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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
DATE: Tuesday, August 14, 2001
WHERE: Cambridge Elementary
7:00 P.M.
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Directors Present:
William Hume-Chairman, George Nuite, Geraldine Rizzitello, Bruce Jones,
Larry Davis, Lorna Marshall, Patricia Izbicki, Susan McAvoy, Patti Davis,
Conrad Rollins, Anita Kain , Cynthia Fortier, Pam Goulette, Phyllis
Watson, Melissa Douglass, James Wachter and Debbie Clukey.
Members Absent:
Brad Coburn
Also Present:
Sara Alberts, Greg Bellemare, Bruce Lindberg, David Cotta, Pete Myrick, and Matthew Oliver.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by William Hume, Chairman, at 7:00 P.M.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by and seconded by that the minutes of July 10, 2001 Board Meeting be approved as printed.
Vote: Yes~ 13 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
Public Forum:
Petitions against elementary school closures were presented to the board by citizens of Cambridge and Sangerville.
Lisa Fortier stated that $6000 in private donations were given to the Abbie Fowler School in order to finance an art program. She also stated that the Abbie Fowler school has developed great relationships with local businesses. She feels the Facilities Reorganization Plan focuses on maximizing buildings and not students.
Bernard Watson voiced his concern about the number of M.S.A.D. #4 directors. He thought there should be only 15 directors instead of the present number of eighteen. He felt the change was made for control reasons.
Pat Harrington stated that when M.S.A.D. #4 was formed, the district promised to have young children stay in their own towns to attend elementary school.
Bonnie Williams voiced her concerns by saying we should think about the children instead of empty school buildings.
Anne Bridge told the school board to do what they need to do. She proclaimed that the district is out of students, out of money, and is running out of time. She urged the board of directors to move expeditiously and humanely to close the elementary schools. She stated the children will step up to the bar in the face of these changes.
Kim Baird said that Abbie Fowler is a great school. She feels uprooting her child's life twice in elementary school is too much. She said it is terrible to have children frightened more than once.
A Willimantic school board member stated there are 16 Willimantic tuition students currently riding the bus to M.S.A.D. #4's schools. She said it would be too far for students to be bussed to Parkman.
Another public citizen voiced her concern of young students being on the bus for extended periods of time with older students.
Educational Report:
Kathy Kelly, director of this summer's reading academy, gave an upbeat report on the resulting academic accomplishments. For eight days, 35 students and 5 teachers engaged in reading strategies to improve the attending student's literacy skills. With the 7:1 student to teacher ratio, small group work allowed students to feel more comfortable in asking questions that helped improve their reading skills. Students also put on a literacy-related mini-play. After the students went home, teachers met on a daily basis to share ideas, concerns, and improve their professional growth.
1. Executive Session
There was a motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Conrad Rollins to approve the B/G/T Committee's recommendation to adopt the facilities reorganization plan.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 1 Ab. ~ 0
2. Facilities Reorganization Plan
Phyllis Watson, Chair of B/G/T Committee, presented to the Board of Directors the B/G/T/ Committee's Facilities Reorganization Plan.
3. Cambridge School Closure
A. There was a motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Missy Douglass to accept the B/G/T Committee's recommendation that the Board of Directors accepts the Impact Statement prepared by the Superintendent in connection with closing the Cambridge Elementary School.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 1 Ab. ~ 0
B. There was a motion made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Geraldine Rizzitello that whereas in the judgement of the Board of School Directors the Cambridge Elementary School is unnecessary and unprofitable to maintain, the Superintendent be authorized in the name and on behalf of the District to file the Impact Statement with the Commissioner of Education pursuant to 20-A M.R.S.A. 4102.
Page - 3 - August 14, 2001 - Board Minutes
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 1 Ab. ~ 0
C. There was a motion made by Conrad Rollins and seconded by Patti Davis that the filing of cost data and explanations by the Superintendent with the Department of Education pursuant to the Department's rules relating to the closing of elementary schools be and hereby is ratified and confirmed, and that the Superintendent be and hereby is authorized to file such other information, data and other materials, and to take such other action as may reasonable be required by the Department, in connection with closing the Cambridge Elementary School.
4. Sangerville (Abbie Fowler) School Closure
A. There was a motion made by Larry Davis and seconded by Geraldine Rizzitello to accept the B/G/T Committee's recommendation that the Board of Directors accepts the Impact Statement prepared by the Superintendent in connection with closing the Sangerville Elementary School.
Vote: Yes~ 14 No ~ 3 Ab. ~ 0
B. There was a motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Pam Goulette that whereas in the judgement of the Board of School Directors the Sangerville Elementary School is unnecessary and unprofitable to maintain, the Superintendent be authorized in the name and on behalf of the District to file the Impact Statement with the Commissioner of Education pursuant to 20-A M.R.S.A. 4102.
Vote: Yes~ 14 No ~ 3Ab. ~ 0
C. There was a motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Missy Douglass that the filing of cost data and explanations by the Superintendent with the Department of Education pursuant to the Department's rules relating to the closing of elementary schools be and hereby is ratified and confirmed, and that the Superintendent be and hereby is authorized to file such other information, data and other materials, and to take such other action as may reasonable be required by the Department, in connection with closing the Sangerville Elementary School.
Vote: Yes~ 14 No ~ 3 Ab. ~ 0
5. Wellington School Closure
A. There was a motion made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Conrad Rollins to accept the B/G/T Committee's recommendation that the Board of Directors accepts the Impact Statement prepared by the Superintendent in connection with closing the Wellington Elementary School.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 1 Ab. ~ 0
B. There was a motion made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Geraldine Rizzitello that whereas in the judgement of the Board of School Directors the Wellington Elementary School is unnecessary and unprofitable to maintain, the Superintendent be authorized in the name and on behalf of the District to file the Impact Statement with the Commissioner of Education pursuant to 20-A M.R.S.A. 4102.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 1 Ab. ~ 0
C. There was a motion made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Geraldine Rizzitello that the filing of cost data and explanations by the Superintendent with the Department of Education pursuant to the Department's rules relating to the closing of elementary schools be and hereby is ratified and confirmed, and that the Superintendent be and hereby is authorized to file such other information, data and other materials, and to take such other action as may reasonable be required by the Department, in connection with closing the Wellington Elementary School.
Vote: Yes~ 16 No ~ 1 Ab. ~ 0
6. Resignations
Motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Conrad Rollins to accept the following resignations:
Grade 4 Teacher - Audrey Noether
Bus Driver - Vicki Kimball
Bus Driver - Shelly Bennett
Custodian - Gordon Pike (Guilford Primary)
PCMS Boys' "B" Soccer Coach - Joe Gallant
Grades 5-12 Instrumental Music - Lawrence Wescott (PCHS)
Vote: Yes~ 17 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
7. Elimination of Positions
Motion made by Larry Davis and seconded by Missy Douglass that the Board of Directors eliminate the following positions:
A. Custodian (McKusick Elementary) 4.5 hrs./day
B. Custodian (McKusick Elementary) 5 hrs./day
C. Custodian (Guilford Primary) 5 hrs./day
D. Custodian (Guilford Primary) 5 hrs. / day
E. Custodian (Abbie Fowler) 6.5 hrs. / day
F. Breakfast Cook (Abbie Fowler) 2 hrs. /day
G. Head Cook (Abbie Fowler) 7 hrs. / day
Vote: Yes - 17 No - 0 Abstentions - 0
8. Creation of Positions
Motion made by Larry Davis and seconded by Missy Douglass that the Board of Directors create the following positions:
A. Custodian (McKusick Elementary) 7 hrs. / day
B. Custodian (Guilford Primary) 7 hrs. / day
C. Custodian (Abbie Fowler) 7 hrs. / day
D. Food Server (Abbie Fowler) 3 hrs. / day (1.5 breakfast, 1.5 lunch)
E. Designated Custodial Substitute / Snow Removal / Maintenance (District-Wide) 32.5 hrs. / week for 110 days/year
Vote: Yes - 17 No - 0 Abstentions - 0
9. Nominations
There was a motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Missy Douglass to approve the following nominations:
A. Technology Coordinator: Crystal Priest
B. Special Ed. Teacher: Meredith Perkins (Probationary I)
C. Grade 4 Teacher: Beth Smith (Probationary I)
D. ¸ Time PCHS English: Jeannie Griffin (Probationary I)
Vote: Yes - 17 No - 0 Abstentions - 0
10. Recommendations to Employ
There was a motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Phyllis Watson to accept the following recommendations to employ:
A. PCHS Athletic Director: Larry Holmquist
B. PCHS Cross Country: Jill Taylor
C. PCHS Varsity Field Hockey: Trisha Moulton
D. PCHS JV Field Hockey: Jamie Gilbert
E. PCHS JV Soccer: Trey Gilbert
F. PCHS Senior Play: Holly Witick
G. PCHS Yearbook: Beth Leavitt
H. PCHS Student Council: Judy Cyr and Jody DeFrederico
I. PCMS Athletic Director: Joe Gallant
J. PCMS - A Soccer: Tom Cyr
K. PCMS - B Soccer: Joe Gallant withdrew his name from consideration
L. PCMS - A Field Hockey: Tammy Smith
M. PCMS - B Field Hockey: Brenda Tetlow
N. Head Teacher at Wellington School: Cindy Quimby
O. Head Teacher at Cambridge School: David Pratt
P. Head Teacher at McKusick School: Priscilla Carle
Q. Head Teacher at Abbie Fowler: Margaret Drummond
R. Head Teacher at Guilford Primary: Brenda Post
S. PCMS Intact: Ann Dall
T. PCHS Intact: Lisa Martell
U. Affirmative Action: Fred Andrews
V. Title I Grades 7/8: Vicki Gray
Vote: Yes - 16 No - 0 Abstentions -01
11. Appleyard
There was a motion made by Larry Davis and seconded by Conrad Rollins to authorize the Superintendent to request $6,282 from the Appleyard Endowment to support technology at PCHS.
