<title>School Board Minutes

Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, September19, 2005

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Falmouth Town Hall. Present were Chairman Beppie Cerf, Linda Cote, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Scott Lydick, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Student Representatives Chris Murry and Rachel Bennett, Superintendent George Entwistle and approximately 10 others (Terison out).

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

3. Adjustments to Agenda: The Superintendent stated Item 7a would be tabled and replaced with the recognition of Brian Brown. He also added 15d, Capital Improvement Reserve Fund Proposal.

4. Minutes:
a. Ms. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of August 22, 2005. The minutes were approved 6-0.
b. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of September 6, 2005. The motion was approved 6-0.

5. Communications: There were none.

6. Comments from the Public: Mrs. Cerf explained the Policy Committee had met earlier this evening and twice since the last Board meeting regarding the Code of Conduct and Drug and Alcohol policy. After meeting with legal counsel, some adjustments were made and the most recent copies of the policies were available in the hall. She added that the policies are a work in progress and will be discussed again at the October 4th workshop meeting. Some members of the public expressed concern that Falmouth was lowering its standards.

7. Recognition: Brian Brown, a Falmouth bus driver for 16 years, recently placed first out of 4,500 bus drivers in the Maine Association for Pupil Transportation’s 34th Annual Regional Competition and will be traveling to Lake Tahoe, Nevada for the national competition. He was congratulated and presented with a gift.

8. Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Entwistle felt there had been a great start up to the year. He was pleased to inform the community that Falmouth Public Schools had achieved AYP for the 04-05 school year. The Business Manager, the Chair of the School Board, and the Superintendent will be presenting a clinic on the budget process at the MSMA Fall Conference.
The Superintendent reported a district response to Hurricane Katrina Relief will start with an effort to provide backpacks to students who have relocated to Texas.

9. Leadership Council Reports:
a. Lunt School: Principal Flaherty highlighted some changes this fall. Hallways are called ”Learning Zones” and Birthdays are recognized by donating a book to either the Lunt School library or to the child’s classroom library. “Helping Hands for Hurricane Homeless” just finished a fund drive whereby children had to earn money. Open Houses will be held this week and next week.

b. Plummer-Motz School: Principal Boffa was unable to attend the meeting due to the Open House that evening, however, her report is posted on the school’s web site.

c. Middle School: Principal Rodman expressed his pleasure at the AYP results. The opening week of school went well with the exception of an inadvertent fire alarm. New students have assimilated well. A distinguished author and educational consultant, Roland Barth, addressed the staff on “Building a Professional Learning Community: The Relationship Among Adults Within the Schoolhouse”. As required by law, the Middle School reviewed and updated the Chemical Hygiene Plan and submitted an inventory of all chemicals to the State. He thanked Anne Macdonald for her hard work on the plan. Open Houses were held last week and went well. The Hurricane Katrina relief effort at the Middle School has raised $2,200 to date.

d. High School: Principal Hutton provided current enrollment figures totaling 616. Work on the hallway common space is making progress. In an effort to meet the needs of students, the High School will be piloting a new study hall format for a two week trial period which will provide various options for the students. Open House with 400 parents went well. National Honor Society students will act as tutors.

e. Assistant Superintendent: Mrs. Powers reported two review efforts would take place this year, Modern and Classical Languages and literacy. To gain better reading information, students starting in grade 4 will take a MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test. Mrs. Powers invited the Board to attend a meeting on Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. for 45 minute overview. CBEA has significant offerings this fall. In late October a one-day workshop will be offered on being a teacher mentor.

f. Director of Student Planning & Learning Options: Ms. Palfrey announced that a three-quarter time Technology Project Assistant had been hired, Nathan Barnes. This will allow more time for her to undertake her new responsibilities. The first meeting with the FHS Student-Centered Team was held on September 22. A technology self-assessment was given to staff members which indicated that people are very comfortable with common practices.

g. Business Manager: Mr. O’Shea was pleased with the High School commons. He congratulated John Kraljic and his students who formulated the design efforts. The Ann Lamb memorial in front of Plummer-Motz should be completed by late fall. Two baseball and softball dugouts will be constructed this fall using funds from the FEF High School Capital Campaign. Bus transportation has been smooth this fall.

h. Director of Special Services: Ms. Crowell stated the year began with 245 identified students. She is interviewing this week for two educational technicians and is looking for a Physical Therapist. The new Girls Transitional Program which started with five girls who live at the Youth Alternative Program in Falmouth has gone smoothly. Eric Herlan will be speaking to staff about the new SPED regulations reauthorized last December. SPED will also work with Alltech on the use of adaptive technology at a workshop in October.

i. Athletic Director: Mr. Hurley was unable to be present. His report is on the web.

