Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee
Meeting Minutes
Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School
Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 6:00 P.M.
Board Members Present:
Barrett Brewer, Walter
Kumiega, Aimee Eaton, Mark Cormier, Skip Greenlaw (6:05) and Jim Adams (6:25)
Staff Present: Bruce
Ives, Penny Wendell, Catherine Ring, Lynnette Grindle, Dennis Saindon,
Catherine Rossignol, Darlene Allen, Lucy Astbury, Matt Larsen, Kim Larsen,
Warren Berkowitz, Becky Hutchins, Monique White, Rhonda Eaton, Joan Atkinson
Guests: David
Walsh , Leslie Carr, Vanessa G, Nelson Roosendahl
1) Call to Order and Declaration of a Quorum:
Chair
Kumiega called the meeting to order and declared a quorum at 6:00 P.M.
2) Moment of Silence:
A
moment of silence was observed.
3) Citizen Comments:
Vanessa G, as President of the Senior Class, proposed several different senior class trip ideas which included: a cruise, Florida, New York City, or Mexico. She asked if the Board would object to any of these ideas if one was chosen by the class. The consensus was reached that there would be no objection as long as the trip policy was followed. Mark Cormier commented that he would like to see an educational component in the trip.
4) Approval of the Agenda:
Removal of No. 6 Executive Session on Student
Matter. Addition of 7.E.
Transportation Committee. 8.B.
Life Skills Studio Web Page moved to Action Item A.1. Discussion Items 8.E, F. and G. will be taken up after
Action Items. Motion by Brewer,
second by Eaton, to approve agenda as amended. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.
5) Approval of the minutes of the September 7 and
September 21, 2004 meetings.
On the September 7, 2004 meeting minutes, indicate
the motion is to allow health benefits for long-term substitute Kathy
Turner. Motion by Brewer,
second by Eaton, to approve the minutes of the September 7 and September 21,
2004 meetings as amended. Vote:
5/Yes, 0/No.
6) Executive Session on a Student Matter
Item removed from agenda.
7) REPORTS
A) Elementary Principal
Catherine Ring reported:
á This has been a very busy month with hiring new people, the windows project and the recent deaths.
á The Responsive Classroom program is working well. Pathways of Discipline program has been implemented. Playground issues have improved and the number of behavior slips given out is down.
á The open house went well. There was a large number of parents and students participating.
Skip Greenlaw questioned the reason for the improved behavior. Catherine attributed it to having more teachers on duty at recess time and the Responsive Classroom program. Also, the Civil Right team is making an impact at the school. A representative from this team will attend the next school committee meeting to give a report.
B) High School Principal
Penny Wendell reported:
á The 9th grade advisors have commented on how well the students handle advisory time. This is a direct result of the Responsive Classroom program.
á 27 students recently had a wonderful experience taking a class at Haystack.
á Approximately 50 students were represented at the Open House. Penny received positive feedback from the parents.
á Bruce WilliamsŐ class has produced the first edition of the Mariner News. This is written for students by students.
á The inservice day on Friday will consist of mini workshops. There will be a workshop on AspergerŐs Syndrome. Also, Monica McNamara will be coming back to report to staff on her research project.
á 9th grade portfolios are being developed.
The Healthy Island Project is using the portable for a playgroup session on Tuesday mornings.
C) Assistant SuperintendentŐs Report
Bruce Ives reported:
á Tomorrow afternoon the Union policy subcommittee will be looking at three new policies
á Robert Webster is inquiring if anyone is interested in participating in an interest based negotiations workshop.
á Bruce distributed extensive materials and reported that he attended a three hour seminar on the Palesky Tax Initiative by Drummond, Woodsum. The basic message is that there are many unanswered questions.
Walter Kumiega and Barrett Brewer indicated they would attend a workshop on interest-based negotiations.
D) School District Goals
Discussion was held on goals and where the process stood in reviewing the goals.
E) Transportation Committee
Skip Greenlaw reported that the Transportation Committee met last Wednesday. First Student has requested that they be allowed to replace two of the 84 passenger busses with two 72 passenger busses. This would allow for easier driving in some of the harder areas. Consensus was reached that there is no objection to exchanging busses. Discipline report was distributed. Discussion held on bussing.
8) DISCUSSION ITEMS
Lucy
Astbury and Darlene Allen requested an educational technician be placed in
their class. This yearŐs
kindergarten class is a very diverse group of children. There are a high number of students
without readiness or social skills.
Over 33% of the class receives special services. They have restructured their classroom
to a more child-centered format.
However, they need additional help with group control. Skip Greenlaw questioned if there is
any way to help in getting the children ready for school before they are
enrolled in school. Astbury and
Allen both felt the school should look at a pre-K and alternative kindergarten
program.
B. Life Skills Studio Web Page
This item was moved to Action Item A.1.
C. High School Student Activities Survey
Matt Larsen distributed survey materials and reported that he had conducted a student survey regarding the sports programs. He reviewed the survey results with the Board. Discussion was held on proposed JV Baseball and Softball programs. Larsen indicated that at this point he doesnŐt really have enough players to support both teams. Also questions were asked regarding the overall program. The survey showed that the students felt that overall the sports programs were good.
D. Volunteer Coordinator Report
Rebecca Hutchins reported that she has found some office space in the two buildings. She outlined the number of volunteer hours that have been donated so far this year. She is compiling a list of retired area professionals to help with reading and math. She finds that the volunteers are more comfortable working with the K-8 grades. She also wants to try to institute a mentoring program. Tyra Young is lined up to speak to the students on safe dating. HutchinsŐ e-mail address is: volunteers@dises.org.
9) ACTION ITEMS
Dennis
Saindon explained that the industrial arts class has produced three rowing
skiffs, two of which he would like to sell. He would also like to keep any monies raised earmarked for
his program. Discussion held on
how to handle any monies raised through the sale of the boats. Motion by Brewer, second by
Eaton to authorize the industrial arts program to establish an account for
monies raised from the sale of their projects. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
A.1. Life Skills Studio Web Page
Katy
Helman explained that the studio arts course students would like to start an
online gallery to offer art for sale.
This would allow the students to learn career preparation, bookkeeping,
website design among other skills.
They also would like to do an art show. 70% of the income would go back into the program. Motion
by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to approve Katy HelmanŐs proposal for an online
gallery. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
B.
Gifted/Talented/Enrichment Funding
Bruce Ives explained that Joan Atkinson asked to be
given more credit on the pay scale for her experience. Ives distributed a new budget status
sheet. Motion by Brewer, second
by Greenlaw to maintain a four day per week position for the Gifted/Talented/Enrichment
teacher. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
C.
State Board of Education Cooperative Sp.Ed. Services Grant
Warren
Berkowitz reported that the special education directors in Hancock County had a
meeting to determine if they could work together to save money for their
schools. They wrote a grant
proposal which was accepted by the State.
This grant will allow a study of the feasibility of regionalization of
the special education services. Berkowitz is requesting that School Union 76 be
the fiscal agent for the grant. Motion
by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to accept the grant and be the fiscal agent. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
D.
Approval of Committees
Bruce
Ives reviewed the committees with the Board. The committees are as follows:
Responsive Classroom Mathematics
Dorothy Conte Sally
Foley
Sally Aman Kendall
McGuffie
Linda Graceffa Judy
Rhodes
Susan Guilford Linda
Graceffa
Paula Greatorex Paula
Greatorex
Kyle Webb Lucy
Astbury
Skip Greenlaw
Catherine Ring
English/Language Arts Staff
Development
Dawn Robbins Sally
Foley
Muriel Moyers Muriel
Moyers
Karen Billings Julie
Davis
Clara Stone Ken
Lantz
Torri Robbins Kim
Larsen
Janie Greenlaw Penny
Wendell
Darlene Allen Catherine
Ring
Bruce Ives Bruce
Ives
Science Certification
Support Teams
Arlene Roberts Seth
Laplant for Michelle Gates
Tasha Conary-Brown Ken
Lantz for Billy Voisine
Torri Robbins Torri
Robbins for Kathy Turner
Ken Lantz Dawn
Robbins for Mark Woida
Yet
to be named for Bruce Williams
Certification Steering Transportation
Judy Rhodes Kyle
Webb
Mike Wood Tim
Osnoe
Tasha Conary-Brown Skip
Greenlaw
Sue Steed Elwood
Cobb
Mary Banfield Bob
Webster
Elizabeth Small
Maintenance Long
Range Planning
John Robbins Sue
Jones Corrine
Sewall
Walter Kumiega Martha
Jordan Nelson
Monteith
Penny Wendell Catherine
Ring Leslie Carr
Bob Webster Penny
Wendell Jennifer
Wilson
Jim Adams Ted
Ames Chandler
Barbour
Mark Cormier Jim
Adams Torrie
Robbins
Ken Keen Bob
Webster
Georgia Pashley should be
added to the Responsive Classroom Committee. Torri Robbins should be removed from the Long Range Planning
Committee. Discussion held on additional
committees to be approved at the next meeting.
Motion by Brewer, second
by Greenlaw to approve the committees as presented and amended. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
Robert
Webster has requested that the November meeting date be moved from November 2,
Election Day, to Thursday, November 4 to allow everyone to participate in the
election. Motion by Greenlaw,
second by Eaton to reschedule the next School Committee meeting to November 4,
2004. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
F.
Request for Unpaid Leave
Bruce Ives explained that Tasha Conary-Brown is
requesting paid and unpaid leave to begin in. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Brewer to approve leave
pending association approval.
Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
G.
Board Newsletter Draft
Skip Greenlaw explained that he has drafted a Board Newsletter. However, he feels we should delay sending it out as we will be sending out a mailing regarding the Palesky issue.
H.
Palesky Property Tax Cap Informational Mailing
Robert
Webster drafted an informational mailing.
Discussion held on the mailing.
Greenlaw suggested that everyoneŐs signature be included. Motion by Brewer, second by Greenlaw
to approve mailing as amended.
Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
Bruce
Ives explained that the State is allowing schools to request a one-year waiver
in order to complete their local assessments. Motion by Brewer, second by Greenlaw to approve request
for one year waiver. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (continued)
Discussion
held on which administrator should check references and the time frame in which
to check them.
F.
First Reading of New or Revised Policies
1. Home Schooling Policy 3.13
2. Evaluation of Administrators 5.10
3. Administrative Assistant Job
Description 9.01
4. Parent Involvement Policy 7.09
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to table the policies until the next meeting. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.
Mark
Cormier reported that Jim Foley had used a moisture meter to measure the
moisture in the siding on the school.
He found it to be 80 to 90% saturated near the butt end seams. There was no moisture found on the
inside of the walls. Discussion
held on the repair project.
10) COMMUNICATIONS
11)
Adjournment
Motion by Greenlaw, second by to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Vote: 5/Y, 0/N.
Respectfully submitted,
JoAnna Haskell
Administrative Assistant