Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee
Meeting Minutes
Deer Isle-Stonington High School
Tuesday, September 7, 2004 at 6:30 P.M.
Board Members Present:
Skip Greenlaw, Barrett Brewer, Walter Kumiega, Jim Adams, Aimee Eaton and Mark Cormier (6:35)
Staff Present: Robert Webster, Penny Wendell, Mike Wood, Catherine Ring, Sally Foley
Guests: David Walsh , Leslie Carr, Jackie Wilson, Nancy Dewey
1) Call to Order and Declaration of a Quorum:
Chair Kumiega 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:
The Board thanked the staff for all the effort put forth today.
Leslie Carr commented that she felt the staff changes were unsettling for the students and detrimental to the school climate. She praised Bobbi BillingsÕ work at the school and expressed concern for the reason she resigned. She feels the school employees need to be treated with more appreciation and respect.
Barrett Brewer expressed her concerns with the misquotes and inaccuracies by the press. Walter Kumiega suggested he and Barrett meet with Nat Barrows to try to come to a solution for this problem.
4) Approval of the Agenda:
Addition of Action Item 8.A.4. High School Foreign Language Teacher and 8.A.5. Elementary School Educational Technicians. Removal of 7.B. MEA Results and 7.D. Hiring Process Policy 3.02. Also removed Nos. 10 and 11 Executive Sessions. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer, to approve agenda as amended. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
5) Approval of the minutes of the August 3 and August 23, 2004 meetings.
Motion by Brewer, second by Greenlaw, to approve the minutes of the August 3, and August 23, 2004 meetings. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
6) REPORTS
A) Elementary Principal
Catherine Ring reported:
• The first three days went well. Great start to the new school year.
• The bus company has had a good start. There have been some delays, but things are smoothing out.
• Today was hard with everyone dealing with the death of Joe Brown. He was very active in the school community and has many family members at the school. The crisis intervention plan was put into place. The day started with a full staff meeting with counselors. Everyone received handouts on subjects to discuss with the students.
B) High School Principal
Penny Wendell reported:
• This school year started off in trauma from Roger HardyÕs death.
• Freshmen day went very well. Almost all the seniors showed up to be mentors. We have 1 student from Sedgwick and 6 from Brooklin in this yearÕs Freshmen class.
• The bussing situation is going well.
• Thursday was difficult. Additional guidance and counseling services were offered as well as an extended advisory. The crisis plan was also put into place.
• The maintenance crew is to be commended for their work on the Hardy funeral.
• The September issue of Downeast Magazine includes an article on Tom DuymÕs marine trades program.
C) SuperintendentÕs Report
Robert Webster reported:
• Carolyn Heller has started the process to set up direct deposit. The service should begin in October.
• The annual MSMA fall conference will be October 21 and 22. Please let him know if you wish to attend.
• The revolving loan fund application has been reviewed with Jay Rettinger. Each of the various components need to be broken out for individual applications.
• A reception for the new staff will be held on Thursday at 3:15 p.m.
• The speed bumps that were installed are not what was intended. Mary Offutt has assured the school that she will correct the problem.
• A thank you goes to the principals for dealing so professionally with the recent deaths.
• Bruce Ives will attend next monthÕs school board meeting.
7) DISCUSSION ITEMS
Sally Foley distributed a written report to the school board members. In the spring the Math Committee applied for a grant, but did not receive it. Later in the spring, the Maine Math and Science Alliance contacted her about awarding the grant to a K-12 school system. Out of 9 grants, 8 were given to middle and high schools. Only Deer Isle-Stonington has received the K-12 grant. We will receive approximately $30,000. Technical assistance will also be provided at no cost as part of the grant. This is a professional development grant to supplement our professional development monies. Foley explained and discussed how the professional development monies could be used. She also discussed how the hours and expended funds will be tracked.
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to accept grant. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
B. MEA Results
This item was removed from the agenda.
C. Elementary School Repair Project
Robert Webster discussed the recent correspondence between Sunrise Glass, D.L. Poulin and himself. Richard Sweet was here this weekend to prepare the downstairs windows. Tom Rhodes, the owner of Sunrise Glass, continues to maintain that caulking the windows would be an effective solution to the problem. Discussion was held on using caulking versus using the end dams. Consensus was reached that the school should insist on the dams being installed as that is what was paid for.
D. Hiring Process Policy 3.02
Item was taken off the agenda.
8) ACTION ITEMS
2. Request for Long Term Substitute Teacher Health Benefits
Robert Webster recommended that Kathy Turner, the long-term substitute for the 4th grade, receive health benefits. Discussion held on which positions receives health benefits. Motion by Brewer, second by Greenlaw to allow health benefits for long-term substitute. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
3. Teacher Nomination for a One Year Sixth Grade Position
Robert Webster explained that he has been advised by the schoolÕs legal counsel that we cannot fill a vacant position with a long-term substitute unless we continue to look for a replacement for the position or the person who holds the position is expected to return. We, therefore, should employ Mark Woida as a for the 6th grade teacher and advertise the position in the spring. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to employ Mark Woida as the 6th grade long-term substitute. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
4. Elementary Educational Technician
Robert Webster explained that last spring we approved Denise Rytky as a long-term substitute to replace Rebecca Emerson while she was on maternity leave. Rebecca Emerson has resigned from her position. Denise Rytky has agreed to accept the position has permanent. However, she can only work four days per week. Candace Hall has agreed to job share and work the fifth day. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to employ Denise Rytky at $11.39 per hour, four days per week (with health benefits pro-rated) and Candace Hall at $10.95 per hour for one day per week (receiving no health benefits). Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
5. High School Foreign Language Teacher
Robert Webster nominated Jackie Wilson as the high school foreign language teacher. Jackie will teach French II for one 80-minute period, every other day. Motion by Brewer, second by Greenlaw to approve Jackie Wilson as the French II teacher. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
B. School District Goals
Robert Webster reviewed the goals. Discussion held on the goals and how to best measure their progress. Motion by Brewer, second by Greenlaw to approve goals. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
C. Long Range Planning Committee Membership
Barrett Brewer, Aimee Eaton and Skip Greenlaw have met and proposed a list of nominees as follows: Jennifer Wilson, Ted Ames, Leslie Carr, Corinne Sewall, Nelson Monteith, Sue Jones, Martha Jordan, Chandler Barbour, Jim Adams, Torrie Robbins, Catherine Ring, Penny Wendell and Bob Webster. Motion by Brewer, second by Greenlaw to approve Long Range Planning Committee. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
D. SuperintendentÕs 2004-05 Goals
The goals were reviewed. Discussion was held on the 21st Century grant. Discussion was also held on the Union policy committee. The Goals are as follows:
1. Develop a 21st Century Learning Center Grant Application for 2005-06.
2. Work with the Long Range Planning Committee on educational planning, goals and goal attainment to tie in with 2005-06 budget proposals.
a. Comprehensive Educational Plan
b. Full local funding for elementary art
c. Elementary foreign language
d. Provide local funding for a third day of G/T Enrichment
e. Fund the local share of DISHS facility upgrades as part of a RRF application
3. Complete DISES repairs at little or no expense to the CSD
4. Complete a study of potential costs to each school unit of a unified teacher contract and convince the three teacher bargaining units to participate in unified negotiations
5. Re-establish a Union 76 policy committee for new policies needed by all three school units.
6. Continue working toward full certification or authorization of all staff.
Continue curriculum and assessment development and implement to meet the Learning Results and Assessment timelines.
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to approve the SuperintendentÕs 2004-05 Goals. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
Discussion held on the impact of the resolution. Discussion held on how to distribute information regarding the resolution. Resolution to Oppose the Palesky Resolution was reviewed. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to adopt resolution. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
F. Appointment of Employee Contract Negotiating Committees
Jim Adams, Mark Cormier and Walter Kumiega volunteered to serve on the negotiating team for the teacherÕs committee. Skip Greenlaw, Aimee Eaton and Barrett Brewer volunteered to serve on the negotiating team for the staffÕs committee.
G. Bar Harbor Bank Golf Donation
Robert Webster explained the golf tournament donation. The donation is in the amount of $2,200. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to accept donation. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
9) COMMUNICATIONS
Aimee Eaton inquired about a bulk mailing of the school newsletter to community members. Discussion held on the newsletter. Skip Greenlaw volunteered to help with the project.
Mark Cormier commented that the buildings look great.
10) Executive Session on a personnel matter
Item was removed from agenda.
11) Executive Session on employee contract negotiations
Item was removed from agenda.
12) Adjournment
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
Respectfully submitted,
JoAnna Haskell