Budget Workshop I

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

• 0:00
  Roll Call and Meeting Opening (Superintendent / Chair)

  The meeting was called to order with a roll call of the board members and student representatives. The chair outlined the public nature of the proceedings and welcomed attendees to the first budget workshop.
• 0:01
  Superintendent’sBudget Overview and Fixed Costs (Tim Metheny)

  Superintendent Tim Metheny presented the proposed $69.5 million operating budget for the SOUTHPORTLANDSCHOOLDEPARTMENT, representing a 5% increase. He explained that the increase is heavily driven by fixed costs, including employee compensation and a 7% rise in health insurance.
• 0:09
  Staffing Adjustments and Support Staff Proposals (Tim Metheny)

  The superintendent detailed proposed staffing changes, including a net increase of two teaching positions and new support roles like a district registrar. He noted that enrollment has decreased by 6% over the past two years, necessitating careful alignment of staff to student population.
• 0:16
  Board Discussion on Staffing Proposals

  The board discussed the proposed staffing changes and the rationale behind the new registrar position.

  • 0:16 Holman
    She questioned the duration of the bubble class teacher position at Dyer School. She wanted to know if the position would follow the student cohort as they progress through grades.
  • 0:17 Rauscher
    She inquired about the locations of the three social-emotional learning teaching positions. She wanted to confirm how these teachers would cover all five elementary schools.
  • 0:18 Ryan
    She asked about the responsibilities and workload distribution of the proposed registrar position. She wondered if there were other duties this person could take on during slower registration months.
• 0:18
  Multilingual and McKinney-Vento Staffing Sources (Tim Metheny)

  The superintendent discussed moving critical multilingual and McKinney-VentoHomelessAssistanceAct positions from federal COVID-19 relief funding to the local budget. He emphasized that these roles provide direct support to educators and families to overcome learning obstacles.
• 0:22
  Unfunded Positions and Tough Decisions (Tim Metheny)

  The superintendent presented a list of highly valued positions that could not be funded in the proposed budget due to the loss of federal COVID-19 relief dollars. These unfunded roles include a director of mental health, an additional pre-K section, and a high school art teacher.
• 0:26
  Budget Timeline and Next Steps (Tim Metheny)

  The superintendent outlined the upcoming budget timeline, including future workshops and meetings with the city council. He reminded the board that despite finite resources, the district must make wise decisions to support classroom learning.
• 0:28
  Board Discussion on Unmet Needs

  The board discussed the list of unfunded positions and explored potential alternative solutions.

  • 0:28 Holman
    She asked for clarification on which unfunded positions currently exist in the district versus which are entirely new proposals. She noted that understanding this distinction helps assess the immediate human impact.
  • 0:30 Ryan
    She suggested professional development alternatives for the middle school behavior strategist position. She wondered if existing staff could receive training to act as in-house resources.
• 0:31
  Registrar and Pre-K Updates (Joe Prince)

  Assistant Superintendent Joe Prince provided updates on the registrar position's data management responsibilities and the state reporting requirements. He also announced a partnership with the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children to plan for early childhood care excellence.
• 0:36
  Elementary MTSS and Universal Screening (Bethany Connolly & Myra Karen)

  Principals Bethany Connolly of Skillin and Myra Karen of Kaler introduced the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework for academics, behavior, and social-emotional needs. They detailed the universal screening practices and common curricula used across all five elementary schools.
• 0:47
  MTSS Cycles and Social-Emotional Behavioral Supports (Diane Lang & Barbara Fletcher)

  Principals Diane Lang of Small and Barbara Fletcher of Dyer explained the cyclical nature of MTSS progress monitoring and the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) model. They highlighted how common expectations like safety, respect, and responsibility are explicitly taught and modeled.
• 0:55
  Behavioral Supports and Attendance Initiatives (Beth Kellogg)

  Principal Beth Kellogg of Brown discussed tier two and tier three behavioral interventions, such as check-in/check-out systems and individualized behavior charts. She also outlined the district's 'Strive for Five' initiative aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism by 5%.
• 1:00
  Board Discussion on Elementary MTSS

  The board discussed the elementary MTSS presentations and asked questions about data tracking and student involvement.

  • 1:00 Ryan
    She asked how students are involved in self-assessing their own behavioral progress. She wanted to ensure that the district is actively listening to student self-assessments.
  • 1:02 Nikki Remson
    She explained how data is shared directly with students and caregivers to build strong home-school partnerships. She emphasized that open communication is key to making MTSS work effectively.
  • 1:04 Rauscher
    She commended the elementary team's cohesion and asked about the transition of student data to the middle school. She wanted to know if the same tracking systems are used at the next level.
  • 1:05 Schen
    She shared reflections on how much positive reinforcement in education has evolved over the years. She expressed excitement about the collaborative and student-centered approach of the MTSS model.
  • 1:06 DeAngelis
    She asked about the timeline of implementing the EDU climber software and its training needs. She wanted to understand how teachers would eventually use the platform to manipulate data.
  • 1:09 Kinney
    She inquired about where ESOL services fit within the MTSS framework. She wanted to understand how multilingual learners are supported within the tiered system.
• 1:11
  District Systems and Collective Efficacy (Tim Metheny)

  The superintendent highlighted the importance of building common systems and anchor practices across all schools. He emphasized that collective efficacy, or the shared belief that systems can make a difference, is a significant predictor of effective schools.
• 1:13
  South Portland Middle School MTSS and Attendance (Rebecca Stern)

  Principal Rebecca Stern of SouthPortlandMiddleSchool presented on the middle school's curriculum mapping, intervention blocks, and community school partnerships. She highlighted the success of the 'Math X' and 'Hum X' extension times and the popularity of 'shark bites' positive reinforcement tokens.
• 1:27
  Board Discussion on Middle School Programs

  The board discussed the middle school's MTSS initiatives and explored support systems for diverse student populations.

  • 1:27 Schen
    She asked about linguistic support and confidentiality for refugee trauma therapy groups. She wanted to know how the district handles interpreter services for sensitive mental health discussions.
  • 1:29 Rauscher
    She asked about the potential impact of the unfunded director of intervention and mental health position. She wanted to know how this role would have supported the middle school's social workers.
  • 1:30 Holman
    She shared positive feedback from volunteering in the middle school's math extension program. She noted that students are highly engaged and excited to share their progress and positive tokens.
• 1:31
  South Portland High School Goals and Belonging (Scott Tomson)

  Principal Scott Tomson of SOUTHPORTLANDHIGHSCHOOL presented the high school's goals, focusing on student engagement, belonging, and trust. He shared data showing a 4% increase in students' sense of belonging and an 11% increase in students reporting that teachers care about them.
• 1:40
  High School Extended Learning and Attendance Trends (Scott Tomson)

  The principal highlighted a 355% increase in students participating in Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs), including partnerships with Southern Maine Community College. He also reported a 5.4% reduction in chronic absenteeism, meeting the district's 'Strive for Five' target.
• 1:44
  High School Academic Growth and Graduation Track (Scott Tomson)

  The principal shared impressive academic growth data, including a near-doubling of students meeting NWEA reading growth targets. He also reported that 88.5% of ninth and tenth graders are projected to be on track to graduate on time, representing significant progress.
• 1:55
  Board Discussion on High School Progress

  The board discussed the high school's positive data trends and asked about future scheduling and tracking initiatives.

  • 1:55 Schen
    She congratulated the high school team on the positive trends in attendance and suspension data. She noted that reducing suspensions is critical to keeping students on track.
  • 1:56 Rauscher
    She asked how the EDU climber system helps high school teachers track students across multiple classes. She wanted to understand how the tool facilitates transparency across different subjects.
  • 1:58 Holman
    She inquired about correlations between extracurricular participation and increased attendance. She wondered if students involved in sports or clubs showed better attendance rates.
  • 2:00 Ryan
    She expressed interest in contributing to the high school vision team's future planning. She commended the focus on imagining new possibilities for the student experience.
  • 2:01 DeAngelis
    She shared positive feedback on the improved climate and lack of hallway conflicts at the high school. She noted that her own children's experiences reflect these positive changes.
  • 2:02 Kinney
    She asked for clarification on the proposed flex block schedule and home base timing. She wanted to understand how the schedule shift would accommodate vocational program busing.
• 2:04
  Multilingual Department Enrollment and ESOL Foundations (April Perkins)

  Director April Perkins of the Multilingual Department presented enrollment data, noting that 569 students, or 20% of the student body, are multilingual learners. She outlined the department's asset-based approach and the implementation of the new National Geographic curriculum.
• 2:15
  Language Access Initiatives and Master Plan (April Perkins)

  The director announced the publication of the district's language access plan and the launch of a new inbound phone interpretation service. She also shared the three main goals of the upcoming Multilingual Learner Master Plan, which focuses on consistent instruction, safe environments, and family engagement.
• 2:21
  Board Discussion on Multilingual Programs

  The board discussed the multilingual department's initiatives and explored opportunities for bilingual education.

  • 2:21 Schen
    She asked about the feasibility of adding Portuguese language classes to the curriculum. She noted that Portuguese is the most prevalent non-English language in the district.
  • 2:22 Ryan
    She inquired if the district shares its multilingual successes and strategies with other school districts. She wanted to know if South Portland acts as a leader in the state.
  • 2:23 Rauscher
    She asked if there are specific materials or books that community members can donate to the program. She expressed a desire to support the program's resources.
  • 2:25 Holman
    She asked about tracking parent language proficiency and the potential for bilingual immersion classes. She wanted to understand the research-based benefits of dual immersion programs.
  • 2:29 DeAngelis
    She asked about professional development for world language teachers to integrate heritage speakers. She noted that having fluent students in beginner classes presents unique challenges and opportunities.
  • 2:30 Kinney
    She raised considerations about the temporary nature of refugee waves and adult education opportunities. She emphasized the need to be sensitive to cultural components and parent schedules.
• 2:35
  McKinney-Vento Program Overview and Doubled-Up Trends (Brian Kavanaugh)

  Liaison Brian Kavanaugh presented data on the McKinney-Vento program, noting that the district has served 299 eligible students this year. He highlighted a concerning trend where the number of doubled-up students sharing housing has doubled over the past two years due to the housing crisis.
• 2:49
  Homelessness Prevention Pilot Grant (Brian Kavanaugh)

  The liaison shared the success of the new pilot grant preventing student homelessness, which provided $137,000 in emergency assistance. He detailed how the funds were used directly to pay landlords and utility companies, preventing evictions and securing permanent housing for dozens of families.
• 2:55
  Board Discussion on McKinney-Vento Services

  The board discussed the McKinney-Vento program's critical impact and the ongoing housing challenges in the community.

  • 2:55 Schen
    She commended the homelessness prevention grant and emphasized the city's critical need for housing. She advocated for utilizing city properties like Mahoney for housing solutions.
  • 2:57 Ryan
    She expressed gratitude for the program's impact on vulnerable students in the community. She noted that the program lives the value that all kids belong.
  • 2:58 Rauscher
    She asked for clarification on the definition of doubled-up housing situations. She wanted to understand who is considered eligible under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
• 2:58
  Strategic Planning and Aspirational Beliefs (Tim Metheny)

  The superintendent concluded the presentations by discussing the upcoming strategic planning process. He emphasized the district's aspirational belief of beginning decision-making with students who are furthest from opportunity, which lifts all students.
• 3:01
  Public Comment on Proposed Art Teacher Cut

  The board opened the floor for public comment, during which community members and teachers advocated for the high school art program.

  • 3:01 Lee Ann Rosenblum
    She spoke as a veteran art teacher advocating against the elimination of the high school art position. She emphasized that fine arts are a graduation requirement and that demand for classes remains extremely high.
  • 3:05 Matt Meyer
    She highlighted the role of fine arts as a universal language and emotional outlet for vulnerable students. She noted that cutting the position would disproportionately affect multilingual new Mainers' access to electives.
• 3:09
  Adjournment and Meeting Close (Chair)

  The board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting. The workshop concluded at 9:09 PM.