Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee
Meeting Minutes
Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School
Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 6:30 P.M.
Board Members Present:
Walter Kumiega, James Adams, Skip Greenlaw, Aimee Eaton, Joseph Babbitt (6:33)
and Mark Cormier (6:33)
Staff Present: Robert Webster, Penny Wendell, Catherine Ring, Julie Davis
Guests: Isaac Kestenbaum, Robert Braun, Donald Sargent, Sherman Hutchins,
Neil Davis, Eric Robbins, Chris Chapman
1) Call to Order and Declaration of a Quorum:
Chair Kumiega called the meeting to order and declared a quorum at 6:32 P.M.
2) Moment of Silence:
A moment of silence was observed.
3) Citizen Comments:
Sherm Hutchins suggested that the pamphlet produced by the island peace group
should not be displayed on the career board, but rather belongs on an opinion
board. Discussion held on career board information.
Don Sargent congratulated Aimee Eaton and Mark Cormier on winning the school
board elections and thanked the public for the support he received.
Isaac Kestembaum announced that he will be resigning from the Island Ad-vantages
and this likely will be the last meeting he attends as a reporter.
4) Approval of the Agenda:
Addition of Discussion Item H. Board Practices and Procedures. Addition of
Action Item A. Election of Officers. Addition of No. 11 Acceptance of Resignation.
Motion by Eaton, second by Adams to approve agenda as amended. Vote: 6/Y,
0/N.
5) Approval of the minutes of the February 7, 13 and 27, 2006 meetings.
In the February 7 minutes, under 8.B. strike the next-to-the-last sentence
starting “Jim Adams commented…”. Skip Greenlaw will have
additional comments for Action Item 7. B. at the next meeting. Motion by Eaton,
second by Greenlaw to approve the minutes of the February 7, 13 and 27, 2006
meetings as amended. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
REPORTS
A. Elementary School Principal
Catherine Ring reported:
· The artist-in-resident group, Inka Wasi, has worked with the students
in grades 3 through 5. This has been a wonderful experience for the students.
· The PIE group held a very informative meeting on February 27.
· MEA testing is well underway.
· The K-8 staff have reviewed the long-range planning documents and
are compiling comments.
· The kindergarten screening will take place in the fall. The staff
feels that this is a better time frame as they will know the students better.
· The March 24 inservice day will be for staff development.
· She will be attending the ceremony giving Nelson Monteith the Outstanding
Advocate for Arts Education Award in Augusta.
Joe Babbitt commented on the wonderful sports banquet. He also reminded everyone
that the chess championships are this Saturday in Orono.
High School Principal
Penny Wendell reported:
· The honors parts are as follows: Z. Dworski, Valedictorian, D. Robbins,
Salutatorian, A. Foley, 1st honor part, E. Lenferink, 2nd honor part.
· On April 1, the 11th graders will take the SATs. The administration
is currently inquiring if any of them need transportation to come to the tests.
Students taking the test will be given May 30 off to compensate for coming
in on a Saturday.
· She received information from the University of Maine which compares
Deer Isle-Stonington graduates to other students around the state. The statistics
show that our students don’t feel they were well prepared for college,
but their grades show they are well prepared. After their first year, 96%
of the students are still enrolled in school as compared to 80% statewide.
Superintendent
Robert Webster reported:
· An outline of work to be done on the softball field by Skip Eaton.
· L.D. 430 the bill that would mandate that educational policy be a
negotiatable item has been withdrawn.
· He will be attending a meeting with the MSSA funding committee on
Tuesday in Augusta.
· He received a copy of a letter from Hannah Pingree regarding the
small school funding issues.
· He has received and distributed the financial statements for the
REACH from the auditors.
· The policy committee has had one discussion on revising the auditorium
director’s job description and the REACH use policy.
· At next month’s meeting, we will discuss the warrant for the
revolving loan for the high school.
Joe Babbitt commented that the work done on the ball fields is wonderful,
but is concerned about the soccer field. Webster indicated that the budgeted
money has been committed to the softball infield at DISES.
7) ACTION ITEMS
A. Election of Officers
Skip Greenlaw commented that if we have not received certified election results,
we should not go ahead with election of officers. Motion by Greenlaw, second
by Babbitt to table election of officers until certified election results
are received. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
B. Request for Attendance Agreement
Robert Webster indicated that Julie and Neil Davis have requested that their
grandson who they have adopted come to Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary. Webster
commented that Julie Davis is a long-time employee of the school and this
request should be granted. Julie Davis commented that they want the most emotionally
safe and stable environment for their adopted grandson. Jim Adams related
his misgivings in granting the request in light of the fact that a similar
request was denied. Discussion held on the residency policy. Aimee Eaton commented
that this would be the best for a child who has been through a great deal.
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to approve the attendance agreement. Vote:
6/Y, 0/N.
C. 2004-05 Budget Line Item Transfers
Robert Webster reported that two accounts were overexpended last year. $20,380
should be transferred from the support services account to the Operation and
Maintenance of Plant account. $51,180 should be transferred from the special
education account to the Capital Outlay account. Skip Greenlaw commented that
the transfers should be taken care of earlier in the year. Motion by Greenlaw,
second by Eaton to approve the 2004-05 budget line item transfers. Vote: 6/Y,
0/N.
D. Long Range Planning Consulting Proposals
Robert Webster distributed proposals from David Sanderson and Linda Nelson.
