Maine School Administrative District No. 35
Board of Directors - Regular Meeting
Marshwood High School
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 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. Ellen Breed, Mrs. Susan Pullar, Mrs. Martha Leathe, Mr. Ralph Stevens, Dr. William Gilbert, Dr. Jeffrey Bearden, Ms. Gail Sullivan, Mr.Justin Rouse, Mr. DJ Strada
Also Present: Mr. Jerry Burnell, Ms. Margaret Shepherd, Mr. John Caverly, Mr. Randy Stewart, Mrs. Cheryl Harmon and 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.
PUBLIC INPUT – BUDGET: None
Report of the Secretary
1. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of Wednesday, April 2, 2008.
Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Dr. Gilbert Vote: 5-0
Report of the Chairperson: Mrs. Breed said that the Board has been working on their goals all year and that much has been done already through policy development and adoption.
Report of the Superintendent:
1. Recognition of Skills USA Award Recipients – Dr. Bearden congratulated Marshwood High School students Ron Pearson and Ed Hanson for winning medals at the state competition. Both students attend the Sanford Vocational Program. Mrs. Harmon, Guidance Director at MHS, introduced both students to the Board. Ron Pearson won the gold medal in the area of robotics and automation. Ed Hanson won the silver medal in the category of prepared speech.
2. Dr. Bearden welcomed the school nurses - SAD #35 nurses Judy Doran, Vicki Whitney, Maggie Robinson-Henry, and Sue Gagnon gave the Board a brief overview of the roles and responsibilities of a school nurse. Lori Pond was unable to attend. The five district nurses have a combined 119 years of professional experience.
3. Marshwood Education Foundation - Dr. Bearden and Mr. Caverly attended a workshop in Cape Elizabeth on Friday, April 4, 2008 to learn more about the establishment of an educational foundation. The goal of the foundation would be to raise money to support projects and professional development that is not able to be supported within the district's budget. A list of potential members will be gathered and an initial meeting will be held in the fall.
4. Dr. Bearden stated that there is an increase of just under 3% in the proposed budget. According to the state of Maine one mil raised for education in SAD #35, in our current year, should have raised $1,383,900. This amount is based on the state’s valuation of Eliot and South Berwick. According to the state of Maine one mil raised in SAD #35 in our next fiscal year should raise $1,553,150. The reason for the increase is the fact that the state valuation for Eliot and South Berwick combined has increased. SAD #35 is currently ranked 15th from the bottom for K-12 systems based on per pupil cost at $7,210. Our district spends about $1,019 less than the state average per pupil. If we were just spending the state average we would have to add $2,609,638 to our budget proposal.
Correspondence:
Dr. Bearden said that a parent had written a nice letter praising Jerry Burnell, Dr. Carole Smith and Diane Pitman for their work with her child. Mr. Mark Gagnon had written a letter praising the students and Mrs. Tanya West for the outstanding performance of "Godspell".
Report of the Committees:
1. Report of the Finance and Facilities Committee – The committee will meet on April 29th.
2. Report of the Educational Policy Committee - None
3. Report of the Community Relations Committee – The committee is currently working on the next issue of the Newsline.
New Business:
1. Consideration and action to approve policy BEA, School Board Use of Electronic Mail, Second Reading.
Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Mrs. Leathe Vote: 5-0
2. Consideration and action to approve policy IHBB, Gifted and Talented Education, Second Reading.
Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Mr. Stevens Vote: 5-0
3. Consideration and action to approve policy GBEB, Staff Conduct with Students, Second Reading.
Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Mr. Stevens Vote: 5-0
4. Consideration and action to approve policy JEA, Compulsory Attendance, Second Reading.
Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Dr. Gilbert Vote: 5-0
6. Consideration and action to approve policy EBCF, Environmentally Sound Schools, First Reading.
Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Mrs. Leathe Vote: 5-0
7. Consideration and action to approve the 2008-2009 school district calendar.
Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Dr. Gilbert Vote: 5-0
Mr. Caverly explained that because our students have done so well in Everyday Math, we need to look for additional opportunities for the 20-25% of our students with high mathematical concept development. MMS students in Grade 8 have gone from 70% not meeting the standards in math in 1999 to only 33% not meeting the standard in 2007. There are 22 students in Grade 7 currently taking Algebra 1 through the ALEKS program. Mr. Caverly explained that the budget impact would be minimal because they will implement the new materials in Grade 7 completing the first year along with an advanced group of 6th graders. At Grade 8 geometry and algebra students will use the new materials with all 8th graders using them the 2nd year. They have chosen the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project because it is an extension of Everyday Mathematics. Mr. Caverly thanked the math teachers who had researched the available resources for students.
8. Consideration and action to approve a new Math Course at MMS.
Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Dr. Gilbert Vote: 5-0
Ms. Shepherd invited everyone to the Wellness Fair which will be going on the week of May 1st.
Jerry Burnell said that on Saturday he and many faculty members had participated in a fundraiser. They raised $7,000 for the Big Brother/Big Sister organization.
John Caverly invited everyone to hear the Navajo Code Talker at 8:40 am on April 17th.
There was also a reminder that Special Olympics will take place May 1st in Kittery.
Motion to adjourn: Dr. Gilbert Second Mr. Stevens Vote: 5-0
The Board adjourned at 9:16 pm.
Attest: True Record
Dr. Jeffrey B. Bearden
Secretary to the Board of Directors