Draft: May 6, 2004

Approved: May 19, 2004

School Committee meeting May 5, 2004

Under Report of the Secretary

Business Meeting

Mr. Radtke called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Members Present: Jonathan Radtke, Chairperson, Walter Rumery, Teri McRae, Kim Matthews, Tae Chong, Otis Thompson, Stephen Spring, Ben Meiklejohn (arrived at 7:45 p.m.), James DiMillo

Report of the Chair

Mr. Radtke:

• Mentioned two arts shows that are taking place – one at City Hall that closes on May 7^th and the other at PATHS – and encouraged folks to come by to view the student’s art work.
• Announced that at the Southwestern Swimming and Diving banquet held recently Arik Seiler, Deering was named Boys’ Swimmer of the Year; Danielle Kazilionis, Deering, Girls’ Diver of the Year; Rick Horr, Deering Boys’ Swim Coach was named Coach of the Year.
• Introduced Denise Martin who spoke to the Committee regarding the Deering High School After Prom event, which would be similar to Project Graduation and asked that the Committee consider donating funds towards this initiative. The After Prom event will be held at the Eastland Park Hotel site of the prom and will run from midnight to 6 a.m. Ms. Martin estimates that the cost of this event would be approximately $5,000.

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent O’Connor:

• Announced retirements and resignations:

Retirements: Effective June 30, 2004

Robert White Grade 5/Clifford 30 years with Portland Public Schools

Resignations: Effective August 31, 2004

Sheila Ruhland Part-time French-Spanish/Lincoln 2 years with Portland Public Schools

Clara Ross Longfellow/Speech Pathologist 2 years with Portland Public Schools

• Acknowledged and recognized the work of the teachers in the Portland Public Schools and presented a bouquet of flowers to Kathleen Casasa, President of the PEA, on behalf of Teacher Appreciation Week.
• Introduced Glenn Nerbak (Moore Middle School teacher) and Jen Coose (ETEP), who introduced a group of students who participated in Project Citizen – Learning in the 21^st Century and will now be going to compete at the nationals in Utah. Money for Apples team members are Alex Fagone, Sam Guimond, Sarah Krabbe, and Joe Violette. An Apple Today, Success Tomorrow team members are Nick Pondelis and Elana Siegel.
• Passed along information to the Committee on an event with the SST project taking place in Seattle in August. An all expenses paid trip to attend a four day workshop on the SST project.

Reports from Committees

1. East End Area School Building Committee – Mr. Rumery updated the Committee on the demolition project and indicated that not much remains of the original building. Announced that a public forum was held on May 4^th at Adams School. Mentioned that the Planning Board will be meeting on May 11^th and May 25^th .

2. Policy Committee – Mr. Meiklejohn announced that the next meeting would be Tuesday, May 11^th, 4:30 p.m. in Central Office. He indicated that the Committee is still looking at JRA and that the opt-in option may be changed to an opt-out option.

3. Finance Committee - Ms. Matthews indicated that the City Finance Committee recommended that the School Committee reduce the FY05 budget by $500,000.

4. Legislative Affairs Committee - Mr. Thompson indicated that he spoke with Ben Dudley to arrange a meeting with the School Committee sometime in May at 6 p.m. prior to a school committee meeting to have a discussion about where the legislature is now and what the future looks like.

5. Other Committees - Mr. Spring indicated that he attended the Study Circles meeting on Tuesday, May 4^th and the main themes were community centers and school choice. He thanked the Study Circle participants.

Report of the Secretary

Ms. Matthews moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the April 28, 2004 meeting.

Consent Items

Mark Rankin presented the Committee with a check for $1,564 from the friends and family of Dave Rankin to benefit the percussion students of Portland Public Schools Music Department.

Superintendent O’Connor reviewed other donations and thanked all contributors.

Old Business

1. Consideration and action to approve policy BBAB – Student Representation to the School Committee

Ms. McRae moved, seconded Mr. Thompson to approve policy BBAB – Student Representation to the School Committee

Mr. Rumery – need to create some form of leadership at the middle school level.

