Draft:  March 18, 2009

                                                                        Approved: March 25, 2009

                                                                        Under Report of Secretary:  March 18, 2009

 

 

Business Meeting

Mr. Eglinton called the meeting to order at 7:03pm

 

Members present:  Justin Costa, Rebecca Minnick, Robert O’Brien, John Gjika, Simon Thompson, Ness Smith-Savedoff, Peter Eglinton, Sarah Thompson, Kate Snyder, Jaimey Caron, Elizabeth Holton

 

Members absent:  Marnie Morrione

 

Also present:   Dr. James Morse, incoming Superintendent of Schools

 

Report of the Chair

Mr. Eglinton:

  • Announced that five Portland Public Schools students have achieved National Merit Finalist status.
  • Reviewed upcoming Committee meetings

 

Report of Superintendent

Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers introduced Michael McCarthy, Principal-King Middle School, who provided information to the committee on King Middle School and expeditionary learning that were shared at a recent national conference.

 

Report of the Secretary

  1. Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes March 4, 2009

 

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded  Ms. Minnick and voted  unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of  March 4, 2009(Students voted with majority)

 

Report of Committees

1.      Policy Committee/Legislative Affairs –no report.

  1. Finance Committee – Ms. Snyder – reported on status of work of the finance subcommittee.  The first reading of the Committee’s FY10 budget will be held on March 25th followed by the final vote on the budget on April 1st.
  2. Building Committee – Mr. Caron – tentative meeting scheduled for April 9th.  Ms. Whynot-Vickers reported on meeting with State Board of Education who voted to approve funding and the concept design.  Subcommittee is currently reviewing furniture for the new school as well as technology. 
  3. Facilities Task Force – Mr. Caron – next meeting March 23rd , 6pm at Moore Middle School with a preliminary report from NESDEC regarding facilities and ability to delivery education services.
  4. Personnel  - Ms. Thompson – reported on last evening’s Personnel meeting.  Announced that Dr. Morse, incoming superintendent will be attending an upcoming event at USM on April 29th with the NAACP as well as attending PTO meetings and neighborhood meetings in the coming weeks.  Mentioned that an upcoming workshop will be held on the evaluation process for administrators and teachers. 
  5. Other Committees and/or member concerns - None

 

Consent Items - None

 

Old Business - None

 

New Business  

  1. First reading of policy BEDB – Agenda Preparation and Dissemination
  2. Consideration and action to approve a retirement incentive program effective July 1, 2009.

 

Ms. Holton moved, seconded  Mr. O’Brien to approve a retirement incentive program effective July 1, 2009.

 

Ms. Hart spoke to the motion.

 

Public Comment:  Kathleen Casasa, Steven Scharf, Gary Vines spoke to motion.

 

Vote:  It was voted  unanimously to approve a retirement incentive program effective July 1, 2009. (Students voted with majority)

 

Personnel  

1.Consideration and action to approve the following sabbaticals:

    1. Carlos Gomez, one-half year sabbatical Feb. 1,2010 to June 15, 2010

 

Time to be used catching up with students and accomplish two major goals:  infuse technology throughout my instruction and establish a cultural exchange with a high school in a Spanish-speaking country.

 

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded  Ms. Snyder to approve the sabbatical request for Carlos Gomez, one-half year sabbatical Feb. 1,2010 to June 15, 2010

 

Voted:  It was voted unanimously to approve the sabbatical request for Carlos Gomez, one-half year sabbatical Feb. 1,2010 to June 15, 2010.

 

    1. Jane Hubley, full year sabbatical Sept. 1,2009 to Sept. 1, 2010

 

Take time to study the topic of trauma and how it related to the refuges and immigrant experience, and to learn more specific skills in terms of trauma treatment.  Have contacted the NYU International Trauma Studies program where she could take part in a comprehensive course on trauma studies.  Would take the time to study more about TF-CBT (trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy) which is an evidenced based treatment protocol used with victims of trauma and their families. Also to study how the arts may support trauma understanding and healing.

 

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded  Ms. Snyder to approve the sabbatical request for Jane Hubley, full year sabbatical Sept. 1, 2009 to Sept. 1, 2010

 

Vote:  It was voted unanimously to approve the sabbatical request for Jane Hubley, full year sabbatical Sept. 1, 2009 to Sept. 1, 2010

 

    1. Brenda Murphy, one-half year sabbatical Jan. 19, 2010 to June 11, 2010

 

To work full-time towards obtaining her Master’s in Science in Education with a focus on Literacy Education at the University of Southern Maine.  By pursuing a master’s degree in literacy education, she will become a skilled literacy teacher. The master's program in literacy education teaches theoretical and empirical knowledge on literacy acquisition. This program will provide her with up-to-date, cutting-edge instruction in reading and writing at all levels, giving her the tools to improve her literacy instruction at the East End Community School.  This program is designed for classroom teachers or other educators who are already working in the classroom.  The classes she will be taking at the University of Southern Maine will be relevant to what she is doing on a daily basis.  Therefore, she will be able to apply all of her knowledge from her graduate classes back into her classroom. 

 

Ms. Holton moved, seconded  Ms. Minnick to approve the sabbatical request for Brenda Murphy, one-half year Jan. 19, 2010 to Sept. 1, 2010

 

Vote:  It was voted  unanimously to approve the sabbatical request for Brenda Murphy, one-half year Jan. 19, 2010 to Sept. 1, 2010

 

    1. Lee McKay, full year sabbatical Sept. 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010

 

             Focus on three major areas of interest that will develop his knowledge as a                      

             teacher, his relationship to our community and his understanding of the                  

             Earth and its processes.  Specifically, he will take classes in chemistry,            

             research the life of Admiral Robert Peary, and travel to America’s National

             Parks.

 

Ms. Minnick moved, seconded  Mr. Costa to approve a full year sabbatical September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010

 

Vote:  It was voted  unanimously to approve the sabbatical request for  Lee McKay, full year Sept. 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010

 

 

 

2.  Consideration and action to approve the following Leave of Absences:  For the 2009-2010 school year:

 

Ms. Holton moved, seconded  Mr. O’Brien and voted  unanimously to approve the Personnel Items as listed.

 

Committee Focus on Educational Issues - None   

 

Public Comment Prior to 11:00 PM on any items not on the evening’s agenda

Kathleen Casasa spoke to the Committee regarding two documents concerning the budget that she shared with the Committee.

 

Steven Scharf addressed the Committee regarding the upcoming budget workshop.

 

Adjournment

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded  Ms. Holton and voted unanimously to adjourn the business meeting at 8:18pm

 

8pm – Workshop

Finance Subcommittee – proposed budget discussion

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Jeanne Whynot-Vickers

Interim Superintendent of Schools