MINUTES OF THE TRANSITION TEAM MEETING HELD FRIDAY,
MARCH 23, 2007 AT 4:00 P.M. AT THE HUSE SCHOOL
Members present: David Barber, Jean Flink, Chet Garrison, Bill Haggett, Darla Jewett, Kristin Malin, David Miller, Julie Rice, William Shuttleworth, Eloise Vitelli, Mark Westrum
Members Absent: Ross Berkowitz, Tom MacDonald
Other guests: Bob Kalish, Susan Corrente, David Longstreet, Diann Longstreet, Bob Trabona, Sharon Trabona, Kate Reilly and Bill Stockmeyer
Call to order
Meeting called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Mr. Garrison.
Opening remarks
Mr. Garrison indicated that Alan Cartright, Maine Children’s Alliance, will be joining us in future meetings.
Adjustments to agenda
William noted that Kate Reilly from the Maine Planning Office and Bill Stockmeyer, Drummond, Woodsum & MacMahan, will be joining us during this meeting. Discussion on web site development was added and the Educational Excellence report was added to the agenda.
Old Business
4.1: Approval of March 16th minutes
David Miller moved to approve minutes as adjusted. J. Flink seconded; motion passed unanimously.
5.0 New Business
5.1: Web site development
Julie Rice, Ross Berkowitz and Kristin Malin researched website design. After discussion, it was decided that the task for web site development be given to David Ingmundson at the high school who said he would do it for free. The web address will be www.bathunion47.org. There will be a link for the public to pose comments and questions that will be fielded by either of the chairs.
5.2: Ground Rules
No changes in ground rules.
5.3: Educational Excellence work
David Miller indicated that he has highlighted six major recommendations from the RTF report and William's report: integrated preK-12 curriculum, integrated special education curriculum, school choice, technology, bi-lingual education, post secondary education opportunities and technology. He asked other members to prioritize their list for next meeting. It was decided that William's report will be posted to the web.
5.4: Introduction of Kate Reilly from the Maine Planning Office
Kate brought a preliminary plan that divides the new region into 9 districts. Much discussion took place and she will continue to work with us and it doesn't look like it will be an expense to us.
5.5: Introduction of Mr. Stockmeyer
Bill updated the board on the various pieces of legislation at the state level. He talked about the three ways a budget is approved. He indicated that from what he has read of the RTF report, much of what we want to do could be accomplished under current statute. In response to the question about Bath's debt, he indicated that it has been his experience that town's debts have been absorbed in the consolidation. Since the region will own the buildings it is logical that the region would be responsible for the debt.
In regards to developing a new budget, the current law does not address how a budget will be developed the first year of the new region. Susan Corrente said that there is an AG's opinion that she will share with the committee. It was brought up that under the new model, we could lose some federal moneys that we are currently receiving (e.g. REAP. Mr. Stockmeyer indicated that the state is aware of this and they are reworking this model to support consolidation. It was noted that the Bath charter would have to change.
5.6: School Debt
After some discussion, Bill Haggett moved that the school debt become a regional obligation as it is recommended in the RTF report. Darla Jewett seconded the motion. Motion passed 6 in favor, 1 opposed, 2 abstained. Kristin Malin, in opposing the motion, said the motion was premature because the Transition Team has not done the research and fact-finding in order to support this position, or any other position that might arise from research. It was then articulated very clearly that there are many questions that must be answered in order for the citizens to understand the issue of debt and see it as fair.
It was decided to articulate all the questions around this issue. Bill Haggett indicated that this is a different sort of consolidation because it has functioned as one unit for a period of time and feels the debt was triggered to support and benefit SU 47 students. Other questions that arose included, has the Bath tuition been adequate to support the schools, how can we show the costs versus moneys received to help all of us understand this matter more clearly.
Public Comment
It was stated that it may be a mistake to pass a motion on absorbing debt at this time. It was also stated that there is a fallacy in comparing assets and debts since Bath will be replacing some of their schools and these new schools will become the property of the new region.
Closing Remarks
Most felt we needed more time to meet and not on a Friday afternoon. We will have a meeting next Friday at 4:00 but then look for a Saturday. It was discussed that we may need a consultant to move the process along and that will be discussed at the next meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: William Shuttleworth