Board Meeting Minutes March 7, 2007

Maine School Administrative District No. 35

Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

Marshwood High School

Wednesday, March 7, 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. Ellen Breed, Mrs. Susan Pullar, Mr. Ralph Stevens, Dr. William Gilbert, Mrs. Martha Leathe, Dr. Jeffrey Bearden and Ms. Gail Sullivan

Also Present: Mr. Randy Stewart, Mrs. Vicki Stewart, Mr. Jerry Burnell, Mr. Rich Buzzell, Mr. Paul Mehlhorn, Dr. Carole Smith, Ms. Johanne Garfield, interested members of the public and press.

Pledge of Allegiance

Scheduled Audience to the Public: None

Report of the Secretary:

1. Consideration and action to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 28, 2007 meeting, with correction.

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

Report of the Chairperson:

1. Community Leaders Lunch: Mrs. Cass had her monthly luncheon today. She said that they talked about the budget. Mrs. Cass reminded the Board that the retreat with the administrators will be Friday from 8-2 and that the all day budget meeting will be at the Superintendent's Office on March 17th.

2. NSBA Convention - Mrs. Cass reminded Board members that the NSBA Convention is coming up soon and asked for volunteers. Mrs. Pullar said that she will consider going to the convention.

Report of the Superintendent:

1. Report of the Enterprise Committee - Mr. Buzzell reviewed the establishment of the Enterprise Account in 2004. He stated that the current fund balance is approximately $30,000. He went on to explain that the amount of money generated by the Enterprise Account can't possibly keep up with needed improvements to facilities and fields. At the Committee's most recent meeting they decided to separate the list into two different categories, enhancements and obligations. It was decided that money from the Enterprise Account will be spent on enhancements. Dr. Bearden recommended directing Mr. Stewart and Mr. Buzzell to develop two lists for capital improvements.

2. ESL Presentation - Dr. Smith and Ms. Johanne Garfield explained our ESL program. Dr. Smith said that when the program started we only had one ESL student, and now we have nine students. Ms. Garfield explained that all lessons are done primarily in English. She works with the students and their parents to ease the transition. Ms. Garfield showed the Board and the audience the Proficiency Performance Definitions for ESL students. She said that the success of the program depends on the cooperation of teachers, students and families.

3. Wellness Update - Ms. Gail Sullivan reviewed several things that the Wellness Committee has been working on in the last month. Students from the MASK organization sponsored the showing of the play "The Thin Line" for high school students and 8th grade students. This play explores the life of a student with a severe eating disorder. Arrangements were made to have counseling services provided for any students who have an eating disorder or who want to speak about a friend or family member with an eating disorder. Ms. Sullivan said that the Wellness Committee anticipates approval of the 25 cent increase in the school lunches, which would result in $30,000 more per year for the purchase of healthy foods, primarily fruits and vegetables. Currently we spend only $20,000 a year on fruits and vegetables. The Wellness Committee has sponsored three evenings for parents on good nutrition for families. The presentation on March 15 at Marshwood Middle School will focus on mindful eating. Ms. Sullivan said that she met with Deborah Erickson Irons to discuss applying for a Healthy Maine Partner Grant so that we can have a full time health coordinator. Ms. Sullivan said that as a result of the partnership with KODA, we have had orienteering activities for 165 students at the Marshwood Middle School, and an orienteering family event for 65 community members. Ms. Sullivan also pointed out the information in the packet pertaining to the level of obesity in the district and the changes in the food service program to increase healthy food choices.

4. Advanced Placement Update - Mr. Mehlhorn discussed the increase in advanced placement courses. He compared the current level to 5 years ago when we only offered three AP courses.

5. Dr. Bearden said that he had accepted two letters of retirement from Alan Robertshaw, Technology teacher at Marshwood Junior High School and Nansi Craig, PE/Health teacher at MJHS.

Dr. Bearden distributed the budget workshop schedule for March 17th. Dr. Bearden also informed the Board that he had received information from Anthem BC/BS on a health insurance increase for next year and that it will be 8.6%.

Correspondence:

Dr. Bearden included a copy of his letter to David Miller congratulating him on earning his Masters degree.

Report of Committees:

1. Report of the Finance and Facilities Committee - None

2. Report of the Educational Policy Committee- the Committee met last week.

3. Report of the Community Relations Committee - None

New Business:

1. Consideration and action to approve the MHS Math Team to stay overnight in Bangor, April 9, 2007.

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

2. Consideration and action to approve the following personnel items:

Marshwood Junior High School

Jodi Barillaro, Intramural/Knitting 2 pts.

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

3. Consideration and action to approve the deletion of policy DFC, Facility Use Form.

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

4. Consideration and action to approve policy GCI, Professional Staff Development Opportunities, first reading.

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

5. Consideration and action to approve policy EBCA, Crisis Response Plan, first reading.

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

Adjournment

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

The Board adjourned at 8:41 pm.

Attest: True Record

Dr. Jeffrey B. Bearden

Secretary to the Board of Directors

Laura Millett, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent

MSAD #35

180 Depot Road

Eliot ME 03903

TEL 207-439-2438

FAX 207-439-2531

lsm@msad35.net