Draft: Feb. 3, 2005

Approved: March 2, 2005

School Committee meeting Feb. 2, 2005

Under Report of the Secretary

Workshop

Committee met at 6 p.m. to set budget parameters with the superintendent.

Executive Session

Consideration and action to move into Executive Session to discuss student disciplinary matters (1 MRSA §405 6B)

At 6:45 p.m. Ms. Alcorn moved, seconded Ms. McRae to move into Executive Session to discuss student disciplinary matters (1 MRSA §405 6B)

At 6:50 p.m. Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Spring to come out of Executive Session

Business Meeting

Mr. Radtke called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Members present: Jonathan Radtke-Chairperson, Jason Toothaker, Ellen Alcorn, Stephen Spring, Teri McRae, Ben Meiklejohn, Tae Chong ,James DiMillo, Otis Thompson, Michael Imbergamo, Sophia Njaa

Mr. Thompson moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn and voted unanimously to extend a student suspension for 30 days. (Student representatives unable to vote per city charter)

Report of the Chair

Mr. Radtke:

• Reported that the school department had requested approximately $900,000 to relocate Central Office, Adult Ed, and maintenance department. As a result of the City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 31^st, the city is trying to accommodate the maintenance department in a city facility and if this occurs then there may be a future agenda items to reflect a change in the request for funds to be used for relocation. He also mentioned that proceeds from the sale of Veranda Street could be less than previously expected.

Ms. McRae – Indicated that the Council wants relocation costs to be less. City Finance Committee requested a change in cost to between $600,000 and $700,000. Original cost of move was approximately $300,000. The Council will also be discussing the ELOB high school at their Feb. 23^rd meeting.

Mr. Thompson – There had been previous discussions with City Council that any funds from the sale of property would go through budget process with funds being made available to the school department. City Council pressured school department for sale of Veranda St. and if Council now feels that relocation cost is too high he suggests not moving out of Veranda St.

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent O’Connor:

• Announced the retirement of Brenda Roy, Principal, Deering High School, 26 years in Portland, effective July 19, 2005.
• Introduced Susan Steele, Director-Portland Partnership, who updated the Committee on development efforts/alumni fund
• Introduced Carol Raymond who provided an update on the Healthy Food Choices program

Mr. Radtke asked for unanimous consent to take agenda items out of order.

Old Business

5. Consideration and action to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound and Portland Public Schools.

Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted 8-1 to remove an item from the table. (Students voted with majority)

Superintendent O’Connor provided an overview of the MOU, which has been reviewed by legal counsel. She indicated that a provision for an escape clause was discussed with Mr. Hartl. Mr. Hartl indicated that would be for any unforeseen circumstance(s) that might arise.

Members clarifying questions:

• Clarification of intended opening date.

Superintendent O’Connor indicated September 2005

• What are out-of-pocket expenses? Where will money come from?

Superintendent O’Connor will identify areas during the process of developing the FY06 budget.

• Transportation costs?

Superintendent O’Connor has discussed with the Director of Transportation who indicated that there would be no added expenses incurred.

• MOU vague - will Committee have any decision in location?

Superintendent O’Connor – Design Team will provide different recommendations/scenarios to School Committee for approval of location, etc. Design Team will establish how students are selected, etc. Design Team minutes will be shared with staff.

• Would an option for location be a building that currently houses another school? Can it eventually be housed in a current high school?

John D’Anieri of Expeditionary Learning indicated that autonomy is important for this school. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that it could eventually be housed in a current high school.

• Is starting date flexible?

Superintendent O’Connor – MOU is for Sept. 2005.

• Concerned about making commitments not explicitly written into MOU. Superintendent O’Connor – ELOB will need to hire a principal and they hope to hire staff from in-house.
• Is budget a four-year commitment?

Superintendent O’Connor – Yes. In the process of pursuing possible funding from other sources to assist with some costs.

• Procedure for selecting students?

John D’Anieri – some districts create bands and during lottery all bands are covered.

• Are there any requirements to accepting the grant money? Are there requirements to meet diversity that exists in other schools within the district?

Superintendent O’Connor – No requirements for grant money. ELOB approached Portland as a possible location. The school will reflect the diversity that is currently in our schools.

Scott Hartl, ELOB – ELOB wants this relationship to be open and to help in sustaining a school of excellence.

• Clarification of funding and School Committee involvement.

Superintendent O’Connor – Only committing to first budget year.

Mr. Stewart handed out a spreadsheet of projected numbers and reviewed with the Committee.

Public Comment:Mike Roland, Michelle Butterfield, Toby Hollander, Bill Wilson, Barbara Weed, Steven Scharf, Tom Kane, Molly Thompson, Joanne Hanselman addressed the Committee regarding the ELOB high school.

Committee discussion/debate:

Ms. Alcorn moved, seconded Mr. Toothaker to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound and Portland Public Schools, as well as to renew our commitment to already existing options within Portland Public Schools.

Ms. Alcorn spoke to the amendment.

Vote on amendment: It was voted 7-2 to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound and Portland Public Schools, as well as to renew our commitment to already existing options within Portland Public Schools. (Students voted with majority)

Ms. McRae moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo to table until MOU has been changed to reflect an escape clause.

Mr. Toothaker requested a roll call vote on tabling motion:

Ms. McRae Yes Ms. Alcorn No Mr. Toothaker Yes

Mr. Spring No Mr. Thompson No Mr. Meiklejohn Yes

Mr. Chong No Mr. Radtke No Mr. DiMillo Yes

Student Representatives: Ms. Njaa No Mr. Imbergamo Yes

Tabling Motion Fails 4-5

Committee discussion:

Mr. Spring – spoke in favor of ELOB high school. Commitment to having all students college ready.

Mr. Toothaker – Supports. Addressed process used to provide stakeholders with information.

Mr. DiMillo – asked about drop out rate. Unable to support or vote on something when do not know where funding is coming from.

Ms. McRae – does not support.

Mr. Thompson – Have responsibility to provide best possible education for students. King Middle School shows value of ELOB and need to consider this for high school students.

Mr. Chong –Fiscally hard decision, but supports academically.

Mr. Meiklejohn – supports. Important to have a variety of options available for students. Concerned about public input, budgetary matters that remain to be resolved and no concrete plans for location for school. Opportunity to increase achievement/retention of students.

Mr. Imbergamo – great program for students. Has concern about where cuts would come from.

Ms. Njaa – supports. Shared a personal experience with a friend who left school.

Ms. Alcorn – supports. Shares concerns expressed regarding how process unfolded, etc.

Mr. Radtke – supports. Hears issues around process; came out of Study Circles process. Creating opportunities for students.

It was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to suspend the rules to continue clarifying questions.

Scott Hartl – ELOB, addressed relationship of budgetary commitment and MOU. School Committee needs to make considerations of how to best fund project. ELOB will not hold Committee to any specific budgetary figure.

Vote on main motion as amended: It was voted 7-2 to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound and Portland Public Schools, as well as to review our commitment to already existing options within Portland Public Schools. (Student representatives – Ms. Njaa, yes; Mr. Imbergamo, no)

Mr. Radtke requested unanimous consent to take New Business Item #2 out of order.

New Business

2. Consideration and action to acknowledge the formation of a Portland High School Girls’ Ice Hockey program with the understanding that full funding is to be provided by the Ice Hockey Boosters.

Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo to acknowledge the formation of a Portland High School Girls’ Ice Hockey program with the understanding that full funding is to be provided by the Ice Hockey Boosters.

Gary Groves, Athletic Director-Portland High School, and Andy Cope, parent/coach addressed the Committee regarding this item. Looking to become sanctioned by the MPA, which requires ten schools indicating their willingness to acknowledge the formation of a Girls’ Ice Hockey program.

Clarifying questions:

• Girls’ Ice Hockey at Deering?

Mr. Groves – yes.

• Would sanctioning by MPA disallow students from other school districts from playing with this team?

Mr. Groves – yes.

• Is there a booster club for boys ice hockey?

Mr. Groves – yes. Booster club purchases uniforms, additional equipment, pays for tournaments, etc.

• Would School Committee be responsible for funding? If unable to raise anticipated funds, what happens?

Mr. Groves – no, boosters would be responsible for funding. If shortfall, would need to look at booster resources to insure continuation of program.

• Title IX provides for three things 1) substantially proportionate athletic opportunities for male and female athletes; 2) a history and continuing practice of expanding opportunities for the under-represented sex; 3) full and effective accommodation of the interests and abilities of the under-represented sex. Schools do not necessarily need to offer identical sports, yet they do need to provide an equal opportunity for females to play in sports of interest. Mr. Spring asked that the athletic directors return next year with this cost in their budget in order to achieve greater equity with Title IX.

Public Comment:

Steve Rogers, Steven Scharf, and Andy Cope addressed the Committee regarding this item.

Vote on motion: It was voted unanimously to acknowledge the formation of a Portland High School Girls’ Ice Hockey program with the understanding that full funding is to be provided by the Ice Hockey Boosters. (Student representatives voted with majority)

3. Consideration and action to approve a trip for 15 juniors from Portland High School to Italy April 15-24, 2005.

Ms. McRae moved, seconded Mr. Toothaker to approve a trip for 15 juniors from Portland High School to Italy April 15-24, 2005.

