<title>School Board Minutes

Falmouth School Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, October 17, 2005

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. Present were Chairman Beppie Cerf, Karen Farber, Beth Franklin, Scott Lydick, Kathy Hillman-Reed, Mark Terison, Student Representatives Rachel Bennett and Chris Murry, Superintendent George Entwistle and approximately 20 others (Cote out).

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

3. Adjustments to Agenda: There were none.

4. Minutes:
a. Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the minutes of September 19, 2005. The motion was approved 6-0.
b. Mrs. Farber with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve the minutes of October 4, 2005. The minutes were approved 6-0.

5. Communications:
a. PATHS Report: As the Board’s liaison to PATHS, Mrs. Farber reported on the September 22nd meeting. She pointed out that the temporary elimination of the electrical program did not impact Falmouth students.

6. Comments from the Public: There were none.

7. Recognition:
a. Laptops from Ocean View: Mr. O’Shea explained that Ocean View had committed $25,000 to Lunt and Plummer-Motz Schools which provided all staff with laptops. After reading some thank you notes from teachers, Ms. Palfrey presented a representative from Ocean View with a certificate of appreciation.
b. Blue Ribbon School: Superintendent Entwistle was pleased to recognize Plummer-Motz which was selected by the U. S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. Mrs. Boffa and Mrs. Powers commended staff and students and thanked parents for their support.
c. Computers Donated by Frito-Lay/WalMart: The Superintendent announced that representatives from Frito-Lay and WalMart presented the district with two computers last week. He read a letter of presentation from Frito-Lay and thanked both companies.

8. Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Entwistle felt the two articles enclosed in the agenda packet would be of interest, as they relate to student use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco and student voice. He mentioned the last six months of the 18th month plan is approaching and he believed significant progress has been made. The second Community Dialogue will be held in March of 2006. A one-page district report card will be available in the next month or so.

9. Leadership Council Reports:
a. Lunt School: Mr. Flaherty provided the latest enrollment figures; talked about the writing curriculum; and informed the Board that students had raised $1,540 for “Helping Hands for the Hurricane Homeless”. He explained that in conjunction with District Goal #1-(Establish a Culture of Wellness), “Class Meetings” would be held monthly.
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b. Plummer-Motz School: Mrs. Boffa had a wonderful turnout at the Open House, presentations of which are available on the website. She thanked the volunteers from ERA Realty who worked on Maze Craze. Staff members are working on progress reports. Approximately 30 fourth grade students performed “Percival the Performing Pig” recently and “Kids Who Care” filled 30 backpacks donated by Hannaford with items brought in by students to send to children affected by Hurricane Katrina. Several students, parents and staff walked to school on “International Walk to School” Day and will continue to walk to school on Wednesday mornings through November 16.

c. Middle School: Mr. Rodman provided updated enrollment figures. Middle School students participated in the Northwest Evaluation Association Measure of Academic Progress reading assessment which will provide immediate feedback. The Civil Rights Team has been meeting weekly involving more than 60 students. The Team has received two grants from the State Attorney General’s Office for its work in improving school climate for all students. Grade 6 students returned from Camp Kieve. Students arrived from Harrogate, England for two weeks. Falmouth students will go to Harrogate in April.

d. High School: Mrs. Hutton provided an overview of activities on the October 12th Early Release Day. Sophomores and juniors took the PSAT’s; freshmen were treated to a variety of opportunities; and seniors were offered several mini sessions related to post secondary planning. Voter registration will be provided for those students eligible to vote this year. The School Profile was updated and will be available on the district’s website.

e. Assistant Superintendent: Mrs. Powers brought the Board up to date on the SAU Review Visit on October 20, 2005. Several teachers have agreed to serve on the district’s Literacy Review Team. She then walked the Board through a third year comparison of MEA reading, writing, and math scores for grades 4, 8, and 11.

f. Director of Student Planning & Learning Options: Ms. Palfrey pointed that that MEA data for every community is on the Dept. of Education’s website. The Student-Centered Team had met twice. The team will be able to look for students who need services. By working as a team, they can be proactive about what the options are. Community resources data base – trying to keep energy high and encouraging participation. Another item working on Technology Professional Development Plan. Technology News from the Classrooms.

g. Business Manager: Mr. O’Shea reported the State is instituting a new account structure to stay consistent with the federal accounting structure. This will provide the State with more detail to comply with the Essential Programs & Services model and MEDMS. The new structure is expected to be in place for ’07-’08 budgets. As a result of the high fuel costs, the Principals will add fuel costs on to the cost of field trips. As part of the Hurricane Relief effort, he has been trying to provide free transportation to send the backpacks to Texas. This effort will continue with future clothing drives for our “sister” district.

h. Director of Special Services: Ms. Crowell reported that Eric Herlan updated the staff on the emerging SPED regulations. A workshop was held with Alltec representatives regarding ways technology can be used with SPED students. The Youth Alternative Girls Program is going well with the recent addition of an Educational Technician.
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i. Athletic Director: In Mr. Hurley’s absence, Mrs. Hutton stated an investigation of the track coach responsibilities indicated the need for modification to a head coach and an assistant. Field Hockey playoffs begin tomorrow against Maranacook at Falmouth. Both boys and girls soccer teams placed first in the Heal points. The Mock Trial Team will compete against Deering High School on Nov. 4th.

10. Committee Reports:
a. Finance Subcommittee: Mrs. Hillman-Reed explained the committee met tonight and walked through the final audit report for 04-05 which provided a clean bill of health. Some time was spent laying the groundwork for discussions on 06-07 budget. The next meeting is scheduled for November 28th at 5:30 p.m.

b. Facilities Subcommittee: Mr. Terrison reported the committee met with David Ray who represents the district in the high school mediation. The next mediation will be on Dec. 19th. The committee also discussed developing a draft facilities plan in time for the March 24th Community Dialogue.

c. Policy Subcommittee: Ms. Franklin reported the committee met on Oct. 4th prior to the workshop and as a total Board to review the chemical health policies. The Leadership Council then met to review the policies. With the Council’s recommendations, the Policy Committee developed a final draft. She then reviewed the changes for everyone.

11. Items for Information:
a. An articled titled “A Surprising Anti-Drug: Dining as a Family” was included in the packet.
b. Another article of interest included in the packet was “Students as Co-constructors of the Learning Experience and Environment: Youth Engagement and High School Reform”.
c. FPS Budget Planning Process: Mrs. Hillman-Reed presented the Budget Planning Process explaining zero-based budgeting, the proposed parameters for 2006-2007, and the budget planning sequence and timeframe.
d. School Board Workshop Schedule: As a result of last summer’s retreat, the Superintendent and Board Chair proposed a revised schedule for topics of discussion during workshop meetings.
e. New Employees: Five employees were hired as follows:
1. Nathan Barnes, Technology Projects Assistant, ¾ time
2. Gay Deniso, Ed. Tech. III, High School Life Skills class
3. Charles Anderson, Ed. Tech. III, Plummer-Motz Autism class
4. Bridget Tidd, Ed. Tech. III, High School Girls Transitional Program
5. Karyn Krissoff, High School Guidance Secretary/Registrar
f. The 2005-2006 School Roster was included in the packet.
g. An updated enrollment report was included in the packet.

12. Unfinished Business:
a. Policy JICH-Student Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use: Ms. Franklin moved the Board approve Policy JICH for Student Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use. Mr. Lydick seconded the motion. After discussing the effective date, Ms. Franklin amended her motion to include November 18, 2005 as date the policy will be incorporated. Mrs. Hillman-Reed seconded the motion. Mr. Terison felt this policy strikes a balance because the school is
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not in the business of law enforcement. This policy helps establish parent responsibility. The motion was approved 6+2 (student representatives)-0. It was noted that this was the first time the students have voted.

Policy JICI-Extra-Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities Code of Conduct for Middle and High School Students: Ms. Franklin moved the Board approve Policy JICI as finalized on 10-15-05 with an effective date of November 18, 2005. Mrs. Hillman-Reed seconded. Mr. Lydick pointed out that the policy is still rigorous. He expressed appreciation for the work that has been done. Mr. Terison commended the leadership of Superintendent Entwistle. The motion was approved 6 + 2 (student representatives)-0. Ms. Franklin highlighted the contract that students will be receiving requires the signatures of the students and their parents.

13. New Business:
a. Schedule B Appointments: Mr. Terison with a second from Mrs. Farber moved the Board approve the Schedule B appointments as listed. The motion was passed 6-0.
b. Schedule C Appointments: Mr. Lydick with a second from Mrs. Hillman-Reed moved the Board approve Gary Spring as Social Studies Content Leader and Kim Blenk and CIAC Leader at the High School. The motion was approved 6-0.
c. MSBA Delegate Assembly: Mrs. Farber requested input from Board members on the proposed resolutions at the assembly. The resolutions will be e-mailed to Board members for comment.

14. Adjournment: Mrs. Hillman-Reed with a second from Mr. Terison moved the meeting be adjourned. The motion passed 6-0 and the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

George H. Entwistle 3rd
Secretary

Last Updated: 11/22/05

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