Maine School Administrative District No. 35

Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

Marshwood High School

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 7:00 p.m.

CITIZENS ARE INVITED TO MAKE COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA USING THE CARDS LOCATED NEXT TO THE AGENDAS. A BOARD MEMBER WILL RESPOND TO ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS WITHIN A WEEK.

7:00 Call to Order

Present: Mrs. Helene Cass, Mrs. Susan Pullar, Mrs. Ellen Breed, Mrs. Martha Leathe, Dr. William Gilbert, Mr. Ralph Stevens, Dr. Jeffrey Bearden, and Ms. Gail Sullivan

Also Present: Mr. Jerry Burnell, Mr. Paul Mehlhorn, Mrs. Vicki Stewart, Ms. Margaret Shepherd, Mr. John Caverly, Mr. Randy Stewart, teachers from district schools, interested members of the public and press.

Pledge of Allegiance

Scheduled Audience to the Public: None

Members of the public who wish to schedule an audience with the Board should contact the Superintendent of Schools three days in advance of a meeting.

Report of the Secretary

1. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of Wednesday, December 5, 2007. A correction was noted for the Finance and Facilities report.

Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Mr. Stevens Vote: 6-0

Report of the Chairperson:

1. Board Goals 2007-2008 – Mrs. Cass noted that the policy committee would meet tomorrow.

2. Legislative Contact Person – MSMA – Mrs. Pullar will continue as the contact person.

3. Chair Luncheon with Municipal Officials – Mrs. Cass said that the first Friday in January would be the chair luncheon.

4. Ron Barker - MSMA Retirement – Mrs. Cass said that Ron Barker will retire this year. In light of the fact that he has worked with us a number of times, the Board will send something to congratulate him on him upcoming retirement.

Report of the Superintendent:

1. Superintendent’s Advisory Board Update (Vocational) - Dr. Jake Clockedile – Dr. Bearden introduced the representatives from the Superintendent’s Advisory Board for a new vocational school: Dr. Jake Clockedile, Jack Turcotte, Supt. Of Sanford School District, Deb Guimont, Director of Sanford Vocational School, and a Board Member from Sanford. Dr. Clockedile did a powerpoint presentation explaining the need for a new regional vocational school and what the benefits of such a school would be. Dr. Clockedile said that they have received seed money to do the work to investigate how to proceed with the plan. Dr. Clockedile said that the name of the school would be Great Works Career and Technical School. Dr. Clockedile explained that the sub-committee had been visiting model schools in Massachusetts and in Philadelphia. He said that currently at least 200 students are placed on waiting lists for vocational education in our area. The key solution is the creation of this school. It will increase opportunities for students to gain state and national certifications.

2. Professional Learning Communities - SAD 35 faculty – Fred Graunke and Josh Livingston discussed their department’s work in the area of Professional Learning Communities. Tami Schoff did a presentation about the goals of the Professional Learning Communities at MMS. Lori Girouard and Pam Starkey from the MGWS shared what they’ve been doing in the area of math. They have been closely tracking student achievement and then having Friday Enrichment Math where they create temporary math groups concentrated on areas of need for students. These groups are always changing, so students know they are not stuck in that particular group. Kathy Bousquet and Ruth Trites from Central School did a presentation on their work and their goals within their PLC’s. They said that they thought that the work was very beneficial but that they needed more time. Marcia Andrade and Joanne Hoerth of EES talked about their group’s work on increasing oral fluency in the area of reading.

3. Consolidation Update – Dr. Bearden said that the Commissioner wanted more information on a plan that he had submitted. This is due by February 1st. Dr. Bearden also mentioned that there was a possible move within the legislature to keep the budget process for us the same for a year.

4. Meeting with Eliot and South Berwick Officials – Dr. Bearden will meet monthly with town officials. They met last Friday and talked about consolidation and parking in South Berwick. Dr. Bearden also said that the Governor had announced a $90 million shortfall and that $20 million will be cut from the educational budget, probably in June.

Correspondence:

1. Letter from Marshwood Hockey Club, Inc. – We received a letter from the Marshwood Hockey Club, thanking the Board for their support.

2. Letter from MSSA – This letter states their beliefs about the numerous flaws in the consolidation law and suggests how the law should be amended.

3. Donations to Central School – Mrs. Cass wrote letters thanking various people and organizations for their donations to Central School.

Report of the Committees:

1. Report of the Finance and Facilities Committee - None

2. Report of the Educational Policy Committee – We will meet tomorrow.

3. Report of the Community Relations Committee – We will meet in January.

New Business:

1. Consideration and action to approve JFCK Student Use of Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices, Second Reading.

Motion: Dr. Gilbert Second: Mr. Stevens Vote: 6-0

2. Consideration and action to approve IJJ Instructional and Library-Media Materials Selections Policy, Second Reading.

Motion: Mr. Stevens Second Mrs. Pullar Vote: 6-0

3. Consideration and action to approve IGA Curriculum Development Policy, Second Reading (with corrections).

Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Mrs. Breed Vote: 6-0

4.. Consideration and action to approve GBEBA Staff Conduct, Ethics, and Attire Policy, First Reading.

Motion: Mrs. Breed Second Mrs. Pullar Vote: 6-0

Consideration and action to enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the Superintendent’s Evaluation pursuant to Title 1A MRSA §405(6)(A).

Motion: Mrs. Breed Second: Mrs. Pullar Vote: 6-0

The Board returned to public session at 8:41 pm.

5. Consideration and action to extend the contract of the Superintendent of Schools and the Assistant Superintendent of Schools by one year.

Motion: Mrs. Breed Second: Mrs. Pullar Vote: 6-0

Adjournment

The Board adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Attest: True Record

Dr. Jeffrey B. Bearden

Secretary to the Board of Directors