Approved: Aug. 4, 2004
School Committee meeting June 23, 2004
Under Report of the Secretary
Mr. Radtke called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Members Present: Jonathan Radtke-Chairperson, Walter Rumery, Kim Matthews, Ben Meiklejohn, Tae Chong, James DiMillo, Teri McRae, Stephen Spring
Members not present: Otis Thompson
Mr. Radtke:
Superintendent O’Connor:
a. Revolving Renovation Fund to wire high schools
b. Local Entitlement money, which is directed to Special Ed Costs.
c. Title V money, which is used for professional development and public engagement.
Superintendent O’Connor indicated that if PPS were to access the Revolving Fund Account this would commit the district for the next four years. Superintendent O’Connor indicated to Commissioner Gendron that Portland Public Schools would be unable to participate. South Portland, Brunswick, and Westbrook are districts which are also unable to participate in this initiative.
Resignations:
Scott Trach
Director of Music 6 years,
effective July 1, 2004
Kathryn Dixon
King Middle School/Teacher 2
years
Nisu Logan
King Middle School/Teacher 3
years
Alexandra Carter
King Middle School/Teacher 5
years
Superintendent O’Connor indicated that the fine is $5,000 for violations, but she anticipates this to be reduced. The fine will be paid from the contingency fund.
Ms. McRae asked how often OSHA does an inspection. Mr. Wyman indicated that this type of inspection was done about 5 ˝ years ago.
Mr. Radtke inquired about Safety Works working with Portland Public Schools. Mr. Wyman indicated that the school system has had Safety Works do a walk through as well as utilizing training programs that they offer.
1. East End Area School Building Committee – No report
2. Policy Committee – No report
3.Finance Committee – No report. Mr. Radtke indicated that the School Committee would need to elect a new Finance Committee chairperson to replace Ms. Matthews.
4.Legislative Affairs Committee – No report
5.Other Committees and/or member concerns –
Mr. Meiklejohn - indicated that he is a member of the CATV Committee and he still does not know what is going on. This Committee met over one year ago when both he and Mr. Adams were members. A Negotiation Subcommittee was established at that time. However, neither Mr. Adams nor Mr. Meiklejohn thought things would be in limbo this long. Community members are asking about cable negotiations and he has no answer.
Mr. Spring – participated in the Great Maine Schools Project and was impressed with the work that teachers at Portland High School are doing.
Consent Items - None
Mr.
Chong moved, seconded Ms. McRae
and voted 6-1 to remove the motion from the table.
School
Committee discussed the issue:
Mr.
Meiklejohn – asked what the likelihood would be of closing the building on Sept.
1, 2004. Mr. Radtke indicated that
would not be a possibility at this point.
Mr.
Radtke – indicated that the charge of the School Committee is to decide if this
building is necessary for educational purposes.
Public
Comment:
Dawn
Williams, Steven Scharf, Liz Folsom, Don Meehan, Steven Williams and Deb Keenan
all spoke to the Committee regarding the sale of Veranda St. and the potential
relocation of Central Office to Baxter School.
Ms.
McRae offered the following amendment:
Ms. McRae moved, seconded Mr. Chong to close the Veranda Street building at 331 Veranda Street 180 days after a supplemental appropriation from the City to cover all the costs of renovation of appropriate space for Central Office and to cover moving costs and transfer the property to the city for proper disposition with the understanding that any proceeds from the disposition are to be used first to offset the cost of the move from Central Office to the new location and the remaining funds to be used in support of the Elementary Facilities Master Plan in accordance with the report of the 3x3 Committee’s agreement from the table.
Ms. McRae indicated that the proposed amendment is a result of the June 21, 2004 meeting with the City Council where Councilor Cloutier indicated there would be an appropriation of funds.
Mr. Chong – concurs with Ms. McRae and feels it is in the best interest to pare down costs so that monies could be used for programs. Felt there were sincere affirmations from the City Council to cover moving costs.
Mr. Rumery – against amendment. Supports move of Central Office, but need to consider what might happen with vote in November. Would prefer to wait one year to make a decision on the move.
Mr. Radtke – amendment addresses concerns that cost not fall to the school department.
Vote on amendment: It was voted 5-2 to accept the proposed amendment to the motion.
Committee returned to the main motion.
Mr. Rumery - does not feel that the taxpayers are being listened to. Also asked status of Sacred Heart building. Mr. Radtke indicated that the city is now looking at that property.
Mr. DiMillo – would like a more detailed reason for renovations. In favor of motion.
Mr. Radtke – indicated architect had initially talked with people regarding their needs – more of a “wish list”. Now they architect will find out exactly what is needed. Indicated that School Committee has fiduciary responsibility to handle schools in the best way for students, etc.; educational use of buildings – to run school department as efficiently as possible; City Council is charged with disposition of city owned property; Facilities Task Force recommended consolidation of Central Office; feels lease is in best interest of city.
Mr. Chong – asked who was on the 3x3 Committee. Superintendent O’Connor indicated herself, Herb Adams, and Randy Stewart. Indicated he is in favor of the motion and his understanding is that the city will reimburse the school department for the move to Baxter School.
Ms. McRae – in favor of amendment. Facilities Task Force that me in Jan. and Feb., 2004 recommended the consolidation of operations. Baxter School is partially empty and making the move would save operating costs.
Mr. Spring – not in favor of motion. Should hold onto property for a longer period of time.
Vote on amended motion: It was voted 4-3 to close the Veranda Street building at 331 Veranda Street 180 days after a supplemental appropriation from the City to cover all the costs of renovation of appropriate space for Central Office and to cover moving costs and transfer the property to the city for proper disposition with the understanding that any proceeds from the disposition are to be used first to offset the cost of the move from Central Office to the new location and the remaining funds to be used in support of the Elementary Facilities Master Plan in accordance with the report of the 3x3 Committee’s agreement from the table.
New Business
Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo to grant a 2% salary increase for non-represented employees effective July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005
Superintendent O’Connor briefly reviewed this item with the School Committee.
Mr. Meiklejohn – asked when non-represented employees last received an increase.
Superintendent O’Connor indicated last year – 2%.
Mr. Spring – asked what the definition of a non-represented employee is. Ms. Hart indicated that these individuals have no specific contract, they are year to year and are employees who handle confidential matters.
Public Comment:
Steven Scharf addressed the Committee regarding this item.
Board comment:
Mr. Meiklejohn – asked if this was a cost of living increase. Superintendent O’Connor indicated no cost of living and no credit for years of employment.
Mr. DiMillo – asked if benefits are included. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that this was just salary.
Ms. Hart indicated there are 65 non-represented employees.
Vote on motion: It was voted 6-1 to grant a 2% salary increase for non-represented employees effective July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005
Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn to establish a Naming Committee for the East End Area School.
Public Comment:
Steven Scharf – requested that Bayside residents be asked to participate on this committee.
Vote on motion: It was voted unanimously to establish a Naming Committee for the East End Area School.
Personnel
Unpaid LOA:
Mary Khula-Parr Lincoln/Foreign Language 1.0 of 1.0 Childrearing
Elections: Eff 09/01/04 for the 2004-05 school year (* pending negotiations)
Laurie Daniels Reiche/Intermediate B-2 $31,640*
BA/USM, Portland, ME
Jon Dodson West PAE /ESOL Worksite M-5 .75 $32,936*
M.Ed/Framingham State College, MA
One Year Only Elections: Eff 09/01/04 for the 2004-05 school year (*pending
negotiations)
Lynn Provencher Reiche/Primary B-1 $30,202*
BA/UNH, Durham, NH
Gail Trefethern-Kelley Reiche/O.T. M-5 $38,831*
MS/Touro College, Bay Shore, NY
Re-Elections: Eff. 09/01/04 for the 2004-05 school year (* pending negotiations)
Pamela Brewer Reiche/Special Education B-6 $36,818*
BS/UMO, Orono, ME
Audrey Cook DHS/Math B-10 $41,420*
BA/University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, N.B. Canada
Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted unanimously to approve Personnel items as listed.
Committee Focus on
Educational Issues
Mr. Radtke –indicated that the city is beginning to get organized to address this issue.
Superintendent O’Connor – informed the Committee what the city is doing regarding this initiative working to identify impact on city and school side and will possibly hold a press conference in August. She shared an email that she had sent to Mayor Smith on what this would mean to the school department if tax initiative passes. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that she would begin meeting with department heads in July to discuss this issue and to articulate what a $30.5 cut in the budget would look like. At the recent superintendents’ conference this was a topic of discussion and all school departments statewide are struggling with what the impact of this would have on education.
Board Comments:
Mr. Meiklejohn – asked when referendum would be effective if it passed. Superintendent O’Connor indicated it would be the 2005-06 budget. Will vote against this on general election ballot. Will impact city and schools, but does not want to spend a great deal of time on the issue. Suggests a resolution the last week of October just prior to the November vote to hear School Committee input and perspective and to take a position on the referendum.
Ms. McRae – even if this passes will not know the impact because of possible lawsuits that could ensue, etc. City Council would need to indicate to the school department what dollar amount would affect the schools. Voters need to understand that if city has less money then the school department will have less money.
Mr. Spring – does not want to spend a great amount of time on this issue – there are a lot of other things that need to be done.
Mr. Radtke – early in process, but city thinks there would be one-third in reductions.
At 8:45 p.m. Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo and voted unanimously to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations.
At 9:17 p.m. Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo and voted unanimously to come out of Executive Session.
Mr.
Chong moved, seconded Mr.
DiMillo and voted unanimously to
adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Mary
Jo O’Connor
Superintendent
of Schools