CHEBEAGUE ISLAND SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

Tuesday, March 4, 2008             6:30 P.M.

CHEBEAGUE ISLAND SCHOOL

 

MINUTES

School Committee: Jen Belesca, Beverly Johnson, Ken Pelton, Carol White, Chair, and Jerry

 Wiles

Administration: Superintendent/Principal Alton L. Hadley, III

Staff:

Guests: Nancy Earnest

 

1.             Call to Order

Jerry Wiles, Acting Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:45 PM.

 

2.             Flag Salute

Wiles led the Committee and others present in the salute to the flag.

 

3.      Approval of Agenda                                                    (A)

         Motion to approve the agenda as written

Moved- White, seconded- Johnson                    Approved            5-0-0

 

4.      Approval of Minutes (February 5 and 19, 2008)             (A)

         Motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on February 5, 2008

         Moved- Johnson, seconded- Belesca                   Approved            5-0-0

 

Motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on February 19, 2008 as amended to reflect that Selectman Herb Maines and Teacher Nancy Earnest were in attendance

Moved- White, seconded- Belesca                      Approved            5-0-0

 

5.      Correspondence                                                           (I)

Hadley distributed a letter from Mac Passano re: his gift of a ³critter² tank to the CIS.  He has made arrangements for it to be delivered within the next two weeks. 

 

The Committee unanimously accepted this generous gift of a learning laboratory for the students and the Chebeague Island School Community.

 

6.      Public Comment

Jen Belesca shared with the Committee the excitement of her son, Ethan, who was given an opportunity to read to the PreK students following his practice MEA test.  Hadley shared that he had received positive feedback as well.

 

7.      Reports                                                                      (I)(D)

·      School Board Chair

White reported that there is an energy audit workshop at Lewiston HS that someone might be interested in attending.  She also requested that the Superintendent distribute the Agendas earlier than the weekend or Monday for Public posting.  Hadley will provide the Agenda on or before the previous Friday.

 

White and Althea Dugliss will be collaborating on the school newsletter for this spring.  Anyone with articles or information that could be included should send to Althea or Carol by Friday the 14th.

 

·      Superintendent/Principal/SPED Director

Hadley reported on action taken as a result of a dog being at school unleashed.  It posed a danger to the students and staff.  The animal control officer was called as well as the owner.

 

Hadley reported that he is pursuing a copier lease in lieu of purchase at a much lower cost.  Lease would also include a service contract.  That item is included in the Proposed Budget for 2008/2009.

 

Hadley reminded the Committee that they would be meeting on April 1 with the Selectman at 6:30 PM.   Since that is a regular School Committee meeting, the Committee agreed to meet at 5:30 PM to take care of school business prior to meeting with the Selectmen.  The School Committee will also hold a Public Meeting on Saturday, April 5th at 9:00AM to present and discuss the 2008/2009 Proposed Draft Budget.  There will be coffee, donuts and muffins available at 8:30 AM.

 

Hadley reported on legislative action taking place in Augusta and continued concerns regarding the economic well being of the state. He will be attending a workshop on March 5th having to do with budget validation and the process.

                                                     

8.      Old Business                                                               (I)(D)(A)

a.             Continue review of 2008-2009 Budget Proposal

The Committee continued to review and discuss the most recent draft of the proposed 2008/2009 Budget. 

 

Motion to approve the proposed 2008/2009-draft budget with a gross expenditure of  $903,840

Moved- White, seconded- Johnson                    Approved            5-0-0

 

Hadley reminded the Committee that this will remain in draft form until actual numbers are received from the state DOE.  At the present time their preliminary numbers reflect a small decrease from last yearıs subsidy payment for debt service and special education.

 

9.      New Business                                                              (I)(D)(A)

a.             AP Warrant  #14

Hadley distributed the Payables Warrant #14 to the Committee for their review and signatures.

 

b.             Financial Report February 2008

Hadley distributed the February 29, 2008 Financial Report and reviewed with the Committee and responded to questions regarding specific accounts.  The Budget continues to be on target and is in good shape barring any unforeseen emergency.

 

Without objection the School Committee accepted the Financial Report and approved Warrant #14 for payment.       

 

White asked if the $2,500 in the Health/Insurance line was going to be used in this current budget year.  Hadley responded that it was not.  White suggested that the Committee give consideration of using these funds (designated for health/insurance) to provide the benefit to the Superintendent out of the current budget that had been agreed to for subsequent budgets as a part of the Superintendentıs new two-year contract.  Following a brief discussion, the Committee:

 

Motion to authorize the Superintendent to reimburse or pay up to $2,500 toward his Term Life Insurance Policy from the 2007/2008 Budget

Moved- White, seconded- Belesca                      Approved            5-0-0

 

10.     Other Business

 

11.     Adjourn

         The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM by consensus.

 

 

 

A- ACTION                  D- DISCUSSION          I- INFORMATION