Falmouth School Board Minutes

Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2006

1.          The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Falmouth High School ATM room.  Present were Chairman Beppie Cerf, Linda Cote, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Scott Lydick, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Mark Terison, Student Representatives Rachel Bennett and Chris Murry, Superintendent George Entwistle and approximately 2 others.

2.          Pledge of Allegiance:  All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

3.          Adjustments to Agenda:  Item 11d, New Employee: Anne Tarte, Education Technician III (Long Term Substitute) for Falmouth Middle School Life Skills, was added.

4.          Minutes:

a.         Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Franklin moved the Board approve the minutes of            December 12, 2005.  The motion was approved 7-0.
b.         Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of January 9, 2006. The motion was approved 7-0.

5.          Communications:

a.         Letters sent from Gary Glick on behalf of the Environmental Action Committee thanking local business and families for their generous support during the Costal Cleanup were stated.

6.         Comments from the Public:  There were none.

7.         Recognition:  Items incorporated into Principals’ Reports

8.         Superintendent’s Report:  Superintendent Entwistle advised the Board members that this month’s reports to the board would be presented as mid year progress reports. The superintendent brought attention to the articles of interest included in the packet. Mrs. Hillman Reed inquired about code of conduct information and if parents are aware of this work. Superintendent Entwistle explained that work is on-going in each school as they address school climate issues and student behavior.

9.         Leadership Council Reports:

a.         Lunt School:  Mr. Flaherty addressed Donna Gibb’s accident, noting she was admitted to Maine Medical Center for those who wished to send their well wishes. He reported that enrollment is steady and that all progress reports are completed. The Principal for a Day was a great success. The honor was purchased by the parents of Maddy Adams at the Lunt School fundraiser. Kindergarten registration will start on February 13, 2006
 
b.         Plummer-Motz School:  Mrs. Boffa reported on the progress of all 2005-2006 school year goals. She outlined the Big Buddy program explaining the sign up process and who in the school is served by this program. Maps were distributed that were a part of the Odyssey program.

c.         Falmouth Middle School:  Mr. Rodman recognized the death of Jay Cooney, the father of three middle school students. He extended the thoughts and prayers of the entire Falmouth School Community. He mentioned the Big Buddy system was in place and working well within the middle school. He reported that discipline referrals had decreased approximately 50% and attributed this drop to the training given in student / teacher accountably. He reported alternative discipline options such as mediation and once a week detention have also aided in this decrease. A student and teacher Talent Show will be held Friday, January 27, 2006.

d.         Falmouth High School:  Mrs. Hutton distrubuted surveys to all board members and Leadership Council members. A Scheduling Committee including Mrs Hutton, Jim Horwich, Sue Palfrey, John Radke, Kim Blenk, Lee Fortier, Bruce Carver and Jack Hardy is reviewing the schedule of the high school and has visited many area schools to see how their days are structured. The survey has been used with many stakeholder groups to help determine the most important criteria against which any new schedule option will be measured. Mrs. Farber communicated the hope that the efforts of both NESDEC and the Scheduling Committee would be coordinated as new schedule options were being explored.

e.         Assistant Superintendent:  Mrs. Powers highlighted the on-going work of the Literacy Review Team. She reported that the high school will be incorporating a new national benchmarking assessment system in both Spanish and French to provide a better evaluation of Falmouth students’ level of achievement. There was a brief discussion about Advanced Placement and World Languages.

f.          Director of Student Planning & Learning Options:  Ms. Palfrey reported feedback from the high school level indicated a need for more sections of instructional technology to be added. She will also be summarizing articles regarding technology which will soon be available on the school’s website.

g.         Business Manager:  Mr. O’Shea reported an updated budget calendar.

h.         Director of Special Services:  Ms. Crowell explained that the number of students requiring Special Services has stabilized. The department may be looking to shift some staff responsibilities to accommodate all the changing needs of students.

i.          Athletic Director:  Mr. Hurley reported that Gina Mancione has been accepted to Notre Dame and offered a place on the swim team.  He explained the poor weather conditions have effected both Alpine and Nordic skiing schedules. The High School Boys Basketball team is ranked #1 in Western Maine Class B.

10.       Committee Reports:
            a.         Finance Subcommittee:  Ms. Hillman-Reed reported the committee received an updated and more comprehensive listing for all Schedule B positions. She recognized Dan O’Shea, Jason Hurley and Meg McGoldrick for assisting in this revision. There will be a meeting tomorrow to discuss the stipends further.

            b.         Facilities Subcommittee:  Mr. Terrison reported two dates of importance. February 13, 2006 will be the next facilities meeting where the first stages of NESDEC’s work will be discussed and a March 20th meeting regarding the high school construction issues. He was hopeful for a resolution to concerns on the 20th.

            c.         Policy Subcommittee:  Ms. Franklin reported the Wellness Committee has been established and is working towards incorporating the standards required by the state. She explained this is a multi year commitment.

11.       Items for Information:

  1. Article titled “The Two Faces of A.P.”
  2. Article titled “Gifted and Growing”
  3. Revised School Board Meeting Schedule

12.       Unfinished Business:  There was none. 

13.       New Business:
a.         Approval of Schedule B Appointments:

1.     Grace Tucci Libby - M.S. Girls Expansion Basketball Coach
2.      Lucas Hiebert                              M.S. Alpine Asst. Coach                     
Mr. Lydick with a second from Ms. Franklin moved the Board approve the Schedule B appointments as listed.  The motion was approved 7-0.  There was no discussion.

14.       Executive Session:

a.         Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) to discuss a legal matter. The Board entered executive session at 8:55 pm. The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:21 pm. No further business was conducted.

15.       Adjournment:  After motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously approved, the Board adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                    George H. Entwistle 3rd
                                                                                    Secretary

 

 

Last Updated: 3/23/06