Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee
Meeting Minutes
Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at 6:30 P.M.
Board Members Present:
Walter Kumiega, Aimee Eaton, Mark Cormier, Skip Greenlaw, Joe Babbitt and Jim Adams (6:40)
Staff Present: Robert Webster, Penny Wendell, Catherine Ring, Mike Wood, Clara Stone, Dawn Robbins, Karen Billings, Judy Rhodes, Debbie Chappell
Guests: Isaac Kastenbaum, April Gross, Jenny Day, Rhoda Clifford
1) Call to Order and Declaration of a Quorum:
Chair Kumiega 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:
4) Approval of the Agenda:
Motion by Babbitt, second by Greenlaw to approve agenda. Discussion of addition of Executive Session on administrator contracts after the discussion items. Motion by Eaton, second by Greenlaw to approve agenda as amended. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
5) Approval of the minutes of the March 1, March 10, March 17, March 23 and March 24, 2005 meetings.
Motion by Eaton, second by Greenlaw, to approve the minutes of the March 1, March 10, March 17, March 23 and March 24, 2005 meetings. Vote: 5/Y, 0/N, 1/Abstain (Cormier).
6) REPORTS
A) Elementary Principal
Catherine Ring reported:
B) High School Principal
Penny Wendell reported:
C) Superintendent's Report
Robert Webster reported:
8) ACTION ITEMS (taken out of order)
B) Personnel Nominations
1. Sp. Ed. Educational Technician Ð 1:1 in Grade 4. Robert Webster nominated April Gross as a 1:1 educational technician in Grade 4 at a probationary rate of $9.90 per hour. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve April Gross's probationary employment at a rate of $9.90 per hour. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
2. Sp. Ed. Educational Technician Ð 1:1 in Grade 4. Robert Webster nominated Jennifer Day as a 1:1 educational technician in Grade 4 at a probationary rate of $9.70 per hour. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve Jennifer Day's probationary employment at a rate of $9.70 per hour. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
3. Junior High Baseball Coach. Robert Webster nominated Dennis Rollins
as the Junior High Baseball Coach at a stipend of $1,800. Motion by
Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve Dennis Rollins as the Junior
High Baseball coach at a stipend of $1,800. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
7) DISCUSSION ITEMS
A) Language Arts Curriculum
Clara Stone, Karen Billings, Dawn Robbins and Torri Robbins reviewed the Language Arts Curriculum with the Board. They reported that the document is based on the Maine Learning Results. Dawn Robbins reported that she likes the document because there is continuity throughout the grades. Torri Robbins indicated that they are looking at the Rebecca Sitons spelling curriculum to be used for K-8. Greenlaw commented that he was impressed with the oral presentation requirements, but didn't notice a grammar requirement. Dawn Robbins explained that the grammar is imbedded within the curriculum and within the Write Traits program. The committee reported that the teaching staff had been given an opportunity to review the document. This document will be an action item at the next regular meeting.
B) Middle School Special Subject Grading
Robert Webster reported that last fall the art, music and P.E. classes made the transition from pass/fail grading system to the school policy of A, B, C, D. Catherine Ring explained how the change came about. Ring stated that she received complaints from parents that the grades for these classes should not carry the same weight as a regular class as they only meet once or twice a week. Ring explained her suggestion that because the classes meet less frequently, the mid-term report should be submitted at the quarter grading date and the grades given at the semester date. This would allow more time for the teacher to evaluate the students' progress in the given subject. Debbie Chappell explained that her grading process follows the Maine Learning Results. Discussion held on grading process for ÒspecialsÓ classes.
C) Defining Minimum Class Size
Catherine Ring reviewed her research she had found with the Board. There are many variables to be considered when establishing a class size. She doesn't think a rigid formula for class size can really be defined. Discussion held on appropriate class sizes.
D) 2005-06 School Calendar
Robert Webster reported on the responses to his questions for the staff. He also reported that Hancock County Technical Center has yet to set their calendar.
