Draft: November 10, 2005

Approved:Dec.7,2005

School Committee meeting November 9, 2005

Under Report of the Secretary

Business meeting

Mr. Radtke called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Members present: Jonathan Radtke-Chairperson, Ellen Alcorn, Jason Toothaker, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Otis Thompson, Tae Chong, Stephen Spring, Michael Imbergamo, Sophia Njaa

Members not present: Teri McRae, James DiMillo

Report of the Chair

Mr. Radtke:

• Indicated that Councilwoman Donna Carr will be joining the Elementary Facilities Task Force
• School Committee workshop on Nov. 16^th at 7 p.m. will be for new and returning committee members. Harry Pringle, legal counsel, will be discussing School Committee policies and procedures.

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent O’Connor:

• Announced that Central Office will be relocating to PATHS beginning Thursday, Nov. 10^th. She recognized and thanked Doug Sherwood and all of the staff who worked so diligently to get the offices ready for the relocation.
• Mentioned that Kevin Mallory, Director of Transportation, recently attended a conference a national conference where he took and passed a national test, which gives him the title Nationally Certified Pupil Transportation Director.
• Introduced -

Kevin Mallory who updated the Committee on – fuel costs and possible savings; CNG fueling station should be completed in Jan. 2006, which will make available fuel to run the new CNG bus; a city Carbon Challenge meeting he recently attended; presented the Governor’s Award to the Committee which Portland Public Schools received in recognition for Environmental Excellence. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that field trips would be limited to the regional area.

Tom Lafavore who briefly reviewed recent Terra Nova scores.

Grace Valenzuela who reviewed the first year results of ACCESS for ELL students.

Report of Committees

1. Policy Committee – No report.
2. Finance Committee – No report.
3. Legislative Affairs – No report.
4. Riverton Building Committee – John Coyne briefly updated the Committee on the recent meeting.

5. Other Committees and/or member concerns:

Mr. Meiklejohn – announced that the CATV committee would be meeting on Nov. 10^th at 4 p.m. He also indicated that the Block Schedule Task Force would be meeting on Dec. 1^st, 5:30p.m. in Room 209 at City Hall.

Consent Items

Superintendent O’Connor reviewed donations and thanked the contributors.

Report of the Secretary

1. Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes of the November 2, meeting.

Mr. Spring moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the November 2, 2005 meeting. (Students voted with majority)

Old Business - None

New Business

1. Consideration and action to approve a three-year contract with the Superintendent of Schools July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2009.

Mr. Chong moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn to approve a three-year contract with the Superintendent of Schools July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2009.

Vote on motion: It was voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract with the Superintendent of Schools July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2009. (Students voted with majority)

2. Consideration and action to approve Portland Public Schools’ portion, $61,095.48, of the part II New Program and Equipment total budget of $143,951, for PATHS for FY06

Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. Toothaker to approve Portland Public Schools’ portion, $61,095.48, of the part II New Program and Equipment total budget of $143,951, for PATHS for FY06.

Superintendent O’Connor recommended tabling of this item until the PATHS General Advisory Committee has an opportunity to revisit the by-laws concerning the budget process.

Mr. Cong moved, seconded Mr. Toothaker and voted unanimously to table the motion. (Students voted with majority)

3. Consideration and action to approve a Resolution in support of the implementation of the SAT for all Grade 11 students.

RESOLUTION

Whereas, the Commissioner of Education has been proactive across the state in her message that all students will graduate college ready, AND

Whereas, the Commissioner of Education has worked with the College Board to align the SAT standards with Grade 11 MEA standards, AND

Whereas, the Commissioner has set forth a plan to transition from the MEA to the College Board SAT for all Grade 11 students in 2005-2006, AND

Whereas, this is a bold move to encourage all students to see college as an option in their future,

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Portland School Committee supports the Commissioner’s move to implement the College Board SAT for all Grade 11 students.

Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn to approve a Resolution in support of the implementation of the SAT for all Grade 11 students.

Superintendent O’Connor indicated that at a recent regional superintendents’ meeting with the Commissioner it was mentioned that transportation will be provided at no cost to the school department for those students who otherwise would not be able to get to the test site. Also, makeup dates will be April 4 and 5.

Board discussion/debate:

Mr. Thompson – does not support. Concerned that students are expected to take test on non-student day and will be taking test for competency.

Mr. Imbergamo – expressed concerns about SAT testing.

Mr. Chong – supports motion.

Mr. Spring – supports motion.

Ms. Alcorn – does not support. SAT is a norm-referenced test not a measure of achievement.

Mr. Radtke – supports motion.

Vote on motion: It was voted 5-2 to approve a Resolution in support of the implementation of the SAT for all Grade 11 students.(Students voted with minority)

Personnel

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

Leave of Absence: Effective 10/27/05

Pamela Brewer K-2 Special Ed Teacher 1.0 Childbearing LOA

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted unanimously to accept personnel items as listed. (Students voted with majority)

Committee Focus on Educational Issues - None

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM - None

Adjournment

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted 6-1 to adjourn the business meeting at 8:20 p.m.

Executive Session

Consideration and action to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations with the superintendent pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405(6)(A).

At 8:25 p.m. it was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations with the superintendent pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405 (6)(A).

At 9:10 p.m. it was moved, seconded and voted unanimously to come out of Executive Session.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools