02/7 -

Minutes to be approved at the Feb 11, 2008 School Committee Meeting:

FREEPORT SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FREEPORT, MAINE
MEETING MINUTES
January 28, 2008


Call to Order
A regular meeting of the Freeport School Committee was held on January 28, 2008 in the Freeport Town Hall Council Chambers. Chair Chris Leighton called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M.

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

Secretary’s Report
On a motion made by Mr. Morang, seconded by Ms. Parker

It was voted:
To approve the minutes of the January 17, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Approved: 6 – 0
Recognitions
A recognition ceremony was held to honor the following individuals:
-Seth Crean - FMS Awards Project
-Makai McClintock – Global Warming Project
-Brenda White - School Nurse of the Year
-Dan Queior – T.E.A.M. Teacher Excellence Award
-Linda Pritchard - UNUM Outstanding Teacher Award

Special Reports
-FHS Student Council Representatives did not report.
- Diane Boucher presented the Mid-year Financial Report

Communications
1. John Albright announced the Bryce Muir Scholarship Benefit Concert will be held 7:00PM on Saturday evening at the FPAC. Gourmet desserts and coffee bar at 6:30PM.
2. Beth Parker attended Tuesday’s Math Meet for 5th and 6th graders. Freeport 5th graders took 2nd place overall and Conner Cameron took an individual award.
Chris Leighton mentioned last Saturday he saw Perseus in the FPAC. Twelve high school students worked with Figures of Speech Theater. Chris also mentioned his Bee Master duties on January 23rd at the Middle School. Hilary Niles was the winner and Jo Moore was runner up.
3. Beth Willhoite updated the Board on the Mast Landing Choice Committee. Eight teachers have worked since October, chaired by Laurie Allen. Two parent meetings have been held, nearly 70 parents attended. Members are now sifting through feedback and will present a report in two weeks. Guiding principle is equity – numbers and makeup of classes so all students have an equal opportunity to learn.
4. John Gleason reported the RPC group continues to meet. The next meeting is in Durham February 13, 2008 at 7:00PM but the Freeport Committee meets at 6:00PM. The public is welcome to all meetings. This continues to be a work in progress: cost sharing is being looked at by the Finance Committee; the extension for the State (no report due 2/1) is welcomed. Start up costs are being looked into now for the period between election of a Board of Directors and the start of the district in July 2009. School choice also needs to be addressed and work continues; whether BVR will take


place this spring has not yet been determined (L.D. 1932).
Chris Leighton explained we are discussing inviting Durham students to begin attending Freeport High School as soon as next fall. Durham inquired if a bus could be provided and we are talking over that possibility with Pownal.

Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Tomaszewski reported on the following:
- EFF Grant applications are available.
- Letter from the Let’s Go Project thanking the Freeport Schools for continuing to participate.
- Meeting with Superintendent from Yarmouth regarding possible areas for collaboration.
- Pownal will recommend ending choice with current 8th grade students.
- Community meeting February 4th on the budget process 6:30PM at FHS Library.
- Thanked Carol and John Farrell for their work with FHS students.

Old Business
1. On a motion made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Munroe

It was voted:
To approve system-wide goals for the 2008-2009 school year.
Approved: 6 – 0

New Business
1. On a motion made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Parker

It was voted:
To accept the resignation of Kerry Gallivan, Technology Systems Director, reluctantly and with regret.

Approved: 6 – 0
2. On a motion made by Ms. Parker, seconded by Mr. Morang

It was voted:
To table the Capital Budget until the February 11, 2008 meeting.

Approved: 6 – 0
3. On a motion made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Munroe

It was voted:
To approve a schedule of meetings for the purpose of establishing a School Committee recommendation for an Operating and Capital Budget for 2008-2009.
Approved: 6 – 0

4. On a motion made by Mr. Morang, seconded by Ms. Parker

It was voted:
To table the policies until the February 11, 2008 meeting
Approved: 6 – 0




Signing of Bills and Vouchers

Adjournment
On a motion made by Ms. Parker, seconded by Ms. Martling

It was voted:
To adjourn at 9:14 P.M. Approved: 6 – 0



Respectfully Submitted,




Elaine M. Tomaszewski
Superintendent of Schools