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Falmouth School Board Minutes |
Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, September 18, 2006
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Falmouth Town Council chambers. Present were Beppie Cerf, Linda Cote, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Scott Lydick, Mark Terison, Superintendent George Entwistle, Student Representatives Rachel Bennett and Stephen Hebson and approximately 13 others.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA: There were none.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. The August 21, 2006 minutes were corrected (10b – Facilities Sub-committee) to indicate the meeting on July 12, 2006 was in Rockland and not Augusta and that Superintendent Entwistle, Mark Terison and Dan O’Shea attended a meeting on July 27 with state officials. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the amended minutes of August 21, 2006. The motion passed 7-0.
b. Superintendent Entwistle added to the September 5 minutes under section 3 that the student representatives had cast votes in favor of the Sr. Discovery Project. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the amended minutes of September 5, 2006. The motion passed 7-0.
5. COMMUNICATIONS:
a. A memo was distributed indicating that the TABOR Workshop scheduled for September 28 will now be held at the Performing Arts Center at Yarmouth High School.
b. A copy of a Resolution from the Executive Committee of the Maine School Superintendents Association was distributed indicating that they oppose TABOR and asking Maine voters to vote No on Question 1.
c. A September 11 letter to Karen Boffa and Jeff Rodman regarding Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) was distributed. Both schools (Plummer-Motz, Grade 4, and Middle School, Grade 8) “made AYP” in all categories.
d. Superintendent Entwistle informed the Board that a brainstorming meeting on October 13 between the town and the business side of school will take place to look at cost-saving strategies. Established already is a collaborative with “The Portal.” The next issue in January will include town news.
6. COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC: There were none.
7. RECOGNITION: Allyn Hutton announced the high school National Merit Semi-Finalists. Falmouth students Kelly Morris and Rachel Bennett were among the highest scorers in the state.
8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
a. Superintendent Entwistle commented that his report has a new look and, in the interest of time, will be abbreviated. He also indicated that Leadership Council reports will use the district goals as a framework and that all presentations will be limited to important highlights from the reports. Barbara Powers will speak on MEA results and a Board work plan has been developed as a result of the Board/Leadership Council Retreat in August. The plan will be presented for approval tonight. Also mentioned was an upcoming Citizenship Education & Civic Engagement Conference at Sebasco Estates in Harpswell with a 7-member representation from Falmouth Schools; a TABOR session attended by Beppie Cerf, Superintendent Entwistle and Dan O’Shea; and Superintendent Entwistle’s appointment to the Board of Directors of the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf.
9. LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS:
a. Lunt School - Mr. Flaherty highlighted the “high five” section of his report and mentioned a group that has been formed (School Climate Think Tank) to enhance the physical, emotional, and social well-being of members of the school community. Mr. Flaherty also asked to be notified of any Falmouth resident who will be turning or has turned 100. Lunt School students have a special way of celebrating Falmouth’s centarians.
b. Plummer-Motz – Mrs. Boffa pointed out that the school has 328 students – 164 in 3rd grade and 164 in 4th grade. Also mentioned was the success of the PTO Ice Cream Social and that open houses have taken place and every effort will be given to sheduling future dates that do not interfere with other school open houses. Mrs. Boffa
also informed the group that NWEA testing for grades 3 and 4 has begun and they are going to hire 2 new Planning Time Assistants.
c. Falmouth Middle School – Mr. Rodman highlighted Goal 1 from his report, including the earlier start-up of 5/6 intramural programs and an advisory program for students and staff. Also, under Goal #5 the middle school has merged the office space into one main office which has allowed them to create a “Student Services Center” and has increased the efficiency of the office. There are 747 students at the middle school and the PTO “Meet and Greet” with the Superintendent and the Principal was attended by approximately 35 people.
d. Falmouth High School – Mrs. Hutton highlighted enrichment offerings and handed out a new course list. A committee of Juniors has gotten together to propose Junior privileges and has met with Mrs. Hutton several times to review and revise their proposal. On October 2, a committee of Juniors is holding a forum for parents so that parents can ask questions and discuss the proposal.
e. Assistant Superintendent – Barbara Powers gave an MEA update. She indicated the results were outstanding and that the standard scores “knocked her socks off.” She stressed that the tests remain very rigorous and that Maine is one of two states with the highest standards. Mrs. Powers also mentioned that the kids on the lower
end of the testing are not forgotten and that safeguards are in place for all students. At the conclusion of her report, Mrs. Power distributed a summary of the MEA results.
f. Director of Student Planning and Learning Options – Mrs. Palfrey highlighted the important work of the new PATHS liaison/Student Centered Team Ed. Tech. and the Service Learning Coordinator’s work. Mrs. Palfrey discussed the Virtual High School and indicated that 22 of the 25 slots are filled. She also mentioned that while this is a great fit for many students, it doesn’t necessarily work for all students. Trey Bachner, Brian Fauveau and Nate Barnes were also recognized for the incredible work they did over the summer.
g. Director of Finance and Operations – Dan O’Shea mentioned the new Accounting System that is going to be installed this fall. This system is expected to improve efficiency and allow users to obtain better data. Mr. O’Shea also invited any members of the community to join the Ad Hoc Building Committee for the Lunt School
renovation/ construction project. At the end of Mr. O’Shea’s presentation, it was requested by the Board that enrollment comparison figures be given at the next School Board Meeting on October 16.
h. Director of Special Services – Ms. Crowell briefly discussed the Response to Intervention program and the special education regulations. Also discussed was the CDS Board responsibilities being turned over to the Department of Education.
Ms. Crowell indicated this will have no impact on our district. The employment of two new special education teachers (Nancy Byrne and Ashley Olen) right at the dead-line before school started was mentioned. They both will make excellent additions to the Special Ed. Team.
i. Athletic Director – Mr. Hurley pointed out that all fall coaches are certified under the new standards for CPR and First Aid. There was minimal cost to the district to achieve because of the Port City Therapy contract that includes this service. Also mentioned was a pre-practice weight-in for Falmouth football team members. If a player loses a certain percentage of body weight from the first practice, they cannot participate in the second practice during double sessions. The field hockey coach has mandated that all players wear protective goggles; Falmouth will be the first team in the Western Maine Conference with such a mandate. The Board commended the Athletic Department for the significant increase in students joining athletics over the past couple of years, which means more kids are out getting exercise and moving around.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Finance Sub-committee: Mrs. Hillman-Reed reported that the first meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on October 16 along with the Town Council Finance Committee members. The objectives are to set up joint meeting dates and to keep communication open and effective.
b. Facilities Sub-committee: Mr. Terison reported that on September 5, there was a facilities tour followed by a workshop meeting for School Board members, Town Council members and the new Town Manager, Nathan Poore. Scott Brown and Paul Johnson discussed the 20+ steps of the building process. An important step is the appointment of an Ad Hoc Advisory Building Committee. Mr. Terison expressed he would like participation from all stakeholders in the community. Mr. Terison also reviewed the NESDEC Report that was recently received. The report highlights many deficiencies, especially the space needs and overcrowding at the elementary level. NESDEC identified three options for consideration to alleviate space problems.
c. Policy Sub-committee: Mrs. Franklin reported that the Policy Sub-committee had just met and a list of recommended policies to be deleted was distributed. She asked that anyone with questions regarding this list contact her prior to the next meeting, which is on October 2 at 6:00 p.m. NOTE: Subsequently moved to October 5, 2006. The goal is to eliminate these policies in an effort to consolidate and streamline the Policy Manual.
11. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
a. It was noted that the TABOR informational session on Thursday, September 28, at 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. has been changed to take place at the Yarmouth High School Performing Arts Center.
b. An updated School Board Meeting Schedule was distributed.
c. Information regarding “Local Delegate to MSBA Annual Delegate Assembly” was discussed. Item g was added to “New Business” to approve a delegate.
d. Correspondence regarding the 33rd Annual MSMA Fall Conference was distributed and Board Members were asked to notify Thea Cerjanec by the end of September if they plan to attend.
e. MEA Overview.
f. Gretchen Wenzel was hired as Educational Technician III (Math Support) at the Middle School.
g. Megan Allyn was hired as Educational Technician III (Autism Program) at the Middle School.
h. Angel Hatch was hired as Educational Technician III (Autism Program) at the Middle School.
12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: There was none.
13. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approval of New Teachers for 2006-2007:
1. Nancy Byrne Autism Teacher - Middle School
2. Ashley Olen Resource Teacher - Middle School
Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the new teachers that were hired. The motion passed 7-0.
b. Approval of Schedule C assignments. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the Schedule C assignments. The motion passed 7-0.
c. Approval of Teacher Certification Support Team assignments and Volunteers. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the Teacher Certification Support Team assignments and Volunteers. The motion passed 7-0.
d. Approval of Schedule B Appointments
1. Laurie Winslow and Vicky Mildrum (co-facilitators) Yearbook Advisors
2. Cathy Stankard Mock Trial Supervisor (assist Susan Krauss)
Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the Schedule B appointments. The motion passed 7-0.
e. Approval of Falmouth School Board Work Plan 2006-2007. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Cote moved the Board approve the Falmouth School Board Work Plan 2006-2007. The motion passed 7-0.
f. Appointment of the Ad Hoc, Advisory Building Committee. There was a discussion regarding the role of this new committee. It was agreed that any facilities issues that may arise not pertaining to the renovation/construction project will be reviewed by the School Board. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved that the Board appoint an ad hoc advisory committee to advise the board on the following:
1. To consider a solution for our long-range facilities needs;
2. To recommend an architect to assist in fashioning a plan to meet the needs;
3. To keep the Board and the public informed of its progress through regular reports, public meetings and recorded minutes; and
4. To report its advice concerning site, concept, and design to the Board as soon as practicable, following due consultation with the public and with school staff. That Committee membership be as follows:
Davis, Gerald
Entwistle, George
Farber, Karen
Flaherty, John
Franklin, Beth
Gilbert, Matthew
Gulliver, Jean
Hyland, Andrew
Lunt, III, William
O’Shea, Dan
Pierce, Teresa
Terison, Mark – Chair
West, Harold “Topper”
Wrobleski, Joseph
NOTE: Additional members will be invited to serve as the School Board Chair deems necessary and appropriate, and as the Board approves. The motion passed 7-0.
g. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Lydick moved the Board approve Karen Farber as the Local Delegate to MSBA Annual Delegate Assembly. The motion passed 7-0.
15. ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board adjourn. The motion passed 7-0. The Board adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
George H. Entwistle 3rd
Secretary
Last Updated:
10/11/06
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