Draft: October 17, 2007

Approved: November 7, 2007

School Committee meeting October 17, 2007

Under Report of the Secretary

Business Meeting

Mr. Coyne called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm

Members present: Robert O’Brien, Lori Gramlich, John Coyne, Benjamin Meiklejohn, Ellen Alcorn, Susan Hopkins, Sarah Thompson, Peter Eglinton, Rebecca Minnick, Anthony Toppi, Bennett Gross, Maureen Quinn

Report of the Chair

Mr. Coyne:

Spoke briefly about the city council’s meeting on October 15^th where they discussed the Clifford project, which will be brought back to the council at their Oct. 29th meeting. The council voted to approve $165,000, which will allow the architect to continue with the concept design. City’s corporate council has indicated that school committee holds the power regarding this project. The council will need to put this project out to a bond vote.
Welcomed Jill Blackwood as Acting Assistant Superintendent.

Report of the Superintendent

Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers

Announced that sophomores and juniors took PSAT’s today
DHS received their laptops as part of the state initiative, which are connected with other teachers throughout the state. Computers also contain web cameras.
Ray Hardy, Business Manager who is under contract with the state will be providing Portland Public Schools with assistance with new chart of accounts. He is contracted with PPS to do work with Duane Kline and Ellen Sanborn to work on this project. Half of the funds saved by not filling the business manager’s position will be used to pay for this position.

· Announced the following retirement and resignation:

Retirement: Effective 11/1/07

Sharon Bresler Social Studies/King 33 years

Resignation: Effective 10/10/07

Anna Kirkpatrick-Urban Social Worker/DHS 23 years

Gave a brief update on weighted grades – policy committee worked on this issue in the spring. Principals met today and have reached general agreement around guidelines, which will be vetted with staff and students. Recommendations will come to the sc in December.

Report of the Secretary

Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes from the September 19, 2007, September 26, 2007, and October 10, 2007 meetings

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Mr. Eglinton and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes from the September 19, 2007, September 26, 2007, and October 10, 2007 meetings (Students voted with majority)

Report of Committees

1. Policy Committee –Mr. O’Brien– no report

Finance Committee – Mr. Meiklejohn –Committee has met with Bob Kautz and city council finance committee to set ground rules for meetings, agenda, timeline for budget process, etc. Met with Ms. Whynot-Vickers and Bob Kautz prior to the evening’s meeting to work on ground rules for committees to adopt, etc. Next meeting will be Wed., October 24th at 5:30 - 1 hour with both finance committees and ½ hour for school committee finance committee to meet.
Legislative Affairs Committee – Ms. Gramlich – today is last date that bills could be submitted to the legislature.
Elementary Facilities Committee – Ms. Alcorn - Committee met last Thursday, following ribbon cutting at Riverton and discussed possible sites. Talked about possible anchor schools based on the comprehensive plan and conversations will continue in the next couple of weeks.
Portland Education Partnership – Ms. Thompson – no report
Other Committees and/or member concerns – Ms. Hopkins: asked that the following reports be presented to the Commissioner: Nancy Barba study, Michael Stoddard energy report, and traffic engineering study of student safety at Clifford.

Ms. Thompson – addressed some statements made in public regarding Clifford staff . Staff are professionals and have done a wonderful job.

Mr. Meiklejohn –asked about homeland security grants and whether or not to apply – deadline is October. Are grants being applied for? Asked that Ms. Whynot-Vickers look into this and report back to the school committee. Is Portland Public Schools being proactive in applying for these grants?

Ms. Gramlich – referenced a December 12 workshop regarding future lane changes – asked if this could be moved up a bit due to the budget process to see what financial implications might be.

Consent Items

Upright piano valued at $200 to Deering High School Music Dept. by Bill and Ursula Slavic, Portland
PATHS Automotive Program:

1994 Dodge Caravan by W.A. Morrison, Cape Elizabeth
1989 Chevy 3500 by Paul Dubois, Portland
1994 Dodge Caravan by William D. Neily, Gorham
1986 GMC Pickup by Steve York, Windham
1992 Ford Ranger by Joseph Robinson, Sanford

Old Business - None

(Committee took personnel item out of order)

Personnel

Consideration and action to approve the following acting appointment at Riverton School effective October 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.

a. Andrea Napolitano-Romer, Acting Assistant Principal $62,829

Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Ms. Alcorn to approve the following acting appointment at Riverton School effective October 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.

a. Andrea Napolitano-Romer, Acting Assistant Principal $62,829

Ms. Blackwood spoke to motion.

Voted: It was voted unanimously to approve the following acting appointment at Riverton School effective October 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008 - Andrea Napolitano-Romer, Acting Assistant Principal $62,829 (Students voted with the majority)

New Business

Consideration and action to approve the inclusion of reproductive services in the range of primary health services now provided at the King Middle School School-Based Health Center.

Ms. Gramlich moved, seconded Mr. O’Brien to approve the inclusion of reproductive services in the range of primary health services now provided at the King Middle School School-Based Health Center

Ms. Whynot-Vickers spoke to the motion.

Amanda Rowe, school nurse, Dr. Pat Patterson, MMC physician/school physician, Mike McCarthy, principal, Lisa Belanger, Dept. of Public Health nurse, and Laura McNeill, nurse at KMS addressed the Committee on this item. Ms. Rowe provided some history on the school-based health center. 12 years ago the City of Portland Public Health Division began offering services in Deering High and Portland High Schools. The city expanded into West School, King Middle School, Reiche, and EECS and will soon be at CBHS and PATHS. City of Portland Health Division staffs, supplies, and runs the centers. Unused spaces in each building are provided. School nurse would refer student to school health center. No school dollars support health centers. Each year students are given a parental permission slip to be signed and returned giving permission, if they so choose, to have their child participate in services of the school-based health center – exams, health management, stds, immunizations, dental care, and mental health services. If school nurse sees a student who has a problem and is enrolled in the school-based health center they will be referred to see the physician/nurse in the health center.

Questions:

Ms. Gramlich – accessibility relative to enrollment form. Can any students access health centers? Are parents informed? Confidentiality law? When would oral contraceptives can be prescribed? Ms. Rowe – only students who have enrollment/permission form can access the clinics. Only students that attend King Middle School can access center with enrollment/permission form. Not only is parent informed, but primary care physician is also notified. There is a confidentiality law in Maine protecting minors who access mental health, reproductive services, etc. The law does allow for an adult to guide the child whether it is a social worker, nurse, etc. Lisa Belanger– spoke about when oral contraceptive might be prescribed. If a student indicates sexual activity there would be a conversation/discussion about types of protection available. There is monitoring of students once they receive any type of protection.

Ms. Minnick– if a student is taking oral contraception and parents are unaware – are there any safety issues with drug interactions? Lisa Belanger – if student(s) has a primary care physician then student health center nurse reports back to that physician. School-based health center nurse needs to know health history and what meds student(s) are on.

Ms. Thompson - is there any increase and students stds? School Committee received data regarding middle school and high school pregnancies it seems there is an increase at both levels. This issue is not just a poverty/race issue, but across the board. Lisa Belanger – rate of pregnancy is dropping. Recent MYDUS report showed about 13% of middle schoolers are sexually active. School-based Health Center has been at King now for seven years and it is now known that this health care is missing. At the high school level students tend to have more resources to access care. Students of middle school age are less able to access care when needed.

Ms. Hopkins– does this promote sexually activity? Lisa Belanger – many studies have been done to show that is not correct.

Mr. O’Brien– describe process when referred to student health center. Would a student be denied contraceptives if they are not sexually? Will approval slips be re-administered for parental approval? Lisa Belanger– when student arrives they complete a risk questionnaire – substance abuse, safety issues, sexual activity. Education begins at that time and depending on the history – maybe they are already on contraceptives, etc. They might have a physical exam, appropriate testing and clinician might possibly prescribe contraception. If student plans to become sexually active then a discussion would take place about types of contraceptives available.

Amanda Rowe– enrollment forms would need to be redone by parents for this year. Second option would be to start this in the Fall of 2008.

Ms. Alcorn– asked about research on students becoming more sexually active, etc.

Dr. Pat Patterson, MMC Barbara Bush Hospital , medical director of school-based health center indicated that enormous research that oral contraceptives do not increase sexual behavior. Contraceptive would be given to mature students, i.e. 15 year olds.

Mr. Meiklejohn– parental consent form – does parent have opportunity to approve services but not reproductive services or is it all or nothing? How explicit is it to parent on the form that approval of services will include reproductive services? Dr. Patterson– indicated that the student, with parental approval, will receive all services offered by clinic.

Ms. Gramlich– how does this pertain to family living education? Amanda Rowe– students hear information at different times from different people and they hear it differently. Referrals are received from Family Living teachers. Family Living teachers have school-based health care providers into their classes.

Ms. Thompson– for parents that opt out of school-based centers – do they still have access to a nurse? Once service is received, is there a process of follow up with students? Requested that confidentially law be included on enrollment form. Students are in safe environment, i.e. school, thus they would access services rather than going to a hospital where things are not familiar. Amanda Rowe– yes, school nurse will work to find resources to assist student(s). Follow up is the same as a physician’s office. Students are brought back regularly for follow up.

Mr. Eglinton– centers are independent of schools and no school funds are used. When other services had been added was the school committee briefed? Confidentiality state law affects all physicians? Amanda Rowe – yes, centers are independent of the schools and no school funds are used . School Committee is being asked to consider this because this has been available in the high school for seven years. Former Superintendent Mary Jo O’Connor felt that this should come before the Committee to provide transparency. Value partnership between school health centers and schools. Confidentiality law does affect all physicians.

Ms. Gramlich– asked about forms for high schools. School Committee has an MOU between City of Portland, PPSand CCC. Wants an MOU to include all services provided at all health centers. When student is referred are parents informed of referral to health center? Amanda Rowe – enrollment form does include birth control services and state confidentially law will be included. Regarding referral to the health center and if parent(s) would be notified - this depends on student’s situation.

Mr. Toppi – asked about parental involvement. How active are parents? Amanda Rowe– at middle school level there is a lot of parental contact.

Mr. Coyne–Why would student be referred to health center? Are there statistics on who uses health centers? Why wouldn’t nurse refer to primary care physician? What is liability of city if complications of prescription provided by school-based health centers? Only students at King Middle School can access health centers? What is record of follow up and if parents are not aware how are students monitored? If students do not follow up are students denied services? If student is prescribed meds during school year, but following year parent refuses services happens? Are there other middle schools in Maine that provide this service? Michael McCarthy– only students at King Middle School can access the health enter. Lisa Belanger – have not seen these situations occur. Students might forget or be late on getting the shot. Students are never turned away. Not many other schools have school-based health centers and she is not aware of any other middle schools in Maine providing this service. Dr. Patterson– if city is sued her malpractice would cover such a claim and City of Portland has their own malpractice insurance. Amanda Rowe – parent decides if student is enrolled in health center they would most often want student seen at school and then speak with primary care physician. There are statutes regarding age of students and statutory issues.

Michael McCarthy – ages of students range between 11 and 15. Students accessing center for needs with sexual activity was about 5 students in the age range of 14-15 years old. 8^th graders are in the 14-15 year old range. He thanked people at local and national press who visited and didn’t interfere with operation of schools and students.

Amanda Rowe – a school nurse can do various things with students, but if needed further evaluation and assessment and if student is enrolled, nurse would call parent to ask what they would like to do and if they so choose the student will be referred to the health center. At King Middle School 500 students with about 60% are enrolled. Last year there were about 138 users with 369 visits. Top reasons for health center visits – physical exams, immunizations, sore throat, asthma. If there is such an issue staff make reports.

Mr. Meiklejohn– is the requirement of parental consent – unique to school-based health centers? At West School – do middle school students have access to reproductive services and how common is it for this service to be provided at middle school? Lisa Belanger – yes, parental consent is required at the local level. West School middle school students do have access to these services. Not certain how common this service is provided at middle school level.

Dr. Pat Patterson – thanked Committee for taking time to hold a dialogue on this issue.

Public Comment:

Twelve individuals addressed the Committee on this issue.

Debate:

Ms. Thompson–supports motion. Key points – parental consent is needed to access health center, some students cannot access outside services. King Middle School is a safe, nurturing environment.

Ms. Minnick– spoke to lack of logic in some emails she recently received.

Mr. Eglinton– difficult issue . Supports motion.

Ms. Gramlich – supports motion.

Mr. Toppi – spoke about consent form that parents sign.

Mr. Meiklejohn– recognizes public health need for this type of program. Concerned about parental consent form not being explicit regarding student health services and confidentiality laws.

Ms. Hopkins- staff did indicate they would include information on form regarding mental health and state statutes regarding confidentiality.

Ms. Alcorn –supports motion. This is a public health and privacy issue.

Mr. Coyne– thanked folks for attending tonight’s meeting. Not comfortable not having an opt-out opportunity on the enrollment form. Values services provided by city, but feels there is a distinct difference between education and social services

Ms. Hopkins offered a friendly amendment to change “approve” to “ratify)

Roll Call Vote: Yes - Ms. Gramlich, Ms. Minnick, Ms. Hopkins, Ms. Alcorn, Ms. Thompson, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Eglinton; No – Mr. Coyne, Mr. Meiklejohn (7-2) to ratify the inclusion of reproductive services in the range of primary health services now provided at the King Middle School School-Based Health Center (Students voted with majority)

2. Consideration and action to authorize the hiring process to begin for the vacancies listed:

Position	FTE	Location	Annual Salary	Funding Source	Rationale

Cafeteria Worker I*	.3125	Lincoln	$ 4,874.63	Local	new five-entrée choices which needs position to man the different stations and serve kids
Cafeteria Worker II*	.625	PHS	$ 8,666.00	Local	To support A-La-Cart and hot lunch programs.
Ed Tech III - FLS*	1.0	Reiche	$ 21,205.80	Local	Request due to increasing enrollment and significant safety issues. Funding will come for unfilled teaching position (@ DHS).
Total Local Cost			$34,746.43
*All listed positions are currently in the FY 08 budget

Ms. Gramlich moved, seconded Ms. Minnick and voted unanimously authorize the hiring process to begin for the vacancies listed.(Students voted with majority)

Committee Focus on Educational Issues - None

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

Dory Waxman – spoke to committee on the vote tonight regarding the school-based health centers. Took courage important step.

Mark Reilly – spoke about an essay contest for middle school students sponsored by the VFW. Dropped off packet at superintendent’s office.

Mary Gross –asked that the Committee analyze the additional reports discussed this evening pertaining to Clifford. Also have not appreciated people using Clifford staff for their own political agendas. Would like more integrity in process regarding Clifford issue.

Ms. Whynot-Vickers – mentioned that there will not be a Finance Committee meeting on November 7^th.

Adjournment

Ms. Minnick moved, seconded Ms. Gramlich and voted unanimously to adjourn the business meeting at 9:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne Whynot-Vickers

Interim Superintendent of Schools