11/8 -

To be approved at the next School Committee Meeting:

FREEPORT SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FREEPORT, MAINE
MEETING MINUTES
October 22, 2007



Call to Order
A regular meeting of the Freeport School Committee was held on October 22, 2007 in the Freeport Town Hall Council Chambers. Chair Chris Leighton called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M.

Roll Call
Present: Sean Crean, John Gleason, Chris Leighton, John Morang, Susan Martling, Beth Parker and Christine Munroe.

Secretary’s Report
On a motion made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Mr. Crean

It was voted:
To approve the minutes of the September 25, 2007 Special Meeting and the October 9, 2007 Regular Meeting.
Approved: 7 – 0

Communications
1. John Jacques spoke on consolidation. Short term it is wise for Freeport to express to Pownal and Durham the community has serious concerns regarding school choice. The three communities are very different, no high school, property valuation very different. Likely to grow but will have serious impact on Freeport. Suggests a seven member board with 2 at large not representing a town, 1 Pownal, 1 Durham and 3 Freeport. He has no doubt Yarmouth is our best partner. Encouraged us to free up staff to attend professional development days in Yarmouth.
2. Beth Parker mentioned the Safety Committee’s first meeting took place on October 16, 2007. Mike McManus and Jim Grant are Co-Chairs. The next meeting will be held at 6:45AM on November 14, 2007.
John Morang informed the School Committee of MVR10 enrollment status for the year and mentioned they are considering adding a law enforcement and fire safety course for next year.
Beth Parker mentioned FPAC Advisory Committee met on 10/22. Second Tuesday of the month is Speakers Club, 7:15-8PM it is free to the public. There will be a presentation followed by questions. Check the FPAC website for upcoming speakers.
John Gleason mentioned the boy’s soccer playoff game tomorrow at 2PM against Lake Region. If they advance there will be a Saturday game.
3. Update on Proposal to Consolidate School Districts – Chris Leighton reported he and Superintendent Tomaszewski have met with all four schools’ teachers and staff and the School Committee has spoken at all four PTC’s. December 1 is the date to submit a plan to the Commissioner. There will be a vote this spring and the school budget will go to a Budget Validation Referendum (BVR) this spring as well.
John Gleason updated the committee on RPC meetings as follows:
-October 10th the RPC met in Pownal. Jim Rier attended to present DOE modeling re: financial templates of Freeport/Pownal/Durham.
-Three subcommittees were formed: Finance/Property/Cost Saving, Governance/Transition and Employment/Collective Bargaining. Elected a reporter and Chair for each subcommittee. Tri-Chairs of the RPC are Amber Snell, Paul Schumann and John Gleason.

-Discussed what deadline does and doesn’t mean July 1, 2008 /vs/ July 1, 2009. Agreed to move ahead toward December 1 to accomplish as much as possible.
-Included a public comment period to each meeting and subcommittee meetings. They are
finding public comment very helpful.
-October 12th Freeport RPC met with Yarmouth. Talked about leveling up/expenditures we could anticipate. Yarmouth has a choice to opt out. They have not committed. Yarmouth will have a Community Forum on 10/29/07.
-John suggested Freeport try some pilot programs with Yarmouth and some joint activities
because 1) it’s the right thing to do 2) Because Yarmouth may not have opt out status forever.
-Superintendents Tomaszewski and Murphy were asked to work at the possibility of upper level Foreign Language and at least one of the following:
1) Low participation sport (suggest track team)
2) Fine Arts joint venture of some sort
-October 17th RPC meeting was in Durham;
-Subcommittees worked on substantive issues.
-Discussion of a fourth committee: Educational Quality. Suggests representation from teachers, public and administrators – Superintendents are meeting to develop a plan for this.
-A meeting is scheduled for October 24th in the High School Library at Freeport. The Freeport RPC will meet from 6-7PM to discuss Freeport issues. Topics will include revisiting the December 1st deadline. Community Forum is October 30th 6:30PM at Morse Street Cafeteria. It will be taped and rebroadcast. There will be a presentation with a goal of explaining where we are, describe process then hear from the public. We want a community conversation. Questions in advance of meeting can be sent to Superintendent Tomaszewski and she’ll be sure they are circulated/answered.
- November 7, 14, 28 are tentative RPC (Freeport/Durham/Pownal) meetings.

Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Tomaszewski reported on the following:
-October 1st enrollments.
-Goal input survey.
-Adjustment to agenda.

Addendum
On a motion made by Mr. Crean, seconded by Mr. Morang

It was voted:
To add a New Business item to the Agenda. Approved: 7 – 0

New Business
1. On a motion made by Mr. Crean, seconded by Mr. Morang

It was voted:
To appoint the following individuals to the respective stipend positions for the 2007-2008 school year:
A) Susan Smith – FMS 7th Grade PET Coordinator
B) Tim Ryan – FHS Student Council Advisor
C) Jessica Fenn – Freshman Class Advisor

Approved: 7 – 0



Signing of Bills and Vouchers

Adjournment
On a motion made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Parker

It was voted:
To adjourn at 8:12 P.M. Approved: 7 – 0



Respectfully Submitted,


Elaine M. Tomaszewski
Superintendent of Schools