10. Committee Reports:
a. Finance Sub-committee: Mrs. Hillman-Reed reported the school received a positive audit report. Planning for the FY-07 budget is under way. The next meeting will be on October 17 at 6:00.
b. Facilities Sub-committee: In Mr. Terison’s absence, Mrs. Cerf reported that a mediation meeting on the High School construction issue has been set for October 17. Other items for the Committee to address include continuing negotiations regarding High School building, developing an updated facilities plan, and funding for elementary and middle school construction.
c. Policy Sub-committee: Ms. Franklin reported a great deal of effort and time had been spent on the chemical health policies over the last year and a half. She provided some background and then compared the old policies with the new policies.

11. Items for Information:
a. Information on the MSMAA Fall conferences was included in the packet.

12. Unfinished Business:
a. Policy JICH and Policy JICI – New First Reading. Ms. Franklin explained that exhaustive meetings had been held with the community, students, administrators, faculty, and board workshops on these policies. She presented the draft adding that another committee meeting would be held on October 4 at the High School at 6:00 p.m.. After some discussion on raising the bar, having a structured system, or an honor code, Mrs. Cerf encouraged people to read the new policy and attend the workshop on October 4th for further discussion. Student Representative, Chris Murry, added that after meeting with student leaders, he wanted to make the Board aware that the students are pleased with the draft, proposed policies, specifically the removal of the “knowingly present” clause.

13. New Business
a. a. Approval of Fall Additions to Support Team Volunteers
1. Lynn Booth
2. Kevin Grover
3. Amy Wheeler
4. Gail Turner
5. Kim Blenk
6. Susan Arsenault
Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the list of fall additions to the Support Team Volunteers. The motion was approved 6-0.

b. Schedule B Appointments
1. Winslow, Laurie – Gr. 8 Field Hockey Coach
2. Tucci, Grace – Gr. 7 Field Hockey Coach
3. Dissell, Mark – Gr. 7 & 8 Boys Track
4. Dissell, Mark - Gr. 7 & 8 Girls Track
5. Dissell, Mark – M.S. Indoor Track
6. Glick, Gary – Astronomy Club
7. Grant, Martha – Amnesty International
8. Herrick, Spike – Engineering Team
9. Glick, Gary - Recycling Advisor
10. Horwich, James – Jazz Band
11. Menard, Erica – Key Club
12. Inlow, Mike – Math Team
13. Casey, Mike – Newspaper Advisor
14. Powers, Lynn – National Honor Society
15. Kraljic, John – Robotics Club
16. Grant, Martha – SAT Coordinator
17. McCully, Bob – Student Council
18. Waite, Dede - H.S. Theater Director
19. Glick, Gary – Yearbook Video
20. Spring, Gary - Yearbook Advisor
21. Nelson, Suzan – Yearbook Assistant
22. Horwich, James – Theater Facilities/Tech. Dir.
23. Durst, Nancy – Gr. 9 Advisor
24. Carver, Bruce – Gr. 10 Advisor
25. D’Apolito, Linda – Gr. 11 Advisor
26. Austin, Carrie & Murphy, Polly – Gr. 12 Co-Advisors
27 Hebert, Joyce – Kieve Advisor
28. Hoteling, Carey – Kieve Advisor
29. Olsen, Christine – Kieve Advisor
30. Conant, George – Kieve Advisor
31. Gennaco, Jennifer – Kieve Advisor
32. Liscovitz, Steve – Kieve Advisor
33. Jellis, David – Kieve Advisor
34. Patch, Tiffany – Kieve Advisor
35. Piveronas, Angela – Kieve Advisor
36. Guerrette, Joan – Kieve Advisor
37. Stiles, Barbara – Kieve Advisor
38. Shain, Craig – Kieve Advisor
39. Barbour, Jean – Kieve Advisor
40. Waite, Jean – K-12 Theater Coordinator
Mrs. Cote asked for clarification on the amount of supervision involved in the Middle School Track positions. Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the list of Schedule B appoints without numbers 3, 4, and 5 (Middle School track positions). The motion was seconded by Mrs. Cote and approved 6-0.

c. Schedule C Appointment of Audrey Briggs: Ms. Franklin with a second from Mr. Lydick moved the Board appoint Audrey Briggs in the shared position of Science Content Leader (1/2 position) at Lunt School. The motion was approved 6-0.

d. Capital Improve Reserve Fund Proposal: Mrs. Hillman-Reed explained the district has found itself in the position of initiating a State mandated 3% limit on the undesignated fund balance. The district also has money in the designated fund balance. The Finance Committee recommended the Board establish a Capital Improvement Reserve Fund. Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved that the Board establish a Capital Improvement Reserve Fund and transfer an amount equal to $565,556 from a combination of the amount previously designated for Capital Improvement and the Undesignated Fund Balance. Mrs. Farber seconded the motion which passed 6-0.

16. ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Lydick moved the meeting be adjourned. The motion was approved 6-0 and the meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

George H. Entwistle 3rd
Secretary

Last Updated: 10/13/05

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