Mount Desert School Department
Mount Desert School Committee
Minutes
The Mount Desert School Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, 7 April 2010, with the following
members present: Chair Heather Jones, Brian Reilly, Gail Marshall, Laura Hendricks and Charlie Wray.
Also present were Scott McFarland, Rob Liebow, Sumner Rulon-Miller, and Caroline Pryor
CALL TO ORDER
Heather Jones called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOVED by Gail Marshall, seconded by Brian Reilly and unanimously voted to approve the minutes of
February 8th and March 3rd, 2010 as written.
MOVED by Laura Hendricks, seconded by Brian Reilly and unanimously voted to approve the minutes
of March 8th, 2010 as written.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Sumner Rulon-Miller updated the school committee on the status of moving the school reserve funds into
some type of interest-bearing account. The school committee agreed to wait until after town meeting time
before addressing this issue. Sumner also asked the committee if the lunch program can get Sysco
deliveries on Monday versus Friday and if they are buying as much organic produce from them as they
can.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Principal McFarland presented his report (see attached Principal’s Report)
DISCUSSION ITEMS
• School Garden Project – Principal McFarland and parent, Caroline Pryor, updated the
committee on the “Growing Vegetables, Growing Minds” project and wanted to start the
fundraising which will include a grant component and the solicitation of private funds from both
the summer and year-round community. The intent of this project will be to keep it as budget
neutral as possible.
• Blended Classrooms – Principal McFarland shared the results of the parent surveys done with
the 2nd and 3rd grade parents regarding their experience with the 2/3 blended classrooms. The
results were extremely supportive of the blending experience. A decision about the configuration
of classes for next year will be made after April break, at which time Principal McFarland will
notify parents in writing with an explanation of the decision – no parent forum will be planned
unless we see a need later.
Action Items:
• Approval of Revision to 2010-2011 School Calendar - MOVED by Laura Hendricks, seconded
by Brian Reilly and unanimously voted to approve the 2010-2011 school calendar as revised
• Authorization for Superintendent to Complete Notice of Votes and Signing of Notice of Votes:
MOVED by Laura Hendricks, seconded by Brian Reilly and unanimously voted that pursuant to
20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 1486(2) and 2307, the form of Notice of Amounts Adopted at Town Meeting is
hereby approved, and that the Superintendent of Schools is authorized and directed to complete said
Notice in accordance with the Town meeting at which the school budget is approved, and to cause
said notice, as completed, to be delivered to the town clerk for display at all polling places established
by the selectmen for the school budget validation referendum to be held on June 8, 2010.
OTHER BUSINESS:
• Candidates Night – a reminder that there is a candidates night at the NHH on Monday April 12th
at 6:30 PM
DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
May 5, 2010 at 4:00 P.M. at Mount Desert Elementary School
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
• Revisit of the 8th grade class trip guidelines
• Island-wide sports program
• Reserve funds
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOVED by Brian Reilly, seconded by, Gail Marshall and unanimously voted to enter executive session
at 5:08 p.m. pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(A) for the purpose of discussing a personnel evaluation.
At 5:28 p.m. the committee came out of executive session.
MOVED by Brian Reilly, seconded by Gail Marshall and unanimously voted to renew Principal Scott
McFarland’s contract through June 30, 2012 with an annual salary of $79,937 for 2010-2011.
ADJOURNMENT
MOVED by Gail Marshall seconded by Laura Hendricks and unanimously voted to adjourn at 5:35 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Scott McFarland
Mount Desert Elementary School
Principal’s Report for April 7, 2010
Presented by Scott McFarland
1) We have just completed our second trimester.
2) Student led conferences were recently held with almost 100% participation.
3) Our Arts Week kickont-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">money for Haiti relief efforts. These will be on sale for $25 at an Art Opening from 5 | 