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Falmouth School Board Minutes |
Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, October 16, 2006
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Falmouth Town Council chambers. Present were Beppie Cerf, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Superintendent George Entwistle, Student Representatives Rachel Bennett and Stephen Hebson and approximately 2 others (Cote, Lydick, Terison out).
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA: Superintendent Entwistle requested Item 12a under “Unfinished Business” be added for approval of additional members to the Ad Hoc
Advisory Building Committee.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Franklin moved the Board approve the minutes of September 18, 2006. The motion passed 4-0.
b. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of October 4, 2006. The motion passed 4-0.
5. COMMUNICATIONS:
a. A letter from Michigan State University was distributed where 8 Falmouth Middle School teachers were recognized for their professionalism and support during a field
test for a new math curriculum.
6. COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC: There were none.
7. RECOGNITION: There were none.
8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
a. Superintendent Entwistle commented that school safety and security became a
topic of concern since the October, 2004 Community Dialogue. A meeting was held recently with Falmouth Police Chief Tolan, School Resource Officer Rob Susi, Town Manager Nathan Poore, Dan O’Shea and Superintendent Entwistle. The group
committed to move forward with establishing a district-wide School Safety/Security Team. Superintendent Entwistle commented on the recent Civic Learning and
Engagement Conference that was held in conjunction with 6 other school districts
(MSAD 63, York, MSAD 75, Kennebunk, Gorham and Mt. Dessert Island). Follow-up plans for citizenship education and civic engagement are scheduled to be reviewed in all schools (the middle school staff has already been updated).
9. LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS:
a. Lunt School - Mr. Flaherty highlighted a new Wellness Team initiative – the mileage club. Students in T-1 and Grades 1 and 2 have been given a card and a walk route has been established. After a lap is finished by a student, a hole gets punched in their card and when they have completed 25 laps, they receive a charm. The students are extremely enthusiastic about the incentive! The October 10 Professional Day proved to be very fulfilling and the staff did a great job putting it together. Mr. Flaherty mentioned the “Six Pillars of Character” that the School Climate and Wellness Committee are addressing – one each month. Another practice emergency evacuation is being planned and staff IDs will soon be in place as an added safeguard.
b. Plummer-Motz – Mrs. Boffa pointed out that there are 2 Wednesdays left for “Walk and Bike to School.” They have been well-attended so far, with 130 participants on opening day. Mrs. Boffa thanked the School Board for their support of the Professional Learning Day. She has received very positive feedback from teachers. Four USM students have been placed with host teachers for the fall, and author Jane Kurtz visited 4th graders last Friday as part of their enrichment activities. Mrs. Boffa mentioned that a review of current use of instructional time was done and, not surprisingly, literacy comes in number one with math coming in second.
c. Falmouth Middle School – Mr. Rodman highlighted that the Professional Day held on October 10 was very successful and he too has received great feedback from teachers. He has convened a wellness committee and the first order is to look at what is acceptable food at school functions. The committee is looking at wellness options for both students and staff. The middle school has administered more than 1,300 on-line tests in Reading and Math. A “Better Answers” workshop for district staff was held on October 11. “Better Answers” is a step-by-step approach to improve student writing. Mr. Rodman also reported that the number of students participating in the breakfast program has increased.
d. Falmouth High School – Mrs. Hutton reported the senior disco dance held recently was a lot of fun, well-attended and raised over $2,000. She also mentioned
the sportsmanship demonstrated at last Friday night’s game against Greely was
wonderful. There is a lot of positive energy in the school. Mrs. Hutton announced
that on November 7 in the high school theatre, 50 people will be sworn in as new American citizens and that the first Sr. Discovery seminar has taken place.
e. Assistant Superintendent – Barbara Powers mentioned a meeting of Falmouth Middle School/High School science leaders to discuss grades 8 and 9 physical science went very smoothly. Mrs. Powers has also received very positive feedback with respect to the Professional Learning Day and there has been a lot of interest in continuing many of the topics presented. Mrs. Powers pointed out that Sue Palfrey’s session on
October 10 highlighted the very important work of that area and was very well received by attendees. At the conclusion of her report, Superintendent Entwistle thankedBarbara for doing an extraordinary job of coordinating the Professional Day sessions and for providing great leadership. To have teachers really excited after a day like that is quite an accomplishment.
f. Director of Student Planning and Learning Options – Mrs. Palfrey highlighted the Web Resources workshop she presented at the Professional Learning Day. Also, the Student Centered Teams have done a great job by having so many options for
students. Mrs. Palfrey also commented that is was very helpful and a pleasure to have the two Falmouth High School students (Jake Cerf and Chris Morrison) attend the recent Civic Learning and Engagement Conference. On-line parent conference scheduling was piloted in the middle school with very positive results. The hope is to expand it to the other schools.
g. Director of Finance and Operations – Dan O’Shea gave an informative and insightful PowerPoint presentation on TABOR. Dan recognized the work that
has been done by Town Councilman Will Armitage on this topic. It was requested
that this presentation be available on the school website. (A link has been added to the Falmouth Public Schools home page.)
h. Director of Special Services – Ms. Crowell reported that all is going well in the special education services area, they are fully staffed with great members and the numbers have remained steady. She also announced the Wilson Reading training has been postponed until next August.
i. Athletic Director – Mr. Hurley announced the field hockey and boys soccer teams have made it to the quarter finals, girls soccer goes into the playoffs as number 1 seed, the golf team was runner up in Class B, and both cross country teams placed 3rd.
Volleyball intramurals have generated a lot of interest, especially with students who do not participate in other sports. Mr. Hurley believes there is enough interest tosupport a team for next year. A recent meeting on Sports Done Right was recently attended by Mr. Hurley, Matt Gilman (Community Programs Coordinator) and Bob Gilman (Middle School Athletic Supervisor). It has been decided to reconvene Falmouth’s Sports Done Right Committee. Mr. Hurley recognized the great leadershipin all classes with respect to the very positive school spirit that is being displayed at the high school.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Finance Sub-committee: Mrs. Hillman-Reed reported that the committee met prior to this meeting, and it was a joint meeting with the Town Council to focus on ways to continue good communication with each other and to understand the budget process for the school. Good discussions took place and all agreed to make a commitment to meet more often. The next meeting is prior to the November 28, 2006 School Board Meeting.
b. Facilities Sub-committee: Mrs. Franklin reported there will be a motion
to add additional members to the Ad Hoc Advisory Building Committee. The first meeting of this committee will take place on October 26, 2006 at Lunt School.
c. Policy Sub-committee: Mrs. Franklin reported that the Policy Sub-committee had met and discussed the policies that are slated to be deleted as well as to determine what is next in the review of our Policy Manual.
11. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
a. Enrollment Figures were presented and briefly discussed.
b. Mitzi Kohrman was hired as Educational Technician III (Spec. Ed.) at the
Middle School.
c. Ann Tarte was hired as Educational Technician III (Spec. Ed.) at the Middle School.
d. Louise Schutt was hired as Educational Technician III (Spec. Ed.) at the High School.
e. Gay Sampson was hired as Educational Technician III (Spec. Ed.) at the
Middle School.
f. Jennifer Bucklin was hired as Planning Time Assistant at Lunt/Plummer-Motz.
g. Janine Lambert was hired as Planning Time Assistant at Lunt/Plummer-Motz.
12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the addition of Karen Boffa, Toni Butterfield, Penny Wheeler-Abbott and Judy Schneider to the Ad Hoc Advisory Building Committee. The motion passed 4-0.
13. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approval of Kieve Advisors:
1. MaryBeth Bachman
2. Joyce Hebert
3. Carey Hotaling
4. Christine Olsen
5. George Conant
6. Jennifer Fitzpatrick
7. Steve Liscovitz
8. Angela Piveronas
9. Craig Shain
10. Erin Burrows
11. Matt Homes
12. Tiffany Jones
Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the Kieve Advisors assignments. The motion passed 4-0.
b. Approval of Teacher Certification Support Team assignments
1. Joanna Leary and Linda D’Apolito for Joe Porter’s team
2. Christine Labbe (chair), Angela Piveronas, Sally Bennett for Ashley Olen’s team
3. Trish Conant (chair) for Nancy Byrne’s team
Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the Teacher Certification Support Team assignments. The motion passed 4-0.
c. Approval of Systemwide Schedule B assignments
1. Jerry Barry – Music Coordinator K-12
2. Dede Waite – Theatre Coordinator K-12
Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the Systemwide Schedule B assignments. The motion passed 4-0.
d. Consideration of TABOR Resolution. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the amended TABOR resolution (see attached). The motion passed 4-0.
e. Approval to delete recommended policies from the Policy Manual. Mrs. Franklin with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved to delete the recommended policies
(see attached) from the Policy Manual. The motion passed 4-0. Mrs. Franklin was thanked by the Board for taking on this monumental project and for her time and effort.
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board enter Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A § 405(6)(A). The motion passed 4-0. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:42 p.m.
15. ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board adjourn. The motion passed 4-0. The Board adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
George H. Entwistle 3rd
Secretary
Last Updated:
11/17/06
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