Draft: June 16, 2005

Approved:August 3, 2005
School Committee meeting June 15, 2005

Under Report of the Secretary

Business Meeting

Mr. Radtke called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Members present: Jonathan Radtke-Chairperson, Ellen Alcorn, Stephen Spring, Jason Toothaker, Teri McRae (arrived at approximately 7:50 pm), James DiMillo, Michael Imbergamo, Sophia Njaa

Members not present: Ben Meiklejohn, Otis Thompson, Tae Chong

Report of the Chair

Mr. Radtke mentioned that in September a task force will begin looking at the Elementary Facilities plan and asked that anyone interested in being a member of the task force to contact the superintendent’s office.

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent O’Connor:

• Announced retirements effective August 31, 2005
• Michael Murphy, Computer Technology/PATHS, 36 years
• Francine Schneit, Social Worker/Deering, 20 years
• Janice Tooker, Teacher, Gr. 3/Reiche, 17 years
• Kathleen Kenney, Teacher, Gr. 5/Lyseth, 28 years
• Introduced Shirley Conner and Adams School Grade 5 students Gabbie Kelly, Djuna Kendall, Torrie Staples, and Elizsa Caterina who shared the process and experience that their 5^th grade class used in working on a project of documenting the demolition of Jack School and the construction of the new EEAS. The School Committee and audience had the opportunity to preview a movie that the students made as part of this project. Superintendent O’Connor mentioned that the eagle medallion from Jack was preserved and will be incorporated into the new school.

Chairman Radtke requested unanimous consent to take addendum item #1 out of order.

1. Consideration and action to accept the recommendation of the Naming Committee.

Mr. Spring moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo to accept the recommendation of the Naming Committee.

Superintendent O’Connor acknowledged the Naming Committee members – Peter Gribbin, Dorothy Rodney, Carol Connor, Walter Rumery, Gail Donovan-Kesich, Nini McManamy, James Banks, Shirley Conner, and 5^th grade students in Ms. Conner’s classroom. Nini McManamy and Peter Gribbin spoke about the process used by the Committee in selecting a name for the new school. Finalist names were in two categories – place names and individual’s names.

Vote on motion: It was voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Naming Committee. (Student reps voted with majority)

• Introduced Shoshana Hoose who announced that TV3 has won the Alliance for Community Media’s 2005 Overall Excellence Award for small educational access stations nationwide. The Alliance is the professional organization representing educational, governmental, and public access stations in the US and abroad. TV3 won in the category of stations with budgers under $200,000. The award will be presented at the Alliance’s Hometown Video Festival in Monterrey, CA in July.
• Introduced Derek Pierce, Principal of ELOB High School, who provided an update on the status of the high school, which is slated to open in September, 2005.

Mr. DiMillo inquired about students participating in athletics. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that the MPA has granted permission for the 2005-06 school year for students to participate in athletics at the high schools.

Mr. Spring – asked if School Committee could meet in another space instead of Room 250 since the high school would be utilizing the space.

Superintendent O’Connor – indicated that dais, etc would be removed from the space, which classes are in session and that students would set up space for Wed. evening meetings as part of their community service work.

• Laurie Davis, NCLB Coordinator, updated the Committee on the status of NCLB funding. Ms. Davis indicated that the majority of teachers already meet the highly qualified requirements.

Ms. Alcorn - inquired about amount of funding lost from Title V. Ms. Davis indicated that a large amount was lost and this continues to decrease.

Mr. Spring – inquired if state has passed any legislation about opting out of NCLB.

Superintendent O’Connor – indicated that there is nothing definitive at this time.

She acknowledged Laurie’s leadership in keeping the Portland Public Schools in compliance with NCLB.

Reports of Committees

1. East End Area School Building Committee – no report.
2. Policy Committee – Mr. Spring indicated that the Committee met earlier in the evening with members of the Study Circles School Choice group and will be reviewing a proposed school choice policy. In August the full Committee will be receiving Chapter 127 policies for a first reading.
3. Finance Committee – no report.
4. Legislative Affairs – no report.
5. Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound High School – no report
6. Other committees and/or member concerns - Ms. Alcorn mentioned that she has been working on the strategic plan and would be contacting committee members for a one-on-one meeting.

Mr. Spring – thanked people who organized Commute Another Way to Work Day.

Report of the Secretary

1. Consideration and action to accept the meeting minutes of the June 1, 2005 and June 8, 2005 meetings.

Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the June 1, 2005 and June 8, 2005 meetings. (Student reps voted with majority)

Consent Items

Superintendent O’Connor reviewed donations and thanked contributors. She introduced Judy Austin, Vice President of TDBanknorth who addressed the School Committee regarding TDBanknorth’s $10,000 contribution to the Multilingual Summer Program. Grace Valenzuela also thanked TDBanknorth for their generous contribution and acknowledged Margie MacDonald who solicited this contribution.

Old Business

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

Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo and voted unanimously to approve policy IFA – Curriculum Policy. (Student reps voted with majority)

New Business

1. Consideration and action to approve an out-of-country trip to Guatemala for 12 students from the Deering High School Spanish Club April 14, 2006 to April 23, 2006.

Ms. McRae moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo to approve an out-of-country trip to Guatemala for 12 students from the Deering High School Spanish Club April 14, 2006 to April 23, 2006.

Anne Dixon and Markos Miller, DHS teachers who will be accompanying students on the trip, addressed the Committee regarding the trip request.

Vote on motion: It was voted unanimously to approve an out-of-country trip to Guatemala for 12 students from the Deering High School Spanish Club April 14, 2006 to April 23, 2006. (Student reps voted with majority)

2. Consideration and action to approve a new elective at Portland High School entitled Peer Literacy Project.

Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo to approve a new elective at Portland High School entitled Peer Literacy Project.

Superintendent O’Connor provided an overview of the proposal. Julie Criscitiello-Wise, Kaitlin Katsaficas, and students from the Peer Project spoke in support of this proposed elective.

Clarifying questions:

Ms. McRae – asked how often students could take class and if this would be a one-year trial or a permanent elective. Are there goals for tutors working one-on-one with students?

Ms. Criscitiello-Wise - indicated as many semesters as they would like. There will be credit if a full class and if taken more often then it would be a half credit. The instructor would provide guidance to tutors. This elective is basic literacy geared to beginner students.

Superintendent O’Connor – indicated that approval by the Committee would establish this as an elective course. Electives can only be offered if the required numbers of students sign up.

Mr. Spring – inquired about alignment with learning results.

Superintendent O’Connor - indicated that the English Language Arts learning results would apply.

Ms. Alcorn – asked if there was a systematic way that instructors will collect data on the progress of students in the program.

Ms. Criscitiello – indicated that this information is tracked.

Public Comment – Ainsley Wallace, YouTHINK, spoke to the Committee regarding the Peer Literacy Project, which has received funding from YouTHINK.

Discussion/Debate:

Mr. Spring – concerned about lack of benchmarks/learning results.

Ms. McRae - would like the approval as a one-year trial program and then require a report out before approving continuation of the program.

Ms. Njaa – sees benefits of program vote as a one-year program.

Mr. Imbergamo – sees learning expectations being met without having to table the motion.

Mr. Toothaker – supports.

Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Ms. McRae to approve for one year a new elective at Portland High School entitled Peer Literacy Project.

Vote on amendment: It was voted unanimously to approve for one year a new elective at Portland High School entitled Peer Literacy Project. (Student reps voted with majority)

Back to motion as amended.

Ms. Alcorn – wonderful example of student learning.

Mr. Spring – course is essential. Need to see benchmarks as part of a course acceptance procedure.

Ms. Njaa – suggested a work in the fall on course acceptance procedure.

Mr. Radtke – fantastic idea.

Vote on motion as amended: It was voted unanimously to approve for one year a new elective at Portland High School entitled Peer Literacy Project. (Student reps voted with majority)

3. Consideration and action to authorize the superintendent to enter into an agreement with the State Department of Education and with Spring Harbor Hospital to have Portland Public Schools provide education instruction for up to twelve students at Spring Harbor between March 9, 2005 and June 30, 2005 and July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006.

Mr. DiMillo moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn to authorize the superintendent to enter into an agreement with the State Department of Education and with Spring Harbor Hospital to have Portland Public Schools provide education instruction for up to twelve students at Spring Harbor between March 9, 2005 and June 30, 2005 and July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006.

Mr. Radtke requested that this item be tabled at this time.

Mr. DiMillo moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn and voted unanimously to table the motion. (Student reps voted with majority)

Personnel

1. Pursuant to MSRA 20-A § 13201 Chapter 503, consideration and action to eliminate a .15 teaching position in the Adult Education impact area due to a change in local conditions (Budget reduction).

Ms. McRae moved, seconded Mr. Toothaker and voted unanimously to eliminate a .15 teaching position in the Adult Education impact area due to a change in local conditions (grant funding ending). (Student reps voted with majority)

2. Pursuant to MSRA 20-A § 13201 Chapter 503, consideration and action to eliminate .10 of the continuing contract of Ellen Mugar and .05 of the continuing contract of Sheila Reaman due to a change in local conditions (Budget cut). This will be effective 90 days from the date of this vote.

Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn and voted unanimously to eliminate .10 of the continuing contract of Ellen Mugar and .05 of the continuing contract of Sheila Reaman due to a change in local conditions (Budget cut). This will be effective 90 days fro m the date of this vote. (Student reps voted with majority)

3. Consideration and action to approve Personnel items as listed:

Unpaid LOA: Eff: 09/01/2005 - 08/31/2006

Christine Acker Lyseth/Learning Strategist 1.0 Teach Abroad

Beverly Lawrence Longfellow/Grade 1/2 .50 of 1.0 Extended

Childrearing

Change in Degree : Eff. 09/01/2005

Wendy Steele King/Special Education M-9 $3,324

MS/USM

Elections: 09/01/2005

Michael Hale Special Ed/ELOB High School B-5 $37,472 .50

Post Secondary Options Coordinator .50

BA/Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT

Olga Slasten-LaPlante Computer Tech. Integrator/Mentor/District M-5 $40,796 1.0 One Year Only

MA/Lipetsk State Pedagogical University, Lipetsk, Russia

Tina Veilleux Nurse/District B-8 $28,769 One Year Only

BS/USM

Tracey Falla OT/District M-2 $36,263 1.0

MS/USM

Ms. Alcorn moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo and voted unanimously to approve Personnel items as listed. (Student reps voted with majority)

Addendum items:

Personnel

1. Consideration and action to approve the Personnel items as listed.:

First Year Probationary Contract: Effective: 09/01/2005-08/31/2006

Janie Bartlett Clifford/Speech M-14 $51,674 1.0

M.A./Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

Joseph Bolduc PATHS/Manufacturing B-7 $39,889 1.0

AS/Central Maine Community College, Auburn, ME

Tesia McCarthy Riverton/Special Ed M-1 $34,752 1.0

M.S./USM, Gorham ME

Andrea Stamey Riverton/Speech M-2 $36,263 1.0

M.A./University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Kelly Hasson Peaks/Principal (Eff. 07/01/05) Range 3 Step 1 $35,153.40 .60 prorated

Teaching Strategist (Eff. 09/01/05) M-23 $22,724.80 .40 prorated C.A.S./University of Maine, Orono, ME

Change in Degree 09/01/2005

Andrea Napolitano-Romer Riverton/Grade 2 MI-12 + $1,511

CAS/USM, Portland, ME

Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn and voted unanimously to approve the Personnel items as listed. (Student reps voted with the majority)

Superintendent O’Connor introduced Kelly Hasson, new principal at Peaks/Cliff Island, who spoke briefly to the Committee.

Committee Focus on Educational Issues - None

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM

Ms. McRae acknowledged the retirement of Kathleen Kenney from Lyseth School.

Adjournment

Ms. McRae moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn and voted unanimously to adjourn the business meeting at 8:55 p.m.

Executive Session

Consideration and action to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations with the Educational Technicians and Language Facilitators, B.A.S.E., non-represented employees, and an update on PAA negotiations.(1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(D)).

Members present: Jonathan Radtke-chairperson, Ellen Alcorn, Teri McRae, James DiMillo, Jason Toothaker

At 9 p.m. Mr. DiMillo moved, seconded Ms. McRae and voted unanimously to move into Executive Session to discuss negotiations with the Educational Technicians and Language Facilitators, B.A.S.E., non-represented employees, and an update on PAA negotiations. (1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(D).

At 9:45 p.m. Mr. DiMillo moved, seconded Mr. Toothaker and voted unanimously to come out of Executive Session.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools