Members Present:  James Bell, Shelly Bennett, John Cartwright, Larry Davis, Ralph Eastman, Pam Goulette (left early), Nancy Hall, Cinthia Hoak, Patricia Izbicki, Anita Kain (late), Donna Littlefield, Susan McAvoy, George Nuite, Geraldine Rizzitello, Donna Runnels, Michelle Ward and Charles Woodmancy,  (student council non-voting member –Connie Glynn).

Members Absent:      Patricia Davis (student council non-voting member–Mallory Izbicki).

Also Present:              Julie Orton, Greg Bellemare, Trisha Kurt, Crystal Priest and Paul Stearns.

Call to Order:             The meeting was called to order by George Nuite at 7:05 p.m.                                    

Approval of Minutes:  A motion was made by Michelle Ward and seconded by Ralph Eastman that the minutes from the November 14^th Board of Directors meeting be approved.

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

Public Forum:             none               

Correspondence:        none               

Educational Reports:  “The Body-Brain Connection” - Mariah Priest gave an excellent   demonstration of cup stacking while Jolane Clawson gave the Board an informational presentation on the benefits of cup stacking.

1.         Adjustment to Agenda:         

            A motion was made by James Bell and seconded by Pam Goulette to change as presented - Item 4a. the Proposed Warrant (attached).  Item 3 – Change JJIBC to final reading.

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

2.         Nomination:

            A motion was made by James Bell and seconded by Nancy Hall that the Board of Directors accepts the nomination of Eblin Concepcion Molina Castillo as Spanish Teacher (PCHS).

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

3.         Policy Development:

A motion was made by Michelle Ward and seconded by Ralph Eastman that the Board of Directors approves the first reading of policies EBCF, IKF and approves the final reading of policies JJI, JJIB, JJIBA, JJIBB and JJIBC of the SAD #4 Policy Book.

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

4a.       Signing of Warrant and Notice of Election:

A motion was made by Pamela Goulette and seconded by Nancy Hall that the warrant of Notice of Election presented to the meeting be and is hereby approved and that a District meeting referendum be and is hereby called for February 6, 2007 for the purpose of approving the issuance of bonds or notes of the District for renovation project purposes as described therein.

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

4b.       Notice of Public Hearing:

            A motion was made by Michelle Ward and seconded by Ralph Eastman that the Notice of Public Hearing presented to the meeting be and is hereby approved and that a public hearing on the issuance of bonds or notes for  renovation project purposes will he held on January 17, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. as provided therein.

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

4c.       Signing of Warrants:  Warrant as signed

Article 2:          Shall the Board of School Directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 4 be authorized to issue bonds and other evidences of indebtedness in the name of this District in an amount not to exceed $608,200 through the State of Maine’s zero interest rate/loan forgiveness Revolving Renovation Fund Program to renovate and repair District schools, including the HVAC and electrical systems at Piscataquis Community High School and the roofs at Guilford Primary School and McKusick Elementary School, and to expend other loan forgiveness grant funds in the amount of up to $84,747 to further reduce the amount owed for these projects?

A.          State Grant Funding.  The State of Maine will provide a direct grant by forgiving 65.19% (up to $396,485) of the principal payments on the project loans.  In addition, the State of Maine will provide a retroactive grant of up to $84,747 for the completed Piscataquis High School boiler project that District will use to pay down the balance of the project loans.  

B.          Interest Free Loans.  The District will be obligated to repay 34.81% (up to $211,715) of the total loan amount over a ten year term.  The State of Maine has agreed to lend these funds and to permit repayment at zero interest over a term of 10 years. As previously noted, the District will fund up to $84,747 of this principal amount with the retroactive boiler project grant. , leaving to the district a total estimated repayment obligation of $126,968, depending on the final actual cost of the projects.

                        The Board of School Directors recommends a “YES” vote on Article 2.

5.         Committee Reports:

            Student Council Report - Connie Glynn gave a report to the Board detailing several projects and programs that are taking place at PCHS.

            Policy- Michelle Ward spoke on the work done on EBCF and IKF.  Next meeting is January 3.

PVAEC – Anita Kain reported that regional participation has grown by 20% in one year. 
Merlene Sanborn – Director of Penquis Higher Education Center is participating as a non-voting member.  The spring brochure was displayed.  Thelma has been appointed chair of the Adult Education Directors Policy and Legislative Committee. Future space for PVAEC was discussed.

6.         Administrative Reports:       

            Julie Orton – Elementary Principal/Curriculum Coordinator:  Attached

            Trisha Kurt – Special Education Director - Attached

                Crystal Priest - Technology – Attached

            Jim Chasse - Attached

            Greg Bellemare – Attached

7.         Chairperson's Report – Mr. Nuite commented that there was going to be a lot of activity in the next legislative session regarding regionalization and consolidation.  He advised the Board to stay well informed on this topic.

8.         Superintendent's Report:      Attached

9.         Approval of the 2007-2008 School Year Calendar:

            A motion was made by James Bell and seconded by Anita Kain that the Board of Directors approves the proposed 2007-2008 school year calendar as      presented.

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

10.       Negotiations:

A motion was made by Ralph Eastman and seconded by Nancy Hall that the Board of Directors go into executive session for the purpose of discussing the ongoing negotiation meetings with ESP under Title 1 MRSA § 405 (D).

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

            Time In:  9:05               Time Out:  9:15

            Action Taken:   none

11.       Yearly Evaluation of Superintendent:

A motion was made by Geraldine Rizzitello and seconded by Patricia Izbicki that the Board of Directors go into executive session for the purpose of evaluating the Superintendent of Schools pursuant to M.R.S.A. § 405 (6)(A).

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

            Time In:  9:16               Time Out:  10:03

            A motion was made by Larry Davis and seconded by Ralph Eastman that the Board of Directors extend the contract of the superintendent to end on June     30^th, 2011 with the 07-08 salary set at $91,670 with no other benefits (this amounts to a 3% raise in the total package).

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

12.       Adjournment:

Vote: Yes ~ 16 No ~ 0   Ab. ~ 0

Respectfully Submitted,

Paul A. Stearns
Superintendent of Schools
SAD #4