Mount Desert School Department
Mount Desert School Committee
Minutes
The Mount Desert School Committee held a regular meeting on Wednesday, 2 June 2010, with the
following members present: Chair Heather Jones, Charlie Wray, Laura Hendricks and Gail Marshall.
Also present were Scott McFarland, Rob Liebow, Sumner Rulon-Miller and Barry Stratton
CALL TO ORDER
Heather Jones called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Tabled the approval of the May 5, 2010 minutes until the September meeting
PUBLIC COMMENT
Sumner Rulon-Miller commented on his idea for a skate park down near the marina, committee pointed
out that it would be a town matter.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Principal McFarland presented his report (see attached Principal’s Report)
DISCUSSION ITEMS
• Update on Investment of Reserve Funds – Heather Jones informed the committee that she will
be setting up a meeting with John Graves from the town office very soon.
• Update on Garden Project – Principal McFarland updated the committee on plans for a school
greenhouse. He will be contacting summer residents this summer to garner support for the
project.
• Future of Sports at MDES – Athletic Director Barry Stratton outlined his concerns about the
ability to field certain sports teams in the future due to low numbers. After considerable
discussion, it was decided that the topic needed to be on a future agenda allow for an extended
discussion.
• Class Configurations for 2010-2011 - Principal McFarland outlined the class configurations for
next year that included straight grades for K-3 and a modified, blended 4/5 group. Specials in
grades 7 and 8 will also continue to be blended.
ACTION ITEMS:
• Authorization for Superintendent to Hire During the Summer Months -
MOVED by Gail Marshall, seconded by Laura Hendricks, and unanimously voted to
authorize the Superintendent to hire personnel during the summer months using the current email
notification protocol.
• Schedule for Summer School Committee Meeting Dates – MOVED by Gail Marshall,
seconded by Laura Hendricks, and unanimously voted to forego the August meeting and to
schedule the next meeting on Wed. September 1, 2010 at 5 PM
OTHER BUSINESS:
• Superintendent Liebow pointed out that the A Team would be meeting for 2 days in June with the
3rd retreat day planned for August 19th. He thought it would be a good idea for the school
committee members to meet with the A Team on that August date so the A Team can share with
them their goals, ideas, etc. that came out of the retreat days. Agreed that the committee would
meet with the A Team on August 19th at 5 PM.
• MOVED by Gail Marshall, seconded by Heather Jones and unanimously voted to approve Laura
Hendricks, Gail Marshall and Heather Jones as the high school AOS voting members for the June
and August meetings.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
• Investment Fund update
• Garden Project update
• Future of Sports at MDES (sometime in the fall)
• Presentation by Jane Fenno-Vaux’s sabbatical experience
DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
September 1, 2010 at 5:00 P.M. at Mount Desert Elementary School
ADJOURNMENT
MOVED by Gail Marshall seconded by Laura Hendricks and unanimously voted to adjourn at 5:20 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Scott McFarland
Mount Desert Elementary School
Principal’s Report for June 2, 2010
Presented by Scott McFarland
1) Grades 4 and 6 just recently held their class plays
2) Our staff members are going through OSHA certified fire extinguisher training
3) Our annual Demystifying Kindergarten night was held in May and was well received
by the K students and their parents
4) Our annual Spring Concert was held in May, a special thanks to Heather Graves and
her list of volunteers that make the concert a success, year after year!
5) Our 8th graders are off on their class trip and will return Friday evening
6) Our school will be sponsoring a Service learning Showcase on June 10th during the day
7) Our chorus will be going to Isleford on June 14th to perform for the island residents
and students
End of the year dates:
June 15th – middle school bike/hike and K | 