Draft: March 18, 2004

Approved: April 7, 2004

School Committee meeting March 17, 2004

Under Report of the Secretary

6:00 p.m. Community Conversations with School Committee Chairperson and staff

No members of the public were present to meet with the Chairperson and staff.

Business Meeting

Mr. Radtke called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Members Present: Jonathan Radtke, Chairperson, Walter Rumery, Teri McRae, Kim Matthews, Tae Chong, Otis Thompson, Stephen Spring, Ben Meiklejohn

Members not present: James DiMillo

Report of the Chair

Mr. Radtke:

Congratulated Deering High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team and Portland High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team on winning the Class A State Championships.
Congratulated Deering High School Swimming and Track Teams who also won championships in their respective categories.
Announced that there is a need to hold an Executive Session on Monday, March 29^th beginning at 6 p.m. to discuss student disciplinary matters.

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent O’Connor:

Announced that Portland Partnership has awarded 3 Reachout Grants to Portland Public Schools teachers and their students. These grants are funded through Portland Partnership fund-raising activities.

Riverton - Kristen Baker and her elementary students will work with SMRT Architects; Mark Johnson, Landscape Architect; Ann Miles, Riverton Master Gardner, and Riverton parents to create a Butterfly Garden as a science observation area for Riverton children.

Emily Serway will work with her elementary students to share their stories in a Story Quilt. Parents will add their quilting expertise and the Portland Museum of Art will hang the quilt as a complement to an upcoming show this spring.

West School – Beth Bell, Christine Keaney, and Peter Rhinehardt and West School students and their families can participate in a Health Fair this April. Students will display a visual presentation based on their study of healthy bodies and healthy minds. Community partners including Community Counseling Service, Maine Pediatric Center, McGeachy Hall Psychiatric Department, Healthy Portland, and Donna Dodge, Hannaford nutritionist will join students at the fair.

Abby Snyder, teacher in the Many Rivers Program, will be awarded with an American Red Cross Heroes Award at a Red Cross Award’s breakfast on March 31^st. Abby was nominated in the Educator’s Category for her extraordinary caring and support for one of her student’s who has leukemia. She has been truly amazing and an inspiration.
Congratulations to the Deering High School One Act Play participants who performed A Clean Well Lighted Place in the One Act Play competition held at Morse High School on March 6, 2004. Deering High School placed second in the competition and received the Technical Excellence award.
Congratulations to Mike D’Andrea and the Deering High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team who won the State of Maine Class A Girls’ Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 13^th and Joe Russo and the Portland High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team who won the State of Maine Class A Boys’ Basketball Championship also on Saturday, March 13^th.
Announced the opening of Lyman Moore Middle Schools’ musical – School House Rock on Friday and Saturday nights, 3/19 & 20 and 3/26 & 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Announced that the All City Concert would be held on Thursday, March 18^th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Merrill Auditorium.

Mr. Allen reported on a change in the format of expulsion hearings based on a conversation with legal counsel. Mr. Allen will now be the individual presenting the case (prosecutor) and the administrators will now serve as witnesses.

Ms. Whynot-Vickers reported that Dr. Eugene Hickok, Undersecretary of Education, was scheduled to visit Clifford School this morning. Clifford was chosen for its exceptionally high scores in light of socioeconomic factors. Due to the snowstorm this visit was cancelled, but will be rescheduled for a later date.

Superintendent O’Connor introduced Larry Taub, Superintendent - Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, Mary Martone - Principal, and Doug Moody - Guidance Counselor who updated the Committee on the collaboration between GBSD and Portland High School. Mr. Taub indicated that the environment at PHS for students from GBSD was open, accepting, and very diverse. ASL classes are now being offered at PHS. Four GBSD students made the honor roll. GBSD students are participating in extra curricular activities as well as the upcoming International Show at PHS. Steven Connolly, Assistant Principal at PHS, spoke briefly regarding having GBSD students attending PHS.

(Mr. Radtke indicated that he would be taking some agenda items out of order.)

Report of the Secretary

Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the March 3, 2004 meeting.

Personnel

2. Consideration and action to approve sabbatical leaves for the 2004-05 school year.

Victor Serio Moore Middle School Full Year

Betsy Grondin District Psych. Examiner First Semester

Regina Erskine Moore Middle School/Health Second Semester

David Simpson Lincoln Middle School/Science/Soc.Studies Full year

David Grant King Middle School/Gifted/Talented Full year

Karen Shibles Deering High School/Biology Full year

Bruno Yamoah King Middle School/ESOL Full year

Teacher to be named Full year

It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to approve sabbatical leaves for the 2004-05 school year.

Committee Focus on Educational Issues

1. Discussion of Facilities Task Force Report

Ms. McRae reviewed the final report of the Facilities Task Force indicating that the task force had looked at numbers and physical plant.

Elementary Schools – numbers continue to decline, may be able to function with one less elementary school, building a new school on Ocean Ave. many be a priority, and Clifford school is the least desirable building.
Central Office space – task force supports the superintendent’s recommendations to relocate to Baxter School, which would have staff all on one level.
Expo Building – lose money on this building every year – approximately $150,000 to $200,000 and operating costs run approximately $100,000. For the short term, decrease amount of money the school department spends on this facility. Long term – look at option of giving up building which would necessitate a committee being formed to work with the athletic directors to look at possible alternatives such as playing most games at PHS except playoff games.

School Committee discussed the report:

Mr. Thompson – indicated that he would like to see the school department stop losing $150,000 to $200,00 on the Expo and asked if the Expo were closed if the new gym at the EEAS would accommodate basketball games. Mr. Stewart indicated that it would not due to a minimum amount of bleachers in the gym.

Mr. Chong – asked if there would be the possibility of working with USM to use Sullivan Gym.

Public Comment:

David Ruff, a member of the Facilities Task Force, acknowledged Ms. McRae’s leadership of the Task Force and spoke to the Committee regarding elementary schools in the city.

Mr. Radtke – indicated with the final report of the Facilities Task Force plus other reports, he would like the School Committee to engage with community members regarding what the Portland Public Schools will look at in 5 years. He suggested that this process take place after the budget process is completed.

Reports of Committees

1. East End Area School Building Committee – No report

Policy Committee – Mr. Meiklejohn indicated that the first reading of the two policies on the agenda would be postponed to a later date.
Finance Committee – Ms. Matthews indicated that the Finance Committee had met at 5 p.m. prior to the evening meeting. She reviewed upcoming meetings dates regarding the budget – March 24^th, 7 p.m. Budget workshop at PATHS, March 25^th, 6:30pm-7:30pm – Public Budget meeting at King Middle School Library, March 31^st, 7 p.m. Budget workshop at PATHS, April 7^th - School Committee will voted on the FY05 budget.
Legislative Committee – Mr. Thompson indicated that he had been in contact with Ben Dudley and was trying to schedule another meeting with the Portland Legislative Delegation. This meeting quite probably will take place at 5 p.m. on March 24^th at PATHS.

Mr. Spring asked if a member report out could be added to Committee Reports.

Mr. Thompson mentioned that usually the chairperson would ask Committee members if there were any other reports.

Mr. Meiklejohn mentioned that he attended a concert two weeks ago to benefit the Portland percussion program and that $1,400 was raised for the program.

Mr. Spring indicated that he went to Washington, D.C. to attend the National League of Cities conference.

New Business

First reading of policies – postponed to a later date

JRA- Student Education Records and Information
ECB – School Pest Management

2. Consideration and action to direct the superintendent to make application to the State for school construction.

Superintendent O’Connor briefly reviewed the process of applications for construction, which are due in August indicating that all elementary schools would be submitted with the exception of Jack and Riverton. She indicated that Portland would need two and one-half projects before any funding would be received from the state.

Mr. Meiklejohn asked that if Clifford did make the list would the Baxter site be considered for a new school.

Ms. Matthews inquired whether Jack was closed before application was made. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that Jack was open until mid-August and the building was not closed until it was placed on the state list.

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Ms. Matthews and voted unanimously to direct the superintendent to make application to the State for school construction.

Addendum

Consideration and action to accept the Budget Advisory Task Force budget protocol.

Ms. McRae moved, seconded Ms. Matthews to accept the Budget Advisory Task Force budget protocol.

Ms. Matthews reviewed the Budget protocol proposed by the Budget Advisory Task Force. Some discussion ensued regarding the intent of some of the language.

Mr. Meiklejohn asked about the intent of the first two bullets – Cuts shall have the least impact on students and All aspects of the budget shall stand up to the “all students” test (extra curricular, academics, transportation). Ms. Matthews indicated that the intent was to be broad. There could be cuts away from students that would impact students. All aspects – intent is same as mission statement – students should be offered same courses, etc. Extra curricular – look at all activities to make sure all students who want to be involved can be.

Mr. Rumery indicated that there is a tendency to look at high-ticket items and cut these first. Philosophy change on looking a budget. Curriculum should drive the budget.

Mr. Spring – did not see anything on protocol about doing school differently. Items on protocol seem short-term and he would like another bullet – Honoring our mission of doing school differently.

Ms. McRae indicated that the Facilities Task Force did discuss doing school differently.

Mr. Spring moved, seconded Ms. McRae and voted 2-6 to amend the budget protocol to include - budget decision-making will honor our commitment to doing school differently. Motion fails.

Returned to main motion.

Vote on main motion: It was voted unanimously to accept the Budget Advisory Task Force budget protocol.

Personnel

1. Consideration and action to renew the contracts of Principals for the 2004-2005 school year who have been employed two years or less, pursuant to M.R.S.A . Title 20-A, Chapter 504, Section §13301, Employment of Principals.

Diane Bauby Gail Senese

Brian Britting David G. Turner

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Ms. McRae and voted unanimously to renew the contracts of Principals for the 2004-2005 school year who have been employed two years or less, pursuant to M.R.S.A . Title 20-A, Chapter 504, Section §13301, Employment of Principals.

3. Leave of Absence: 9/1/04 to 8/31/05

Renee Bourgoine-Serio PAE/Migrant .25 LOA of 1.0 Extended Childrearing

Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted unanimously to approve Personnel items as listed.

Public Comment prior to 11 p.m. – No members of the public were present.

Mr. Chong asked about doing school differently at Portland High School. ASL classes and language labs are now available since GBSD students began attending. He would like to see PHS do this also for Somali, Cambodian, and Vietnamese languages.

Mr. Spring asked if any thought had been given to teaching any languages of the current student body population in order to offer languages other than French and Spanish. Ms. Whynot-Vickers indicated that there is no program in the vicinity to train language facilitators. They would need a four-year degree and methods courses. This would be more at the secondary level where languages are electives.

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Spring and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools