DRAFT MINUTES
The regular meeting of the School Board was held on Tuesday, April 8, 2008
at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
School Board members present were:
Kathy Ray, Chair
Patricia Brigham, Vice-Chair
Karen Burke
Rebecca Millett
Linda Winker
Student Representatives present:
Kiersten Brown
Hudson Eakin
Alan H. Hawkins, Superintendent of Schools
School Board members unable to attend:
Peter Cotter
Jack Kennealy
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Kathy Ray.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Kathy Ray
1. Adjustments to Agenda
Agenda Item 9a – Consideration of 2008-09 Calendar, was addressed
immediately before Item 6 - Communications.
2. Approval of School Board Minutes
Ms. Winker made a motion that the School Board minutes for the meeting held
on March 11, 2008 be approved, with correction to Page 1, Item 4
“...student Advisory group…”. Ms. Brigham
seconded. (Approved 5-0)
3. Comments by Student Representatives
Student representatives spoke briefly on items of interest from the
students’ perspective.
4. Comments from the Public on Non-Agenda Items
There were no comments from the public.
5. RECOGNITION
a. Superintendent’s Comments
• Saturday session went well.
b. High School - by Principal Shedd
• Recent Model UN Trip to Baltimore was a wonderful experience according
to Gretchen McNulty. Peter Brigham and John Aronson were recognized with
Outstanding Commendations at this event.
• Presidential Scholar Nominees are Libby Cummings, Peter Kelley,
Charlie Governali, and Ashley Robinson
c. Middle School – by Principal Connolly
• Sydney Wight and Evan Long qualified to represent State of Maine
in 2008 Eastern Swimming Championship of US Swimming.
• Maine State Scholastic Chess Championship success
• Justin Edgar was “Principal for A Day”
d. Pond Cove- by Principal Eismeier
• Maine State Scholastic Chess Championship success. If anyone from
the community is interested, they’re in need of coaches to further
this program. If you are interested, please contact Community Services.
6. COMMUNICATIONS
a. Deborah Tuminski resignation letter – High School physical education
teacher
b. Request from Middle School teacher, Paul Casey, to continuemove to half-time
– Ms. Millett motioned for approval of Paul Casey’s continued
employment with change to half-time status. Ms. Brigham seconded. (Approved
5-0)
c. Letter from High School staff member Joe Conroy – regarding
elimination of 1/5 English teaching position and the challenges our exceptional
students will face. Superintendent Hawkins reported that since initial cuts
were considered and the arrival of this letter, there have been some staff
changes that will most likely allow for Joe to remain in this position.
d. Budget Update – EPS information is in. $239,427 more has been
received since last year. Reflects fact that property valuations have gone
up, although student population has slightly decreased.
7. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
a. Update on Legislative Issues - Superintendent Hawkins reported on three
recent items. An Act to reduce percentage of costs to local schools paid
by the State from 55% to 49%. An Act to clarify and improve the laws governing
the formation of consolidated schools. Most concerned with budget approval
voting deadlines. This is still being reviewed. An Act to amend laws governing
formation of school administrative units. Regarding school Unions versus
SADs. Of note, the Maine Heritage Policy Center still believes schools are
spending too much money.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Consideration of policies for second reading
• IHBA: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• IHBAA: Referral/Pre-referral of Students with Disabilities
• IHBAA-R: Admin Guidelines-Referral/Pre-Referral
• IHBAC: Child Find
• IHBGB: Model Supplemental Statement of Rights for Private School
Students with Disabilities
• IKA: Student Assessment - recommendation for deletion
• IKAB: Student Progress Reports to Parents
• JFC: Dropout Prevention Student Withdrawal from School
• JKF: Disciplinary Removal of Students with Disabilities
• JKF-R: Admin Guidelines-Disciplinary Removal Students with
Disabilities
• JKGA: Time Out Lifespace Rooms and Therapeutic Restraint
• JKGA-R: Admin Guidelines-Time Out Rooms and Therapeutic
Restraint
- Ms. Brigham recommended acceptance of policies as presented. Seconded by
Ms. Millett. (Approved 5-0)
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consideration and action on proposed school calendar for 2008-09 –
Ms Brigham reported on key changes and attributes-Post Labor Day start to
school, Thanksgiving break’s teacher days moved to work around
Presidential voting, concerns over very late June ending date, fewer middle
school early release days, and revised hours for the High School. This change
will be monitored and adjusted if necessary. Ms. Burke clarified that though
each student may not have felt that they had the time or opportunity to comment
on the calendar change, their concerns and ideas were brought up by others
and everything was carefully considered during committee meetings. Ms Millett
said the committee moved this forward seeing it as in the best interest of
the students and compromise was required by all involved. Ms. Brigham motioned
for approval of calendar as presented. Ms. Winker seconded. (Approved 5-0)
Ms. Ray invited the public to speak on this topic.
