Deer Isle-Stonington CSD #13 School Committee

Meeting Minutes

Deer Isle-Stonington High School

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 6:30 P.M.

Board Members Present:

Walter Kumiega, Aimee Hunt, Jim Adams, Skip Greenlaw, Mark Cormier and Joseph Babbitt (6:34)

Staff Present:  Robert Webster, Penny Wendell, Catherine Ring, April Coombs

Guests:  Sherm Hutchins and Nicole Emerick

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 H. Grade 1 long term sub pay and Action Item I. Attendance Policy. Motion by Hunt, second by Adams to approve agenda as amended.  Vote:  5/Y, 0/N. 

5)      Approval of the minutes of the August 1 and 28, 2006 meetings.  

Motion by Hunt, second by Cormier to approve the minutes of the August 1 and 28, 2006 meetings.  Vote: 5/Y, 0/N.

REPORTS

A.   Elementary School Principal Report

Catherine Ring distributed a written report and commented:

·        It was a great opening day.

·        There was a great in-service day about the summer reading program.  All the reading teachers met and will determine if the goal of reading 2,000 books was met.

·        There are technology problems.  The server crashed.  The new technology people are working very hard to fix the problems and upgrade the system.  Thank you goes to Kendall McGuffie who has put in a lot of extra effort.

·        There was a great workshop on the mission/vision statement with Linda Nelson.  Everyone has energized with many ideas on how to implement the statement.

·        The new kitchen staff is working hard to make things run smoothly.

·        The school has achieved AYP status due to the MEA test scores.

·        Soccer practice has begun.

·        Electives will be offered to the middle level students.  Catherine distributed a list.

·        The open house will be on September 19.

            Jim Adams inquired about the status of the LunchBytes program.  Robert Webster responded that the soonest it will be ready is the latter part of October.  He explained the difficulties that will need to be worked out. 

            Skip Greenlaw questioned how the elective program worked.  Catherine explained that the students chose which courses they wish to take.

B.  High School Principal Report

Penny Wendell distributed a written report and commented:

·        School started today with a freshman orientation day.  There are 55 freshmen this year. 

·        Total student enrollment is 181.

·        The teacher in-service day went well.

·        The staff is enthusiastic about the mission/vision work.

·        She distributed a new version of the ladder of responsibility.  This is basically a format change.  The goal for this year is for all staff to enforce the rules in the same manner.

·        The attendance policy has changed.  Attendance will now be taken every period.

·        Gil Lacroix and Tom Duym will be the advisors to the student governance team.

·        Mary Banfield applied for and received a three year, $23,000 service learning grant from the Maine Department of Education.

·        The custodians, administrative assistants and cooks did a very good job getting the building ready for the start of school.

·        The summer reading program participants will be making book covers to be displayed in the building.  The reading logs will be turned in to the English teachers this week.

·        There will be a college fair on October 26^th in Orono.

·        The open house is scheduled for September 21.

            Skip Greenlaw questioned how the service learning grant will be used.  Penny indicated that six students were identified who need help.  They will attend class with Mary for two periods per day.  The money will be used for equipment and other learning instruments.  Robert Webster indicated that Mary Banfield should attend the October meeting and give a presentation of how the program will work.

            Discussion was held on the ladder of responsibility and the consequences for students on athletic teams.

      C.  Superintendent

            Robert Webster distributed a report on hiring, the approved copies of the budget, revised Table of Contents for the policy manuals and the MEA results.

            He reported that the school achieved AYP due to the MEA results.  He received notice from Ken Keen that Amy Billings, who was approved at the previous meeting, will not be taking the job due to the length of time before she would be eligible for health insurance.  This issue will be placed on next month’s agenda. He has asked the support staff to allow the head cooks not be part of the bargaining unit.  He hopes to schedule meeting with the policy committee on September 26 at 4:00 p.m., the transportation committee on September 21 and a maintenance committee meeting.  Sedgwick’s school board is trying to organize a joint Union 76 and Union 93 meeting on September 26 at 6:00 p.m. to continue the discussion of trying to save money through consolidation.  They have invited Richard Gould who is the executive director of the Maine Small Schools Coalition to speak.  He has been notified that the planned job share for the high school guidance position may not work out. 

            Joe Babbitt questioned if we have published the bus schedule.  Robert Webster indicated that he had received the scheduled by e-mail today.  He also spoke with Percy Abbott this morning.  Extensive discussion held on the bus schedule, lack of notification and how to get the information to parents in a timely manner.   Aimee Hunt questioned if First Student had responded to the safety recalls for busses.  Webster will inquire if the safety recall notices have been addressed.

            Aimee Hunt suggested that someone attend the conference on the avian flu pandemic.

7.  DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.  School Committee Vacancy

            Robert Webster reported that he had spoken with legal counsel regarding filling the vacancy on the school board.  He explained the statute is written so that a town official must chose the replacement until the next regular municipal election, which in our case is in March.  Discussion held on moving the date of the resignation until March.  Extensive discussion held on filling a school board vacancy.  Skip Greenlaw suggested writing a letter to Hannah Pingree or Dennis Damon encouraging them to introduce an amendment to the statute.  He will draft a letter for review at the next meeting.

B.  New or Revised Policies

            1.  Volunteer and After School Activities Coordinator Job Description Policy 9.20

            April Coombs indicated that she had no changes for the policy.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Hunt to adopt the policy.  Vote 6/Y, 0/N.

            April Coombs reported that she had a meeting with Kristin Eberdt from the Island Community Center and Meredith Gray from the Healthy Island Project to develop the after school program.  She distributed an outline of the programs that they are hoping to offer.  At present, the program would be for students in Grades 3 through 8.  They would have 5 to 6 week sessions which would correspond with the sports seasons.  They are hoping to have the program in place within two weeks.  Discussion held on the proposed after school  program.

            She also reported that the school has an opportunity to purchase game appropriate goals for the soccer field.  Joe Babbitt explained that at present the goal posts are inadequate and potentially unsafe.  He has an opportunity to purchase two goals for $1,500.  Discussion held on the purchase of new goals for the soccer field.

            2.  School Committee Bylaws Policy 1.02

            No additional changes were made to the policy.  Discussion held on clarifying the statute within the policy.

            3.  Adult Education Director Job Description Policy 9.10

            Minor changes were made to the policy.

C.  Review of Superintendent’s Goals

            Robert Webster reviewed his 2005-2006 goals with the Board.   He has completed six goals, partially completed two goals and made no progress with only one goal.  Discussion held on the status of goals.  Skip Greenlaw asked for an updated list of the completed curricula and the dates of adoption.  Greenlaw also suggested that job descriptions be compiled for those positions that don’t have them.  Webster indicated that the Board should make suggestions of 2006-2007 superintendent goals at the October meeting.

D.  School Committee Workshop

            Aimee Hunt suggested that the board have a workshop to discussion items such as the Comprehensive Education Plan and the progress on the educational goals in general.  Discussion held on the workshop.

E.  Tax Cap Referendum

            Robert Webster reported that he attended a meeting last Wednesday that was sponsored by the Maine Childrens’ Alliance.  The speaker, who was from Colorado, spoke about the impact of their TABOR law.  Colorado ended up placing a five-year moratorium on the laws to allow the schools to recover from the recession.  Webster inquired what the Board would like to do.  Skip Greenlaw suggested writing a newsletter containing information about TABOR.  Discussion held on how to remain unbiased.  Sherm Hutchins commented that Mary Adams spoke at the Brooklin School and explained the program.  He feels it will not be as dreadful as everyone thinks.  Webster commented that he, Mary Cummins and Skip Greenlaw will attend a meeting tomorrow in Augusta on the TABOR issue.  Discussion held on TABOR.

8.  ACTION ITEMS

    A.  Personnel

            1.  Part-Time Pre-Algebra Teacher

            Robert Webster nominated Henry Davis, Jr. for a part-time pre-algebra class at a rate of $7,721.75.  This will be one class per day for one semester.  Penny Wendell explained the need for the class for the special education students.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Hunt to employ Henry Davis, Jr. for the pre-algebra teaching position.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

            2.  Custodian

            Robert Webster nominated Penny Gray at 10.30 per hour.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams to approve Penny Gray as custodian.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

            3.  Safety Committee Chair

            Robert Webster recommended that Jane O’Connor be the Safety Committee Chair.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Hunt to approve Jane O’Connor as Safety Committee Chair.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

    B.   High School Math Curriculum

            Robert Webster commented that Rhonda Turner and Keith Hoover made a presentation at last month’s meeting regarding the math curriculum.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Hunt to approve the High School Math Curriculum.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

    C.    High School English/Language Arts Curriculum

            Robert Webster commented that Kim Larsen made a presentation on the ELA curriculum over the summer.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Hunt to adopt the High School English/Language Arts Curriculum.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

D.  Engineering Firm for High School Renovation Project

Robert Webster reported that three firms were interviewed.  He felt any of them would do a good job.  However, Sewall is prepared to start the soonest and has wonderful references.  Discussion held on engineering firm.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Cormier to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and employ Sewall for the High School Renovation Project.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

E.    School Meal Prices

       Robert Webster explained that the State has raised their allowable prices for school meals.  He suggested that the Board may want to consider keeping pace with the State prices.  Discussion held on lunch prices.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Adams/Hunt to set the high school lunch price at $2.25, the elementary school lunch price at $2.00 and the staff lunch price at $3.25 effective October 1, 2006.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

F.  New or Revised Policies

       1.  School Sponsored trip Policy 6.04

       2.  Bullying Policy 2.13

       3.  Coach Job Description 9.05

       4.  Administrative Assistant Job Description Policy 9.01

       Motion by Greenlaw, second by Hunt to adopt the policies.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

G.  No Child Left Behind Funds Budget

       Robert Webster reported that this year’s budget is very similar to last year’s numbers.  The Title IA grant keeps dropping while the costs are increasing.  Discussion held on funding.  Walter Kumiega asked if the school could find $973 to add to Title V to fund homework house.  He feels this is an important program.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Hunt to approve the NCLB funds as recommended by the Superintendent.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

H.  Grade 1 Long Term Sub Pay

       Robert Webster reported that Sharon McGuffie said she would fill in as the long-term sub for Grade 1, but she would like to be paid the rate she would be receiving if she had not retired.  The policy places her at Step 0.  Discussion held on the rate of pay for Sharon McGuffie.  Motion by Babbitt, second by Greenlaw to pay Sharon McGuffie the rate she would have been paid had she not retired.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

I.  Attendance Policy

       Robert Webster indicated that the change in the policy is regarding the loss of credit due to unexcused absences only.  Discussion held on changes in policy.  Motion by Greenlaw, second by Cormier to adopt the policy.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

9.  COMMUNICATIONS

            Robert Webster asked if anyone was interested in attending the MSMA Fall Conference that they contact him by the end of the month.

            Discussion held on Paul Greenlaw’s letter and the bid process.  Suggestion made that in the future, the Board hold a meeting as soon as possible after receiving the bids due to the volatility of oil prices.

     10.  Adjournment

            Motion by Greenlaw, second by Hunt to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.  Vote:  6/Y, 0/N.

Respectfully submitted,

JoAnna Haskell

Administrative Assistant