Plummer-Motz School Class Sites

Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, September 13, 2004

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Falmouth Town Hall. Present were: Chairman Beppie Cerf, Steve Brinn, Linda Cote, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Truth Holden, Susan Nevins, Mark Terison, Superintendent George H. Entwistle and approximately 14 others.

2. The Board and audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Adjustments to Agenda: There were none.

4. Approval of Minutes: Mrs. Nevins with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the minutes of June 21, July 26, and July 30, 2004 be approved. The motion passed 7-0.

5. Communications: Mrs. Cerf explained this item will be added to the agenda to provide an opportunity to communicate information about what is happening in the schools to the community. As well, the Board may use this as an opportunity to share communications received.

6. Comments from the Public: There were none.

7. Recognition: Mrs. Cerf explained that this new item will provide an opportunity for the Board to recognize students, staff, faculty, administrators, and parents.

8. Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Entwistle pointed out that in the future each member of the Leadership Council will be submitting a written report at each monthly, business meeting.
a. The Superintendent reported that the opening of school went very smoothly including the kick-off day, the second day which was managed at the building level, and the first student day.
b. 2004 MEA Results: He reported a review of the results along with state and regional comparisons indicate strong performance on the part of Falmouth students. Mrs. Powers will elaborate later in the evening. Dr. Entwistle added that there would be an ongoing conversation about how we are using MEA results to improve curriculum and instruction.
c. Plans for the Community Dialogue component of the planning process are coming together. The Community Dialogue will be held on October 8, 2004 at the Scarborough Downs Clubhouse.
d. Superintendent Entwistle reported he had been working with the Town Council Finance Chair, Ann Goggin, to plan communication efforts on the Palesky referendum. The first communication is planned for the Town Council Workshop on September 21st. The Board will be considering a tax cap resolution later in the meeting.
e. The Superintendent informed the Board that Policy IKF Graduation Requirements would need to be revised, as the Legislature has revised the timeline pertaining to the Maine Learning Results. Mrs. Powers will review the policy and suggest revisions which the Policy Subcommittee will then review.

9. Principals’ Reports:
a. Lunt School: Ms. Johnson reported on positive feedback for summer school, the activities on the inservice days, the Kindergarten visitation day, the excellent shape of the buildings, the amazing bus drivers, and enrollment. Lunt School enrolled 118 Kindergarten students, 167 first grade and 166 second grade students. Some poetry written by Mrs. MacNaught’s class was published.
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b. Plummer-Motz School: Chairman Cerf welcomed Mrs. Boffa as the interim principal at Plummer-Motz. Mrs. Boffa then reported on a successful summer school experience, the inservice days which included meetings by grade levels and content areas, and enrollment. Plummer-Motz has 372 students, 191 in grade 3 and 181 in grade 4. She also reported on the looping and teaming classes and after school activities.

c. Falmouth Middle School: Mrs. Cerf welcomed the new principal, Jeff Rodman, who reported on a great opening with faculty meetings, grade level meetings, and content area meetings. He thanked everyone for their help with his transition to Falmouth. He felt the fifth grade had transitioned well. Mr. Rodman then listed open house dates and reported a total enrollment of 750. Responding to a question from Mrs. Hillman-Reed about 8th grade math, Mr. Rodman stated a letter was sent to all eighth graders.

d. Falmouth High School: Mrs. Hutton reported the open house went well; the freshman orientation was successful; high school enrollment totaled 598; the high school action plan is posted on the school’s website; and the school profile has been completed. In response to some complaints about the crowded lunch and the long lunch line, the two student representatives reported they are working with administration to find a solution. Suggestions included pre ordering lunch, adding tables, and reopening the snack bar.

10. Committee Reports:
a. Finance Subcommittee: Mrs. Hillman-Reed explained the committee met earlier to organize the year. Topics discussed were the Capital Construction Site visit on October 7th, the High School construction issues, the tax cap communication planning for the Town Council workshop on September 21st, and the budget. A Facilities Subcommittee will be established.

b. Policy Subcommittee: Mrs. Nevins reported the first meeting will take place at 6:00 p.m. prior to the Board workshop meeting on September 27, 2004.

11. Items for Information:
a. Resignations
b. Leaves of Absence 2004-2005
c. Additional 2004-2005 New Hires

12. Unfinished Business: There was none.

13. New Business:
a. Report out – Status of 9th Grade Laptops: Ms. Palfrey stated four people from the High School attended an informational meeting on August 23rd. I-books should be here in three to four weeks. The wireless network will be installed and paid for by the State. Training is being offered in late October and early November. She explained the State provides a stipend for an MLTI teacher leader. In addition, it would be helpful to have an MLTI teacher leader in the 9th grade.

b. Report out – 2004 MEA Results: Mrs. Powers highlighted aspects of the MEA scores for Reading, Writing, Math, and Science in grades 4, 8 and 11. She also provided a comparison of Falmouth scores with the scores of local area schools. Math assessments will be done in grades 3, 5, 6, and 7. Mrs. Powers pointed out this data is just another piece of information on the students and all released items will be reviewed by content teams.
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c. Superintendent’s Teacher Nominations: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Brinn moved the nominations to teacher positions as presented for the 2004-2005 school year be approved. The motion carried 7-0.

d. Superintendent’s Nominations for Schedule B and C: Mrs. Nevins with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board accept the Superintendent’s nominations to Schedules B & C for 2004-2005 as presented. The motion passed 7-0.

e. MSBA Delegate Election: The Board agreed that Mrs. Cote would serve as the delegate to the MSBA Delegate Assembly.

f. Palesky Property Tax Cap Initiative: Mrs. Cerf explained that a resolution is a way to state the Board’s feelings on this initiative. The Town Council is looking at a resolution as well. The resolution is a general statement of opposition to the tax cap. Mr. Brinn with a second from Mrs. Holden made a motion that the Board approve the resolution opposing the Palesky Property Tax Cap Initiative. Mr. Brinn read the resolution and the Board then approved the motion 7-0.

g. Certification Support System Volunteers: Mr. Brinn moved the Board approve the list of volunteers for the Certification Support System as presented. Mrs. Nevins seconded the motion which passed 7-0.

h. Executive Session: Mrs. Holden with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board go into executive session for the purposes of discussing an employee compensation matter in accordance with 1 MRSA § 405 (6) (A). A vote will be taken once the Board is out of executive session. The motion passed 7-0.

Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Brinn moved the Board approve a revised contract for the Superintendent. The motion carried 7-0.

i. Executive Session: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Brinn moved the Board go into executive session for the purpose of labor contract proposal discussions with the Secretaries and Educational Technicians Unit of the Falmouth Education Association in accordance with 1 MRSA § 405 (6) (D).

14. Adjournment: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Brinn moved the meeting come out of executive session and adjourn. The motion passed 7-0 and the meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

George H. Entwistle 3rd, Ed.D.
Secretary

Last Updated: 12/8/05

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