April 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.

• 0:00
  Call to Order and Roll Call

  The meeting is called to order, and a roll call of the board members is conducted.
• 0:01
  Student Representative's Report (Angela Kabisa)

  Student Representative Angela Kabisa reports on recent school activities, congratulating Red Riot Winter Athletes of the Year, and coaches of the year. She also mentions a successful career fair, an upcoming Community Week at SPHS, and events at the middle and elementary schools, including a donation to Brown School from Shaw's.
• 0:05
  Recognition of SRO Caleb Gray

  Superintendent Matheney and Principal Scott Tombleson honor School Resource Officer Caleb Gray, who received the Wayne Drown School Resource Officer Award, naming him the best SRO in Maine. They praise his strong relationships with students and his role as a partner to the administration.
• 0:10
  Recognition of ESOL Coordinator Sheanna Zimmerman

  Assistant Superintendent Johanna Prince and Superintendent Matheney recognize Sheanna Zimmerman as the 2023 ESOL Teacher of the Year. They highlight her dedication, her role as a vital resource for the district, and her unwavering commitment to students and families.
• 0:15
  Board Comments on Recognitions

  Board members and student representatives express their personal gratitude and congratulations to Officer Gray and Ms. Zimmerman, sharing anecdotes about their positive impact on the school community.
• 0:19
  Superintendent's Report Continued (Mr. Matheney)

  Superintendent Matheney provides an update on district enrollment, which stands at 2,902 students, and notes potential state subsidy reductions for FY26 due to declining numbers. He also confirms the plan to request a waiver to keep June 13th as the last day of school.
• 0:21
  FY25 Budget Revisions Presentation (Mr. Matheney)

  The Superintendent outlines revisions to the FY25 budget, resulting from health insurance savings. He proposes reducing the overall increase to 4.88% and using some savings to fund a new Mental Health and Student Intervention leadership position, among other smaller additions.
• 0:26
  Board Discussion on Budget Revisions

  The board debates the proposed new mental health position. The discussion centers on whether this is the best use of newfound funds versus other priorities, most notably expanding the Pre-K program.

  • 0:28 Ms. DeAngelis
    Expresses concern that the proposal is being presented as a done deal and argues that the funds would be better spent on expanding the Pre-K program to provide a strong start for all children, which she sees as a preventative mental health measure.
  • 0:33 Ms. Ryan
    Supports the recommendations, arguing that the current Pre-K model is not accessible to all families and that a plan to address that should precede expansion. She feels the proposed additions address immediate needs.
  • 0:35 Ms. Schen
    Expresses strong support for the mental health position, citing the numerous stresses on students today. She views it as a forward-looking position that will help the district better coordinate care and address challenges.
• 0:48
  Public Comment on Agenda Items

  A citizen addresses the board regarding an item on the agenda.

  • 0:49 Baba Ly
    Speaks in support of addressing student mental health but questions if a new leadership position is the best approach. He suggests that being proactive by investing more in Pre-K to prepare children for school could be more effective than being reactive later on.
• 0:52
  Consent Agenda and Committee Reports

  The board unanimously approves the consent agenda. The Finance, Buildings & Grounds, and Policy committees provide their reports.
• 0:56
  New Business Votes

  The board votes to approve the revised FY25 School Board Budget (4-1), Policy CBI regarding the Superintendent's evaluation (5-0), and the district's plan for safe return to in-person instruction (5-0).
• 1:05
  Elementary Boundaries & Configurations Workshop Begins

  The board transitions to a workshop to discuss the recommendations of the Elementary Boundaries and Configurations Steering Committee.
• 1:05
  Workshop Opening Remarks (Steering Committee)

  Three members of the steering committee provide opening remarks to frame the workshop discussion.

  • 1:05 Bethany Connolly
    The Skillin Elementary principal outlines the committee's year-long process of gathering feedback and analyzing data. She emphasizes that the work surfaced significant inequities and that the recommendations are the start of an iterative process, not the end.
  • 1:13 Mindy Aloes
    A committee member shares her perspective on the long-standing and growing inequities between the schools. She expresses frustration with calls to slow the process and implores the board to move forward and make changes.
  • 1:17 Lynn McKeen
    A teacher and committee member speaks about the data telling a story of segregation in the district's schools. She challenges the board to change the systems of oppression and prioritize policies that will truly address the inequities.
• 1:27
  Board Discussion on Major Findings

  The board begins its discussion of the committee's major findings, focusing on the language used to describe the differences between schools and the need for measurable goals.
• 1:49
  Board Discussion on Grade Level Configurations

  The discussion shifts to the more drastic solution of reconfiguring grade levels across schools. Board members debate the merits and drawbacks of various models, the impact on families, and the political will to make such a disruptive change.
• 2:18
  Board Discussion on Staffing Ratios

  The board discusses the recommendation to ensure schools with more economically disadvantaged students have lower teacher-to-student ratios and more resources. Principal Bethany Connolly is invited to speak, and she details the resource and staffing challenges at Skillin, explaining that while her school has more resources, the ratios are still stretched due to the high concentration of student needs.
• 2:46
  Board Discussion on Magnet Schools & Controlled Choice

  The board briefly discusses the concepts of magnet programs and a controlled choice model. Committee member Lynn McKeen explains the controlled choice model, using Cambridge, MA as an example where families rank themed schools to promote integration while providing parental choice.
• 2:58
  Board Discussion on Other Recommendations

  The board reviews the final set of recommendations, including prioritizing Pre-K expansion, continuing discussions about a district-wide PTA to equalize fundraising, and ensuring diverse community involvement in the upcoming strategic planning process.
• 3:13
  Next Steps Discussion

  The board discusses the path forward, agreeing that the superintendent will revise the recommendations based on the workshop's feedback. The revised recommendations will be presented for individual votes at a future meeting.
• 3:18
  Public Comment on Workshop

  Several citizens, including school principals and parents, offer final thoughts at the conclusion of the workshop.

  • 3:18 Bethany Connolly
    The Skillin principal clarifies that while she supports Pre-K, space is a real constraint, not a red herring. She also voices strong support for the new mental health coordinator position, stating it's a critical step to coordinate resources equitably across the district.
  • 3:23 Jenny Lika
    A parent from Small School argues that more time is needed to gather quantifiable data from teachers and minority/low-income families before making major, disruptive changes. She stresses the importance of listening and building community consensus.
  • 3:29 Baba Ly
    A parent speaks again, noting he is the only parent of color present for a discussion that will greatly impact minority students. He argues that the school cannot solve the city's segregation problem alone and must engage city leaders to address housing policies, while also supporting interim solutions like adding resources to schools in need.
• 3:40
  Adjournment

  Following a final comment from a board member, the meeting is adjourned.