Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee
Meeting Minutes
Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School
Tuesday, August 2, 2005 at 6:30 P.M.
Board Members Present:
Walter Kumiega, Aimee Eaton, Joseph Babbitt, Mark Cormier, James Adams and Skip Greenlaw (6:35)
Staff Present: Bruce Ives, Jane O'Connor, Rosalie Keen, Linda McCauley
Guests: Isaac Kastenbaum, Robert Braun, Sherm Hutchins, Elwood Cobb, Wendy Leach
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:
Robert Braun commented that abbreviations should not be used in agendas. He also commented that "seed money" for projects should be carefully considered as it appears that eventually the tax payers are stuck with larger bills when the seed money is exhausted. He feels it would be better to strengthen the classroom programs and teachers given the declining enrollment. Aimee Eaton explained that teacher training is funded through the budget and any future budget cuts would be carefully considered. Braun commented that the existing programs should be taken care of (i.e. the ball field) before launching new programs like the tennis courts.
4) Approval of the Agenda:
Deletion of 6.B. High School Principal report and addition of 6.D. Transportation report. Deletion of 7.A.2. Grade 3/5 Team Teaching One Year Position and 3. Special Education Ed. Tech. Motion by Eaton, second by Greenlaw to approve agenda as amended. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
5) Approval of the minutes of the July 20, 2005 meeting.
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton, to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2005 meeting. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
6) REPORTS
A. Elementary School Assistant Principal
Jane O'Connor reported:
á Catherine Ring is absent from meeting due to surgery.
á Summer school ends a week from this Thursday.
á O'Connor introduced Wendy Leach who is being nominated for the special education teacher position.
á The 3/5 position and the technology teacher/coordinator positions are still open.
Robert Braun indicated that he had asked Catherine for an enrollment breakdown for the arts camp. O'Connor indicated that she did not have those numbers at this time.
Bruce Ives reported:
D. Transportation Committee
Elwood Cobb reported that he has been in touch with Doreen Sams at First Student. Their list of returning drivers is incomplete at best. Sams has asked Cobb for help in persuading drivers to return. Cobb stated that there is a lack of communication between First Student and the drivers. First Student had made promises of hours and wages but has not followed through. Skip Greenlaw indicated that the driver should be talking directly to First Student and not using Cobb as a intermediary. Joe Babbitt questioned if the current driver problems are the current state of lack of drivers throughout the State or if the problem lies with First Student. Cobb indicated that he felt it was a problem with First Student's management. Mark Cormier questioned if any new bus company would have these problems. Cobb indicated that Laidlaw did not because they were more generous with their allowable hours. Greenlaw reminded everyone that First Student did a good job up until March when the previous manager left his position. Discussion held on driver situation. Cobb commented that the Superintendent has the right to refuse or accept any drivers according to the contract. Consensus reached that Robert Webster should ask First Student for a list of drivers within two weeks.
7) ACTION ITEMS
A. Personnel
1. Junior High School Special Education Teacher
Bruce Ives nominated Wendy Leach who has two years experience as a special education teacher. Her pay will be $30,578 at a B+15 level. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to accept Wendy Leach as the junior high school special education teacher. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
2. Grade 3/5 Team Teacher One Year Position
No candidate.
3. Special Education Ed. Tech.
No candidate.
1. Bus Fuel
Kumiega read bids for diesel bus fuel from Eaton Oil Ð tank wagon price 1.6506, .16 cost markup for a net bid of $2.3251 per gallon; Heanssler Oil Ð tank wagon price 1.6205, .15 cost markup, for a net bid of $2.2285 per gallon; and, R.L. Greenlaw Ð tank wagon price 1.6205, .06 cost markup, for a net bid of $2.1997 per gallon. Motion by Babbitt, second by Eaton to accept R.L. Greenlaw's bid at $2.1997. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
Kumiega read a bid for gasoline bus fuel from R.L. Greenlaw with a $.10 markup for a total bid of $2.2929 per gallon. Motion by Babbitt, second by Cormier to accept R.L. Greenlaw's bid at $2.2929. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
2.Heating Oil
Kumiega read bids from Eaton Oil Company Ð all season price of $1.85 per gallon or a tank wagon price of $1.5717, .10 cost markup for a net price of $1.7893 per gallon; Heanssler Oil Ð prebuy price of $1.953 per gallon or a tank wagon price of $1.5979, .08 cost markup for a net price of $1.721 per gallon. Motion by Cormier; second by Greenlaw to accept Eaton Oil Company's bid for all season at $1.85 per gallon. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
3.Bread
Kumiega read the bid from Lepage Bakeries. Interstate Brands submitted no bid. Linda McCauley and Rosalie Keen commented that the prices are much higher this year. They feel they could get a better pricing by dealing through their sales representative at North Center Foods. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Cormier to reject the bid from Lapage Bakeries. Discussion held on bread purchases. Greenlaw withdrew motion. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to table bread bid until alternative companies are investigated. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
4. Milk
Kumiega read bids from Garelick Farms and Oakhurst Dairy. Discussion held on prices. McCauley and Keen again indicated that they felt they would receive a less expensive price from another supplier. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to allow the superintendent to work with the cooks and the health coordinator regarding milk purchases. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
5. Kerosene
Kumiega read bids from Heanssler Oil Ð 1.787 tank wagon price, $.20 mark up for a total price of $2.030 per gallon; and, Eaton Oil Ð 1.7957 tank wagon price, $.20 mark up for a total price of $1.9973. Motion by Eaton, second by Greenlaw to accept Eaton Oil's bid of $1.9973 per gallon. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
Jane O'Connor distributed an outline of the changes to the handbook. Discussion held on parental requests for inside recess. Change in language from "doctor's note" to "medical provider". Eaton noted the difficulty for parents in obtaining notes from their doctors. Cormier questioned who set the policy for weather conditions. Kumiega suggested the compromise of no more than three days without a note. O'Connor outlined the changes in the co-curricular eligibility notification. Also, the changes to the grading for the "specials" classes. Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to accept DISES Handbook with changes. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
Aimee Eaton volunteered for the position. Motion by Babbitt, second by Cormier for Aimee Eaton to serve on the Superintendent's Evaluation Committee. Vote: 5/Y, 0/N, 1/Abstain (Eaton).
Discussion held on questions and validity of questions in the survey. Skip Greenlaw commented that generally people do not have enough information in order to answer the questions. He questions the necessity of the survey. Robert Braun noted that there are no questions regarding declining enrollment. Bruce Ives commented that he felt the survey should go forward as it will fulfill the legal requirement for the Comprehensive Education Plan. Joe Babbitt commented that the survey was brought about by the Mission Statement, not by an operational issue. Discussion held on distribution of the survey. Babbitt suggested making the distribution problem a project for the high school students.
Discussion held on having an open discussion. Greenlaw suggested using a workshop format rather than as an agenda item.
Walter Kumiega commented on an article in the Bangor Daily News about a jobs for Maine graduates program which is intended to reduce dropout rates.
The Maine School Board Association is looking for delegates for their fall conference to be held on October 27th. If anyone is interested, please let Robert Webster know.
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
Respectfully submitted,
JoAnna Haskell
Administrative Assistant