the end of tonight’s
meeting, the Board will have voted to take down the number of options (in
voting on whether to consolidate with
Ms.
Thomas asked whether there’s a possibility that the public sentiment will
negate what the Board wants to do, and Mrs. Totten
emphasized she wants the public aware of the consequences of the options.
Mr.
Russell feels the Finance Committee could confuse the public with its various
options.
Ms.
Burns stated that on Monday, March 24th, the Committee will be
looking at the results of this evening’s meeting.
Dr.
Wilhelm noted that previously the Board has been able to take a
maintenance-of-effort budget to the public, with a list of supplementary items
which could be added back in or taken out.
He feels the public won’t accept a maintenance-of-effort budget and that
the public needs to know the impact of how deeply cuts have been made, adding that in order for a budget to be palatable, one
must accept that the Board is in a “different place” this year, facing
substantial revenue losses.
Dr.
Wilhelm stated that the Finance Committee has to hear a sense of what the full
Board wants, since there’s no additional Board meeting before the hearings
begin.
Mrs.
Gardner feels that parents need to know if they want the same educational
program they have enjoyed in the past, it’s going to cost more.
Mr.
McKernan said the public needs to know quantitatively
the impact of cuts on the educational program.
Superintendent Wilhelm said no vote is
necessary on this item.
5.2 To
hear a report on the public hearings on consolidation and to vote to submit the
Consolidation Plan to the Commissioner of Education
Mrs.
Totten expressed amazement that what had been a big
concern to her (the ability of so many people to work together) proved to be
ungrounded, and that the entire membership wanted only what was best for the
students. She indicated that all members
shared the same fears and shared the same frustrations with lack of State
direction.
She
thanked all the members of the RPC and said that each of the five towns should
be proud of its representatives to the Committee.
Mrs.
Rogers noted that the RPC has been meeting since September and that it had been
thought that consolidation with
It
was moved by Mrs. Rogers and seconded by Mrs. Gardner that the provision
included in the school reorganization plan prepared by the Lisbon/M.S.A.D. No.
75 Reorganization Planning Committee to reorganize the Lisbon School Department
and M.S.A.D. No. 75 into a regional school unit with an operational date of
July 1, 20-09, are determined to be necessary within the meaning of Section
XXXX-36(5)(M) and the Superintendent of Schools be, and hereby is, authorized
and directed to submit the school reorganization plan to the Commissioner of
Education on behalf of this school administrative unit by March 28, 2008.
Mrs.
Rogers expressed a great deal of regret that she cannot support the plan,
because of the damage which would be done to M.S.A.D. No. 75, stating that she
had gone into the process in September with good intentions.
Ms.
Stimpson echoed Mrs. Rogers’ remarks.
Mrs.
Reinhart had looked at the process as an experiment, having been given the
charge to assess the benefits of consolidation.
She admitted that she has changed her mind.
Mrs.
Totten feels that it would have helped if the rules
had not been constantly changing and if the RPC had had solid directions. She feels the Plan would fail and that the
budget and educational program would be torn apart.
James
Henderson, RPC member, asked whether it’s essential to submit one plan and if
both could be submitted, asking why that option could not be reserved for the
voters.
Mrs.
Totten feels that the plan to consolidate would tear
apart the programs in M.S.A.D. No. 75 and cause much damage.
Superintendent
Wilhelm noted that the budget referendum will be held the same day as the
referendum on consolidation (if it occurs) and that the budget would have to
include the fund balance and the District’s share of the RSU start-up costs.
Mr. Henderson agreed that this year’s timing is
unfortunate.
Mrs.
Gardner (to Mr. Henderson) lamented the time put into the State’s
poorly-thought-out plan and admitted she’s not encouraged that anything
positive will happen, if the Plan is submitted.
Ms.
Thomas said that the myth surrounding school consolidation was to save money
and noted that the cuts being discussed are so damaging and which will never be
reinstated.
Mrs.
Carrier read a personal statement, in which she said the costs are too great
with too many unknowns. She feels that
the true costs of consolidation are not yet unknown, also citing the inability
to predict the educational benefits of consolidation.
Mr.