Sanderson’s proposed price is $7,500 to $9,000. Nelson’s proposed
price is $1,200. Walter Kumiega commented that he feels it would not help
the process to bring someone new into the committee. Mark Cormier commented
that the quotes are not comparable. He thinks that once Sanderson sees how
much work has been done, perhaps his price will lower. Extensive discussion
held on long range planning committee facilitator. Motion by Adams, second
by Eaton/Babbitt to hire Linda Nelson to be the long range planning committee
consultant as outlined in her proposal. Vote: 4/Y, 2/N (Greenlaw, Cormier).
E. Proposed Transportation Contract Amendment
Robert Webster referred to his memo outlining First Student’s proposed
changes to the contract and the new mileage ranges. He recommends leaving
the contract as it is now as this is the better deal for the school. He commented
that as the contract stands, the school will receive approximately half of
$29,000 for a rebate. If the contract is changed, the school will only receive
approximately half of $18,000. Discussion held on proposed contract change.
Skip Greenlaw reminded everyone that we were happy with First Student’s
service until the change in supervisors and is disappointed that the change
is not being considered. Item died for lack of a motion.
8. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. After School Programs
Jim Adams reported that he received information from Chris Bragga who runs
the Ellsworth after school program. They are funded by the 21st Century grant.
Adams reviewed their program which has paid leaders and assistants. He suggested
that the school may want to partner with outside organizations such as Haystack,
Seamark or the Rec Board. Discussion held on after school funding and administration.
B. Draft #2 of the 2006-07 School Calendar
Robert Webster indicated that the calendar has been changed to start school
before Labor Day. Discussion held on start and end dates of school. Skip Greenlaw
questioned if the half day workshops are as productive as the full day workshops.
Mark Cormier suggested not taking off as many holidays. Webster indicated
that most holidays are federally mandated. Discussion held on school calendar.
C. New or Revised Policies
1. Residency Policy 3.06
Jim Adams questioned if we want to add a sentence for special circumstances.
Addition suggested: “F. In special circumstances, the superintendent
may bring to the school committee a request for approval for non-residents
to attend Deer Isle-Stonington schools.” Discussion held on policy.
2. Return to Work and Light Duty Assignment Policy 5.16
No changes made to policy.
3. Family and Medical Leave Policy 5.08
No changes made to policy.
4. Graduation of Exceptional Student Policy 4.14
Mark Cormier questioned if the policy reflects state law mandates. Webster
indicated that it did. Jim Adams suggested removing part of the first sentence
of the second paragraph, starting the sentence with “The school district
shall…” and adding the sentence to the end of the last paragraph.
The policy is ready for the second reading next month.
5. Process for Policy Development and Revision Policy 2.10
Discussion held on how the staff have input into the policies. Discussion
held on how many readings the policies require. Minor changes made to the
policy.
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to approve Return to Work and Light
Duty Assignment Policy 5.16 and Family and Medical Leave Policy 5.08. Vote:
6/Y, 0/N.
D. Student School Committee Representatives
Jim Adams commented that the Board should receive some form of student input.
He has reviewed information from Bucksport and Camden regarding guidelines
for student participation on the school board. Joe Babbitt indicated that
this was not a good path. He had a very bad experience being a student representative.
He suggested receiving a report from the student body. Discussion held on
what level of involvement the students should have in the Board.
E. Board Meeting Agenda Changes
Penny Wendell suggested setting a time limit for each agenda item. Walter
Kumiega suggested structuring the agenda differently. Aimee Eaton commented
that our agendas are straightforward, but it’s the discussion that takes
up so much time. Discussion held on how to keep meetings on track. Webster
will design a prototype for the next meeting.
F. High School Revolving Renovation Loan Project
Robert Webster commented that he had e-mailed the Board the news on this item.
There will be a warrant to be signed at the April meeting. We will not spend
any architectural money until we get the go ahead from the voters. Skip Greenlaw
suggested sending a letter to the voters explaining the need. Discussion held
on dates for the district meeting, primary and when to send out the mailing.
G. Draft #1 – Proposed 2006-07 School Budget
Robert Webster thanked Penny Wendell and Catherine Ring for their hard work
on the budget. He indicated that this draft included everything except for
Tom Duym’s van. This draft also includes a full time nurse for the elementary
school. It does not include elementary foreign language and pre-school. Also,
the administrative evaluations have not been included. Discussion held on
first draft of the budget.
H. Brief Discussion of Board Practices and Procedures
9. COMMUNICATIONS
Motion by Eaton, second by Adams to extend meeting for 15 minutes. Vote: 6/Y,
0/N.
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION on an employee matter pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. Section
405(6)(A)(E).
Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to enter executive session on an employee
matter at 9:35 p.m. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N. Participating: Skip Greenlaw, Mark Cormier,
Joe Babbitt, Aimee Eaton, Walter Kumiega, Jim Adams and Robert Webster. Returned
to regular session at 9:40 p.m.
11. Acceptance of Resignation
Motion by Eaton, second by Adams to accept Ellen Lamerson’s resignation
effective at the end of the current contract year in lieu of the vote to nonrenew
Ellen Lamerson’s continuing contract. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
12. Adjournment
Motion by Eaton, second by Babbitt to adjourn at 9:40 p.m. Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.
Respectfully submitted,
JoAnna Haskell
Administrative Assistant