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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, December 11, 2001 WHERE: PCMS 7:00 P.M. |
Directors Present: William Hume-Chairman, Geraldine Rizzitello, Larry Davis, Brad Coburn, Patricia Izbicki, Susan McAvoy, Patti Davis, Anita Libby-Kain , Cynthia Fortier, Melissa Douglass, Conrad Rollins James Wachter, George Nuite, Phyllis Watson and Debbie Clukey.
Members Absent: Bruce Jones, Lorna Marshall, Pam Goulette
Also Present: Sara Alberts, Greg Bellemare, Bruce Lindberg, Pete Myrick, and Matthew Oliver.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by William Hume, Chairman, at 7:01 P.M.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Patti Davis that the minutes of the November 13, 2001 Board Meeting be approved as printed.
Vote: Yes~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
Public Forum:
Educational Report:
*Crystal Priest, S.A.D. #4’s Technology Integration Specialist, informed the Board about the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund Grant (The grant is focused on the hardware and training necessary to implement a comprehensive local assessment system aligned to the Maine Learning Results) and the Maine Technology Educational Access Grant(SAD #4 was one of seven Maine sites chosen to submit a competitive grant application that may result in a significant number of laptop computers for PCHS, the adult education program, and local libraries.)
Crystal also stated E-Rate applications have been completed and Apple Computer Inc. was awarded the State of Maine contract for 1:1 computer usage in all 7th grade classrooms beginning with the 2002-2003 school year.
In the Spring, Crystal will be holding staff development courses focusing on further integration of laptop computers into the curriculum.
Crystal also explained an exciting technology integration project whereby PCMS students write and publish a children’s book, design and build a toy based upon their book, and finally present their book and toy to a GPS student.
1. Adjustments to the Agenda: Add item #11 and item #12.
New #11: Photocopier Lease Purchase Agreement
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors adopts the attached vote (see item #11) as written.
New #12: Technology Literacy Challenge Fund Application
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors adopts the 2001-2002 Technology Literacy Challenge Fund Application as written.
2. Creation of a Position:
There was a motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Phyllis Watson that the Board of Directors approve the creation of a 1/10th Migrant Education Position at PCHS.
Vote: Yes~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
3. Resignations/Retirements:
There was a motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Phyllis Watson to accept, with regret, Priscilla Carle's retirement (effective at the conclusion of the 2001-2002 school year) and Marion Pomerleau's resignation.
Vote: Yes~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
4. Policy Development:
a) There was a motion made by Larry Davis and seconded by Conrad Rollins to adopt the proposed Attendance Policy recommended by the Policy Committee. Vote:
Vote: Yes~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
b) There was a motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Anita Kain to adopt the proposed Controversial Issues Policy recommended by the Policy Committee.
Vote: Yes~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
c) There was a first reading of the School System Commitment to Standards for Ethical and Responsible Behavior Policy.
5. Yearbook Ad:
There was a motion made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Phyllis Watson that the Board of Directors sponsors a $200 full-page ad in the PCHS 2002 Yearbook.
Vote: Yes~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
6. Committee Reports:
*Mr. Hume, Chair of the Policy Committee reported that a considerable about of discussion and review took place at the committee level with respect to the newly revised Attendance and Controversial Issues Policies.
*Mr. Davis, Chair of the Budget Committee, reported on the November 14th Budget Committee Meeting whereby the district's auditor detailed the 2000-2001 SAD #4 audit.
7. Administrative Reports:
Greg Bellemare (Principal, PCMS) reported on the following:
*Grade 8 students put forth a great effort on their December, 2001 Maine Educational Assessments in Reading, Writing, and Health.
*After school activities funded by the district's Safe and Drug Free School's Grant are going well.
*PCMS students have been engaged in public service such as donating food for the local food cupboard and turning in extra coats for needy members of the community.
*Grade 8 students made and distributed storybooks and toys to GPS students.
*The Character Education In-Service event on Nov. 20th was very worthwhile.
*Representatives from several school districts across the state have visited PCMS to see a first-hand student demonstration of SAD #4's 1:1 laptop initiative.
*Grade 7 students will be actively engaged in Camp Keive's Leadership Decisions Institute on Dec. 17, 18, and 19.
*The band and chorus concerts were well-attended and participants did a wonderful job with their performances.
*At the request of the Character Education Committee, a new icon, 'Whass Up?', has been placed on the district's First Class E-Mail system so PCMS staff members can consistently communicate to each other about the great things their students are doing.
*A detailed 'move-up' plan concerning the incoming grade 4 teachers and students was presented.
Sara Alberts (Elementary Principal and Special Services Director) reported on the following:
*Maine Educational Assessments went well.
*Students performed well in their Winter Concerts.
*After-School Programs such as cooking, basketball, art, and creative dance have been very popular with students.
*Sara led a Writer's Workshop for the K-4 staff. Topics addressed were writing assessment and consistent expectations for quality student writing.
*A series of mathematics workshops have been and will continue to be offered to staff.
*Sara presented a comprehensive draft that deals with the 'move' associated with the district's reorganization plan.
Bruce Lindberg (Principal, PCHS) provided a written report as he was supervising the PCHS Winter Concert. The following was read:
*Winter sports are underway.*Financial Aid night will be Wed., Dec. 12th at PCHS.* 82 students made the first quarter honor roll; 33 of the 82 made high honors.* Grade 11 students worked diligently on the Maine Educational Assessments.* The PCHS National Honor Society is sponsoring a toy drive for needy children.
Pete Myrick (Adult Education Director) reported on the following:
*Spring 2002 Adult Education Course Brochures were distributed.*A much more rigorous G.E.D. test goes into effect in January.
8. Chairperson’s Report:
The Chair's report was reflected in his Policy Committee report.
9. Superintendent's Report:
The Superintendent reported he has been negotiating with an electricity supplier and has reached a very favorable rate for the district's medium service accounts (PCHS, PCMS, McKusick, GPS, and Abbie Fowler). The supplier's offer of 5.6 cents per kilowatt hour is 2.92 cents lower than Central Maine Power's 'Standard Offer.' This will equate to a $32,000 savings based on last year's usage.
In our quest to develop a high quality local assessment system for our district, a great amount of Maine Educational Assessment work has been completed and planned for the upcoming weeks. Teachers at all levels will benefit from these professional development efforts.
The Superintendent stated he has spent some quality time in the district's schools and was pleased to see an overwhelmingly positive climate whereby teachers are motivating students to achieve at high levels, students are very respectful to each other and adults, and academic lessons are being driven by a concerted effort by teachers to reflect upon their practice and reach students of all levels. The district will continue to move forward with initiatives that will promote academic rigor, respect, and a love of learning.
10. Yearly Evaluation of Superintendent:
There was a motion made by Conrad Rollins and seconded by George Nuite that the Board of Directors enter executive session for the purpose of evaluating the Superintendent of Schools.
Vote: Yes ~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
Time In: 7:54 P.M. Time Out: 9:19 P.M.
There was a motion made by Larry Davis and seconded by Anita Kain to extend the Superintendent's contract until June of 2005 and set the Superintendent's salary for July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003 at $68,000.
Vote: Yes ~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
11. Photocopier Lease Purchase Agreement:
There was a motion made by Larry Davis and seconded by Anita Kain that the Board of Directors adopts the attached vote as written (see below).
VOTE TO BE ADOPTED
MSAD No. 4
Voted: 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 United Kingfield Bank in the name and on behalf of Maine School Administrative District No. 4 for photocopying equipment, with an aggregate purchase price of not more than Fifty-One Thousand Three Hundred Four Dollars and Fourteen Cents ($51,304.14), in such form as the Superintendent may approve (the 'Lease Purchase Agreement'); and that the appropriate officials of Maine School Administrative District No. 4 be and hereby are authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of Maine School Administrative District No. 4 such other documents and certificates as may be required in connection with the Lease Purchase Agreement; and that no part of the proceeds of the Lease Purchase Agreement shall be used, directly or indirectly, to acquire any securities and obligations, the acquisition of which would cause the Lease Purchase Agreement to be a 'private activity bond' or an 'arbitrage bond' within the meaning of Sections 141 and 148, respectively, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'); and that the Lease Purchase Agreement issued pursuant hereto is authorized to covenant on behalf of the District to file any information report and pay any rebate due to the United States in connection with the issuance of the Lease Purchase Agreement, and to take all other lawful actions necessary to insure that the interest portion of the rental payments under the pursuant to the 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 others thereof.
Vote: Yes ~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
12. Technology Literacy Challenge Fund Application:
There was a motion made by Conrad Rollins and seconded by Melissa Douglass that the Board of Directors adopts the 2001-2002 Technology Literacy Challenge Fund Application as written.
Vote: Yes ~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
13. Adjournment:
There was a motion made by Anita Kain and seconded by George Nuite that the meeting be adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
Vote: Yes ~ 15 No ~ 0 Ab. ~ 0
Respectfully Submitted,
Matthew O. Oliver