Draft: December 13, 2006

Approved: January 4, 2007

School Committee meeting Dec. 13, 2006

Under Report of the Secretary

6:30 P.M. Executive Session

Consideration and action to move into Executive Session to discuss a student disciplinary matter pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405 6B

Members present: John Coyne, Susan Hopkins, Robert O’Brien, Ellen Alcorn, Ben Meiklejohn, Sarah Thompson

Members not present: Rebecca Minnick, Lori Gramlich, Jason Toothaker

At 6:35 p.m. Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted unanimously to move into Executive Session to discuss a student disciplinary matter pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405 6B

At 6:40 p.m. Ms. Alcorn moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted unanimously to come out of Executive Session

Business Meeting

Mr. Coyne called the meeting to order at 7:00pm

Members present: John Coyne-Chairperson, Robert O'Brien, , Anthony Toppi, Maureen Quinn, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Ellen Alcorn, Susan Hopkins, Sarah Thompson

Members not present: Jason Toothaker, Lori Gramlich, Rebecca Minnick

Report of the Chair

Mr. Coyne:

· Indicated that he is still putting committee assignments together

· Recognized Mary Gross who will be leaving TV3 to pursue other opportunities.

Report of the Superintendent

Superintendent O’Connor:

· Recognized and congratulated PHS students< Melanie Toner and Fiona Wilson, who have been named to the Maine Field Hockey Associations Academic All-State Team.

· Indicated that she will be attending a Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday morning with the Legislative Delegation

· Introduced Dick Paulson, Director of Finance and Operations, who provided a financial overview of the FY07 budget. He indicated that overtime accounts are being closely monitored. Superintendent O'Connor indicated that a couple of requests for use of buildings on weekends have been denied because of overtime involved.

· Ms. Alcorn asked for an update regarding the RFP for an efficiency study. Mr. Paulson indicated that it has been published in Maine Sunday Telegram and the Tuesday edition of the Press Herald and posted on the PPH web site with an closing date of January 2,2007. Mr. Paulson indicated that administration and a member of the School Committee would review the RFPs.

· Mr. Meiklejohn asked what the amount of the contracted services line of Special Ed is. Mr. Paulson indicated that $85,000 was budgeted and the account has exceeded the budgeted amount by $13,000 due to unanticipated expenses.

Report of the Secretary

1. Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes of the December 4, 2006 and December 6, 2006 meetings.

Ms. Alcorn moved, seconded Ms. Thompson and voted to approve the meeting minutes of the December 4, 2006 and December 6, 2006 meetings.(Students voted with majority)

Mr. Coyne requested that an agenda item be taken out of order.

New Business

1. Consideration and action to approve an out-of-country trip to Greece, April 12-21, 2007 for Portland High School students.

Ms. Alcorn moved, seconded Ms. Thompson to approve an out-of-country trip to Greece, April 12-21, 2007 for Portland High School students

Sue Olafesen addressed the Committee regarding the out-of-country trip to Greece.

Ms. Thompson - asked about financing. Ms. Olafsen indicated that students have jobs and also that a full scholarship has been provided to a student.

Ms. Alcorn - asked about chaperones for the 40+ students. Ms. Olafsen indicated that six chaperones would accompany the students.

Mr. Meiklejohn - are students made aware of travel insurance? Ms. Olfasen indicated that about 50% take the travel insurance.

Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve an out-of-country trip to Greece, April 12-21, 2007 for Portland High School students (Students voted with majority)

Report of Committees

1. Policy Committee - no report

2. Finance Committee - Mr. Meiklejohn - no report, but would like to schedule some meetings with members.

3. Legislative Affairs Committee - No report.

4. Riverton Building Committee - Mr. Coyne reported that he has some digital photos of the project.

5. Elementary Facilities Committee - Ms. Alcorn indicated that there may or may not be a meeting on Dec. 19th. Committee is still working on this.

6. Casco Bay High School Relocation Task Force - Superintendent O'Connor indicated that the Dec. 11th meeting was cancelled and rescheduled to Jan. 2, 2007 at 6:30 in Room 250.

7. Other Committees and/or member concerns - Ms. Alcorn mentioned that next week's workshop for the board on roles and responsibilities was listed originally for new board members. However, all members would benefit from this workshop . Mr. Coyne indicated that it would be good for all board members to attend.

Consent Items

Superintendent O’Connor reviewed the donation and thanked the contributor.

Old Business - None

New Business

2. First reading of policies:

Superintendent O'Connor reviewed policies for a first reading:

· JLCC - Communicable/Infectious Diseases

· IHBAK – Life-Sustaining Emergency Care

Personnel

1. Consideration and action to approve the personnel item listed.

PAA Appointment: Effective 12/20/06

Phoebe Russell Acting Principal/Lyseth Elementary

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn and voted unanimously to approve the personnel item listed. (Students voted with majority)

Mr. Meiklejohn - asked about teacher leaders being used at EECS. Superintendent O'Connor indicated that it is a work in progress with the three teacher leaders at EECS.

Committee Focus on Educational Issues - None

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM

Bill Wilson addressed the Committee regarding the web site.

Adjournment

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. (Students voted with majority)

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jo O'Connor

Superintendent of Schools