Members Present:  James Bell, Shelly Bennett, Patricia Davis, Melissa Douglass, Ralph Eastman, Pamela Goulette, Nancy Hall, Cinthia Hoak (late), Patricia Izbicki, Anita Kain, Donna Littlefield, Lorna Marshall, Susan McAvoy, George Nuite, Donna Runnels, Michelle Ward and Charles Woodmancy.

Members Absent:      Larry Davis

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

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

Approval of Minutes:  A motion was made by Ralph Eastman and seconded by Nancy Hall that the minutes of the February 14, 2006 Board of Directors meeting be approved as printed.

Vote: Yes ~ 16   No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

Correspondence:  Ms. Priest reported that she had received a letter from the hospice group thanking PCHS students for their technical support in using the ATM System.

Mr. Stearns mentioned that a letter had been sent to Trey Pomerleau on behalf of the board, congratulating him on his gold medal performance in Precision Machining at the Regional Skills/USA Contest.       

1.         Adjustment to Agenda:

A motion was made by Pamela Goulette and seconded by James Bell to make the following changes to the Agenda:

Add Item 4a – That the Board of Directors approves a trip for the PCHS chorus and band to Agawam, MA to attend the “Music in the Park” event from May 12^th to May 14^th, 2006.

Delete Item 9 – There will be no need to enter executive session, I recommend that this item be used in open session to discuss transition issues regarding PCHS.

Vote: Yes ~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

2.         Recommendation to Employ:

A motion was made by Shelly Bennett and seconded by Pamela Goulette that the Board of Directors approves the following recommendation to employ:

·         Eric Sherman – Assistant PCHS Track Coach (one year position)

Vote: Yes ~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

3.         Approval of the 2006-2007 School Year Calendar:      

A motion was made by Pamela Goulette and seconded by Anita Kain that the Board of Directors approves the proposed 2006-2007 school year calendar as presented.

There was much discussion regarding the school calendar for ’07.  Some of the points raised revolved around early release days, October break, seniors graduating prior to the end of the school year, and the possibility of a Sunday graduation.

The article carried with the understanding that Sunday graduation be explored for ’07 leaving the possibility of amending the calendar should the board wish to.  It was also understood that either a standing committee or an ad hoc committee would study the school calendar and make recommendations to the board prior to the adoption of a calendar for ’08.

Vote: Yes ~ 9 No ~ 7 Ab. ~ 0

Cinthia Hoak entered at 7:30

4.         Policy Development: 

A motion was made by James Bell and seconded by Michelle Ward that the Board of Directors gives final approval for policies BBBAB and GBEBB of the revised SAD #4 policy book.

            Vote: Yes ~ 17 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

4a.       PCHS Band & Chorus Trip

A motion was made by Pamela Goulette and seconded by Shelly Bennett that the Board of Directors approves a trip for the PCHS chorus and band to Agawam, MA to attend the “Music in the Park” event from May 12^th to May 14^th, 2006.

Vote: Yes ~ 17 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

5.         Committee Reports:

Budget Committee:    Paul Stearns did a review of the budget process to date, following the packet that had been distributed to the municipal officials of each town.         

Buildings & Grounds Committee:  Patricia Davis gave a rundown of the boiler project at PCHS.

The Revolving Renovation Fund has been frozen by the state.  The security camera system will be installed starting in April.  The committee examined the annual state and local commitment to capital improvements.

6.         Administrative Reports:

Greg Bellemare (PCMS Principal):   Attached

Crystal Priest (technology):  Attached

Jeff Aronson (PCHS Principal):  Attached

Julie Orton (Elementary Principal/Curriculum Coordinator):   Attached

7.         Chairperson’s Report:  Mr. Nuite reported that he would like to have a board member sit on the Adult Ed Steering Committee for ’07.  He reported that he would like to have any requests for agenda items in by the first Monday of each month.  Mrs. Goulette expressed a desire to have BID (Board Stipends) added to the April Agenda.  

8.         Superintendent’s Report:  Attached

9.         PCHS Report

Mr. Aronson led a discussion regarding climate, academic programs, changes, and issues at PCHS.  He discussed the ongoing work, some present initiatives, successes, and a focus for where the school is heading.  Topics included: teacher led advisories, consistent application of rules and regulations, alternative “IEP’s”, increased accountability in student governance, collaboration efforts between departments, common prep time, and personal professional development efforts on the part of staff.

Initiatives currently being worked on include: ELA/Math labs for grade 9 and 10, strong encouragement for students to take a 4^th year of math, a “Technology in Science” course for seniors, the early College for Maine Program.  Restructuring of Academic Support to provide a more flexible system of delivery, and a review of Sr. Privileges were also topics discussed.

10.       Adjournment:

Paul A. Stearns
Superintendent of Schools
SAD #4