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Falmouth School Board

Regular Meeting

Monday, February 25, 2008

1. CALL TO ORDER:  The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the High School ATM Room.  Present were Beppie Cerf, Linda Cote, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Mark Terison, Student Representatives Steve Hebson and  Maureen Carney (late), Superintendent George Entwistle and approximately 14 others (Lydick out).

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA:  There were none.

4. MINUTES:
   1. Mrs. Cote with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the minutes of January 23, 2008.  The motion was approved 6-0.
   2. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of February 4, 2008.  The motion was approved 6-0.

5. COMMUNICATIONS: 

A.     Student Representative Report – Steve Hebson reported that students seemed happy with Intersession and everyone was getting back into the swing of things with their normal school routine.

B.     Dan O’Shea reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on the elementary school construction project.  This presentation was being filmed to share with the public on local TV.  Mr. O’Shea  reviewed all slides in detail including the important role the Department of Education plays in this process.  Essentially they are the financial investor.  There was a discussion regarding the pre-K component of the school population and it was pointed out that a decision to include pre-K (and also all-day kindergarten) would have to be approved by the School Board.  

C.     Education and Cultural Affairs Committee schedule was distributed. 

6. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:  There were none.

7. RECOGNITION:  There was none.

8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:

Dr. Entwistle stated that he had no additional comments on his written report. 

9. LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS:

1. Lunt School:  Mr. Flaherty stated that Lunt School is very excited about “March Madness” which includes the Let’s Go initiative.  Many initiatives are centered around wellness for students and staff members.  Mr. Flaherty discussed the program entitled Writing A-Z which offers a myriad of new ideas that will help enhance our pedagogy in the area of written expression.  Mr. Flaherty thanked everyone who donated mittens and hats to the orphanage in Siberia and also commented that the UNIBE teachers have melded beautifully into the school community.  Mr. Flaherty thanked the literacy staff who have made the RTI program so successful and also commented that Lunt staff members are excited about developing the Educational Specifications to aid in the design plans for the new elementary school.

2. Plummer-Motz:  Mrs. Boffa briefly discussed the February 15 professional day and also informed the Board about the three UNE practicum students at Plummer-Motz School this semester.  Mrs. Boffa announced the MEAs are starting next week.  

3. Falmouth Middle School:  Mr. Rodman congratulated the 7^th/8^th grade drama club on their recent performance of “The Ransom of Red Chief” and he also announced that 120 students are taking part in the first middle school musical, Guys and Dolls.  Mr. Rodman stated the recent naturalization ceremony was an incredible experience and that the Middle School is getting ready for the MEAs.  Mr. Rodman also congratulated three students for their medal winning performances at the Winter Special Olympics at Sugarloaf and thanked Todd Livingston and the ski team for lending their Falmouth jackets.

4. Falmouth High School:  Mr. Hardy, Assistant Principal, presented a PowerPoint presentation on Intersession.  The presentation included pictures from various sessions, and Mr. Hardy suggested that if anyone had any thoughts or comments about the program, to contact Allyn Hutton or him.

5. Assistant Superintendent:  Mrs. Powers discussed the professional learning day that took place on February 15 and noted that a rich array of workshops were offered by Falmouth’s professional staff.  She also noted that moving the professional learning day to February seemed to be a good decision since it allowed the implementation and follow-up on ideas and initiatives during the current school year.      

6. Director of Finance and Operations:  Mr. O’Shea stated the Finance Sub-Committee had met prior to this meeting and the all day budget workshop is set for March 1 in the high school library.  He also indicated that a Forecaster article had included highlights on energy savings in the school district.    

7. Special Education Director:  Ms. Crowell indicated they are identifying more students with very specific special education needs at all levels. 

8. Athletic Director:  Mr. Livingston summarized the playoff activity that had taken place over vacation.  He was proud to announced that the girls basketball team had received the sportsmanship award and the spring parent information meeting to be held on March 19 will include a presentation on nutrition and the high school athlete.   

10. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
    1. Finance Sub-committee:  Mrs. Hillman-Reed reported the Finance Sub-committee met earlier this evening.  The budget process was reviewed and preparation was made for the March 1 budget workshop.  Mrs. Hillman-Reed indicated the budget validation referendum is still pending in Augusta.

2. Facilities Sub-committee:  Mr. Terison reminded everyone that the next committee meeting will take place on February 27 and the straw poll on the site selection recommendation will be March 5.

3. Policy Sub-committee:  Mrs. Franklin indicated she has received many new policies from MSMA including two that need to be reviewed and updated (truancy and reporting child abuse and neglect).

4. Regional Planning Committee:  Mrs. Cerf reported the reorganization plan was approved by the Commissioner and a press conference was held to congratulate the two districts on their work.  A transitional committee will continue with work and will include the two Superintendents, two School Board Chairs, two Business Managers, two Finance Committee Chairs and a community member from each municipality. 

11. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION:

                        A.        Current Openings:

                                                Special Education Elementary Self-Contained Classroom

                                                            Teacher

                                                Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach (anticipated)

                                                MS Outdoor Assistant Track Coach (anticipated)

                        B.         Sarah Michaud hired as Educational Technician III, Special

                                    Education (Lunt School)                 

12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  There was none.

13. NEW BUSINESS:
    1. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the co-curricular assignments of Kevin Smith as Musical Choral Director and Music Pit Band Director.  The motion was approved 6-0.
    2. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the Spring Schedule B coach assignments:

                        Baseball, FHS Varsity:                                       Dana Dresser

                        Baseball, FHS Assistant:                                   Open

                        Baseball, FHS Junior Varsity:                            Tom McGintee

                        Baseball, FMS 8^th:                                            Sasa Vukosavljevic

                        Baseball, FMS 7^th:                                            Bill Maley

                        Lacrosse Boys, FHS Varsity:                            Mike Lebel

                        Lacrosse Boys, FHS Assistant:                        Chris Richards

                        Lacrosse Boys, FHS Junior Varsity:                  Chris Moore

                        Lacrosse Boys, FMS 8^th:                                  Open

                        Lacrosse Boys, FMS 7^th:                                    John Squier

                        Lacrosse Girls, FHS Varsity:                               Robin Haley

                        Lacrosse Girls, FHS Junior Varsity:                   Carolyn Gunderson

                        Lacrosse Girls, FMS 8^th:                                     Amy Engelberger

                        Lacrosse Girls, FMS 7^th:                                   Open

                        Softball, FHS Varsity:                                          John Keyes

                        Softball, FHS Assistant:                                    Deidre Regan

                        Softball, FHS Junior Varsity:                             Mark Baxter

                        Softball, FMS 8^th:                                                Ray Fox

                        Softball, FMS 7^th:                                                Jamie Hilton

                        Tennis Boys, FHS Head:                                    Bob McCully

                        Tennis Girls, FHS Head:                                   Sandy Stone

                        Tennis Girls, FHS Volunteer Asst:                     Prisca Levesque

                        Track and Field, FHS Head:                               Danny Paul

                        Track and Field, FHS Assistant:                        Jorma Kurry

                        Track and Field, FHS Assistant:                        Warren Wilson

                        Track and Field, FHS Assistant:                        Paul Pekins

                        Track and Field, FMS Head:                                Mark Dissell

                        Track and Field, FMS Assistant:                       Open  

                        The motion was approved 6-0.