Falmouth School Board Minutes

Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 16, 2007

 

  1. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Town Hall.  Present were Chairman Beppie Cerf, Linda Cote, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Mark Terison, Student Representatives Rachel Bennett and Steve Hebson, Superintendent George Entwistle and approximately 16 others.
  1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

  1. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA:  Under “New Business” 13(d) was added:  Title 20-A, Chapter 504 (Employment of Principals Section) of the Maine Education and Schools Statutes requires that Principals be nominated for continuation by March 1st of the year that their existing contract will expire.
  1. MINUTES:
    1. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of December 18, 2006.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    2. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the minutes of January 2, 2007.  The motion was approved 7-0.

 

  1. COMMUNICATIONS:
    1. MaineDOT newsletter highlighting Falmouth elementary students participating in Walk and Bike to School Month last October
    2. Article from The Economist – They all speak English
    3. Article from The Economist – God’s worst linguists
    4. Letter from Rev. Kris Conley of St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry
    5. Copy of holiday card from Falmouth Lions Club featuring Falmouth 6th grader Jade Russell’s artwork
  1. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:  There were none.

 

  1. RECOGNITION:
    1. New National Board Certified Teachers – Barbara Powers reviewed the qualifications and highlighted the rigorous work that is involved in achieving National Board Certification.  Chairman Cerf and Superintendent Entwistle distributed Certificates of Recognition (and “high fives”) to the five new National Board Certified Teachers:

                              Audrey Briggs – Lunt School
                              Rick Hogan – Falmouth Middle School
                              Cathy Stankard – Falmouth High School
                              Suzanne Stacey – Falmouth High School
                              Suzan Nelson – Falmouth High School

  1. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
    1. Superintendent Entwistle gave a brief overview of the Governor’s School District Consolidation plan.  The plan merges 152 school districts down to 26 regional centers, with the new regions based on current vocational school breakdowns.  The organizational structure will consist of regional boards with representatives from member communities.  Superintendent Entwistle commented that he worries about how this plan will affect students, the size of the districts and equity within the districts – will the standards be “watered down.”  This is a monumental change in the structure of education.

 

  1. LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS:
    1. Lunt School:  Mr. Flaherty mentioned the 1st and 2nd grade Guidance lesson in January involves “respecting differences,” and the school nurse, Sue Raatikainen, has presented lessons to the 1st grade classes on fighting germs.  The work continues in Response to Intervention with kindergarten and a great deal of time has been spent on discussing the expectations for phonics instruction.  The January 10 early release afternoon provided very useful time for a variety of professional development activities and the “Six Pillars of Character” theme for January is “respect.”  To improve safety within the school, signs have been added on all doors instructing visitors on proper protocol while visiting the school.
    1. Plummer-Motz:  Mrs. Boffa highlighted the January “wellness works” program that has been ongoing at the school.  Examples of student and staff calendars on this topic were included in the board packets.  School librarian, Dianne Barth, and her assistant, Jan Bennett, have started the incentive reading program entitled “The Underground Railroad” where reading logs are used over the length of the program, which is 50 days.  Mrs. Boffa announced that results from the bullying survey will be shared at the next workshop.

 

    1. Falmouth Middle School:  Mr. Rodman highlighted the community service programs that have been ongoing at the middle school.  The “Adopt-a-Family” program was run by 7th and 8th grade Student Councils.  Food, clothing and gifts were collected and graciously delivered to the Salvation Army by Topper West’s crew.  Another community program was the recent blood drive where 61 pints of blood were collected (the goal was 40).  The focus at the January 10 early release day was curriculum work.  Mr. Rodman announced that Middle School Assistant Principal Bob Griffin has accepted a position as Principal of the New Sacopee Middle School and thanked Mr. Griffin for the terrific job he has done and wished him well.
    1. Falmouth High School:  Mrs. Hutton reported that they are ready to go with the upcoming intersessions.  They are trying to accommodate last minute student changes.  Mrs. Hutton expressed her appreciation to Topper West for his help in making this all happen – there will be 24 groups going in 24 different directions.  Twenty-one Falmouth graduates recently gave great feedback at a panel discussion about what was helpful and what would have been helpful for them to prepare for college.  The consensus of the group was they were well prepared, especially with their writing skills.   The Student Centered Team has been looking at academic study halls for 9th graders, specifically how to use that time to better serve the academic needs of certain students (those who have been identified as needing extra help).

 

    1. Assistant Superintendent:  Mrs. Powers mentioned the DOE information regarding this spring’s MEAs were given to teachers in grades 3 – 8 during the early release afternoon on January 10.   Mrs. Powers highlighted the continuous work being done on the new curriculum for physics and science and the recent panel discussion with graduates from Falmouth who are now freshman in college.  Also mentioned was the on-line survey that has been sent to graduate families to obtain additional feedback from graduates.  To date, they have received approximately 40 responses.
    1. Director of Student Planning and Learning Options:   Mrs. Palfrey elaborated further on the work being done by the Student Centered Team with respect to the use of study halls as a better environment for those students who need additional support outside of the class.  The committee has researched what are the factors:  homework, attendance, not asking for help, etc.  The consensus is that homework plays a major factor in how well a student does.  In addition to the many comments from teachers regarding technology use to support teacher and learning in her written report, Mrs. Palfrey also mentioned Suzan Nelson, Nisu Seder and Cathy Stankard’s use, which are highlighted in her report that is posted on the website.

 

    1. Director of Finance and Operations:  Mr. O’Shea explained the net result of $12,039 which resulted from a State DOE Revolving Renovation Fund (loan program).  These funds were applied to our technology expense line for the wiring infrastructure work completed at the Falmouth High School during the summer of 2005.
    1. Special Education Director:  Ms. Crowell was not present.

 

    1. Athletic Director:  Mr. Hurley commented that since Falmouth adopted the mandate of use of goggles in field hockey, there has been a snowball effect.  The Western Maine Conference recently adopted the same mandate.  Mr. Hurley also highlighted the sportsmanship “should” and “should nots” for spectators.
  1. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
    1. Finance Sub-committee:  Mrs. Hillman-Reed reported that the committee had met prior to tonight’s regular School Board Meeting.  The discussion focused on the upcoming joint Town Council/School Board meeting being held on January 29, 2007 at the Falmouth Public Library.  The next Finance Sub-Committee meeting is scheduled for February 26, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the ATM Room at the High School.

 

    1. Facilities Sub-committee:  Mr. Terison reported that 3 architectural design firms were interviewed on January 8 and tours of facilities (2 schools) by these firms were scheduled for this week.  Mr. Terison believes that everything is in place for the Advisory Committee to make a recommendation for a design team after their next committee meeting which will take place on January 24, 2007.
    1. Policy Sub-committee:  Mrs. Franklin reported to the Board that the next meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2007 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the first reading of school governance policies will be take place later this evening.

 

  1. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION:
    1. Current Openings:

                              Athletic and Activities Director
                              Art Teacher – High School
                              Art Teacher – High School (1-year position)
                              Spanish Teacher III-V – High School (1-year position)

 

                              Youth Alternative Teacher – Girls’ Transition Program – High School
                              Food Service Worker – Lunt School (temp. position)
                              JV Softball Coach

    1. Updated School Board Meetings Calendar
    2. MYDAUS Overview:  Robin Haley, Substance Abuse Coordinator, gave a presentation on the MYDAUS results recently received.  This survey is administered every other year in grades 6 – 12 and it provides a wealth of information.  The results are positive with Falmouth comparing very favorably with the state averages, but there is still work to be done.  Ms. Haley discussed what has changed to help with the decrease in substance abuse.  It is believed that having a Resource Officer is one factor, providing education to students and parents and allowing students to take a part in the development of the new drug/alcohol/tobacco use policy also contributed to the improved numbers.   

 

  1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  There was none.
  1. NEW BUSINESS:
    1. Approval of Schedule B athletic assignments

      1.         Mike Lebel – Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach
      2.         Mark Baxter – Boys Expansion Basketball Coach
      Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the Schedule B   assignments as indicated.  The motion was approved 7-0.

    1. Approval of Portland Arts and Technology High School Part 2 GAC Budget – Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Franklin moved the Board approve the Portland Arts and Technology High School Part 2 GAC Budget.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    2. First reading of new school governance policies
    3. Approval of Title 20-A, Chapter 504 (Employment of Principals) – Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board accept the Superintendent’s nomination of Lunt Principal John Flaherty and Plummer-Motz Principal Karen Boffa.  The motion was approved 7-0.
  1. ADJOURNMENT:  Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board adjourn.  The motion was approved 7-0.  The Board adjourned at 8:43 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                    George H. Entwistle 3rd
                                                                                    Secretary

 

Last Updated: 2/21/07