June 4, 2020 Minutes

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting

of

RSU #74 Board of Directors

Thursday, June 4, 2020

6:00 p.m.

At

Carrabec Community School

Robert Demchak, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

Directors Present: Judi Dunphy, Robert Demchak, Troy Dunphy, Grace Carreiro, Dwight Barron, Kevin Sousa, David Royce, Bobbi Sue Harrington, Valerie Pinkham, Robert Lindblom, Mike Cahill, Deron Whittemore, Ellen McQuiston, Heather Longley, and Laura Layman.

Directors absent with notification: None

Directors Absent without notification: None

Staff Members Present: 9

Students Present: 1

Citizens Present:4

Agenda Item #1 ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA

Upon motion by Ellen McQuiston and seconded by Robert Lindblom the removal of agenda item #7 was open for discussion.

Upon motion by Ellen McQuiston and seconded by Robert Lindblom the Board voted by roll call vote 14-1 to table the removal of agenda item #7 until Mr. Royce arrived at the meeting. Motion passed.

Upon motion by Ellen McQuiston and seconded by Robert Lindblom the Board voted by roll call vote 7-8 to remove agenda item #7. Motion failed and item #7 remained on the agenda.

Upon motion by Ellen McQuiston and seconded by Bobbi Sue Harrington the Board voted by roll call vote 2-13 to add agenda item 7.a. To see if the Board will discuss directing the Superintendent to create an educational plan as if the district were closing Carrabec High School. Motion failed.

Upon motion by Ellen McQuiston, she wanted agenda item 7.a. added to the agenda To see if the Board will discuss directing the Superintendent to create an educational plan as if the district were to educate Pre-K, Kindergarten and First graders from Embden and New Portland in their own community. No second so motion failed.

Upon motion by Ellen McQuiston and seconded by Deron Whittemore the Board voted by roll call vote 15-0 for the members of the RSU #74 School Board of Directors to congratulate the seniors on their graduation accomplishments and wish them well as they move forward. Motion passed.

Add agenda item #6.a. To see if the Board will establish a Reserve Account in the amount of $100,000 for and to expend in the Operations and Maintenance of Plant cost center to be approved by the voters of RSU #74.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Robert Lindblom the Board voted by roll call 14-1 to add agenda item #6.a. Motion passed.

Add agenda item 36.b. To see if the Board will establish a Reserve Account in the amount of $50,000 for and to expend in the Elementary Instruction cost center to be approved by the voters of RSU #74.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Deron Whittemore the Board voted by roll call 14-1 to add agenda item #6. b. Motion passed.

Add agenda item #6.c. To see if the Board will establish a Reserve Account in the amount of $50,000 for and to expend in the Secondary Instruction cost center to be approved by the voters of RSU #74.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Kevin Sousa the Board voted by roll call 13-2 to add agenda item #6. c. Motion passed.

Add agenda item #6.d. To see if the Board will approve an in person public budget hearing on June 25, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the CHS gym.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Kevin Sousa the Board voted by roll call vote 15-0 to add agenda item #6. d. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item #2 TO SEE IF THE BOARD WILL APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF May 6, 2020.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Michael Cahill the Board voted by roll call vote 15-0 to approve the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of May 6, 2020. Motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item #3 PRESENTATIONS: None

Agenda Item #4 REPORTS:

A.) Superintendent’s Report

Mr. Tracy spoke about the year end and how summer meals will be available in June and July. He said the teachers would be posting grades and mailing out report cards soon, and school athletics will remain closed through July.

1. Appointments: None

2. Resignations: None

3.

4. Nominations: Keith Mahoney – Principal/MS AD – CCS – per contract

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by David Royce the Board voted by roll call vote 14-1 to approve the nomination. Motion passed.

B.) Administrators: Written Reports were mailed to Board members and are available online at www.carrabec.org.

C.) Committees: None

Agenda Item #5 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

On behalf of the RSU #74 Board of Directors, I want to make it clear that we encourage public comment during the Public Comment portion of this meeting. There are restrictions, however, on what is allowed to be discussed publicly. Those comments are limited to policy and procedures in general terms.

Comments or complaints that may pertain to personnel and/or personnel issues should be raised through RSU #74 School Board Policy JII/KI/GBK. This policy outlines the procedures to be followed.

Each individual choosing to speak tonight will be provided with 3 minutes so that we can hear from as many members of the public as possible.

The RSU #74 Board of Directors will follow RSU #74 School Board Policy BEDH/KD in that public participation will be limited to no more than 30 minutes in total length and that all comments at a regular meeting may deal with any topic related to the Board of Directors’ conduct of the schools. The Board of Directors shall give due attention to comments and contributions from the audience but shall not respond or take any immediate action.”