From the audience:
Rosie Lunberg and Gail Donahue spoke on a survey taken at school. Many students
opposed the time change. Concerned with school work and extra-curricular
activity balance. Parents concerned with work and school arrival times.
Hudson Eakin – reminded that students voted 2-1 against this change.
Requested more advanced notice of significant changes. Would ½
hour change really make that significant of a difference Asked how will we
know if change worked or was worth it
Kiersten Brown – concerned over extra-curricular activities. If
later is really better, than why not go really later instead of just a half
hour
Trillium Rintel –Asked about leaving school early to get to athletics
and late ending and summer jobs.
Unidentified female high school students – Asked if majority of
students voted against this change why was this moved forward Why change
just for a trial or experiment How much can a ½ hour difference
really make
b. Consideration and action on High School extra-curricular athletic fee
position nominations - Superintendent Hawkins recommended approval of the
extra-curricular positions as presented.
Doug Donovan – Fr. Baseball
Steve Martin – Softball Assistant
Betsy Hayes – Tennis Assistant
Bruce Whidden – Track Assistant
Paul Snyder – Track Assistant
c. Consideration and action on Middle School extra-curricular athletic fee
position nominations – Superintendent Hawkins recommended approval
of the extra-curricular positions as presented.
Angie Dailey – Outdoor Track
Alexandra Sawyer – 7th gr girls Lacrosse
Corrine Kuhl – 8th gr girls Lacross
d. Consideration and action on extra-curricular Special Olympic fee position
nominations – Superintendent Hawkins recommended approval of the
extra-curricular positions as presented.
Morrigan Burns
Karen Johnson
Kristen Cobb
Ms. Ray requested updating the extra-curricular position nomination form
to include “New Position (yes/no)”.
- Ms. Millett made a motion to approve the High School (Item b), Middle School
(Item c) and Instructional Support Special Olympics (Item d) recommendations
together as presented. Ms. Winker seconded. (Approved 5-0).
10. CONSIDERATION OF POLICIES FOR FIRST READING
• ACAA: Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students
• JLF: Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
• JLF-E: Reporting Child Abuse/Neglect Guidelines
• IIB: Class Size
No action required for first reading.
11. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Chairperson Ray announced that committee reports are posted on the web site
and invited committee members to speak if there was anything essential to
report at this public meeting.
Finance Committee - Ms. Millett reported that the Town Council is still
considering the budget and encouraged public participation.
12. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
There were no comments by the public.
13. SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA REQUESTS
There were no requests.
14. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING MEETINGS
Ms. Ray announced the following Committees’ meetings are on the
web site.
• Personnel Committee – Thursday, March 13 at 8 a.m. in
the Jordan Conference Room.
• Communications Committee - Wednesday, March 5 at 3:10 p.m. in
the Pond Cove Media Center.
• Finance Committee - Wednesday, March 26 at 8 a.m. in the
Superintendent’s Office.
• Sports Done Right – Monday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in the
HS Library.
• Calendar Committee - Thursday, March 20 at 2:45 p.m. at the MS
Conference Room
• Wellness Committee – Monday, April 7 at 3:10 p.m. in
the Fire Station Meeting Room.
• Extra Curricular Committee – Tuesday, March 4 at 3:30
p.m. in the Jordan Conference Room.
• School Board Meeting – Executive Session Tuesday, March
18 at 2:30 pm in the Jordan Conf Rm; Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8 at
7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
• School Board Workshops - March 25 at 7 pm in HS Library
• Strategic Planning Committee – Thursday, May 1 at 12:30
in the Superintendent’s Office.
• Policy Committee – Tuesday, March 18 at Noon in the
Jordan Conference Room.
15. ADJORNMENT
There being no further business, Ms. Brigham made a motion that the meeting
be adjourned. Ms. Millett seconded. The motion was approved 5-0. The meeting
was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Alan H. Hawkins
Superintendent of Schools
