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

Also Present: Mrs. Vicki Stewart, Mr. Randy Stewart, Mr. Rich Buzzell, Mrs. Val McKenney,

Ms. Margaret Shepherd, Mr. Jerry Burnell, interested members of public and press.

Pledge of Allegiance

Scheduled Audience to the Public: None

PUBLIC INPUT - BUDGET PRIORITIES

Mrs. Cass explained the budget timeline and highlighted other opportunities for public input. Mr. John MacGinnis from Eliot requested funding for ice hockey. He reviewed the history of the development of ice hockey as a club sport at Marshwood High School.

Report of the Secretary:

1. Consideration and action to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 3, 2007.

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

Report of the Chairperson:

a. Legislative Contact Person - MSMA

Mrs. Cass asked Mrs. Pullar if she was willing to be the legislative

contact person again. Mrs. Pullar agreed to serve in that capacity. Mrs. Cass said that this Friday she and the Superintendent would be attending a luncheon with the chairs of the town governments of South Berwick and Eliot.

Superintendent’s Report:

1. a. February 5 Retreat - Dr. Bearden said that the retreat would be from 8 am -1 pm at Green Acres in Eliot. Ms. Sullivan briefly outlined the days' activities.

 

b. Governor’s Proposal - Dr. Bearden said that the Governor's plan is based on the vocational centers, which themselves are based on geography, not governance. There is a big discrepancy between the proposed size of districts, from districts of 1800 to districts over 19,000. Dr. Bearden questioned whether this plan was the best plan for students. He said that in his experience, consolidation works best on a voluntary, cooperative basis. Dr. Bearden asked what would be the impact on student achievement. The plan is also not representative of all the towns. The proposed plan says that the super regions would have 5-15 board members, which would mean that all towns would not be represented by a board member. The Superintendent and Board need to work with area legislators. Dr. Bearden also noted that under the plan the governor is proposing, every school will get a full time principal, thus creating 151 new administrative positions. Dr. Bearden said that he is meeting next Wednesday with the York County Superintendents to discuss this legislation. Mr. Stevens said that he thought it was a state grab of local control. Mrs. Leathe likened it to having a neighborhood with 135 parents and appointing one person to parent all children.

c. Nomination of Jerry Burnell, MMS Principal for Principal of the Year - Dr. Bearden announced the nomination of Jerry Burnell as Principal of the Year. Ralph Stevens' wife, Elaine, nominated Jerry.

d. Press Releases - Dr. Bearden will issue press releases in the future.

e. Retirement - Donald Englund - Dr. Bearden announced that he had accepted the resignation of Don Englund, effective the end of this school year.

Correspondence

a. Letter from Community Chorus of South Berwick - We received a letter from the Community Chorus of South Berwick extending appreciation and gratitude for being able to use the Wesley E. Kennedy Performance Arts Center.

Committees:

1. Report of the Finance and Facilities Committee - They will meet tomorrow.

2. Report of the Educational Policy Committee - They will meet tomorrow.

3. Report of the Community Relations Committee - The committee met this evening and outlined the contents of the next Newsline.

New Business:

 

1. Consideration and action to approve the following appointments:

Marshwood High School

Varsity Ice Hockey Eric Royal 35 pts.

Ice Hockey Assistant Brian Niland 14 pts.

 

Marshwood Junior High School

JHS Wrestling Todd Hughes 14 pts.

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

2. Consideration and action to approve the corporate sponsorship fundraiser for the MHS Ski Boosters.

Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Dr. Gilbert Vote: 6-0

3. Consideration and action to approve the participation of the JHS Grade Six students in the Exchange City Program.

 

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

4. Consideration and action to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing compensation and assessment of the Assistant Superintendent pursuant to Title 1A MRSA §405 (6)(A).

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

The Board went into Executive Session at 8:03 pm.

Consideration and action to extend the Assistant Superintendent's contract by another year (2008-2009) and to set the 2007-2008 salary at $98,023.00, as well as to add longevity steps: 5-9 years, $1,000 and 10-14 years, $2,000.

Motion: Dr. Gilbert Second: Mrs. Leathe Vote: 6-0

Adjournment

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

Dr. Jeffrey B. Bearden

Secretary to the Board of Directors