Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee

Meeting Minutes

Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School

Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 6:30 P.M.

 

 

Board Members Present:

Walter Kumiega, Aimee Eaton, Mark Cormier, Skip Greenlaw and Jim Adams

 

Board Member Absent: Joe Babbitt

 

Staff Present: Bruce Ives, Penny Wendell, Catherine Ring, Karen Billings, Billy Voisine, Heather Barton-Lindloff

 

Guests: Isaac Kastenbaum, Dennis Rollins

 

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:

Addition of Report E. Maintenance Committee and Discussion Item E. Informational Mailing regarding Budget Referendum. Motion by Eaton, second by Greenlaw to approve agenda as amended. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

5)     Approval of the minutes of the March 31, April 5 and April 26, 2005 meetings.

On the April 26, 2005 Minutes, change members absent to Mark Cormier instead of Mike Cormier. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton, to approve the minutes of the March 31, April 5 and April 26, 2005 meetings. Vote: 5/Y, 0/N (March 31 and April 5 meetings), 4/Y, 0/N, 1/Abstain (Cormier) (April 26 meeting).

 

6) REPORTS

 

A) Elementary Principal

 

               Catherine Ring distributed the music curriculum for the Board to review. She then reported:

 

á        This is teacher appreciation week.

á        The writing prompt will be given next week.

á        Marsha Bradley from the Responsive Classroom Institute will be meeting with the teachers next week.

á        Phantom of the Music Room will be performed by the 4th grade students tonight.

á        Tony Sohn from the Maine Discovery Museum was at the school last week giving a presentation on insects and arachnophobia.

á        The Theater at Monmouth was also at the school last week and performed the Odyssey.

á        We celebrated Earth Day last week with many events.

á        There was an ATV presentation given by a local conservation group. They showed a safety video to the middle level classes.

á        Report cards went out last week.

á        The students had a great recital last week.

á        There will be an assembly to honor our volunteers next week.

 

Skip Greenlaw questioned if the policy regarding informing parents by the third quarter that their child is at risk of failing is being followed. Ring reported that the procedure is being followed to make sure that at risk students are being properly supported.

 

B) High School Principal

 

               Penny Wendell reported:

 

á        There was a wonderful assembly this morning. The chess team presented their 15th place national trophy. The math team presented their 2nd place state trophy. Katy Helman was awarded the honor of Teacher of the Year from Walmart for Washington/Hancock County.

á        Tomorrow the peer support group will be sponsoring the one act play on youth suicide. The parents have been notified that this is being presented.

á        The Junior Prom is Saturday evening from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. The juniors are doing a great job decorating.

á        Tom Duym's Iceland trip is going well. They will return on Thursday.

á        She reported the minor changes to the senior class trip. Tom Duym, Keith Hoover, Lee Lehto and Kris Eberdt have agreed to chaperone.

á        There will be a tea honoring the volunteers on May 26.

 

Wendell commented that there was a rumor that the extra money that the senior class has in their account could be used for spending money for those on the trip. She confirmed with the Board that it is not the policy to allow the money to be spent in this manner.

 

C) Safety Committee

 

               Penny Wendell distributed a written report. She commented on the following:

 

á        Thanks go to Gail Babbitt, Mark Cormier and Mary Offutt who worked on the report.

á        There is great concern about safety around parking lots and driveways.

á        Suggestions made to install boulders or granite posts to keep cars off the walkways and away from new fence.

á        Snow blowing and sanding of walkways is an issue.

á        To address traffic patterns, lines should be repainted and drop off and pick up areas will be clearly marked. An estimate for this work is included.

á        A long-term solution to the traffic problem would be to construct a different access road to the elementary school.

á        A safety checklist is enclosed in the report.

á        Playing fields should be maintained for safe conditions.

á        Open access to the elementary school is an issue. A four-camera video system has been looked into. The estimated cost would be $1,000. This would allow monitoring of outside and entryways.

á        A list of "fix it" people should be compiled for use when Ken is unavailable.

 

Aimee Eaton suggested this report be a discussion item at the next regular meeting. Skip Greenlaw questioned the visitor badge system. Catherine Ring stated that this is an honor system for signing in and out. Unfortunately, this is often not used. Discussion held on school access. Eaton expressed thanks to committee for their hard work.

 

D)    Assistant Superintendent

 

Bruce Ives reported:

 

á        A special meeting is scheduled for May 9 for the review of probationary contracts.

á        The policy committee is reviewing a wellness policy which is Federally required.

á        Interviews for the counselor will be conducted tomorrow.

á        Interviews for the assistant principal will be conducted Thursday afternoon.

á        The 2nd Union-wide teacher workshop is scheduled for May 13th at Brooklin.

á        The assessment work is going well.

á        By May 13, he is in hopes of having more information from the Department of Education regarding local assessments. Presently, we must concentrate on English/language arts and math.

 

E)    Maintenance Committee

 

Walter Kumiega reported that the maintenance committee discussed some items that the safety committee has reviewed such as the video cameras, boulders and playing fields. The marine trades building roof needs to be replaced. This will be replaced by a metal roof. Ken Keen and staff will install. The fence has been inspected. The cost for the fence was less than the estimate.

 

7) ACTION ITEMS

 

A)   Language Arts Curriculum

 

Skip Greenlaw distributed his suggestion for the English/language arts committee. Walter Kumiega suggested that these suggestions be reviewed at the next regular meeting. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to approve the English/language arts curriculum. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

B)   Alternative Education Rafting Trip

 

Billy Voisine presented an updated packet of information and outlined the trip he wished to take with his alternative education students on the lower Penobscot River. The trip would be June 2 and 3. Jeff Killian and he will chaperone. Thirteen students are eligible. He currently has eleven students signed up to go. Cari Quiterio will also be attending if the student she ed techs with will be attending. Voisine reported that the cost for the trip is $1,300. Funding is in place. He has been approved to use some money out of the alternative education budget line. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to approve the trip and the release of the money in the alternative education line. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

C) Junior High School Athletic Field Proposal

 

Dennis Rollins presented an estimate from Skip Eaton. He stated that he contacted Gene Eaton and Byron, but they are very busy at present. Skip Eaton agreed to allow his bill to be paid after July1. Rollins suggested not grassing the infield. Discussion on the infield suggestion. Motion by Adams, second by Eaton to approve request for money to upgrade the field with the understanding of paying $1,000 now and the balance to be paid after July 1. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

F) Authorization for School Nutrition Program Improvements (out of order)

 

Heather Barton-Lindloff gave a presentation on the changes made to the school lunch program. Lindloff reported that the food service personnel have been helpful and are working hard to implement the changes. She outlined changes made at the elementary school which include: switching to light mayonnaise, serving whole wheat rolls, serving trail mix rather than corn chips and offering more fresh fruit. The high school has replaced the sausage with Canadian bacon in their breakfast sandwiches. They are also offering a salad bar and more types of fresh fruit. Lindloff reported that even if children will not eat good food when young, they will have better eating habits as adults. Motion by Eaton, second by Greenlaw to support our commitment to improving school nutrition the Board authorizes Burton-Lindloff to provide direction and make changes as she deems necessary.

 

D) Policies

       1. Truancy Policy 3.01A

 

Jim Adams made several suggestions for changes to the policy. Motion by Eaton to Table policy until Adams' notes can be reviewed.

 

       2. Student Discipline Policy 3.04

 

In paragraph 3, insert "in writing" after communicated in the second sentence. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve policy. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

       3. Exemption From Required Instruction Policy 4.16

 

Change the first line of paragraph 1 to read: "The curriculum of the Deer Isle-Stonington CSD reflects the expectations of the Maine Learning Results for all students in all content areas." In paragraph 5, change "include" to "the following factors." Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to approve the policy. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

E) Personnel

 

       1. Jazz Combo/Pep Band Director for 2004-05

 

