Opening of School Year

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

  The August board meeting is called to order.
• 0:00
  Roll Call

  The roll is called, with all board members present.
• 0:01
  Student Representative Report (AngelaKabisa)

  Student Representative AngelaKabisa reports on summer activities, including the Maine Construction Academy where students earned national certifications. She also covers the start of the fall preseason for athletics and updates from various schools on summer programs and building preparations.
• 0:05
  Board Discussion on Student Report

  Board members praise the student report and ask AngelaKabisa about her personal summer experience working on a lobster boat with the Luke's Lobster program.

  • 0:05 Rauscher
    Praises the student representative for her pacing and careful delivery during the report.
  • 0:05 Superintendent
    Asks AngelaKabisa to share her experience participating in the Luke's Lobster program over the summer.
• 0:06
  Superintendent's Report Begins

  The Superintendent begins his report by offering gratitude to the S-P-C-T-V team and expressing condolences to community members who have experienced loss over the summer.
• 0:08
  CurriculumWorkGroup Announcement (Superintendent)

  The Superintendent announces that the district will convene a CurriculumWorkGroup to study best practices and outline the role of a board curriculum committee, with recommendations expected in November.
• 0:09
  Staff Professional Learning Update (Superintendent)

  The Superintendent summarizes the extensive professional learning opportunities that hundreds of staff members participated in over the summer, covering topics like math strategies, the science of reading, PBIS, and social studies.
• 0:13
  Student Summer Learning Report (Erica Mazzeo)

  Erica Mazzeo, Director of Curriculum, presents an overview of the district's student summer learning programs. She highlights the ESL Summer Program, Extended School Year (ESY), the Elementary Summer Academy's partnership with the Boston Museum of Science, and the high school credit recovery program.
• 0:19
  Board Discussion on Summer Learning

  The board discusses the summer learning report, expressing appreciation for the diverse offerings. Questions are raised about the number of students participating in the high school credit recovery program.

  • 0:19 Rauscher
    Comments on the fabulous program and the diversity of offerings compared to past years.
  • 0:20 Holman
    Asks why the number of students in the high school credit recovery program seems low and inquires about recruitment and available slots.
  • 0:21 Sarah Glenn
    Explains that students can also recover credits during the school year, which may affect summer attendance, and offers to report back with the total number of eligible students.
• 0:22
  School Year Preparations Update (Superintendent)

  The Superintendent details preparations for the new school year, announcing that bus information will be available on the Ride 360 app. He also introduces the four Pillars&Priorities for 2024-25, including a new pillar focused on strategic planning.
• 0:26
  District Theme Announcement (Superintendent)

  The Superintendent unveils the new district theme for the 2024-25 school year: "Together We Grow." This theme builds on the previous "You Belong Here" focus and emphasizes a growth mindset for everyone in the district.
• 0:28
  Freedomof AccessAct Training (JohannaPrince)

  Assistant Superintendent JohannaPrince distributes materials for the board's annual Freedomof AccessAct training. She explains that individual follow-up calls will be scheduled with each board member to review the information and answer questions.
• 0:32
  District Safety & Security Update (MikeNalli)

  MikeNalli, Director of Operations & Safety, details recent security accomplishments, including implementing new standard response procedures and conducting security audits. He outlines works in progress, such as customizing school reunification plans and physical security upgrades at SPHS and SPMS.
• 0:39
  Board Discussion on Safety Update

  A board member asks for clarification on the door and camera audit at the new middle school.

  • 0:39 Ratliff
    Asks if it is standard for a new building to settle, causing doors to misalign and requiring adjustments.
  • 0:39 MikeNalli
    Confirms that it is common for a building to settle in its first year and that minor adjustments to doors are expected and not overly worrisome.
• 0:40
  Reading of Consent Agenda Items (Superintendent)

  The Superintendent reads the items on the consent agenda, including resignations, personnel elections, and donations.
• 0:41
  Welcome New Staff (Superintendent)

  The Superintendent welcomes new Director of Mental and Behavioral Health, ErikaBoulware, and highlights other new hires including teachers, specialists, and administrators.
• 0:43
  Reading of New Business (Superintendent)

  The Superintendent reads the list of 18 policies presented for a second read and final approval by the board.
• 0:45
  Board Discussion on Consent Agenda

  Before voting on the consent agenda, board members express gratitude for community donations and ask for clarification on how donated funds without specific restrictions are used.

  • 0:45 Wertheimer
    Expresses gratitude for the generous support from community donors EagleAssociates, the community chamber, and PapeSubaru.
  • 0:45 Holman
    Asks if there is a specific designee for the use of donations, and if not, where the money goes.
  • 0:46 Superintendent
    Explains that donations are generally for a specific purpose and that details are available in hyperlinked letters in the board packet. He agrees to restart the practice of summarizing the purpose on the agenda itself.
• 0:50
  Vote on Consent Agenda

  The motion to approve the consent agenda passes unanimously.
• 0:50
  FinanceCommittee Report (Ms. Schen)

  Finance Committee Chair Ms. Schen reports that while July spending appears high, it is due to encumbering expected future costs. She also notes the committee's move toward an accrual accounting method and thanks the interim finance director for his service.
• 0:53
  Buildings&GroundsCommittee Report (Ms. Ryan)

  Buildings & Grounds Committee Chair Ms. Ryan reports that significant work is underway to prepare schools for opening day. She also notes that the district continues to work with contractors to resolve ongoing HVAC issues at the middle school.
• 0:54
  PolicyCommittee Report (Ms. Holman)

  Policy Committee Chair Ms. Holman notes that while the committee did not meet in August, a large number of policies previously discussed are on the agenda for a final vote.
• 0:55
  Vote to Consolidate Policies

  The board votes to consolidate the 18 policies on the agenda for a single, combined vote. The motion passes unanimously.
• 0:56
  Vote on Consolidated Policies

  The board takes a single vote on the 18 consolidated policies, approving them all on second read.
• 0:56
  Adjournment

  The board unanimously votes to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 PM.