Portland School Committee

 

Business Meeting – 7pm

 

 

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

 

 

Room 250, Casco Bay High School

 

7:00 pm – Business Meeting

 

Call to Order

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Report of the Chair

 

Report of the Superintendent

1.  Resignations

       Teachers - Effective August 31, 2010

              Anne Ornatek             Spanish/Moore  1.0                 Return to college

            Marissa Lemiuex          .75 Family Lit/Adult Ed Personal

            Emily Tuttle                 .5 Language Arts/King               Return to college

            Administrators – Effective August 31, 2010

            Katherine Theriault       NCLB Coordinator                SIG Coordinator Position

2.   Discussion of Reiche’s new leadership model

3.   Enrollment update

4.   Grants update

5.   Major capital improvement applications

                                         

Report of the Secretary

Consideration and action to approve the meeting minutes of June 16, 2010 and August 4, 2010.

 

Moved _____ Seconded _____ Voted _____ to approve the meeting minutes of June 16, 2010 and August 4, 2010.

 

Report of the Committees

          1.     Curriculum and Educational Planning Committee

          2.     Facilities and Transportation Committee

          3.     Finance Committee

          4.     Other committees and/or member concerns

 

Consent Items – None

 

Old Business  

1.       Consideration and action to delete the following policies from the Policy Manual:

A.     IAA – Learning Objectives/Portland School Committee’s Commitment to the Learning Results

Background information: It is the superintendent’s recommendation to remove this policy from the policy manual.

 

Drummond Woodsum has also recommended that since the Learning Results have been revised since this policy was last reviewed that this policy is not strictly necessary since the School Committee has already adopted the required policy ADF-School district Commitment to Learning Results.  The Curriculum Subcommittee voted 5-0 along with the superintendent in support of deleting this policy from the policy manual.

 

Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to delete policy IAA – Learning Objectives/Portland School Committee’s Commitment to the Learning Results from the Policy Manual.

 

B.     IHAN – Driver Education

Background information: It is the superintendent’s recommendation to remove this policy from the policy manual.

 

Drummond Woodsum has recommended that it is not necessary to have a policy on driver education as the program within the school department no longer exists. The Curriculum Subcommittee voted 5-0 along with the superintendent in support of deleting this policy from the policy manual.

 

Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to delete policy IHAN – Driver Education from the Policy Manual.

 

C.  IHBAE – Parental Involvement

Background information: It is the superintendent’s recommendation to remove this policy from the policy manual.

 

Drummond Woodsum has recommended that there is no need to maintain board level policy on this topic and suggest that it be deleted from the policy manual.  The Curriculum Subcommittee voted 5-0 along with the superintendent in support of deleting this policy from the policy manual.

 

Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to delete policy IHBAE – Parental Involvement from the Policy Manual.

 

D.  IJNDA – Computer Assisted Instruction

Background information:  It is the superintendent’s recommendation to remove this policy from the policy manual.

 

Drummond Woodsum has recommended that this is an old policy that has outlived its usefulness since computers are now thoroughly integrated in the curriculum and the committee should consider deleting the policy.  The Curriculum Subcommittee voted 5-0 along with the superintendent in support of deleting this policy from the policy manual.

 

Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to delete policy IJNDA – Computer Assisted Instruction from the Policy Manual.

 

2.    Consideration and action to approve the revisions to policies BE (School Committee Meetings) and BEA (Business Meetings and School Committee Workshops) for implementation in January 2011.

    Background information:  The superintendent would see advantages to holding   meetings earlier in the week.


    The School Committee is being asked to consider changing its business meeting        

    and workshop nights to Mondays, effective January 2011. Selecting a night earlier    

    in the week could significantly benefit current and future committee members who

    need to travel for business or have other professional responsibilities that conflict

    with Wednesday meetings. Both policies BE and BEA would require revision to

    incorporate a change in meeting night. In addition, the policies need updating to

    reflect the location of our meetings at Casco Bay High School. Proposed changes

    to policy BE would also remove redundancies with policy BEA. The rationale for

    selecting January 2011 for implementation of the revised policies is for consistency

    with City Charter, which states that the schedule and meeting locations for the new

    School Committee year are established in December. Our legal counsel suggested

    that the committee could announce a change for 2011 earlier than December,

    providing even greater public notice than doing so in December.

 

Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to approve the revisions to policies BE (School Committee Meetings) and BEA (Business Meetings and School Committee Workshops) for implementation in January 2011.

 

3.  Consideration and action to approve the school energy projects and financing

    as developed by the city and Ameresco.

    Background information:  It is the recommendation of superintendent and   Facilities/Transportation subcommittee to approve the school energy projects and        

    financing as developed by the city and Ameresco. (Please see attachments)

 

    The city has received and reviewed final energy audit recommendations from     Ameresco and is seeking School Committee and City Council action to move forward with the recommended set of projects.

 

Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to approve recommended “cost/benefit driven” energy conservation measures as recommended by Portland Public School staff.

 

Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ not to approve recommended “maintenance/capital savings driven” energy conservation measures.

 

Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to approve recommended “environmental/futures driven” energy conservation measures as recommended by Portland Public School staff.

 

New Business  - None

 

Personnel –

1.  Consideration and action to approve the Personnel items as listed:

           

Non-Rep Appointments

Effective August 30, 2010

Jerry Blazek   HR Coordinator              $82,000* (* Prorated to $68,497.99)

Background information:  Mr. Blazek was the unanimous choice of the interview panel.  He received a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s Public Administration (from Ohio University.  He has served as Director of Employment Training Administration for the Athens County Board of Commissioners, Athens OH(1970-1981; Director of Personnel & Labor Relations, State of Ohio Department of Mental Health, Athens OH(1981-1986); Director of Labor Relations and Human Resource Information Systems, University of Southern Maine (1986-2003); Director of Human Resources/Labor Relations/Affirmative Action Officer, Quinebaug Valley Community College, Danielson, CT (2004 to present).

                                                            

Effective September 1, 2010

Katherine Theriault SIG Coordinator       $72,671*(Pro-rated to $60,131.29)

Background information: Ms. Theriault was the unanimous choice of the interview panel.  She has served as the No Child Left Behind Coordinator in the Portland Public Schools since 2007.  She received her B.A. from Colby College (2002), an M.S.Ed./Educational Policy, University of Pennsylvania(2007).  Prior to joining Portland Public Schools she was an elementary school teacher with Teach for America, Atlanta Public Schools (2002-2003); staff intern with the Office of U.S. Senator Olympia Snow (2004); Assistant Director, Farnham Writers’ Center, Colby College(2003-2005); Special Assistant to the President, Franklin County Health Network(2005-2006); Data Analyst with SchoolStat, University of Pennsylvania (2006-2007); and Education Policy Intern, Governor’s Office of Policy and Planning, Harrisburg, PA (summer 2007).

            

PAA Election – Effective August 16, 2010

Paul Yarnevich Interim Principal/Reiche – One year only

$84,545*( *Prorated to $70,454.17)

Background information:  Mr. Yarnevich was the unanimous choice of the interview panel. He received a B.S. in Social Studies and Education (1991) and an M.A. in Educational Leadership (2001) from Northern Arizona University.  Mr. Yarnevich served as a teacher/coordinator and taught grades 6-8 with the Pendergast District, Phoenix AZ(1993-2001); Dean of Students/Summer School Principal Seton Catholic High Schooll, Chandler AZ(2001-2003); Assistant Principal Operations and Resources Washington High School, Phoenix AZ(2003-2007); Principal Trinity Catholic School, Lewiston, ME(2007 to present).

           

PEA Election - Contract: Probationary 1

Effective September 1, 2010

Susan Carlson                                      SPED/King                              $37,517

Background information: Ms. Carlson was the unanimous choice of the interview panel.  Ms. Carlson receive her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Connecticut(1983) and a Master’s in Special Education University of Southern Maine (2009).   She has been an Educational Technician with the Portland Public Schools serving on Peaks Island (2004-2005) and King Middle School (2008-2010); Partnership Developer with PPS, (1998-2010); Functional Academics Teacher, Lyseth Elementary School (2010 to present).

 

Carlie Connair                                      Math/Lincoln                            $36,235

Background information:  Ms. Connair was the unanimous choice of the interview panel.  Ms. Connair received a B.A. from Eastern University, PA (2004); Master of Science in Education from the University of Southern Maine (2009).  She has served as a Youth and Family Counselor with the East and West Staff Intensive Programs with Sweetser in Saco (2004-2007); Homeless Youth Caseworker with Preble Street (2007-to present); internship with Saccarappa School(Aug.-Dec.2008); internship with Gorham Middle School (Jan.-April 2009); 7th/8th grade Mathematics teacher, Thornton Academy Middle School (2009- to present).

 

Kirsten Hoover                 .4 FTE Early Childhood Lit/Adult Ed           

$42,167*(*Pro rated to $16,866.80)

Background information:  Ms. Hoover was the unanimous choice of the interview panel.

She receive a BA in Elementary Education and Spanish from Goshen College, Goshen, IN.  Ms. Hoover’s experience includes elementary teacher at Benjamin Stoddert Elementary School, Washington DC(Jan-June 2001); ESL teacher Westbrook Public Schools (2001-2002); EFL teacher Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano, Chiclayo, Peru (Sept.-Nov.2002); English Literacy and Civics teacher, Spanish Action League, Syracuse NY (Jan.-May 2003); After School Coordinator/Teacher and Elementary teacher, International Charter School, Pawtucket, RI(2003-2007); Reading/ESOL teacher, Portland Adult Education (2008 to present).

           

Sara Staples                      .4 FTE Early Childhood Lit/Adult Ed           

$42,167*(* Prorated to $16,866.80)

Background information :  Ms. Staples was the unanimous choice of the interview panel.

She received a BA in English Writing from St. Lawrence University, Canton NY (1993). From 1994-1996 she served with the Peace Corps as an Environmental Protection Volunteer; as an English Instructor in Bangkok, Thailand (1996); in 1997 as an ESL teacher at Phillips Andover in Andover MA and Laconia NH;  Instructor of Creative Writing and Literature Suffield Academy, Suffield CT(1997-1999); Adventure Travel Consultant/Sales with Away.com, Portland ME (1999-2001); English Instructor, NAE Center, Portland ME(2007-2008); Family Programs Coordinator, PROP, Portland ME  (2007-2009); ESL tutor with MSAD#51, Cumberland ME (2009-present); ESL teacher Portland Adult Education (2009-present).

                                        

Kent Chapman                  Grade 5/Hall                                                $55,795

Background information:  Mr. Chapman was the unanimous choice of the interview panel.  He received a BA in Liberal Studies from Humboldt State University, Arcata CA (1988).  He taught fifth grade at Las Palmas Elementary School, Patterson CA(1989-1990); teacher of grades 5,6, and 5/6 combination, Aero Haven School, Rio Linda/Twin Rivers Union School District, Sacremento CA(1990-1995); grades 4 and 5 teacher with MSAD#60, Berwick (1995-1998); grades 4 and a 4/5 combination with MSAD #71, Kennebunk (1998-2008); grade 5 and 5/6 multiage teacher, Grant Elementary School, Redding CA (2008-present).

           

Linda Ward                      .3 ELL/Longfellow      $60,444*(* Prorated to $18,133.20)

Background information: Ms. Ward was the unanimous choice of the interview panel.

She received a BA in Fine Arts, Smith College (1967) and an MS in Literacy Education, ESL concentration, University of Southern Maine (1990).  She has held the following teaching positions – Hunter Lower Magnet School, Philadelphia PA (1967-68); Riviera Jr. High School, South Miami FL(1969-1970); Art teacher with Allapattah Jr. High School, Miami FL (1969); Art teacher, Wells Jr.Sr. High Schools, Wells ME (1970-1973; ELL teacher/ Coordinator with RSU 21, Kennebunk (1980 to present).                                                                                                

PEA Elections: Continuing Contract

Effective 9/1/10

Jillian Roland     Grade 6/7 – King         $51,947

            BS in Education – University of New Brunswick, Canada

 

Moved _____ Seconded _____ Voted _____ 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

 

 

Executive Session

Consideration and action to move into Executive Session to discuss confidential acquisition of real property, pursuant to Title I MRSA 405(6)C.

 

Moved _____ Seconded _____ Voted _____ to move into Executive Session to discuss confidential acquisition of real property, pursuant to Title I MRSA 405(6)C.

 

Moved _____ Seconded _____ Voted _____ to come out of Executive Session

 

Adjournment

Moved _____ Seconded _____ Voted ____ to adjourn the meeting at _____.

 

Upcoming School Committee Meetings

August 25, 5:30pm     Retreat at the Barron Center – Bernstein Room, Brighton Ave.

 

September 1, 7pm      Business meeting, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

September 8               No meeting – Rosh Hashanah

September 22, 7pm    Business meeting, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

 

October 6, 7pm          Business meeting, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

October 20, 7pm        Business meeting, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

 

Nov. 3, 7pm               Business meeting, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

Nov. 17, 7pm             Business meeting, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

 

Dec. 1                        No meeting - Hanukah

Dec. 6, 4pm               Inauguration, City Hall, Council Chambers

Dec. 8, 7pm               Business meeting, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

 

Upcoming Workshops

September 15, 7pm    Workshop, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

October 13, 7pm        Workshop, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

Nov. 10, 7pm             Workshop, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

Dec. 15, 7pm             Workshop, Room 250, Casco Bay High School

 

Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings

August 18, 5:30pm     Curriculum and Ed Planning Committee, Room 321, PATHS

 

Sept. 1, 6pm              Finance Committee, Room 321, PATHS

Sept. 9, 5:30pm          Curriculum/Ed Planning, Room 321, PATHS

Sept. 15, 5:30pm        Facilities/Transportation, Room 321, PATHS

Sept. 22, 5:30pm        Curriculum/Ed Planning, Room 321, PATHS

Sept. 29, 5:30pm        Curriculum/Ed Planning, King Middle School

 

Oct. 6, 6pm                Finance Committee, Room 321, PATHS

Oct. 13, 5:30pm         Facilities/Transportation, Room 321, PATHS

Oct. 20, 5:30pm         Curriculum/Ed Planning, Room 321, PATHS

Oct. 27, 5:30pm         Curriculum/Ed Planning, Room 321, PATHS

 

Nov. 3, 6pm               Finance Committee, Room 321, PATHS

Nov. 10, 5:30pm        Facilities/Transportation, Room 321, PATHS

Nov. 17, 5:30pm        Curriculum/Ed Planning, Room 321, PATHS

 

Dec. 8, 6pm               Finance Committee, Room 321, PATHS

Dec. 15, 5:30pm        Facilities/Transportation, Room 321, PATHS

Dec. 22, 5:30pm        Curriculum/Ed Planning, Room 321, PATHS