MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING April 9, 2020
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held virtually on April 9, 2020 at 4:45 pm, with all members present. There were 0 people in the audience.
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Corliss to go into executive session pursuant 1M.R.S.A. §405(6) (D) Labor Contract Discussion - Teacher Contract. All members voted in favor and the motion passed. In at 4:46 pm. Out at 5:00 pm.
The public meeting had 12 in the audience
Ms. Mallett, Berwick Board Member shared the explanatory statements regarding public input.
Public Input: None at this time
Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Beal to accept the minutes of April 2, 2020. All members voted in favor except Mr. Doiron who abstained and the motion passed.
The Board held a conversation about the finalizing of the 20/21district budget. After a quick review, Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Beal to adopt the 20/21 district budget of $42,724,732. The final budget was an increase in expenditures of 1.26 % with an impact to taxpayers of 3.40%. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The board then reviewed the Adult Education budget for 20/21. Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Beal to adopt the final Adult Education budget of $437,410. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The board then discussed that the cost to local taxpayers for the Adult Education budget would be $283,680. Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Beal to approve the local allocation of $283,680 for the Adult Education budget. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The board then discussed the 20/21 School Nutrition budget. Ms. Neubert made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Doiron to adopt the School Nutrition budget of $1,545,047. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The board then discussed that the cost to local taxpayers for the School Nutrition Budget would be $126,000. Ms Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Doiron to approve the local allocation of $126,000. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Mallett asked that it be noted how appreciative she and the whole board is of the Food Service program and the work that they have been doing in these difficult times to keep students fed. Huge shout out to the food service program and Director Abbey Pelletier.
The board then discussed the School Revolving Renovation Funds and the bond that would go before the community when the state referendum takes place. Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to approve putting the bond out. The local share of the funds would be paid back at $73,300 per year for 10 years. The state would provide over 1.2 million dollars to the district that would not have to be paid back. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
At the last meeting, the Assistant Superintendent shared with the board an update regarding remote learning:
Our first word with all of our staff, students and parents is “connection.” From the onset of this pandemic, we’ve urged our staff to simply connect - to each other and to their students. We urge staff, students and parents to recognize that this is impacting everyone in a unique way and that our common connection through our schools can be a center of support and caring. We are living in a stressful and historical time. We encourage all within our community to lean on each other.
Currently, MSAD 60 can be proud of the fact that:
We have 1:1 technology for all students
K-1 students have ipads.
2-12 have Chromebooks.
We have 60 Hot Spots delivered to families who did not have access to the internet. We are hopeful that the MLTI team’s work to secure additional access points for students is successful. We still have a small number of students without access.
Kindergarten through 3rd Grade Teachers are using Seesaw as their digital learning platform.
4th through 12th Grade Teachers are using Google Classroom as their learning platform.
Assignments are given each day to students, including:
Virtual class discussions using “Hangouts” at scheduled times
Independent and collaborative work through Classroom / Seesaw.
K-5 Students are continuing Literacy work through the LEXIA Core 5 Reading application. This app allows teachers to track student progress and provide interventions as necessary.
We are in the process of implementing ZEARN to support our math curriculum for K-5
Staff professional development had been occurring prior to COVID-19 closures, but we have stepped up the opportunities and support exponentially. We have been holding daily Google Hangouts to support staff in using the digital tools that the district provides. We have had 100’s of teachers participate in these sessions each day. All of the sessions are Live and recorded and posted on our Remote Learning Hub link here...tech.rsu60.org
Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Neubert to approve the remote learning plan as presented on April 2. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The Superintendent shared the retirements of two Hussey School Teachers, Ms. Elaine Chamberlin and Ms. Lorna Henley. Mr. Doiron made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Beal to accept the retirements of Ms. Chamberlin and Ms. Henley with regret. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
The Superintendent shared the resignation of Mr. Kevin Jackson as the Basketball Coach at Noble High. The board wished him well in the future and thanked him for his service.
The superintendent then shared with the board that Multiple Pathways teacher, Ben Chase, received a fellowship from Mount Holyoke College. This is the information about the fellowship.
Qualification Criteria: The purpose of this fellowship is to assist in unique projects and research focused on improving educational outcomes for youth who are vulnerable or whose families have been involved with the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system, the immigration system, or other health- or welfare-based organizations or government agencies.
Fellowship Application: To be considered for a fellowship, applicants must address the following question in 500-1000 words: How do you see yourself contributing to Mount Holyoke College’s projects and research focused on improving educational outcomes for youth who are vulnerable or whose families have been involved with the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system, the immigration system, or other health- or welfare-based organizations or government agencies? Why are you interested in this work? How is this connected to your long-term goals?
Ben has an excellent reputation and we are very proud of him!
Second Public Input: None at this time.
Ms. Beal made the motion and it was seconded by Ms. Potter to adjourn. All members voted in favor and the motion passed.
Adjourned at 6:07 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Steve Connolly
Secretary of the Board