Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

April 14, 2004

 

 

Board Members Present: Jim Adams, Aimee Eaton, Walter Kumiega, Mark Cormier and

    Skip Greenlaw at 6:20 p.m.

Board Members Absent:  Barrett Brewer

Staff Present:  Ken Keen, Catherine Ring, Penny Wendell and Robert Webster

Citizens & Guests Present:  Elwood Cobb, Andrea Brown, and Dwight Brown

 

1)    Call to Order/Quorum:

Chair Kumiega opened the meeting and declared a quorum at 6:09 p.m..

2)    Moment of Silence:

A moment of silence was observed.

3)    Citizen Comments:

There were no citizens comments.

 

4)    Approval of the Agenda:

Motion by Eaton, second by Cormier, to approve agenda as presented. Vote: 4 Yes; 0 No.

 

5)    ACTION ITEM

A.  Bus Contract Award Reconsideration   Motion by Adams, second by Cormier to reconsider the action taken at the March 30, 2004 school committee meeting on the award of the bus contract.  Vote:  4  Yes; 0 No.   Adams and Webster reported on the subcommittee meeting of representatives from the Brooklin, Sedgwick and Deer Isle-Stonington CSD school committees.  LaidlawÕs bid price is $2,599,600 compared to First StudentÕs bid price of $2,408,914.  Over the five years of the contract the $190,686 higher cost of the Laidlaw bid was of great concern to all present.  The subcommittee also discussed two approaches to sharing the costs of the bus contract:  a historical method proposed by Sedgwick based on the existing school unit share of the current costs of the contracts with Laidlaw; and the 75%/25% share based on each unitÕs number of buses and mileage proposed by the superintendent.  Cormier and Kumiega expressed their satisfaction with LaidlawÕs service.  The deciding factor in favor of First Student was the lower cost.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams, to award the 2004-2009 bus contract to First Student Transit Inc. at the bid of $2,408,914 for a five year contract.  Vote:  5 Yes; 0 no.

 

B.  Tennis Coach Nomination  With help from Eaton, Webster nominated Kristen Eberdt as coach of the club level high school tennis team for the 2004 spring season.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton, to approve the nomination of Kristen Eberdt as high school tennis coach.  Vote:   5 Yes; 0 no. Cormier reminded the superintendent of the previous request that each nominee attend the meeting at which his/her nomination is presented for consideration.

 

C.  High School Course of Studies  School Committee members asked Wendell a number of questions about the course of studies.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Cormier, to approve the Deer Isle-Stonington High School 2004-05 course of studies.  Vote:  5 Yes; 0 no.

 

6)  DISCUSSION ITEM

            A.  Cooperative Purchasing Feasibility Study  Greenlaw and Eaton explained the

      proposal from the Union 76/93 Efficiency Committee for Carolyn Heller,

      payroll bookkeeper for the School Union 76 central office, to undertake a

      feasibility study on combined purchasing of school, custodial, and food

      service supplies.  Board consensus supported this project for completion

      during the 2004-05 school year.  Each of the seven towns in the two unions 

      will share the cost of the study.

 

7.  EXECUTIVE SESSION  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton, to enter executive session at 6:50 p.m. for review of administrator evaluations and negotiations of administrative contracts.  Vote:  5 Yes, 0 no.  Participants were Cormier, Eaton, Kumiega, Greenlaw, Adams, and Webster.  Keen, Ring and Wendell each attended during the review of his/her evaluation by the superintendent.  The School Committee returned to regular session at 8:30 p.m.

 

7.  Adjournment

    Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton, to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m. Vote: 

    5 yes; 0 no.

 

   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 companyÕs 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 Grindle 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