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Falmouth School Board Minutes |
Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, June 19, 2006
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Superintendent George Entwistle in the Falmouth High School ATM room. Present were Beppie Cerf, Linda Cote, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Scott Lydick (7:50 p.m.), Mark Terison, Student Representatives Rachel Bennett and Chris Murry and approximately 10 others.
2. SWEARING OF NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS:
Newly elected School Board members Beppie Cerf and Kathy Hillman-Reed were sworn in by Town Clerk, Kathleen Babeu.
3. RECOGNITION (out of order)
a. Freedom Trail Presentation (L. Little’s class): Superintendent Entwistle asked that this item be taken out of order. Abbey Cuttler and Samantha Dewey presented a portion of their project on the Freedom Trail which they completed in Mrs. Little’s Social Studies class. Their presentation included a slide show on the Boston Commons and the Bunker Hill Monument.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board enter Executive Session to consider assignments of School Board members to leadership positions for the new school year pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A). The motion was approved 6-0 and the Board went into Executive Session at 7:15 p.m.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 7:32 p.m.
5. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF BOARD CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR: Superintendent Entwistle called for nominations for the Board Chair. Ms. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Cote nominated Beppie Cerf as Chair of the School Board. The motion passed 6-0.
Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Cote nominated Mrs. Hillman-Reed as Vice Chair of the School Board. The motion passed 6-0.
6. RENEWAL OF SUB-COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: Mrs. Cerf announced the leadership positions as follows:
Chair: Beppie Cerf
Vice Chair: Kathy Hillman-Reed
Facilities Sub-Committee: Mark Terison
Finance Sub-Committee: Kathy Hillman-Reed
Policy Sub-Committee: Beth Franklin
CPAC Representative: Karen Farber
PATHS Representative: Karen Farber
Finance & Policy Committee Member: Linda Cote
Legislative Liaison: Linda Cote
Responsibilities for Mr. Lydick will be determined at a later date. Chris Murry introduced Stephen Hebson as the new Student Representative to the School Board.
7. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
8. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA: There were none.
9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. May 24, 2006: Mrs. Cote with a second from Ms. Franklin moved the Board approve the minutes of May 24, 2006. Mrs. Hillman-Reed noted that on page 2, under 10a, the date in the last sentence should read May 31st. Also on page 3, under “d”, in the third sentence from the bottom, it should read, “a reduction of .46% from the budget adopted on April 10th”. On page 3, under “d”, in the second sentence, it should read, “A discussion ensued on the budget whereby some Board members preferred the original budget…” The amended minutes were approved 6-0.
b. June 5, 2006: Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the minutes of June 5, 2006. Mrs. Hillman-Reed pointed out that she was present at the meeting. The corrected minutes were approved 6-0.
10. COMMUNICATIONS: There were none.
11. COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC: There were none.
12. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Superintendent Entwistle asked that in lieu of Board Reports, Leadership Council members reflect on this past year and highlight some of their accomplishments. The Superintendent then listed some of the highlights that came to mind for him. He was proud of the amazing demonstration of learning by the students; the excellence in teaching by our faculty; the leadership of the School Board; the focus on professional development by the Leadership Council and the successful integration of a new principal and two new assistant principals into the district; and the establishment of the Student-Centered Team under the guidance of Sue Palfrey. He was also pleased that the Community Dialogue confirmed the district is going down the right path.
13. LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS
a. Lunt School: Mr. Flaherty explained he received a very warm welcome from everyone upon arriving in Falmouth. He went on to highlight a few of his proudest accomplishments including progress reports, a positive school atmosphere, and many outreach programs. Other work to improve teaching and learning included Dine and Discuss Professional Development, the revision of local assessments, pilot classes for NWEA and the revised DRA, CBEA workshops, and Fountas and Pinnell phonics in Kindergarten and Grade one.
b. Plummer-Motz: Mrs. Boffa outlined some key accomplishments that made her proud, the most important of which was the caring and compassion of faculty members who stepped up to help with last minute replacements and an unexpected death. The staff has worked hard on the NWEA, ELA and Math assessments, two piloted science programs, Arts Night, White House Tea, and the Grade 4 concerts.
c. Falmouth Middle School: Mr. Rodman focused his reflections on student accomplishments. He noted 113 8th graders received awards for academic achievement, the band is the best in the state; the Iron Twinkies won the State Championship, the Middle School Boys Choir performed at the All State Music Festival Teacher In-Service.
Conference; the Civil Rights Team is one of the most active in the State, the Math Teams continue to win competitions; and the Student Council assisted with major revisions to the student handbook. He also commended Bob Griffin, for his work as the new Assistant Principal this year.
d. Falmouth High School: Mrs. Hutton was extremely pleased with new Assistant Principal, Jack Hardy, who had a wonderful year. She highlighted several accomplishments under five goals of the 18 month plan: Culture of Wellness, Learning Opportunities for All, Supportive and Professional Learning Community for Staff, Prioritize Organizational Needs and Time, and the Role of Community Resources.
e. Assistant Superintendent: Mrs. Powers highlighted areas of pride under the headings of Curriculum and Instruction, Content Teacher Leaders, New Teachers, Graduate Study Group, Awards Received by the District, and Graduation Week Activities for the Class of 2006.
f. Director of Student Planning & Learning Options: Ms. Palfrey pointed out the addition of Nate Barnes has been fabulous. The newly established Student-Centered Team worked with 60 at-risk students this year experiencing much success. The district is developing an affiliation with a mental health provider K-12 and she added the Virtual High School has taken off.
g. Director of Finance & Operations: Mr. O'Shea was proud of the successful budgeting process, the high school construction mediation resolution, the productive negotiations which resulted in a responsible settlement, the work of the Wellness Committee, and the work of Topper West, Maintenance and Facilities Director.
h. Director of Special Services: Ms. Crowell's report was posted on the district's website.
i. Athletic Director: Mr. Hurley's report was posted on the district's website.
j. School Board: Mrs. Cerf felt it was a worthwhile activity to reflect on the past year and asked the Board members for their input. Mr. Terison felt the stability and consistency of learning was impressive as well as the Student-Centered Team and the High School graduation ceremony. Mrs. Hillman-Reed highlighted the High School construction mediation, the budget outcome, and the Student Substance Abuse Policy. Ms. Franklin was impressed with the Leadership Council and the support she received on the School Board. Mrs. Farber was also impressed with the Leadership Council as well as the respect with which all are treated. Mr. Lydick mentioned several people he felt contributed to a successful year: John Flaherty, Sue Palfrey, Donna Bell, Chris Murry, Jack Hardy, and Kathy Hillman-Reed. Student Representative Chris Murry commended Jack Hardy, Allyn Hutton, and the School Board for their work. Student Representative Rachel Bennett explained that she felt very welcomed on the Board. Mrs. Cerf added the last three years on the Board were incredibly humbling.
14. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Finance Sub-Committee: Mrs. Hillman-Reed reported the committee will be off until August or September when the budget process will begin again.
b. Facilities Sub-Committee: Mr. Terison pointed out the NESDEC presentation on June 12 had a reasonably good turnout and he was pleased with the High School construction mediation resolution.
c. Policy Sub-Committee: Ms. Franklin explained she has a list of policies that will require formal action which the committee will be working on this fall including the Code of Conduct. She also plans to attend PTO meetings for feedback about the dress code.
15. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
a. Kelly Horton hired as Ed. Tech. III at High School
b. Robin Bradley hired as Receptionist/Secretary at Middle School
c. School Board Meeting Schedule for 2006-2007: Mrs. Cerf will ask for the School Board meetings to be held in the Town Council Chambers so they can be televised.
d. Kudos from DOE for Emissions Reduction Efforts
16. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: There was none
17. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approval of New Teachers for 2006-2007:
1. Lisa Tibbetts English High School
2. Judith Main Social Studies High School
3. Deborah Hjort Social Studies (.5) High School
4. Mathew Holmes Grade 6 Middle School
5. Joseph Porter Physics/Chemistry High School
6. Elizabeth Lupien Math High School
7. Erin Burrows Grade 6 Middle School
8. Karen Littlefield Kindergarten (.5) Lunt
Mr. Lydick with a second from Ms. Franklin moved the Board approve the new teachers as listed. The motion passed 7-0.
b. Approval of Schedule “B” Appointments for Fall, 2006 Athletics (see attached): Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Ms. Franklin moved the Board approve the Schedule "B" appointments attached. The Board felt CPR and first aid training should be requirements for Middle School coaches as well as High School coaches. The Board discussed the non-renewal of a coach. Mr. Terison moved the Board go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Seconded by Mrs. Farber, the motion passed 7-0 and the Board went into Executive Session at 9:35 p.m.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 10:20 p.m.
Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Cote made a motion to withdraw the 8th grade soccer coach from the list. The motion was defeated 4-3 (Cerf, Franklin, Farber). An amended motion was made to approve the Schedule "B" appointments for fall, 2006 without the 8th grade soccer coach. The motion passed 7-0.
c. Approval for Superintendent to hire personnel during July and August pending final Board approval in August. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mr. Terison moved the Board authorize the Superintendent to hire personnel during July and August pending final Board approval in August. The motion passed 7-0.
d. Consideration for formal communication to Town Council regarding town/school facility planning. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Cote moved that formal communication on mutual facilities be made with the Town Council. The motion passed 7-0.
18. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board go into Executive Session to discuss student discipline matters pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. SS (6) (A). The motion passed 7-0 and the Board went into Executive Session at 10:50 p.m. The Board came out of Executive Session at 11:00 p.m..
19. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board adjourn. The motion passed 7-0 and the Board adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
George H. Entwistle 3rd
Secretary
Last Updated:
8/9/06
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