Policy Committee
January 24, 2007

In attendance:  Robert O’Brien, Chair; Susan Hopkins; Rebecca Minnick; Student Representatives Maureen Quinn & Anthony Toppi; and Ellen Alcorn.
Members of the public:  Amanda Rowe, Portland Schools Nurse Coordinator;
W. Wilson; and W. Weber.

Chair O’Brien noted that the agenda has changed & that Ms. Rowe will address the Policy Committee regarding Portland Schools Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Program. 

Policy Committee members reviewed an email from the Maine School Management Association (MSMA) to Sue Ward at Central Office with an attachment of MSMA’s sample policy regarding AEDs, as well as documents provided by Ms. Rowe, including Maine’s statute regarding AEDs and Portland Schools “AED Program Guidelines and Procedures”.

Ms. Rowe reviewed above documents with the Policy Committee, explaining the technology, fundraising efforts, plans for approximately 30 AEDs district wide, and staff responsibilities. 

School Committee Member Ellen Alcorn addressed the Policy Committee regarding the policy entitled “Recruiting and Hiring of Administrative Staff” and whether we could amend the policy to reflect intentional recruitment rather than just “nondiscrimination”.  The discussion included re-visiting the issue of whether the language regarding “the State’s five-year goal for the employment of women in administrative positions” is still legally required.  The Policy Committee agreed to refer the question to legal counsel or the MSMA via Central Office.

Chair O’Brien addressed the issue of working on a prompt via email regarding the question of the policy on class rank and weighted grades.  The Policy Committee discussed modes of inquiry including public forum / round-table format, as well as letters inviting comment addressed to various organizations and parties who expressed an interest in the topic.  Maureen Quinn and Anthony Toppi discussed their efforts with administration at their respective high schools to engage DHS & PHS in a formal dialog.

Mr. Weber said we are in an information-gathering mode; ask Guidance staff first to get an idea of how to frame our prompt / inquiry, as well as their opinions on the efficacy of the existing policy on ensuring that students challenge themselves.  He also suggested we ask whether students “who are just barely making it” are getting into college.  He discussed the format of the PHS transcripts with Ms. Quinn.

Mr. Wilson addressed the public relations aspect of soliciting input via the Portland Schools website and the need for clarity and repetition in delineating the process.