WINTHROP BOARD OF EDUCATION

MEETING MINUTES

 

Wednesday

 

June 7, 2006

 

Town Council All-Purpose Room

 

6:30 p.m.

Day

 

Date

 

Location

 

Time

 

Attendance:

 

X

Dyer

X

Doughty

X

Giampetro

X

Mitchell

X

O’Brien

 

Engdahl

X

Despres

 

I.          Call to Order

Meeting called to order at 6:40pm.

 

II.                  Executive Session Title 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) – Employment of Officials/ Appointees/ Employees

 

Motion              To move into executive session pursuant to Title 1 M.S.R.A §(6)(A) – Employment of Officials/Appointees/Employees

Mitchell/

Vote:

 

Meeting called back into regular, public session at 7:05pm.

 

Board Chair, Ellen O’Brien welcomed Superintendent candidate, Mark LaRoach.  Ellen explained the interviewing process and the committee’s recommendation. 

 

Motion              To nominate Mark LaRoach for the position of Superintendent with a 3-year contract, salary and benefits to be negotiated.

Dyer/Mitchell

Vote:  5/0

 

Ike Dyer thanked Ellen O’Brien and John Mitchell, and the rest of the interviewing committee members for their time and efforts throughout this process.  Ellen thanked Shelley Foster for her organization and professional handling of the entire process.  Mark LaRoach expressed his gratitude and pleasure with the offer, and accepted the position of Superintendent effective July 1, 2006.

 

III.                Communication / Public Comments

A.      Meeting Minute Approval

 

Motion:             Approve the minutes of the 5/17/06 & 5/31/06 Board of Education meetings.

Mitchell/Dyer

Vote:  5/0

 

B.      Board Chair Report

Ellen thanked Terry and the A-Team for their hard work on the budget, which was approved by the Town on June 5, 2006.

 

C.      Superintendent’s Report

Terry discussed and updated the Board on the following items:

 

Motion              To ratify the 3-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with Essential Support Personnel (Ed Techs & Custodians)

Dyer/Mitchell

Vote:  5/0

 

Terry asked the Board to consider accepting a grant offer from the Mitchell Institute for seniors to receive early college credit.  The criteria for student selection would include GPA and students in good standing.

 

Motion              To work with the Mitchell Institute to secure the grant monies for the High School.

Dyer/Mitchell

Vote:  5/0

 

D.      Public Comment

 

WEA President Kathy Eldridge introduces Grade School Teacher Alison Corthell as the newly elected Vice President of the WEA.

 

 

III.                 Old Business

A.      Bus Discipline Procedures

Transportation Director David Brackett explained the reasons for the modifications to the discipline procedures and his concerns for the safety of the students on the busses.  There was considerable discussion about monitors on the busses, seatbelts and video cameras, as well as involving parents and educating children.  The issue will be revisited at the 6/21/06 BOE meeting.

B.       Continuing and Probationary Teacher Contracts

Terry explained the contractual obligation pursuant to State Law and provided the BOE with the listing of continuing contract and probationary contract teachers.  There was no discussion.

 

Motion              To approve the renewal of all 1st and 2nd year continuing contract teachers as recommended by the Superintendent.

Dyer/Mitchell

Vote:  4/0/1 (Giampetro – abstain)

 

Motion              To approve the renewal of all 1st and 2nd year probationary contract teachers as recommended by the Superintendent.

Dyer/Giampetro

Vote:  5/0

 

IV.                New Business

A.      4-Year Old Program

Principal Ann Dooling explained the process & procedures and curriculum, and asked for the BOE to approval of the program.

 

Motion              To approve the 4-Year Old Program for the 2006-2007 school year.

Mitchell/Dyer

Vote:  5/0

 

B.      2006 - 2007 K-12 Daily Schedule

There are no changes from the 2005 – 2006 daily schedule.

 

Motion              To accept the 2006 – 2007 K-12 daily schedule as presented.

Mitchell/Giampetro

Vote:  5/0

C.      Wellness Curriculum – Grade 6-8

Principal Karen Criss explained the new curriculum and how it will potentially affect Middle School students and staff.  Ellen thanked Karen, Gabe Rivard and Ed Van Tassel for their work on this project.

 

Motion              To accept the new Middle School Wellness Curriculum as presented.

Mitchell/Dyer

Vote:  5/0

D.      Middle School Handbook

Karen explained that there were very minor changes that needed to be done (names, phone extensions, etc.) and thanked Liz Warner for all her help.  The BOE will vote to accept all building handbooks collectively at the 6/21/06 BOE meeting.

E.      Maine Readiness Campaign

Terry explained the campaign and asked the BOE to consider the benefits of being involved.

 

Motion              To allow the Superintendent and High School Principal to move forward with applying to be part of this initiative.

Dyer/Mitchell

Vote:  5/0

 

Motion              To move into executive session pursuant to Title 1 M.S.R.A §405(D) - Negotiations

Mitchell/Dyer

Vote:  5/0

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:40pm

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

/s/  Terry Despres

 

Terry Despres, Superintendent of Schools