School Board Minutes

Falmouth School Board Minutes

Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, March 20, 2006

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Falmouth Town Hall. Present were Chairman Beppie Cerf, Linda Cote (late arrival), Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Mark Terison, Superintendent George Entwistle, Student Representatives Rachel Bennett and Chris Murry (Lydick out).

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

3. Adjustments to Agenda:
a. Addition of Policy IKF - Graduation Requirements under New Business (f). The Superintendent would like to move the requirement for Health and P.E. in this policy to the 2008-2009 school year.

4.         Minutes:
            a.         Ms. Franklin moved the Board approve the minutes of February 13, 2006. Mrs. Hillman-Reed noted that on page 2 under (e) Michael Fulton’s name should read Michael Fullan. Under (g) on page 3 where it reads, “A full report from NESDEC is expected by the end of March 2007”, it should read “2006”. Mrs. Hillman-Reed made a motion to accept the minutes of February 13, 2006 as amended. Mrs. Farber seconded the motion which was approved 5-0.
            b.         Ms. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of March 4, 2006. Mr. Terison noted that Mrs. Powers’ presentation should be noted as (f) under Budget Workshop. In addition, Chris Murry was present at the meeting and his last name does not have an “a” in it. Mrs. Hillman-Reed’s name was also misspelled. Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the minutes of March 4, 2006 be approved as amended. Ms. Franklin seconded and the minutes were approved 5-0.
            c.         Ms. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of March 6, 2006. It was noted that there was a discussion of the calendar between Items 3 and 4. Ms. Palfrey presented the Technology Budget, rather than the Special Education budget. Mr. Hurley presented the Athletic budget, rather than the Special Education budget. Mrs. Hillman-Reed’s name was misspelled. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Ms. Franklin moved the minutes be approved with the above corrections. The motion passed 6-0.

5. Communications:
a. Mrs. Cerf explained a letter was received a letter from Mr. McCully, Chief Negotiator for the Falmouth Education Association, formally notifying the Board of the FEA’s intent to negotiate for the Teachers’ unit and the Educational technicians/secretarial unit. Both units are in the second year of three year contracts.

6. Comments from the Public: There were none.

7. Recognition:
a. Superintendent Entwistle acknowledged the incredible work the Falmouth Education Foundation does for Falmouth Public Schools and expressed his appreciation for their generous spring allocation of $33,335.80.

8. Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Entwistle emphasized the report on instructional time which indicated progress has been made on recapturing class time in every school.

9. Leadership Council Members’ Reports:
a. Lunt School: Mr. Flaherty thanked FEF for its wonderful support and highlighted staff member, Catherine Hobby, who was named FLAME Leader of the Year for 2005- 2006. He mentioned that parent conferences went well; Kindergarten screening will be held on May 18 and 19; several enrichment opportunities are planned; and RAVENS testing, the Gifted and Talented Screening Process, will begin on March 6th for grade 2.

b. Plummer-Motz School: Mrs. Boffa highlighted parent conferences and progress reports. She thanked FEF for its generosity and pointed out several upcoming events at Plummer-Motz School.

c. Falmouth Middle School: Mr. Rodman highlighted the Naturalization Ceremony held on February 13th; the Iron Twinkies earned #1 performance rating at the District II Jazz Festival; the Mathcounts team won the State Championship; MEA’s were administered to all students in the Middle School; and a 5th grade fundraiser will raise money to build a playground in Afghanistan.

d. Falmouth High School: Mrs. Hutton shared a list of many academic and athletic accomplishments by Falmouth High School students. FHS students facilitated and participated in the first Student Forum held at FHS. She and Mr. Murry provided an update on the scheduling process whereby input has been gathered from parents, students and staff.

e. Assistant Superintendent: Mrs. Powers provided the Board with an update on the curriculum work done in each school on the April 6th early release day. Planning has begun for the Northeast Evaluative Associates’ Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) which will be administered to 3rd graders and four pilot classrooms of 2nd graders. Observation cycles for all probationary first year teachers are nearly completed. She also summarized the FHS Graduate Study Survey.

f. Director of Student Planning and Learning Options: Ms. Palfrey highlighted work done by the Student Centered Team and explained how the Virtual High School works. She provided technology news from many classrooms.

g. Business Manager: Mr. O’Shea could not attend this meeting. His report which can be found on line indicated that the final mediation date to resolve remaining building design and operation issues at the high school is March 20th. NESDEC will be scheduling a presentation with us soon. Mr. O’Shea explained several energy saving projects.

h. Director of Special Services: Ms. Crowell informed the Board that Child Development Services will not be moving into the public schools right away. The Girls’ Transition Program at FHS continues to operate successfully. ALLTECH has been working with special education teachers in upgrading our systems application of assistive technology.

I. Athletic Director: Mr. Hurley provided an update on all winter sports. Bryant Barr was selected as Maine “Mr. Basketball” and Gina Mancini was named “Swimmer of the Meet” at the Class B State championships. Spring sports start on March 27th.

10. Committee Reports:
a. Finance Sub-Committee: Mrs. Hillman-Reed reported the Finance Sub-Committee will meet tomorrow night. The agenda is available on line. The committee hopes to wrap up the budget in next couple of weeks.

b. Facilities Sub-Committee: This meeting will also be held tomorrow evening due to the High School mediation meeting.

c. Policy Sub-Committee: Ms. Franklin explained the committee hopes to have a draft of the Wellness Policy at the next workshop meeting.

11.       Items for Information:
            a.         An article titled, “Eating for Credit”, was included in the packet.
            b.         An Executive Summary of a lengthy report, “Reading Next”, was included in the packet.

12. Unfinished Business: There was none.

13.       New Business:
            a.         Approval of Schedule B. Appointments:
                        1.         Spring Coaches (attached): Ms. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the Schedule B appointments as presented with the following three additions.
                                    a.         Tom Niles as JV Baseball Coach
                                    b.         John Miller as Varsity Boys Lacrosse Coach
                                    c.         John Squires as grade 7 Boys Lacrosse Coach
                                    The motion was approved 6-0.

b. Updated Nursing Policies: Ms. Franklin moved the Board adopt Policy JLCC-Communicable/Infectious Diseases, Policy JLCB-Immunization of Students, and Policy JLCD-Administering Medicines to Students. Mrs. Hillman-Reed seconded the motion which was approved 6-0.

c. Revised Calendar for 2006-2007: Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the revised 2006-2007 calendar. To provide some clarification for the public, Mr. Terison explained the changes in the calendar regarding Thanksgiving week, and Late Arrival days. The calendar will be modified making the June 20 graphic the same as June 13 and Late Arrival graphics less prominent. A letter will be distributed to parents explaining the calendar. The revised calendar was approved by the Board 7-1 (Bennett).

d. Job Share Agreement with Elizabeth Murphy and Melanie Moll: Mr. Flaherty supported this agreement. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Terison moved this Job Share Agreement be approved. The motion was approved 6-0.

e. Renewal of Administrators Jeff Rodman and Allyn Hutton to two-year contracts: Mrs. Farber with a second from Ms. Franklin moved the Board accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and renew the two-year contracts for Mr. Rodman and Mrs. Hutton. The motion was approved 6-0.

f. Policy IKF Graduation Requirements: Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve moving the Health and Physical Education graduation requirements to 2008-2009 to allow for a full curriculum review plan for 2006-2007. After some discussion, Mrs. Farber withdrew her motion and the Board agreed there was consensus to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to continue the requirements of 1 year of P.E. and ½ year of Health and that this would be readdressed in one year.

14. Adjournment: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the meeting adjourn. The motion passed 6-0 and the meeting adjourned at 10:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

George H. Entwistle 3rd
Secretary

Last Updated: 4/20/06

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