Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee
Meeting Minutes
Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School
Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at 6:30 P.M.

 
Board Members Present:
Walter Kumiega, James Adams, Skip Greenlaw, Joseph Babbitt, Aimee Eaton and  Mark Cormier (6:31)
 
Staff Present:  Bruce Ives, Penny Wendell, Mary Banfield, Mike Wood
 
Guests:  Isaac Kestenbaum, Robert Braun, Donald Sargent, Heather Brewer, Patrick Shepard, Jim Wadman, Sherm Hutchins
 
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:
 
 
4)      Approval of the Agenda:
Addition of Action Item G.Corrected Warrant and Discussion Item G. Physical Education.   Motion by Eaton,  second by Babbitt to approve agenda as amended.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N. 
 
5)      Approval of the minutes of the January 3 and January 31, 2006 meetings.  
In the January 3 minutes, correction of Buddy Folino’s name.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt, to approve the minutes of the January 3 and January 31, 2006 meetings as amended.  Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
 
6)      REPORTS
 
A.     Elementary School Principal
 
No report given due to the absence of the principal.
 
B  High School Principal
 
Penny Wendell reported:
 
·        We have been selected to be one of ten C.R.E.S.T. project schools.  Five teachers and four students will work on the project for the next three years.  They will work on GIS technology, web design and ethnography.  They will receive a research technology kit which includes two laptops, four hand held GPS units, a digital camera and digital voice recorder. 
·        The Drop Out Prevention Committee has done a self-assessment.  This form was provided by the State.  The next meeting they will work on identifying short and long-range plans.  Brooklin and Sedgwick schools have been invited to join them in their discussions.
·        She and Martha Jordan have started their meetings with the 9th grade students.
·        Two new classes are being offered this semester:  Applied Physics, which is being co-taught by Dennis Saindon and Michelle Gates and Musical Theater, which is being taught by Nelson Monteith.
 
Aimee Eaton questioned our military recruitment policy which allows parents to not have their child contacted by the military recruiters.  Penny indicated that some of the parents do return the letter and “opt out”.
 
C  Assistant Superintendent
 
Bruce Ives reported:
 
·        The elementary school sewerage pump was replaced at a cost of $3,500.
·        The Sedgwick family that was building a new house of Little Deer Isle have moved.
·        The tennis court ground work has been completed.
·        The preliminary subsidy amounts are in.  We will be receiving $151,362 less than this year.
·        The Commissioner has issued Letter #85 (moratorium letter) indicating that there will be a delay in work on the local assessment systems.  The Maine Learning Results are being revised.  He will probably not have more specific news until the fall. 
·        At the Janaury 30 Union-wide workshop, the assessments that were previously given were scored and the rest of the day was used to discuss science and social studies.
 
Skip Greenlaw questioned that if the State established the MRL, would they also establish the assessments.  Ives indicated that they want to leave the assessments in the hands of the local groups.
 
Skip Greenlaw also suggested that the principals give a written report to be passed out in the packets.  Then if anyone had any questions, the reports could be reviewed.  This may save some time during the meetings. 
  
7)  ACTION ITEMS
 
A.  Senior Class Trip to Boston
 
            Patrick Shepard and Heather Brewer, senior class president and vice president, presented the planned senior class trip to Boston.  They will be staying three days and two nights from June 6 to 8 in Boston.  Approximately 26 students plan on attending.  There will be five chaperones.  Penny Wendell indicated that there will be three life skills students attending with one parent.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve the senior class trip with the exception to the policy of the parent attending with the life skills students.  Vote:   6/Y, 0/N.
 
B.  2004-05 Financial Audit
 
Jim Wadman reviewed the audit for the previous year.  New reporting models have been implemented.  Very few and very small adjustments were made this year in comparison to previous years. Skip Greenlaw questioned if there was any way to help get the audit done sooner.  Wadman commented that they routinely have difficulty with the school fund accounts.  They also have difficulty getting statements from the investment brokers.  Motion by Eaton, second by Greenlaw to accept the 2004-05 financial audit.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.
 
C.  2004-05 Budget Line Item Transfers
 
Bruce Ives reported that $20,380 was needed for operations and maintenance and $51,180 was needed for capital outlay. But, he did not know what line the money was to come from.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to Table this item until next month.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.
 
D. Stone Monument Grant Application
 
Bruce Ives explained that Buddy Folino needs a sponsoring agency to co-sign for this grant application to the Maine Community Foundation.  Discussion held on the monuments.  Mark Cormier suggested that Mr. Folino come to a meeting and give a presentation.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to Table this matter until the next month.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.
 
E.  New or Revised Policies
 
1.  Financial Management Policy 2.07
2.  Management of Federal Grants Policy 2.08
3.  Student Chemical Health Policy 3.12
4.  Students with HIV/AIDS
 
            Discussion held on policies.    Minor changes made.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve the policies with the changes.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.
 
F.  Acceptance of Donations
 
            Bruce Ives indicated that the school has received a $500 grant from the Irvin S. Johnson Foundation which was matched the Eli Lily Foundation.  They have also received a $28,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation for the construction of the tennis courts.  Penny Wendell indicated that the $500 Irvin S. Johnson grant was for the art department.  The school has also received a $2,000 grant from the Irvin S. Johnson Foundation for science.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to accept the donations.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.
 
G.  Corrected Warrant
 
            Bruce Ives indicated that the time has been corrected on this warrant.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to approve the warrant.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N. 
 
8.  DISCUSSION ITEMS
 
A.  High School Graduate Survey
 
            Penny Wendell indicated that Martha Jordan is working with seniors to redesign the survey.  They will mail the survey out to last year’s seniors to get the first year information.   She also suggested the survey might also be given out at the alumni banquet.
 
B.  Long Range Planning Student/Community Survey
 
Skip Greenlaw suggested that two surveys go to every household because most households had two adults.  Discussion held on survey.  Walter Kumiega suggested only sending one to each household but making additional surveys available in several different places including the school websites.  Penny Wendell commented that she is concerned about the lack of a definite plan of what do to with the survey results and where this is all going.  Perhaps the Board should take a step back and look at the big picture.  Jim Adams commented that he would like to see the work go ahead.  Discussion held on paid position for leadership of committee.
 
C.  Long Range Planning Goals
 
Discussion held on goals and how to keep the project moving forward.  Penny Wendell commented that the long-range plan will be a part of the 2009 re-accreditation.
 
D.  Draft #1 2006-07 School Calendar
 
Discussion held on calendar.  Superintendent is to check the number of staff workshop days in contract.  Change the 22nd of December to a 1⁄2 day. 
 
E.  After School Student Supervision
 
Jim Adams commented that it might be nice to provide some afterschool activities for students who are waiting for practices/games.  Aimee Eaton suggested giving the idea to April Coombs to see if she could find some volunteers to serve as supervisors.  Penny Wendell suggested looking into grants for funding.
 
F.  New or Revised Policies
 
      1.  Residency Policy 3.06
 
Change C.3. to D. and D. to E.
 
      2.  Return To Work and Light Duty Assignment Policy 5.16
 
      No changes made to the policy.
 
      3.  Family and Medical Leave Policy 5.08
 
      No changes made to the policy.
 
      4.  Graduation of Exceptional Students Policy 4.14
 
      No changes made to the policy.
 
G.  Physical Education
 
      Skip Greenlaw suggested having conversations with Penny Wendell and Matt Larsen about strengthening the physical education program.  We are focusing a great deal on nutrition, but we should also be focusing on the physical activity.   Wendell commented that presently the high school students are required to take two years of physical education.
 
9.  COMMUNICATIONS
 
           
 
10.  Adjournment
 
Motion by Babbitt, second by Eaton to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.
 
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
JoAnna Haskell
Administrative Assistant