Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday August 22, 2005

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. in the Falmouth High School ATM room. Present were Linda Cote, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Scott Lydick, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Mark Terison, Student Representatives Chris Murry and Rachell Bennett, Superintendent George Entwistle and approximately 10 others (Cerf out). In Chairman Cerf’s absence Mrs. Hillman-Reed chaired the meeting.

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

3. Adjustments to Agenda: Superintendent Entwistle added the appointment of Ruth Broene as High School Chemistry teacher to item 13b.

4. Minutes:
a. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the minutes of June 6, 2005. The minutes were approved 6-0.
b. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mr. Tersion moved the Board approve the minutes of June 20, 2005. The motion was approved 6-0.

5. Communications:
a. The School Board received a thank you letter from Student Representative David Sinnett.
b. The School Board received a thank you note from the Falmouth High School Class of 1945.
c. The Falmouth School Department received an invitation to join the N.E. Consortium of Schools.
d. A copy of the Superintendent’s ‘Welcome Back’ letter to staff was included in the Board packet.

6. Comments from Public: There were none.

7. Recognition: There was none

8. Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Entwistle brought the Board up to date with regard to some organizational changes that were made to better meet the needs of students. He described the district’s goals and 18-month plan and a re-focus of Sue Palfrey’s new role as Director of Student Planning and Learning Options. In her new role, Sue will establish a student-centered resource team in an effort to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of students. The Superintendent also highlighted an article titled, “America’s Most Successful High Schools – What Makes Them Work”.

9. Leadership Council Members’ Reports
a. Lunt School: Principal Flaherty thanked the school community for a warm welcome. He explained there will be eight (8) sessions of Kindergarten, 16 students in the transitional first grade, 160 students in the first grade, and 159 students in the second grade for a total of 450 students at Lunt School. Twenty-eight (28) students attended summer school. The new student orientation will be held on Aug. 30th at 3:00 p.m.

b. Plummer-Motz School: Principal Boffa explained the Motz roof renovations are almost completed. There are 12 new students for a total of 357 at Plummer-Motz. The Summer academy enrolled 25 students. The new student orientation will be on Aug. 30th.

c. Falmouth Middle School: Principal Rodman reported the new Assistant Principal Robert Griffin, was well received by staff. He commended Topper West and his crew for their outstanding work on the buildings this summer. The total enrollment at this time is 738 students. The new student orientation for 5th gr. will be this Wednesday. The Principal explained some summer work projects and reported that Open House for gr. 5 & 6 would be September 14th and Sept. 15th for grades 7 & 8.

d. Falmouth High School: Principal Hutton introduced the new Assistant Principal, Jack Hardy, and listed new employees in the high school. Enrichment courses were offered this summer with the hope to offer more next year. The lockers were moved against the wall new furniture ordered, and a new floor was installed in the corridor. There was a senior parent meeting this evening and there will be a freshman parent meeting tomorrow night. Open House is scheduled for Sept. 8th. High School enrollment totals 611 students.

e. Assistant Superintendent: Mrs. Powers congratulated principals and Leadership Council for great new hires. She highlighted summer professional development activities and felt the Summer Academy at Lunt and Plummer-Motz went well. Language Arts support was offered at the High School taught by Suzanne Langlois and Ogden Morse. Math was offered in early July. Twenty 9th graders are working on study skills now. There are six (6) new non-English speaking students in the district.

f. Director of Student Planning and Learning Options: Ms. Palfrey explained the laptops are ready and commended Trey and Brian for their hard work over the summer. Susan Morse has graphic design experience and helped with the new design of the school’s web site.

g. Business Manager: Mr. O’Shea reported the Superintendent’s office has been newly renovated. The ending balances for last year tentatively fall with a positive $45,000. He also commended Topper West and his staff. Ocean View donated $25,000 to Lunt School to support K-4 teacher technology. The Motz roof repair was just about done. The High School mediation has made good progress on 85 separate issues. The final meeting will take place on October 6th.

h. Special Services: Ms. Crowell stated the Extended School Year Services summer program went smoothly. Riding to the Top was an added feature for some multi-disabled students. The Youth Alternatives Girls program was starting right away. The SPED Laws were re-authorized last December and Eric Herlan will be presenting a workshop on the updates. A PATHS liaison will work with students. Ms. Crowell is looking for a volunteer to work on the Special Education Department website.

i. Athletic Director: Mr. Hurley reported the fields are looking great, due to Topper West’s crew. Freshman schedules include boys and girls soccer and for the first time field hockey. Football numbers are up. Deb Lebel has been hired as Varsity Girls Soccer Coach. There are still three open positions.

10. Committee Reports:
a. Finance Subcommittee: Ms. Hillman-Reed explained that ordinarily the Finance Committee will meet before a regular School Board meeting. The next meeting will be held on September 19, 2005.
b. Facilities Subcommittee: Mr. Terison stated information on the High School mediation had been covered by Mr. O’Shea.
c. Policy Subcommittee: Ms. Franklin reported the committee met tonight and discussed Chemical Health policies. These policies will be discussed again at the September 6 workshop.

11. Items for Information
a. Letter of recognition from Standard & Poors
b. School Board 2005-2006 Meeting Schedule: Finance Subcommittee meetings will precede Regular School Board meetings and Policy Subcommittee meetings will precede workshop meetings
c. Delegate to MSBA Assembly Information: Mr. Terison with a second from Ms. Franklin moved the Board appoint Mrs. Farber as the delegate to the assembly with Mrs. Cote as back-up. The motion passed 6-0.
d. List of Departures
12. Unfinished Business: There was none.
13. New Business
a. Policy JIC, Policy JICH, Policy JICI – First Reading. It was explained that at first readings, the Board takes a look at the policy followed by a detail review. A summary overview is very helpful. Board members were encouraged to read through and make comments, suggestions, etc. Discussion will be scheduled at the next workshop meeting.

b. New Hires: Superintendent Entwistle recommended the following list of employees who were hired during the summer months be approved. He also recommended that Ruth Broene be added to the list as a Chemistry teacher at Falmouth High School.

Gardner, Sarah Ed. Tech. III Plummer-Motz
Jones, Sara Ed. Tech. III (1 year) Middle School
Ford, Judy Ed. Tech. III (Literacy) Lunt School
Goodwin, Scot Ed. Tech. III (SPED) Middle School
Gagne-Hall, Jessica Ed. Tech. III (SPED) Middle School
Roberts, Rachel Ed. Tech. III (SPED) Plummer-Motz
Murphy, Shannon Gr. 5 (1 year) Middle School
Berke-Powers, Marilyn Guidance Counselor Middle School
O’Donoghue, Patrick Ed. Tech. III (SPED) High School
Lechner, Karen Guidance Counselor High School
Northrup, Candice Ed. Tech. III (SPED) High School
Griffin, Robert Assistant Principal Middle School
Hardy, Jack Assistant Principal High School
Meserve, Jennifer Ed. Tech. III (Literacy Lunt School
Stein, Jeremy Gr. 7Social Studies Middle School
O’Toole, Denise Social Studies High School

Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the employees hired during the summer as recommended by the Superintendent. The motion passed 6-0.

c. Schedule B Appointments: Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the attached list of Schedule B Appointments. The motion was approved 6-0.

14. Adjournment: Mrs. Farber with a second from Mr. Terison moved the meeting adjourn. The motion was approved and the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

George H. Entwistle 3rd
Secretary

Last Updated: 9/14/05

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