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.

• 0:00
  Meeting Opening and Pledge of Allegiance (Rosemarie DeAngelis)

  Board Chair DeAngelis called the meeting to order and conducted the roll call of board members and student representatives. Following the roll call, the board and audience stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
• 0:01
  Chair Report and Upcoming Dates (Rosemarie DeAngelis)

  Board Chair DeAngelis shared several important upcoming dates, including FOAA training in the SPHS Learning Commons and the Public School Budget Forum in the SPMS Multipurpose Room. She encouraged community members and neighbors to attend the budget forum to provide feedback on the upcoming school budget.
• 0:04
  SPHS Track Program Recognition (Rosemarie DeAngelis)

  Chair DeAngelis read an email from a parent of a competing school district praising the SPHS Track Program coaches, Dave Cahill and Matt Toothacre. The parent commended the coaches for their positive, kind, and inspirational leadership during a recent track meet.
• 0:07
  Student Representative Report (Alex Davison)

  Student Representative Alex Davison provided updates across the district, including elementary school assessments and SPMS preparations for the second semester. He also highlighted adult education milestones, noting that nine students have already passed the HighSET exam this year.
• 0:12
  Adult Education Enrollment Discussion (Eleni Richardson)

  Board Member Richardson asked for more information regarding the adult education ESOL waiting list. Adult Education Director Aaron KK explained the rolling admissions process and the attendance policy used to manage the waitlist.
• 0:14
  School Board Recognition Month (Dr. Entwistle)

  Superintendent Dr. Entwistle recognized the board members for School Board Recognition Month, presenting them with cards made by SPMS art students. He welcomed the newest board members, Tyler Smith, Daniel Feller, and George Risch, as they begin to understand the scope of the board's work.
• 0:18
  Graduation 2026 and 2027 Proposal (Sarah Glenn)

  SPHS Principal Sarah Glenn presented graduation plans, outlining a rain-date strategy for Graduation 2026 at Martin Field. She also proposed moving Graduation 2027 to the Cross Insurance Arena due to upcoming athletic complex construction.
• 0:21
  Board Discussion on Graduation Logistics

  The board discussed the financial and logistical implications of moving graduation offsite, including parking voucher costs and potential shuttle busing.

  • 0:21 Eleni Richardson
    Richardson asked for an update on the athletic complex construction timeline and its impact on graduation. She noted that the board had not received an update since the referendum passed.
  • 0:21 Mr. Dowling
    Dowling inquired about the fiscal impact of purchasing parking vouchers for families at the Cross Insurance Arena. He wanted to understand the maximum cost the district would incur.
  • 0:22 Ms. Holman
    Holman suggested exploring shuttle buses from the high school to reduce parking costs for families. She noted that the district has a fleet of buses and drivers that could be utilized.
  • 0:24 Daniel Feller
    Feller asked the student representatives about their preferences for graduation locations. He wanted to hear directly from the students who would be graduating.
  • 0:24 Alex Davison
    Davison emphasized that having unlimited seating for family members is the most critical factor for students. He noted that many students have large families who want to attend.
• 0:25
  South Portland Middle School Field Update (Mike Nalli)

  Director Mike Nalli provided an update on the SPMS Field spring remediation plan, which includes aeration, overseeding, and fertilization. He reported that soil core samples met specifications but showed heavy compaction, and noted that the district is withholding funds from the contractor until the field is playable.
• 0:29
  Board Discussion on SPMS Field Remediation

  The board debated the quality of the SPMS Field, discussing soil compaction, weed management, and potential legal action against the contractor.

  • 0:29 Tyler Smith
    Smith shared his professional expertise as an arborist, discussing soil compaction and the potential need for an herbicide waiver to manage weed growth. He expressed concern that spring fertilization without weed control might support weed growth instead of grass.
  • 0:32 Eleni Richardson
    Richardson asked if redoing the field entirely was considered and questioned whether the contractor met the original specifications. She noted that the field was reportedly filled with rocks and compaction.
  • 0:36 Ms. Holman
    Holman criticized the field's substandard quality, called for more transparency, and suggested the district should consider legal action. She argued that the district deserved better than a fluffed-up field.
  • 0:39 Dr. Entwistle
    Dr. Entwistle agreed with the need for taxpayer representation and offered to look into adding someone to the oversight group. He welcomed the energy and focus on resolving the field issues.
  • 0:39 Rosemarie DeAngelis
    DeAngelis advised that board members should not be directly involved in the operational oversight meetings. She stated that operational issues fall under the superintendent's purview.
  • 0:41 George Risch
    Risch attempted to ask Tyler Smith if adding more soil would be a good solution, which DeAngelis ruled out of order. He wanted to clarify if more soil would help the grass grow.
• 0:41
  Strengthening Our Community and Enrollment Report (Dr. Entwistle)

  Dr. Entwistle reviewed the district's 'Strengthening Our Community Through Belonging' initiative, reinforcing that schools are welcoming places regardless of immigration status. He also presented the stable enrollment figure of 2,736 students as of January 8th.
• 0:45
  Board Discussion on Immigration Safety Protocols

  The board discussed safety protocols, ICE response training, and public communication to reassure vulnerable families.

  • 0:45 Eleni Richardson
    Richardson expressed concern over student absences due to fear and advocated for accelerating staff training on ICE warrants. She emphasized the need for a clear public statement on safety protocols.
  • 0:47 Ms. Holman
    Holman supported Richardson's suggestions and emphasized the need to let families know they are safe and protected. She questioned what language front office staff would use in chaotic situations.
  • 0:47 Alex Davison
    Davison voiced his support for issuing a clear public statement to reassure families. He agreed that safety and communication are paramount.
  • 0:47 George Risch
    Risch asked which committee or subcommittee would be responsible for working on this issue. He wanted to know the next steps for the board.
  • 0:48 Dr. Entwistle
    Dr. Entwistle explained the simplified protocol shared with staff and the planned training dates with the university law clinic. He noted that the protocol takes the burden off teachers and places it on administrators.
• 0:51
  Budget Process Update (Dr. Entwistle)

  Dr. Entwistle announced the transition from the State of the Schools address to a Public School Budget Forum on January 22nd. He invited the public and voters to attend the forum in the SPMS Multipurpose Room to ask questions and provide input.
• 0:54
  Resignations, Retirements, and Staffing Ratios (Dr. Entwistle)

  Dr. Entwistle read the list of recent teacher resignations and upcoming retirements at the end of the school year. Board Member Feller asked if the district automatically backfills retired and resigned positions, which Dr. Entwistle noted is decided through the budget process.
• 0:56
  Public Comment

  Community members and staff expressed concerns about immigration enforcement, budget input, and school calendar breaks.

  • 0:57 Melinda Hull
    Hull asked how the district is tracking absences related to ICE raids, supporting absent students academically, and ensuring budget input from vulnerable families. She suggested pairing vulnerable families with buddy families to promote belonging.
  • 1:00 Connie DiSanto
    DiSanto, representing SPESPA, condemned aggressive immigration enforcement, highlighted staff and student fears, and thanked Richardson for advocating for accelerated training. She urged the board to stand publicly and firmly for safety and justice.
  • 1:02 Sarah Gay
    Gay, representing SPTA, encouraged active dialogue over surveys, offered professional insight on the budget, and highlighted the restorative impact of the two-week winter break. She urged the board to share budget proposals early to allow for constructive feedback.
  • 1:04 Rachel Healy
    Healy urged the board to address student safety not just inside schools but also during their commute to and from school. She noted that many families are afraid of waiting at bus stops or driving.
• 1:05
  Finance Committee Report (Ms. Holman)

  Finance Chair Ms. Holman reviewed the FY2026 budget status, projecting a deficit, and shared positive news about upcoming Munis software training for the finance director. She commended the finance director for her careful work in the encumbering process.
• 1:08
  Public Comment Response (Dr. Entwistle)

  Dr. Entwistle addressed the questions raised during public comment regarding absence tracking, public communication, and academic support. He confirmed that student absences are tracked closely and that statistics can be made public.
• 1:12
  Policy Committee Report (Rosemarie DeAngelis)

  Chair DeAngelis reported on the second reading of the ethics policy and the first reading of the public comment policy. She also noted that the temperature control policy was referred to the Buildings & Grounds Committee.
• 1:14
  Buildings and Grounds Committee Report (Mr. Dowling)

  Chair Dowling discussed the development of a feasible temperature control policy across the district's seven buildings. He noted that the committee used the Maine School Management Association model policy as a starting point.
• 1:15
  Consent Agenda Approval (Rosemarie DeAngelis)

  The board reviewed and unanimously approved the consent agenda, including minutes, donations, and grants. Approved donations included funds from Trademark Federal Credit Union and food from Wayside Kitchen.
• 1:20
  Policy BCA and Policy BEDH Readings (Rosemarie DeAngelis)

  The board unanimously approved the second reading of Policy BCA: School Board Member Ethics. They also unanimously accepted the first reading of Policy BEDH: Public Participation at Board Meetings.
• 1:21
  School Calendar Postponement Discussion (Rosemarie DeAngelis)

  Chair DeAngelis explained the need to postpone the school calendar votes to negotiate the impact of an extra school day with the service employees' union. The board voted unanimously to postpone the calendar items to the February meeting.
• 1:24
  Board Discussion on School Calendar and Breaks

  The board discussed the length of holiday breaks, childcare challenges, and the addition of religious holidays.

  • 1:24 Eleni Richardson
    Richardson shared her perspective as a parent that a two-week break is difficult for working families to coordinate childcare. She supported the calendar alignment that avoids extended breaks.
  • 1:25 Ms. Holman
    Holman agreed that extended breaks cause significant disruption and financial costs for families. She noted that childcare costs can be a major burden.
  • 1:25 Rosemarie DeAngelis
    DeAngelis explained that holiday break lengths are driven by calendar alignment and expressed opposition to adding more religious holidays due to separation of church and state. She argued that adding more holidays would lead to an endless list.
• 1:27
  Zeal Superintendent Search Contract (Rosemarie DeAngelis)

  The board discussed and voted 6-1 to approve the contract with Zeal for the superintendent search. Board Member Risch voted in opposition, citing his original disagreement with the search approach.
• 1:31
  Superintendent Search Advertising and Background Checks (Rosemarie DeAngelis)

  The board discussed and unanimously approved spending up to $3,500 for national advertising with AASA and up to $1,595 per finalist for comprehensive background checks. Board members emphasized the importance of thorough vetting to find a long-term leader.
• 1:48
  Second Public Comment

  The second public comment period focused on public participation policies, service staff training, and childcare partnerships.

  • 1:49 Sarah Gay
    Gay expressed concern over limiting public comment opportunities, advocated for service staff safety training, and suggested partnering with local organizations for break childcare. She thanked the board for their thorough approach to the superintendent search.
• 1:53
  Board Discussion on Future Priorities

  The board discussed future priorities, including budget data requests, cell phone policies, and spending freeze impacts.

  • 1:53 Daniel Feller
    Feller requested comprehensive budget data and suggested opening up the superintendent search for more explicit public feedback. He argued that more data upfront would save work during the budget process.
  • 1:54 Eleni Richardson
    Richardson warned of community feedback fatigue and suggested inviting Zeal to the upcoming budget forum. She noted that the forum could serve as an inflection point for community input.
  • 1:55 Ms. Holman
    Holman urged the board to prioritize reviewing cell phone policies in schools before the end of the school year. She argued that the issue is urgent and should not be delayed.
  • 1:55 Tyler Smith
    Smith seconded the cell phone policy review and requested an update on how staff are experiencing the current spending freeze. He wanted to understand the day-to-day impact on teaching and learning.
  • 1:56 Alex Davison
    Davison asked for clarification on whether the cell phone discussion refers to a school-wide ban. He wanted to know the scope of the proposed review.
  • 1:57 Rosemarie DeAngelis
    DeAngelis outlined upcoming Zeal community forums, agreed to invite Zeal to the budget forum, and suggested starting the cell phone policy review in the Policy Committee. She noted that the Policy Committee is a public forum where a draft policy can be developed.
• 2:00
  Meeting Adjournment (Rosemarie DeAngelis)

  Board Chair DeAngelis adjourned the meeting after all agenda items were completed.