Mr. Radtke called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Members present: Jonathan Radtke-Chairperson, Walter Rumery, Ben Meiklejohn, Tae Chong, James DiMillo, Teri McRae, Stephen Spring, Otis Thompson
Mr. Radtke:
Superintendent O’Connor:
Retirements:
Dan Murphy, Deering High School/Guidance 34 years Effective June 29, 2004
Sharyn Viola, Moore Middle School/teacher 33 years Effective June 30, 2004
Peter Malia, Moore Middle School/teacher 32 years Effective June 30, 2004
Donald Berthiame Biotechnology/PATHS 2 years Effective Aug. 31, 2004
Rita Moore, Lincoln /Asst. Principal 29 years Effective Aug. 31, 2004
James Storer, Reiche/teacher 29 years Effective Aug. 31, 2004
Resignations, Effective Aug. 31, 2004:
Scott Atchley, King/ESL 3 years
Mahin Mirmoezzi, Lincoln/ESL 6 years
Benjamin Sholl, King/Science 2 years
Mary LeGage Moore/Learning Strategist 3 years in Portland
Mr. Rumery inquired about the Biotechnology program at PATHS in light of the teacher’s retirement. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that discussions are being held with the Diane Bauby, Director at PATHS, regarding this program.
Report of the Secretary
Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. Spring and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the June 23, 2004 meeting.
Superintendent O’Connor reviewed donations and thank the contributors.
Old Business
Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Chong to approve policy IJNDC – School System Website/Web Pages
School Committee discussion:
Mr. Rumery – inquired when the web site would be updated and recommends brightening up the web page.
Mr. Chong – indicated that the Adult Education web site is excellent.
Vote on motion: It was voted unanimously to approve policy IJNDC – School System Website/Web Pages
Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Chong to approve policy IHCDA – Post-Secondary Enrollment Options
School Committee discussion:
Mr. Spring – asked about number of courses students can take, who pays for courses, one course eligibility requirement, hours of seat time needed to obtain 1 high school credit, questioned the B average requirement.
Mr. Allen indicated that the state will pay 50% of the first course, the institution student is attending will waive 50%, students are responsible for textbooks, etc. For a second course if institution waives 50% then Portland Public Schools will pick up the other 50%. Currently Portland Public Schools spends approximately $2,000-$3,000 per year. He indicated that the Accounting Bulletin will need to be revised regarding this.
Mr. Thompson – inquired about 2 credits awarded for a university course versus 1 credit for high school level course and why just one course per semester. Feels that students should be allowed to access all areas of learning.
Mr. Allen indicated that the 1 course per semester is limited due to funding by state.
Mr. Chong and Ms. McRae – indicated that a college course is demanding and that 2 credits seems acceptable.
Mr. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. Spring to refer policy IHCDA back to the Policy Committee to make the policy more permissive.
Mr. Thompson – important to make options available to students; policy more permissive allowing more than 1 course/semester. Intent of motion is to look at B average requirement for 9th and 10th graders and restriction of 1 course per semester.
Ms. McRae – agrees 1 course per semester is restrictive, however, is concerned about students not being focused on PPS work versus taking courses at a university; not sure funding options should be included in policy.
Mr. Chong - asked if superintendent could check with USM President regarding possibly picking up some funding.
Mr. Spring – suggests creating an umbrella policy; students could possibly complete full year by taking evening classes; mentions SMCC/USM funding policies.
Mr. Radtke – if students want credit and funding they need to follow proposed policy.
Mr. Rumery – does not feel that students will take more than 1 course per semester and need to make it possible for students to do this.
Mr. Meiklejohn – asked for clarity on courses and funding from the School Committee for discussion with the Policy Committee.
Superintendent O’Connor indicated that block scheduling precludes students from taking more than 1 course per semester.
Vote on amended motion: It was voted 6-2 to refer policy IHCDA back to the Policy Committee to make the policy more permissive.
Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Chong to approve policy IJJ – Instructional and Library-Media Materials Selection
Mr. Rumery asked if teachers could purchase a textbook to use if they prefer over one currently being used. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that would be possible.
Vote on motion: It was voted 7-1 to approve policy IJJ – Instructional and Library-Media Materials Selection
New Business
Mr. Radtke requested unanimous consent to amend the motion to read “for the remainder of the 2003-04 school year.”
Mr. DiMillo moved, seconded Mr. Spring to nominate Teri McRae for Finance Committee Chairperson for the remainder of the 2003-04 school year.
Mr. DiMillo moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted 7-1 to close nominations.
Mr. DiMillo moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted 6-1-1 to appoint Teri McRae as Finance Committee Chairperson for the remainder of the 2003-04 school year.
Addendum - Consideration and action to approve the appointment of the Director of Education Planning effective August 6, 2004.
Election: Effective August 6, 2004 (*pending negotiations)
Thomas LaFavore Director of Educational Planning $79,869*
CAS/UMO
Mr. Chong moved, seconded Ms. McRae to appoint Thomas LaFavore to the position of Director of Educational Planning.
Mr. Spring inquired about Affirmative Action Plan and Ms. Hart indicated that it had been followed.
Vote on motion: It was voted unanimously to appoint Thomas LaFavore to the position of Director of Educational Planning.
Mr. LaFavore briefly addressed the Committee.
Personnel
Unpaid LOA: Eff. 09/01/04-08/31/05
Erin McGuiggin-Behen Adams/Grade 1 .5 of .5 Extended Childrearing
Renee Bucknell Moore/Science 1.0 Childrearing
Deborah Hutson
PHS/ESL
.5 of 1.0 Personal
Laura Pellerin Longfellow/Grade 3 .2 of 1.0 Extended Childrearing
Sarah Tsioplakis Lincoln/Health 1.0 Personal
Tami Lawrence Presumpscot/OT Childrearing
Tara Hildreth Riverton/Primary(.5) B-1 $15,101*
BA/USM, Portland, ME
Douglas Armstrong PATHS/Food Services M-18 $53,213*
BS/Franklin Pierce College, Rindge, NH
Kevin Brewster Reiche/Primary B-8 $39,119*
BA/University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Andrew Chipman Riverton/Music B-10 $41,420*
BA/St. Mary’s
College, St. Mary’s City, MD
Anne Colucci Clifford/Nurse(.6) B-31 $30,893*
BS/USM, Portland, ME
Patrick Connolly Longfellow/Intermediate B-1 $30,202*
BS/UMF, Farmington, ME
Douglas Drew DHS/Guidance M-10 $44,584*
M.Ed./USM, Gorham, ME
Nancy Blake Entwistle District/Speech M-26 $54,795*
MS/Worcester State College, Worcester, MA
Michelle Lear Lyseth/Special Education M-7 $41,133*
MS/USM
Margaret Lewis Longfellow/Literacy Specialist(.6) M-31 $33,395*
M.Ed./University of New York, New Paltz, NY
John Merrifield West/Special Education B-5 $35,667*
BA/USM
Markos Miller DHS/Spanish B-8 $39,119*
BA/Ohio State, Columbus, OH
Stacey O’Donoghue King/Gear-Up B-1 $30,202*
BA/St. Joseph’s College, Standish, ME
Sophia Payson-Rand PHS/Social Worker M-3 $35,955*
MSW/UMO, Orono, ME
Paige Pepper Moore/FLS B-1 $30,202*
BS/Long Island University, Brookville, NY
Amy Perry HEP Coord. B-3 $36,333*
BA/USM, Portland, ME
Tara Piasecki Lyseth/Special Education M-8 $42,283*
MA/Virginia
Tech., Falls Church, VA
Nancy Rawlings Clifford/Grade 2 M-16 $51,200*
M.Ed./University of MA, Boston, MA
Amy Sherburne PHS/Guidance M-3 $35,955*
MS/University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Sarah Simpson Lincoln/ESL(.5) M-1 $16,539.50*
MS/School for International Training, Brattleboro, VT
Katharine Truesdale Moore/Special Education M-5 $38,831*
M.Ed./University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Re-Elections: Eff 09/01/04 for the
2004-05 school year (*pending negotiations)
Maureen Tevanian Moore/Language
Arts B-5 $35,667*
BA/Suny Cortland, Cortland, NY
One Year Only Elections: Eff
09/01/04 for the 2004-05 school year (*pending negotiations)
Abdullahi Ahmed Moore/Science (Life) 7/8 B-1 $30,202*
BS/University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan
Lorraine Bobinsky Reiche/Primary M-23 $54,076*
MA/University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Elizabeth Brazier Lincoln/Spanish B-1 $30,202*
BA/Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Denna Bruns Lincoln/Literacy M-16 $51,200*
M.Ed/ UMO, Orono, ME
Kathleen Costello DHS/English B-1 $30,202*
BA/Rutgers University, Camden, NJ
Anthony Derrig Reiche/Special Education M-6 $39,982*
M.Ed./University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Ann Holt Longfellow/Primary M-14 $49,186*
MS/Fordham University, New York, NY
Michael Fullerton Lincoln/Health B-3 $33,079*
BS/UMF, Farmington, ME
First Time Continuing
ContractEff 09/01/04
for the 2004-05 school year (*pending negotiations)
Alberto Morales DHS/French/Spanish B-5 $35,667*
BA/Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
Change in Degree: Eff 09/01/04 for the 2004-05 school
year (*pending negotiations)
Ann Hanna Adams/Literacy Specialist(.6) +$862.80*
CAS/USM
Karen Sanford Prep/Special Education +$3,164*
MS/USM
Harry Brown PHS/Math +$4,170*
MS/UNE, Biddeford, ME
Cathy Jurgelevich Reiche/Grade 2/ESL +$3,164*
MS/USM, Portland, ME
Mr. DiMillo moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted unanimously to approve Personnel items as listed.
Mr. Meiklejohn acknowledged the appointment of Sophia Payson-Rand to Portland High School.
Committee Focus on
Educational Issues - None
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