MINUTES

 

AUGUSTA SCHOOL BOARD

BUSINESS MEETING

 

7:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2008

CAPITAL AREA TECHNICAL CENTER CAFETERIA

 

 

 

The following Board Members were present:

 

Chair:

Bill Burney

Board Members:

Jane Dennison, Willie Emerson, Kim Silsby,

Darek Grant, Dick Barnes, Sue Campbell, and

Sue Dowling

 

Board Members absent:

 

Board Member:

Nate Rende

 

Also present were:

 

Superintendent:

Cornelia Brown

Business Manager:

James Jurdak

Director of Curriculum & Education:

Barbara Jordan

Outgoing Student Representative:

Samuel Marr

New Student Representative:

S. Nash Callahan

 

 

7:00 P.M. - BUSINESS MEETING:

 

1)      Opening:

A.     Call to Order:  Chair Burney called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

                                                                                                                                                                          

B.     Pledge of Allegiance

 

C.     Presentations:  None.

 

Chair Burney stated, “First of all, I’d like to open the meeting by thanking the public for supporting the School Budget with their vote of confidence in the Referendum yesterday.  It is a reflection, hopefully, of their confidence in this Board and the School Administration and the confidence the City Council has in us, the staff, and the entire School Department.  We really are thankful to the public for supporting us, and we intend to be worthy of that trust and support.  Thank you all.”

 

2)      Approval of Minutes:

A.     Motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 14, 2008. 

 

Move to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 14, 2008 as submitted.

Motion:

Yeas:

 

Nays:

Vote:

Sue Campbell  Second:  Sue Dowling

7:  Members Dennison, Emerson, Silsby,

    Grant, Barnes, Campbell, and Dowling

0

Motion Passed  7 to 0

 

      B.  Motion to approve the Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of May 28, 2008.

 

Move to approve the Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of May 28, 2008 as submitted.

Motion:

Yeas:

 

Nays:

Vote:

Sue Campbell  Second:  Sue Dowling

7:  Members Dennison, Emerson, Silsby,

    Grant, Barnes, Campbell, and Dowling

0

Motion Passed  7 to 0

 

3)      Communications:

A.  Letters:  None. 

 

B.   Student Council Report:

 

      Student Representative Samuel Marr reported to the Board that the Cony Graduation on Sunday was very successful.  Sam then stated that, as this was his last Board Meeting, he’d like to thank the Board for the opportunity he had to serve on the Augusta School Board for the 2007-2008 school year.  Sam also stated that he very much enjoyed the experience.  Chair Burney presented Sam with a plaque, thanked him for his service, and stated that he served the Student Council very well.

 

      Chair Burney swore in the new Student Representative S. Nash Callahan, who then took his seat on the Board.

     

4)      Resignations and Retirements:

 

A.  Resignations:

 

1.   Jeff Boston - Letter of Resignation dated May 15, 2008 informing the Augusta School Department that he would be resigning from his position as the Principal of Hodgkins Middle School effective with the close of the 2007-2008 school year.

 

2.   Paul Vachon – Letter of Resignation dated May 17, 2008 informing the Augusta School Department that he would be resigning from his position as the Cony High School Girl’s Varsity Basketball Coach effective with the close of the 2007-2008 school year.

 

3.   Nicole Bruyere – Letter of Resignation dated June 3, 2008 informing the Augusta School Department that she would be resigning from her position as a French Teacher at Cony High School effective with the close of the 2007-2008 school year.

 

4.   Elizabeth Tiemann – Letter of Resignation dated June 9, 2008 informing the Augusta School Department that she would be resigning from her position as a Teacher in the Machine Tool Program at CATC effective with the close of the 2007-2008 school year.

 

  1. Retirements:  None.

 

5)      Recognitions: 

 

A.  Tammy Roberts – Rotary Teacher of the Year.

 

6)      Informational Items:

 

A.     Out-of-State Professional Development Travel:  None.

B.     Athletic and Extra-Curricular Nominations:

 

1.   Spring Coaching Nominations for 2007-2008 school year:

 

·        Jen Keliher – Hodgkins Assistant Track Coach      

 

7)      Committee Reports:

A.     Finance: 

1.      Business Manager’s Report.

 

Business Manager James Jurdak gave his report to the Board.

 

Finance Committee Chair Sue Campbell gave the Finance Committee Report to the Board.  Sue stated that, “We will take July off and meet again on August 4th.”

 

B.     Curriculum & Education:

1.      Curriculum Coordinator’s Report.

 

Curriculum & Education Committee Chair Dick Barnes gave his report to the Board.

 

Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Jordan gave her report to the Board.  Dr. Jordan stated that, “In my last report to the Board, I want to thank many people for all of their support, advice, enthusiasm, and the trust you have given to me.  Of course, my administrative colleagues are the greatest.  In my day-to-day work, I thank them for allowing me to infiltrate their schools with assessments and initiatives when they had plenty of other things to do.  To the staff, a huge thanks for complying – at times reluctantly – to my requests, for agreeing to my schemes, and for always trying to make the kids’ school experience a little better.  To my good critical friends for making me laugh and for letting me complain. To Connie

for being the exceptional Superintendent that she is and for letting me teach you how to process and for you teaching me about Finance and Budgets.”

 

Dr. Jordan further stated, “There are so many things that need to be done.  It is a never-ending scenario in the schools.  Please remember that change is not accomplished in a year or even two.  We are making progress – certainly not as fast as I would have liked, but more students are reading closer to grade level than three years ago.  There are obstacles that must be addressed.  There’s the challenge of poverty and of in-and-out migration in schools.  There’s the challenge of motivating our students who want to learn, and there’s the challenge of engaging all parents in their children’s education.  I hope that our 21st Century Program can help you address some of these challenges.  I leave with plans to rest, and to go to Kenya.  I thank you all for the support you’ve given me.”

 

Chair Burney stated to Dr. Jordan, “We are deeply appreciative of all that you’ve done for us and with us and for our children.  As you say, a lot of that won’t be manifest right now, but it will be manifest in the lives of these children in the future, and I think that’s really what’s most important.  I think your whole life has been about that, and you can be proud of that.  Thank you very much, Bobbie.”

 

Member Silsby stated to Dr. Jordan, “I had the great pleasure of serving on the Committee that selected Bobbie lots of years ago.  I served as the Education Chair, and we did amazing things together.  I just want to say publicly that I think that you have led the Augusta Schools into just such an incredible place educationally.  You’ve moved us in ways that I don’t think we necessarily may have done without your leadership.  You’ve made me think every time I’ve ever heard you speak about issues that I never would have thought about necessarily in that concept.  You challenge us.  You’re not afraid to tell us that we’re wrong, which I think is just amazing.  I cannot thank you enough – particularly as a parent of 3 kids that are going to benefit from your leadership.  I just want to tell you that we are going to truly miss you.  It’s been a real pleasure to be with you during your time at the Augusta School Department.”

 

Member Dowling stated to Dr. Jordan, “As a parent of two kids, I’ve enjoyed meeting your kids and seeing that you have absolutely normal kids like the rest of us.  You are going to be very hard to replace as a Curriculum Coordinator, a friend, and a Wellness Leader.  You’re an awesome person, and I thank you for all you’ve done for us.  It’s been a pleasure knowing and working with you.”

 

C.     Personnel & Negotiations:

 

Personnel & Negotiations Chair Sue Dowling gave her report to the Board.

 

8)      Consent Items:  (All matters listed under this item will be considered routine and will be enacted by one motion.  A Board Member may ask to have an item(s) removed and considered individually.)

 

A.  Nominations for Professional Positions:

 

1.      Motion to approve the nomination of Robert Morang as a P.T. (1 Day/Per Week) Music Teacher at Hussey Elementary School.

 

Move to approve the

nomination of

Robert Morang as a

P.T. (1 Day/Per Week) Music Teacher at Hussey Elementary School.

Motion:

Yeas:

 

Nays:

Vote:

Sue Campbell  Second:  Sue Dowling

7:  Members Dennison, Emerson, Silsby,

    Grant, Barnes, Campbell, and Dowling

0

Motion Passed  7 to 0

 

9)      Public Comment on Non-Personnel Agenda Items:

10)  Unfinished Business:

A.  Policy Adoptions/Revisions/Deletions:

 

1.   Motion to approve the First Reading of Policy File No. EBCA – Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

 

Move to approve the First Reading of

Policy File No. EBCA – Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

Motion:

Yeas:

 

Nays:

Vote:

Sue Campbell  Second:  Sue Dowling

7:  Members Dennison, Emerson, Silsby,

    Grant, Barnes, Campbell, and Dowling

0

Motion Passed  7 to 0

 

11)  New Business:

A.  Student Activity Travel Requests (Out-of-State or Overnight):  None.

 

B.   Policy Adoptions/Revisions/Deletions.  None.

 

C.  Nominations for Administrative Positions:  None.

 

D.  Motion to approve the following prices for school lunch for school year 2008-2009:

 

Breakfast          Lunch

Pre-K–6th Grade (Full Price):               $0.85               $1.75

7th–8th Grade (Full Price):                    $0.90               $2.00

9th–12th Grade (Full Price):                  $1.00               $2.25

Adults:                                                  $2.00               $3.50

 

Move to approve the

following prices for school lunch for school year 2008-2009.

Motion:

Yeas:

 

Nays:

Vote:

Sue Campbell  Second:  Sue Dowling

7:  Members Dennison, Emerson, Silsby,

    Grant, Barnes, Campbell, and Dowling

0

Motion Passed  7 to 0

 

E.   Budget Update:  Referendum:

 

12. Superintendent’s Report:

 

      Dr. Brown advised the Board that the next iteration of the Alternative Plan is due at the Commissioner’s office on Friday, June 13th.

     

13. Reports from Other School Officials:

 

Lincoln Principal Lori Bolster reported to the Board on the enrollment numbers at Lincoln Elementary School.

 

Adult Ed Director Mary Barnes reported to the Board that the Adult Ed Graduation Ceremony was a success and thanked Member Dennison and        Dr. Jordan for their participation.

 

14. Audience Recognition for Non-Agenda Items:  None.

 

15. Adjourn:

A.  Motion to Adjourn:

 

Move to Adjourn.

 

Motion:

Yeas:

 

Nays:

Vote:

Time:

Sue Campbell  Second:  Kim Silsby

7:  Members Dennison, Emerson, Silsby,

    Grant, Barnes, Campbell, and Dowling

0

Motion Passed  7  to 0

8:10 p.m.

 

 

 

Next Business Meeting of the Augusta Board of Education

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

7:00 p.m. – Board Business Meeting

CATC Cafeteria