| BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING |
Members Present: Laura Auger, Paul Bridge, 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 and Michelle Ward.
Members Absent: James Bell & Phyllis Watson
Also Present: Kevin Jordan, Sara Alberts, Greg Bellemare, Crystal Priest and Paul Stearns.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by George Nuite at 7:00 P.M.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Patricia Davis and seconded by Larry Davis that the minutes of the April 13, 2004 meeting be approved.
Vote: Yes ~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
Public Forum:
Correspondence:
Educational Reports:
1. Welcome Newly Elected & Re-Elected Board Members:
Parkman: Paul Bridge
2. Adjustments to Agenda:
1) Item 13 – Change Jessica Goldman’s date of resignation to 6/30/04
2) Item 16 – Add “for 2004-2005”
3. Budget Approval:
A motion was made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Patricia Davis that the Board of Directors adopts the Fiscal Year 2005 Budget of $6,089,571.40 with a local assessment (Foundation/Debt Service/Local Additional) of $2,353,163.15 for S.A.D. #4.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
4. Adult Education Budget:
A motion was made by Patricia Davis and seconded by Lorna Marshall that the Board of Directors adopts the Fiscal Year 2005 Adult Education Budget of $65,859.50 with a local assessment of $28,750.00.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
5. Establish District Budget Meeting:
A motion was made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Patricia Izbicki that the Board of Directors sets the District Budget Meeting for Tuesday, June 8th at 7:00 P.M. (preceding the regularly scheduled Board of Directors Meeting) in the PCMS Cafeteria.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
6. Warrant Approval:
A motion was made by Larry Davis and seconded by Patricia Davis that the Board of Directors authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to issue checks prior to the signing of warrants for the FY '05 school year.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
7. Lease/Purchase Loan on the Portable Classroom at PCHS:
A motion was made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Patricia Izbicki that the bid of Skowhegan Savings Bank to provide the Maine School Administrative District No. 4 with funds to lease purchase a modular classroom at a cost not to exceed $42,900 plus interest at a rate not to exceed 3.54% is hereby accepted and the award of the lease purchase for such equipment is hereby made to Skowhegan Savings Bank.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
A motion was made by Anita Kain and seconded by Ralph Eastman that under and pursuant to the provisions of Title 20-A M.R.S.A. Sections 1001 and 1055, the Superintendent of Schools be and hereby is authorized to execute and deliver a tax-exempt lease purchase agreement with Skowhegan Savings Bank in the name and on behalf of the Maine School Administrative District No. 4 (the "Issuer") for a modular classroom, with an aggregate purchase price of not more than $42,900, in such form as the Superintendent may approve; and to grant a security interest in such equipment; and that the appropriate officials of the Issuer be and hereby are authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Issuer such other documents and certificates as may be required in connection with such tax-exempt lease purchase agreement including a Federal Tax Certificate and a Bill of Sale; and that no part of the proceeds of said tax-exempt lease purchase agreement shall be used, directly or indirectly, to acquire any securities and obligations, the acquisition of which would cause the tax-exempt lease purchase agreement to be a "private activity bond" or an "arbitrage bond" within the meaning of Sections 142 and 148, respectively, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); and that the tax-exempt lease purchase agreement issued pursuant hereto be designated as a qualified tax-exempt obligation within the meaning of Section 265(b)(3)(B) of said Code; and that the Superintendent be and hereby is authorized to covenant on behalf of the Issuer to file any information report and pay any rebate due to the United States in connection with the issuance of said tax-exempt lease purchase agreement, and to take all other lawful actions necessary to insure the interest portion of the rental payments under and pursuant to the tax-exempt lease purchase agreement will be excluded from the gross income of the owners thereof for purposes of federal income taxation and to refrain from taking any action which would cause such interest portion of the rental payments to become includable in the gross income of the owners thereof.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
8. Piscataquis County Economic Development Goals & Strategies:
A motion was made by Patricia Davis and seconded by Pam Goulette that the Board of Directors approves the goals and strategies of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Committee.
Vote: Yes~ 0 No ~ 15 Ab. ~ 1
The Superintendent was instructed to contact the Economic Development Committee for more information and a possible presentation.
9. Food Services Payoff:
A motion was made by Larry Davis and seconded by Susan McAvoy that the Board of Directors allows the Superintendent to transfer 03-04 contingency funds to food services at year end to cover the overage in operational costs.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
10. Lunch Price Change:
A motion was made by Ralph Eastman and seconded by Debbie Clukey that the Board of Directors approves a price increase of 25 cents per meal for lunch as recommended by the State of Maine Department of Education. The new prices would be $1.50 for K-8 students and $1.75 for 9-12 students for 2004-2005.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
11. Breakfast Price Change:
A motion was made by Susan McAvoy and seconded by Patricia Davis that the Board of Directors approves a price of 25 cents per breakfast for all K-12 full pay students and 10 cents for eligible reduced students for 2004-2005.
Vote: Yes~ 0 No ~ 16 Ab. ~ 0
12. Employment Agreements for employees not covered by bargaining agreements:
A motion was made by Patricia Davis and seconded by Pam Goulette that the Board of Directors authorizes the Superintendent to offer employment contracts to employees not covered by the collective bargaining agreements.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
13. Resignation:
A motion was made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Lorna Marshall that the Board of Directors accepts the following resignations with the effective dates:
Julie Jellison – PCHS Math Teacher (6/15/04)
Jessica Goldman – PCHS Ed Tech III (6/30/04)
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
14. Migrant Program:
A motion was made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Patricia Davis that the Board of Directors authorizes the superintendent to drop the Migrant Program for the 2004-2005 school year.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
15. Creation of a Position:
A motion was made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Patricia Izbicki that the Board of Directors authorizes the creation of a ˝ time Career Prep position for the 2004-2005 school year at PCHS.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
16. Increase Position:
A motion was made by Patricia Davis and seconded by Patricia Izbicki that the Board of Directors authorizes the increase of the elementary physical education/health position from a 35/100 position to a half time position for the 2004-2005 school year.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
17. Nominations:
A motion was made by Susan McAboy and seconded by Patricia Davis that the Board of Directors approves the following nominations:
· Margaret Templet-Drummond – Head Teacher @ GPS
· Shelley Connolly – Head Teacher @ McKusick
· Karalynn Gibson – Spanish Teacher @ PCHSVote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
18. Probationary Contracts:
A motion was made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Debbie Clukey that the Board of Directors authorizes the Superintendent to offer 2nd year Probationary Contracts to the following:
· Sarah Campbell – Special Education
· Elena Smith – Special Education
· Susan Watson – Special Education
· Joseph Luchini – ˝ Elementary Phys Ed/Health
· Carla Albers – Elementary Art
· Heather Doherty – PCHS Science
· Brian Gaw – PCHS Phys Ed & HealthVote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
19. Continuing Contracts:
A motion was made by Anita Kain and seconded by Michelle Ward that the Board of Directors authorizes the Superintendent to offer Continuing Wage Agreements to the following:
· Shelley Connolly – Grade K Teacher
· Bruce Priest – Technology/Computer Teacher
· Ollie Faulkner – Math Teacher
· William Thompson – Science TeacherVote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
20. Policy Development:
A motion was made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Patricia Davis that the Board of Directors gives final approval for policies JICC through JKD of the revised SAD #4 policy book.
Pam Goulette and Patricia Davis withdrew their motions.
A second motion was made by Paul Bridge and seconded by Pam Goulette to withdraw the first motion and table Item 20.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
21. Committee Reports:
· Budget Committee - Mr. Davis thanked the Superintendent’s office staff for supplying information in the budget building process.
· Curriculum Committee - Pam Goulette reported that the class of 2008 would be the first class required to graduate under the standards based local assessment system format.
22. Administrative Reports:
Crystal Priest (Technology Coordinator) reported on the following:
· Staff Development Data was shared
· Planning for laptop use in the coming year is under way
· 378 contact hours were completed by staff this year in local technology staff development classes.Greg Bellemare (PCMS Principal) reported on the following:
· Several year end activities at PCMS
· All seventh graders will be taking a trip to Bangor to participate at the Challenger Learning CenterKevin Jordan (PCHS Principal) reported on the following:
· Announced Grant Award of $1,800 dollars written by Margo Dyer
· NHS, Student Council and Key Club all played key roles in celebrating “Teacher Appreciation Day”
· All Sophomores have visited the Tri-County Tech Center
· The prom is Saturday.
· The Dropout Prevention Committee has met and has had great discussion regarding ideas that might help to keep students in school· The Student Assistance Team has finished training and has started to work with students.
Sara Alberts (Elementary Principal/Special Education Director) reported on the following:
· Visual and Performing Arts Festival – May 19th 5:30-8:00
· Several spring activities were listed
· Transition activities between buildings have been scheduled
23. Chairperson's Report: George Nuite took a moment to stress the importance of committee meetings and attendance at them.
24. Superintendent's Report - Superintendent Stearns discussed the following:
* Working with SAD 68 and 41 - looking at a regional approach to Adult Ed Administration. This would result in a slightly higher cost than present but lower than two years ago. Local users would still get the same experience. If all goes well this would begin in the Fall of 2005. I will provide more information in the June packet.
* LD 1921 – regionalization bill – did not pass – we will continue to work with neighboring districts to improve programs and save money whenever possible.
* LD 1344 – Educational Policy Bill – indefinitely postponed in the house 19-16
* High School Laptop initiative - no money but discussions continue – we will carry on with the program at PCHS through regular lines and Title V grant money but will need to address replacement costs in another budget year
* Also in Technology – the tech committee has met and decided on some changes for next year at PCHS based on feedback and experience. NO AOL/ music/movie downloads - re-imaging fee, meeting with parents before units go home, deductible to be paid on all insurance claims – many improvements over the year
* Mr. Dexter is placing signage indicating that skateboarding and roller-blading are not allowed on steps or railings in the district.
* Teachers are doing a great job of putting together the documentation to demonstrate that they are highly qualified. According to our attorneys and to my knowledge there are no employment consequences for not being highly qualified.
* Internal walk-throughs have been completed and punch lists developed – Facility Software training is scheduled for May 18th with the state – here at PCHS.
* Safety Manual prototypes were made available.
* Insurance discussions will be taking place in order to seek relief from skyrocketing rate increases.
* The teacher appreciation social was well attended and very well received by the staff.
* The end of the school year is always an exciting time filled with many events. Let’s all avail ourselves of the opportunity to share these experiences with students and staff.
25. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Anita Kain and seconded by Larry Davis to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
Vote: Yes ~ 16 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
Respectfully Submitted,
Paul A. Stearns
Superintendent of Schools
SAD #4