6:00pm – Community Conversation – This time is made available for interested citizens to meet and talk with Mr. Radtke and Superintendent O’Connor.

Business Meeting

Mr. Radtke called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Members present: Jonathan Radtke – Chairperson, Walter Rumery, Teri McRae, Kim Matthews, Tae Chong, James DiMillo, Otis Thompson, Ben Meiklejohn, Stephen Spring

Report of the Chair

Mr. Radtke:

Expressed condolences to the family, students, and colleagues of Jane McCormack, teacher at Reiche School, who passed away last week.
Mentioned the monthly Community Conversation that was held prior to the School Committee meeting and indicated that another one would be held in March.
Mentioned that he has reviewed a procedural question made at a previous meeting by Mr. Thompson regarding public comment after each motion and amendment. Mr. Radtke has reviewed this and indicated that for all future meetings public comment will be prior to the Board offering any comments or amendments. No public comment will be allowed once the Board begins their debate and offering amendments, etc.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent O’Connor:

· Announced the retirement of Clover Jordan, Mathematics teacher at Deering High School after 22 years in the Portland Public Schools effective June 30, 2004.

· Mentioned that she met earlier in the week of Kevin Mallory as well as transportation directors and superintendents from Westbrook and South Portland to begin a conversation about regionalizing of transportation services.

· Introduced Susan Steele, Director of Portland Partnership, who provided an update on the Partnership.

· Introduced Sally Loughlin who provided a brief overview of the Terra Nova and MEA mathematics data.

Report of Committees

East End Area School Building Committee – Stephen Blatt, architect, provided an update on the status of the new EEAS, which will be 70,000 square feet, designed to house grades K-5, 450 students. Mr. Blatt reviewed the layout of the school, the topography and play areas. Superintendent O’Connor acknowledged the work that Stephen Blatt and Joe Hemes have done on this project.

Policy Committee – Mr. Meiklejohn mentioned the two policies that would be reviewed for a first reading this evening. The next meeting of the Policy Committee will be March 2^nd, 4:30 p.m. at Central Office.

Finance Committee – Ms. McRae reported on a recent meeting of the Budget Advisory Task Force and indicated that public budget meetings will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 4^th at King Middle School Library and Monday, March 8^th at Lyman Moore Middle School Library.

Legislative Affairs Committee – Mr. Thompson indicated that the Committee met prior to this evening’s School Committee meeting and discussed the Harvard Civil Rights Project and NCLB. The Legislative Affairs Committee will request another meeting with the Legislative Delegation. Mr. Thompson asked that School Committee members pass along any concerns and/or questions they might have for the delegation.

Facilities Task Force – Ms. McRae reported that the Committee held their last meeting prior to the School Committee meeting and that the final report will be on the March 3^rd agenda.

Report of the Secretary

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Spring and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the February 4, 2004 meeting.

Consent Items

Superintendent O’Connor reviewed the donations and thanked contributors.

Old Business – None

New Business

Consideration and action to appoint Nancy Berrang and Mary Gross to serve on the Governance Panel of Portland Partnership.

Mr. Chong moved, seconded Ms. McRae and voted unanimously to appoint Nancy Berrang and Mary Gross to serve on the Governance Panel of Portland Partnership.

First reading of policies

Mr. Meiklejohn reviewed the following policies for a first reading:

GBJ – Personnel Records and Files

FF – Naming Facilities

Personnel

Consideration and action to renew the contracts of Principals for the 2004-2005 school year who have been employed more than two years, pursuant to M.R.S.A . Title 20-A, Chapter 504, Section §13301, Employment of Principals

Christine Bearce Michael Johnson Deirdre Steiner

Jill Blackwood Kenneth Kunin Robert Wood

Kathleen Bouchard Cynthia Loring

Dawn Carrigan Michael McCarthy

Carole Clark J. Peter McCormack

Steven Connolly Rita Moore

Lee Crocker Marysue Morrison

Carol Dayn Jeffrey Porter

Deborah Fuller Stephen Rogers

Marcia Gendron Kathleen Rossi

Leonard Holmes Brenda Roy

Barbara Hoppin Phoebe Russell

Karen James J. David Shapiro

Mr. Chong moved, seconded Ms. McRae and voted unanimously to renew the contracts of Principals for the 2004-2005 school year who have been employed more than two years, pursuant to M.R.S.A . Title 20-A, Chapter 504, Section §13301, Employment of Principals

Committee Focus on Educational Issues - None

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM – No citizens addressed the Committee.

Adjournment

Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools