Regular Board Meeting Minutes/October 7, 2010
MSAD /RSU #11
REGULAR MEETING
Merle E. Peacock, Jr. Board Room
Thursday, October 7, 2010
7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mrs. Fles, Chair, Mr. Jermyn, Vice – Chair, Ms. Avery, Mr. Cone, Mrs. Couture, Mr. Farkas, Mr. Heath, Mr. Merrill, Mrs. Potter, Mr. Trott, Mrs. Hopkins, Ms. Disch, Mr. Tuttle
ABSENT: Mr. Brown
Mrs. Fles called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
GAHS Student Council President, Helen Mohney, updated the Board on the Student Council’s activities during Spirit Week. Ms. Mohney said she was pleased with the student participation. Ms. Mohney stated the Student Council is planning a Teacher Appreciation Breakfast. The Tiger Masquerade has been scheduled for November 10th. Proceeds from the Tiger Masquerade are used to fund Student Council Scholarships given to students at the end of the year. At the request of the staff, games have been added to the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast to allow time for the students and staff to interact.
VOTED: 10-0 Motion by Mr. Trott, seconded by Mr. Avery, to approve the agenda.
VOTED: 10-0 Motion by Mr. Trott, seconded by Mrs. Couture, to approve the minutes of the September 2, 2010, Regular Meeting and September 16, 2010, Bi-Monthly Meeting.
RECOGNITION AND CELEBRATIONS
The Board presented Shelley Simpson, Principal of Pittston Consolidated School, with a cookie bouquet in appreciation of supervising the opening of T.C. Hamlin School in the absence of its administrator.
The Board recognized Peg Long, Director of Special Education, and Juan Lavalle-Rivera, Assistant Special Education Director, in maintaining full program approval status from the State Department of Education in review of MSAD 11’s special education programs.
The Board commended Richard Heath for his service to MSAD 11 serving on its Board of Directors.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Policy Committee – Mr. Heath stated the Committee reviewed Policy JICH /Drug and Alcohol Use By Students and Policy Regulation JICH-R /Drug and Alcohol Use by Students
Administrative Procedure. The Committee has recommended the rescind ion of Policy Regulation
BEDB-R /Agenda Format. The following policies have been sent to the Board for 1st reading:
Section F /Facilities Development
Policy IKFA / Early Graduation
Policy Example IKFA – E /Request for Early Graduation
VOTED: 8-2 Motion by Mr. Heath, seconded by Mr. Farkas, to take the following action as recommended by the Policy Committee:
1st Reading of Section F /Facilities Development
1st Reading of Policy IKFA /Early Graduation
1st Reading of Policy Example IKFA – E /Request for Early Graduation
Rescind ion of Policy Regulation BEDB-R /Agenda Format
B. Finance Committee – Mr. Jermyn stated the Finance Committee discussed the Federal Jobs monies. The District will be receiving $283,925 for compensation, benefits and other expenses to retain existing employees and/or to recall or rehire former employees. The District will have until September 2012 to expend the monies.
The Finance Committee discussed purchasing a parent notification system. The system would enhance the District’s ability to communicate more effectively with parents and /or staff. While it was initially stated, when purchased, that our existing phone system would have the same capability, Mrs. Hopkins reported it does not without the purchase of additional equipment. In addition, Mrs. Hopkins stated we have received notification from our current phone vendor they will no longer be servicing the equipment after 2017.
C. Negotiation Committee – No Meeting
D. Long Range Educational Planning Committee – Ms. Avery stated the Long Range Educational
Planning Committee discussed the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the feasibility of open enrollment throughout the District to alleviate overcrowding.
The Board proceeded to discuss the merits of the fore mentioned Ad Hoc Committee.
VOTED: 6-4 Motion by Mr. Farkas, seconded by Ms. Avery for the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the feasibility of open enrollment throughout the District to alleviate overcrowding.
E. Relations by Objective Committee – No Meeting
F. 6 – 12 Academic Audit Sub Committee – No Meeting
G. 6 – 12 Athletic Audit – No Meeting
H. Curriculum Update – Mr. Tuttle provided the Board with an overview of the No Child Left Behind Federal Grants and its planned use for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The following was approved and provided to the Board as General Information:
? GRMS Team 8 – 3 Field Trip to Salem, MA
? GRMS Team 8 – 4 Field Trip to Boston, MA
? Letter from Commissioner Flaherty regarding the Special Education Monitoring Review
? Hired Juli Silva, Cafeteria Worker /River View
? Hired Chad Greenleaf, Special Education, Ed Tech II /GRMS
? Transferred Hope Libby, Special Education, Ed. Tech I
? Anticipated resignation from Laura Woodward, Math Teacher /GAHS
? Helen Thompson Grade 5 Field Trip to Chewonki
? Hired Elizabeth Brodie, Special Education, Ed. Tech I /Laura E Richards School
OLD BUSINESS
The Superintendent provided the revised District’s Goals to the Board for their approval. The Board discussed the mechanism and how each of the goals would be measured. Mrs. Hopkins stated she would report to the Board throughout the year on progress toward each of the goals.
VOTED: 9-0 Motion by Ms. Avery, seconded by Mr. Heath, to accept the District Goals as presented by the Superintendent.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. McGuire, Technology Director, provided a brief tutorial on how to connect and use First Class, the District’s email software.
VOTED: 10-0 Motion by Ms. Trott, seconded by Mr. Farkas, to accept the Finance Committee’s recommendation to purchase the Parent /Student Notification System.
REPORTS – EDUCATIONAL /ADMINISTRATION
BOARD CHAIR REPORT
Mrs. Fles stated after discussion with the Superintendent, Mr. Tuttle will no longer be seated with the Board during its meeting. Mrs. Fles informed the Board at its November 4th Meeting, the Board will hold a celebration of the students whose artwork is prominently displayed in the halls of the Superintendent’s Office. The celebration is scheduled for 6:30 and all Board Members are strongly encouraged to attend. Mrs. Fles reminded the Board that October 8th is the last day for Board Members to register for the MSBA Fall Conference scheduled for October 21st and 22nd. Mrs. Fles encouraged any Board Members interested in attending to contact Mrs. Goggin. Mrs. Fles addressed the current and pending Board vacancies. Mrs. Fles stated she, along with the Superintendent and Vice Chair, will be reviewing the structure of the Board Committees.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Mrs. Hopkins informed the Board of plans to utilize the canine search at Gardiner Area High School. She has been in contact with the Police Department to schedule such a search. Mrs. Hopkins updated the Board on the progress on the Central Office Signage. Mrs. Hopkins informed the Board of her intention to attend the October 13th City Council Meeting to advocate for the changing of the sign ordinance to allow for a free standing sign for a public agency. Mrs. Hopkins informed the Board of her intention to take vacation during the period of February 9th – February 24th. Mr. Tuttle will be covering for the Superintendent in her absence. Mrs. Hopkins stated she has invited student representatives from Camden Hills High School to share their experiences on the School Board. Mrs. Hopkins informed the Board she will be participating in the Day of Caring with students from Gardiner Area High School. Mrs. Hopkins has been assigned to splash painting the Rail Trail with students.
The Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Attest a true record,
Patricia Hopkins, Secretary