Report from 12/8 School Committee Meeting

The School Committee meeting convened 12/8 with a ambitious agenda.

The meeting opened with nominations for Committee Chair for the upcoming year. A motion was made nominating Prudy Grant by Deb Danuski, and seconded by Traci Austin. The vote was 4-0-1, with Prudy Grant abstaining.

This was followed by nominations for Vice Committee Chair. Faye Ingersoll nominated Janice Comber, and was seconded by Deb Danuski. Prudy Grant nominated Traci Austin, and that was seconded by Janice Comber. The vote was done by paper ballot, the vote was 3 for Janice Comber, 2 for Traci Austin. Deb Danuski made a motion to accept the paper ballot result, seconded by Traci Austin, vote passed 5-0.

School Committee Liaison appointments were then discussed, Prudy Grant asked if any members wished to remove themselves from any committee or had desires to serve in other roles. Janice Comber suggested Faye Ingersoll may make a good liaison to the Curriculum Steering Committee considering her background, but Faye declined at this time. A motion to accept Committee Liaison appointments was made by Deb Danuski, seconded by Traci Austin, vote passed 5-0.

Deb Danuski made a motion to accept the minutes of November 10, 2008 and November 24, 2008, seconded by Janice Comber, vote passed 5-0.

Good News and Recognition:
Seth Mitchell presented information about the National Writing Project Letters to the Next President: Writing Our Future. His students wrote letters and 9 out of 10 were published, with Lisbon High School the only representative from Maine. To read the letters from LHS students, as well as student letters from all 50 states and several American schools abroad, visit Letters to the Next President.

Rick Green reported on workshop presentations made by Philip W. Sugg Middle School teachers during the MAMLE (Maine Association for Middle Level Education) 2008 Annual Conference held on October 23-24th at Sugarloaf. Patricia Mendelson presented EcoScienceWorks: An Engaging Inquiry Based Ecology Curriculum to Teach Systems and Models, Marilyn Curtis presented Literacy in Math & Science, and Kathleen Littlefield presented 15 Minutes to Math Fame! Also, at the November 10th School Committee meeting, Rick Green had announced Brenda Thompson as the recipient of the 2008 MAMLE Educator of the Year Award.

Reports from Administrators/Educational Presentation:
Gil Peterson went over the 2007-2008 MEA results.

Heather Wilmot went over the NWEA results and how they provide another way of looking at learning results.

Ed Nunnery responded to information requested from the School Committee. Students taking AP classes last year earned 54 college credits. Also, following up on students after leaving LHS, of the 90 students who graduated in 2008, 39% went on to a four-year program, 24% a two-year program, 3% entered the military, 7% entered a certification program, 7% entered a vocational program, 11% went immediately into the work force, 7% are taking a year off before continuing their education, and 2% are unsure of their plans.

Carlene Iverson analyzed the data for growth targets.

Report from the Superintendent:
Shannon Welsh presented the proposed Central Office structure for next year.

Total positions eliminated: 1 Curriculum Director position; 1 Human Resource position; and curriculum webpage contracted support. Elimination of 32 hours support in curriculum and special education will be offset by recommendation to increase support for technology, transportation, facilities, central office, and student services by 32 hours.

Superintendent
Add curriculum responsibilities of former Curriculum Director

Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent
Add 12 hour curriculum secretarial responsibilities

Business Office Business Manager
Add Human Resource responsibilities of eliminated Human Resource position.

Accounts Payable
Add Human Resource responsibilities of eliminated Human Resource position.

Bookkeeper
Add Human Resource responsibilities of eliminated Human Resource position.

Data and Research Specialist
Currently in Central Office budget; Add Human Resource responsibilities of eliminated Human Resource position; Eliminate consultant fee for curriculum webpage and add 12 hrs for webmaster responsibilities and keep as full time support position; Move to Technology due to State accounting system changes;

Transportation and Facilities Director
Continue current structure

Transportation and Facilities Secretary (part time: 32 hours)
Continue current support of 12 hours; Add 20 hours to transportation, facilities, central office, and student services support.

Student Services Office
Director
Continue Special Education responsibilities; Add curriculum (student service) responsibilities
Administrative Secretary

Eliminate 20 hour secretarial position; Continue Special Education responsibilities; Add student service support responsibilities


Dr. Welsh also responded to an investigative report by USA Today entitled The Smokestack Effect: Toxic Air and America's Schools in which Lisbon Community School was ranked in the 9th percentile in the country and 7th percentile in the state, and PWS and LHS were ranked in the 32nd percentile in the country. Dr. Welsh spent most of the day on the phone with the SunJournal and the EPA, read her response in the SunJournal here.

Public Comments:
Roger Cote thank the School Committee for posting the School policies on the website. He also noted he had recently attended the Fall Sports All-Stars Banquet, and wasvery humbled to see Lisbon so well represented, and felt from his conversations with others that Lisbon’s sports programs are very well respected.

Unfinished Business:
On consideration of action to approve the Lisbon School Department Capital Plan as presented at the last School Committee meeting of November 24th, Deb Danuski made a motion to approve, seconded by Traci Austin. Vote passed 4-1, Janice Comber voting against.

