oxford hills school district regular meeting of the … · 2021. 1. 15. · oxford hills school...

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OXFORD HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 743-8972

www.msad17.org

www.msad17.org/District/School-Board

Per order of the Governor’s emergency proclamation #14 all persons attending

the Board meeting in person must wear a face covering while in school buildings

or on school property. The meeting will be conducted electronically over Zoom

and Board members preferring not to wear masks must participate remotely.

In accordance with An Act To Implement Provisions Necessary to the Health,Welfare and Safety of the Citizens of Maine in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, as enacted to read: Sec. G-1 1 MRSA §403-A Public

proceedings through remote access during declaration of state of emergency due to COVID-19, the Board Meeting will be held virtually through a ZOOM Meeting.

The Board Meeting will be recorded and made available by NPC TV http://npctv11.org/

All votes will be roll call so that members of the public will know how their Board members voted on agenda items. Public Participation: Due to the change in the School Committee meeting format, the School Committee is asking the members of the public who would like to participate the evening of the meeting to join the zoom meeting or call 207-743-8972, extension 8201. If you are unable to call-in or your call is not related to topics on the agenda, please send your comments, concerns and/or questions to members of the School Committee and the Superintendent.

Here are the School Committee members’ emails:

Ms. Natalie Andrews, [email protected] (207) 515-0897

Mr. C. Scott Buffington [email protected] (207) 743-5688

Mr. Jared Cash [email protected] (207) 890-3800

http://www.msad17.org/

http://www.msad17.org/District/School-Board

http://npctv11.org/

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Mr. Curtis Cole [email protected] (207) 461-3380

Ms. Stacia Cordwell [email protected] (207) 539-2929

Mr. Stephen Cummings [email protected] (207) 743-8376

Ms. Lisa Dunham [email protected] (207) 240-8128

Ms. Amanda Fearon [email protected] (207) 966-2401

Mrs. Judy Green [email protected] (207) 583-6653

Mr. Mark Heidmann [email protected] (207) 583-4698

Mr. Bob Jewell [email protected] (207) 743-8117

Mr. Ronald Kugell [email protected] (207) 539-2264

Mr. Albert Lisowski [email protected] (207) 583-6379

Mr. Christopher Miller [email protected] (207) 515-1196

Ms. Diana Olsen (Chair) [email protected] (207) 627-4953

Ms. Sarah Otterson [email protected] (207) 515-0920

Mr. Barry Patrie [email protected] (207) 583-9954

Mr. Troy Ripley [email protected] (207)743-6445

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Mr. William Rolfe [email protected] (207) 890-4947

Ms. Kristin Roy [email protected] (207) 577-5154

Mr. Gary Smith [email protected] (207) 539-2273

Mr. Lewis WIlliams [email protected] (207) 966-2312

DATE: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. LOCATION: Central Office, 232 Main Street, South Paris Room 201 Zoom Link: https://msad17.zoom.us/j/83838381506?pwd=SEt4Z296QWlySzlJa3lJN1JaRy9mZz09

A G E N D A

Welcome to Lisa Dunham, newly appointed director from the town of

Oxford.

1. CALL TO ORDER. Board Chair Diana Olsen will preside.

2. FLAG SALUTE.

3. WELCOME TO VISITORS.

4. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.

5. REPORTS.

Scheduled Committee Meetings:

https://msad17.zoom.us/j/83838381506?pwd=SEt4Z296QWlySzlJa3lJN1JaRy9mZz09

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Policy Committee January 19, 2021 5:00 pm

https://msad17.zoom.us/j/82607170631?pwd=WkhQQWp6YlMxSXFEOHo1MDBGZkppUT09

6. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.

7. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA.

8. CONSENT AGENDA.

A. To see if the Board will vote to approve the following stipend committee

positions:

Certification Steering Committee

Lori Plummer Sara Johnson

Rhonda Springer Evelyn Krahn

Jenn Carter Rennie Emily Ellis

Performance Evaluation & Professional Growth

Samantha Armstrong Melissa Guerrette

Tina Fox Rob Ripley

Cameron Sutton Kallie Brown

B. To see if the Board will vote to approve the following Leadership stipend

positions at Guy E. Rowe Elementary School:

Kendra Threaton Margartte Goss Kelli Knap Tiffany Colby

Marsha Wood Robin Williams

Dana Dudley Jennifer McAllister

Mary Buzzard April Thompson

NOTE: Paid for from Federal Title I, Tier III approved funding.

