Bimonthly Board Meeting Minutes/June 19, 2008
MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #11
BIMONTHLY BOARD MEETING
Central Office Board Room
Thursday, June 19, 2008
7:00 p.m.
PRESENT:Mr. Rogers, Chair, Mr. Hunnewell, Vice-Chair, Ms. Avery, Mr. Brown, Mr. Cone, Mrs. Dunn, Mrs. Fles, Mr. Jermyn, Mrs. Ricker, Mr. Trott, Dr. Knowles, Ms. Disch, Mr. Tuttle
ABSENT: Mr. Heath, Mrs. Shaw
Mr. Rogers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and declared a quorum present. He reviewed the public participation procedures.
Dr. Knowles reviewed the documentation that was presented to the Board:
1. Lunch price information
2. Votes to certify the referendum election
3. Nominations
4. List of recommended fall coaches
5. Letter from the Commissioner of Education approving
MSAD#11’s application to stand alone
6. Minutes of meetings.
7. Contract with the Bus Drivers Association
8. Long Range Planning Committee agenda – will be
discussing NCLB Grant
9. Material from Drummond Woodsum for the new regulations
for Maine’s Freedom of Access Statue. All Board
members must be trained.
10. Self-Study Survey Results from GAHS
Information
The following information was presented to the Board:
A. A letter of resignation from Lori Brown, Special Ed. Teacher at Helen Thompson
B. Transferred Gretchen Sias from LA at GRMS (one year position) to Grade 3 at Helen Thompson.
C. Transferred Jennifer Moore from Ed. Tech III, 4 Year
Old Program at LER to Teacher of 4 Year Old Program at Helen Thompson.
D. Transferred Juliet Shagoury from Ed Tech III, Title I at Helen Thompson to
Ed Tech III, 4 Year Old Program at Helen Thompson.
E. Transferred Sarah Bolduc-Ignasiak Special Ed Teacher in the STARS Program at
GRMS to Resource Room Teacher at GRMS
F. Transferred Susan Shepherd from Title I Coordinator to Title I Literacy Specialist
G. Transferred Jackie Hersom from Ed Tech III, Title I at LER to Ed Tech III, 4 Year
Old Program at LER
H. A letter of resignation from Debbie Emmons, Secretary at GRMS
I.A letter of resignation from Sheryl O’Donoghue, Science Teacher at GAHS
J. A list of recommended fall coaches at GAHS
K. A letter from Commissioner Gendron
Nominations
VOTE: 10-0 Motion by Mrs. Ricker seconded by Mrs. Fles to accept the Superintendent’s nominations:
1. Laura Thomas, H.T. Resource Room @$29,477.30.
2. Sara Webb, Grade 2 at LER(one year position) @$32,247.39
Discussion
Mrs. Gould presented a recommendation for price increases in the lunch program for the 2008/09 school year. She provided a list of cost increases in food prices that have occurred this year. She also provided an analysis of student lunch counts at the high school over a four year period. She stated there has been an increase in the number of free lunches served in spite of a decline in enrollment. She stated she expected those numbers to increase again next year due to the economy.
Mr. Hunnewell asked if the increases were not granted, if the program would go into the hole. Ms. Disch stated that this year, Mrs. Gould’s program has made enough so that the entire District appropriation would not be needed to fund the program. Mrs. Gould stated she was worried about next years costs because of increased freight charges. Mrs. Fles asked if the vote could be postponed until more information could be provided. Mrs. Gould stated she needed a decision by August 1st.
VOTED: 6-4 Motion by Mrs. Avery, seconded by Mr. Jermyn to approve the Food Director’s lunch program increases as proposed.
Dr. Knowles stated the District Budget passed and asked the Board for direction in how the money added to the budget will be used. Mr. Rogers stated he wanted to discuss the fuel cost deficit and how to cover it.
Ms. Disch stated there was approximately $225,000 in discretionary funds available due to the fact the Board did not need to use any contingency money this year.
VOTED: 10-0 Motion by Mr. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Jermyn to authorize the expenditure of up to $225,000 for the purchase of fuel.
VOTED: 8-2 Motion by Mr. Jermyn, seconded by Mrs. Ricker to reinstate the Guidance Counselor positions to the budget.
VOTED: 10-0 Motion by Mr. Trott, seconded by Mr. Rogers that the Computation and Declaration of Votes dated and attached hereto be and is hereby approved. Further voted that the
Computation and Declaration of Votes be entered upon the records of the District. Further voted that a certified copy of the Computation and Declaration of Votes be sent to each of the Municipal Clerks within the District.
Dr. Knowles stated he was meeting with Mr. Rogers and wanted to meet with Chairs of all the Committees to set priorities and goal setting for the 2008/09 school year. He presented a list of suggested work items:
1. Assist with the implementation of the 6-12 Academic Audit Report Recommendations.
2. Complete the 6-12 Athletic Audit and assist with the implementation of any recommendations.
3. Discuss the possibility of creating a PK-2 and 3-5 school structure at Hamlin and Pittston. Explore the possibility of applying for new school construction, or move grades to the Middle school to create extra space at elementary schools with the possibility of closing an elementary school.
4. Conduct System Program Reviews (mathematics and health and physical education)
5. Conduct a feasibility study regarding the building of a bus maintenance facility and owning and maintaining our own fleet of buses.
6. Establish the 2009-2010 District Budget.
7. By contract agreement with the teachers, conduct six Relations by Objective Meetings
8. Reestablish the Board's Energy Committee
9. Discuss/explore recreating the District’s image
Mrs. Dunn stated she has been meeting with Administration at the high school regarding the attendance policy. She stated recommendations will be made to the Policy Committee in the fall. Mr. Cone recommended looking into the drop in numbers of students who start high school and those who graduate.
VOTED: 10-0 Motion by Mrs. Ricker, seconded by Mr. Rogers to go into executive session at 8:30 p.m. discuss labor contract negotiations with Bus Drivers, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(D).
The Board reconvened at 8:45 p.m.
VOTED: 10-0 Motion by Mr. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Jermyn to accept the Bus Drivers’ contract pending ratification by the bus drivers. The Board reconvened at 9:00 p.m.
VOTED: 10-0 Motion by Mrs. Ricker, seconded by Mrs. Rogers to go into executive session at 9:00 p.m. to discuss goal setting with the Superintendent, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(A)
evaluation of employees. The Board reconvened at 9:30 p.m.
VOTED: 10-0 Motion by Mrs. Ricker, seconded by Mr. Rogers to go into executive session at 9:30 p.m.with the Business Manager, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(A), evaluation of employees. The Board reconvened at 10:00 p.m.
Attest a true record,
Dr. Paul D. Knowles, Secretary