Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee

Meeting Minutes

Deer Isle-Stonington High School

Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 6:30 P.M.

 

 

Board Members Present:

Barrett Brewer, Mark Cormier, Walter Kumiega, Ted Ames, Skip Greenlaw and Aimee Eaton 

 

Board Members Absent: 

 

Staff Present:  Robert Webster, Penny Wendell, Mike Wood, Catherine Ring, Sally Foley, Dennis Saindon,, Billy Voisine, Lynette Grindle, Georgia Pashley, Ken Keen, Anne Douglass, Marcia Schatz, Debbie Chappell

 

Guests:  David Walsh, Stephen York, Leslie Carr, Linda Nelson, Beth McKay, John & Crystal Robbins, L. Douglass, A. Turner, K. Grindle, J. Robbins, M. Speer

 

1)    Call to Order and Declaration of a Quorum:

Chair Brewer called the meeting to order and declared a quorum at 6:30 P.M.

 

2)    Moment of Silence:

A moment of silence was observed.

 

3)    Citizen Comments:

 

Barrett Brewer thanked Ted Ames for his four years of services to the school board.

 

4)    Approval of the Agenda:

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

 

5)    Approval of the minutes of the January 6, 2004 and January 21, 2004 meetings. 

Motion by Eaton, second by Kumiega, to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2004 meeting as presented.   Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No, 1/Abstain (Greenlaw) Motion by Eaton, second by Kumiega to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2004 meeting as presented.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

6)   REPORTS

 

   A)  Technology Committee

 

Anne Douglass distributed a handout and reported that a survey of the staff and students was conducted.  The conclusion was that everyone needs better access to technology and the high school needs better computers. 

 

            Recommendations:

 

á      Every staff member should receive a laptop over the next three years

á      Recycle old machines

á      Part of the library may be reconfigured for a computer lab

á      Purchase another projector for the high school and elementary school

á      Add one day per week of tech support; add an additional day per week per year for the next three years

á      Make technology funds a higher priority in budget

 

Mike Wood commented that this proposed budget is a beginning.  The high school needs to further research their needs.  Discussion held on budgeting and accounts payable process.

 

B)  Elementary School Principal

 

            Catherine Ring reported:

 

á      At the K-8 staff meeting, the statement of belief on discipline was discussed.  They are also working with the Responsive Classroom committee on common belief statement.

á      PIE will meet on Thursday.  Common community values will be one discussion topic.

á      They have again met with the Island Clergy to discuss community values.

á      Big Brother/Big Sister program is continuing.  There are eight students from the eighth grade participating.

á      Representatives from DHS will be giving a presentation to the staff regarding their organization and processes.

á      Child assistant team is in place.  This is not for special education children, but for regular education children who are struggling.

á      She has reviewed various research that does not support retention of students except in extreme cases.  She is working with Warren on a summer school program and tutoring.

á      ÒGood behavior slipsÓ have been added to the discipline routine.

á      Teacher observations are well underway.

á      They will be receiving online training for the MEAÕs

á      Renaissance festival is underway and is well received.

á      Middle level electives are going well.

á      The 8th grade class council is at this meeting to give a presentation about the class trip.

 

C)  High School Principal

 

              Penny Wendell reported:

 

á      Tom Duym has been asked to be a member of the Scallop Council by Governor Baldacci thus gaining recognition for himself, the community and the school.

á      Mid-term tests went well.  The students took the expectations seriously.  They are looking at areas to support special needs children.

á      Work on next yearÕs courses and scheduling is continuing.  Goal is to help students meet the Maine Learning Results.

á      The girlÕs cheerleading team were the Eastern Maine runners up.  They will be going to the state competition in Augusta.

á      The committee is working on the five-year accredidation report which is due on March 1.  

á      She has received helpful and positive input from the staff regarding facility issues and needs.

á      She has two professional development opportunities.  She will be taking part in a mentoring program for principals.

á      On Monday there will be a presentation on mentoring for new teachers.

 

Skip Greenlaw inquired if the mid-term grades were reviewed and if struggling kids were receiving additional help.  Penny Wendell commented that the grades are reviewed by Martha Jordan and students who need it are receiving help.  Catherine Ring reported that if the progress reports and intervention reports warrant, the student is sent to Homework House.  The parents are also contacted.

 

D)  Superintedent of Schools

 

Robert Webster reported:

 

á      There is legislation presently before the Education Committee to institute a regional school calendar in the year 2005.  This would change past calendar practices based entirely on local board decisions.

á      He has received a report from Nelson Monteith and will distribute the report at a later date.

á      He will be on vacation during February break.

 

Sally Foley distributed a job description for the math specialist position.  She indicated that this type of position is being instituted across the state and country.  This person would work with teachers on a regular, on-going basis and would be accessible at all times.   The policy committee will review the job description.

