Draft: August 14, 2007
Approved: Aug. 15, 2007
School Committee meeting August 1, 2007
Under Report of the Secretary
Mr. Coyne called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Members present: John Coyne-Chair, Peter Eglinton, Robert O’Brien, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Ellen Alcorn, Susan Hopkins, Sarah Thompson, Lori Gramlich, Bennett Gross, Anthony Toppi, Maureen Quinn (arrived 7:35pm)
Members not present: Rebecca Minnick
Report of the Chair -
Mr. Coyne indicated that there is an addendum to the evening’s agenda, which is to authorize the Chairperson to retain independent council to investigate the budget deficit.
Report of Superintendent -
Superintendent O’Connor announced:
·
Retirement: Effective
06/30/07
Susan Waterman ESL/Riverton 1.0 20 years
Joan Hale Adult Ed Instructor .5 6 years
Jan Crossman Business/Portland High 1.0 4 years
· Resignations: Effective 09/01/07
Cathy Bowden ELL Reading/King .5
Chris Deveau Special Ed/Spring Harbor 1.0
Jeanne Kita Burke Library Specialist/Moore 1.0
Leslie Romanow Gifted & Talented .6
Laurie Davis NCLB Coordinator 1.0
Richard Paulson Director of Finance and Operations
Ms. Gramlich moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the June 20, 2007, June 27, 2007, and July 25, 2007 meetings.
Students voting with majority)
Report of Committees:
1. Policy – No report.
Finance Committee has endorsed phase I of financial plan. Will also seek facilitator from DOE related to consolidation issues.
Committee reviewed some policy proposals designed to provide more budget information to finance committee and more oversight by the finance comm. Policies will be forwarded to the policy comm. for review.
Tentatively scheduling the next Finance Committee meeting on Aug. 29th.
There is a process to be followed when a town placed on list for construction process; Portland is now at step 6 and need to go to step 12 within the next eight months.
Mr. Meiklejohn - decision regarding renovation or building a new school remains with the school committee. The city council would need seven votes to put school committee decision and design out to referendum.
Ms. Gramlich –asked if funding set for building? If referendum doesn’t pass does PPS lose funding? Superintendent O’Connor - $17,000,000 available from state. To renovate – est. is $21M to $22M. Would lose funding if referendum does not pass.
Ms. Thompson – What is deadline for project? Superintendent O’Connor– deadline is March 2008 for concept design on new vs. renovation.
Mr. Eglinton – if new school comes in above funding available from state – city would need to come up with difference.
Ms. Alcorn – new building estimated at approximately $17.1M and renovation est. $21M
Committee/concerns:
Ms. Hopkins– Attended a school law conference and gratifying to see what PPS is doing right - vertical teaming, best practice, how DHS handled walkout, and a number of other items that PPS is doing right.
Ms. Alcorn– asked again about a possible joint meeting with school committee/city council. Mr. Coyne– will contact the mayor.
Consent Items – none
Old Business – none
New Business
Addendum:
Ms. Gramlich moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn to authorize the School Committee Chair to retain independent counsel to investigate the causes of the budget shortfall and to issue a report within 30 days to the School Committee and the public.
Ms. Gramlich – spoke to motion. Last few months have been difficult, reconciling budget and dealing with cuts. Does not feel she received all information needed. Intent of motion is to charge chair to engage independent council to do a complete investigation on who is responsible. Consulted with Harry Pringle.
Clarifying Questions:
Ms. Thompson– where is money coming from to pay for counsel? Mr. Coyne – school committee would need to vote to spend money from the contingency account to pay for counsel.
Mr. Meiklejohn – what is the name of the person ? Is it the chair’s intent to engage this individual? Ms. Gramlich– Bryan Dench
Mr. Coyne – has talked with Harry Pringle about this individual
Ms. Alcorn – asked if legal counsel best way to go forward or should there be an investigative accountant. Ms. Gramlich – looking at this from a personnel perspective. Need to have accountability from staff on why this happened and who is responsible.
Mr. Eglinton– contingency fund for $35,000. Is there a sense of cost of retaining Mr. Dench? Mr. Coyne – cost estimated to be between $10,000 and $20,000
Ms. Alcorn – is Mr. Dench available? Mr. Coyne – indicated that he is available.
Mr. Eglinton – does this need to go out to bid or can the school committee select the individual?
Superintendent O’Connor– will clarify with Mr. Pringle.
Mr. O’Brien– would think the Committee would want most effective investigating. versus cheapest.
Public comment:
Kathleen Casasa– spoke to the committee regarding this item.
Debate:
Mr. Meiklejohn – in accordance with policy school committee must approve all expenditures from the contingency fund.
Amended motion:
Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Ms. Gramlich to add the following to the main motion….to be paid for with the school committee contingency fund.
Vote on amendment: It was voted unanimously to add the following to the main motion…., to be paid for with the school committee contingency fund. (Students voted with majority)
Back to main motion:
Ms. Thompson – asked for clarification of Ms. Casasa’s comment.
Ms. Casasa– first review is about money. If fault is to be placed, school committee will determine scope. Supports hiring outside consultant. Not look at it as a personnel matter.
Board debate:
Mr. Meiklejohn – supports motion as it is written.
Mr. Coyne – supports motion.
Vote on main motion as amended: It was voted unanimously to authorize the School Committee Chair to retain independent counsel to investigate the causes of the budget shortfall and to issue a report within 30 days to the School Committee and the public and to be paid for with the school committee contingency fund. (Students voting with majority)
Mr. Coyne asked for a friendly amendment to suspend the rules.
Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Ms. Gramlich to suspend the rules.
Ms. Alcorn moved, seconded Ms. Gramlich to accept the personnel items as listed.
Leave of Absence: Effective 2007-2008 School Year
Kathleen Archambualt Special Ed/Moore 1.0 Childrearing
Sharon Bresler Special Ed/King 1.0 Personal
Helen Hurd K/Clifford .5 of 1.0 Personal
Hope Keleher Reading/Reiche 1.0 Childrearing
Anne Marie Orth Spanish/King 1.0 Childrearing
Rebecca Stuart Grade 3/Reiche 1.0 Childrearing
Change in Degree: Effective 9/1/07
Thomas McGinty Doctor in Education – USM $1,270
Election: Effective 9/1/07 One Year Only Contract: Probationary 1
Catharine Murray ELL/Lincoln Lane 2/Step 2 $41,750
BA in English Lit – Harvard
Election: Effective 9/1/07 Contract: Probationary 1
Kevin Murray Special Ed/CBHS Lane 2/Step 6 $48,100
MS in Special Education – USM
Andrew Oliver Grade 5/Lyseth Lane 1/Step 4 $37,146
BA in English – University of Wisconsin
James Siegel English/DHS Lane 4/Step 1 $58,577
MA in ESL – Adelphi University
Julianne Stewart .5 Guidance – Title 1/Reiche Lane 2/Step 6 $25,364
MS in Secondary School Counseling – Northeastern University
David Trecartin Math/King Lane 1/Step 1 $33,336
BA in Psychology – USM
Rebecca Beal K-Grade 1/Presumpscot Lane 1/Step 6 $39,686
MA in Teaching – Bennington College
Lisa Clifford PT/District Lane 2/Step 1 $41,750
BS in Physical Therapy – Northeastern University
Lisa Crowley K-Grade 1 ESL/Riverton Lane 4/Step 2 $59,874
MA in Social Work – University of Maine School of Social Work
Hannah Curtis .5 Social Worker/CBHS Lane 1/Step 6 $19,843
MA in Social Work – University of Michigan
Anthony Deerig Special Ed/Reiche Lane 2/Step 5 $46,830
MA in Special Education – University of Northern Colorado
Regina DiBella Grade 4-5 ESL/Riverton Lane 1/Step 1 $33,336
MA in Elementary Education/University of Michigan
Kathrene Getz Special Ed/Deering Lane 1/Step 1 $33,336
BA in English Lit – Wheaton College
Roy Ghim FLS/Riverton Lane 1/Step 1 $50,163
MA in Special Ed – James Madison University
Robert Girsch Math/Portland High Lane 3/Step 6 $56,513
MA in Education – DePaul University
Joseph Grady Social Studies/Casco Bay Lane 2/Step 4 $45,560
BA in History – Boston College
Anne Harris Grade 4/Presumpscot Lane 1/Step 5 $38,416
MA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education – New York University
Joshua Holloway Multi Grade/Cliff Island Lane 1/Step 6 $39,686
BS in Elementary Education – Lock Haven University of PA
Frank Kehoe Carpentry/PATHS Lane 2/Step 5 $46,830
Carpentry Experience
Andrew Lefebvre Special Ed/Spring Harbor Lane 1/Step 1 $41,716
BS in Occupational Therapy – UNH
Judy Lowell-Riley Grade 3/Riverton Lane 3/Step 6 $56,513
BS in Education – Wheelock College
Melissa Maher .4 Art/Longfellow Lane 1/Step 1 $13,334.40
BA in Art – Bridgewater State College
Virginia Milioto .6 Speech/Hall Lane 3/Step 5 $33,145.80
MA – Teachers College of Columbia University
Nathan Nichols Math/Casco Bay Lane 1/Step 4 $37,146
BA in Math – California State University
Stacey O’Donoghue ESL/East End Lane 1/Step 4 $37,146
BA – St. Joseph’s
Cathryn Palmer Speech/District Lane 2/Step 5 $46,830
MA in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology – San Jose State University
Catherine Paul .5 ESL Reading/King Lane 1/Step 6 $19,843
MA in Education – Salem state College
Gwen Smith .4 Learning Strategist /Peaks & Cliff Island Lane 3/Step 4 $21,589.20
MS in Education - UNE
Erica Spencer .5 Grade 4/East End Lane 2/Step 4 $22,780
MA in Elementary Education – Lesley College
Catherine Rolfe .5 Art/Portland High Lane 1/Step 1 $16,668
BA in Art Education – USM
Andrew Roy Spanish/Moore Lane 1/Step 3 $35,876
BA in Elementary Education – St. Michaels College
Brooke Teller Chemistry/Casco Bay Lane 3/Step 2 $51,433
MS in Biology – Central Connecticut State University
Patricia Ugaz .5 Spanish/Portland High Lane 1/Step 3 $17,938
BA in Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures – USM
Helen Weigel Math/Casco Bay Lane 1/Step 1 $33,336
BS in Education – University of Vermont
Re-Election: Effective 9/1/07 Contract: Probationary 2
Jennifer Dorval ELL/Lincoln Lane 3/Step 1 $50,163
MA in Teaching – Our Lady of the Elms College
David Hilton Social Studies/Moore Lane 1/Step 5 $38,416
MS in Public Policy and Administration – Columbia University
Re-Election: Effective
9/1/07 Contract: Probationary 2 – One Year Only
Stephen Norbert .4 Social Studies/Portland High Lane 1/Step 3 $ 14,350.40
BA in Secondary Education and History – Boston College
Althea Strauss Special Ed/Lyseth Lane 1/Step 5 $38,416
MBA in Marketing – USM
Todd Wing .5 FTE PE-Health/CBHS Lane 2/Step 1 $20,875
BS in Physical Education – St. Joe’s
Re-Election: Effective 9/1/07 Contract: 1st Continuing Contract
Caroline Foster Social Studies/Moore Lane 1/Step 6 $39,686
BA in Journalism/Advertising - UMO
Aaron Rog Computer/Moore Lane 3/Step 4 $53,973
MS in Technology Education – Lesley University
PAA
Election
Effective: 8/2/07
Gwen Smith .6 Principal /Peaks & Cliff Island $35,424.60*
MS in Education – UNE
Effective: TBD
Laurie Andreades .5 Assistant Principal/Reiche Salary TBD
MS of Education – UMO
* pending negotiations
Ms. Thompson - wants to make sure accepting these that the dollar amounts have been worked into the budget.
Joline Hart – Analysis of positions on the evening’s agenda shows savings of $83,000 in salary, but does not include benefits because employees have not signed up yet.
Debate:
Ms. Alcorn moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn to table the non-mandated, non-teaching positions until next meeting.
Maura McDermott Learning Strategist/Deering Lane 3/Step 5 $55,243
MA in Education – UMO
Kathleen Panaccione SPED/Learning Strategist/Casco Bay Lane 4/Step 2 $ 59,847
MA in Education – Anna Maria College
Gwen Smith .4 Learning Strategist /Peaks & Cliff Island Lane 3/Step 4 $21,589.20
MS in Education - UNE
Ms. Alcorn – spoke to motion.
Superintendent O’Connor – three non-teaching positions on addendum as well as on original agenda include learning strategists at Deering High School, Casco Bay High School, Peaks/Cliff
Mr. O’Brien– asked about new hires versus lane changes.
Joline Hart – these are not lane changes, but new hires.
Vote on tabling: It was voted unanimously to table the three non-mandated, non-teaching positions until next meeting. (Students voted with majority)
Back to main motion absent three tabled positions.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve the personnel items listed absent three tabled positions. (Students voting with majority)
Mr. Meiklejohn: spoke to Mr. Paulson’s resignation and thanked him for his service to the schools.
Committee focus on educational issues:
1. Consolidation: - Superintendent O’Connor shared information regarding meeting with Commissioner, which was to understand some of the components of the consolidation law. Because of Portland’s size, our responsibility to put in an alternative plan needs to be a letter of intent that goes out this month with a plan in Dec. Plan will include 5% reduction in transportation, special education, building and grounds maintenance. Plan needs to reflect 50% systems administration reduction. Commissioner Gendron indicated this would not be administrators, but systems administration such as business operations side of the district. Incumbent upon PPS to show some operations efficiencies in the area of the business office, finances, legal services. Facilitators from the DOE are available to bring about conversations to develop a plan.
Commissioner indicated that consolidations will need to be with the city. Facilitator would assist school dept. in areas of collaboration with the city.
Ms. Gramlich– for districts smaller than Portland they will need to consolidate and these districts must develop an implementation plan.
Mr. Meiklejohn– when will school committee vote on consolidation plan? Mr. Coyne – superintendent just needs to submit letter of intent.
Mr. Meiklejohn– would like to see what the change in funding for EPS is if PPS would merge with Long Island.
Ms. Alcorn – Commissioner Gendron mentioned a statewide payroll system.
Superintendent O’Connor – will find out about this.
Mr. Coyne– Commissioner also mentioned medicaid/medicare billing.
Superintendent O’Connor– Commissioner indicated a repayment from medicaid would be coming to PPS in the amount of approximately $200,000.
Committee indicated that they would like a facilitator from the DOE to assist with consolidation efforts.
Public Comment:
Bill Weber – spoke to committee regarding $2.5 M shortfall. Supposedly there is $1m in a fund to cover shortfall. Is there a timeframe to pay back other $1.5m to city? City audit done in Oct. 2006 and would like audit provided to public.
Ellen Alcorn – Mr. Coyne indicated in finance committee meeting that details need to be worked out, but money must be paid back within two years.
Bill Wilson –recognized Mr. Paulson and sorry to see him leave. Also spoke about
grants and reporting of monies.
Mr. Meiklejohn – part of the work taking place in the next few weeks with the city coming into assist with finances will include addressing the grant situation.
Ms. Casasa–addressed the committee regarding the 06/07 budget deficit. Professional staff is ready and eager to greet new students this fall.
Sue Russo – spoke to committee regarding budget deficit. Mr. Coyne interrupted Ms. Russo and indicated that personnel issues cannot be discussed.
Nick Magee - spoke to committee regarding budget deficit.
Mary Gross – spoke regarding 3x3 committee and Clifford building project. The architects have indicated that to renovate Clifford $21.3M and to rebuild would be $17M.
Barbie Weed – thanked committee for enduring the last few weeks. Cautioned committee against knee jerk reaction to try to take steps forward – tabling 3 positions – not teachers, but they do work with students.
Steven Scharf – spoke on behalf of Portland Taxpayers Association and requested committee to encourage superintendent to resign.
Ken Kunin – spoke to committee in support of Superintendent O’Connor.
Ms. Casasa– spoke to committee regarding the tabling staff hiring.
Superintendent O’Connor– introduced Gwen Smith, Peaks Island Principal who briefly addressed the committee.
Mr. O’Brien moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn and voted 7-1 to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. (Students voted with majority)
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jo O’Connor, Superintendent of Schools