E) Review of Policies
1. Truancy Policy 3.01A
Discussion held on truancy process. Mike Wood reported that when a student is truant, he receives very little aid from the police. The policy is ready for action at the next meeting.
2. Student Discipline Policy 3.04
Discussion held on when to involve parents in discipline action. The policy is ready for action at the next meeting.
3. Exemption From Required Instruction Policy 4.16
Discussion held on difference between moral and religious beliefs. Minor changes made to the policy. This will be an action item at the May meeting.
4. Crisis Response Policy 7.10
This item was tabled until next month.
5. Student Placement Policy 3.03
Discussion held on policy. Change made regarding the retention policy. The policy is ready for a second reading at the next meeting.
8. ACTION ITEMS
A) Makeup Plan for Postponed Workshop
Walter Kumiega commented that Bruce Ives had sent a letter outlining his recommendation for making up this workshop day. The suggestion is that the teachers be allowed to do the work on their own time. Robert Webster stated that he would support Ives' recommendation. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to support the recommendation for making up the workshop day. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
9) EXECUTIVE SESSION on administrator contract
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to enter executive session on administrator contract at 8:32 p.m. Participants included Walter Kumiega, Mark Cormier, Joe Babbitt, Skip Greenlaw, Jim Adams, Aimee Eaton, Robert Webster and Catherine Ring. Returned to regular session at 9:05 p.m.
8) ACTION ITEMS (continued)
C) Acceptance of I.E.F. Donation for Alternative Ed. Field Trip
Robert Webster stated that the school has received a grant in the amount of $700 for Billy Voisine's proposed rafting trip for his alternative education students. The school has also received a grant in the amount of $500 from the Rodney Stinson American Legion Post for the D.A.R.E. program. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to accept the grants. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
D) Administrator Contracts
1. High School Principal
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to approve Penny Wendell as the High School Principal with a contract in the amount of $69,000, 215 work days, health insurance 90% of two adult, all other benefits remaining the same. Extension of contract for one year. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
2. Elementary Principal
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to approve Catherine Ring as the Elementary Principal with a contract in the amount of $66,500, 215 work days, health insurance 90% family plan, all other benefits remaining the same. Extension of contract for one year. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
3. Part Time H.S. Assistant Principal
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to approve Mike Wood as the PartTime H.S. Assistant Principal with a contract in the amount of $9,000, 185 work days. An additional $1,000 to assist in drop out prevention/young people at risk. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
4. Director of Student Services
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to approve Martha Jordan as the Director of Student Services with a contract in the amount of $52,000, 205 work days, all other benefits remaining the same. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
5. Auditorium Director
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbit to approve Nelson Monteith as the Auditorium Director with a contract in the amount of $55,839, 210 work days, all other benefits remaining the same. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
6. Head of Maintenance
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Cormier to approve Kenneth Keen as Head of Maintenance with a contract in the amount of $35,521, 260 work days, all other benefits remaining the same. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
9) DISCUSSION ITEMS
Mike Wood, Adult Education Director, review the adult education budget. He noted that the budget is up slightly overall, but that the local appropriation is less because of a carryover balance from the 04-05 year. He is seeing a trend of more students in their 20's needing additional preparation for college or wanting to obtain a GED. He served 10 to 15 students this year for their GED work. The program is serving fewer general students. Some of the general course teachers volunteer their time resulting in a carryover from last year.
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to approve the proposed 2005-06 Adult Education budget. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
Robert Webster reported that Draft #3 of the budget showed a 3.22% increase. Discussion held on teachers salaries, bussing issues for vocational students, special education out-of-district placements, athletic fields, private tuition and supplies. The High School Athletic Directors' stipend has been raised to $8,500.
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to extend the meeting by 15 minutes. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
Continued discussion included repairs to the high school windows and Medicaid billing.
10) COMMUNICATIONS
11) Adjournment
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Cormier to adjourn at 9:45 p.m. Vote: 6/Yes, 0/No.
Respectfully submitted,
JoAnna Haskell
Administrative Assistant