School Board Minutes

Plummer-Motz School Class Sites

Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, May 16, 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 (7:05 p.m.), Linda Cote, Truth Holden, Susan Nevins, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Mark Terison, Student Representatives David Sinnett and Chris Murry (7:15 p.m.), Superintendent George Entwistle and approximately 30 others.

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

3. Adjustments to Agenda: Superintendent Entwistle added Item 11c, list of employee departures, and Item 13i, the appointment of H. Ogden Morse. Mrs. Cerf added Item 13j.

4. Minutes:
a. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the minutes of May 4, 2005. The motion was approved 7-0.
b. On a motion by Mrs. Hillman-Reed and seconded by Mrs. Nevins, the Board approved the minutes of April 11, 2005 with a 7-0 vote.

5. Communications: There were none.

6. Comments from the Public: There were none.

7. Recognition:
a. In recognition of the Iron Twinkies Middle School Jazz Band winning the State Championship, a video was played and each member was presented with a certificate.

8. Superintendent’s Report: The Superintendent highlighted important items on the agenda including the school calendar, the appointment of the Assistant Superintendent and new staff, and an article in “Education Week” regarding student participation on the School Board.

9. Principal Reports
a. Lunt School: Ms. Johnson thanked the PTO for funding $8,000 worth of curriculum based, enrichment programs at Lunt School, including folk singer Bob Webb, a program by Chewonki teachers, and second grade field trips to the Norlands. Kindergarten screening will take place May 19 and 20.

b. Plummer-Motz School: Mrs. Boffa thanked the PTO for sponsoring the 3rd Grade Math Night. Other events happening were Grandfriend’s Day on May 6, grade 4 field trip to Augusta for Maine history, transition meetings, and Mr. Rodman’s appearance at a PTO meeting.

c. Falmouth Middle School: Mr. Rodman congratulated students Ryan Gao and Will Linthicum who competed in the National Math Counts competition and three students from Mrs. Greene’s Gr. 8 English classes who were recognized by the Maine Humanities Council and the National Council for the Humanities. He also thanked Mrs. Marquis-Girard for organizing the FEF sponsored program by Dr. Michael Thompson.

d. Falmouth High School: Mrs. Hutton recognized the Math Team who finished first in the State Math Meet in Division B and congratulated the music students who were selected for the prestigious Maine All-State Music Festival. The Student Council and FEF sponsored an appearance by Travis Roy at the High School. Career Day was held on May 5th for grades 9-11 while seniors volunteered for Community Service Day. Mrs. Hutton asked that thank you notes for Senior Community Service Day be entered into the minutes. About 50 parents and students attended a forum on the Code of Conduct, Extra/Co-curricular Activities and the Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use policy. A brief discussion took place regarding progress reports.

e. Director of Quality Educational Services: Regarding the status of the Local Assessment System, the DOE is ready to provide feedback on earlier rulings. Statewide workshops will be held this week. On June 3, the district will be evaluated for NCLB compliance. There are 44 presentation proposals for June 21st, Celebration of Teaching Day.

f. Technology Integration Coordinator: Ms. Palfrey informed the Board that 18 students from the Middle and High Schools attended an iTeam Conference. She highlighted the O.T.’s use of the digital camera and other uses of technology in the classroom.

g. Business Manager: Mr. O’Shea mentioned the budget was presented to the Town Council twice. There will be a public hearing on the budget tomorrow and the vote next Monday. Some cooperative purchasing and saving opportunities have allowed the district to take advantage of lower pricing for electricity, fuel, paper, and office supplies. Mr. O’Shea added that a mediation date with the architect and general contractor of the new high school has been set for June 29th.

h. Director of Special Services: Ms. Crowell noted this is a busy time of year with annual PETs and transition meetings, as well as planning for the summer program and the ’05-’06 school year. A lead teacher for the Girls’ Transition Program has been hired.

i. Athletic Director: Mr. Hurley explained there is a new sports hotline for the Middle and High Schools. He provided updates on the status of all varsity sports. Construction on the new dugouts funded by FEF will start soon. Spring Athletic Awards Night will be June 8th.

