Falmouth School Board Minutes

Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, May 21, 2007

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER:  The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers.  Present were Chairman Beppie Cerf, Linda Cote, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Scott Lydick (late 7:35 p.m.), Mark Terison, Student Representatives Rachel Bennett and Steve Hebson, Superintendent George Entwistle and approximately 10 others.
  1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

  1. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA:  Superintendent Entwistle requested #13I be added:  Approval of 1st year probationary contract teachers to 2nd year probationary status.  Also requested was the addition of #13J:  Approval for the Superintendent to hire personnel during June, July, and August pending final approval in August.  Added to #13G are two additional first readings.
  1. MINUTES:
    1. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Terison moved the Board approve the minutes of April 9, 2007.  The motion was approved 6-0.
    2. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the minutes of May 7, 2007.  The motion was approved 6-0.

 

  1. COMMUNICATIONS: 
  1. New York Times article entitled “In Homework Wars, Student Wins a Battle:  More Time to Unwind on Vacation”
  2. School Law article entitled “Draft Special Ed Regulations Offer Radical Change”
  3. Consolidation – PowerPoint Handout
  4. School Consolidation Plan Summary Handout   
  1. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:  There were none.

 

  1. RECOGNITION: 
  1. Rachel Bennett was recognized for her two years of service on the Falmouth School Board.  Chairman Cerf thanked her for all of her help, understanding and participation.  Rachel was given a gift from the School Board and Leadership Council.
  1. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
    1. Superintendent Entwistle mentioned the two articles that he included in the Board packet.  The second article, he believes, provides a great and concise introduction to RTI.  School Board members were invited to lunch and workshops on June 19, during the Celebration for Teaching day.  The faculty-led workshops are being created around the themes of improving instruction, enhancing technology skills, or citizenship education.  Board Members were asked to notify Thea Cerjanec if they were attending graduation on June 10.   Also mentioned was a quick update on the UNIBE trip in July and the re-energizing of a Global Studies Team.  Superintendent Entwistle asked if any Board Member would like to join the Global Studies Team.  Superintendent Entwistle and Chairman Cerf conducted a PowerPoint presentation on consolidation planning.  It was announced by the DOE today the recommendation of consolidating SAD51 and Falmouth.

 

  1. LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS:
    1. Lunt School:  Mr. Flaherty announced that Bonnie Taylor, Lunt Art Teacher, was selected by Wal-Mart as Teacher of the Year.  The nomination came from parents and students…congratulations Bonnie!  Mr. Flaherty commented that he had included the minutes of the last School Climate and Wellness Committee meeting in his Board packet and thanks to the PTO, the school was enjoying the process of chicks being hatched in the Kindergarten wing…seven as of 5:30 p.m. tonight; seven more to go.  Mr. Flaherty also discussed the portfolios that are assembled on each student and passed along each year and stored in the child’s classroom.  An impressive amount of information is compiled on each student.
    1. Plummer-Motz:  Mrs. Boffa stated that walk and bike to school week will take place each Wednesday during the month of May, and transition and placement proceedings are well underway.  Mrs. Boffa also mentioned that grandfriend’s day on May 11 went very well as did Grade 3 math night on May 16.

 

    1. Falmouth Middle School:  Mr. Rodman recognized and thanked the middle school PTO for the wonderful staff appreciation luncheon that was held on May 16.  Mr. Rodman announced the  4th grade students from Plummer-Motz will be hosted at the middle school on May 24 and on the morning May 25, 8th grade students will be going to the high school as part of the transition process.  Also mentioned was the high usage of the Parent Portal by parents and students.
    1. Falmouth High School:  Mrs. Hutton distributed a list of summer academy offerings and also mentioned the internships that will be taking place over the next three days.  The community has provided many great opportunities to the students.  Today was Community Service Day, and Mrs. Hutton was pleased at the outstanding attendance for the day.  The high school is getting feedback regarding the Parent Portal, but the initial response is that students have found it to be more useful than they expected.