McKernan thanked the RPC for it work,
acknowledging that all entered the process with the desire to make it
work. He admitted that in the beginning
he thought that consolidation was the right thing to do but has changed his
mind due to the lack of information from the State, outright threats for not consolidating,
and poor timeline. He summarized by
saying that consolidation was a good concept but that it had been administered
by those who thought they could force it by coercion, that the timeline and
process was too quick with no thought process into the end effects of
consolidation.
Mr. Russell feels that the facts of consolidation are
non-existent, leading him to the decision to vote against submission of the
Plan. He agreed with Mr. Hill that the costs
outweigh the benefits and that without solid facts, consolidation is hard to
implement. He felt that the timeline for
implementation was ridiculous; pointing out that
Mr.
Tufts expressed his feeling that the process was deeply flawed and suggested
that consolidation should first begin in
Ms.
Thomas feels in light of the District’s identification as one of the State’s
few highly efficient systems, M.S.A.D. No. 75 should have been held up as an
example, completing her statement by saying that the District can’t get much
better than it is already.
Mr.
Johnson said he cannot support the motion, citing the poor timeline and lack of
information from the State. He said he’s
proud of the District and feels it’s on the “cutting edge” in all aspects of
its programs.
Mrs.
Meisenbach commended the RPC for its work, recalling
that it had begun its work with such optimism.
She said she had thought that consolidation with
Ms.
Burns thanked the RPC for its work. She
noted that initially she had reluctantly supported the idea and had, overtime,
become hopeful that it would work. She
stated that the concept is not something she can support.
Ms.
Stimpson said she had viewed the process as a very
exciting educational opportunity, looking forward to not having to ask
taxpayers for more.
She
believes that the Board serves as the first representatives of the District,
but she also feels that the plan the RPC tried to make work, cannot.
Mr.
Johnson moved the question.
The
motion made by Mrs. Rogers and seconded by Mrs. Gardner that the provisions
included in the school reorganization plan prepared by the Lisbon/M.S.A.D. No.
75 Reorganization Planning Committee to reorganize the Lisbon School Department
and M.S.A.D. No.75 into a regional school unit with an operational date of July
1, 2009, are determined to be necessary within the meaning of Section
XXXX-36(5)(M) and the Superintendent of Schools be, and hereby is, authorized
and directed to submit the school reorganization plan to the Commissioner of
Education on behalf of this school administrative unit by March 28, 2008 FAILED (unanimously).
5.2a To
submit an Alternative Plan to the Commissioner of Education to allow the four
District towns to function as a Regional School Unit, pursuant to P.L. 2007,
Chapter 240
It
was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (unanimously) to instruct the Superintendent to submit an
Alternative Plan to the Commissioner of Education to allow the four District
towns to function as a Regional School Unit, pursuant to P.L. 2007, Chapter
240.
Superintendent
Wilhelm stated that the Board has to point out where the requisite savings will
be found (50% central administration, and 5% each in special services,
transportation and facilities).
6.6
{taken out of order} To hear a report from Craig King on the High School Advisory Program and credit
requirement
Claudette Brassil
presented an overview of the program,
which requires Advisory Program attendance in order to receive credit. She stated that parents have been informed of
the credit requirement and the opportunity to make up attendance and receive
the credit.
If
visits to colleges are done during the summer, the student must provide proof
of said visits and demonstrate they have learned something from the experience.
In
response to a question from Mrs. Reinhart, Mrs. Brassil
indicated that last year 25 students didn’t participate in a school visit.
The
Board commended the high school administration, and Superintendent Wilhelm
commended the Board, Karen Tilbor, Claudette Brassil and the school’s administration for “seeing this
through.”
6.7 To
consider a request from Michael Kelly to
institute a fuel monitoring system for the bus garage
Mr. Kelly told the Board there is no
monitoring system currently in place at the garage.
He
stated that training and installation is included in the price, the cost of
which is $14,000, accompanied by a request for use of $4,000 from contingency.
Mrs. Carrier asked whether the purchase can wait until
the end of the year.
Business
Manager Peter Gray indicated he had been shocked to learn there was no such
monitoring in place.
Mrs.
Carrier asked the reason for purchasing it at this time, and Mr. Kelly
indicated that the price was good until the end of March.
Superintendent
Wilhelm stated that Mrs. Carrier’s fears of spending down the contingency
account could be allayed by postponing action until the next Board
meeting. Mrs. Carrier indicated she
would be more comfortable waiting.
It
was moved by Mrs. Rogers and seconded by Mrs. Gardner to approve a request from
Michael Kelly to institute a fuel
monitoring system for the bus garage.
It
was indicated there would be no need to access contingency, as Mr. Kelly would
find savings within his accounts.
The
motion was VOTED (unanimously).
8.4 {taken
out of order} Chinese program
High
School Principal Craig King announced that the high school has received the
grant which will bring a Chinese teacher to the school. He applauded Topsham resident and parent Liz
Armstrong’s efforts in connecting the school with another organization in
Superintendent
Wilhelm extended thanks to Liz Armstrong and announced that her family will
host the Chinese teacher.
6. NEW BUSINESS:
6.1 To
acknowledge the intended retirements of Jeff
Morris, Custodian; Jackie Dube, Bowdoinham Community School secretary; Linda Temple, Mt. Ararat High School
secretary; and Nancy Lambert, bus
driver
These intended retirements were DULY ACKNOWLEDGED.
Ms.
Stimpson stated that Jackie Dube
is an integral part of the school and will be missed. She also commented that as very competent and
“all knowing,” her shoes will be difficult to fill.
6.2 To hear a description of
Superintendent
Wilhelm asked Board members to read the distributed information, noting that
the timing is critical. He noted that
Drummond Woodsum has suggested holding the referendum
earlier in the event that it needs to be repeated.
6.3 To
consider a request from the Merrymeeting Employees Association to open negotiations
regarding two matters
Superintendent
Wilhelm feels this recommendation is in the Board’s best interest, as he is
certain one of the issues can be resolved and the other one without going to
arbitration.
It
was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mrs. Rogers, and VOTED (unanimously) to approve a request from the Merrymeeting
Employees Association to open negotiations regarding two matters.
Terry
Martin of the audience asked what the two matters are, and Superintendent
Wilhelm indicated they are “Sunday work” and “carrying beepers.”
6.4
To approve a
request for a leave of absence without pay from Margery Landis, middle school instrumental music teacher
It
was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Gardner, and VOTED (856 yeas, 67 nays, 0 abstentions, and 77 absent) to approve
a request for a leave of absence without pay from Margery Landis, middle school instrumental music teacher.
Voting
yea were Ms. Burns, Mrs. Gardner, Mr. Johnson, Mr. McKernan,
Mrs. Meisenbach, Mrs. Reinhart, Mrs. Rogers, Mr.
Russell, Ms. Stimpson, Ms. Thomas, Mrs. Totten, and Mr. Tufts.
Voting
nay was Mrs. Carrier.
There
were no abstentions.
Absent
was Mr. Hill.
6.5
To accept the
resignation of Michael Kelly,
M.S.A.D. No. 75 Transportation Director
It
was moved by Mrs. Carrier, seconded by Mr. Tufts, and VOTED (unanimously) to accept the resignation of Michael Kelly, M.S.A.D. No.75 Transportation
Director.
7. COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
7.1 RPC – This issue was covered earlier in the meeting.
7.2 MVR 10 Cooperative Board – No report was presented, as
the meeting was canceled.
7.3
Finance
Committee – This was addressed earlier.
8. SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT:
8.1 Financial Report – Business Manager Peter Gray
presented this report.
8.2 Calendar
Committee – Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Carrier volunteered to serve on the Calendar
Committee.
Superintendent
Wilhelm announced that the Commissioner has indicated that seniors will be able
to graduate as scheduled, without having to make up days. It has been suggested that some time be
arranged with teachers to help students make up missing work. Dr. King and Dr. Wilhelm will look into this.
8.3
Correspondence
–
8.4
Miscellaneous –
Superintendent Wilhelm announced that the District Office receptionist has left
the District’s employ and will not be replaced.
The issue of how to direct people upon entering the building is being
fine tuned. For $1,800 a locked-door,
code system can be installed, wherein someone entering the building could be
“buzzed in.”
Mrs.
Gardner expressed her appreciation for concerns about District Office safety,
and she said she remains concerned about the lack of a resource officer at the
high school.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting was declared adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
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