For those who wish to participate, please note that in order to keep things running smoothly, we do have a number of guidelines that people need to follow when making public comment. Those include the following:

1. Please address your thoughts to me, the Chair, and the rest of the School Board.

2. We expect all members of the public to remain civil during the public comment period. This includes the speaker, as well as members of the audience. This means you may not share gossip, make defamatory comments, or use abusive or vulgar language.

3. Individuals should not provide thoughts/reactions/commentary unless recognized by the Chair. We request that you do not clap, boo, or provide similar reactions.

4. Comments about specific individuals, including students and school employees, have the potential to violate the rights of those individuals, and will not be tolerated.

If the Board has specific procedures or policies with respect to the matter on which you are commenting, I may redirect you to those policies rather than allow you to continue. If another commenter discusses the issue you wish you discuss, you may address the Board, but please try to reduce repetition.

Please note that if you violate these rules or exceed the time allotted to you, I may give you a warning or ask you to stop. If you choose to continue, you will be asked to leave and escorted out.

On behalf of the Board, we appreciate your interest and look forward to hearing from you. I will now recognize the first speaker – are there any individuals present that would like to address the Board?

Amy Price (community member) asked if we could add the Pledge of Allegiance to the start of every board meeting, and asked about building use during the COVID -19. Mr. Demchak asked this to be added to the next agenda.

Tammy Murray wanted to ask question about agenda items #6, 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d. She wanted to know if the plan would be going before the Board of Education.

Maddy Pierce started by congratulating Ms. Butler on the barn quilt grant. She also asked to speak during agenda items 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d. She also asked the people asking questions be treated with respect and get their questions answered.

Agenda Item #6 TO SEE IF THE BOARD WILL INCREASE THE BALANCE FORWARD LINE IN THE PROPOSED FY21 RSU#74 SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET NOT TO EXCEED THE AMOUNT THE DISTRICT SAVED DURING THE COVID-19 MANDATED SCHOOL CLOSURE.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Kevin Sousa agenda item #6 was open for discussion.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Deron Whittemore the Board voted by roll call vote 12-2 to amend agenda item #6 to say To see if the Board will increase the balance forward line in the proposed FY21 RSU #74 School District Budget by $100,000. Motion passed.

Agenda Item #6. a. TO SEE IF THE BOARD WILL ESTABLISH A RESERVE ACCOUNT IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 FOR AND TO EXPEND IN THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PLANT COST CENTER TO BE APPROVED BY THE VOTERS OF RSU #74.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Kevin Sousa the Board voted by roll call vote 11-3 to establish a reserve account in the amount of $100,000 for and to expend in the Operations and Maintenance of Plant cost center to be approved by the voters of RSU #74. Motion passed.

Agenda Item #6. b. TO SEE IF THE BOARD WILL ESTABLISH A RESERVE ACCOUNT IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 FOR AND TO EXPEND IN THE ELEMENTARY INSTRUCTION COST CENTER TO BE APPROVED BY THE VOTERS OF RSU #74.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Deron Whittemore the Board voted by roll call vote 12-2 to establish a reserve account in the amount of $50,000 for and to expend in the elementary instruction cost center to be approved by the voters of RSU #74. Motion passed

Agenda Item #6. c. TO SEE IF THE BOARD WILL ESTABLISH A RESERVE ACCOUNT IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 FOR AND TO EXPEND IN THE SECONDARY INSTRUCTION COST CENTER TO BE APPROVED BY THE VOTERS OF RSU #74.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Valerie Pinkham the Board voted by roll call vote 12-2 to establish a reserve account in the amount of $50,000 for and to expend in the secondary instruction cost center to be approved by the voters of RSU #74. Motion passed

Agenda Item #6. d. TO SEE IF THE BOARD WILL APPROVE AN IN PERSON PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING ON JUNE 25, 2020 AT 6:00 PM IN THE CARRABEC HIGH SCHOOL GYM.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Deron Whittemore the Board voted by roll call vote 14-0 to approve an in-person Public Budget Hearing on June 25, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the Carrabec High School Gym. Motion passed.

Agenda Item #7 TO SEE IF THE BOARD WILL DISCUSS DIRECTING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO CREATE AN EDUCATIONAL PLAN AS IF THE DISTRICT WERE CLOSING GARRET SCHENCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Kevin Sousa it was open for discussion.

Upon motion by Bobbi Sue Harrington and seconded by Heather Longley the Board voted by roll call vote 3-11 to direct the Superintendent to create an educational plan as if the district were closing any school. Motion failed.

Upon motion by Judi Dunphy and seconded by Kevin Sousa the Board voted by roll call vote 8-6 to direct the Superintendent to create an educational plan as if the district were closing Garret Schenck Elementary School. Motion passed

The Board Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 8:58 pm.

________________________________

Michael Tracy

Superintendent