Approved: Dec. 6, 2006
School Committee meeting Nov. 15, 2006
6:00 p.m.
School Committee Caucus
Members present: Rebecca Minnick, Jason Toothaker, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Robert O’Brien, Susan Hopkins, John Coyne, Lori Gramlich, Sarah Thompson, Ellen Alcorn
Ms. Gramlich nominated John Coyne as the 2006-2007 School Committee Chairperson.
Ms. Thompson seconded the nomination of John Coyne as the 2006-2007 School Committee Chairperson.
Ms. Hopkins nominated Benjamin Meiklejohn as the 2006-2007 School Committee Chairperson.
Mr. Toothaker seconded the nomination of Benjamin Meiklejohn as the 2006-2007 School Committee Chairperson.
Mr. Toothaker moved , seconded Ms. Gramlich and voted unanimously to cease nominations.
Mr. Toothaker requested, with no objection, to ask questions of the candidates.
Ms. Hopkins requested a Roll Call vote:
Votes for Benjamin Meiklejohn:
Rebecca Minnick, Jason Toothaker, Susan Hopkins, Benjamin Meiklejohn (4 votes)
Votes for John Coyne:
Robert O’Brien, Lori Gramlich, Sarah Thompson, Ellen Alcorn, John Coyne (5 votes)
By a vote of 4-3 Mr. Coyne is selected as the 2006-2007 School Committee Chairperson.
Ms. Gramlich nominated Ellen Alcorn as the 2006-2007 Finance Committee Chairperson.
Mr. Coyne seconded the nomination of Ellen Alcorn as the 2006-2007 Finance Committee Chairperson.
Ms. Hopkins nominated Benjamin Meiklejohn as the 2006-2007 Finance Committee Chairperson.
Mr. Toothaker seconded the nomination of Benjamin Meiklejohn as the 2006-2007 Finance Committee Chairperson.
Ms. Gramlich moved, seconded Mr. O’Brien and voted unanimously to cease nominations.
Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. O’Brien and voted 8-1 to table the motion
At 6:40 p.m. Mr. Toothaker moved, seconded Mr. Coyne and voted unanimously to adjourn the caucus session.
Report of the Chair
Ms. Alcorn mentioned that this would be the last meeting for some committee members, Stephen Spring, Jonathan Radtke, Otis Thompson, Sarah Muzzy, and Joshua Waxman. She wished them well.
Superintendent O'Connor:
· Announced that TV3 is a recent recipient of an award for best exemplifying the mission of educational television and congratulated Shoshana Hoose and Mary Gross. Introduced Shoshana Hoose, Director-TV. who reviewed the work and activities associated with TV 3 as well as district communication activities.
· Provided a brief update on the High School Summit Task Force's work. Recommendations will be coming to the School Committee at the end of November.
2. Finance Committee - Mr. Thompson - no report.
3. Legislative Affairs Committee - Ms. Gramlich - no report.
4. Riverton Building Committee - Mr. Coyne - construction is progressing.
5. Elementary Facilities Committee - Mr. Meiklejohn - Next meeting will be at Presumpscot on Nov. 28th at 5 p.m.
6. Other Committees and/or member concerns - None
1.
Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes of
the November 1, 2006 meeting.
Mr.Meiklejohn moved, seconded Ms. Hopkins and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the November 1, 2006 meeting. (Students voted with the majority)
Ms. Alcorn requested that two items be taken out of order - Executive Session and Committee Focus on Educational Issues.
Executive Session
Consideration and action to move into Executive Session
to discuss the Superintendent’s goals and
renewal of the Superintendent’s contract pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405(6)(A)
At 7:18 p.m. Mr. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn voted unanimously to move into Executive Session to discuss the Superintendent’s goals and renewal of the Superintendent’s contract pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405(6)(A)
At 7:45 p.m. Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Radtke and voted unanimously to come out of Executive Session.
Business meeting was called back to order at 7:48 p.m.
1. Educational Mandates and K-8 discussion - Ms. Alcorn, Ms. Hopkins, and Mr. Meiklejohn indicated that frequently at the 3x3 Elementary Facilities meetings that there is discussion regarding K-8 options and educational mandates. Kevin Mallory provided the Committee with information on the numbers of students in the district's schools. Mentioned various items to be considered - relocation of CBHS, 3x3 Elementary Facilities recommendations, consolidating and redistricting, existing capacity, what is available now for new programs, declining enrollments, small school/large school debate, transportation, neighborhood schools, schools of choice, new students into the district. Discussed capacity/enrollment history of Portland Public Schools.
Ms. Alcorn mentioned that there are many facilities decisions to be made in the near future and that the 3x3 will have a joint recommendation on elementary facilities by January 15, 2007.
Mr. Thompson -asked what the DOE's view is on K-8 configurations. He indicated that Portland has not received much financial assistance from the state. What is the state expecting the Portland Public Schools to do?
Superintendent O'Connor - Has talked with Scott Brown at the DOE and he has indicated that the DOE would be interested in hearing a proposal on a K-8 project. DOE expects districts to be working efficiently with the facilities that currently exist within the district.
Mr. Radtke - cautioned that there are facilities in the district that are in dire need of repair. Important that there are well built, healthy facilities to house various school configurations.
Mr.Meiklejohn -asked if there were facilities design requirements for K-8 facilities. Hopes that the Committee takes hard look at K-8 options.
Mr. Spring - how is the learning community being viewed in the district? How can the least amount of disruption to the learning community be handled?
Ms. Hopkins - asked how "walkability" would be addressed. Also mentioned economic diversity and student funding.
Superintendent O'Connor - indicated that the state would not look at "walkability" for neighborhood schools. Recommended that at a future board meeting the Committee take a position on whether or not there is support for a K-8 model. Take a look at existing facilities and do some thinking out of the box around this issue.
Ms. Alcorn - was on the original K-8 task force where research was done on K-8 models and the recommendation was to continue to consider K-8 options. A K-8 option needs to be vetted with staff, parents, and she cautioned not move too far ahead.
Mr. Radtke - K-8 task force recommendation - viable option, has to be thought out, then build bricks/mortar around the program.
Ms. Gramlich - requests ample opportunity for public input if this goes forward to a future agenda.
Mr. Spring - talked about an intake process for students.
Mr. Thompson - with schools of choice and lottery diversity becomes part of that process.
Old Business - None
1.
Consideration and action to approve a three-year contract
with the Superintendent of Schools July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010.
Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn to approve a three-year contract with the Superintendent of Schools July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010.
Ms. Alcorn - Committee has met in two Exec. Sessions to review the superintendent's 05/06 and 06/07 goals.
Mr. Thompson suggested a friendly amendment: that for one year effective July 1, 2007 compensation remain the same as the superintendent currently receives as of July 1, 2006 per the superintendent's request.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract with the Superintendent of Schools July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010 and that for one year effective July 1, 2007 compensation remain the same as the superintendent currently receives as of July 1, 2006 per the superintendent's request. (Students voted with majority)
2.
Consideration and action to accept the Superintendent’s
Strategic Plan.
Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Thompson to accept the Superintendent’s Strategic Plan.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to accept the Superintendent's
Strategic Plan.
3.
Consideration and action to approve the contract
settlement between the Portland
Education Association (PEA) and the Portland School Committee effective
September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2009.
Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Ms. Hopkins to approve the contract settlement between the Portland Education Association (PEA) and the Portland School Committee effective September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2009.
Mr. Radtke and Ms. Hart spoke to motion. Tentative Agreement has been reached.
Public Comment:
Kathleen Casasa and Gary Vines spoke to the Committee regarding the contract settlement between the Portland Education Association and Portland School Committee.
Superintendent O'Connor's recommendation - spoke to motion and recommended that the Committee approve the contract.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve the contract settlement between the
Portland Education Association (PEA) and the Portland School Committee
effective September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2009. (Students voted with the
majority)
4. First reading of policies:
Mr. Radtke reviewed policies for a first reading. He requested unanimous consent to send policies IHBAK*, JLCC*, and JLCD* be returned to Policy Committee for staff review.
a. EEAEAA – Drug and Alcohol
Testing of School Bus Drivers
b. GBEC – Drug-free Workplace
c. GCFB – Hiring of Administrative Staff
d. GCOA – Evaluation of Instructional Staff
e. IHBAC – Child Find
f. IHBAI - Independent Educational Evaluations
g. IHBAK – Life-Sustaining
Emergency Care*
h. IHBAL – Grievance Procedure for
Persons with Disabilities
i. IHBG – Home Schooling
j. IMB – Teaching About
Controversial/Sensitive Issues
k. IMBB – Exemption from Required
Instruction
l. JEA - Compulsory Attendance Ages
m. JFAA - Admission of Resident Students
n. JFAB - Admission of Non-Resident Students
o. JFABD - Admission of Homeless Students
p. JHB – Truancy
q. JKG – Physical Restraint
r. JLCC - Communicable/Infectious Diseases*
s. JLCD – Administration of
Medication to Students*
t. JLDBG - Reintegration of Students from Juvenile Correctional Facilities
Personnel
1. Consideration and action to approve the Personnel item listed.
Change in Degree: Effective 9/1/06
Charlie Marenghi Grades K-2/East End $3,022*
MS in Education/Cambridge College
* pending negotiations
Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Coyne and voted unanimously to approve the Personnel item listed (Students voted
with majority)
Ms. Alcorn addressed the student reps, Joshua Waxman and Sarah Muzzy, who are leaving the Committee.
Mr. Radtke - indicated that Ms. Muzzy was the most organized member of the Policy Committee.
Superintendent O'Connor - recognized and acknowledged the student reps who have helped keep the Committee focused on what the work is all about.
Mr. Toothaker - enjoyed working with Joshua and Sarah.
Mr. Spring bid a farewell to the Committee.
Mr. Radtke shared his thoughts, some experiences, and changes that have occurred during his six years on the Committee. Thanked many people who he has worked with during his six years on the Committee.
Mr. Meiklejohn - acknowledged the valuable resources of Jon Radtke, Stephen Spring, Otis Thompson, who will be leaving the Committee.
Joshua Waxman and Sarah Muzzy - thanked the Committee.
None.
Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Spring and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jo O'Connor
Superintendent of Schools