Woolwich School Committee

Woolwich School Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes

Thursday, October 20, 2005

6:00pm at the school.

Those Present:

Sabrina Doak, Chairperson; Vickie Merrill; Paul Seaman; Forest York, Sr.; Tom Soule, Principal; and William Shuttleworth, Superintendent of Schools.

I.

Call to Order

Mrs. Doak called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm.

II.

Pledge of Allegiance

III.

Recognition

Mr. Shuttleworth and Mr. Soule recognized the middle school teachers for their commitment and hard work in attending the annual MAMLE conference at Sugarloaf.

IV.

Presentations

None

V.

Public Comments Session

Lisa Holly, parent, presented her concerns about the hours for middle school students. She addressed the issue from two points. She indicated that a large body of research points to the fact that adolescents need a different sleep schedule and they should not arrive at school early in the morning. She also pointed out that it is not good for students to arrive home shortly after 2:00 p.m. everyday in an unsupervised home. Mr. Soule indicated that this has been a topic of discussion at the staff meetings and that the staff was essentially split down the middle on this matter. It will be a topic of considerable discussion as we develop the vision of our middle school and next year’s budget.

VI.

Previous Minutes (September 8, 2005)

Mrs. Doak moved to approve the September 8, 2005 meeting minutes; Mr. York seconded.

       Vote: Approved 4 to 0.

VII.

Principal’s Reports

In addition to the written report that Mr. Soule handed out at the meeting, he indicated that the staff was carefully examining the MEA data and would report next month. He gave an enrollment sheet and indicated that he is working hard to stabilize the kindergarten class with several children needing specialized services.

VIII.

Superintendent’s Report

Mr. Shuttleworth reported that the MAMLE conference was an excellent opportunity for the staff to work and plan towards the next steps to change their program. He reported that all SU #47 principals met with the Bath elementary principals this week in a cordial meeting filled with topics of mutual educational concern. As of today, the state plans to give the SAT’s to 11^th graders on April 1, a Saturday, and this is a challenge getting all 11^th graders to school that day.

IX.

Financial Report

23.7 % of the FY’06 budget has been expended at the 33% mark of the fiscal year.

X.

Committee Reports

Building Committee Update and Report: Mr. Seaman gave an update on the last meeting indicating that the building committee was going to construct a five year maintenance plan.

Playground Committee Update/Plans for Recognition: There will be a community/school recognition on Friday, October 21 at 2:00 honoring the work of several people and organizations. Invitations have been sent out.

XI.

Old Business

Mrs. Doak asked if the situation regarding the mother who appeared regarding the PET on her daughter had successfully been resolved. Mr. Shuttleworth indicated that both mother and daughter were pleased with outcome.

Mrs. Doak also asked if the situation with busing that was brought to board’s attention had been resolved and Mr. Soule confirmed that the matter had been addressed and resolved.

Mrs. Doak also reminded the board that the elections for school committee are coming up in November.

XII.

New Business

1.        Approve LAU Plan for Limited English Proficient students as required by state. Mrs. Doak moved to accept the LAU plan as presented. Mrs. Merrill seconded the motion. Motion passed: 4 to 0.

2. Goals and Objectives for the school board: Mrs. Doak passed out a template for future board goal discussion that provided a way to track each goal from inception to completion. The Board readily approved of this format and will use it for future board goal development.

3. Discussion of RFP from Arrowsic to educate their children: Mrs. Doak moved to authorize Mr. Soule to complete the RFP and present it to the board for review at the next meeting.

4. Discussion of extra costs for providing hot water to elementary wing: After short discussion, Mr. York moved to approve up to $2800 to provide hot water to the elementary wing; Mrs. Doak seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 to 0.

5. Schedule workshop meeting to prepare for negotiations. Mr. Shuttleworth recommended that we send the contract to Drummond and Woodsum who will prepare a report on the issues within the contract that should be addressed prior to negotiations. The board gave their verbal approval to do this.

XIII.

Establish Next Meeting Date and Agenda

Wednesday, November 9, 2005 at 6:00pm

       1. MEA results presentation

2. Discuss budget process and communication plan to the public and town selectman

3. Food policy, under Chapter 51

4. Middle School: ideas for scheduling for next year.

5. Board Goals

6. Update on MSBA conference

7.    Discussion of Pre-School meeting

8.    Discussion of Norton Health insurance proposal

9.    Review of RFP for Arrowsic students

XIV.

Adjourn

Mrs. Doak adjourned the meeting at 7:05 pm.

Woolwich School Committee Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 20, 2005 6:00pm at the school.
Those Present:		Sabrina Doak, Chairperson; Vickie Merrill; Paul Seaman; Forest York, Sr.; Tom Soule, Principal; and William Shuttleworth, Superintendent of Schools.

I.	Call to Order
	Mrs. Doak called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm.

II.	Pledge of Allegiance

III.	Recognition
	Mr. Shuttleworth and Mr. Soule recognized the middle school teachers for their commitment and hard work in attending the annual MAMLE conference at Sugarloaf.

IV.	Presentations
	None

V.	Public Comments Session
	Lisa Holly, parent, presented her concerns about the hours for middle school students. She addressed the issue from two points. She indicated that a large body of research points to the fact that adolescents need a different sleep schedule and they should not arrive at school early in the morning. She also pointed out that it is not good for students to arrive home shortly after 2:00 p.m. everyday in an unsupervised home. Mr. Soule indicated that this has been a topic of discussion at the staff meetings and that the staff was essentially split down the middle on this matter. It will be a topic of considerable discussion as we develop the vision of our middle school and next year’s budget.

VI.	Previous Minutes (September 8, 2005)
	Mrs. Doak moved to approve the September 8, 2005 meeting minutes; Mr. York seconded. Vote: Approved 4 to 0.

VII.	Principal’s Reports
	In addition to the written report that Mr. Soule handed out at the meeting, he indicated that the staff was carefully examining the MEA data and would report next month. He gave an enrollment sheet and indicated that he is working hard to stabilize the kindergarten class with several children needing specialized services.

VIII.	Superintendent’s Report
	Mr. Shuttleworth reported that the MAMLE conference was an excellent opportunity for the staff to work and plan towards the next steps to change their program. He reported that all SU #47 principals met with the Bath elementary principals this week in a cordial meeting filled with topics of mutual educational concern. As of today, the state plans to give the SAT’s to 11^th graders on April 1, a Saturday, and this is a challenge getting all 11^th graders to school that day.

IX.	Financial Report
	23.7 % of the FY’06 budget has been expended at the 33% mark of the fiscal year.

X.	Committee Reports
	Building Committee Update and Report: Mr. Seaman gave an update on the last meeting indicating that the building committee was going to construct a five year maintenance plan. Playground Committee Update/Plans for Recognition: There will be a community/school recognition on Friday, October 21 at 2:00 honoring the work of several people and organizations. Invitations have been sent out.

XI.	Old Business
	Mrs. Doak asked if the situation regarding the mother who appeared regarding the PET on her daughter had successfully been resolved. Mr. Shuttleworth indicated that both mother and daughter were pleased with outcome. Mrs. Doak also asked if the situation with busing that was brought to board’s attention had been resolved and Mr. Soule confirmed that the matter had been addressed and resolved. Mrs. Doak also reminded the board that the elections for school committee are coming up in November.

XII.	New Business
	1. Approve LAU Plan for Limited English Proficient students as required by state. Mrs. Doak moved to accept the LAU plan as presented. Mrs. Merrill seconded the motion. Motion passed: 4 to 0. 2. Goals and Objectives for the school board: Mrs. Doak passed out a template for future board goal discussion that provided a way to track each goal from inception to completion. The Board readily approved of this format and will use it for future board goal development. 3. Discussion of RFP from Arrowsic to educate their children: Mrs. Doak moved to authorize Mr. Soule to complete the RFP and present it to the board for review at the next meeting. 4. Discussion of extra costs for providing hot water to elementary wing: After short discussion, Mr. York moved to approve up to $2800 to provide hot water to the elementary wing; Mrs. Doak seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 to 0. 5. Schedule workshop meeting to prepare for negotiations. Mr. Shuttleworth recommended that we send the contract to Drummond and Woodsum who will prepare a report on the issues within the contract that should be addressed prior to negotiations. The board gave their verbal approval to do this.

XIII.	Establish Next Meeting Date and Agenda
	Wednesday, November 9, 2005 at 6:00pm 1. MEA results presentation 2. Discuss budget process and communication plan to the public and town selectman 3. Food policy, under Chapter 51 4. Middle School: ideas for scheduling for next year. 5. Board Goals 6. Update on MSBA conference 7. Discussion of Pre-School meeting 8. Discussion of Norton Health insurance proposal 9. Review of RFP for Arrowsic students
XIV.	Adjourn
	Mrs. Doak adjourned the meeting at 7:05 pm.