Special Meeting
June 12, 2008
7:00 P.M.
Board Members Present: Paula Belekewicz, Carol Coley-Vice
Chairperson, Linda Green, Lisa Jurovaty, William Mulcahy, Michael Neckermann, Nelson
Petrone-Chairman
Administration
Present: Richard Saddlemire, Francine
Coss, Donna Hartigan
Staff Present: Jane Wall, Heather Montanile, Marian Lowry,
Fayne Sears, Peggy Stickel, Gail McGrath, Carla Croteau, Gary Horton, Tammy
Ekstrom, Philip Poudrier, Steve Piro
Citizens Present: Connie Medeiros, Amy Raffa,
Maryann Potter, Wendy Pallas, Joanne Everett, Amy Poverman, Maria Gratton,
Maureen Ryan, Jennifer Bright, Rebecca Stearns, Kerry Hoffman, Stacy Parla
I.
Call to Order
Chairman Nelson
Petrone called the special June 12, 2008 meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II.
Comments from the Audience (Bylaws of the Board
#9300)
Amy Raffa would like Spanish to be continued
to be taught. Maryann Potter is not in favor of a second Spanish teacher. She would like the focus to be on core
curriculum and improving CMT scores. Connie Medeiros asked if a nursing
position had been cut as stated in the Chronicle. Joanne
Everett spoke in favor of having 2 nurses at Porter and the need for safety
first, education second. Maryann Potter asked if foreign
language is an option or required subject.
(Mrs. Coss: foreign language
is required.) Fayne Sears explained the nurse’s duties, the hundreds of student
referrals and over ten thousand student visits to the nurse’s office this year. (Mr.
Petrone: all positions were discussed and considered at the June 9 Budget
Meeting.) Gary Horton defended the grade 5 program and teachers. Amy Poverman
spoke in support of the nurses; their ability to dispense medication at school
and on field trips, and on field day over 80 students visited the nurse’s
office. Maryann Potter asked how many positions are vacant? (Mr.
Petrone: 3 certified positions.) Donna Hartigan reviewed
paraprofessional assignments and 2 excess para positions.
III. Budget Cuts Discussion
Board members discussed:
Proposal #1
Eliminating a Foreign Language Teacher
Eliminating a Social Studies Teacher
Eliminating an Elementary Teacher
Eliminating a Facilities Technician
Eliminating two Paraprofessional positions
Proposal #2
Eliminating Tech Ed Teacher
Eliminating 3 paraprofessional positions
Eliminating a grade 2 teacher
Eliminating a Facilities Technician
Mrs. Coss made the following recommendation:
Proposal #3
Eliminating a grade 2 section (there would be 3 sections
rather than 4)
Transferring a Special Education Teacher to grade 2 vacancy
Keeping full day kindergarten
Keeping social studies in grades 5 and 6
Keeping 2 sections of Foreign Language
Eliminating Tech Ed Teacher
Eliminating 2 paraprofessional positions
IV. Action Items/Discussion
A.
2008/2009
C. Coley MOVED and L. Green SECONDED to
accept the budget cuts as listed in proposal #3 as listed above.
MOTION CARRIES 6-0-1
C. Coley, L. Green, L. Jurovaty, W.
Mulcahy, M. Neckermann,
P. Belekewicz ABSTAINED
V. Adjournment
C. Coley MOVED and L. Jurovaty SECONDED
to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
MOTION CARRIES 7-0
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Coley, Vice Chairperson