Approved: April 26, 2006
School
Committee meeting April 5, 2006
Under
Report of the Secretary
6:00 P.M.
Workshop
The School
Committee met in a workshop session prior to the evening meeting to discuss the
Elementary Facilities Task Force report
Business Meeting
Ms. Alcorn called
the meeting to order at 7:04pm
Members present: Ellen Alcorn-Chairperson, John Coyne, Jonathan Radtke, Susan Hopkins, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Stephen Spring, Otis Thompson, Jason Toothaker, Joshua Waxman, Sarah Muzzy, Lori Gramlich
Report of the Chair - No report
Report of the Superintendent
Superintendent
O’Connor:
Wendy
Grant Portland Adult Ed Community Life
Coordinator 4 yrs.
·
Provided an
overview of the work of the Strategic Planning group. Ms. Alcorn indicated that measurements and goals will be done in
July.
Report of
Committees
1.
Policy Committee – Mr. Radtke –
number of policies on the agenda for first and second reading. Next meeting: April 26, 5:30
2.
Finance
Committee – Mr. Thompson – time frame for budget consideration first reading
and second reading does not work with City Council, as their next meeting will
be April 17 during school break. City
Council needs to have budget before April 17.
School Committee has two options – 1) complete budget work this evening
or 2) set second meeting to complete work.
3.
Legislative
Affairs Committee – Ms. Gramlich – reported on status of various bills before
the Legislature.
4. Riverton Building Committee
Mr. Coyne – A meeting was held on March
28. Next step will be to advertise for
contractor.
5. Elementary Facilities Task Force – Mr. Toothaker – EFTF met
last week and
finalized report. No consensus was
reached. School Committee met to
discuss report prior to the evening meeting.
Thanked all members of EFTF committee.
6. Other Committees and/or member concerns - Mr. Waxman – acknowledged PHS Redesign class that reviewed jaywalking issues. Felt PHS students are being unfairly targeted. Tickets are about $130. PHS is only school is system that does not have a school zone speed limit in place.
Mr. Spring
–mentioned the Elementary Facilities Task Force report and that a reporter for
the bollard had indicated a secret meeting was held at city hall. Meetings need to be public, with an agenda,
minutes, etc. Need to follow a
democratic process. Disappointed that
some elected officials, cc, sc summoned to city hall and others not invited.
Superintendent
O’Connor – City manager called this meeting where next steps were
discussed. It was an in-house meeting,
not a published meeting. The purpose of
the meeting was to hear let the city councilors who served on the finance
committee know where the school department is in process, should there be a 3x3
formed, etc.
Mr. Toothaker
– spoke regarding the meeting mentioned by Mr. Spring. Mr. Toothaker was contacted regarding this
meeting about 1 month prior to it taking place. There were no conclusions or decisions would be made. City Hall should be public, but people
should also be able to have their meetings.
Not widely publicized, but not secret.
Superintendent
O’Connor reviewed donations and thanked the contributors.
Consideration
and action to approve the meeting minutes of the March 8, 2006 meeting.
Mr. Coyne moved,
seconded Mr. Toothaker and voted unanimously to approve the meeting
minutes of the March 8, 2006 meeting. (Student reps voted with
majority)
Chair asked for
unanimous consent to take an agenda item out of order
3. First reading of the superintendent’s FY07
budget in the amount of $82,202,299.
Mr. Thompson
briefly spoke to this agenda item. Need
to decide when the second meeting would be held or vote on budget tonight or
vote to make amendments, but postpone final vote until just before April
17. Ms. Alcorn indicated that April 12
is Passover and would need to meet prior to 4 p.m. and the following week is
school break.
Committee agreed to meet on Monday, April 10 at 7 p.m.
Board Questions
Mr.
Meiklejohn – inquired about teacher leaders in lieu of principal at EECS.
Superintendent
O’Connor - invested in looking at teacher leader model. Have teaching strategists, cluster
coordinators, etc. Teacher leaders at
East End Community School will be a pilot program.
Ms.
Whynot-Vickers -spoke briefly about the pilot program at EECS that will be for
one year.
Ms. Gramlich
- when will amendments to the budget be made?
Ms. Acorn indicated this would be at the April 10 meeting.
Ms. Gramlich
– asked how decision was made to cut social worker at the middle school. Would another social worker be moved? Superintendent O’Connor – indicated that
there is a retirement, which would make this “a wash”. There were two social workers at Moore by
request of Director of Student Support Services. In budget two years ago, King Middle School had traded a teacher
for a social worker. King Middle School
has two, Lincoln has one, and under FY07 budget Moore will have one.
Mr. Radtke -
do we know where city is in budget deliberations?
Mr. Thompson
- has not had opportunity to look at city budget. At 2.8% assessment increase.
Budget is approximately $174,000,000.
Mr. Spring –
in the budget no one is losing jobs?
Superintendent O’Connor – indicated that is correct.
Mr. Coyne -
asked if social workers would be down by 1?
Superintendent O’Connor – yes.
Public
comment:
Kathleen
Casasa - addressed SC asking to restore the social worker position and other
areas of the budget.
Sophie Payson
– spoke to proposed social worker reduction at Moore.
Fran Schneit
–addressed Committee regarding proposed social worker reduction at Moore.
Board
discussion/debate:
Mr.
Thompson–If social worker restored to Moore should one be added at
Lincoln? Barbara Dee – numbers at King
and Lincoln are about the same. An
additional social worker at Lincoln has not been requested.
Ms. Gramlich–
is there a caseload for social workers at middle schools? Barbara Dee –social workers do see some
students on a regular basis. If
students are taken from therapeutic situation that would be a transition. Portland Public Schools utilizes the
services of 12 Spurwink social workers beyond social workers in budget.
Ms. Muzzy –
asked what the difference is between guidance counselors and social
workers. Barbara Dee –at the middle
school level guidance counselors are dealing with different issues versus
issues that social workers deal with.
Mr. Thompson
– asked what would it cost to add back in?
Joline Hart – approximately $60,000.
Mr. Toothaker
– has other ways to look at budget – look at assistant superintendents going to
.5 or .75, Portland Education Partnership’s purpose is to bring money to
district – may need to cut half of that line and hire a grant writer; going
intramural for middle schools; holding school committee meetings at city hall
would enable people to better attend meetings; consolidating t.v. services with
city; may be some room to consolidate web usage.
Mr. Radtke –
ways to reduce cost is always being explored.
Can live with bottom line number.
Doesn’t appear to be much to cut out of budget. Asked superintendent what is needed to do
the job. Comfortable with budget
number.
Mr.
Meiklejohn – supports what is done in the district. As we begin to do school differently we need to pickup pace on
how we get/use resources. Leary about
adding items back into the budget. More
pleased to see board decrease staff travel, conferences, cell phones. Accelerate discussion around intramural
sports – would save money. Supports
superintendent’s initiative around teacher leaders.
Mr.
Spring - looked at budget and
superintendent and staff desire credit for budget preparation. Casco Bay High School does cost money, but
commitments to make schools better do cost money. Advocating for schools to have low student/teacher ratio.
Mr. Waxman–
what is student/teacher ratio? Jeanne
Whynot-Vickers indicated – K 16-20; 1-2
18-22; 3-5 18-25. High School ratios
can be higher/lower depending on class and credits attempted.
Mr. Thompson–
feels that committee often confuses their roles. Many comments tonight are policy considerations. Budget and policy should go together. Policy should be reviewed before getting
into budget deliberation. Same pertains
to school choice. Not committee’s
responsibility to manage resources.
1.
Consideration and action to approve the
following policies:
Mr. Radtke
reviewed the following policies:
a.
ACAA – Harassment and Sexual Harassment of
Students
Mr. Radtke moved,
seconded Mr. Toothaker to approve
policy ACAA – Harassment and Sexual
Harassment of Students
Ms. Hopkins moved,
seconded Mr. Toothaker and voted
unanimously to delete bolded language. (Student reps voted with majority)
Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve
policy ACAA – Harassment and Sexual
Harassment of Students (Student reps voted with majority)
b. ACAB
– Harassment and Sexual
Harassment of School Employees
Mr. Radtke moved,
seconded Ms. Gramlich to approve
policy ACAB – Harassment and Sexual
Harassment of School Employees
Vote: It was voted
unanimously to approve policy ACAB – Harassment and Sexual Harassment
of School Employees(Student reps voted with majority)
c.
ADA - School district
Goals and Objectives
Mr. Toothaker moved,
seconded Mr. Radtke to approve
policy ADA - School district
Goals and Objectives
Amendment:
Mr. Spring moved,
seconded Mr. Toothaker and voted
8-1 to add the wording when new School Committee is seated they will set a schedule to review
their goals in December.(Student reps – 1 with majority; 1 with minority)
Vote on amended
motion: It was voted unanimously to approve policy ADA - School District Goals and Objectives as
amended. (Student reps voted with majority)
d. ADAA
- School System
Commitment to Standards for Ethical and Responsible Behavior
Mr. Coyne moved,
seconded Mr. Radtke to approve
policy ADAA - School System
Commitment to Standards for Ethical and Responsible Behavior
Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve
policy ADAA - School System
Commitment to Standards for Ethical and Responsible Behavior (Student reps
voted with majority)
e. ADC - Tobacco Use and Possession
Mr. Radtke moved,
seconded Ms. Gramlich to approve
policy ADC - Tobacco Use and
Possession
Vote: It was voted
unanimously to approve policy ADC -
Tobacco Use and Possession (Student reps voted with majority)
f. BBAA – Duties of School
Committee Members
Mr. Radtke moved,
seconded Mr. Spring to approve
policy BBAA – Duties of School Committee Members
Board Debate:
Mr. Waxman–
recommends that School Committee members be required to spend a certain amount
of time in schools in the system.
Mr. Thompson -
does not support policy. Has an issue
with D in the policy and would like to look at law.
Mr. Meiklejohn –
would like to know reference of statute.
Ms. Gramlich moved,
seconded Ms. Hopkins to table the
motion.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to table the motion. (Student
reps voted with majority)
g. BCA - School Committee Member Code of Ethics
Mr. Radtke moved,
seconded Mr. Coyne to approve
policy BCA - School Committee
Member Code of Ethics
Mr. Spring– spoke
to motion regarding School Committee norms.
Vote: It was voted
6-3 to approve policy BCA - School Committee Member
Code of Ethics ( Student reps voted with majority)
New Business
1.
First
reading of policies:
Mr. Radtke
review policies for a first reading:
a.
BEDH - Public Participation at Board Meetings
b.
BIA – New Board Member Orientation
c.
EBCC - Bomb Threats
d.
EBAA - Chemical Hazards
e.
EBCA – Crisis Response Plan
f.
EC - Buildings and Grounds Management
g.
ECB - Pest Management in
School facilities and on School Grounds
h.
EEA – Student Transportation Services
2.
First reading
of policies to be deleted:
Mr. Radtke
reviewed for a first reading policies to be deleted:
a.
JICG - Student Tobacco Policy
b.
EDB – Maintenance and Control of Equipment
c.
EDBA – Maintenance and Control of Materials
4. Consideration and action to select School
Committee representatives for the PEA bargaining process.
Mr. Meiklejohn moved,
seconded Mr. Radtke to select
School Committee representatives for the PEA bargaining process.
Ms. Alcorn spoke
to the motion and asked committee members to indicate their interest in
participating.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to select School Committee
representatives for the PEA bargaining process. (Student reps voted with
majority)
5. Consideration and action to accept the motion of intent
to move forward with a plan to consolidate some transportation services as
recommended by the joint finance committees of the school committee and city
council as noted in the December 2, 2005 memo.
Mr. Spring moved,
seconded Mr. Meiklejohn to accept
the motion of intent to move forward with a plan to consolidate some
transportation services as recommended by the joint finance committees of the
school committee and city council as noted in the December 2, 2005 memo.
Mr. Spring
spoke to motion.
Clarifying
questions:
Mr. Radtke –
asked where we were around bus issue.
Mr. Mallory did report to board about conversations with Metro. Will Metro provide passes into the
fall? Metro is unable to provide
transportation to schools due to federal regulations. Unable to alter current routes to accommodate anything extra for
students.
Mr. Spring –
passes are available to students at $20/pass. This is a bold statement and this
is a step towards progressive change and taking this to the next step. Offering a catalyst for transportation
change in the city.
Superintendent
O’Connor – brochures from Metro are in schools and on Portland Public Schools
buses. Mr. Mallory will be working with
ineligible riders to assist in obtaining passes to ride Metro in the fall.
Public Comment:
Kevin Donahue
spoke to Committee regarding this issue.
Kevin Mallory
addressed the Committee on this issue.
Discussion/debate:
Ms. Gramlich - can
voluntary program be instituted?
Mr. Thompson –
December 2005 memo outlines recommendations that the School Committee and staff have taken under
consideration.
Mr. Meiklejohn –was a member of the joint
finance committee that made recommendations – there was a good faith interest
on city side to help with transportation recommendation. Feels committee is deliberating things that
are beyond School Committee control. Looking to have free passes for students.
Mr. Radtke – feels
Metro should provide free transportation to secondary students during the
school year. Would like vote to have
some modicum of action, i.e. letter to city or metro advocating for students in
city.
Mr. Waxman – would
support free bus passes. Feels that
students would not support metro transportation to school.
Amended motion:
Mr. Radkte moved,
seconded Ms. Gramlich that Portland
Public Schools directs the chair of the committee to write the mayor, city
council and metro requesting that the city engage metro in providing free or
reduced passes to PPS secondary students during the school year.
Ms. Alcorn - spoke
to motion.
Mr. Spring –
supports amendment.
Vote on
amendment: It was voted 8-1 that
Portland Public Schools directs the chair of the committee to write the mayor,
city council and metro requesting that the city engage metro in providing free
or reduced passes to PPS secondary students during the school year. (Students
voted with majority)
Vote on main motion
as amended: It was voted 8-1 to accept the motion of intent to move
forward with a plan to consolidate some transportation services as recommended
by the joint finance committees of the school committee and city council as
noted in the December 2, 2005 memo and that Portland Public Schools directs the
chair of the committee to write the mayor, city council and metro requesting
that the city engage metro in providing free or reduced passes to PPS secondary
students during the school year. (Students voted with majority)
Personnel
1.
Consideration
and action to approve the Personnel items listed below:
Appointment –
Effective July 1, 2006
Kenneth
Kunin DHS
Principal
1.0
$91,306*
BA –
Brown University; Med Lesley College
*Pending
negotiations
Mr. Radtke moved,
seconded Mr. Coyne and voted unanimously to approve the Personnel items
listed. (Student reps voted with majority)
Committee Focus on Educational Issues - None
Carol Schiller –
spoke to the SC regarding installing a video surveillance system at PHS.
Peter Eglinton –
spoke to SC regarding the consolidation of schools and the educational forum
regarding renovation of Clifford School held on Monday, April 3, 2006.
Kevin Donahue –
spoke to the Committee about relocating meetings. Also spoke to safety
statistics of school buses.
Adjournment
Mr. Toothaker moved,
seconded Mr. Coyne and voted unanimously
to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Mary Jo O’Connor
Superintendent of
Schools