Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee

Meeting Minutes

Deer Isle-Stonington High School

Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at 6:30 P.M.

 

 

 

Board Members Present:

Barrett Brewer, Mark Cormier, Walter Kumiega, James Adams, Skip Greenlaw and Aimee Eaton 

 

Board Members Absent: 

 

Staff Present:  Robert Webster, Penny Wendell, Mike Wood, Catherine Ring, Kyle Wood, Tom Duym, Sue Steed, Kim Larsen, Matt Larsen, Stephen York, Lynette Grindle

 

Guests:  David Walsh, George Boyce, Danny Staples, Elwood Cobb, Andrea Brown, Dwight Brown, Brian McLellan

 

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 congratulated Jim Adams on his election to the school board.

 

Kendall McGuffie requested that item 10.B. be taken out of order on the agenda.

 

4)    Approval of the Agenda:

Item 9. Executive Session will be taken up after the election of officers.  Item 10.B. will be addressed after the reports.  Addition of 8.E. Elementary Chess Team Trip to Pittsburg.  Addition of 10.G. Voting Hour Discrepancy.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton, to approve agenda as amended. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.

 

5)    Approval of the minutes of the February 3, 2004 and February 11, 2004 meetings. 

Motion by Kumiega, second by Cormier, to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2004 meetings as presented.   Vote: 4/Yes, 0/No, 2/Abstain (Brewer and Adams) Motion by Kumiega, second by Cormier to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2004 meeting as presented.  Vote:  5/Yes, 0/No, 1/Abstain (Adams).

 

6)  Certification of Electrion Results

 

            Robert Webster distributed the election results tallies for the Board memberŐs review.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to certify election results in which James Adams and Walter Kumiega were each elected to the school board for three year terms.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

7)  ELECTION OF OFFICERS

            A.  Chair

            Motion by Brewer, second by Eaton to nominate Walter Kumiega as Chair.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

            B.  Vice Chair

            Motion by Kumiega, second by Eaton to nominate Barrett Brewer as Vice Chair.  Vote:  5/Y, 0/N, 1/Abstain (Brewer).

 

            C.  Treasurer

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to nominate Aimee Eaton as Treasurer.  Vote:  5/Y, 0/N, 1/Abstain (Eaton).

 

            Walter Kumiega thanked Barrett Brewer for doing such a good job during her years as Chair.

 

8)   REPORTS

 

   A)  Elementary Principal

 

Catherine Ring reported:

 

á      The February 5th PIE meeting was a community forum.  Twenty-five to thirty people were in attendance and had a good discussion of common values, hopes and dreams for school.

á      MEA testing of the 4th and 8th grade classes is taking place.  There was 100% participation of the 8th graders and only one 4th grade student was missing.

á      The recent honor roll included 9 highest honors, 10 high honors and 24 honor students.

á      Progress reports will go out on Friday.

á      Today was Reading Across America day.

á      The elementary school chess team recently took 1st place at the State tournament.  The junior high took 2nd place.  The elementary school team will be attending the national tournament in Pittsburg on April 2-4.

á      Stephen Fougere won the SU76 spelling bee.  He will attend the County spelling bee in Bucksport.

á      The sports banquet was held.

á      Girls JH ŇAÓ team basketball team recently won the Coastal division.

á      Cheerleading competitions are coming up.

á      Rehearsals for Bugsy Malone have started.

á      The school has received their shipment of snow shoes which the children are enjoying.

 

   B)  High School Principal

 

            Penny Wendell reported:

 

á      Progress reports will go out on Friday.

á      MEA testing for 11th graders is underway with 100% attendance.  The students all worked very hard on the writing prompt today.

á      Class scheduling for next year is beginning.

á      The school would like to offer a study skills and career prep course to 9th graders.  Penny explained what the course would entail and who would teach it.

á      The 5-year accreditation report is due this week and is almost completed.  She has received a letter of concern regarding the mission statement for student learning.  Penny explained what steps to be taken to clear this matter.

á      Courtney Larsen has been chosen by the staff for the MPA PrincipalŐs Award.  She will attend the conference on April 3 in Augusta and could potentially win a $1,000 scholarship.

á      Kim Larsen is the high schoolŐs nominee for Teacher of the Year.  Kim is honored to have been chosen.

á      Martha Jordan has received grants from the IEF and Seamark to have Kevin Campbell teach workshops in African drumming.  Up to 50 students can participate in the workshops.  This project will culminate in a student performance.

 

C)  Superintendent of Schools

 

              Robert Webster reported:

 

á      Jeff Olsen has written that he does not intend to return to his teaching position next year.

á      The IEF has granted Billy VoisineŐs $1,400 request for a band saw for the Alternative Education Program.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to accept grants from IEF.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

á      There will be a special meeting scheduled in March to address the senior class trip approval and a personnel nomination.

á      An article from Time was been distributed which tells the story of one Ohio school and what they have done to comply with NCLB

á      A copy of the 2003-04 board goals was distributed for review to see if the Board is on track in meeting their goals.

á      A Union 76 meeting will be scheduled for the end of March.

á      The second round of teacher negotiations is scheduled for next Saturday.  The first round of staff negotiations is scheduled for Monday.

 

Skip Greenlaw thanked the principals for all they have done to facilitate the MEA testing and having 100% attendance.

