HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-12-03 School Committee Minutes MINUTES
. � BANGOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE
�E�ULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.,Monday,December 3, 2001
. Abraham L'uzcoln School
School Committee Members present: Chairman Martha Newman, Pliyllis Shubert, Susan
Caa-lisle, James Cox, Georae Eatori, Christine Szal, and Ellen Tobin.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
A. 1. VOTED 7-� to approve the Minutes of tlie Regular Meeting of November 19, 2001 and
the Minutes of the Special Meetings of November 26,2001.
B. T11ere were no audience comments or requests for infonnation.
. C. Superintendent Robert Ervin commented on the proposed rule changes coiw.ected with
MRSA Tit1e 20-A Chapter 125, Basic School Approval, and Chapter 127, Instructional
Pro�ram, Assessment and High School Diploma Requirements. Since the hearing
process is just beginning and fihe documents are lengthy, he did not go into great detail. �
However, major revisions were highlighted: 1.) the increased invasion of 1VII�OE in�o
local decisions regarding curriculum and instruction, 2.) dictated MLR requirements for
• the high school curriculum an.d graduation, 3.) the considerable procedural and approval
requirements of a Comprehensive Plan and a Comprehensive Assessment Systern, and 4.)
�t1�e obvious Iocal cost that will be generated by rriandated change.
Committee Member Susan Carlisle noted the proposed delay in impleinenting the
Foreign Language Content Area of the Maine Learning Results presents the prospect af
an incomplete high school curriculum. Cornmittee Member Jatnes Co� asked about
national aild regional trends in standards and assessment developmeilt. The reTationslup
of the federal assessment mandate a.nd what is being requested in rule changes was
discussed. Committee Member Phyllis Shubert noted the substantial sums of money that
will be ileeded to fund tlie proposed rule changes and the appearance of references to
Essential Programs and Services funding without sta.te support. She also Bloted tlle
reappeara.nce of prescriptive coinmittee.work to develop the Comprehei�sive Educational
� Plan. Chairman Martha Newman cited the inevitable impact oi1 the local property taa.
�. l. Super7ntendPnt Ervin described tlie Ad�c�anced Place�nent Incentive Frogram fha�
commenced last yeax with the availability of federal funds to be used to encaurage Iow
ii7come students to seelc greater academic challenges. Dr Lee Worcester, who IZ�.s directed
the proQram, described tl�e varie"ry of small grants received by teacl�ers. Thes� f�.inds llave
beei�used for teacher trainin�, �eclmolo�� acquisition, a�id cuniculum. developFneilt. The
"verticai teaming" iz�itiative currently tuiderway� supports the illcreased involverneni �f
• "at rislc" in more demandii�g academic nro�rams earlier ii�thei� school careers.
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,f Minutes,R,egular IVleeting,November 19, 2�01 2.
2. Superinteiident Ervin presented a description of courses to be approved for 2002-ZOQ3 at
� Sangor High School. These courses ulclude Cera.inics, Astroilomy, Mathernatics for
Science and Technology, AP Eilvirorunental Science, and Material Science Engi.neering.
Course pr�posals were developed by the faculty.
� VOTED 7-0 to approve the courses as presented.
3. Superintendent Ervin recoinmended the reinstatement of Student X who was expelled on
May 22, 2001. After evaluation, discussions with the parent, and consultation with
coLulselors, he assured the Committee that Student X would ret�urn to school withou�
future incident.
VOTED 7-0 to reinstatement Student X to school on December 4, 2001.
4. Superintendent Ervin recommended acceptance of the following gifts:
To Downeast Schaol, from Downeast Friends of PT4,one assembly and four
workshops with children's illustrator, Kevin Hawlces, with a total dollar
value of$665
To Downeast School, from U.S. Department of Agriculture, 6 micron
millennia computers with color monitors, keyboards, and mice wi�li a total
dollar value of$600
� G. There were no questions from member� of the public.
H. There were no questions or commeiits from members of the Camrnittee.
Chairinan Martha Newman adj ourned the meeting at 8:09 p.m.
Res ectfully submitted,
�
Robert Ervin, Ed.D.
Superinteildent of Schools
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