Mr. Thompson – work needs to be done to make this effort as meaningful as possible for students. Does not feel uncomfortable having students vote as members of standing committees and asked the policy committee to consider doing a workshop on this item to obtain clarity regarding student representation on the school committee.

Ms. McRae - would like legal counsel to review having students as voting members on stand committees.

Mr. Meiklejohn – indicated that the Chair could not appoint student reps to the Policy, Finance or Legislative Affairs committees. Student reps could be appointed to committees where other members of the public are appointed.

Vote on motion: Committee voted unanimously to approve policy BBAB – Student Representation to the School Committee

Addendum item:

1. Consideration and action to instruct the superintendent to reduce the budget so that the amount raised by taxes is reduced by $500,000 from $59,531,046 to $59,031,046.

Mr. Rumery moved, seconded Mr. Chong to instruct the superintendent to reduce the budget so that the amount raised by taxes is reduced by $500,000 from $59,531,046 to $59,031,046.

Committee asked clarifying questions:

Ms. McRae – asked if the superintendent unilaterally decided where cuts would occur. Mr. Radtke indicated that the superintendent would bring recommendations to the school committee. Supports waiting for City Council to vote and asked the superintendent to come up with $700,000 of alternatives away from the classroom.

Mr. Thompson – asked with anticipated surplus might be and if there were any legal requirements. Mr. Stewart indicated the anticipated surplus and legal requirements surrounding it. Mr. Thompson indicated that the budget presented to the city was reasonable and can’t make anymore cuts to positions-does not agree with recommended cuts. Possibly could use money from surplus account to cover $500,000.

Ms. Matthews – indicated that the City Finance Committee voted to recommend a $500,000 cut to the school budget. She indicated to the city that the School Committee had cut as much as could be cut. Concerned about foreign language cuts; feels teaching strategists are beneficial to the high school.

Mr. Chong – asked if the Committee needed to accept the City Finance Committee’s recommendation. Ms. Matthews indicated no.

Superintendent O’Connor handed out a possible list of cuts to reduce the budget by $500,000.

The Committee had much discussion regarding the proposed list of cuts.

There was no public comment regarding this issue.

Mr. Rumery – understands $500,000, however, there need to be more options on list.

Mr. Meiklejohn – uncomfortable voting for $500,000 reduction at this time. Felt Committee was denying community members an opportunity to speak on the reductions. Doesn’t feel this is necessary since City Council has not voted on budget.

Mr. Spring – won’t vote for reduction until City Council votes on budget.

Mr. DiMillo – would like more options – not people/positions.

Vote on motion: The Committee voted 1-8 to instruct the superintendent to reduce the budget so that the amount raised by taxes is reduced by $500,000 from $59,531,046 to $59,031,046. Motion failed.

Personnel

1. Unpaid LOA: Effective 09/01/04 to 8/31/05

Rebecca Geiger Clifford/Occupational Therapist 1.0 Personal

Mr. Spring moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted unanimously to approve the Personnel item as listed.

2. Consideration and action to eliminate 3.5 FTE teachers from the Adult Education Teacher Impact Area due to a change in local conditions (cancellation of current funding). This action is taken pursuant to M.S.R.A. 20-A, Chapter 503 §13201 and is effective April 16, 2004.

Mr. Allen indicated that there were contingencies in place for phasing out of the Even Start Program.

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted unanimously to eliminate 3.5 FTE

teachers from the Adult Education Teacher Impact Area due to a change in local conditions

(cancellation of current funding). This action is taken pursuant to M.S.R.A. 20-A, Chapter 503

§13201 and is effective April 16, 2004.

Committee Focus on Educational Issues

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM

Kathleen Casasa spoke to the Committee regarding the athletics program and that the athletic salaries are part of the negotiation contract.

Mr. Meiklejohn indicated that he donated 10” of his hair to Locks of Love and encouraged others to consider such a donation.

Adjournment

Ms. Matthews moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools