December 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

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

  Superintendent Entwistle conducts the roll call of board members.
• 0:02
  Chair's Report (DeAngelis)

  The new Board Chair, Ms. DeAngelis, welcomes everyone to her first formal meeting and announces the successful signing of the contract with the South Portland Educational Support Professional Association (SPESPA).
• 0:02
  Upcoming Meetings and Workshops (DeAngelis)

  The Chair outlines a series of upcoming public workshops and meetings, including presentations from superintendent search firms, a budget workshop, and sessions on Robert's Rules of Order and the Freedom of Access Act (FOAA).
• 0:06
  Welcome to New Board Members

  The Chair welcomes the three new board members and invites them to introduce themselves to the community.

  • 0:06 Tyler Smith
    Tyler Smith introduces himself, detailing his background in education policy and nonprofits. He expresses his desire to help the board develop strong decision-making processes to navigate upcoming challenges like the budget, superintendent search, and state funding issues.
  • 0:10 Daniel Feller
    Daniel Feller shares his background in medical AI and data, and his involvement with educational non-profits. He states he has no specific agenda but wants to listen, support teachers, and ensure today's students have great opportunities.
  • 0:11 George Risch
    George Risch explains he was asked to run by a friend and is here to support the community and teachers. He wants to ensure current students have the same great opportunities his children had in South Portland schools.
• 0:12
  Student Representative Report (Angela Kabisa)

  Angela Kabisa provides updates from across the district, highlighting the high school chess team's success, the Seal of Biliteracy exam, athletic achievements, and various activities at the middle and elementary schools, including trips to see the middle school's 'Little Mermaid' performance.
• 0:17
  Superintendent's Report: Remembrance of Bruce Cribby

  Dr. Entwistle begins his report with a remembrance of Bruce Cribby, a district bus driver for 26 years who recently passed away.
• 0:18
  Tribute to Bruce Cribby (Mike Nalli)

  Mike Nalli, Director of Operations and Safety, shares a tribute to Bruce Cribby. He describes Bruce as intensely dedicated to the students, a fixer, and an invaluable, omnipresent member of the transportation team who will be sorely missed.
• 0:21
  Superintendent's Report: Recognitions (Dr. Entwistle)

  Dr. Entwistle gives a shout-out to South Portland Adult Education for being named a Top Performer for FY25 by the state for exceeding performance targets. He also formally notes the ratification of the SPESPA contract.
• 0:23
  Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Update

  JMG ELO Navigator Justine Carlisle and student Destiny Peter present an update on the Extended Learning Opportunities program.

  • 0:23 Justine Carlisle
    Justine Carlisle provides an overview of the ELO program, which offers students for-credit, hands-on learning with community partners. She shares data from the previous year, highlighting student participation and new initiatives like a healthcare group ELO and a youth doula certification program.
  • 0:29 Destiny Peter
    Destiny Peter, a high school senior, shares her experience in the ELO program. She discusses her project on sports psychology from last year and her current exploration of careers in radiology and cake decorating.
• 0:35
  Enrollment Report (Dr. Entwistle)

  The Superintendent provides a brief update on student enrollment, noting that the number has leveled out at approximately 2,729 students.
• 0:35
  First Audience of Citizens

  The chair opens the floor for the first public comment period. No members of the public came forward to speak.
• 0:36
  Finance Committee Report (Holman)

  Finance Committee Chair Holman delivers a critical update, explaining that due to the newly ratified teacher contract costs, the district faces a potential deficit of $1.3 to $1.9 million. She explains that a non-personnel spending freeze is being implemented to avoid ending the year in the red.
• 0:42
  Board Discussion on Financial Report

  Board members question the Finance Director, Abigail Ketchen, about the sudden change in the financial outlook and the specifics of the spending freeze.

  • 0:42 Richardson
    Member Richardson expresses confusion about how the budget could be so far off after assurances were given and asks about the impact of the newly signed SPESPA contract. She also questions the feasibility of some of the proposed savings scenarios.
  • 0:46 Smith
    Member Smith asks for more detail on the line items affected by the spending freeze, particularly in special education and nutrition, to understand the difference between the proposed scenarios.
  • 0:50 Davidson
    Student Representative Davison asks if positions will be cut in the nutrition department to reduce its deficit and suggests a student-led food drive to help.
• 1:00
  Policy Committee Report (DeAngelis & Dowling)

  Chair DeAngelis and Member Dowling report on the Policy Committee's work. They discuss upcoming first readings for policies on board ethics, public comment, and the agenda, and note that the temperature control policy has been sent to the Buildings & Grounds committee for review.
• 1:08
  Buildings & Grounds Committee Report (Dowling)

  Chair Dowling reports that the committee is working on the temperature policy and praises the custodial staff for their hard work during winter weather. Board members Richardson and Holman raise the issue of the still-unusable middle school athletic field.
• 1:12
  Consent Agenda

  The Superintendent reads the items on the consent agenda, which include approval of past meeting minutes and the acceptance of $46,583.10 in donations and grants for various schools and programs.
• 1:16
  Vote on Consent Agenda

  The board unanimously approves the consent agenda as read.
• 1:18
  Vote on SPHS Overnight Field Trip

  The board unanimously approves an overnight field trip for high school choir students to attend a festival in Providence, RI.
• 1:19
  Vote on Policy IGDJ (Co-Curricular Activities)

  The board unanimously approves the second and final reading of Policy IGDJ regarding co-curricular activities.
• 1:19
  Vote on Policy BCA (School Board Member Ethics) First Reading

  The board unanimously approves the first reading of the revised Policy BCA on School Board Member Ethics.
• 1:20
  Second Audience of Citizens (Public Comment)

  The board holds its second public comment session, with two speakers addressing the board.

  • 1:21 Melinda Hult
    Melinda Hult, a district parent, asks if there is a coordinated strategy for procuring donations and reiterates the community's desire to help establish a sustainable education foundation. She emphasizes that a talented and committed group of parents stands ready to offer their resources and energy.
  • 1:24 Sarah Gay
    Sarah Gay, SPTA President, welcomes the new board and asks for clarification on the budget freeze's impact. She asks if substitute budget cuts affect internal coverage, how the district will mitigate the impact on instruction, and how nutrition fund changes might affect families.
• 1:27
  Superintendent's Response to Public Comment

  The superintendent and assistant superintendent respond to questions from public comment, clarifying that donation efforts are not centrally coordinated, an education foundation plan is in development, and the substitute budget adjustment is based on fewer projected long-term leaves, not a cut to daily sub opportunities.
• 1:31
  School Board Communications

  Board members share final communications, including event attendance, praise for the ELO program, and thoughts on future board priorities.

  • 1:32 Holman
    Member Holman expresses optimism about the new board's energy and lists key issues she wants to address, including the education foundation, the middle school athletic fields, school boundaries/configurations, and a policy on phones in schools.
  • 1:36 DeAngelis
    The Chair mentions attending the Mill Creek Tree Lighting and notes that the issue of school boundaries and equity is a top priority for the coming year.
• 1:36
  Adjournment

  The board votes unanimously to adjourn the meeting.