Draft:  May 7, 2008

                                                            Approved:May 21, 2008                                           

                                                            School Committee meeting May 7, 2008

                                                            Under Report of the Secretary

 

6:30 p.m.  Executive Session

Consideration and action to move into Executive Session to discuss a contract extension with the interim superintendent pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405(6)(A).

At 6:45 p.m. Mr. O’Brien moved, seconded Ms. Thompson and voted  8-0 to move into Executive Session to discuss a contract extension with the interim superintendent pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405(6)(A).

 

At 7:10pm Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. O’Brien and voted unanimously to come out of Executive Session

 

Business Meeting

Mr. Coyne called the meeting to order at 7:12pm

 

Members present:  Robert O’Brien, John Coyne, Jaimey Caron, Susan Hopkins (left meeting at 8:45pm), Sarah Thompson, Lori Gramlich, Jules Szanton, Rebecca Minnick, Peter Eglinton, Kate Snyder, Joshua Tingley, Joel Daley (left at 10pm)

 

Report of the Chair

Mr. Coyne:

·        Recognized Alfred “Fred” Padula with a Proclamation honoring his generous monetary donations to the Portland Public Schools in support of energy conservation.

·        Recognized Joshua Tingley and Jules Szanton for their induction into the National Honor Society.

·        Spoke about mentoring of student representatives to the school committee with board members.  This year Joel Daley’s mentor is Susan Hopkins, Jules Szanton’s mentor is Rebecca Minnick and Joshua Tingley’s mentor is Lori Gramlich

·        Attended a presentation at Historical Society where some of the PPS elementary students presented a book that they illustrated.

·        Students Against Destructive Decisions sponsored a mock accident at Portland High School on Friday, May 2nd.

·        School budget referendum vote is Tuesday, May 13th

 

Report of the Superintendent

Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers

·        Mentioned the various celebrations of learning taking place throughout the district.

·        Portland Art Show is taking place at city hall.

·        Graduations for Portland High, Deering High, PATHS, and Adult Ed will be taking place soon.

·        Announced resignations effective 8/31/08:

                                                Darcie McDuffie                       ESL/Reiche     

                                                Roy Ghim                                 FLS/Riverton   

                                                Meghan Hardison                     English/DHS    

Joanne Petkus                          Wellness/CBHS

 

Report of the Secretary

  1. Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes of April 16, 2008 meeting.

 

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Ms. Snyder and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of April 16, 2008 meeting. (Students voted with majority)

 

Report of Committees

1.      Policy Committee/Legislative Affairs – Ms. Snyder – spoke to policies on the evening’s agenda.   Spoke about the comprehensive planning workshop held on April 30, 2008.

  1. Finance Committee – Mr. Eglinton – thanked the city council and city council’s finance chairperson for their efforts with the school budget.  Spoke about the various efforts to get the word out regarding the upcoming budget referendum vote on May 13th.
  2. Personnel Committee – Ms. Gramlich – Community forums for superintendent’s search have been held recently.  Next forum on May 20th at the NAACP meeting.  Working with Portland Chamber to organize a meeting with members of this group.   Mentioned Living Contract committee meetings. Next meeting will be May 21st, 6:30pm
  3. Portland Education Partnership – Ms. Thompson – mentioned student art show at City Hall, YouTHINK Youth Summit at Keely the Caterer on Friday, May 9th,   DonorsChoose.org 259 registered teachers, 99 projects $36,272 funded – 52% success rate for funding.   Vista Placement has been approved for Deering High School.
  4. Building Committee – Ms. Thompson – last meeting April 24th .  Reviewed miscellaneous items that were discussed at that meeting.  Subcommittees - technology, entry/exterior, playground and school naming.  Next meeting May 8th, 5:30 at Baxter School site.
  5. Other Committees and/or member concerns:  Ms. Thompson and Mr. Caron – agenda development.  Requested that subcommittee agendas and minutes be posted.

 

Mr. Tingley – spoke about various teaching positions being eliminated and reviewed courses that will not be offered at DHS due to this.

 

Consent Items

Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers reviewed donations of gift certificates to Lincoln Middle School’s Drama Club fund raiser and thanked the contributors

 

Old Business

1.      Consideration and action to approve policy JIH – Student Searches

 

Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded  Ms. Thompson to approve policy JIH-Student Searches

 

Ms. Snyder – spoke to motion. Student safety is implicit and policy allows for some ambiguity around student vehicle searches.

Vote:  It was voted unanimously to approve policy JIH-Student Searches (Students voted with majority)

 

2.      Consideration and action to approve policy EBCF – Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s)

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded  Ms Snyder to approve policy EBCF – Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s)

 

Ms. Snyder reviewed policy EBCF.

 

Vote:  It was voted  unanimously to approve policy EBCF – Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) (Students voted with majority)

 

New Business

  1. First reading of policies
    1. IHBA – Individual Education Program
    2. BEDB – Agenda Preparation and Dissemination
    3. IHCDA – Post Secondary Enrollment Options
    4. JLF – Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

Ms. Snyder reviewed items A-D.

 

  1. Consideration and action to approve a Resolution establishing a Comprehensive Facility Use and Maintenance Task Force and appointing members to the Task Force

Mr. Eglinton moved, seconded  Mr. O’Brien to approve a Resolution establishing a Comprehensive Facility Use and Maintenance Task Force and appointing members to the Task Force

 

Mr. Coyne spoke to motion.

 

Mr. Caron  moved , it was seconded and voted unanimously to change wording in paragraph 10 to read…..that the Comprehensive  Facility  Use and Maintenance task force shall include appropriate school personnel and public representatives as appointed  by the School Committee,…..(Students voted with majority)

 

Mr. Caron moved,  it was seconded and voted  unanimously to change wording in item#3 to..Gather additional data deemed necessary for completion of the review. (Students voted with majority)

 

Mr. Caron moved, it was seconded and voted  unanimously to change wording in item #5 to read….Recommend options for phasing,…... (Students voted with majority)

 

Mr. Caron moved, it was seconded and voted  unanimously to change wording in item #7 to…Submit its findings to the School Committee by Dec. 3, 2008;…. (Students voted with majority)

 

Ms. Gramlich moved, it was seconded to change wording in item #4… Recommend capital plan for school facilities inclusive of possible improvements, modifications, renovations, and reconstruction. Ms. Gramlich withdrew motion.

 

Mr. Caron moved , Ms. Gramlich seconded and it was  voted  unanimously to remove item #4 and replace with… perform an inventory analysis and corresponding capital needs assessment for school facilities inclusive of possible improvements, modifications, renovations and replacement. (Students voted with majority)

 

Vote:  It was voted_ unanimously  to approve a Resolution establishing a Comprehensive Facility Use and Maintenance Task Force and appointing members to the Task Force (Students voted with majority)

 

  1. Consideration and action to direct the superintendent and staff to create a Foreign Language Task Force that will be charged with researching the components necessary for the reinstatement of a foreign language program with a report of findings to the School Committee by November 30, 2008.

Ms. Snyder moved, seconded  Mr. Eglinton to direct the superintendent and staff to create a Foreign Language Task Force that will be charged with researching the components necessary for the reinstatement of a foreign language program with a report of findings to the School Committee by November 30, 2008.

 

Ms. Snyder spoke to motion.

 

Ms. Gramlich moved, it was seconded  and voted  4-4 to call the question. (Students voted against calling the question) Motion fails.

 

Mr. Tingly moved  Ms. Gramlich seconded and it was voted  4-4  to refer this back to the policy committee. (Students 2 yea, 1 nay) Motion fails.

 

Vote:  It was voted 8-0 to direct the superintendent and staff to create a Foreign Language Task Force that will be charged with researching the components necessary for the reinstatement of a foreign language program with a report of findings to the School Committee by November 30, 2008.( Students voted with majority)

 

     4.  Consideration and action to authorize the hiring process to begin for the vacancies listed: 

Position

FTE

Location

Annual Salary (pro-rated)

Funding Source

Rationale

Building Custodian

1.00

East End

 $6,000

Local

clean and maintain building

Temporary

Speech Pathologist

.6

Hall

$3,333.60

Local

To cover maternity leave so that IEP mandated speech services can be delivered.

5-Teachers-Tutors

5-ed techs-language facilitators

 

Reiche

For the whole summer program: $13,500 for the teacher/tutor positions and about $10,000 for the ed. tech. positions

Grant funded

Safe & Smart summer program

*Building Custodian

1.00

PATHS

 $2,496

Local

clean and maintain building

**Tutor Sharma Math

Varied

Special Services

$6,939

Local

Tutor high school students

** Visualize and Verbalizing Tutors

Varied

Special Services

$6,939

Local

Tutor high school students

*Position currently in the FY 08 budget           

**Positions as of 7/1/08 for one year only

 

All listed positions are currently in the FY 08 budget  

 

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded  Ms. Minnick and voted  unanimously to authorize the hiring process to begin for the vacancies listed.(Students abstained)

 

5.  Consideration and action to authorize the interim superintendent to begin the hiring process on  May 14, 2008 through August 30, 2008 for all vacancies without seeking prior school committee approval to advertise.

Ms. Minnick moved, seconded  Mr. O’Brien and voted  unanimously to authorize the interim superintendent to begin the hiring process on May 14, 2008 through August 30, 2008 for all budgeted vacancies without seeking prior school committee approval to advertise. (Students voted with majority)

 

Personnel

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

 

A.  Leave of Absence:  Effective 9/1/08

Rebecca Stern                          Social Studies/DHS                  .5         Childrearing     

Dana Pratt                                Spanish/CBHS             .5         Childrearing

 

Mr. Caron moved, seconded  Mr. O’Brien and voted  unanimously to approve the Personnel items listed (Students abstaining)

 

B.  Consideration and action to eliminate positions for the 2008-2009 school year.

a.  Account Manager                            Central Office               1 position

b.  Portland Ed. Partnership Director     Central Office               1 position

c.  Human Resources Specialist Central Office               1 position

d.  Theoretical Math Teacher                Central Office               1.5 positions

e.  Custodian                                        BASE                          2 positions

f.  Plumber                                            BASE                          .5 position

g.  Secretary                                         BASE                          .5 position

h.  Educational Technicians                   Ed Tech                       10.65 positions

i.  Educational Technician                      Bilingual Facilitator        1

 

Mr. Eglinton moved, seconded  Mr. O’Brien and voted  unanimously to eliminate positions for the 2008-2009 school year (Students abstained)

 

C.  Consideration and action to eliminate positions by separate motion in the following impact areas pursuant to 20-A, Chapter 503 § 13201. 

      a.  Consideration and action to eliminate 3.1 positions - Languages K-12

b.      Consideration and action to eliminate 1.5 positions  - Art K-12

c.       Consideration and action to eliminate 1 position – Computer Technology

d.      Consideration and action to eliminate 2 positions – Computer teachers

e.       Consideration and action to eliminate 4.75 positions - Core Subjects 6-8

f.        Consideration and action to eliminate 6 positions – Elementary K-6

g.       Consideration and action to eliminate 1.4 positions – English 7-12

h.       Consideration and action to eliminate a .5 position – Family & Consumer Sciences

i.         Consideration and action to eliminate a .5 position – Instrumental Music

j.        Consideration and action to eliminate a .6 position – Guidance

k.      Consideration and action to eliminate a .7 position – Library

l.         Consideration and action to eliminate 1 position – Literacy Specialist

m.     Consideration and action to eliminate a .5 position – Math 7-12

n.       Consideration and action to eliminate 1.5 positions – Science 9-12

o.      Consideration and action to eliminate a .5 position – Physical Therapist

p.      Consideration and action to eliminate 1.5 positions – Social Studies

q.      Consideration and action to eliminate 1 position – Social Worker

r.        Consideration and action to eliminate 12.5 positions – Special Education

 

Ms. Minnick moved, seconded Mr. Caron and voted   8-0 to eliminate positions in the impact areas pursuant to 20-A, Chapter 503 § 13201 (Students abstained)

 

Committee Focus on Educational Issues - None

 

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM on any items not on the evening’s agenda

None

 

Adjournment

Mr. Caron moved, seconded  Ms.Snyder and voted 8-0 to adjourn the business meeting at 10:17pm (Students voted with majority)

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Jeanne Whynot-Vickers

Interim Superintendent of Schools