Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee

Meeting Minutes

Deer Isle-Stonington High School

Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 6:30 P.M.

 

Board Members Present:

Barrett Brewer, Mark Cormier, Walter Kumiega, Ted Ames, Aimee Eaton (6:40) and Skip Greenlaw (6:50)

 

Board Members Absent: 

 

Staff Present:  Robert Webster, Penny Wendell, Catherine Ring, Mike Wood, Matt Larsen, Bobbi Ann Billings, Lynnette Grindle, Anne Douglass, Sally Foley, Terry Siebert, Kathy Ryan

 

Guests:  Leslie Carr, Michaela Baldwin, David Walsh, Jim Wadman, Dana Billings, Shari Ciomei, Butch Ciomei, Kathie Keene, Tim Robbins, T. Robbins, Tim Parker, N. Ciomei, J. Eaton, J. Grego, E. Haskell, C. Larsen, E. Hale, E. Bray, Bernie Kolysher, V. Grindle, L. Leighton, M. Proper, Sara Lawson, C. Haskell, Paula Eaton, C. Fereti, A. Lawson, A. Billings, Leroy Bridges, Donna Bridges, Andrea Brown, Kecia Jones, Jodi Ciomei, Paula Eaton, Jim Wilson, Kevin Grindle

 

1)    Call to Order and Declaration of a Quorum:

Chair Brewer called the meeting to order and declared a quorum at 6:32 P.M.

 

2)    Moment of Silence:

A moment of silence was observed.

 

3)    Citizen Comments:

 

4)    Approval of the Agenda:

Discussion Item 7.B to be taken before 7.A. Motion by Kumiega, second by Ames, to approve agenda as amended. Vote: 4/Yes, 0/No.

 

5)    Approval of the minutes of the November 4 and November 10, 2003 meetings. 

Motion by Kumiega, second by Cormier, to approve the minutes of the November 4 and November 10, 2003 meetings as presented.   Vote: 3/Yes, 0/No, 1/Abstain  (Brewer).

 

6)   REPORTS

 

   A)  2002-03 CSD Financial Audit Report

 

Jim Wadman reported:

 

á      Audit went very well this year.  Significant improvement over past years.

á      Fewer and smaller adjustments needed this year

á      DOE reports were timely filed

á      Reports with Isle au Haut are being kept current

á      Scholarship fund information was biggest slowdown

á      Elementary student activity fund had to be worked on

á      There is a deficit in the school lunch program

 

Greenlaw questioned if any schools were breaking even with their lunch programs.  Wadman reported that only one of the forty schools he audits breaks even with their program.  This year the lunch program remains $15,000 in debt even though $25,000 from the general fund was budgeted. 

 

B)  Elementary School Principal

 

            Catherine Ring reported:

 

á      Honk! was very successful.  Attendance was down, but the play was well received.

á      The craft fair sponsored by the junior class went well.

á      Fall sports awards were given out for soccer and golf

á      A free fingerprinting clinic was held on November 8.  This was sponsored by the local Masons.

á      There was a flu shot clinic at the school

á      8th grade dance is planned

á      Yearbook plans are underway and going well

á      Basketball tryouts are coming up

á      Kids craft shop is coming up

á      K-3 holiday concert will be at 6:30 on December 15

á      4-7 holiday concert will be at 6:30 on December 17

á      Muriel Moyers has earned her Masters degree

á      Kathy Turner has become certified in elementary education

á      Judy Rhodes has been appointed to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society which is an honor society for women educators

 

C)  High School Principal

 

              Penny Wendell reported:

 

á      Parent-teacher conferences went well.  Approximately 50 students were represented.

á      All teachers are preparing progress reports on every student they have

á      Project based learning Ð Kim Larsen and Katy Helman are collaborating to show literature through art; Gazebo project plans are continuing.  Social studies class has been doing research on island history.

á      Graduation date has been set on Sunday, June 13th.

á      Charlie Childs has donated two antique school bells which were actually used in island schools

á      She attended a 3-day Maine principalÕs conference. NCLB and assessments were the main topics of discussion.

 

 

 

     D)  Superintendent of Schools

 

            Robert Webster reported:

 

á      He attended a Funding Committee meeting for Maine Superintendents.  The funding model proposed for 05-06 is much more complex and may result in reduced funding for rural schools.  The StateÕs superintendentsÕ association is very concerned.

á      Payroll/Benefits Bookkeeper interviews for four candidates are scheduled for tomorrow night.

á      Union 76 compensation committee meeting will be scheduled for sometime next week.

á      Bus discipline policy will be taken up next month.

á      Union 76 board meeting is scheduled for December 17.

á      JoAnna Haskell will attending Maine Data Management Training on Thursday.

á      Meeting with payroll services regarding outsourcing the payroll work on Thursday.

 

7)   DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

            A) Future Senior Class Trips

 

            Discussion held on future senior class trips.  Robert Webster reported on the history of problems and misbehaviors on trips.  Bobbi Billings responded by indicating that the reports of misbehavior were rumors and exaggerations.  A number of parents and students spoke in support of continuing senior class trips.  Options were discussed such as timing the trip before April vacation and paying staff to chaperone rather than asking them to give up their vacation time.  Also, making the trip more educational was discussed.  Mike Wood commented that the trip is good for some students who may not take this kind of trip otherwise.  Terry Siebert commented that he had chaperoned three class trips and had experienced no problems.  Several parents commented that if the students do not take the trip, the money has been fraudulently raised because those were the express terms of the fundraisers.

           

            B)  Math Curriculum Implementation

 

            Sally Foley gave handouts and reported on the implementation of the math curriculum as follows:

 

á      Through research and responsible spending, they have made $46,800 worth of purchases for $18,000.

á      There was 100% teacher participation for the development training

á      The program was shown to Seymour Papert who loved the program.  Robin Jettinghoff from the Learning Barn is developing software for the math program.  The teachers will receive free training.

 

Sally also commented that a math teacher leader/specialist position should be given serious thought as the math curriculum becomes more and more involved.  This type of position should be budgeted for in the future.  Skip Greenlaw questioned if the school had a job description for the position that Sally fills.

 

            C) High School Facilities Study

 

            Jim Wilson from Woodard & Curran Engineers reported:

 

á      Goal of study is to evaluate the condition of the facilities and determine if they are adequate

á      They performed a program review to give square footage recommendations

á      They reviewed NFPA Fire codes

á      Handicapped accessibility was reviewed

á      Drainage around the school is not good

á      The roof leaks in gym and library areas

á      Parking lot is in need of maintenance which may be a safety issue with the new elementary school location

á      The water system gives a reasonable supply of water

á      The sewer system may need attention soon.  Sewer systems are generally designed for 20 years and this one is 20 years old.

á      The communication system is expandable and fairly new

á      Newer, smaller boilers would be better for the hot water system

á      Ventilation system was reviewed and needs identified.

á      Electrical power supply is adequate.

á      Lighting upgrades were made approximately eight years ago.  Future upgrades should be considered.

á      Library should be much larger.

á      Under NCLB standards, special education needs more space

á      Art room is small.

 

Mr. Wilson suggested that a wing could be added next to the library which would give more room to the library, special education and art room.

 

Walter Kumiega questioned why the roof was deteriorating so quickly.  Mr. Wilson explained the design of the areas which had no air cooling space were susceptible to leaks.

 

            D) MEDMS/District Technology Program

 

            Robert Webster reported that Laura Johns gave a presentation on the MEDMS information.  More information will be reviewed after the training on the staff information forms.

 

            Discussion held on technology program.  Michaela Baldwin commented that budget doesnÕt show how much money is spent on technology.  A cost-benefit analysis must be done before budget planning.   Anne Douglas reported that the elementary school is in better shape than the high school because it is newer.  However, there is a need for more general support and specifically laptop training.  The technology committee will meet before budget recommendations are made.

 

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to extend meeting to no later than 10:30 p.m.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

            E)  Student Transportation Ð Bus Note System

 

            Bobbi Billings and Lynnette Grindle reviewed the bus note system with the Board in light of the current complaints.  Bobbi and Lynnette indicated that they diligently work to make sure all the students get to their proper destinations.  There are, however, many steps to the process and when a breakdown occurs, mistakes can happen.

 

            F)  Suspension and Expulsion Policy 3.05

 

            Discussion was held on unexcused absences.  No changes made.  Policy is ready for Action in January.

 

            G)  Child Abuse and Neglect Policy 3.07

 

            Minor changes made.  Policy is ready for Action in January.

 

            H)  School Committee Election Procedures

 

            Robert Webster reported that nomination papers are available.  Deadline for submission is 45 days before the election.  Two seats (three year terms) are available for this coming year.  Discussion held on policy.

           

8)  ACTION ITEMS

 

    A.  Section 504 Program Policy 4.17

 

            Motion by Greenlaw; second by Eaton to approve policy 4.17.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

   B.  Section 504 Case Manager Job Description Policy 9.21

 

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Kumiega to approve policy 9.21.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

   C.  2002-03 CSD Financial Audit

 

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Ames, to approve 2003-04 CSD Financial Audit.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

    D.  2002-03 Budget Line Item Transfers

 

            Robert Webster recommended transferring $10,757 and $4,194 from the Administration account to regular programs Ð elementary and special education accounts respectively. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Ames to make transfers.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

    E.  Personnel Nominations

 

1.  Junior High Girls Basketball B Team Coach

Robert Webster nominated Ed Mills as Junior High Girls Basketball B Team Coach.  Motion by Kumiega, second by Greenlaw to approve Ed Mills as coach.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

2.  Junior High Boys Basketball A Team Coach

 

Robert Webster nominated Tony Bray as Junior High Boys Basketball A Team Coach.  Motion by Kumiega, second by Ames to approve Tony Bray as coach.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

3.  Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Coach

 

Robert Webster nominated Rhonda Eaton as Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Coach.  Motion by Ames, second by Kumiega to approve Rhonda Eaton as coach.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

9)  COMMUNICATIONS  

           

            Robert Webster indicated he had received a new batch of policies from Maine School Management.

 

            Mark Cormier questioned if the bumper sticker issue had been resolved.  Penny Wendell indicated that they were working on three cars with objectionable messages. 

 

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to enter executive session on a student matter at 10:20 p.m.  Brewer, Ames, Eaton, Greenlaw, Cormier, Kumiega, Webster participated.  The Board returned to regular session at 10:25 p.m.

 

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Kumiega to enter executive session on contract negotiation planning at 10:25 p.m.  Brewer, Ames, Eaton, Greenlaw, Cormier, Kumiega, Webster participated.  Board returned to regular session at 10:30 p.m.

 

10)  ADJOURNMENT

 

            Motion by Kumiega,  second by Greenlaw, to adjourn meeting at 10:30 p.m.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

JoAnna Haskell