Business Meeting

Mr. Coyne called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

Members present: John Coyne-Chair, Peter Eglinton, Robert O’Brien, Rebecca Minnick, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Ellen Alcorn, Susan Hopkins, Sarah Thompson, Lori Gramlich, Bennett Gross, Anthony Toppi, Maureen Quinn(arrived at 7:35 p.m.)

Report of the Chair

Mr. Coyne:

A lot of attention paid to the plan from the superintendent regarding financial planning and reporting. It is not the intention of this committee to change the superintendent’s job description or responsibilities of the superintendent. This document is a work in progress. It is inaccurate that the superintendent would not be responsible for the finances of the school department.

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent O’Connor:

Announced that Andrea Napolitano-Romer, Riverton teacher, is one of five regional finalists for Teacher of the Year.

Report of the Secretary - None

Report of Committees

1. Policy Committee – Committee met with finance committee regarding changes in policies for budget responsibilities.

Finance Committee – Mr. Meiklejohn – Finance Committee met last week with the policy comm. Joint city council/school committee meeting on 8/20/07 at 5:15 to discuss state of the schools and financial discussion. Next finance committee meeting may be a joint meeting on 8/29 at 5:30 in Room 250.
Legislative Affairs Committee – No report.
Riverton Building Committee – Mr. Coyne walked through the building and it looks fabulous.
Elementary Facilities Committee – met 8/14/07and discussed Clifford with the Fire Chief . Parks and Rec discussed possible loss of playing fields if building is on Douglass St. Met at 5:30 p.m. prior to this evening’s meeting with conference call with Commissioner Gendron where she indicated that it would be difficult to bring current building up to code and also discussed need to stay on track with a concept plan to State Board of Ed on March 28, 2007. Next meeting is a public hearing on Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. 3x3 will meet on August 28^th and will vote on renovation or new construction. If another waiver is requested then this entire project could be delayed until 2011.
Portland Education Partnership – Ms. Thompson reported on Community Involvement during 2006-2007. Number of business partners 120 up to 137 in the time frame. In-kind donations up significantly. Staples donated office supplies, which will be donated throughout the Portland Public Schools.
Other Committees and/or member concerns – Mr. Meiklejohn – a) concerns about policies and getting it online; b) asked about getting packets electronically and posting all documents on the web site and thanked Donna Green for CTS efforts. c) indicated South Portland is giving $2,000-$4000 to each senior student going on to post secondary education. He indicated that he is beginning to meet with various stakeholders and if there is momentum to support this hopes that Portland Partnership could take this on.

Ms. Alcorn – spoke about budget shortfall and asked when Committee might receive clarity on shortfall. Will staff be ready for meeting on August 29^th to present some information? Mr. Coyne – staff is working on this area. Not certain when the Finance Committee will be bringing information forward to the Committee as a whole.

Ms. Minnick – addressed concern about teacher/staff morale to start the new year. Asked if this was going to be addressed.

Ms. Gramlich – understands city finance staff is assisting school department. At finance committee meeting she asked about a report being done weekly versus once a month.

Superintendent O’Connor – indicated that there was to be a report tonight, however, Ellen Sanborn is on vacation and Duane Kline had another commitment.

Robert O’Brien – asked about grant process and indicated that he was informed that grants might be sorted out as early as this Friday.

Consent Items - None

Old Business

Consideration and action to approve the following policies:

Mr. O’Brien moved, seconded Ms. Minnick and voted unanimously to table policies until the next meeting. (Students voted with majority)

EEA – Transportation
EBCF – AED policy
GCOA – Supervision and Evaluation of Professional Staff
IMB – Teaching about controversial/sensitive issues

New Business

First reading of policies:

ECC – Energy policy
EHB – Records Retention Policy

Mr. O’Brien reviewed the policies for a first reading.

First reading of the superintendent’s financial management and reporting plan.

Ms. Gramlich moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn to table this item to a workshop for further review.

Ms. Gramlich spoke to the motion and mentioned MOU with the city.

Mr. Coyne – MOU will be discussed with Mayor Mavodones this week regarding language and responsibilities of city and school department.

Vote: It was voted 8-1 to table this item to a workshop for further review. (Two students voted with majority)

Mr. Meiklejohn – asked if this would come back as a first read at a future meeting. Mr. Coyne– it would come back as a first reading.

Ms. Thompson– asked about three positions tabled at a previous meeting and requested that these be brought forward for a vote this evening. Mr. Coyne – recognizes concern, but will be on the August 22, 2007 business meeting agenda.

Ms. Gramlich – asked if there were any other positions that are being considered for hiring? Does not want to consider filling any positions at this time.

Joline Hart – several positions – 25 to 30 positions - left to be filled.

Personnel -None

Committee Focus on Educational Issues

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM

Shawn Bailey – spoke about school bus transportation.

Bill Weber – spoke about the lane changes in the PEA contract.

Adjournment

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn and voted unanimously to adjourn the business meeting at 7:44 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools