Members Present:  Laura Auger, James Bell, Deborah Clukey, Larry Davis, Patricia Davis, Melissa Douglass, Ralph Eastman, Pam Goulette, Patricia Izbicki, Anita Kain, Donna Littlefield, Lorna Marshall,  Susan McAvoy, Raymond Morse, George Nuite, Geraldine Rizzitello Michelle Ward and Phyllis Watson.

Members Absent:    None

Also Present:          Jan Ronco, Kevin Jordan, Greg Bellemare, Crystal Priest and Paul Stearns.

Call to Order:            The meeting was called to order by Paul Stearns at 7:00 P.M.

Approval of Minutes:   A motion was made by Patricia Davis and seconded by Pam Goulette that the minutes of the March 9, 2004 meeting be approved.                    

                             Vote: Yes ~ 18   No ~ 0   Ab. ~ 0

Public Forum:           Jan Ronco of Abbot explained two handouts.

Correspondence:    

Educational Reports:           Mr. Jordan introduced four high school students that had great success         in the VICA competitions at TCTC.  Each student spoke about their experience.

1.        Welcome Newly Elected & Re-Elected Board Members:

Abbot:                          Raymond Morse          
Cambridge:                   Larry Davis
Guilford:                       Lorna Marshall & Geraldine Rizzitello
Sangerville:                   James Bell & Sue McAvoy

Geraldine Rizzitello resigned on April 14, 2004

2.        Adjustments to Agenda:    

          1)         Add item 2A – Does the Board of Directors wish to initiate the formal process of                                       amending the current formula for cost-sharing in the district?

            2)         Item 4 add Jason Brown – Music Teacher (effective date 6/15/04) and June Ladd – Adult                          Ed/PCHS Secretary (effective date 4/30/04) to the list of resignations.

            A motion was made by Larry Davis and seconded by Phyllis Watson to make the amendments to the agenda.

            Vote: Yes ~ 18  No ~ 0   Ab. ~ 0

2A.     Does the Board of Directors wish to initiate the formal process of amending the   current formula for cost-sharing in the district?   

          Much discussion ensued regarding the assessment process and the process for amending the current funding formula. 

          A motion was made by Raymond Morse and seconded by Laura Auger to initiate the formal process of amending the current formula for cost-sharing in the district.

          The Board voted: Yes ~ 2  No ~ 14   Ab. ~ 2

3.         Election of Board Officers:

Chairperson:             Nominations – George Nuite

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by Pamela Goulette that nominations cease.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by Pamela Goulette to elect George Nuite as the Chairperson of SAD #4 Board of Directors for 2004-05.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

Vice Chairperson:    Nominations – Pam Goulette

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by Patricia Davis that nominations cease.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by Patricia Davis to elect Pamela Goulette as the Vice-Chairperson of SAD #4 Board of Directors for 2004-05.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

State School Board Delegate:       Nominations – Donna Littlefield

A motion was made by Pam Goulette and seconded by James Bell that nominations cease.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

A motion was made by Pam Goulette and seconded by James Bell to elect Donna Littlefield as the State School Board Delegate of SAD #4 Board of Directors for 2004-05.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

State School Board Alternate:      Nominations – Patricia Izbicki

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by Patricia Davis that nominations cease.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

A motion was made Phyllis Watson and seconded by Patricia Davis to elect Patricia Izbicki as the State School Board Alternate of SAD #4 Board of Directors for 2004-05.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

Representative to Advisory Board Tri-County: Nominations – George Nuite 

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by Patricia Davis that nominations cease.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by Patricia Davis to elect George Nuite to be the Representative to the Advisory Board Tri-County for SAD #4 Board of Directors for 2004-05.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

Negotiations Committee:   Nominations – Larry Davis, Pam Goulette and George Nuite  

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by James Bell that nominations cease.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by James Bell to elect Larry Davis, Pam Goulette and George Nuite to the Negotiations Committee SAD #4 Board of Directors for       2004-05.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

4.         Resignation:

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by Pam Goulette that the Board of Directors accepts the following resignations with the effective dates:

          Lori Gilbert – Head Cook (3/19/04)

          Cassady Regan – Ed Tech II (3/9/04)

          Jodi O’Connell – Title I (6/15/04)    

          Marianna Lara Albert Planas – Spanish Teacher (6/15/04)

          Mitchell Cournoyer – Social Studies Teacher (6/15/04)

          Jason Brown – Music Teacher (6/15/04)
          June Ladd – Adult Ed/PCHS Secretary (4/30/04)  

          Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

5.         Elimination of Positions:

A motion was made by Patricia Davis and seconded by Patricia Izbicki that the Board of        Directors eliminate two kindergarten teaching positions at the McKusick School.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

6.         Recommendation to Allow Volunteers:

A motion was made by Anita Kain and seconded by Susan McAvoy that the Board of   Directors allows the following volunteers at PCHS:

Nathan Kulas  & Coralyn Todd– Track
Tim Richardson – Baseball
Joseph Riitano - Softball

          Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

7.         Purchase of District Plow Truck:

A motion was made by Larry Davis and seconded by Ralph Eastman that the Board of Directors allows Superintendent Stearns to purchase a 2004 Ford Dump/Plow Truck for   $30,756 (includes plow) from year end funds for 2003-2004.

          Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

8.         Policy Development:

A motion was made by Susan McAvoy and seconded by Pam Goulette that the Board of Directors approves the first reading of the policies associated with sections JICC through JKD of the revised SAD #4 Policy Book and gives final approval to adopt policies IMDC, JFC, JGAB, JHB, JHCA, JHCA-R, JI AND JICA.

Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

9.         Authorization to Expend Funds:

A motion was made by Ralph Eastman and seconded by Patricia Izbicki that the Superintendent of Schools be authorized to apply for and expend any and all state, federal, or private funds that become available to S.A.D. #4 for the 2004-05 school year.

          Vote: Yes~ 18 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0

10.      Committee Reports:

            Policy Committee – Debbie Clukey (chair):

We have met three times and two meetings are scheduled in May.  The process has been very valuable.  We are nearly through section I of the manual..

            Communications Committee – Crystal Priest

Crystal spoke about MEDMS, telephone system in poor condition, discussed access to questionable web sites.

Budget Committee – Larry Davis (chair)

Jan Ronco made a presentation to the Budget Committee.  She asked that the Board consider exploring an alternative to the current assessment formula.  She would like to see a 50/50 formula using student count as well as valuation.  It was determined that an item would appear on the April 13^th agenda asking the board to discuss the issue and possibly take a vote on whether or not they wish to enter the process of exploring a new formula.

The superintendent walked down through the current proposed budget noting adjustments that had been made since the last meeting.  Personnel changes have necessitated adjustments to the budget in order to cover potential increases in salary and benefits.  A downward adjustment was made based on information from one of the insurance companies.  The budget reflects a 4% increase over last year.  The figures have been in the hands of the municipal officials for some time, and in fact are currently slightly less than what was anticipated.  Some major budget highlights include the elimination of two kindergarten positions due to enrollment changes, the addition of a computer technician to help keep the machines running district wide, and the shift of the food service coordinator’s position into the general budget.  All figures are at this point tentative until the state sets its final budget figures.

Pam Goulette asked the superintendent to look into the ski team funding level to assure that the team is adequately funded.  Mr. Jordan will be at the next budget meeting which is scheduled for April 27^th with figures regarding the funding of skiing as well as an overview of equipment and supply figures for all PCHS athletic programs.  It is expected that the budget committee will adopt the budget at that meeting and they will bring it to the full board for approval at the May 11^th meeting.  The district budget meeting is scheduled for June 8^th.

11.      Administrative Reports:

Crystal Priest (Technology Coordinator) reported on the following:

·         E-rate proposal has been put in

·         MEDMS is a challenge

·         Fast forward – new software product to be piloted

   Kevin Jordan (PCHS Principal) reported on the following:

·         Chamber of Commerce expo went well

·         Seniors had a great trip to Black Mountain

·         Staff working on differentiated instruction     

·         University of California Irving Research Team came for a week long visit

·         MAEP testing took place

·         Spring athletics is under way

Greg Bellemare (PCMS Principal) reported on the following:

·         7^th Grade Science Fair

·         Read a letter to the 7^th Grade Team for their work

·         I Kid-a-Rod to be held

·         Hero assemblies have been successful

·         6^th Grade visited Breakneck Ridge Farm

·         7^th Grade held public speaking competition

·         A letter to Rex Webb was read recognizing his work organizing the speaking contest

·         8^th Grade one act plays were successful

·         Student led conferences had mixed reviews

Sara Alberts (Elementary Principal/Special Education Director) reported on the following:

·         Touch Tanks – hands on science coming to the elementary schools

·         CHIP’s Program – Mason’s

12.      Chairperson's Report:   George Nuite said he was glad to be aboard!

13.      Superintendent's Report - Superintendent Stearns discussed the following:

·         April 1^st enrollment was down seventeen students from October

·         The Parkman Recreation Group will be removing the backstop and some fencing from the Parkman school grounds…this will facilitate plowing

·         The reapportionment plan was approved.  Parkman will be adding a director soon and Guilford will be dropping one

·         The GASB-34 project is complete and we suspect that the auditors will now find us in full compliance

·         Elaine Bartley has agreed to act as part time curriculum coordinator for the district.  Elaine works for us as a technology integration specialist currently and is paid out of federal grant monies

·         We have an excellent pool of applicants for the Technology Integration/Multi-Media position at PCHS

·         The science fair and 8^th Grade one act plays were both very well attended and well done

·         Mike Dexter and I attended a meeting in Augusta regarding facilities management.  We have walked through the middle and high schools and created a punch list, the elementary schools are tomorrow afternoon – interior only.  The front steps at PCHS are scheduled to be rebuilt during April vacation.  Signs are being ordered saying “No Skate Boarding or Rollerblading on steps or rails.

·         Several teachers are exploring pursuing masters degrees from a program through Antioch College

·         Exploring FastForward an auditory processing software system designed to help certain children overcome reading and processing obstacles.  This is a pilot study.

·         Expect an outline for the process of developing a five year plan at the May meeting.

14.      Negotiations:

A motion was made by Phyllis Watson and seconded by James Bell that the Board of Directors goes into executive session for the purpose of discussing Negotiations.

            Vote: Yes ~ 18   No ~ 0   Ab. ~ 0

          Time In:         9:15                Time Out:       9:21

15.      SAD #4 Board of Directors and SAD #4 Education Association (ESP) Contract:

A motion was made by James Bell and seconded by Ralph Eastman that the Board of Directors ratifies the 2005-2007 SAD #4 Board of Directors and SAD #4 Education Association (ESP) Contract.

            Vote: Yes ~ 18   No ~ 0   Ab. ~ 0

16.      Adjournment:

A motion was made by Anita Kain and seconded by Lorna Marshall to adjourn the meeting at 9:24 p.m.

Vote: Yes ~ 18 No ~ 0   Ab. ~ 0

Respectfully Submitted,

Paul A. Stearns

Superintendent of Schools
SAD #4