Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee

Meeting Minutes

Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School

Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 6:30 P.M.

 

 

Board Members Present:

Walter Kumiega, James Adams, Aimee Eaton, Joseph Babbitt, Mark Cormier (6:32) and Skip Greenlaw (6:52)

 

Staff Present:  Robert Webster, Catherine Ring, Jane OÕConnor, Tasha Conary- Brown, Nelson Monteith, Ken Keen, Rosalie Keen, Sally Foley, Linda McCauley

 

Guests:  David Walsh, Robert Braun, Sherman Hutchins, Chris Chapman, Richard Paget, Nancy Hill, Dud Hendrick, Nancy Eaton, Tony Eaton, Peggy Zembrusky, Hank Just,   members of Islanders for Peace and Justice

 

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:

 

Hank Just asked what funding opportunities were available for the Odyssey of the Mind team to aide with the overnight trips.  Aimee Eaton commented that the team was applying for a grant from the Island Education Foundation.  Walter Kumiega indicated that the chess teams are using the busses to go to Boston for their airplane flights.  Discussion held on funding sources for co-curricular teams.

 

4)    Approval of the Agenda:

Addition of Action Item I. Junior High Baseball Coach.  Motion by Eaton, second by Adams to approve agenda as amended.  Vote:  5/Y, 0/N. 

 

5)    Approval of the minutes of the March 7, 9, 23 and 29, 2006 meetings.  

In the March 7 minutes, under High School PrincipalÕs report, the 1st honor part is E. Lenferink.  In the March 9 minutes, Committee Representatives should be 3. Policy Greenlaw and Adams and 8 Administrator Evaluation Kumiega, Cormier and Eaton.  Motion by Eaton, second by Adams to approve the minutes of the March 7, 9, 23 and 29, 2006 meetings as amended.  Vote: 5/Y, 0/N.

REPORTS

 

A.   Elementary School Principal

 

Catherine Ring reported:

 

á      The Odyssey of the Mind teams took 1st and 2nd place at the state competition.  They will be competing at the world championships.  She also received a very complementary e-mail from one of the judges.

á      MEA testing is completed.

á      A very productive inservice was held on March 24.

á      A wonderful residency has been completed by Allen Sockabasin

á      The chess dinner and talent show was a huge success.

á      The parent/teacher conferences on March 31 went well.

á      The first week of May is Teacher Appreciation Week.

á      The 8th grade promotion will be on June 9 at 9:00

á      The last day of school will be June 12.

 

Sally Foley distributed a handout of her accomplishments and job duties. 

 

  1.  High School Principal

 

á      No report given due to absence of administrator 

 

  1.  Superintendent

 

Robert Webster reported:

 

á      He recently received two resignations – one from Michele Gates, high school physical science teacher and one from Tim Ferrell, custodian. 

á      He distributed a copy of the food service consultantÕs report and a copy of the special education December census.

á      A list of the possible budget reductions was given out.

á      He is working with Leslie Carr on setting up a system for people who wish to donate to the school fund raisers using their Visa or Mastercard.

á      He has received a proposal to set up a water collection system for the greenhouse.

á      Skip Eaton has started working on the softball field at the elementary school.

á      We will be running ads in the weekend papers for the various openings we will have next  year.

á      He has received word that the legislative bill regarding minimum teacher salaries is being worked on.  Presently, the proposal is for a minimum salary of $27,000 for 06-07 and $30,000 for 07-08.  Currently, we do not employ any teacher for less than $27,000.

