Business meeting

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

Members present: Jonathan Radtke-Chairperson, Ellen Alcorn, Teri McRae, Jason Toothaker(arrived at 7:30 p.m.), Benjamin Meiklejohn (arrived at 7:15pm), Otis Thompson, James DiMillo, Michael Imbergamo, Tae Chong

Members not present: Stephen Spring, Sophia Njaa

Report of the Chair

Mr. Radtke:

Mentioned that cell phones were causing interference with the microphones and asked that cell phones please be turned off.
Asked members to please get back to him regarding the memo on early release times.
Will be naming the Elementary Facilities Task Force at the next business meeting in October.
Noted that the Committee Focus on Education, which is the Strategic Planning Process by ICL, would take place in the classroom at the back of Room 250 at the conclusion of the evening’s business meeting.

Report of the Superintendent - No report.

Report of Committees

1. Policy Committee – Ms. Alcorn reported that the Policy Committee met on Oct. 3^rd and will be bring policies ILD, IKAB and JICI to the Committee as a first reading at the next business meeting. Policy KLMA – Equitable Recruitment Policy may be coming forward for a first reading in November.

Finance Committee – No report
Riverton Building Committee – Superintendent O’Connor noted that the Riverton Building Committee met on Sept. 28^th . The Committee is moving forward reviewing the scope and plans for the $3M project.

Areas of discussion by Committee members regarding this project:

Would it be possible to do the work for less than $3M and use the remaining funds for some other project?
Requested that for future projects building committees be co-chaired by a city council member and school committee member.

Other Committees and/or member concerns – Mr. DiMillo thanked Mr. Allen for enrollment information. Asked if staffing of core classes be considered first and then staffing of elective classes to possibly reduce the larger core class sizes.

Consent Items

Superintendent O’Connor reviewed the donations and thanked contributors.

Report of the Secretary

Consideration and action to accept the meeting minutes of the September 14, 2005 and September 21, 2005 meetings.

Ms. Alcorn moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the September 14, 2005 and September 21, 2005 meetings. (Student rep voted with majority)

Old Business - None

New Business

First reading – Consideration and action to accept the Finance Committee’s budget process proposal.

Ms. McRae discussed the Finance Committee’s work around the budget process proposal and formula to be considered by the full Committee at their next business meeting.

Committee discussion:

The budget process can be difficult; setting a number/formula would not be appropriate.

Consideration and action to approve a contract agreement between the Portland School Committee and the Portland Administrators’ Association effective July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2008 with salary and benefit re-openings in 2006 and 2007, pending ratification.

Mr. Chong moved, seconded Mr. DiMillo to approve a contract agreement between the Portland School Committee and the Portland Administrators’ Association effective July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2008 with salary and benefit re-openings in 2006 and 2007, pending ratification.

Ms. Hart briefly commented on the PAA agreement. Ms. Rossi thanked all who participated in the process.

Vote on motion: It was voted unanimously to approve a contract agreement between the Portland School Committee and the Portland Administrators’ Association effective July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2008 with salary and benefit re-openings in 2006 and 2007, pending ratification. (Student rep voted with majority)

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM

Mr. DiMillo – inquired about history of Family Living and Sexuality Advisory Board. Would it be possible to reduce the number of board members?

Superintendent O’Connor – mentioned Family Living Task Force meeting on Oct. 12, 3 pm.. at Central Office.

Mr. Toothaker – will be School Committee Liaison for the Family Living group.

Mr. Meiklejohn – mentioned that School Board News has recognized the Portland School Committee for work on policies on NCLB and military recruitment.

Adjournment

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Mr. Chong and voted unanimously to adjourn the business meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Committee Focus on Educational Issues

Members met at the close of the business meeting to hear a report on the Strategic Planning Process by Laura Moorehead, ICL.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools