Workshop 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 the superintendent conducts the roll call of board members.
• 0:00
  Opening Remarks (Chair DeAngelis)

  Chair DeAngelis welcomes the public and explains that as a workshop, the board will not be taking any formal actions. She outlines the agenda for the evening, which includes a presentation, public comment, and board discussion.
• 0:02
  Elementary Reconfiguration Presentation (Johanna Prince)

  Assistant Superintendent Johanna Prince begins her presentation on the Elementary Reconfiguration Committee's findings, process, and recommendations.
• 0:06
  Context: Declining Enrollment (Johanna Prince)

  Dr. Prince provides context for the reconfiguration work, highlighting the trend of declining student enrollment in South Portland, which mirrors state and national trends.
• 0:11
  Proposal: Early Learning Campus (Johanna Prince)

  Dr. Prince introduces a key recommendation to reopen Kaler Elementary as an early learning campus. This would centralize services for all four-year-olds and provide a location for new state-mandated services for three-year-olds.
• 0:16
  Financials: Early Learning Campus (Johanna Prince)

  The financial implications of the early learning campus are detailed, including one-time moving costs and ongoing staffing and operational expenses. It is noted that while the state will fund special education components, there would be an anticipated local cost of over $400,000 annually.
• 0:20
  Board Discussion on Early Learning Campus

  The board pauses the presentation to ask clarifying questions specifically about the early learning campus proposal.

  • 0:21 Feller
    Member Feller asks for clarification on which costs for the Kaler campus would be covered by the state. Dr. Prince explains that while special education services are state-funded, operational costs like a nurse, clerk, custodial services, and utilities would be a local expense.
  • 0:23 Richardson
    Member Richardson inquires about the complexity and potential costs of using an off-site partnership model if Kaler is not reopened. Dr. Prince confirms it adds complexity and coordination challenges but is a viable option used by other districts.
• 0:29
  Overview of Map 1 (Johanna Prince)

  Dr. Prince presents Map 1, which maintains the current K-4 neighborhood school boundaries. She notes this option provides stability for families and staff but does not address the underlying socioeconomic imbalances between schools.
• 0:34
  Overview of Map 4 (Johanna Prince)

  Dr. Prince explains Map 4, which proposes a grade-banded system along an east-west axis. This would create K-2 and 3-4 schools, allowing for larger teacher teams and specialized instruction but introducing more student transitions and logistical challenges.
• 0:39
  Side-by-Side Comparison of Maps (Johanna Prince)

  A comparative analysis of Map 1 and Map 4 is presented, covering demographics, building capacity, class sizes, transportation, and staffing implications.
• 0:45
  Transportation & Walkability Comparison (Johanna Prince)

  Dr. Prince compares transportation needs, noting Map 1 has a higher percentage of students within walking distance (45% vs 37%). Map 4 would require longer bus rides and an estimated two additional drivers and vehicles.
• 0:46
  Staff & Student Transition Comparison (Johanna Prince)

  The impact on staff and students is contrasted. Map 1 requires no staff or student moves, while Map 4 could require up to 50% of teachers to change schools or grade levels and would mean over 400 students changing schools.
• 0:48
  Steering Committee Recommendation (Johanna Prince)

  Dr. Prince shares the steering committee's final vote, which favored Map 1 over Map 4 by a vote of 11 to 8. The committee unanimously supported investing in an early learning campus, with Kaler being the preferred location.
• 1:08
  Public Comment

  Members of the public, including teachers, parents, and community members, address the board with questions and opinions on the reconfiguration proposals.

  • 1:09 Sarah Gay
    As SPTA President, she questions the district's readiness for another large-scale change, noting that staff are still dealing with unfinished systems and under-resourced spaces from last year's budget cuts.
  • 1:13 Margaret Williams
    She asks if there are any outcome studies from Maine or elsewhere that demonstrate that grade-banding improves student test scores or overall academic outcomes.
  • 1:13 Doug Von Berseviz
    He criticizes the August survey as methodologically flawed and questions why only one grade-banded map was presented for consideration by the committee and the public.
  • 1:14 Chelsea Kazmierski
    She argues that the district's top priority should be addressing the current, critical staffing shortages in special education classrooms, which is impacting all students, rather than focusing on reconfiguration.
  • 1:17 Julia Edwards
    She criticizes the data presentation as biased, questions why the Brick Hill neighborhood isn't being offered a choice to attend a closer school, and objects to the short four-day timeline for the upcoming survey.
  • 1:18 Heather Willette
    She argues that the proposed Map 4 fails to achieve equity, as her analysis shows it would concentrate 71% of the district's low-socioeconomic status students into the west-side schools (Skillin and Dyer).
  • 1:20 Bill Newton
    He expresses concern that the steering committee did not make a single, definitive recommendation, suggesting an abdication of leadership that will lead to continued inaction on the issue.
  • 1:22 Ishmeel Daniels
    A member of the steering committee, he thanks his fellow members for their difficult work. He notes that many teachers are afraid to speak their minds and offers to be a voice for them.
  • 1:26 Karen Callahan
    A former board member, she feels the district has undergone too much change recently and that it is too soon to jump into another major initiative like grade-banding without more time to regroup.
  • 1:27 Julia Tate
    She expresses appreciation for the work but feels the process was poorly structured and the final maps do not reflect creative solutions to achieve equity. She asks if reallocating funds based on need is being investigated as an alternative.
  • 1:32 Angelica Hall
    A teacher at Skillin, she gives an emotional account of the high level of need at her school, describing student hunger and trauma, and urges the board to see students as more than just numbers.
• 1:34
  Board Discussion on Reconfiguration

  Board members share their initial thoughts and reactions to the presentation and public comment.

  • 1:34 Feller
    Member Feller states that Map 4 does not solve the problem of unequal need and could make it worse by packing west-side schools while east-side schools are under-capacity. He sees high costs and few benefits to the grade-banding option.
  • 1:35 Holman
    Member Holman expresses deep disappointment, calling the options a "nothing burger" and feeling the process was designed to lead to inaction. She argues that means-tested funding is vulnerable and that the board missed its chance to enact meaningful change earlier.
  • 1:39 Risch
    Member Risch states he is trying to find the core reason or goal for choosing one map over the other. He sees potential efficiencies and cohort benefits in Map 4 but is still weighing the options.
  • 1:39 Richardson
    Member Richardson expresses frustration with the underwhelming proposals and the flawed process. She is very concerned that implementing Map 4 would divert critical attention from stabilizing schools and serving students after last year's disruptive budget cuts.
  • 1:44 DeAngelis
    Chair DeAngelis argues that the issue of inequity has been debated for a decade and that Map 1 represents unacceptable inaction. She gives an impassioned speech about racial and economic privilege, stating that while Map 4 isn't perfect, it is a necessary step toward a more integrated and equitable district.
• 2:14
  Adjournment

  With no further comments, the meeting is adjourned.