 

E)  Building Maintenance Committee

 

Robert Webster reported:

 

á      The committee has met and began to review facilities report with an eye toward the highest priorities for the 04-05 school year.  These will be projects that must be completed regardless of the DOE revolving loan application.

á      Distributed an outline of the revolving loan application.  This would be a priority 2 project which deals with heating, plumbing, etc.

á      Discussion was held on general maintenance tasks.   Summer mowing could be contracted out to allow summer custodians to put their attention to other tasks.

á      There have been three heating malfunctions in the past two weeks.  Insurance will cover the flood in the math classroom caused by a frozen pipe.

á      He has asked a representative from each town government to serve on maintenance committee.

7)  ACTION ITEMS

 

    A.  Eighth Grade Boston Field Trip

 

Eighth grade representatives gave a presentation on the proposed trip.  Presently 37 students and 6 chaperones are slated to go.  Students are required to participate in 75% of the fundraisers in order to go.  An itinerary of the trip was reviewed and will include the aquarium, Quincy Market, a Red Sox game, the Museum of Science, Imax movie, Cambridge Galeries and the Salem Witch Museum.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve trip.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

   B.  Marine Technology Iceland Field Trip

 

As Tom Duym was not present to give presentation, this item was postponed until the March meeting.

 

   C.  School Committee Goal Setting Workshop Date

           

Linda Nelson gave a short presentation on how the workshop would proceed.  Discussion held on the scheduled time for the workshop and where to have it.  There will be a community forum on March 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 for public input for the School Board. The Board goal workshop will be on April 1 from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Motion by Kumiega, second by Greenlaw to approve date and time of the workshop.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

    D.  2004-05 Budget Development Schedule

           

Discussion held on what time to have meetings.  All workshops will start at 6:00 p.m.  Regular meeting nights will start at 6:30 p.m.  The meeting scheduled for April 1 will be changed to March 25.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton/Kumiega to approve 2004-05 Budget Development Schedule.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

    E.  School Bus Transportation Contract

 

Robert Webster recommended rejecting both the bids.  Castine has withdrawn from bidding process. The transportation contract will be advertised for bid again.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to reject bids and re-advertise for bids.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

    F.  Interest Based Negotiations

 

Robert Webster reported that this item is on the agenda to show that the Board supports the negotiating team and the procedures followed during interest based negotiations.   Motion by Greenlaw, second by Cormier to Table issue until later.  Vote:  2/Yes, 4/No.

 

Discussion held on procedures and why support from Board is needed.  Motion by Eaton, second by Ames to support work of negotiating team in using the interest based negotiation.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

   G.  Maintenance Committee Appointments

 

            Robert Webster nominated Neville Hardy to the Maintenance Committee.  The Stonington Board will meet at a later date and will appoint someone to the Maintenance Committee.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Ames to accept nomination.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

    H.  Personnel Action

 

            1.  Part-time Coordinator of Volunteers

 

            No nomination at this time.

 

            2.  Junior High B-Team Girls Basketball Co-Coach

 

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

 

            3.  Regular Support Staff Employment Agreements

 

            Robert Webster nominated Benton White, III and Rebecca Smith for regular employment contracts.  They have completed their six-month probationary period. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Kumiega to approve Benton White III and Rebecca Emerson for regular employment contracts.   Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

   8)  DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

            A) Field Trip Policy 6.04

 

            Minor changes made to policy.  Policy is ready for second reading next month.

 

            B)  Second Reading of New or Revised Policies

 

            1.  Reintegration of Students from Juvenile Correctional Facilities Policy 3.25

 

            Minor changes made.  Policy is ready for Action next month.

 

            2.  Hiring Process Policy 5.06

 

            Minor changes made.  Policy is ready for Action next month.

 

            3.  Professional Staff Development Opportunities Policy 5.07

 

            Policy is ready for Action next month.

 

            4.  Transportation Discipline Policy 6.03A

 

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

 

            5.  Adult Education Policy 7.04

 

            Mike Wood reported that policy is in line with the law.  However, there are situations where a student could drop out of school, then get a GED and actually ÒgraduateÓ before their regular class.   He tends to be more restrictive than the current law allows. 

           

            C) School Administrative Unit Task Force Report

 

            Robert Webster summarized that the Legislative and GovernorÕs Task Forces have recommended abolishing school unions.  Pgs. 14-15 of the report explains how the State wants to fund schools.  Discussion was held on report.

 

            D)  School Unions Resolution

 

            Robert Webster reported that the Hope Appleton School Union 69 is going to file a resolution opposing the abolition of school unions.

 

   9)  COMMUNICATIONS

           

            There will be a special school committee meeting on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School.        

 

10) ADJOURNMENT

 

            Motion by Brewer,  second by Eaton, to adjourn meeting at 9:35 p.m.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

JoAnna Haskell