Draft: January 17, 2007
Approved: February 7, 2007
School Committee meeting Jan. 17, 2007
Mr. Coyne called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Members present: John Coyne-Chairperson, Rebecca Minnick, Robert O'Brien , Anthony Toppi, Maureen Quinn, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Ellen Alcorn, Susan Hopkins, Sarah Thompson, Lori Gramlich
· Spoke about workshops and subcommittee meetings that will be held during the year. In order that the School Committee and subcommittees can accomplish the required work at these meetings he indicated that there might be a period at the end of the meetings where public comment might be offered.
Superintendent O'Connor:
· Announced resignation: Jan Parenteau Social Worker/EECS Effective January 12,2007
· Introduced Kathi Rossi, Principal-Lincoln Middle School, who spoke to the Committee regarding the Strategic Plan at the building level.
· Introduced Christel Driscoll and Thomas Fournier from Lincoln Middle School who spoke to the Committee regarding a Geodesic Dome project.
· Introduced Tom Lafavore, Director-Educational Planning, who provided an overview of SAT scores.
Mr. Coyne requested that an agenda item be taken out of order.
Consent Items
Superintendent O'Connor:
· Introduced Amanda Rowe, Ted Rioux, Phil Napolitano, Maura DiPrete and Rhonda Moyer who spoke about the donation of three Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) to Portland Public Schools.
· Reviewed donations and thanked the contributors.
1. Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes of the January 3, 2007 meeting.
Ms. Gramlich moved, seconded Mr. Meiklejohn to approve the meeting minutes of the January 3,2007 meeting.
Clarifying question: Mrs. Thompson inquired about vote on Mr. Toothaker's resignation and the vote to request a special election.
Mr. Coyne indicated that resignation was as of the conclusion of the Jan. 3, 2007 business meeting.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of the January 3,2007 meeting. (Students with majority)
Report of Committees
1. Policy Committee - Mr. O'Brien - Committee has met twice and is working on a process regarding weighted grades. Next meeting will be Wed., Jan. 24th at 6 p.m.
2. Finance Committee - Mr. Meiklejohn - next meeting is Wed., Jan. 24th at 6 p.m. followed at 6:30 with a joint finance committee meeting with the city's finance committee.
3. Legislative Affairs Committee - Ms. Gramlich - Committee has been reviewing bills going before legislative committee. Next meeting will be Jan. 25th at 6 p.m. in Room 250 at PATHS. A workshop regarding the governor's proposal will take place on Jan. 24th at 7 p.m. in Room 250 at PATHS. Legislative Delegation meeting on Jan. 22nd at 7:30 a.m. at City Hall.
4. Riverton Building Committee - Mr. Coyne - updated Committee on status of project.
5. Elementary Facilities Committee - Ms. Alcorn - Committee will meet on Jan. 18th at 6 p.m. at the EECS. Public forums will be held beginning at 6:30 on the following dates - March 1 at King Middle School, March 6 at Lincoln Middle School, March 8 at Moore Middle School. Mr. Meiklejohn asked about 3x3 web site and where community comments for 3x3 committee are going. Mr. Paulson will check into this.
6. Casco Bay High School Relocation Task Force - Superintendent O'Connor addressed the committee regarding short and long term plans for Casco Bay High School. Relocation Task Force met to look at the future of CBHS. This group considered staying at PATHS, being absorbed into one of the existing high schools, or relocating to Baxter School. The Baxter School facility will house the school - 11 classrooms and a gym. Costs would be for moving. She indicated that the school department owns 14 acres at that site if 3x3 were to suggest building a school on that site
· Anthony Toppi - have any thoughts been given to senior year at CBHS? Superintendent O'Connor indicated that conversations are taking place with USM with possibility of establishing a lab site collaboration with CBHS.
· Ms. Thompson - asked about additional traffic at Baxter School. Superintendent O’Connor indicated that Mr. Pierce has not decided whether students would be allowed to bring cars to school or not.
· Ms. Gramlich - asked that consideration be given to looking at ways to better engage and inform public about what school department's plans are on such issues. Superintendent O'Connor indicated that this information had been provided at monthly committee meetings as well as information posted on web site.
Public Comment:
· Barbara Weed, Patty Brinkman, Mary Gross, and Anne-Marie Smith spoke to the Committee regarding relocation of CBHS.
· CBHS students Bennett Gross as well as Peter, Kai and Veronica addressed the committee regarding this relocation
· Steven Scharf addressed the committee on this item
· Bill Wilson addressed the committee. Superintendent O'Connor responded to Mr. Wilson indicating that the relocation is a decision that can be made by administration and that the committee does not need to vote on this issue.
· Mr. Coyne spoke to this item. Supports the superintendent's recommendation on relocation.
· Mr. Pierce, Principal at CBHS, spoke briefly to this item thanking PATHS for opening their door to CBHS for the last two years as well as Multilingual and Adult Ed who will be relocating in order to accommodate this relocation to Baxter.
Mr. Coyne asked for unanimous consent to take an agenda item out of order.
1.
Overview of Portland Arts and Technology High School
(PATHS) and budget process
Dana Allen, Brian Britting, and John Marcigliano provided an overview of Portland Arts and Technology High School and the budget process for the programs offered at the school. Get new sheet from Brian
Old Business
1. First reading of policy:
Robert O'Brien reviewed policies for a first reading.
a. ILA - Student Assessment/Local Assessment system
b. GCFB – Recruiting and Hiring of Administrative Staff
c. JICK - Bullying
Ms. Thompson - regarding JICK - asked about electronic expressions, which might come from home emails and integrated into school email. Superintendent O'Connor indicated that would be done internally.
Ms. Alcorn - policy ILA - asked if local assessment was suspended by the state. Superintendent O'Connor indicated that the local assessment has not been suspended.
2. Consideration and action to approve the following policy:
Mr. O'Brien reviewed policies. Recommended that policy GCOA back to the Policy Committee.
a. GCOA – Supervision and Evaluation of Professional Staff
Mr. O’Brien moved, seconded Ms. Gramlich to refer policy GCOA – Supervision and Evaluation of Professional Staff back to the Policy Committee.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to refer policy GCOA – Supervision and Evaluation of Professional Staff back to the Policy Committee. (Students with majority)
3. Consideration and action to approve a revision in wording for policy EEAEAA - Drug and Alcohol Testing of School Bus Drivers.
Mr. O'Brien reviewed the policy.
Mr. O’Brien moved, seconded Ms. Gramlich to approve a revision in wording for policy EEAEAA - Drug and Alcohol Testing of School Bus Drivers.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve a revision in wording for policy EEAEAA - Drug and Alcohol Testing of School Bus Drivers (students voted with majority)
1. Consideration and action to approve the Personnel items as listed:
a. Leave of Absence: Effective 1/23/07
Colleen Hallee Reading/Lyseth Childrearing
b. Change in Degree: Effective 1/1/07
Masters in Creative Writing – Lancaster University, UK
Laurie Andreades Acting Assistant Principal/Reiche Elementary .5
No vote was taken.
Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM
Bill Weber - addressed committee regarding last Wednesday's Building Bridges workshop and school consolidation.
Kathleen Casasa - addressed ILA Student Assessment/Local Assessment policy.
Steven Scharf - spoke regarding standardized testing and PATHS budget.
Ms. Gramlich moved, seconded Ms. Minnick and it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jo O’Connor
Superintendent of Schools