Members Present:  James Bell, Shelly Bennett, Larry Davis, Patricia Davis, Ralph Eastman, Pam Goulette, Nancy Hall, Cinthia Hoak (late), Donna Littlefield, Lorna Marshall, George Nuite (late), Donna Runnels, and Charles Woodmancy.

Members Absent:      Melissa Douglass, Patricia Izbicki, Anita Kain, Susan McAvoy, and Michelle Ward

Also Present:              Greg Bellemare, Trisha Kurt, Julie Orton, Jeffrey Aronson, Crystal Priest and Paul Stearns.

Call to Order:             The meeting was called to order by Pamela Goulette at 7:02 p.m.                                    

Approval of Minutes:  A motion was made by Nancy Hall and seconded by James Bell that the minutes of the December 13, 2005 Board of Directors meeting be approved as printed.

Vote: Yes ~ 11   No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

Public Forum:                         Jan Ronco addressed the board and asked them to consider voting to enter the process to change the cost share process in the district, for the “local additional” portion of the budget, from a property valuation based system to a pupil count based system.

Correspondence:                    Mr. Stearns read a note that was sent to Interface Fabric thanking them for their donation of eight cases of three ring binders to the district.

A letter from the Maine Small Schools Coalition asking for financial support in their effort to retain the services of a lobbyist was read.

A thank you note from Mrs. Gaw representing the Methodist Church thanking the staff and students for their kind and generous donations toward the community food cupboard.                  

Educational Reports:             Mr. Stearns reported on progress toward goals outlined in the five-year strategic plan.  Goal 1-a:  An endowment fund has been started and currently $9,050 dollars has been received.  Goal 2-a: A district staff development committee is being formed at this time.

1.         Adjustment to Agenda:  none

2.         Local Additional Amendment:

Following discussion, a motion was made by Charles Woodmancy and seconded by Donna Runnels that the Board of Directors initiate the formal process of amending the current formula for cost-sharing of the Local Additional portion of the SAD #4 District Budget as outlined in 20-A MRSA § 1301 (3)(A).

Vote: Yes ~ 3  No ~ 9 Ab. ~ 1

3.         Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative:

Thelma Regan addressed the board and gave an overview of the first semester progress of the PVAEC.

A motion was made by Pamela Goulette and seconded by Lorna Marshall that the Board of Directors approves a one year extension of the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative through June 30, 2009.

Vote: Yes ~  13 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

4.         William Appleyard Grant:

A motion was made by Ralph Eastman and seconded by Lorna Marshall that the Board of Directors accepts $4,590 from the William Appleyard Trust Fund for the purpose of purchasing science and technology supplies at PCHS.

Vote: Yes ~ 13 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

5.         Policy Development:      

A motion was made by Ralph Eastman and seconded by Pamela Goulette that the Board of Directors gives final approval for policy IKF of the revised SAD #4 policy book.

Vote: Yes ~ 13 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

6.         Committee Reports:              none

7.         Administrative Reports:

Greg Bellemare (PCMS Principal):

·                     Brenda Post held another parent night for math

·                     Concerts were held with great attendance in December

·                     Wellness Day went well for the SAD #4 staff

·                     Ranks went home with very few glitches

·                     There will be a reorganization of the HMP entities and how it affects SAD #4 is uncertain

·                     First Trimester Hero Assemblies were held and well attended by parents

·                     5^th Grade skiing will start on Friday, January 27^th and run for six Fridays

·                     5^th Grade parent night will be January 18^th at 6:30

·                     7^th Grade Geography Bee will be January 11^th at 7:00

·                     SAT is up and functioning at PCMS

·                     Progress Reports go home on January 20^th

·                     Math teachers will be attending a formative assessment conference on January 20^th in Augusta

·                     Grades 6 thru 12 will be given the MYDAUS surveys in early February

Crystal Priest (technology): The big item this month is that we are updating Jay Marden's CAD lab.  Paul found out that the Computers for Maine School's Program had a pile of newer model machines.  We are getting 20 computers and twelve 17" monitors for roughly $700.  These computers are older Windows machines that are compatible with the CAD program that Jay has.  They are also a 3 fold increase in speed and capacity over his current equipment.  Dave Cotta is headed to the prison in Windham to pick them up this week.

Jeff Aronson (PCHS Principal):        Thanks to every faculty and staff member’s hard work, we’ve enjoyed a great month at PCHS. The Special Education, Technology, Transportation and Maintenance Departments have played significant roles, too, in making these this month of school a positive experience for everyone.

            Examples of the activities to date include:

·         Student Council and Key Club have begun active fund-raising for their winter and spring activities

·         The boys and girls basketball teams, co-ed ski team, and cheerleading squad have continued successful and entertaining seasons.

·         Gate receipts for basketball games have risen significantly to date

·         PCHS Boosters have also seen revenue increases to date

·         Enthusiastic performances by the Pep Band at home games

·         College representatives continue to visit our school on a regular basis

·         Gear Up has worked hard on encouraging and facilitating college applications

·         Academic departments, particularly English and Mathematics, have made plans to assist juniors taking the SAT’s as per state requirements

·         Planning continues for summer school program and elective courses for ‘06-‘07

·         First semester ends January 27

·         Continue process of establishing budgetary needs for 2006-07

·         Meetings of Senior Management Team to meet operational and administrative needs of the school

·         Regular meetings of faculty/administration Leadership Team on strategies for advisories

·         Participation in SAD #4 Administrative Team meetings

·         Next faculty meeting will be on January 30

·         Winter Carnival preparations underway; dates are February 12-17

Julie Orton (Elementary Principal/Curriculum Coordinator):

McKusick School and Guilford Primary School

• DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessment for K-3 will take place during week of January 23^rd.  This is a component of the Reading First Grant.  We are looking forward to seeing the growth students have made since the start of the school year.  The information gained from this assessment will also help identify students that may need supplementary services.
• Family movie day is scheduled for Saturday, January 28^th.  The movie title is to be announced.
• There will be a Maine Literacy Partnership Training for our Leadership Team on January 30 & 31 at the University in Orono.  The leadership team is made up of elementary administrators, our literacy coach, our literacy interventionist, and representatives from each grade level, K-3.
• The Midyear Writing Prompt assessments will be given at each grade level during week of January 23^rd.

Curriculum

• Elaine Bartley and I are working with groups of teachers to continue with the mapping of the curriculum.
• We are also reviewing the local assessments that have been developed at each grade level.  We are fine-tuning the assessments that work well for students and teachers and making modifications in other assessments to make them more instructionally sound.
• We are in the process of instituting a professional development committee.  The committee will be comprised of both teachers and administrators.  They will meet periodically this year to plan professional development activities for the 2006/2007 school year, including the five teacher workshop days and the early release days.

8.         Chairperson’s Report:  Mr. Nuite reported that he hoped for good attendance at the various upcoming committee meetings.

9.         Superintendent’s Report:      Mr. Stearns reported on the following:

A Homeland Security Grant has been approved - $10,393 for exterior/interior surveillance cameras

Cheryl Ladd has resigned from the ITV position.  This does not affect her Ed Tech II job in the library at PCHS.  Kelly McFadyen and Jeff Aronson are seeking solutions to fill the job.  We have applicants and I anticipate that we will be able to fill the position and will explore restructuring the position next Fall.

I have met with food service personnel and informed them of a plan to restructure the department and satellite lunches out of the PCMS kitchen.  This would involve reduction in force of three part time positions.  I will bring a recommendation to the board for consideration in February, and will be reviewing the proposal with the Budget Committee on the 17^th.

Water District – Increase expected in late March of 27%.

Letter from Debbie Pettigrew – Willimantic – no cash problem – simply legal/logistical troubles – town meeting scheduled for this evening

Comprehensive Plan

Please peruse handouts – most of the plans have appeared before at the committee level, many have been in existence for some time.  We will adopt another bundle at the February Board Meeting – Please call for further detail or with any questions.

Gave feedback on targeted funds rules on 1-9-06

Winter Convocation – Portland – Thursday and Friday this week

Budget Committee Meeting next week 1-17-06

School Bus Purchase:

            This year’s pricing if ordered early

            Handicapped lift $3,700 extra (subsidized)

            SAF-T-LINER 81 passenger available up to the 24^th of this month.

            After that the 81 will not be – only 77 passenger

$300 dollars more – headroom, visibility, no rivets, same mechanical components (Freightliner), 10” longer, shorter nose, three seats are interchangeable with lift.  www.c2thefuture.com.  After discussion – the bus will be ordered.

Mike is getting quotes for the Boiler Project at PCHS – will attempt to have by Building and Grounds Meeting on January 24, 2006

No word on RRF proposals

10.       Yearly Evaluation of the Special Education Director:

A motion was made by Pamela Goulette and seconded by James Bell that the Board of Directors goes into executive session for the purpose of evaluating the Special Education Director - Trisha Kurt.

Vote: Yes ~ 13 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

Time In: 8:39                Time Out:  8:56

Yearly Evaluation of the Special Education Director (continued)

Action Taken:   A motion was made by Pamela Goulette and seconded by Nancy Hall that the contract for the Special Education Director (Trisha Kurt) be extended to June 30, 2009.

Vote: Yes ~ 13 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

11.       Yearly Evaluation of the Middle School Principal:

A motion was made by Ralph Eastman and seconded by Patricia Davis that the Board of Directors goes into executive session for the purpose of evaluating the Middle School Principal – Greg Bellemare.

Vote: Yes ~ 13 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

Time In: 9:02                Time Out:  9:40

Action Taken:   A motion was made by Pamela Goulette and seconded by Charles Woodmancy that the contract for the Middle School Principal (Greg Bellemare) be extended to June 30, 2009.

Vote: Yes ~ 13 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

12.       Adjournment:

Paul A. Stearns
Superintendent of Schools
SAD #4