 

    1. Assistant Superintendent:  Mrs. Powers announced the Literacy Review Team will be presenting at the June 4 workshop.  The annual assessment scores for our ESL students have been received.  We have 12 languages represented in our schools.  Mrs. Powers also announced that she testified in support of L.D. 1821 with regard to the Maine Federal, State and Local Accountability Standards.  Her testimony was included in the Board packet.
    1. Director of Student Planning and Learning Options:   Mrs. Palfrey reported the transition plans for re-allocating her current responsibilities are in full gear and her work is in good hands.   The Virtual High School will continue under the coordination of Beth Donovan and Jilda Izzo and work is underway with respect to upgrading the design and usability of the school web site.  Nate Barnes will work with Trey Bachner on supporting the technical aspects of the website as well as be responsible for training contributors to the website.  Nate Barnes is also taking the lead for running the high school schedule.

 

    1. Director of Finance and Operations:  Mr. O’Shea announced there will be a public forum on June 5 by Oak Point to discuss the elementary school construction project and invited the public to attend.  Current and future work on this project includes a vernal pool study, a traffic pattern flow and congestion study, evaluation of current building conditions and an investigation into the Ester O’Brien trail history.   Mr. O’Shea highlighted the many energy efforts that have been ongoing and also commented on projects for the summer.  It was requested that at some point in the future, Mr. O’Shea distribute a report on all of the district’s efforts in energy savings.
    1. Special Education Director:  Ms. Crowell was not present.

 

    1. Athletic Director:  Mr. Hurley was not present.
  1. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
    1. Finance Sub-committee:  Mrs. Hillman-Reed reported the last meeting was a joint meeting on May 9 with the Town Council.  Interesting discussions took place and it was decided to move ahead with the 2.98% budget increase, which will be voted on as part of the total municipal budget on May 29.  Good points came out of this meeting for next year’s budget process.

 

    1. Facilities Sub-committee:  Mr. Terison mentioned the June 5 public forum at the Lunt School and also the next committee meeting is scheduled for June 21.  Mr. Terison also commented that the architects are working on many different studies, which are all part of the site review.
    1. Policy Sub-committee:  Mrs. Franklin reported to the Board the 1st reading of the Code of Conduct and internet policies will take place tonight as well as the 2nd reading of several policies.

 

  1. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION:
    1. Current Openings:

                              Receptionist/Secretary – Middle School
                              Receptionist/Secretary – High School
                              Administrative Secretary- Middle School
                              Social Worker (part-time) – High School
                              Varsity Volleyball Coach
                              JV Volleyball Coach
                              Middle School Head Football Coach
                              Middle School Assistant Football Coach
                              JV Football Coach

  1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 
  1. There was a discussion regarding the cancellation of the June 25 School Board Meeting and adding a business agenda to the June 4 workshop meeting.  It was pointed out that a meeting would be necessary to swear in newly-elected School Board members after the election on June 12.  A decision would be made shortly and Superintendent Entwistle will make an announcement regarding the next meeting.

 

 

  1. NEW BUSINESS:
    1. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mr. Terison moved the Board approve Jean Gredler as Grade 2 Teacher for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    2. Mrs. Cote with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve Jennifer Meserve as Grade 2 Teacher (1 year) for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    3. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Franklin moved the Board approve Joy Halligan as RTI Teacher and Facilitator for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    4. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Franklin moved the Board approve the employment of Christopher Driscoll as 8th Grade Math Teacher for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    5. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the employment of Daniel Bennett as High School Spanish Teacher for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    6. Mrs. Cote with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the employment of Danielle Gleason as Autism Teacher (Middle School) for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    7. First Reading:  JIC Systemwide Student Code of Conduct; JICIA Weapons, Violence, Bullying and School Safety; IJND/IJND-R Website/Guidelines; IJNDB/IJNDB-R Student Computer and Internet Use/Rules.
    8. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved to accept as a 2nd reading with the proposed changes:  AC Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action; ACAD Student Hazing; JICH Student Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use; JICI Extra-Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities Code of Conduct for Middle and High School Students; JK Student Discipline; JICC Student Conduct on School Buses; EBCC Bomb Threats; JFCA Student Dress Code; JKB Detention of Students; JKD Suspension of Students; JKE Expulsion of Students; and JKE-R Expulsion of Students – Guidelines.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    9. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve  the 1st year probationary contract teachers to 2nd year probationary status for Mark Campbell, Linda Crumrine and Ashley Olen.  The motion was approved 7-0.
    10. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the Superintendent to hire personnel during June, July, and August pending final Board approval in August.  The motion was approved 7-0.
  1. ADJOURNMENT:  Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board adjourn.  The motion was approved 7-0, and the Board adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                    George H. Entwistle 3rd
                                                                                    Secretary

Last Updated: 6/8/07