Falmouth School Board Minutes

Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, March 19, 2007

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER:  The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers.  Present were Chairman Beppie Cerf, Linda Cote, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Scott Lydick, 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:  Superintendent Entwistle requested that an Executive Session as Item #14 be added as per 1 M.R.S.A § 405 (6)(A) for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter.  A correction was noted with respect to #13E and #13F – the position of High School Art Teacher in #13E should indicate (one-year) instead of the position in #13F.  A request was made to add #13K regarding a turf field resolution and #13L was also added to approve the appointment of John Fitzsimmons as Head Varsity Football Coach.
  1. MINUTES:
    1. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the minutes of February 26, 2007.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    2. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of March 10, 2007.  The motion was approved 7-0.

 

  1. COMMUNICATIONS:  There were none.   
  1. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:  There were none.

 

  1. RECOGNITION:  There were none.
  1. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
    1. Superintendent Entwistle congratulated Allyn Hutton on being named Secondary Principal of Year and stated that it is a delight to work with her and that she is an outstanding principal.  Superintendent Entwistle informed the Board that because Leadership Council members have been extremely busy with budget work and articles for The Portal (which will be mailed the last week in March), they were granted a reprieve from writing Board reports for this month.  Dr. Entwistle mentioned a new collaboration with Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, So. Portland, Portland and Scarborough has been formed to look at Special Education services, and he also discussed a meeting he had with Michael Langella, Chair of the IIC Education Committee regarding the possibility of Peaks Island students attending Falmouth schools.  Superintendent Entwistle shared a letter from Michael Langella with the Board.  The Board agreed that dialogue should continue on this topic.    

 

  1. LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS:
    1. Lunt School:  Mr. Flaherty spoke briefly about ongoing work for staff placement and a transition plan for students going from Grade 2 to Grade 3.  A professional development day was held today (March 19) for 1st grade teachers which included their discussion on what is their ideal school.
    1. Plummer-Motz:  Mrs. Boffa stated  interested Lunt and Plummer-Motz staff members had attended a webinar today (March 19) on “The ABCs of Progress Monitoring and Reading.”  Mrs. Boffa informed the Board that the “Kids Who Care” group has been selling shamrocks for $1 to support a child in Guatemala through the Safe Passage Program.

 

    1. Falmouth Middle School:  Mr. Rodman reported that they were finishing up the last of the MEAs and that the PTO talent show had been rescheduled for the second time due to weather conditions.  He also informed the Board about a very exciting pilot program called Parent Portal where parents of 7th and 8th graders can access student grades.  Mr. Rodman thanked Sue Palfrey for her help in the process of developing a new schedule for the middle school for next year.  The schedule has been rolled out to staff members and is being fine tuned.  Mrs. Franklin complimented Mr. Rodman on the fabulous work he has done at the middle school.
    1. Falmouth High School:  Mrs. Hutton wanted to thank everyone in the room (School Board, students, Leadership Council, and staff) and identified their support as a significant factor in her recognition as Principal of the Year.  Mrs. Hutton announced the program of studies will be on-line shortly and students will have a couple of weeks to think about what courses they want to take.  Mrs. Hutton mentioned that there are many exciting new opportunities for students, but it is very important for students to make good course choices.

 

    1. Assistant Superintendent:  Mrs. Powers highlighted the meeting that took place last Friday of the graduate study group.  There was very positive feedback from graduates on core academics and the feedback is very consistent with much of the work that we already have in motion.  Mrs. Powers and Mrs. Hutton are finalizing the report and will release the information this Friday on the school website.  Chairman Cerf commented on how great this work has been for everyone involved.
    1. Director of Student Planning and Learning Options:   Mrs. Palfrey reported that she has been working on a lot of the projects already mentioned above, but specifically discussed the new middle school schedule as being a very dramatic improvement.  Mrs. Palfrey also mentioned the freshman academic study halls are very successful and students are really utilizing the time to study. 

 

    1. Director of Finance and Operations:  Mr. O’Shea expressed a big “thank you” to the Town Council for approval of the safety committee recommendations, including keyless access systems, the purchase of AED units for all Falmouth Schools, and the purchase of 15 safety radios.  Mr. O’Shea wanted to publicly thank Lisa O’Donnell and Barbara MacLeod, staff members in the Central Office, for their extra work on evenings, weekends and scheduled days off to complete the payroll conversion project – many kudos to both of them.
    1. Special Education Director:  Mrs. Crowell announced that she is looking at the summer extended services and that there is a lot going on to finish up this year and to get ready for next year.  Mrs. Crowell also discussed the new special services collaborative that Superintendent Entwistle highlighted earlier in the evening.

 

    1. Athletic Director:  Mr. Hurley highlighted the three proposals for sanctioning that will be voted upon this evening and introduced various community members on hand who were ready to answer any questions and who have helped with the various proposals/ sports.
  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 an overview and recap of the March 10 school budget session including good feedback from the Town Council.  The next meeting had not been scheduled as of this evening’s meeting.

 

    1. Facilities Sub-committee:  Mr. Terison reported that he, Dan O’Shea and Rob Tillotson will be meeting with state officials in Augusta on March 27 to discuss the elementary school project.  Members of the buildings advisory committee will be attending the NESDEC  Annual New England School Facilities and Maintenance Conference on April 10, 2007.
    1. Policy Sub-committee:  Mrs. Franklin reported to the Board that the second reading of BEDH is scheduled for this evening and she will be scheduling a Policy Sub-committee meeting shortly to review the Code of Conduct and related policies.

 

  1. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION:
    1. Current Openings:

                              7th Grade Girls Lacrosse Coach

  1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  There was none.

 

  1. NEW BUSINESS:
    1. Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the Schedule B Spring Coach appointments.  It was noted that the 7th grade girls lacrosse volunteer should not be on the list.  The amended motion was approved 7-0.
    2. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the job share agreements of Meserve/Duncan and Briggs/Edwards.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    3. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board adopt the Administrative Employment Guidelines (3/19/07) and approve the Superintendent’s recommendation for a wage adjustment of 3.5% for administrative staff and offer long-term disability insurance to those administrators covered under the newly-adopted guidelines.  The motion was amended to delete the Director of Student Planning & Learning Options position and to show the Middle School Assistant Principal position with 210 days worked.  The amended motion was approved 7-0.
    4. 1) - Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the sanctioning of Girls Interscholastic Volleyball as a Varsity Sport.  The motion was approved 7-0.   2) -   Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the sanctioning of Girls Ice Hockey as a Club Sport.  The motion was approved 7-0.          3) -   Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Franklin moved the Board approve the sanctioning of Sailing as a Club Sport.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    5. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the employment of Charles Andreson as High School Art Teacher for 2007-2008 (one-year position).  The motion was approved 7-0.
    6. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the employment of Susan Morse as High School Art Teacher for 2007-2008 (.7 position).  The motion was approved 7-0.
    7. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the employment of John Profenno as High School Spanish Teacher for 2007-2008 (one-year position).  The motion was approved 7-0.
    8. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the employment of Todd Livingston as Athletic and Activities Director.  The motion was approved 7-0.  Mr. Livingston was introduced and welcomed to Falmouth Public Schools.
    9. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board adopt the School Governance Policy BEDH.  After discussion regarding the wording, it was decided to review this policy again in April.  The motion was rescinded.
    10. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Franklin moved the Board approved the School Board Calendar for 2007-2008 School Year.  The decision was made to schedule the two meeting dates in question on January 23, 2008 and April 14, 2008 at the Town Hall Chambers.  The amended motion was approved 7-0.
    11. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Lydick moved the Board approve the following resolution:

WHEREAS, on March 26, 2007, the Town Council will consider an order authorizing $850,000 of general obligation bonds to finance two synthetic turf athletic fields (referred to as the “Bond Order”), and an order submitting said Bond Order to the voters of the Town of Falmouth for adoption or repeal; and

WHEREAS, as the question may affect the school budget, the School Board is required to include a recommendation on the adoption or repeal of said Bond Order by the voters:

WHEREAS, Game On (dba Falmouth Education Foundation) has made a compelling presentation in support of the installation and equipping of two synthetic turf athletic fields at the Falmouth High School – Middle School complex on Woodville Road (the “Project”).

WHEREAS, Game On has pledged to raise up to $600,000 of non-municipal funds, in the form of gifts, pledges, and otherwise, to support completion of the Project.

WHEREAS, the School Board believes that the Project would have a substantial beneficial impact on youth and school sports in the Town and that the decision whether to issue Bonds for the Project should be presented to the voters of the Town of Falmouth.

NOW, THEREFORE, BY THE TOWN OF FALMOUTH SCHOOL BOARD, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED:

THAT for the reasons set forth above, the Town of Falmouth School Board recommends that the Bond Order be approved at said election and that the warrant calling such election and the ballot used at such election be accompanied by a statement substantially to the effect that the School Board recommends that said Bond Order be approved for the reasons expressed in this Resolution.

     After a lengthy discussion, the motion was not approved 3-4 (Cote, Terison, Farber,      Franklin).  Student representative vote 1-1 (Bennett).

      1. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the appointment of John Fitzsimmons as Varsity Head Football Coach.  The motion was approved 7-0.
  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mr. Terison moved the Board enter Executive Session as per 1 M.R.S.A § 405 (6)(A)  to discuss a personnel matter.  The motion was approved 7-0 and the Board entered Executive Session at 9:13 p.m.

 

      The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:40 p.m.

  1.  ADJOURNMENT:  Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board adjourn.  The motion was approved 7-0, and the Board adjourned the public session at 9:41 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                    George H. Entwistle 3rd
                                                                                    Secretary

 

Last Updated: 4/4/07