Maine School Administrative District No. 35
Board of Directors - Regular Meeting
Marshwood High School
Wednesday, April 2, 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. Helene Cass, 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. Randy Stewart, Ms. Vicki Stewart, Mr. Jerry Burnell, Ms. Margaret Shepherd, Mr. Paul Mehlhorn, and other 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
A citizen commented that she was concerned about the rise in student/teacher ratio. Other concerns voiced were with the proposed tuition policy. Melinda Longtin of South Berwick presented the Board with a petition signed by SAD 35 residents in opposition to the proposed tuition policy.
Report of the Secretary
1. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of Wednesday, March 19, 2008.
Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Mr. Stevens Vote: 6-0
Report of the Chairperson:
1. Board Goals 2007-2008: Chairperson Cass reported that there will be a workshop on April 9, 2008 on the Board's role in the evaluation and adoption of school curriculum. The Board goal on energy conservation is addressed in the budget and with a proposed policy. The goal on professional standards is addressed in policy. The Board goal of consolidation of services is ongoing.
2. Luncheon with Town Officials: On March 29, 2008, Dr. Bearden and Mrs. Cass met with chairs of town government, including; Roberta Orsini, Interim Town Manager, South Berwick, to discuss the budget process.
Report of the Superintendent:
1. Budget Update: The state adopted a budget on Monday, March 31. The district should receive its official subsidy report next week. The proposed new budget adoption process has not been decided. Tuesday, June 10 is Election Day and citizens will have an opportunity to vote on the district's budget.
2. The curriculum workshop will be held at the central office on Wednesday, April 9, from 6-8 PM.
3. On Friday, April 4, 2008, Dr. Bearden and John Caverly, MMS Principal, will be going to a training seminar on how to start an educational foundation.
4. Dr. Bearden reported that representatives from the Administrative Team attended an excellent presentation from Connect Ed about a parent communication system. Dr. Bearden recommended that we start using the system this spring so that staff members can become familiar with the functions of the system.
Correspondence:
1. A copy of the revised alternative plan proposal to Commissioner Gendron is in the Board's packet.
2. The Marshwood High School math team scored a season high of 226 in the 5th and final meet of the season. It was the 8th highest score in the state. This earned the Hawk team 2nd place honors in their league. The team&;s next challenge will be the state meet on April 15th.
3. There was a letter in the Board&;s packet acknowledging that NEASC has granted full accreditation to Marshwood Great Works School.
4. Dr. Bearden accepted the letter of retirement from Carlton Spring with regret. Mr. Spring has been an employee of the district since 1969. He has served in several roles and has been an outstanding ambassador for MSAD # 35.
Report of the Committees:
1. Report of the Finance and Facilities Committee. The committee reviewed the year to date expenditure and revenue reports. They also reviewed year end projections. The Honeywell project is on schedule. Weather stripping and insulation is complete. The estimated project completion date is mid-August. Interior work will be completed during April break. The engineering design for the heating ventilation system at Central School is complete. The HVAC issues at MHS are 80% complete. The committee approved the baseball booster fencing proposal.
2. Report of the Educational Policy Committee. The committee met on March 31, 2008 to review the policy manual.
3. Report of the Community Relations Committee - The committee met on April 2, 2008 to discuss options for better communication with the public other than through the Newsline. The committee decided to submit articles to the Sentinel and to post more information on the district website.
New Business:
1. Consideration and action to approve policy JFAB/JFAB-E - Admission of Nonresident Tuition Students, Second Reading.
Consideration and action to table this policy until after the budget season.
Motion: Dr. Gilbert Second: Mrs. Breed Vote: 6-0
2. Consideration and action to approve policy BEA, School Board Use of Electronic Mail, First Reading.
Motion: Mrs. Pullar Second: Mr. Stevens Vote: 6-0
3. Consideration and action to approve policy IHBB, Gifted and Talented Education, First Reading.
Motion: Mrs. Breed Second: Mrs. Pullar Vote: 6-0
4. Consideration and action to approve policy GBEB, Staff Conduct with Students, First Reading.
Motion: Mrs. Breed Second: Dr. Gilbert Vote: 6-0
5. Consideration and action to approve policy JEA, Compulsory Attendance, First Reading.
Motion: Mrs. Breed Second: Mr. Stevens Vote: 6-0
6. Consideration and action to approve hosting an Informational Technology Satellite Program at MHS.
Motion: Mrs. Breed Second: Mr. Stevens Vote: 6-0
7. Consideration and action to approve the Marshwood Baseball Boosters Club batting cage and outfield fence donation.
Dr. Bearden thanked all of the district's booster organizations for their generosity. He introduced Dominic Strada, President, Marshwood Baseball Boosters, who gave a presentation on the MHS baseball booster club batting cage and outfield fence proposed donation.
Motion: Mrs. Breed Second: Mrs. Pullar Vote: 6-0
Mrs. Stewart thanked the high school students who had volunteered at Central School.
Consideration and action to enter into the Board Workshop to discuss the FY 2009 Budget.
Motion: Mrs. Breed Second: Mr. Stevens Vote: 6-0
Executive Session - Consideration and action to enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of Administrator contract negotiations pursuant to Title 1 MRSA §405(6)(D).
The Board entered into Executive Session at 9:21 PM.
The Board returned to Open Session at 9:38 P.M.
Motion to adjourn.
Motion: Dr. Gilbert Second: Mrs. Pullar Vote: 6-0
The Board adjourned at 9:40 P.M.
Attest: True Record
Dr. Jeffrey B. Bearden
Secretary to the Board of Directors