MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT NO. 6 BUXTON, MAINE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS December 18, 2017

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1 MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT NO. 6 BUXTON, MAINE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS December 18, 2017 REGULAR BOARD MEETING 1. The Board meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chairperson Harmon. 2. The roll was called and a quorum was declared. The following Board members were present with a total of 696 votes: Present: R. Bowley A. Dube J. Bruni L. Harmon N. Carlow C. Libby R. Cullen C. Meserve R. Deakin J. Moses CALL TO ORDER DECLARATION OF QUORUM Absent/Excused: M. Nadeau A. Payeur, Jr. Z. Sturgeon Others: P. Penna M. Roy H. Smith 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Moved by Mr. Cullen; seconded by Ms. Bowley: To accept the agenda for the December 18, 2017, regular Board meeting, adding an executive session to the agenda as presented in the addendum (see attached). Agenda item #8 will be tabled until the next regular Board meeting. Ms. Meserve asked that an additional executive session be added to the agenda to update the Board on the status of negotiations with the Saco Valley Teachers Association. VOTED: Yes, Unanimously 5. There were no members of the public present who wished to address the Board. 6. Mr. Penna recognized Ms. Kristen Taplin, ASL Interpreter, for her quick action in saving the life of another. Ms. Taplin came to the aid of a choking student. She administered the Heimlich maneuver thereby removing the obstacle that was obstructing the student s airway. 7. Mr. Scott Nason, Director of Technology, and Ms. Suzanne Simmons, Technology Coach, addressed the Board and presented on Virtual Reality Technology. Mr. Nason opened the presentation with an update on the number of tech tickets his staff was handling since his last report this summer. He cited the following (see attachment): ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA PUBLIC INPUT SESSION SUPERINTENDENT RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEE HERO EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION ON VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY Since August 1, there have been 1,608 new help tickets. 1,472 tickets have been resolved and closed. The Technology Department is receiving approximately 268 new tickets per week. These numbers show that the Department is on pace to receive approximately 13,936 tickets in 12 months. Official Minutes Approved by the MSAD 6 Board of Directors

2 December 18, 2017 Minutes of the MSAD 6 Board of Directors Meeting Page 2 of 6 Mr. Nason introduced Ms. Simmons. He explained that she has been employed in the District as a Technology Coach for approximately four years. She covers both Bonny Eagle High School and Bonny Eagle Middle School. Prior to becoming the Technology Coach, she was employed as an Industrial Technology teacher at Bonny Eagle High School for approximately seven years. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION ON VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY, CONTINUED Ms. Simmons presented the Board with virtual reality devices and explained that she would be taking them on a virtual expedition. She said that the program had begun at the Middle School and was a big success. Currently, the technology coaches are beginning to introduce Google Expeditions to students in grades K through 12. Ms. Simmons explained that there were currently 700 expeditions available. Students have only seen 9.2% of the expeditions available. She said that expeditions are being created by all sorts of entities like Google, universities, etc. Board members explored a human cell, Mount Everest, and the area around the Vatican. Discussion: Is there audio with this? Audio is a couple of years down the road. There is programming being developed to augment the experience with audio. How is this different that a view master? Because the program is an app, the District does not have to purchase additional pieces for the kit. The application is continuously updating itself and adding more expeditions. At this time, the Google app is free. Mr. Nason added that it was the Superintendent who had asked him to explore the possibility of bringing virtual reality learning to the classroom. Because of this, each technology coach will receive a kit and have the use of it for two weeks. During that time, he has asked the technology coaches to prove the need for more kits, if appropriate. If the need exists, the Technology Department will pursue additional kits through the budget process. 8. Agenda item #8 was tabled until the next regular meeting of the MSAD 6 Board of Directors. 9. Due to the excused absence of Student Board Representative Zeke Sturgeon, there was no Student Report. 10. Moved by Ms. Bowley; seconded by Mr. Cullen: To accept the consent agenda as presented. a. Approval of the Minutes of the December 4, 2017, Regular Board Meeting AGENDA ITEM #8 TABLED STUDENT REPORT ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA b. Teacher Appointment for the School Year (The following candidate does not violate Policy Code BCC. Salary is based on the current agreement between the MSAD 6 Board of Directors and the Saco Valley Teachers Association [SVTA]. It will be updated when the new agreement has been ratified.) ~ Rebecca Nyanutse (MS/8 $47,250 Prorated) Middle Level Teacher (French) at Bonny Eagle Middle School Ms. Nyanutse graduated in 2000 from the Université du Togo, Lomé-Togo in West Africa with a Bachelor s Degree in English and Linguistics. In 2010, she received a Official Minutes Approved by the MSAD 6 Board of Directors

3 December 18, 2017 Minutes of the MSAD 6 Board of Directors Meeting Page 3 of 6 Master s Degree in Teaching French from the University of Maine in Orono, ME. Her work experience includes being a French Teacher at the University of Maine in Orono and at Sumner Memorial High School in RSU 24. From , she served as a Second Language Teacher at Collège Protestant Lomé-Togo in West Africa. Ms. Nyanutse holds a valid CHRC and is in the processing queue to receive a teaching certificate with a #420 endorsement from the Maine Department of Education. Mr. Harris and a middle level interview team are recommending her for this position. ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, CONTINUED c. Co-Curricular Appointment for the School Year: (Candidate does not violate Policy Code BCC and holds a valid CHRC. Salary is based on the current agreement between the MSAD 6 Board of Directors and the Saco Valley Teachers Association [SVTA]. It will be updated when the new agreement has been ratified.) Bonny Eagle High School Indoor Track Asst. Coach Ryan Dyer $2, VOTED: Yes, Unanimously 11. Mr. Harmon provided the Board Chairperson s Report as follows: Mr. Harmon encouraged Board members to visit the schools but asked them to contact the building administrator to let them know the intent and the date of the visit. He also asked them to notify the Superintendent of the request as well. BOARD CHAIRPERSON S REPORT Mr. Harmon has asked the Assistant Superintendent and the Policy Committee to review Policy Code BIA: New Board Member Orientation to develop a written process for Board members to visit schools. Discussion: - Can we, as Board members, go in and observe a classroom? Yes, but you will have to schedule with the building administrator and the teacher before doing so. Policy Code BIA is vague around this. Mr. Harmon reported that he had received copies of two letters from the Commissioner of Education addressed to the Town of Frye Island and to Mr. James Moses. He agreed to share the letters with Board members (see attached). In the letter, it directs the municipal officers of Frye Island to select representatives to serve on a withdrawal committee; it directs Mr. Moses, as sole Board member from the municipality, to serve on the withdrawal committee; and it directs Mr. Harmon to call the first meeting of the withdrawal committee within 30 days of receipt of the written notice of the vote. Mr. Harmon noted that the Board would be moving into executive session later in the evening to discuss with legal counsel the Board s options in this matter. Discussion: - Does our legal counsel charge the same amount as if he were here? Mr. Harmon was unable to answer the question. Mr. Penna noted that the Board would be charged the regular hourly fee for legal counsel whether the attorney was present or in attendance via telephone conference. Official Minutes Approved by the MSAD 6 Board of Directors

4 December 18, 2017 Minutes of the MSAD 6 Board of Directors Meeting Page 4 of 6 - Ms. Bowley suggested that the information be shared with the municipal officers of all of the towns comprising MSAD 6. She believed that they should be kept in the loop. 12. Mr. Penna provided the Superintendent s Report as follows: The list of support staff hires and resignations for December 1 through 13, 2017, had been included in the Board agenda packet. SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT The District s Special Olympics Athletes will be travelling to Sugarloaf on January 28-30, 2018, to participate in the Maine State Special Olympics Winter Games Mr. Penna acknowledged the following donations: - Thank you to DonorsChoose.org for donating $2, to George E. Jack School for the purchase of six (6) mobile bookcases - Thank you to the Boys Basketball Boosters for their donation of 14 new, reversible shorts and tops for the Boys Basketball, First Team program Mr. Penna acknowledged the work of the music directors in moving their programs forward and in providing outstanding holiday concerts and shows. Mr. Penna reported that the regionalization plans with both Kennebunk and the Sebago Educational Alliance group had been approved. However, the Commissioner of Education s plan is to have only eight or nine regions. Therefore, more school districts may be asked to join a region. Mr. Penna shared copies of the draft Strategic Plan District Overview, as well as the current plan, with Board members (see attached). He explained that the intention for this year was to build in more alignment. Discussion: - Are you looking for a one-year plan or one which progresses over time? The plan continues to shift, but it is a working document. There have been some modifications. The intent is to keep the document fluid and show transparency. The strategic plan is embedded in the work at the school level. When administrators report out, Board members will be able to recognize the plan embedded in their presentations. The Superintendent s goals have been added as well. - Did you work with the administrators on this document? Yes. The work began when the administrators met with the Board this summer. - Embedded within the document are references to the Maine Learning Results, etc. Where would community members go to find more information? They should contact their building administrator or the Superintendent. Mr. Penna asked for Board members to contact him with any further comments or feedback. Official Minutes Approved by the MSAD 6 Board of Directors

5 December 18, 2017 Minutes of the MSAD 6 Board of Directors Meeting Page 5 of Moved by Ms. Bowley; seconded by Mr. Cullen: To authorize the Board Chairperson and the Superintendent of Schools to sign the Certificate of Employment of a Superintendent of Schools and file said Certificate with the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education in accordance to Title 10-A MRSA Section 1051(5). APPROVAL TO SIGN THE CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYMENT OF A SUPERINTENDENT VOTED: Yes, Unanimously 14. Ms. Bruni provided the Finance-Facilities Committee report of December 7, 2017, as follows: The Science Lab Ad Hoc Committee had conducted site visits. More information will follow in January. Finance-Facilities Committee members talked about Phase II of the HVAC project at Bonny Eagle High School and asked for a detailed expense list before moving forward. The Committee reviewed the septic project and the recommendations made by Frick & Associates on where to locate the system. Mr. Sheehan reviewed with the Committee the supplies ordering system and the cost savings tied to the system. The Committee voted on the payroll and bills warrant; it was approved for November The Committee discussed the process for beginning a capital project. Bills are being paid and we are on budget. FINANCE-FACILITIES COMMITTEE REPORT November 9, 2017 Payroll 8 $1,623, Accounts Payable Warrant 8 $241, Food Service Warrant 8 $17, Insurance (MePers + Ins) $902, TOTAL $2,785, November 22, 2017 Payroll 9 $1,365, Accounts Payable Warrant 9 $917, Food Service Warrant 9 $31, Insurance (MePers + Ins) $6, TOTAL $2,321, Mr. Dube provided the Policy Committee report of December 4, He reported that the Committee had reviewed the following policies: Policy Code JKE: Expulsion of Students; Policy Code AD: Educational Philosophy; Policy Code ADAA: Ethical and Responsible Behavior; and Policy Code ADF: School District Commitment to Learning Results. He said that the Committee had begun its periodic review of policies. The policies were compared with samples from the Maine School Management Association (MSMA). Extensive discussion was held on Policy Code AD, and the Committee sought to simplify this policy. With regard to the discussion on Policy ADF, the Assistant Superintendent spent time educating Committee members on how PBE was being implemented into school programs. 16. Mr. Dube presented Policy Codes AD, ADAA, ADF, and JKE for first reading. In Policy Code AD: Educational Philosophy, some language was stricken due to redundancy. Clarity and alignment to MSMA sample policy were the changes recommended for Policy Code ADAA: Ethical and Responsible Behavior. There was some wordsmithing done to Policy Code ADF: POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT FIRST READING OF POLICY CODES AD, ADAA, ADF, & JKE Official Minutes Approved by the MSAD 6 Board of Directors

6 December 18, 2017 Minutes of the MSAD 6 Board of Directors Meeting Page 6 of 6 School District Commitment to Learning Results to add clarity to the first paragraph. With regard to Policy Code JKE: Expulsion of Students, the Committee adopted MSMA s sample policy. No other changes were made to this policy. FIRST READING OF POLICIES, CONTINUED Discussion: - The last paragraph says, Nothing in this policy will prevent the Board from providing educational services in an alternative setting to a student who has been expelled. Why are we expelling a student if we are going to provide services? If we are expelling out of the general education program, why would we provide programming? There is usually an educational piece as part of the expulsion. We would want to remediate the student because expulsion is not an indefinite amount of time. This language gives administration the leeway to make provisions so the student can progress and move forward. Any other comments on any of the above policies should be directed to Mr. Dube. 17. Moved by Mr. Cullen; seconded by Ms. Libby: To adopt Policy Code ACAD: Hazing as presented. ADOPTION OF POLICY CODE ACAD VOTED: Yes, Unanimously 18. Mr. Harmon announced the upcoming Board of Directors meetings and workshops as follows: Tuesday, January 2, 2018 (Central Office) ~ Policy Committee Meeting 4:30 PM Library ~ Regular Board Meeting 6:00 PM Conference Room (TELEVISED) All Board and MSAD 6 meetings may be viewed on the District s website at: 18a. Moved by Mr. Cullen; seconded by Ms. Meserve: To move into executive session at 7:05 p.m. with the Superintendent of Schools and the Assistant Superintendent of Schools pursuant to 1 MRSA 405 (6)(f) to confer with legal counsel. UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS / WORKSHOPS EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONFER WITH LEGAL COUNSEL The Board moved out of executive session at 8:04 p.m. 18b. Moved by Mr. Cullen; seconded by Ms. Bowley: To move into executive session at 8:05 p.m. with the Superintendent of Schools and the Assistant Superintendent of Schools pursuant to 1 MRSA 405 (6)(d) to discuss the status of negotiations with the SVTA. EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSSION STATUS OF NEGOTIATIONS The Board moved out of executive session at 8:17 p.m. 19. Moved by Mr. Cullen; seconded by Mr. Deakin: To adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. ADJOURNMENT VOTED: Yes, Unanimously Official Minutes Approved by the MSAD 6 Board of Directors

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