Draft: September 21, 2006

Approved:Oct. 18, 2006

School Committee meeting Sept. 20, 2006

Under Report of the Secretary

Business Meeting

Ms. Alcorn called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.

Members Present: Ellen Alcorn, Jason Toothaker, John Coyne, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Susan Hopkins, Otis Thompson, Sarah Muzzy, Lori Gramlich, Joshua Waxman, Stephen Spring, Jonathan Radtke

Report of the Chair

Ms. Alcorn:

• Announced that the MSMA annual conference would be held 10/26 and 27 and she is looking for a school committee rep to be the delegate from Portland.
• Mentioned that the superintendent convening a task force to look at where Casco Bay High School should be housed and asked for school committee members to sign up.
• Has talked with Mr. Radtke about weighted grades and moving forward. The School Committee would like to host a forum to solicit input on this issue and would like to hold this Sept. 27th at 7 p.m. in Room 250.

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent O'Connor:

• Reported on the mold issue at Portland High School. Problem is contained. There is no vent from these two spaces that would carry toxic air to classrooms. Copy of the Indoor Air Quality Protocol provided was provided to Committee members.
• Announced that David Sproul-Biology teacher, Deering High School, has received the National Association of Biology Teachers’ 2006 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award.
• Scott Shambaugh, Lincoln Middle School, is the recipient of the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship, which provides full tuition at any high school in the country for four years. Scott is one of 15 scholars chosen from hundreds of gifted students in the 23 states from which the organization currently recruits.
• Report on the work of the Middle School Task Force - moved to next meeting.

Report of Committees

1. Policy Committee - Mr. Radtke – Committee met prior to the evening’s meeting and continued work on policy manual. Next meeting 10/4 6 p.m.

2. Finance Committee - Mr. Thompson – Committee met prior to evening meeting and discussed 1) status of 05/06 budget overage due to higher than anticipated fuel/utility costs. City concerned because city went over budget in 04/05 and any more overages could cause problems with bonding issues. 2) discussed TABOR. Dick Paulson has information showing effects over 10 years if TABOR had been in affect. 3) discussed sharing services with city. Most cost sharing possibilities are limited due to two staffs working under different situations. 4) city finance comm. concerned about high instances of sped issues and inquired about the possibly of a study around these. Finance Committee may ask Superintendent O'Connor and Ms. Dee, Director of Student Support Services, to attend the next meeting to discuss this possibility.

3. Legislative Affairs Committee - Ms. Gramlich – Committee met prior to evening meeting and discussed TABOR resolution. Will have a resolution on the Oct. 4th agenda.

4. Riverton Building Committee Mr. Coyne - construction is going full force.

5. Elementary Facilities Committee - Mr. Meiklejohn - next meeting will be Oct. 10 at 6 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall.

6. Other Committees and/or member concerns

• Ms. Gramlich requested a report on the community conversations held at Lincoln middle school last year as well as other middle schools in the district.
• Mr. Waxman - referenced teacher negotiations taking place and hopes this would be finished soon.
• Mr. Meiklejohn - greeted parents at the EECS on the first day of school. Very impressed with work of staff during first day of school.
• Ms. Hopkins - mentioned Ugly Ducklings and campaign to prevent bullying and harassment of gay, lesbian and transgendered youth. Hopes staff takes a look at this. Also recently met with Casco Bay High School college readiness program.
• Mr. Radtke – indicated PEA reps and School Committee reps have been meeting regularly regarding the teacher contract.

Ms. Alcorn requested that an agenda item be taken out of order.

Committee Focus on Educational Issues

Kevin Mallory spoke about transportation and schools of choice. The transportation Department will not compromise safety of students; services are seamless to students and beneficial to students; look at achieving reasonable efficiencies. Acknowledged and thanked transportation staff for their dedication and expertise.

Mr. Spring – asked why students could not be bussed to Reiche from all over the district?

Educational Options policy listing criteria - should there be a review of this policy periodically?

Superintendent O’Connor - indicated that students could be bussed to Reiche.

Ms. Whynot-Vickers – indicated that currently there are 116 students who are attending schools outside of their district. If a bus is on a route and there are seats available students can ride. However, if there is not a bus route and/or no seats available then parents need to take students to schools.

Mr. Waxman, Mr. Radtke - requested that a discussion on this issue be held at a later date

Ms. Alcorn - will place this on a spring workshop agenda.

Superintendent O'Connor - district vision on schools of choice - began with EFTF-1. Opportunity with new construction to capitalize on Portland's size for a school of choice. At study circles parents wanted more choice in Portland Public Schools. First new elementary school is the first formal school of choice. Looking to the next project in Portland to be the next formal school of choice.

Consent Items - None

Report of the Secretary

1. Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes of the September 6, 2006 and September 13, 2006 meetings.

Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Toothaker and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the September 6, 2006 and September 13, 2006 meetings. (Students with major

Old Business - None

New Business

1. Consideration and action to rescind the Block Schedule Task Force.

Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn to rescind the Block Schedule Task Force.

Mr. Meiklejohn spoke to motion.

Vote: It was voted 7-1 to rescind the Block Schedule Task Force. (Students voted with majority)

2. Consideration and action to adopt the School Committee goals

Mr. Meiklejohn moved, seconded Ms. Hopkins to adopt the School Committee goals

Ms. Alcorn reviewed goals.

School Committee Goals

1 The school committee will develop creative ways to prepare students for college, work and citizenship, including: paying for one college application per student; making a college application a graduation requirement; and making service learning a graduation requirement.

2 The school committee will receive and review assessment data three times a year, and make policy and budget decisions accordingly.

3 The school committee will develop and support a plan for communicating vertically and horizontally within and outside the organization about the work of the district and the committee.

4 The school committee will maintain and construct facilities with designs that are beneficial to student learning; environmentally sound; and energy-efficient, and make policy and budget decisions accordingly.

Superintendent O'Connor - complimented board on work done at their retreat held in August.

Ms. Hopkins - appreciated materials used at the retreat.

Mr. Meiklejohn - asked if goals adopted, to what level/extent is there an accountability of individuals in the district to insure incorporation of the goals into the work of the district?

Ms. Alcorn - if passed, not automatic, but it is what School Committee would like to see happen.

Discussion/Debate:

Mr. Spring - may be able to find other sources to assist with payment of application fees.

Mr. Meiklejohn - intensive goal setting process was very fulfilling and collaborative.

Goals measurable and specific.

Ms. Alcorn – Reviewed superintendent’s strategic plan at the August retreat. At upcoming business meetings each goal area will be reviewed.

Ms. Hopkins - indicated that legislature supports an Early College program.

Vote: It was voted unanimously to adopt the School Committee goals (Students voted with majority)

Personnel

1. Consideration and action to approve the Personnel items listed.

Leave of Absence: Effective 2006-2007 School Year

Kate Collord Adult Ed/West .4667 Personal

Janet Zidle Grade 4/Longfellow .2 or .8 Personal

Kathleen Archambault Special Ed/Moore 1.0 Childrearing

Change in Degree: Effective 9/1/06

Eli Small Social Studies/DHS $3,324*

MS in Education/USM

Election: Effective 9/25/06 Contract: Probationary 1

Kristin Johnson Nurse/DHS $48,358*

BS in Nursing/USM

Election: Effective 9/6/06 Contract: Probationary 1 – One Year Only

Janice Tevanian FA/Moore $36.263*

MA in Public Administrator/UMaine

* pending negotiations

Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Coyne and voted unanimously to approve the Personnel items listed (Students voted with majority)

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM

Ms. Alcorn reiterated that there will be a community forum next Wed., September 27^th ,

7 p.m. in Room 250 to discuss weighted grades.

Five citizens addressed the Committee on this issue.

Adjournment

Mr. Radtke moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted 8-1 to adjourn the meeting at 8:14pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools