Draft: August 10, 2006

Approved: Sept. 6, 2006

School Committee meeting August 9, 2006

Under Report of the Secretary

Business Meeting

Ms. Alcorn called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Members Present: Ellen Alcorn, Jason Toothaker, John Coyne, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Jonathan Radtke, Susan Hopkins, Otis Thompson, Sarah Muzzy, Lori Gramlich

Members not present: Joshua Waxman, Stephen Spring

Report of the Chair

Ms. Alcorn:

• Discussed Aug. 23rd School Committee retreat – planning agenda.

- The superintendent working with staff to formulate strategic plan and will present work to date.

- Role clarification around work of the board and superintendent

- Begin strategic planning

- Review board norms

- Suggestions for future workshops

Ellen indicated that Tim McCormack would facilitate the retreat. Cost of $450/

day to facilitate will be paid from contracted services line.

• Last week the Committee voted to join 3x3 committee to study elementary facilities. At-Large city councilors on 3x3 are Ed Suslovic, Jim Cloutier, and Nick Mavodones. School Committee at-large members Susan Hopkins and Ben Meiklejohn have agreed to join 3x3 comm. Ms. Alcorn is at-large, but would prefer not to appoint herself and she asked Mr. Coyne about becoming a member of the 3x3. After discussions regarding gender equity on the 3x3 Ms. Alcorn will become the third member.

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent O’Connor:

• Reported that work on the green roof at the EECS has begun today.
• Reported on the various activities of the PPS orchestra.

Report of Committees

1. Policy Committee - no report

2. Finance Committee – no report

3. Legislative Affairs Committee - no report

4. Riverton Building Committee – no report

5. Other Committees and/or member concerns - none

Consent Items

Superintendent O'Connor reviewed consent item and thanked the contributor.

Report of the Secretary

1. Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes of the August 2, 2006 meeting.

Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Coyne and voted unanimously to approve the

meeting minutes of the August 2, 2006 meeting.(Student voted with majority)

Old Business

1. Consideration and action to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Portland Public Schools and the Portland Public Library July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008.

Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Ms. Gramlich to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Portland Public Schools and the Portland Public Library July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008

Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Portland Public Schools and the Portland Public Library July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008. (Student voted with majority)

New Business

1. Consideration and action to authorize central office to request an RFP for an efficiency study related to central office functions.

Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Toothaker to authorize central office to request an RFP for an efficiency study related to central office functions.

Ms. Alcorn spoke to motion. In favor of efficiency study. There is political rhetoric

around cost cutting and needs hard data to consider.

Discussion/Debate:

Mr. Radtke - supports motion. School Committee would review proposals and

consider scope/price of work. Over 6 years he has been on the committee there have had two studies on efficiencies. There are things that can/cannot be controlled. Could possibly identify efficiencies with city. This study would provide information that the superintendent and committee can take action on. It is an opportunity to tend

to the school dept.

Mr. Thompson – has concerns about looking at functions in educational setting

There are large numbers of people to manage at both the building and central office level. Work from data on differences between central office and city hall. Need to be cautious of impact on students. Have done number of salary studies, etc. Concerned about getting too specific in RFP.

Mr. Meiklejohn - inclined to have School Committee craft RFP. Suggested possibly looking at creative ways to incorporate working staff into administrative areas within the district. Last year joint finance committee did determine there could be some efficiencies by combining areas, i.e. city and school custodians.

Superintendent O’Connor - welcomes the efficiency study and she looks forward to report.

Vote: It was voted unanimously to authorize central office to request an RFP for an efficiency study related to central office functions. (Student voted with majority)

Personnel

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

Leave of Absence: Effective 2006-2007 School Year

Sarah Richards Foreign Language * Moore 1.0 Personal

Kathryn Collord Adult Ed Teacher .4667 Personal

Kathleen Archambault Special Ed/Moore 1.0 Childrearing

PAA Election: Effective 8/10/06 One Year Only

Dana Allen .5 PATHS Director $ 81,641* (pro-rated $40,820.50)

Election: Effective 9/1/06 Contract: Probationary 1

Tim Cronin Science * King $52,732*

MS of Education * Lesley College

Fiona Hopper Language Arts * Moore $31,730*

BA in Women's studies and Literature/Creative Writing *

University of California at Santa Cruz

Change in Degree - effective 9/1/06

Trevor Slater - Special Ed Teacher/Lyseth - $3028*

MS in Special Ed/USM

Michael Lamoureux - Computer Tech Leader - $3324*

MS in Technology in Education/Lesley

* pending negotiations

Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Coyne and voted unanimously to approve the Personnel items listed. (Student voted with majority)

Committee Focus on Educational Issues - None

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM - None

Ms. Alcorn indicated that the next School Committee meeting will be Sept. 6^th .

Mr. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 p.m. (Student voted with majority)

Respectfully submitted

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools