Plummer-Motz School Class Sites

Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, April 11, 2005

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Falmouth Town Hall. Present were Chairman Beppie Cerf, Steve Brinn, Linda Cote, Truth Holden, Susan Nevins, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Mark Terison, Student Representative David Sinnett, Superintendent George Entwistle and approximately 11 others (Murry out).

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

3. Adjustments to Agenda: Superintendent Entwistle informed the Board there would be a couple of additions under ‘Communications’, a letter to Falmouth Education Foundation and communication from John Kraljic. Two approvals for a leave of absence were added Under ‘Unfinished Business.” The Health-Related Policies under ‘New Business”, 13d, would be tabled until the school’s attorney could review the policies.

4. Minutes: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the minutes of April 4, 2005. The motion was approved 7-0. Mrs. Nevins with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of March 28, 2005. The motion passed 7-0. Mrs. Holden with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the minutes of March 21, 2005. The motion was approved unanimously. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Terison moved the Board approve the minutes of March 7, 2005. The motion was approved 7-0. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Nevins moved the Board approve the minutes of March 5, 2005. The motion was approved 7-0.

5. Communications
a. A copy of a thank you letter from Gary Glick to Cole Haan was received.
b. Mrs. Cerf read a thank you letter from Superintendent Entwistle to the Falmouth Education Foundation in appreciation for almost $20,000 of grants.
c. The Superintendent explained that Mr. Kraljic and his students have been taping the Regular Board meetings in the High School ATM room when the Council Chambers were not available and has offered to tape the workshop meetings as well. The Board felt that it was a good idea.

6. Comments from the Public: There were none.

7. Recognition
a. Mr. Terison congratulated Student Rep. David Sinnett who received a No. 1 rating as a member of the Jazz Ensemble and as a soloist in competition. Mr. Terison also recognized Renovia McKinney who recently presented at a conference of Eastern U.S. music educators in Baltimore.

8. Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Entwistle highlighted the importance of the adoption of the 05-06 school budget. Under Item 13 policy deletions present an opportunity to thin down the Policy Manual. The Leadership Council participated in the ASCD Conference recently and will be contributing information on the conference to the Community Resources Directory which is now on the web. Dr. Entwistle noted that the District has been identified as one of 9 “Outperforming Schools” in Maine based on state test scores in 2002 and 2003. He also met with the National Board Teachers regarding enhancing quality and encouraging innovation in the Falmouth Schools. They will be contributors to the resource directory.

9. Principal Reports
a. Lunt School: Ms. Johnson recognized Bonnie Taylor for an amazing art show and thanked second grade teachers J. Doe, D. Hansen, and C. Hobby for the wonderful performance assessment by the students for French, P.E. and Music.

b. Plummer-Motz School: Mrs. Boffa thanked the unified arts team for a wonderful arts night. She commended Dianne Barth, Librarian, for her efforts on developing a reading incentive program featuring the Lewis & Clark Expedition. She added that Mrs. Barth has transformed the library into the Rose Garden for the “White House Teas”.

c. Falmouth Middle School: Mr. Rodman recognized the Math Counts Team coached by Mrs. Erikson who came in second place in the State competition. As a result, members of the team will travel to Detroit in May for the National competition. This is Discovery Week whereby 8th graders will be traveling to England, Washington, D.C., and Lowell.

d. Falmouth High School: Mrs. Hutton reported Citizenship Awards were given to Suzanne Bruen and David Sinnett. Mrs. Hutton attended the ASCD session dealing with freshmen transition and using faculty time efficiently. She congratulated Peter Gustavson who was named MVP Hockey player.

e. Director of Quality Educational Services: Mrs. Powers informed the Board that a letter had been received from the Commissioner of Education with proposals for mid-course corrections in the statewide LAS process. As more information is received, she will update the faculty and Board. Public hearings will be held and possibly legislative action will be taken before the LAS Guide is re-issued.

f. Technology Integration Coordinator: Ms. Palfrey stated she is offering mini courses to teachers on differentiating instruction with technology and teaching a course on how to create web pages.

g. Business Manager: The School Finance Committee met with the Town Finance Committee to present a summary of the school’s proposed budget and explain the EPS model. Projections indicate a positive year-end balance for fiscal year 04-05. The school expects to receive $20,000 from FEMA for storm costs reimbursement. Final reports on the High School construction will be in soon.

i. Athletic Director: Mr. Hurley reported that spring sports are under way. The Winter Sports Awards night was held; Scott Rousseau was named the Forecaster Winter Coach of the Year; and Mr. Bonsey has volunteered to coach the expansion grade 7 baseball team. Fall Homecoming Weekend will be held on Sept. 30/Oct 1.

10. Committee Reports
a. Finance Subcommittee: Mrs. Hillman-Reed reported the committee discussed the presentation of the 05-06 budget to the Town Council which they anticipate doing the week after vacation.

b. Facilities Subcommittee: Mr. Terison reported the committee reviewed major capital project planning in light of no State funding. The committee looked at plans from two years ago to see if smaller projects could be tackled in piecemeal fashion. The committee also looked at traffic plans for Plummer Motz and the Middle School. They reviewed engineering reports for Plummer-Motz and Lunt. Mr. Terison was pleased to report that noise levels at the High School have been addressed temporarily although problems still remain which need to be addressed by our attorneys in mediation with the design team. The traffic problem on Woodville Road is in the Town’s hands at the moment. Lastly, he and school personnel will be attending a facilities conference in Massachusetts on Wednesday.

c. Policy Subcommittee: Mrs. Nevins reported the committee will be asking the Board to delete 51 policies that are not needed, redundant, or state the obvious.

11. Items for Information
a. Kathryn Bacon was hired as a Long Term Sub for grade 2.
b. A letter of resignation was received from Deborah Johnson.
c. A letter of resignation was received from Lisa Peavey.
d. A letter of resignation was received from Kristin Hurley.
e. A Leave of Absence was granted for Amy Boston (HS English) for the first semester of the 05-06 school year.
f. Information on the School Law for Board Members Conference was provided.
g. A Leave of Absence was granted to Margaret Merrill for the 05-06 school year.
h. A Leave of Absence was granted to Mark Brock for the second semester of the 05-06 school year contingent on the district’s ability to secure a substitute.

12. Unfinished Business: There was none.

13. New Business
a. Adoption of 2005-2006 School Budget: Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board adopt the proposed budget of $22,670,504 as developed for fiscal year 2006. This figure represents a 4.68% increase over the 2005 budget but a decrease in the mil rate for Falmouth citizens. Mr. Brinn seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

b. Schedule B Appointments:
1. Daniel Strange, High School Theater Band Director
2. Cooper Higgins, High School Boys & Girls Intramurals Coach
3. Kate Spirer, Gr. 7 Softball Coach
4. Ed Rogers, Gr. 7 Baseball Coach
5. Karin Kurry, Middle School Lacrosse Volunteer
Mr. Brunn with a second from Mrs. Holden moved the Board approve the Schedule B appointments as listed. The motion passed 7-0.

c. Falmouth Certification Support System Volunteers: Mrs. Nevins with a second from Mr. Brinn moved the Board approve the list of Support System Volunteers as submitted. The motion was approved 7-0.

d. First Reading of Revised Student Health-Related Policies: This item was tabled.

e. Consideration of Policies for Deletion: Mrs. Nevins moved that we delete from the Policy Manual and archived electronically the policies listed on the packet insert (attached. Mrs. Hillman-Reed seconded the motion which was approved unanimously.

14. Adjournment: After reviewing upcoming dates, Mrs. Cerf adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

George H. Entwistle 3rd
Secretary

Last Updated: 12/8/05

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