Sue Olafsen, teacher at Portland High who will be accompanying students, addressed the Committee regarding this trip.

Vote on motion: It was voted unanimously to approve a trip for 15 juniors from Portland High School to Italy April 15-24, 2005. (Student representatives voted with majority)

At 10:10 p.m. the Committee took a 10 minutes recess.

At 10:20 p.m. the meeting was called back to order.

Mr. Radtke requested unanimous consent to dispense with Report of Committees.

Report of Secretary

Mr. Spring moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the January 19, 2005 meeting. (Student representatives voted with the majority)

Consent Items - moved to the February 9, 2005 meeting

Old Business

Mr. Spring addressed the Committee regarding Old Business items 1-4. A PEA rep. has joined the Policy Committee and, as a result, these proposed policies are continuing to be reviewed/revised and will then brought to the Committee again at its Feb. 9, 2005 meeting as a first reading.

Mr. Radtke requested unanimous consent to move policies back to the Policy Committee for further review.

1. Consideration and action to approve policy KCB - Community Involvement in Decision Making

2. Consideration and action to remove the following policies from the Policy Book:

1. KA - School-Community Relations
2. KD – Public Information Program
3. KDC – School Sponsored Information Media

3. Consideration and action to approve policy IFA – Curriculum Policy

4. Consideration and action to remove the following policies from the Policy Book:

1. IFA – Curriculum Research/Resources
2. IFD – Curriculum Adoption
3. IG – Curriculum Design

6. Consideration and action to remove an item from the table.

Ms. McRae moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted unanimously to remove an item from the table. (Student representatives voted with majority)

7. Consideration and action to support the City Council’s resolution to appropriate $1,000,000 for additional costs to design and construction of the new East End Elementary School.

Ms. McRae indicated that the City Finance Committee met on February 1^st and voted to send the $1,000,000 appropriation request to the City Council. Peter O’Donnell, City Council Finance Chairperson, indicated that any recommendation from the School Committee would receive full consideration by the City Council.

Superintendent O’Connor’s recommendation - indicated that she would be comfortable dropping from $1,000,000 to $800,000 to go back to the EEAS.

(At this point in the meeting Mr. Thompson and Mr. DiMillo left)

Public Comment: Steven Scharf addressed the Committee on this item.

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Toothaker to support the City Council in appropriating $800,000 of funds to be derived from the sale of Veranda Street for additional costs to design and construction of the new East End Elementary school, and to encourage the Council to find $200,000 from other city sources to cover some of the community-use costs associated with the school.

Mr. Meiklejohn addressed the amendment.

Discussion/debate on amendment:

Mr. Spring – supports $800,000 and to ask City Council to find additional $200,000.

Mr. Toothaker – supports amendment.

Ms. McRae – does support amendment for $800,000. However, she does not support any type of expenditure.

Superintendent O’Connor indicated that school will use community space during school hours.

Vote on amendment: It was voted 7-0 to support the City Council in appropriating $800,000 of funds to be derived from the sale of Veranda Street for additional costs to design and construction of the new East End Elementary school, and to encourage the Council to find $200,000 from other city sources to cover some of the community-use costs associated with the school. (Student representatives voted with majority)

Vote on main motion as amended: It was voted 6-1 to support the City Council in appropriating $800,000 of funds to be derived from the sale of Veranda Street for additional costs to design and construction of the new East End Elementary school, and to encourage the Council to find $200,000 from other city sources to cover some of the community-use costs associated with the school. (Student representatives voted with majority)

New Business

1. First reading of policies:

BDE – Subcommittees, Task Forces, Advisory Groups

Mr. Spring reviewed policy for a first reading.

4. Consideration and action to convene a task force to draft and solicit public input on a strategic plan.

Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Mr. Chong to convene a task force to draft and solicit public input on a strategic plan.

Mr. Radtke spoke to the motion and indicated that he anticipated that a draft would be available to the Committee sometime in May. School Committee and administration would draft the plan and then obtain public input.

Ms. Alcorn spoke to the motion.

Public Comment: Steven Scharf addressed the Committee

Vote on motion: It was voted unanimously to convene a task force to draft and solicit public input on a strategic plan. (Student representatives voted with majority)

Personnel - None

Committee Focus on Educational Issues

1. Board process and procedure. - Will be discussed at a future meeting.

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM – No one from the public addressed the Committee.

Adjournment

Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Mr. Spring and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:42 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools