Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee

Meeting Minutes

Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School

Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 6:30 P.M.

 

 

 

Board Members Present:

Barrett Brewer, Mark Cormier, James Adams, Skip Greenlaw, Aimee Eaton, and Walter Kumiega (6:40)

 

Board Members Absent: 

 

Staff Present:  Bruce Ives, Penny Wendell, Mike Wood, Catherine Ring,  Sue Steed, Tamara Wolff, Nelson Monteith, Sally Foley, Lisa Theohareditis, Lynnette Grindle

 

Guests:  David Walsh, Jim Straub, Lois Hunt, Leslie Carr, Linda Nelson, Ron Steigle, Vanessa G., Crystal Robbins and Sarah (3rd grader), DustyÉ.

 

1)    Call to Order and Declaration of a Quorum:

Vice Chair Brewer called the meeting to order and declared a quorum at 6:35 P.M.

 

2)    Moment of Silence:

A moment of silence was observed.

 

3)    Citizen Comments:

 

Dusty ______ related story of a friend from Afghanistan and his experiences after September 11.  He related his joy at being welcomed by the Deer Isle-Stonington schools to speak about the current events.

 

4)    Approval of the Agenda:

Addition of Item 6.F. REACH Performing Arts Advisory Committee and Item 7.F. Acceptance of $1,000 donation for climbing wall project.  Motion by Brewer, second by Eaton, to approve agenda as amended. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.

 

5)    Approval of the minutes of the March 2, 2004, March 11, 2004, March 18, 2004 and March 24, 2004 meetings. 

Motion by Brewer, second by Greenlaw, to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2004 meeting with the spelling correction on Page 1.   Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to approve the minutes of the March 11, March 18 and March 24, 2004 meetings as presented.  Vote:  5/Yes, 0/No, 1/Abstain (Brewer).

 

6)  REPORTS

 

   A)  Elementary Principal

 

Catherine Ring reported:

 

á      The play ÒBugsy MaloneÓ will be performed this week.

á      Elementary School chess team placed 11th in the national competition.

á      Junior High spring sports try outs will be conducted.  There will be 15 children on each team.

á      The school has received four new championship banners.

á      The MEA were conducted last month and went well.

á      Student transition to high school and assessment were discussed at the recent inservice day.

á      Next yearÕs schedules are being discussed.

á      20 staff members have signed up for the Responsive Classroom Institute. 

á      Kyle Webb will be attending a Restorative Justice conference.

á      Catherine will be attending a conference for new principals.

 

B)  High School Principal

 

            Penny Wendell reported:

 

á      Distributed a list of the year end events for the seniors.

á      Monica McNemera will be interviewing and videotaping young women at the school regarding what it is like to be a woman in our society as part of a research project.

á      Transition from 8th grade to 9th grade was discussed at the March 22 inservice day.  A step-up day is planned where the incoming freshmen are invited to meet the teachers and advisors.

á      Penny attended the Maine PrincipalÕs Association meeting.  Kourtney Larsen was the MPA award recipient.

á      The peer support groups are presenting a 1-man volleyball show in April and a seminar on male tough guys in May.

á      Mark Barry has received a mini-grant to do tobacco education.

 

C)  School Committee 2003-04 Goals

 

              Bruce Ives commented that he is pleased to see that the new objectives are similar to the old objectives.

 

     D)  Maintenance Committee

 

            Walter Kumiega reports that the maintenance committee met today and discussed the revolving loan application and costs associated with applying.  There would be an approximately $6,000 cost for an engineering company's report for pertinent information for the state data base.  The state would reimburse half of the costs.  Any work done this summer would be financed by money outside the loan.  We have received a bid from Roof Systems of Maine for  $160,000.

 

    E)  Assistant Superintendent of Schools

 

            Bruce Ives reported:

 

á      The schools have exhausted their pre-buy oil amount.  The future costs will be wholesale plus 10 cents.

á      A special budget meeting will be held on April 14 at the elementary school.

á      The Joint Efficiency Committee will be meeting tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. in Blue Hill.

á      Two curriculum workshops will be conducted in May.

 

   F)  REACH Performing Arts Advisory Committee

 

            Linda Nelson commented on the positive impact that the performing arts have on learning.  Vanessa G. reported that she has had a great experience acting and learning the other aspects of the performing arts such as lighting.  Sarah ____ commented that she enjoys the talent shows.  Sue Steed commented that it is a great help to the special education teaching process.  Tammy Wolff, a new high school teacher,  commented that she now feels like part of the community after taking part in a play. 

 

Nelson Monteith stated that the mission of the REACH Performing Arts Center is to create opportunities for children and the people of the community.  He has started expanding his programs to include a recital program and guest artists.  The performing arts gives the children a chance to succeed in an area outside of the classroom. 

 

Discussion held on schoolÕs ability to help fund the expanding programs.

 

7) ACTION ITEMS

 

     A.  High School Tennis Club

 

Bruce Ives commented that the school would like to form a tennis club.  Bob Sargent can get funds from the National Tennis Assoc.  The stipend will be negotiated by the Superintendent.  Motion by Brewer, second by Eaton to support formation of a high school tennis club.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

     B.  Advanced Placement Field Trip

 

            Tamara Wolff reported that the Advanced Placement class would like to take a trip to Salem and Marble Heights.  The six students would leave on May 6 and return on Sunday, May 9.  They will attend an authorÕs tea.   Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to approve the trip.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

    C.  School Nurse Job Share

 

            Lisa Theoharditis would like to have a job share situation with her position for the next school year in order to give her more time to attend classes towards her certification.  Lisa will maintain 3 days with the other person maintaining 2 days.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to approve job share.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

    D.  School Sponsored Trips Policy 6.04

 

            The addition of ÒPreference will be given toÓ to be added to 7.B.  Motion by Brewer, second by Greenlaw to approve policy as amended.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

   E.  Mathematics Specialist Job Description Policy 9.22

 

            Mark Cormier questioned if this job description opens the school up to needing a specialist for all the other subjects.  Bruce Ives commented that we had asked for a Job Description for what Sally Foley does now.  It will not necessarily lead to other positions.  Discussion held on funding this position.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to approve position.  Vote:  5/Y, 1/N (Cormier).

 

    F.  Acceptance of $1,000 Donation for Climbing Wall Project

 

            The school has received an anonymous donation of $1,000 for the climbing wall project.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to accept donation.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

           

8)  DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

    A.  Deer Isle-Stonington High School 2004-05 Class Schedule

 

            Penny Wendell commented that they are changing the CORE+ program to Algebra I (2 year program).  They are having problems finding tutors to help the kids.  Another change is for the AP calculus course to be 1 ½ credits.  If we are to offer French 4 and Spanish 3, we will need to hire someone for 1 period a day.  The Program of Studies will be on next monthÕs agenda.

 

   B.  2004-05 School Calendar Draft #2

 

            Discussion held on lateness of school year.  Skip Greenlaw suggested showing calendar to teachers and asking for their suggestions.

 

   C.  Bus Contract Cost Share Formula

 

            Discussion held on bus contract.  Discussion held on reconsidering unified votes.  This item will be on the next agenda for further reconsideration.

 

    D.  New or Revised Policies

 

            1.  Deer Isle-Stonington CSD Bylaws Policy 1.02

           

No changes.

 

2.  Attendance Policy 3.01

 

Suggestion of high school days of absence be decreased to 7 or 8 a semester rather than 10. 

 

            3.  Education of Homeless Students Policy 3.23

 

            No changes.  Ready for second reading next month.

 

            4.  Homework Policy 4.08

 

            The amount of homework is the upper limit.  Penny Wendell worries about students who do not have support at home to complete homework.  Second reading of this policy next month.

 

            5.  Integrated Pest Management Policy 6.10

 

            Policy is ready for second reading next month.

 

            E.  Budget Referendum Ballot Wording and Referendum Process

 

            Bruce Ives reported that Bob had received an e-mail from  Bruce Smith.  The ballot must be printed in advance.  Discussion held on budget referendum.

 

            F.  School Committee Member Elections in November

 

            Discussion held on when would be the best time to hold school committee member elections.  Skip Greenlaw suggested speaking with the town Boards of Selectmen.  The election was changed to March about 10 years ago.

 

            G.  2004-2005 School Budget Proposal Draft #1

 

            The budget priorities sheet was reviewed.  Discussion held on budget.  Barrett Brewer commented that the special education program review should be performed. 

 

   9)  COMMUNICATIONS

 

            No communications.    

           

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to extend meeting by 10 minutes.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

  10)  EXECUTIVE SESSION on employee contract negotiations

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer 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 Bruce Ives participated.  Returned to regular session at 9:45 p.m.

 

  11) ADJOURNMENT

 

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

JoAnna Haskell