 

  

7)  DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

A.  Placement of Information for Students on Post Graduation Options

 

            Robert Webster gave a short history of how the pamphlets in question came to be on the career board.  Sherm Hutchins read a prepared statement copies of which he distributed to the board.  He feels that the pamphlets are anti-military and are opinions, not facts.  He commented that he doesnÕt think the materials should be removed from the school, but should be placed on an opinion board rather than a career board.  Nancy Hill then read a statement in support of the pamphlets.  She also implored the board to stop the school from administering the ASVAB test to the students.  The only use for this test is for military recruiting.  She also asked that the Òopt outÓ form regarding releasing student information to the military should be attached to the emergency information cards rather than just sent home to the students parents.  Richard Paget commented that he has researched legal opinions regarding 1st and 14th amendment rights of peace groups to disseminate materials at the same place as military information.  Discussion held on where information should be placed in the school. 

 

A short recess was called at 7:12 p.m.

 

The board resumed session at 7:20 p.m.

 

Aimee Eaton thanked all in attendance for helping with the discussion.

 

B.  Student School Committee Representatives

 

Walter Kumiega suggested that a sub-committee look into this subject.  Joe Babbitt commented that the students should be invited to participate at the Board meetings, but not necessarily have membership on the Board.  Discussion held on studentsÕ role on the Board.  Aimee Eaton suggested revisiting this issue next month when the High School Principal is available.  Discussion held on studentsÕ participation on interview committees.

 

C.  Sample Revised Board Agenda

 

Robert Webster indicated that a sample revised agenda was included with everyoneÕs information packets.  Discussion held on revised agenda.

 

D.  Draft #1 – 2006-07 Adult Education Budget

 

            Robert Webster indicated that a presentation of the budget was made by Mike Wood at the last meeting.  Skip Greenlaw suggested raising the administratorÕs salary to $24,000 which would result in a total budget of $37,565.  No other changes were made to the budget.

 

E.  Elementary Transition Day in 2006-07 School Calendar

 

            Catherine Ring suggested that the first day of school be a transition day for the kindergarten, 3rd and 6th grade classes.  This would allow those students to become familiar with their new routines before everyone is at the school.  The high school currently has this process for the incoming freshmen.  This would also given the specialist teachers to observe the students.  All teachers would be helping to aide in the transition.  Mark Cormier indicated that he felt it was a great idea.

 

F.  Summer Reading Program Policy

 

            Skip Greenlaw commented that he hoped that we would get a summer reading program going this summer.  He feels the only way to ensure implementation of this type of program is for a policy to be in place.  Catherine Ring indicated that the librarian is coming up with ideas on how to jump start this program.  Discussion held on summer reading program and how to implement it.

 

8.  ACTION ITEMS

 

A. Requests for Unpaid Leave

 

            Robert Webster indicated that he received two requests for leave for the upcoming year.  Nelson Monteith wishes a year off to teach in Asia and Tasha Conary-Brown wishes a year off to care for her children.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to grant unpaid leave with health insurance to Nelson Monteith.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to grant unpaid leave of absence to Tasha Conary-Brown.  Vote: 6/Y, 0/N.

 

B.  2006-07 Administrator Contracts

 

      1.  Adult Education Director

 

      Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to employ Mike Wood as Adult Education Director at a salary of $23,997, health insurance of $4,627 and dental insurance of $450 for a one year contract.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

      2.  Head of Maintenance

 

      Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to employ Kenneth Keen as Head of Maintenance at a salary of $36,587, health insurance of $5,611.08 and dental insurance of $450 for a one year contract.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

      3.  Student Services Director

 

      Robert Webster indicated that his notes reflect the job share situation that Martha Jordan proposed to the board a week ago. 

 

      Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to employ Martha Jordan as Student Services Director for four days per week at a salary of $43,264, health insurance of $9,106.26 and dental insurance of $360 for a two year contract.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

      4.  Elementary School Assistant Principal

 

      Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to employ Jane OÕConnor as Elementary School Assistant Principal at a salary of $57,200, health insurance of $11,381.58 and dental insurance of $450 for a two year contract.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

      5.  Elementary School Principal

 

      Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to employ Catherine Ring at a salary of $69,160, health insurance $13,852.94 and dental insurance of $450 for a three year contract.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

      6.  High School Principal

 

      Motion by Greenlaw, second by Eaton to employ Penny Wendell at a salary of $73,140, health insurance of $11,381.58 and dental insurance of $450 for a three year contract.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

C.  High School Revolving Renovation Project Referendum Warrant

 

      Robert Webster indicated that he had received the warrant articles from the legal counsel and they were ready to be approved.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Cormier to approve warrant for the High School Revolving Renovation Project.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

D.  Acceptance of a Donation for the Tennis Court Project

 

Robert Webster reported that the school has received a $1,000 donation from the Maine Community Foundation for the tennis courts.  He reported that the school also received a $10,000 bequest in memory of Maynard Dunham to be used for computer education.  Motion by Eaton, second by Greenlaw to accept the two donations.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

E.  Draft #3 – 2006-07 School Calendar

 

Robert Webster indicated that as the calendar is configured now, the students will start before Labor Day and end in the middle of June.  Joe Babbitt reiterated his reasons for beginning after Labor Day.   Discussion held on when to begin school.  Motion by Adams, second by Eaton to approve the calendar as written.  Vote:  4/Y, 2/N (Greenlaw, Babbitt) 

 

Motion by Cormier, second by Greenlaw to reconsider vote. 

 

Further discussion held on calendar.  Tasha Conary-Brown commented that it is helpful for the transitioning students to start earlier in the year.  Motion by Cormier, second by Greenlaw to start school after on September 5.  Vote:  4/Y, 2/N (Eaton, Adams)

 

F.  Ratification of 2006-07 and 2007-08 Co-Curricular Negotiated Stipends

 

Motion by Eaton, second by Adams to accept recommended stipend amounts.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

G.  Overnight Trip Approvals for National Chess Championships

 

      Robert Webster indicated that the chess teams require Board approval for their

various trips to the national competitions.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to approve the overnight trips for the chess teams.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

H.  New or Revised Policies

 

      1.  Residency Policy 3.06

      2.  Graduation of Exceptional Students Policy 4.14

      3.  Process for Policy Development and Revision Policy 2.10

 

      Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to approve the three policies.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

I.  Junior High Baseball Coach

 

      Robert Webster recommended Chris Chapman as Junior High Baseball Coach.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Babbitt to employ Chris Chapman as junior high baseball coach.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

9.  DISCUSSION ITEM

 

      G.  2006-07 School Budget Proposal

 

      Robert Webster commented that the school committee has received a sheet of the proposed reductions by order of importance.  Discussion held on list of proposed reductions.  Peggy Zembusky requested that the current 3rd grade class be split into two classes for the 4th grade year.  She indicated that she felt 4th grade was a pivotal year and that the smaller classes would give them a leg up in math, reading and their social skills.  Also, such a large class may be very hard on the current 4th grade teacher. Tasha Conary-Brown commented that the Title I math services ends at 3rd grade.    Discussion held on class configurations.  Mark Cormier asked for a chart/graph of how many students are pulled out of classes at any given time.  Skip Greenlaw asked if educational technician time could be cut if classes were split.   Warren Berkowitz will attend next meeting to answer questions regarding special education educational technician time requirements.

 

      Mark Cormier questioned Sally Foley as to the number of students she served.  Foley indicated that she served 18 students in Grades K through 3.  Foley then reviewed her program with the Board.  Discussion held on the Title I math program.

 

      Linda McCauley asked the Board not to eliminate the part-time assistant cookÕs position.  She gave a time line of the cookÕs daily schedule.  Catherine Ring indicated that Tammy Powers had given her a breakdown of how her time is spent.  Suggestion was made that the head cook visit a school where the same amount of students are served using only two employees.

 

10.  COMMUNICATIONS

 

            Sherm Hutchins thanked the Board for their patience.

 

11.  Adjournment

 

            Motion by Cormier, second by Eaton to adjourn at 9:30 p.m.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

JoAnna Haskell

Administrative Assistant