Jan 8th Minutes

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting

of

RSU #74 Board of Directors

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

6:30 p.m.

At

Garret Schenck Elementary School

Robert Demchak, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

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

Directors absent with notification: Mike Cahill and Deron Whittemore

Directors Absent without notification: None

Staff Members Present: 11

Students Present: 2

Citizens Present:0

Agenda Item #1 ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA

Agenda Item 5.a. To see if the Board will approve the purchase of a mini-van with a camera installed for the Special Ed Department up to $34,000.

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?

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by David Royce the Board voted by unanimous consent to add the adjustments to the agenda.

Agenda Item #2 TO SEE IF THE BOARD WILL APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 2019 AND THE SPECIAL BOARD MINUTES OF DECEMBER 11, 2019.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Grace Carreiro the Board voted by unanimous consent to approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of December 4, 2019 and the Special Board Minutes of December 11, 2019 with edits.

Agenda Item #3 PRESENTATIONS: None

Agenda Item #4 REPORTS:

A.) Superintendent’s Report

Mr. Tracy spoke about the data workshop, the Winter Newsletter, Negotiations, upcoming budget, and a video about RSU #74 was viewed.

1. Appointments:

Andrew Ferrari – Boys JV Basketball Coach – CHS – per contract

Jessi Campbell – Secretary – CHS – per contract

2. Resignations:

Anthony Pranses – Math Teacher - CHS

3. Nominations: None

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

C.) Committees:

Academic Committee met on December 18, 2019- Judi Dunphy reported

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?

One person spoke about letters of support for RSU #74 signed by staff.

Agenda Item #5. a. TO SEE IF THE BOARD WILL APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A MINI-VAN WITH A CAMERA INSTALLED FOR THE SPECIAL ED DEPARTMENT UP TO $34,000.

Upon motion by Kevin Sousa and seconded by Troy Dunphy the Board voted 12-1 to purchase a mini-van with a camera installed for the Special Ed Department up to $34,000. Motion passed.

Agenda Item #6 TO SEE IF THE BOARD WILL ENTER IN EXECUTIVE SESSSION: TITLE 1, CHAPTER 13, SUBCHAPTER 1, §405.6. A. EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATION – TEACHER HIRE.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Kevin Sousa the Board voted by unanimous consent to enter into Executive Session at 7:03 pm.

The Board entered back into regular session at 7:19 pm.

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Robert Lindblom the Board voted by unanimous consent to approve the nomination of Bruce Dostie as the CHS Math Teacher.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Agenda Item # 7 BUDGET TIMELINE AND EXPLANATION

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by David Royce the Board voted by unanimous consent to discuss.

Agenda Item #8 ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Troy Dunphy and seconded by Kevin Sousa the Board voted by unanimous consent to adjourn at 7:29 pm.

________________________________

Michael Tracy

Superintendent