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Falmouth School Board Minutes |
Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. in the Falmouth Town Council chambers. Present were Chairman Beppie Cerf, Linda Cote, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Scott Lydick (7:24 p.m.), Superintendent George Entwistle, Student Representatives Rachel Bennett (7:50 p.m.) and Chris Murry and approximately 20 others (Terison out).
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA: There were none.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. April 24, 2006: Ms. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the minutes of April 24, 2006. The motion passed 5-0.
b. May 8, 2006: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the minutes of May 8, 2006. The motion was approved 5-0.
5. COMMUNICATIONS: There were none.
6 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC:
a. Mr. Wyman, Mr. Kilroy, Mr. Barr, and three members of the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team expressed support for renewal of Ms. McInnis’ contract as coach of the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team for the 2006-2007.
7. RECOGNITION
a. Polly Crowell and MaryAnn Shupe – Girls’ Transition Program: Nancy Connolly, who oversees special services for children who are homeless, in the mental health system, foster care, or the juvenile system, recommended to the Commissioner of Education recognition of Polly and MaryAnn for their extraordinary efforts in the Girls’ Transition Program. They have provided over 50 girls with a caring and supportive environment where students can participate in all activities with other students in the school. David Stockford, Policy Director at the Department of Education and Chair of the “Children’s Cabinet”, presented a “Special Services Award” to Ms. Crowell and Mrs. Shupe and read a proclamation from the Commissioner of Education, Susan Gendron. The proclamation expressed gratitude to the Falmouth Pubic Schools, Ms. Crowell, and Mrs. Shupe. Mrs. Shupe spoke of her positive experience and the excellent staff who work with her.
b. Chris Murry: Mrs. Cerf thanked Chris for his work as a Student Representative on the School Board over the past two years and wished him well in his future endeavors.
8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Superintendent Entwistle reported that the data from the Community Dialogue has been analyzed by the Leadership Council. Building on the work that has been done over the last 18 months, new goals have been set. Dr. Entwistle explained the values and goals and the administrators then listed their plans to implement these goals over the next 18 months. As this document is still a work in progress, Dr. Entwistle encouraged any input.
9. LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS: The previous report on the Community Dialogue was presented in lieu of the Leadership Council Reports. These reports can be found on the district’s website.
a. Lunt School
b. Plummer-Motz
c. Falmouth Middle School
d. Falmouth High School
e. Assistant Superintendent
f. Director of Student Planning & Learning Options
g. Business Manager
h. Director of Special Services
i. Athletic Director
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Finance Sub-committee: Mrs. Hillman-Reed explained the Committee met with the Town Council to present the FY07 School Budget that the Board had adopted on April 10th. An agreement came out of this meeting to revisit a portion of the budget. The Town Council and School Board then compromised on a lower increase totaling 4%. Mrs. Hillman-Reed reported the School District received some support at the public hearing and she is optimistic the revised budget will be approved by the Town Council on June 22nd.
b. Facilities Sub-committee: In Mr. Terison’s absence, Mrs. Cerf reported that an initial report-out from NESDEC would be held in a Public Forum on school facilities in the FHS theater on June 12, 2006.
c. Policy Sub-committee: Ms. Franklin explained there would be a second reading of two policies this evening; Policy JL-Student Wellness and Policy EFE-Sales of Foods in Competition with the Food Service Program. The Committee will be meeting next Wednesday to further develop goals for the Wellness Policy.
11. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
a. PATHS General Advisory Report: Mrs. Farber reported the Advisory Committee is taking a serious look at what PATHS should be.
b. The article entitled, “Putting the Public Back in Public Education”, was included in the packet. It was requested that this article be made available on the web.
c. Thea Cerjanec was hired as Executive Administrative Assistant to the superintendent and will start on June 26, 2006.
d. The Schedule “C” Structures for 2006-2007 were included in the packet.
12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: There was none.
13. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approval of New Teachers for 2006-2007:
1. Kathryn Bacon Grade 2 Lunt School
2. Cathlyn Langston Gr. 1 Lunt School
3. Jennifer Davis Gr. 1 Lunt School
4. Mark Campbell Res. Rm. High School
5. Vanessa Kelly Autism Middle School
6. Jean Gredler Gr. 1 Lunt School
Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Ms. Franklin moved the Board approve the above list of new teachers for the 2006-2007 school year. The Board approved the list of new teachers in a 6-0 vote.
b. Approval of Support System Volunteers for 2006-2007: Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the list of Support System Volunteers for 2006-2007. The motion was approved 6-0.
c. Approval of Michael McGovern as Head Football Coach in the Middle School: Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve Michael McGovern as Head Football Coach in the Middle School. A discussion regarding qualifications, proper certification and fingerprinting for coaches then took place. Mr. Lydick withdrew his motion. A checklist more applicable to coaches will be devised.
d. Action to Approve a Revised 2006-2007 School Budget: Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Cote moved to approve the revised 2006-2007 School Budget. A discussion ensued on the budget whereby Board members preferred the original budget and were uncomfortable agreeing to a lower budget. Some members felt the Board compromised before the will of the public was heard. Others felt that, if the Leadership Council was comfortable with the new budget, they were comfortable with the lower budget. Some felt it was an act of good will to the town. Mr. Lydick withdrew his motion. Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board adopt the FY07 Budget of $23,578,457 which represents a 4% increase over the previous year and a reduction of 4.6% from the budget adopted on April 10th. Ms. Franklin seconded the motion which was approved 6-0. Ms. Franklin requested that this be communicated to the Town Council Finance Committee through a letter.
e. Policy JL-Student Wellness – Second Reading: Ms. Franklin moved that the Board adopt Policy JL-Student Wellness covering nutritional standards, nutritional education and physical education. Mrs. Farber seconded the motion. Ms. Franklin noted that, since the first reading, a teacher and a Board member were added to the membership list of the Wellness Committee and some legal references were changed. The policy stipulates that the Wellness Committee will report annually to the Superintendent and the Board. Goals will be determined in the future. Dr. Entwistle hoped the Wellness Committee goals would coordinate with the district goals in the 18 month plan. The motion was approved 6-0.
f. Policy EFE-Sales of Foods in Competition with the Food Service Program: Ms. Franklin moved the Board approve Policy EFE-Sales of Foods in Competition with the Food Service Program. Mrs. Farber seconded the motion. Ms. Franklin explained that Federal rules are changing as to what can be served outside of school hours and particularly foods that have minimal nutritional value. Foods of minimal nutritional value may not be sold to students. The only exceptions to the prohibition on sales of foods with minimal nutritional value are sales to school staff and sales to the public at a community or school-sponsored event. The motion was approved 5-1 (Lydick).
g. Request for waiver to increase cost of student lunches: Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the request for a waiver to increase the cost of student lunches. Mr. O’Shea explained that last week the State agreed to raise the maximum student lunch cost to $2.25 at the 9-12 level. Therefore, he was asking for
approval to request a waiver to increase the cost of student lunches for students in grades K-8 only from $1.75 to $2.00. This request is being made due to the increasing costs of operations and the move to a more nutritional food services program. The motion was approved 6-0.
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Executive Session to discuss final terms of the proposed contract for the Falmouth Bus Drivers, Custodians and Maintenance Workers Association as per 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D). Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board go into Executive Session to discuss final terms of the proposed contract for the Falmouth Bus Drivers, custodians and Maintenance Workers Association as per 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D). The motion was approved 6-0 and the Board went into Executive Session at 10:28 p.m.
At 10:49 p.m. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the 2006-2009 Agreement between the Falmouth School Board and the Falmouth Bus Drivers, Custodians and Maintenance Workers Association. The motion was approved 6-0.
15. ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the meeting be adjourned. The motion was approved 6-0 and the meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
George H. Entwistle 3rd
Secretary
Last Updated:
6/15/06
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