 

11) DISCUSSION ITEMS

     B.  Approval of Family Trips When School Is in Session (taken out of order)

 

Catherine Ring reported that when she initially started granting parentsŐ requests for students to miss school, she did not realize the number of requests she would receive.  She reported that in February 18 students were absent a total of 101 days; in March, 12 students were out a total of 60 days.  She would like a strong message from the Board to parents that children should be in school when school is in session.  Kendall McGuffie commented that the parents and school are following policy, but that this is very hard on the staff and students.  He suggests the Board either amend the policy or possibly change the school calendar.  Discussion held on the policy of allowing students to be absent from school for family vacations.

           

9)  EXECUTIVE SESSION on a personnel matter

 

Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to enter executive session at 6:40 p.m. Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.  Robert Webster, Barrett Brewer, Skip Greenlaw, Mark Cormier, Walter Kumiega, Jim Adams, Penny Wendell, Kyle Webb, George Boyce, Sue Steed and Matt Larsen participated.  Returned to regular session at 7:25 p.m.

 

10)  ACTION ITEMS

 

    A.  DISHS Climbing Wall

 

Kathi Teel gave a presentation on the proposed outdoor climbing wall.  She received a bid of $23,900 for the wall and would be able to contribute $20,000 from the PEP grant.  The remainder of the money will need to be raised from the budget or private donations.  Matt Larsen commented that he was in favor of the outdoor climbing wall as it would be more accessible than an indoor unit.  Mike Wood commented that they would need to raise roughly $6,000 to finish the project.  The Board gave their permission to start fund raising.   Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to approve purchasing the climbing wall and for the committee to raise the extra money needed.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

   B.  Marine Technology Iceland Field Trip

 

Tom Duym distributed his grant proposal.  He wants to take 9 students and 5 community members to Iceland to study IcelandŐs approach to their fishing industry.  His intended dates would be the 2nd or 3rd week of May if funding can be raised.  A trip to Prince Edward Island would be the second choice if the total amount could not be raised.  Discussion held on which groups may contribute monies.

 

   C.  New or Revised Policies

            1.  Reintegration of Students from Juvenile Correctional Facilities Policy 3.25

            2.  Hiring Process Policy 5.06

            3.  Professional Staff Development Opportunities Policy 5.07

            4.  Transportation Discipline Policy 6.03A

            5.  Adult Education Policy 7.04

 

Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to approve policies.  Vote:  5/Yes, 0/No, 1/Abstain (Adams).

 

    D.  Personnel Nominations

 

            1.  Coordinator of Volunteers

           

No nomination.

 

2.  504 Coordinator

 

Robert Webster nominated Herman Kidder for the Section 504 Coordinator

position.  Mr. Kidder has an extensive educational background and is retired from the Navy.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve Herman Kidder as Section 504 Coordinator.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

            3.  Drama Technical Director

 

            Robert Webster nominated Linda Nelson as Drama Technical Director.  Motion by Brewer, second by Eaton to approve Linda Nelson as Drama Technical Director.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

            E.  Elementary Chess Team Trip

 

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to approve the elementary school chess team trip to Pittsburg.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

   11)  DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

            A) Second Reading of Field Trip Policy 6.04

 

            Minor changes to policy.  Policy is ready for Action next month.

 

            C)  School Bus Transportation Contract

 

            Robert Webster distributed a worksheet of bid comparisons.  Discussion held on the bids.  Andrea Brown read a prepared statement outlining LaidlawŐs services.  Elwood Cobb commented on his knowledge of First StudentŐs practices.  Brian McLellan commented on his experiences as a former employee of First Student.  Catherine Ring and Penny Wendell reported that they would hate to lose the discipline and other services which Andrea provides.   

           

            D) Unified Contract Negotiations

 

            Robert Webster placed this item on the agenda to get the BoardŐs opinion on unified contract negotiations.    Discussion held on pros and cons of unified contracts.  The goal is to streamline the negotiations process and save superintendent time.

 

            E)  Draft #1 2004-05 School Calendar

 

            Discussion held on calendar.  Catherine Ring commented that they really needed the two workshop days before school started to get the school year off on the right foot.  A suggestion was made to schedule the workshops for August 26 and 27 and then start school on Monday.

 

            F)  2004-2005 School Budget Proposal Draft #1

 

            Robert Webster distributed a summary sheet to the Board members.  Issues of Title I, gifted and talented program, in-school suspension monitor position, lunch program and subsidies were discussed.  There is a 7% increase in the budget at this time.

 

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to extend meeting for 15 more minutes to 9:50 p.m.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.

 

            G)  Voting Hour Discrepancy

 

            Discussion held on voting hours.  Walter Kumiega questioned why the vote couldnŐt be taken on the normal election day in November.  Discussion held on election dates.  Robert Webster reported that we would need a referendum to change the dates of the votes.

 

   12)  COMMUNICATIONS         

           

            There were no communications.          

 

  13)  EXECUTIVE SESSION on employee contract negotiations

            Motion by Brewer, second by Greenlaw to enter executive session on employee contract negotiations at 9:40 p.m.  Vote:  6/Yes, 0/No.  Barrett Brewer, Mark Cormier, Skip Greenlaw, Walter Kumiega, Aimee Eaton, James Adams and Robert Webster participated.  Returned to regular session at 9:50 p.m.

 

  14) ADJOURNMENT

 

            The school committee meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

JoAnna Haskell