Bruce Ives recommended Ellen Lamerson as the Jazz Combo/Pep Band Director for the 2004-05 school year at a stipend of $1,925. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to approve Ellen Lamerson as the Jazz Combo/Pep Band Director. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

       2. Adult Education Director's Contract for 2005-06

 

Bruce Ives recommended Mike Wood at a salary of $23,412 with a health insurance benefit of $4,113 for the 2005-06 contract year. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to approve Mike Wood as the Adult Education Director. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

       3. Administrative Assistant Regular Employment Agreement

 

Bruce Ives recommended Tiffany Dauk who has completed her 6-month probationary period as administrative assistant at a rate of $10.87 per hour. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve Tiffany Dauk as Administrative Assistant at a rate of $10.87 per hour. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

G) Anonymous Donation and Grant Awards

 

Bruce Ives reported that the school had received an anonymous donation in the amount of $3,500 to support professional development for Reading Recovery Instructors. Discussion held on State funding for Reading Recovery. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to accept the anonymous grant with gratitude. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

Bruce Ives reported that the school has received a $500 grant from the Island Education Foundation in the amount of $500 for the Maine Discovery Museum Program with Tony Sohn. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to accept the donation. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

H)   2005-06 School Budget Proposal

 

Skip Greenlaw questioned if the budget amount for tuition reimbursement had been adjusted as there was a large balance last year. Discussion also held on students attending the vocational school. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Cormier to approve the budget as presented in Draft #3. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

I)      Warrant Articles for the 2005-06 Annual District Budget Meeting

 

Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve the warrant articles as written. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

J)     Warrant Articles for the 2005-06 District Budget Validation Referendum

 

Motion by Eaton, second by Adams to approve the warrant articles as written. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

K)   2005-06 School Calendar

 

No additional changes were made to the calendar. Motion by Eaton, second by Greenlaw to approve the 2005-06 school calendar. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

L)    High School Revolving Loan Renovation Grant Application

 

Aimee Eaton stated that she had some minor questions for Mr. Webster. Discussion held on application. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Cormier to approve the high school revolving loan renovation grant application. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

 

8) DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

A) Nature Trail Use Procedure

 

Walter Kumiega commented that this is an administrative policy and, therefore, it needs no vote. The procedure was reviewed.

 

B) School Committee Annual Retreat

 

               Walter Kumiega commented that he felt the retreat went well with good discussion. Skip Greenlaw commented that Robert Webster's suggestion that they meet three or four times a year is good. Kumiega further commented that the school board goals should be further reviewed. Discussion held on retreat.

              

C) Drafts of Deer Isle-Stonington CSD Vision and Mission Statements

 

               No additions were made to the statements. Walter Kumiega commented that a Long-Range Planning Committee meeting is scheduled for May 9. The community forum is scheduled for May 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.

 

D) Student Placement Policy 3.03

 

               Discussion held on retention thoughts and practices. Penny Wendell commented that the research indicates that the retention of student causes discipline issues. Retention should be the last choice, rather than the first choice. Skip Greenlaw questioned what happens when students are really behind. He questioned if not retaining the student sets them up for further failure in subsequent grades. Catherine Ring commented that a proper support system should be in place for the student and if the student is really behind, the special education system would be put into effect. Jim Adams commented that he had changes for the policy. He will e-mail them to the committee for further review.

 

E) Informational Mailing on Budget

 

Walter Kumiega suggested mailing the information letter before the district budget meeting. Aimee Eaton stated that she had completed a draft of a school board newsletter. The suggestion was made to combine the two newsletters. Discussion held on what to include in the newsletter. Eaton will try to have a draft completed by the special meeting on Monday night.

 

9) COMMUNICATIONS

 

               Walter Kumiega stated that he had spoken with Robert Braun about why doesn't the REACH have a movie series. Kumiega stated that the auditorium director has a very busy schedule of events. Braun stated to Kumiega that he was not aware of how easy it is for the public to use the REACH facilities.

 

10) Adjournment

 

               Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to adjourn at 9:11 p.m. Vote: 5/Yes, 0/No.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

JoAnna Haskell

Administrative Assistant