C. To see if the Board will vote to accept a donation to Otisfield Community

School in the amount of $777.00 from Bartow Construction Company to be

used to support the purchase of an updated water fountain?

NOTE: See enclosed letter of request.

D. To see if the Board will vote to approve two gifts in the amount of $135

each from the Norway American Legion Stone Smart Post #82 Auxiliary for

Guy E. Rowe Elementary School teachers Gretchen Poland and Katrina

Soucey?

https://msad17.zoom.us/j/82607170631?pwd=WkhQQWp6YlMxSXFEOHo1MDBGZkppUT09

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E. To see if the Board will vote to accept a gift in the amount of $1,000 from

Mary Delano and Tom Tomczyk for Guy E. Rowe Elementary School to

support needy students in the community?


F. To see if the Board will vote to accept a Donors Choose award of an Epson

-VS355 3LCD Projector and Spectrum Electric Projection Screen valued at

$887 to special education teacher Melinda Thompson to support a project

entitled “Seeing Beyond the HIlls”?


G. To see if the Board will vote to approve the Superintendent’s

recommendation of Charlee Noble as Educational Technician III, Day

Treatment at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School?

NOTE: Ms. Noble holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology

from the University of Maine. She comes to us with experience

providing support to individuals with significant trauma and

social/emotional challenges.

CERTIFICATION

I certify that the January 19, 2021 meeting of the MSAD 17 School Board was:

[check one box]

❏ conducted as a public meeting with no Board members participating remotely;

or

X conducted through telephonic, video, electronic, or other similar means of

remote participation,

and that the Board’s vote on this Resolution was taken by roll call as follows:

Voting Form

Maine School Administrative District 17

Oxford Hills School District Board of Directors

Motion: To see if the Board will vote to approve the Consent Agenda?

Made by: Seconded by:

Yes No Abst.

Al Lisowski Harrison

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Mark Heidmann Harrison

Lewis Williams Hebron

Amanda Fearon Hebron

Jared Cash Norway

Stephen Cummings Norway

Christopher Miller Norway

Curtis Cole Norway

Kristin Roy Otisfield

Diana Olsen Otisfield

Lisa Dunham Oxford

Stacia Cordwell Oxford

Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford

Sarah Otterson Paris

Troy Ripley Paris

Scott Buffington Paris

Bob Jewell Paris

Judy Green Waterford

Barry Patrie Waterford

Natalie Andrews West Paris

William Rolfe West Paris

Elizabeth Dunn Student Rep.

Bram Dustin Student Rep.

Signed : ___________________________ Richard Colpitts, Secretary 9. ACTION ON MINUTES:

A. To see if the Board will vote to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2020 regular Board Meeting?

CERTIFICATION


[check one box]


or

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Voting Form



Motion: To see if the Board will vote to approve the December 14,

2020 regular Board meeting minutes?


Yes No Abst.





Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway



Lisa Dunham Oxford


Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris







Signed : ___________________________

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Richard Colpitts, Secretary

10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

11. NEW BUSINESS:

A. To see if the Board will approve the following policy for a first

reading:

BE - School Board Meetings BDA- Board Organizational Meeting BDB - Board Officers

NOTE: Policy Committee will have a recommendation.

CERTIFICATION


[check one box]


or




Voting Form



Motion: To see if the Board will vote to approve the 1st reading of

policy BE - School Board Meetings?


Yes No Abst.





Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway

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Lisa Dunham Oxford


Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris







Signed : ___________________________ Richard Colpitts, Secretary

B. To see if the Board will approve the following policies for a second

and final reading:

BEB - Board Member Use of Social Media KBF -Parent Involvement in Title I * KBE - Relations with Parent Organizations*

Note: * KBF and KBE were introduced and received unanimous Board approval for first reading on June 8, 2020 but the

second reading never occurred. Policy Committee will have a recommendation.

CERTIFICATION


[check one box]


or

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Voting Form



Motion: To see if the Board will vote to approve the 2nd and final

reading of policies BEB, KBF and KBE?


Yes No Abst.





Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway



Lisa Dunham Oxford


Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris








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C. To hear part II of the District Management Group Study.

Note: the full presentation has been included in the shared Board folder for those wishing to preview the presentation prior to the meeting.

D. To see if the Board will provide feedback to the Budget Committee and the Superintendent on written budget assumptions/expectations for the 2021-22 fiscal year budget?

E. To see if the Board will vote to enter executive session (pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) to review matters concerning negotiations with the Oxford Hills Education Support Personnel Association?

CERTIFICATION


[check one box]


or




Voting Form



Motion: To see if the Board will vote to enter executive session to

Review matters with the OHE Support Personnel Association?


Yes No Abst.





Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c7JaL7vARQwRpx8XZ7omLriUfGc15t5aiv83-Fk8xgY/edit?usp=sharing

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Lisa Dunham Oxford


Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris








F. To see if the Board will ratify the proposed Collective Bargaining

agreement between the Board of Directors and the Oxford Hills Education Support Personnel Association?

CERTIFICATION


[check one box]


or




Voting Form



Motion: To see if the Board will vote to ratify the proposed Collective

Bargaining Agreement with the OHE Support Personnel Association?


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Yes No Abst.





Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway



Lisa Dunham Oxford


Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris








G. To see if the Board will ratify the proposed Memo of Understanding

between the Board of Directors and the Oxford Hills Education Support Personnel Association?

CERTIFICATION


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[check one box]


or




Voting Form



Motion: To see if the Board will vote to ratify the proposed MOU

between the Board of Directors and the OHE Support Personnel

Association?


Yes No Abst.





Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway



Lisa Dunham Oxford


Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris





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H. To see if the Board will vote to enter executive session (pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) to review matters concerning negotiations with the Oxford Hills School District Head Custodians?

CERTIFICATION


[check one box]


or




Voting Form




Review matters with the Oxford Hills School District Head Custodians?


Yes No Abst.





Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway



Lisa Dunham Oxford


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Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris








I. To see if the Board will ratify the proposed Collective Bargaining agreement between the Board of Directors and the Oxford Hills School District Head Custodians?

CERTIFICATION


[check one box]


or




Voting Form



Motion: To see if the Board will vote to ratify the proposed

bargaining agreement with the Oxford Hills Head Custodians?


Yes No Abst.

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Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway



Lisa Dunham Oxford


Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris








J. To see if the Board will vote to enter into executive session (pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) to review matters concerning a personnel matter?

Note: No action will be taken by the Board following this executive session.

CERTIFICATION


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[check one box]


or




Voting Form




Review a personnel matter?


Yes No Abst.





Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway



Lisa Dunham Oxford


Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris






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K. To see if the Board will vote to enter into executive session (pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) to review matters concerning a personnel matter?

CERTIFICATION


[check one box]


or




Voting Form




Review a personnel matter?


Yes No Abst.





Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway



Lisa Dunham Oxford


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Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris








L. To see if the Board will take action on a personnel matter?

CERTIFICATION


[check one box]


or




Voting Form



Motion: To see if the Board will vote to take action on a personnel

matter?


Yes No Abst.




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Jared Cash Norway



Curtis Cole Norway



Lisa Dunham Oxford


Ron Kugell Oxford

Gary Smith Oxford


Troy Ripley Paris


Bob Jewell Paris







Signed : ___________________________ Richard Colpitts, Secretary 12. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD.

13. ADJOURNMENT.

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TO: BOARD OF DIRECTORS FROM: Rick Colpitts, Superintendent of Schools DATE: Tuesday, January 19, 2021

RE: SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE

1. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES:

2. TRANSFERS:

RESIGNATIONS:

● Pamela Williams, Educational Technician III at Paris Elementary School, 21 years, retiring effective June 30, 2021.

● Carol LaChapelle, Educational Technician III at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, 5 years, effective November 30, 2020.

● Christopher Colello, Educational Technician I at Guy E. Rowe Elementary School, 2.5 years, effective January 15, 2021.

3. ENCLOSURES:

3.1 Superintendent’s email memo dated January 7, 2021 3.2 Letter of request for Otisfield Community School donation.

3.3 Letter of request for Guy E. Rowe Elementary School donations. 3.4 January 1, 2021 Oxford Hills School District Enrollment Report. 3.5 M.S.A.D. 17 Board Director List

4. Congratulations to January Students of the Month: Grade 9 - Jaxton Stain Grade 10 - Thomas Richards Grade 11 - Cadence Allen Grade 12 - Thomasina Lester

5. Congratulations to Keely Baldridge on earning her Master of Arts degree. 6. Congratulations to Kelsi McNamara on earning her Master of Arts degree.

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7. The Board will be asked to give feedback on the proposed parameters for the development of the Superintendent’s 2021 budget. A draft of parameters has been provided for your feedback. Board feedback on the parameters will assist the Superintendent in developing his proposed budget in anticipation of the Budget Committee’s review. We anticipate that the Department of Education will release preliminary general purpose aid estimates at the end of January. We have frozen the FY 21 budget for all but essential programmatic expenses in the hopes of maximizing our fund balance that could potentially mitigate any reductions in state or local funding. 8. On December 8 the District borrowed $2 million from Androscoggin Bank at 1.67% interest through a Tax Revenue Anticipation Note (TRAN) approved by the Board to help manage cash flow issues generated by unanticipated expenses related to Federal grants. The grants required the district to expend $6 million dollars in CARES Act and Covid Relief funds within a short 3-5 month period of time. The state has been slow in reimbursing the district for funds expended and the district found it necessary to borrow funds to cover ongoing expected expenses related to the daily operation of the district. We anticipate being able to repay the TRAN loan by the end of February and do not anticipate needing to borrow any more at this time. Cathy Coffey, the district Business Manager has been providing weekly updates of cash flow to the Finance Committee.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c7JaL7vARQwRpx8XZ7omLriUfGc15t5aiv83-Fk8xgY/edit?usp=sharing

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9. The events occurring on January 6 during the certification of the Electoral College votes in Washington DC are troubling and difficult to explain. Our teachers and principals have been on the front lines of student inquiry. They have addressed the issues factually and in accordance with our policies of teaching

controversial topics. I am reminded of a quote by Abraham Lincoln, "If the great American people will only keep their temper, on both sides of the line, the troubles will come to an end...". Flaring tempers have resulted in an attack on the institutions of our democracy that will be remembered for generations to come. I will not lecture on the basis for these divisions, or the motives that led to the attack on our Capital; that will be reserved for our students who write our stories sometime in the future. I will propose that there are some steps the Board can do to help to break down areas of division within our schools and students and to reflect on our practices moving forward. I am including a copy of a joint policy statement that was created and supported by educational associations across the state, including the Maine School Boards Association, Maine Curriculum Leaders Association and the Maine School Superintendents’ Association concerning Diversity, equity and inclusion in Maine Schools. “Examining racism and inequity is difficult work”. We should approach it with sympathetic listening and an openness to move our stakes when necessary. The statement encourages districts to evaluate their current practices and engage in discussions and actions that ensure our schools are safe and welcoming places for all students. We have a number of policies that protect and provide statements in support of these ideas. I am proposing that the Policy Committee review these policies in light of recent events across our country to see if they should be revised or strengthened in order to assure we are not shirking our role in support of diversity, equity and inclusion. There are many more steps we can take in time but this is a step towards doing something that can address the division in our country. 10. There is still a moderate level of spread of COVID 19 within Oxford County, including our eight towns. We have a number of students and staff quarantined because of close contact with positive cases outside of the school. So far, schools have continued to be safe places for students. Our Principals, teachers and staff are following stated guidelines and are working hard to continue to provide opportunities for students to learn. We know that schools don’t look or feel like they did before the pandemic and that there will be a significant need for student learning supports once we are able to return to a more traditional school day. But for now, we are doing well. Parents appear to understand the situation and be supportive of the opportunities we have offered. The state should be re-evaluating the county designation code this Friday. Should we return to “green” the most significant change would be the return of some sports programming.

https://mainedoenews.net/2020/12/11/joint-statement-of-commitment-and-support-for-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-maine-schools/

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z1r8GP64rChnLX9F3qF86MwgHEzCBzAtmImCGZWfQig/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z1r8GP64rChnLX9F3qF86MwgHEzCBzAtmImCGZWfQig/edit?usp=sharing

oxford hills school district regular meeting of the … · 2021. 1. 15. · oxford hills school...

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