Lisbon School Department Capital Plan
Proposed Major Capital Improvements Bond Project January 2009

The Lisbon School Department applied in 1999 for a State-funded K -12 Major Capital Improvement Project. At that time, the State ranked our elementary schools as being in the greatest need and agreed to provide funding for Lisbon Community School which opened in 2004. Since that time, we have applied two additional times for a State-funded project to address the needs at Lisbon High School.
The most recent rating cycle in 2004-2005 placed the high school project at number 27 on the State list of prioritized projects. The State funded 20 projects from the list and we were very optimistic about receiving funding in the next round due in 2007. The State postponed applications for new funding in 2007 and just recently announced that they do not intend to accept applications any time in the foreseeable future. The State had to delay funding for several of the current projects (from the 20 funded) by 6 months to a year.
The State has also changed the rating formula and consolidation efforts may result in consolidated schools receiving a higher rating. As a result, we do not anticipate receiving State funds for a high school project.
Lisbon High School is an accredited high school. Accreditation assures students, parents, and colleges that "student needs are met through a quality educational program, that a vehicle exists to correct deficiencies in the school program, that their transfer credits will more likely be accepted should their family move, and that college representatives have the assurance of the quality of their preparation." (Downloaded from http://cpss.neasc.org 12/5/08). College admissions offices report that it is a disadvantage not to come from an accredited school.
In Lisbon High School's most recent reaccreditation visit report dated October 26,2005, there were several concerns noted regarding the facility. These included an "antiquated heating system" among others. It is vital that Lisbon have a plan to address these facilities concerns before our 5 year report is due in 2010.

Given that State funds are not available, it is recommended that we ask for funds locally.

NEEDS:
There are significant facilities concerns at Lisbon High School. These include replacement of an inadequate gymnasium; an aging heating and ventilation system; antiquated plumbing systems; roof repair/replacement; and electrical wiring concerns. In addition, improvements are needed for the driveways, bus parking area, and track/fields. For more detailed information, please refer to the School Department Capital Plan.
The Philip W. Sugg Middle School is in need of a new heating and ventilation system.

PROPOSAL:
The School Department is proposing a late winter/early spring referendum vote for a $500,000 bond to fund the following services (leaving 50,000 for contingency)

Services Budgeted for $325,000
- New vs. Renovation Analysis to determine what the costs and benefits are of retaining and renovating the existing high school vs. replacing it with new construction;
- Program Development Review to determine most effective and efficient use of space for high school programs;
- Design Concept and Schematic Design including an abbreviated set of drawings and a budget for the full project prior to a referendum vote on the project;
- Survey of the site;
- Geotechnical Engineer, Soil scientist, Wildlife Biologist analysis and reports; and
- Traffic Engineer analysis and recommendations.

Services Budgeted for $125,000
- Alternative Energy-Sources analysis and recommendations (for LHS and PWS).

The cost of the above work is dependent upon the amount of time required and the number of issues that need to be considered as the work is completed.

TIMELINE:
The following is a tentative timeline for completion of work to meet the needs identified above:
- Late winter/early spring 2009; referendum vote on Services Bond of $500,000;
- Spring/summer/early fall 2009 Services provided to create Concept and Schematic Design to address the above concerns for presentation to voters through informational meetings;
- November 2009 referendum vote on full project;
- Construction documents developed, project bid, construction completed; and
- September 2011; project completed.

FUNDING:
If approved by the voters, a $500,000 bond would have the following impact on the school budget:
- 09-10 School Budget: $12,263 interest payment
- 10-11 School Budget: $49,525 principal and interest payments
- Interest payments would decrease slightly in each subsequent year

If approved by the voters, a $375,000 bond would have the following impact on the school budget:
- 09-10 School Budget: $9,625 interest payment
- 10-11 School Budget: $36,975 principal and interest payments
- Interest payments would decrease slightly in each subsequent year

New Business:
On consideration of action to approve the Lisbon School Department 403b IRS Plan, Deb Danuski made a motion to approve, seconded by Traci Austin. Vote passed 5-0.

On consideration of action to approve the request for the Wrestling team to travel beyond the state border limit to compete and qualify for tournament competitions, Deb Danuski made a motion to approve, seconded by Janice Comber. Vote passed 5-0.

Personnel:
New hires - Kim Forney as Ed Tech II at LHS for one year only. Jim Reeves as Ed Tech II at LCS for one year only. Karen Whitney as 2012 Class Advisor at LHS.
Retirees - Elaine Cyr as Art Teacher at LHS effective the end of the 2008-2009 school year.

2nd Read/Adoption of Policies: 09 Packet #2:
Agenda
Agenda Format
Quorum
Rules of Order
Voting Method
Abstentions
New School Committee Orientation
Board Member Freedom of Access Law Training
Certification of Freedom of Access Training
Student Discipline
Public’s Right to Know/Freedom of Access

Motion by Deb Danuski to accept, seconded by Janice Comber. Vote passed 5-0

Executive Session:
Motion by Deb Danuski, seconded by Faye Ingersoll, vote passed 5-0 to enter into Executive Session to meet with the Superintendent of Schools to discuss re-election of the Superintendent, Wages, Benefits, and Terms of Employment for 2009-2010. Dr. Welsh was re-elected. See Correction to School Committee Report