Draft: December 19, 2007
Approved:
January 9, 2008
School
Committee meeting December 19, 2007
At 7:09pm Mr. Coyne called the meeting to order.
Members present: Robert O’Brien (arrived at approximately 7:20pm), Lori Gramlich, John Coyne, Jaimey Caron, Kate Snyder, Susan Hopkins, Sarah Thompson, Peter Eglinton, Rebecca Minnick, Jules Szanton, Christopher Pulsoni, Joshua Tingley
Report of the Chair
Mr. Coyne:
Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers:
Mr. Caron moved, seconded Ms. Thompson and voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes of November 28, 2007, December 3, 2007, December 5, 2007(Students voted with majority)
He has had planning discussions with Councilor Cohen for January meetings to look at audit report, budget time line, etc.
Ms. Whynot-Vickers indicated that administration has been reviewing current budget items. At this time the school department does not have software that will provide projections on current budget – working on getting systems in place to provide this type of information. Key area of problems – lane changes and state agency clients, which was a block grant, but now must provide services and then bill through Medicaid, which does not generate the same amount of money. Deficit seems to be about $500,000 at this time.
Mr. Eglinton– encourages staff to provide a written version of the plan for school committee. Also asked the superintendent about Governor’s announcement to withhold general funding to schools. Ms. Whynot-Vickers – Governor has instructed the Education Dept. to cut $20M and Commissioner is looking to keep as far from schools as possible. If there becomes a need to take ADE money this would occur in June and then repaid in July. Ms. Gramlich –Education and Cultural Affairs Committee has approved a proposal to postpone referendum to 2009. Ms. Whynot-Vickers - Legislature will be taking up this proposal the first week they are back. This postponement would allow more time to set up chart of accounts.
Ms. Hopkins –Concerned about Policy
and Legislative Affairs subcommittees being combined, which would be quite a
workload. Would like to see some work
done at the federal level with legislation.
Spoke about Environmental Club at Portland High School and also about
cafeteria conveyor belt - should either be refurbished or discarded (at the
January 9, 2008 meeting, Ms. Hopkins asked that this be revised to read “sold
or scrapped). Asked about doors at
Portland High School - Bill Wilson
spoke about doors being replaced to form a foyer – may be installed over winter
break Ms. Hopkins would like to talk
with Committee about performance contracts for environmentally friendly products.
Ms. Thompson – a) asked about wireless connections at Portland High School - 1) two proposals from outside sources – has the city been contacted? 2) asked about time line on wireless at Portland High. Ms. Whynot-Vickers - spoke about high school teachers now having laptops, but there is no technology support that accompanies these laptops. As a result of the gift of laptops now need ability to have wireless connectivity. In some other schools, i.e. DHS, only a few wireless routers were needed because of structure of building. Problem with Portland High School is very large space which requires many more hubs and support. Plan to install a few in January, but not enough funds to do the entire building. Portland Public Schools has not been able to invest to the degree necessary to bring all sites up to what is needed. In conversations with city looking to put together a group to develop a bond for some high tech pieces. 2) Ms. Thompson asked about courtyard at Portland High being blocked off due to deterioration of the exterior of the building. Ms. Whynot-Vickers – the structure of the building - bricks absorb moisture and that particular side of the building gets the least sun/heat, which causes freezing and expansion of the brick. Since this is not an area used frequently a choice was made by Portland High administration to use CIP monies on other areas. The exterior is still on the CIP list.
Mr. Eglinton– spoke about meeting on December 17, 2007 with Commissioner Gendron. Thanked Glenn Cummings for facilitating meeting. Spoke about straw poll vote against Baxter site. Indicated that Commissioner Gendron had indicated that if information on a possible renovation, which was prepared by another architectural firm, had been presented sooner the state would have evaluated that information. Commissioner Gendron suggested dual project option. Renovation – DOE would have recommended funding up to the cost of new building. Asked Ms. Whynot-Vickers if she had any idea what cost of dual package would be. She indicated that she does not have an answer to this, but she did speak briefly to Michael Johanning about what this might cost.
Ms. Snyder – spoke with Richard Graves, WBRC, and in order to submit dual applications would require same work as required for Baxter. She indicated that Mr. Graves felt deadlines could be met. Portland legislators, citizens and historical preservation people met with Governor today, Dec. 19, 2007 about what is happening in Portland with historical buildings. City Council would need to give approval to architects to go ahead with additional workload.
Ms. Hopkins – Given the problems at Portland High School this question issue on historical buildings is a long-standing question throughout the state. Portland High School quite probably would not meet state requirements for renovation.
Consent Items Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers reviewed donations and thanked the contributor.
1.
Consideration and action to ratify the Graduation Reporting
Policy
Mr. O’Brien moved, seconded Mr. Eglinton to ratify the Graduation Reporting Policy.
Mr. O’Brien spoke to motion Weakness in weighted grades are that some courses are not weighted. Weighted grades policy is currently in place and is sunset for the current 8th grade class and there is no other policy in place yet for incoming freshmen. Final recommendation will be made on procedures in the spring.
Clarifying questions:
Ms. Thompson– asked for clear direction and would prefer shorter timeline
Ms. Hopkins– is expectation that classes will stay the same? Mr. O’Brien – yes, no changes to courses.
Ms. Gramlich- asked for clarification on distinctions of Latin honors. Mr. O’Brien – need to take required courses and achieve required grade point average.
Ms. Snyder – asked about selection of valedictorian and salutatorian and how will the standards based and alpha based grading systems come together into a Latin system? Mr. O’Brien – principals will need to have a period of time to determine this process. Latin honors process would provide more flexibility between high schools- students can transfer between schools and not lose credits.
Mr. Szanton– spoke about Latin honors and GPA.
Mr. Tingley – students are not showing interest in this issue because this will impact incoming freshmen versus current high school students. Asked if this information will this be shared with incoming freshmen? Policy will apply to all high schools. With Deering’s block scheduling it is easier to accumulate more credits Mr. O’Brien indicated that the subcommittee will look into this information with 8th grade students and parents.
Public comment: Teri McRae, Bill Weber, Lisa Sprague, Bill Wilson addressed the Committee on this issue.
Debate:
Ms. Thompson – if not approved will system revert back to weighted grades? Mr. O’Brien– if class has no policy then the logical thing would be to extend current policy.
Mr. Caron – there is no analysis for what school committee is attempting to do. Would like to have more details on this issue. Would like to see this tabled to a later date. Data needs to be pulled together to assist in the decision-making process. Asked why both processes cannot be in place at this time.
Mr. O’Brien– Latin system proposed by principals. Could rescind sunset clause in current weighted grades policy. He recommends not stopping momentum of this work and have principals continue work and bring recommendation to school committee in spring.
Ms. Whynot-Vickers – would like to see this work continue moving forward. Principals feel Latin system would work, but they need direction from school committee about whether they are to continue their work.
Ms. Minnick – did receive student input. Latin Honors system would still recognize student achievement.
Mr. Gramlich - recognized work of the policy committee and principals. Suggested rescinding the sunset clause for another year. Wants principals to continue with their work on the Latin system. 8th grade parents and students need to have input into the process. She would like a sunset for another year.
Ms. Hopkins– supports motion. It would recognize student achievement and not disadvantage students.
Tom Lafavore shared principal’s support of the Latin system.
Mr. Tingley – presumed school committee would be giving the principals the go ahead to continue their work. Feels staff, students, parents, and college admissions staff need to be involved in the process. Read some student comments concerning the Latin process.
Mr. O’Brien – guidelines are not policy, but are to be used for direction/information.
Mr. Szanton – respects all research that has been done to date. Would be a good idea to question premise for new system.
Ms. Gramlich - called for vote and then withdrew the call for a vote.
Mr. Caron moved, seconded Ms. Gramlich and voted 5-3-1 to table motion and return to the Policy Committee. (Students voted with majority)
1.
Consideration and action to approve Portland Public
Schools’ portion of the Part II new program/equipment budget at PATHS for the
2008-2009 school year in the amount of $53,575.25.
Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded Mr. Caron to approve Portland Public Schools’ portion of the Part II new program/equipment budget at PATHS for the 2008-2009 school year in the amount of $53,575.25.
Dana Allen, PATHS Director, provided an overview of Portland Public School’s portion of the PATHS, Part II new program/equipment budget for the 2008-2009 school year.
Public Comment: Steven Scharf spoke to the motion.
Ms. Hopkins– asked what this money would cover. Mr. Allen – new programs/equipment.
Vote: It was voted 8-0 (Ms. Gramlich absent during vote) to approve Portland Public Schools’ portion of the Part II new program/equipment budget at PATHS for the 2008-2009 school year in the amount of $53,575.25. (Students voted with majority)
Personnel
Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers spoke to vacancies.
|
Position |
FTE |
Location |
Annual Salary (pro-rated) |
Funding Source |
Rationale |
|
Ed Tech |
1.0 |
East End |
$9,253.44 |
Grant |
To assist students in the classroom with math and reading. |
|
English/Reading Teacher |
1.0 |
Portland High |
$16,668 |
Grant |
To cover
for teacher’s sabbatical leave, second semester. |
|
Personal Support Specialist(R.N.) |
1.0 |
PATHS |
$16,668 |
Grant |
The Health Science Careers class
is running a pilot certification program entitled Personal Support
Specialist, which is a recognized entry level career in the health field.
After we have gathered data PATHS will make the determination as to whether
to pursue this as part of a new program offering. This position is for 1
semester only (spring) and is grant funded through the Carl Perkins IV Grant
for PATHS for the school year 07-08. |
|
Cafeteria Worker I |
.2813 |
Moore |
2,896.80 |
Local |
Over the
years we have combined and reduced positions to a point where we need each
position we have. |
Mr. Caron moved, seconded Ms. Hopkins and voted unanimously to authorize the hiring process to begin for the vacancies listed. (Students voted with majority
Ms. Thompson - requested postponement of workshop to January 9th .
1. School Committee goals
Ms. Gramlich moved, seconded Mr. Caron and voted unanimously to adjourn the business meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Whynot-Vickers
Interim Superintendent of Schools