10. Committee reports
a. Finance Subcommittee: Mrs. Hillman-Reed noted the two budget dates, tomorrow night and the final budget vote next Monday night.
b. Facilities Subcommittee: Mr. Terison attended the NESDC conference on school facilities with Mr. O’Shea and Mr. West and learned about the impact of facilities on learning.
c. Policy Subcommittee: Mrs. Nevins pointed out the recent forum was an effort to take a broader look at the Chemical Health Policy, the Code of Conduct, and the Extra/Co-curricular Activities Policy and would, hopefully, result in a more cohesive document. Ann Chapman from DWM is looking at medical policies which should be ready by June.

11. Items of Interest
a. “Education Week” article: Superintendent Entwistle pointed out an interesting article on student school board representatives who vote on policy issues. Though each student actually votes, it is a symbolic vote. Board members felt it would be a better experience for students to raise their hands and vote and were in favor of this.
b. A Legislative Report was included for the Board’s information.
c. A list of leaves of absence, resignations, retirements, and a sabbatical was included.
d. The School Law bulletin about school searches was included in the packet.

12. Unfinished Business
a. Middle School Multiage Program: Mr. Rodman introduced Mrs. Marquis-Girard to provide information on the evaluation of the Grade 6-7 Multiage Program. She stated information had been collected on academics, attendance, and behavior. Student academic performance showed improvement across the board. Students with IEPs made tremendous improvements. The nine students in the program have attended 60 more days this year.
Disciplinary reports have declined. A student survey and a parent survey were conducted with very positive results. The focus now is on transitioning 7th graders back to the traditional school setting and maintaining the emotional stability gains made this year. She recommended the advisory group remain in tact.

13. New Business:
a. Proposed Calendar for School Year ’05-’06: Superintendent Entwistle distributed a revised calendar. Mr. Brinn with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the ’05-’06 calendar as proposed. The Superintendent explained the Late Arrivals were eliminated on the new proposal. Early Release time allows all teachers to be on the same schedule. An effort was made to be more sympathetic to PATHS students and keep as many weeks as cohesive as possible. Thanksgiving week tends to be a time of high absentee days. March 24 is the only full Professional Learning Day which will be devoted to the next “Community Dialogue”. The motion was approved 7-0.

b. Approval of Deborah Jordan: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Holden moved the Board appoint Deborah Jordan as Post Secondary/College Counselor at the High school for the ’05-’06 school year. The model for next year will be two full time Guidance Counselors and one college career counselor. The motion was approved 7-0.

c. Approval of Alexis Rog: Mr. Brinn with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve Alexis Rog as Guidance Counselor at the High School for the ’05-’06 school year. The motion was approved 7-0.

d. Approval of MaryAnn Shupe: Mrs. Holden with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve MaryAnn Shupe as Teacher for the Girls Transition Program at the High School for the ’05-’06 school year. The motion was approved 7-0.

e. Approval of Barbara Powers: Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Holden moved the Board appoint Barbara Powers as Assistant Superintendent for the ’05-’06 school year. The motion was approved 7-0.

f. Approval of 2nd Year Probationary Teachers: Mr. Brinn with a second from Mrs. Nevins moved the Board approve the list of 1st year probationary contract teachers moving to 2nd year probationary status. The motion was approved 7-0.

g. Approval of 1st year continuing contract teachers: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Holden moved the Board approve the list of 2nd year probationary teachers moving to continuing contract status. The motion passed 7-0.

h. Approval of Cameron Bonsey: Mr. Brinn with a second from Mr. Terison moved the Board appoint Cameron Bonsey as Volunteer grade 7 Boys Expansion Baseball Coach. The motion passed 7-0.

i. Approval of Ogden Morse: Mr. Brinn with a second from Mr. Terison moved the Board appoint H. Ogden Morse III as English Teacher at the High School for the 2005-2006 school year. The motion passed 7-0.

j. Recognition of Outgoing Board Members: Mrs. Cert thanked Mrs. Nevins, Mrs. Holden, and Mr. Brinn for their outstanding contributions to the Falmouth Public Schools as members of the Falmouth School Board. She then presented each with a gift.

14. Adjournment: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Brinn moved the meeting adjourn. The motion was approved 7-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 9:51 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

George H. Entwistle 3rd
Secretary

Last Updated: 12/8/05

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