1. MEA Testing Results: The principals from Central School , Eliot Elementary School, Marshwood Middle School and the Junior High School presented their MEA results for last year. They showed graphs that indicated progress over the last few years.

Mrs. Stewart stated that 73% of the third grade students met or exceeded the standards. The State level is 65% of 3rd grade students meeting or exceeding the standards. Mrs. Stewart explained that the increase in the MEA scores is due to a reading curriculum that's based on scientific research-based Best Practice in Reading. She explained that the entire district is focused on improving student reading comprehension. In the area of mathematics, 71% of Central School's third grade students met or exceeded the State standard. The percentage of students who met or exceeded the standards statewide was 58%. Mrs. Stewart explained that this was the first year that 3rd grade scores have been reported. Two years ago the third graders took the MEA for the first time as part of a pilot study.

Ms. Shepherd showed the Board a graph that indicated that 79% of students tested met the standard in reading. One percent exceeded the standard. Only 4% of all students tested did not meet standard. The next graph indicated that 78% of all students met or exceeded the standard in mathematics. Ms. Shepherd showed a graph that compared reading standards for EES and the State. 80% of EES students met or exceeded the standard in reading, compared to the State average of only 65%. Ms. Shepherd showed the same graph for mathematics, which indicated that 78% of EES students met or exceeded the standards, compared to the State average of 58%.

Mr. Burnell pointed out that 80% of the 5th graders met or exceeded the standards in math. This included 21% of the students exceeding the standards. This is an outstanding performance and is due to the hard work that the teachers have done implementing Everyday Math.

Mrs. McKenney showed a slide that indicated that 64% of Gr. 6 students met or exceeded the standard in reading. 65% of the students in Gr. 6 met or exceeded the standard in mathematics. In Gr. 7 71% of the students met or exceeded the standard in reading. In mathematics 60% of the students met or exceeded the standard. In Gr. 8 68% of the students met or exceeded the standard in reading. In math in Gr. 8 53% of the students met or exceeded the standards.

2. TABOR video: Dr. Clockedile explained that there were a couple of differences in Maine than the situation with TABOR in Colorado. The differences are that we are not voting to make it part of a constitution and under the Maine version fees cannot be raised without voter approval. After Dr. Clockedile showed the TABOR video he noted that had this been in effect last year we would only have been allowed to increase our budget by .89%. This would have meant that we would have had to cut our budget by 1.2 million dollars. This probably would have resulted in an elimination of about 50 positions.

Dr. Clockedile shared an email with the Board that he had received about a proposed parking ban on Academy St. and Wadleigh Lane. Dr. Clockedile said that on October 17th there will be a meeting at Central School with South Berwick officials to discuss traffic.

Ms. Sullivan explained that on October 6th there will be a district-wide staff professional day. In the morning all staff will meet in the professional learning communities to discuss their SMART goals. There will be a 25 minute break for wellness activities including tai chi, yoga, walking, and mindful eating. After the wellness activities teachers will attend two technology workshops. Teachers have their choice of 10 different workshops, all taught by our own staff members. Ed techs will be attending an all-day training from Sweetser on how to deal with difficult behavior in a public school setting. Ms. Sullivan and Ann Shisler will do an all-day training for new members of the support team.

1. Football Field Lighting - Dr. Clockedile shared a letter concerning the football field lighting with members of the Board.

Report of Committees:

1. Report of the Finance and Facilities Committee - Dr. Gilbert said that the junior high roof project is almost finished. He said that the Honeywell proposal will be ready in December and that CAM will be completed in November. Dr. Gilbert said that the bleacher project at the junior high school had been completed and that it was a couple of thousand dollars less than anticipated. Dr. Gilbert said that the Finance Committee felt that the savings from this project could be used to correct electrical problems at the snack shack. He said that the Finance and Facilities Committee had found out that there was an anonymous donation for a tennis shed and that there were some plans to build a gazebo at Central School. The Committee is concerned that whenever someone wants to donate something to the district, especially a structure, that it must be brought to the full Board for their consideration. Dr. Gilbert said that the Committee felt that we need a policy about donations to the district. The Board agreed. Mrs. Pullar said that the Committee wants guidelines about spending. All spending that is in a category not already contained in the budget will be brought to the Board. If we need to move money from one account to another, then the guidelines will be anything above $5,000 will be brought to the full Board.

2. Report of the Educational Policy Committee - The Committee met and sent the Board the policies that are before them this evening.

3. Report of the Community Relations Committee - The Committee is working on the Newsline that will be finished next week.

3. Consideration and action to approve policy GCO - Evaluation of Professional Staff, first reading.

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

4. Consideration and action to approve policy IIB - Class Size, first reading.

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

5. Consideration and action to approve policyJICK - Bullying, first reading.

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

6. Consideration and action to delete policy FEJ - Construction - Repair Order, first reading.

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

7. Consideration and action to enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of reviewing the evaluation of the superintendent pursuant to Title 1A MRSA §405(6)(A).

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