HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-24 School Committee Minutes (2)MINUTES
BANGOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING via ZOOM
FEBRUARY 10,2021
School Committee Members Present:Chair Carin Sychterz;Vice Chair Manwa Hassanien;Warren
Caruso;John Hiatt;dare Mundell;Susan Sorg;and Timothy Surrette.
A.1 &2.The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.by Chair Sychterz and the Pledge of
Allegiance followed.
D.1.a.Interim Superintendent Harris-Smedberg recommended approval to the adjustment
to the 2020-2021 School Calendar,adding an early release day on March 31,2021.
VOTED 7-0 by roll call vote to approve the adjustment to the 2020-202 1 School
Calendar.
D.1 .b.Interim Superintendent Harris-Smedberg recommended approval to reopen the
Inclusive Hiring Search for Superintendent Request for Proposal (REP).
VOTED 7-0 by roll call vote to approve reopening the Inclusive Hiring Search for
Superintendent Request for Proposal (REP).
Discussion was held to determine that February 18,2021 would be the new due
date for the RFP.More organizations will receive direct mailings of the RFP to
promote more interest.
D.2.a.Director Patti Rapaport and Social Worker Renee Peron presented to the School
Committee what the Bangor School Department is doing to address student and
staff social emotional needs.
Discussion was held regarding required ratios for student/social worker and
student/psychologist;the growing social emotional needs of students;the SEL
Screening Tool;increased need for cultural competence arid Diversity,Equity,and
Inclusion trainings for students and staff programming;and SEL data.
D.2.b.Interim Superintendent Harris-Smedberg shared a new mentor position for multi-
pathway instruction.These positions are for the remainder of this school year and
will fall under our current contract with the teachers through an MOU.Mentors will
be those teachers who have successfully navigated teaching the three pathways and
who are willing to help others strengthen their practice.
D.2.c.Interim Superintendent reported the following reassignment:
Carrie Pike OT (.75)Downeast,(.2)J.F.D.S.and (.05)BHS to (1)frill time at
Downeast School
D.2.d.Interim Superintendent Harris-Smedberg reported the following retirement:
Kimberylarni Hatt Speech/Language Therapist District wide
D.2.e.Interim Superintendent Harris-Smedberg reported the following resignation:
Kimberly Anderson Special Education Teacher Bangor Regional Program
F.1.a.1-3 Interim Superintendent Harris-Smedberg recommended approval of the draft
Minutes of the January 20,2021 Special School Committee Meeting,the January
27,2021 Regular School Committee meeting.and the February 3,2021 Special
School Committee Meeting.
VOTED 7-0 by roll call vote to approve the draft Minutes of the January 20,2021
Special School Committee Meeting,the January 27,2021 Regular School
Committee meeting,and the February 3,202!Special School Committee
Meeting.
F.1.b.Interim Superintendent Harris-Smedberg recommended approval of the
November 2020 Financial Report.
VOTED 7-0 by roll call vote to approve the November 2020 Financial Report.
E.1.c.Vice Chair Hassanien shared the following donations:
To James F.Doughty School form the DMT Fund in Memory of Danielle
Thompson,a cash donation to support students,having a total dollar value of $250.
To William S.Cohen School from the DM1 Fund in Memory of Danielle
Thompson,a cash donation to support students,having a total dollar value of
$250.
To Fairmount School from Bangor Savings Bank,winter jackets,having a total
dollar value of $300.
To Downeast School from Jane Boudreau,hoots,sneakers,and socks,having a total
dollar value of $215.
VOTED 7-0 by roll call vote to approve the donations.Many thanks were offered.
E.1.d.Interim Superintendent Harris-Smedberg recommended approval of the second
readings of revised policy GCCA —Recruiting and Hiring of Administrative Staff
and revised policy GCD Professional Staff Hiring.
VOTED 7-0 by roll call vote to approve the second readings of revised policy
GCCA-Recruiting and Hiring of Administrative Staff and revised policy GCD
Professional Staff Hiring.
F.&G.Committee Updates and Reports:
Member Surrette updated the School Committee on the Superintendent Search.
Chair Sychterz provided additional information to the School Committee on the
Superintendent Search titneline and process.
Member Hiatt asked the final cost of the Bangor High School Investigation.Interim
Superintendent Harris-Smedberg will get that cost to the School Committee.
Member Hassanien expressed thanks to Member Surrette and Chair Sychterz for
their work on the Superintendent Search.
Member Surrette reviewed with the School Committee the high level of safety
within the schools.School are safer than being out in the community.
Member Mundell asked if the recent confirmed cases at Bangor High School
constituted an outbreak.Interim Superintendent l-{arris-Smedberg reported the
multiple cases were not considered an outbreak as they were all related.
Member Mundell provided a report on the January 8,2021 SPRPCE Committee.
Member Mundell asked about the Scholarship Committee.Member Caruso
reported the Scholarship Committee meets once a year in April and gave
background information on the Scholarship Committee.
Member Mundell provided a report on the February 1,2021 Maine School Board
Regional Meeting.
Member Mundell provided a report on the February 10,2021 National School
Board Association Equity Online Symposium.Member Hassanien also provided
her perspective.
H.I.Chair Sychterz reviewed the upcoming dates.
3.At 9:17 p.m.,by roll call vote,VOTED 7-0 to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Kath’Harris-Smedberg,Ph.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools