January Regular Meeting

Note: Transcripts are generated from video auto-captions. While highly accurate, they are non-official and do not meet State Archivist record-keeping requirements.

• 0:01
  Call to Order and Roll Call

  The meeting is called to order, with an apology for a delayed start. The roll call is conducted.
• 0:02
  Chair's Report (Jennifer Ryan)

  The chair announces the upcoming Stateof theSchoolspresentation on January 22nd and the next regular school board meeting on February 12th.
• 0:03
  Student Representative Report (Gabe Domingos)

  Student Representative Gabe Domingos reports on a wide range of student activities and achievements since the last meeting.

  • 0:03 Gabe Domingos
    He covers SPHS events like the CultureDayPepRally and the upcoming musical, TheAddamsFamily: TheMusical. He also highlights athletic successes, including the chess team being ranked number one in the state, and community events like Dyer Elementary's FamilyTraditionNight.
• 0:09
  School Board Recognition Month (Mr. Matheney)

  Superintendent Matheney kicks off his report by celebrating School BoardRecognitionMonth. He praises the board's investment and responsibility, highlighting their importance as a democratic institution.
• 0:10
  Board and Student Artist Recognition

  The Superintendent presents each board member with a framed piece of student artwork on the theme "YouBelongHere." The student artists from SPMS are then called forward to be recognized with certificates.
• 0:17
  Student Artist Remarks (Peter Hawi Odott)

  Student artist Peter Hawi Odott explains the inspiration for his artwork. He describes how seeing people of different races and ethnicities while walking to school gave him the idea for his piece.
• 0:18
  Student Artist Remarks (Hadley Duncan)

  Student artist Hadley Duncan shares that her artwork was inspired by a Pride parade. She wanted to capture the amazing and fun atmosphere of the event.
• 0:21
  Board Discussion on Student Art

  Board members express their gratitude and admiration for the student artwork they received.

  • 0:21 Claire Holman
    Ms. Holman thanks Hadley Duncan for her piece, noting that she is a huge fan of art and that much of her home is decorated with art from former students. She says the piece will have an important place on her wall.
  • 0:22 Susan Rauscher
    Ms. Rauscher expresses that she is beaming with joy over the artwork from Peter Hawi Odott. She calls the piece beautiful and special.
• 0:24
  Enrollment Update (Mr. Matheney)

  The Superintendent reports that district enrollment has leveled out at 2,933 students. He notes a potential decrease at the end of the year as some families in temporary housing may relocate.
• 0:25
  FY25 Budget Development Update (Mr. Matheney)

  Mr. Matheney outlines the FY25budget development process, mentioning the challenges the administration is grappling with. He directs the public to a new dedicated budget page on the district website and encourages participation in upcoming budget workshops in March.
• 0:27
  Safety and Security Update (Mr. Matheney)

  The Superintendent provides an update on Priority6–SafetyandEmergencyPlanning. He details several initiatives, including security glass improvements at SPHS, pending consultant reports, and applications for state renovation funds for elementary school vestibules.
• 0:30
  New Security Staff (Mr. Matheney)

  Mr. Matheney announces the hiring of a part-time security assistant with 40 years of law enforcement experience. The new staff member will circulate throughout the district to check the security of school exteriors.
• 0:34
  Consent Agenda Reading

  The Superintendent reads the items for the consent agenda. This includes meeting minutes, the personnel election of LindseyHutchins, the rescission of ten policies, and the acceptance of six donations totaling $4,013.
• 0:37
  Public Comment on Agenda Items

  The chair opens the floor for public comment on items on the evening's agenda. No members of the public come forward to speak.
• 0:38
  Vote on Consent Agenda

  Following a motion and second, a board member thanks the various organizations for their generous donations. The board then votes unanimously to approve the consent agenda.
• 0:38
  Finance Committee Report (Molly Schen)

  Ms. Schen reports that the school department budget is healthy, with 46.3% of the budget spent. She also notes that a potential shortfall in the transportation budget due to contracting out runs is being addressed with grant funds.
• 0:40
  Buildings & Grounds Committee Report (Jennifer Ryan)

  The chair provides a brief update, noting the hiring process for three custodians is underway. Completed projects include a fence extension and security netting at Brown School and the installation of security shades in various schools.
• 0:41
  Policy Committee Report (Johanna Prince)

  Assistant Superintendent Prince reports that the policies on the agenda are the result of a procedural review by the Maine School Boards Association. She confirms there are no substantive changes proposed.
• 0:42
  Votes on New Business Policies

  The board conducts a series of votes on policies for second reading. Policies ADC, JKAA, JKAA-R, and GCQC are all approved unanimously.
• 0:43
  Public Comment

  The chair opens the floor for the final audience of citizens. One community member comes forward to speak.

  • 0:44 Julia Edwards
    Ms. Edwards urges the board members to begin their homework on the upcoming elementary school boundaries and configurations decision. She asks them to review the treasure trove of information on the committee's website out of respect for the work done by the committee and the public.
• 0:47
  Superintendent's Closing Remarks (Mr. Matheney)

  Before adjournment, the Superintendent gives a shout-out to Dottie Libre, the executive assistant, for her fabulous work and impeccable taste in framing the student artwork.
• 0:47
  Adjournment

  A motion to adjourn is made and seconded. The board votes unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 PM.