12. Support Staff Contract
There was a motion made by Pam Goulette and seconded by Patti Davis to accept a three-year contract (July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2004) with M.S.A.D. #4 Education Association/Support Staff.
13. Administrative Reports
Greg Bellemare (PCMS Principal): Mr. Bellemare gave an overview of two school-wide initiatives spearheaded by the character education and assessment committees.
In addition, it was reported that a five-week summer school was attended by 30 middle school students needing extra credit to move up to the next grade. All 30 students put forth a lot of effort in order to achieve promotion.
Smaller student recesses have been planned at PCMS to promote a greater sense of community.
Bruce Lindberg (PCHS Principal): Mr. Lindberg praised the custodians for their great work in making PCHS look like a new building. Furthermore, Mr. Lindberg reported that the PCHS Physics Program is receiving statewide interest and national support from the Stranhan Foundation. It was also reported that Fall Activities had begun in the form of practices at PCHS.
Sara Alberts (Elementary Principal / Special Services Director): Mrs. Alberts reported that she and the head teachers had a very productive initial meeting to prepare for the school year. Also, a Title I meeting was held in order to set goals and plan for the start of the school year. There were also two well-attended "Kindergarten" nights held at two of the district's elementary schools.
David Cotta (Transportation Director): Mr. Cotta reported on the 100% M.S.A.D. #4 bus driver participation level achieved at the driver training seminar recently held in Dover. Furthermore, in order to best utilize our current drivers, Mr. Cotta stated there would be a combined bus run in Wellington this year.
Pete Myrick (Adult Education Director): Mr. Myrick discussed the Piscataquis Economic Development Council's role in attracting new businesses to the region. Relatedly, Mr. Myrick stated there is a strong demand for existing vacant buildings for new business ventures. An overview of the Fall Adult Education Program was also given.
14. Committee Reports
*Negotiations Committee Chair, Bill Hume, expressed his appreciation of how well the support staff collective bargaining process was handled by all parties. Mr. Hume thanked Thelma Regan and her bargaining team for their hard work and dedication. Mr. Hume commented on the productive and civil atmosphere that was present during the negotiations.
*Curriculum Committee Chair, Pam Goulette, reported on the on-going health curriculum work that is underway at PCMS. One of the goals of the curriculum committee is to support the development of a Maine Learning Results-aligned health curriculum supported by board policy.
15. Chairperson's Report
16. Superintendent's Report
Matthew Oliver commented on the exceptional appearance of the Cambridge Elementary School thanks to the efforts of custodian, Sue Charette. Mr. Oliver also praised all of the district's custodians for working hard over the summer to get the schools ready for the upcoming year.
Mr. Oliver reported that the Guilford Primary School grounds recently underwent an attractive and functional improvement as two sections of the driveway were paved.
In addition, Mr. Oliver commended the district's grounds keepers for maintaining an attractive set of outdoor facilities that are envied by many visitors.
Furthermore, Mr. Oliver commented on the dedication and hard work of many teachers who were working in their classrooms weeks before school was to open for the 2001-2002 school year. It is exactly these types of efforts that will continue to make M.S.A.D. #4 a high achieving district and "a great place to learn" for years to come.
17. Adjournment
A motion was made by Larry Davis and seconded by Conrad Rollins to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 P.M.
Vote: Yes ~ 17 No ~ 0 AB. ~ 0
Respectfully Submitted,
Matthew Oliver
Superintendent of Schools
SAD #4
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