Draft:  Dec. 3, 2008

                                                            Approved: Jan. 7, 2009                       

                                                                        School Committee meeting Dec. 3,2008

                                                                        Under Report of the Secretary

 

Mr. Eglinton called the meeting to order at 7:02pm

 

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

 

Report of the Chair

Mr. Eglinton:

 

Report of Superintendent

Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers:

·        Introduced Michael Johnson who provided a progress report on Title IX

·        Delayed start update

 

Report of the Secretary

  1. Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes from the November 19, 2008 meeting.

 

Ms. Snyder moved, seconded  Ms. Thompson and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes from the November 19, 2008 meeting.(students voted with majority)

 

Report of Committees

1.      Policy Committee/Legislative Affairs – Ms. Snyder – met on Dec. 2nd and head a presentation from the World Language Task Force, continued work on policy BDE, and discussed the Latin Based Grading system.

  1. Finance Committee – Ms. Snyder – next meeting at 5:30 on Dec. 10th .  A Dec. workshop will be held to consider proposed budget curtailment options. At the Jan. 7th business meeting there will have a first read of proposed budget cuts and on Jan. 14th a workshop will be held with public comment on proposed cuts with a second reading and vote on proposed cuts at the Jan. 21st meeting.   Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers provided a brief overview of areas being reviewed in anticipation of budget reductions.
  2. Personnel Committee – Ms. Thompson – met prior to the evening’s meeting. Main focus is superintendent’s search.
  3. Building Committee – Mr. Caron – no meetings are currently scheduled. 
  4. Facilities Task Force - $40,000 has been approved by the city council for the hiring of a consultant to assist the task force. 
  5. Other Committees and/or member concerns

Consent Items – Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers reviewed contributions and thanked contributors.

 

Old Business  - None

 

New Business

  1. First reading of policies:
    1. IJOC –  School Volunteers
    2. JKAA - Time out rooms and therapeutic restraint
    3. BIC – Board member Freedom of Access Law Training
    4. KDB – Public’s Right to Know/Freedom of Access

 

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

Position

FTE

Location

Annual Salary (pro-rated)

Funding Source

Rationale

Secretary (Guidance)

1

Moore

12,643.68

Local

Without this position being filled, Lyman Moore will be left with two secretaries (administrative secretary and receptionist) without anyone responsible for, maintaining, managing the day-to-day operations in the Guidance Department.

 

This position is vital to the operation of Lyman Moore. 

Building Custodian

1

Lincoln

$13,010.40

Local

clean and maintain building

All positions in FY09 budget

 

Mr. Caron moved, seconded  Ms. Morrione to authorize the hiring process to begin for the vacancies listed.

 

Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers reviewed vacancies and recommended that these positions be frozen until more information is available regarding the status of the current FY09 budget.

 

Mr. Caron withdrew his motion with agreement of the second- Ms. Morrione.  Item removed from consideration.

 

Personnel  - None

 

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

Kathleen Casasa announced that three teachers in Portland have achieved National Board Teacher Certification.

 

 

 

Committee Focus on Educational Issues  

1.  Discussion of superintendent’s search process to date  - Ms. Thompson updated the committee on the interview question process as proposed by the Personnel Committee and requested committee input. 

 

8pm – Executive Session

Consideration and action to move into Executive Session to consider the content of questions to be used for the purpose of examining and evaluating candidates for the position of Superintendent of Schools pursuant to 1 MRS Section 405(6)(F) and 20-A MRS Section 6101(2)(B)(1).

 

Ms. Holton moved, seconded Ms. Snyder and voted  unanimously to move into Executive Session to review Superintendent’s Search interview questions pursuant to consider the content of questions to be used for the purpose of examining and evaluating candidates for the position of Superintendent of Schools pursuant to 1 MRS Section 405(6)(F) and 20-A MRS Section 6101(2)(B)(1).

 

At 11:05 pm Ms. Minnick moved, seconded Mr. Costa and voted unanimously to come out of Executive Session.

 

At 11:06 pm Ms. Minnick moved, seconded Mr. Costa and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Jeanne Whynot-Vickers

Interim Superintendent of Schools