Victoria Burns, Superintendent

1. Congratulations to Annesa Chambers, Transportation, for being a finalist as bus driver for the year. The winner will be announced at the Student Transportation Safety Conference July 22-25 at Carrabassett Valley, Maine. Six of MSAD #15’s drivers will also be attending. I plan to attend on behalf of the District to honor Annesa’s accomplishments.

2. The Activity Bus Committee met to plan the implementation of the Activity Bus for the 08-09 school year. Melanie Craig, Tim Richards, John Springer, Sherry Levesque, Geoff Robinson, Terry Towle, Annesa Chambers and I came to an agreement regarding the issues and solutions needed for a smooth start to the activity bus service. A complete implementation plan will be available by August 1^st. I will send information to parents in August outlining the days, times, and procedures associated with the Activity Bus.

3. I have been meeting with Karen Caprio, Craig Moore and Barbara Foster regarding the implementation of SchoolMessenger. We have identified four categories for implementation in the fall of 2008: emergencies, general notices, snow day, late start, or early dismissal. Parents will be called if there is an emergency, such as an evacuation requiring parents to pick up students or a bus accident. Parents will have the option to sign up for late start, early dismissal or notification of a “no school day” due to weather. Parents with emails will be sent notices unless they opt out of this service. We are working with the schools and secretaries to get the data ready, and we hope to have the alert system up and going by the end of September. I will send information to parents regarding SchoolMessenger in August. The form that will be sent to parents is included in your packet.

4. Summer School is in session. Thirteen high school students are enrolled in the virtual high school summer credit retrieval program beginning July 7^th. Twenty-four Grades 1-5 students are enrolled in the Title 1 summer school program scheduled to begin on July 14.

5. A construction requisition meeting was held on July 8^th. The completions of the cafetorium and science labs are scheduled prior to the start of school. Mr. Towle will be discussing the purchase of the cafeteria table and chairs and the weight equipment during his report.

6. Another large project, the Russell Playground, will be on the agenda tonight. As you know a donor has offered to completely fund a new Russell Playground that could be installed by September. Mr. Joseph will update the Board on the playground plans at the meeting tonight.

7. Resignations:

a. Gary Miers, High School Science Teacher

b. Jaylin Mohlar, Middle School Special Education Teacher

c. Kelly Hayes, Dunn School Teacher

d. Rosemary Cavallaro, Adult Education Secretary

8. Interviews for the new Manager of Transportation and Facilities position have been conducted, and it is hoped that a candidate will be recommended for hire during the month of July. I want to thank Dr. Rich, School Board, Terry Towle, Director of Finance and Operations, Annesa Chambers, Transportation, Melanie Craig, Athletic Director and Craig Moore, Technology Director for giving their time to do this important work.

9. I met with Mike Barter, Gray Fire Department, to discuss National Incident Management System training. School Districts are considered by Maine Emergency Management to be regional assets and come under the qualifying umbrella of the County in which they are located. I spoke with the Maine Emergency Management Department and it is recommended that the leaders of the school’s crisis teams be trained-principals and assistant principals. The School Board does not have to be trained. I am working with Mike Barter to coordinate computer training this summer with our administrators and the fire department. When the training is complete, the Crisis Plans will be revisited to determine any updating that results as an outcome of the training.

10. During planned maintenance work, mold was discovered in several rooms at the Middle School on the first floor due to the roof leaks that have been repaired. Enclosed is the preliminary report with recommendations from Commercial and Industrial Environments. Mr. Towle, Director of Finance and Operations, will review this report at tonight’s meeting.

11. Enclosed in your packet is information related to Maine’s Freedom of Access Statute. The School Board is required to have training on the requirements of the Freedom of Access statute “relating to public records and proceedings.” This training requirement can be met by each Board member through a review of all of the information made available by the State of Maine on the Frequently Asked Questions portion of the State’s Freedom of Access website (attached). I am asking that all Board members read this information prior to the August 13^th workshop. There will be an opportunity for discussion at that time, and Karen Caprio will facilitate a training activity on the material. At the completion of the training, you will be asked to sign the Certification of Completion of Freedom of Access Training (included), and it will be kept on file at the office. Thanks!

12. Included in your packet is a letter from the Raymond School Superintendent stating that Raymond will only pay tuition at the Windham School rate. The question presented to the Board tonight for discussion will be the following: “Should MSAD #15 accept Raymond students at the Windham rate or at the Gray-New Gloucester rate?” Accepting students at the MSAD #15 rate will require additional billing to the parents. It is likely that after our currently enrolled Raymond students and their siblings graduate, MSAD #15 will no longer receive tuitioned students from Raymond.