Present: Superintendent Hadley, Principal Halliday, Sandra Warden, Andy Brazier, Dennis Long, John Moore, Rick Kaye-Schiess, Rachel Driscoll and Jennifer Goodwin

Judie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. Approval of Minutes of School Committee Meetings:
2.1 School Committee Meeting of November 10, 2009:
Motion: Mary made the motion to accept the minutes as written. Ted seconded, motion passed 4-0 (Richard arrived just after the motion)

2.2 School Committee/Selectman Workshop of November 23, 2009:
Tabled

3. Comments from the Public:
3.1 Comments by Visitors:
Dennis Long asked for the school committee to meet with the selectmen along with a member of emergency management to update the emergency plan in place at the school. Andy reported most of the necessary updates have been completed since December 2008.

John Moore asked how the installation of the generator was progressing. Andy and Richard both reported that it would be complete when the enclosure unit was installed.

4. Communications/Correspondence:
4.1Commissioner's correspondence regarding subsidy curtailment:
Superintendent Hadley reported there would be a cut of $76,000 in GPA funds. A discussion on the penalties and their impacts ensued.

5. Report of the Superintendent, Including Staff Reports:
5.1 Superintendent's Report:
Superintendent Hadley informed the committee of a request to participate in a research project concerning arsenic levels found in the water and the developmental delays of the students impacted by the contaminated water.

Motion: Ted made the motion to provide the information of this research project to the public via the school web site and let individuals decide if they want to participate in the study. Richard seconded, motion passed 5-0.

The school received notice that they are complying with all the Civil Rights Laws.

Superintendent Hadley informed the committee of the resignation letter he received from Catherine Finch.

Motion: Jeanette made the motion to accept the resignation of Catherine Finch with much regret. Ted seconded, motion passed 3-2 with Richard and Mary opposed.

5.2 Principal's Report:
Principal Halliday reported on the success of the fire and evacuation drills that have been practiced over the past month.

Thanks to the PTG there will be a dance/movie night on December 18th for students in grades
5-8. Linda and Tricia are looking into a generic list of items requested by teachers to compare prices. A grant committee has been formed consisting of four volunteers. All teacher budgets have been submitted for review.

Principal Halliday was happy with the amount of attendees during the substitute training held on December 3rd. Cross comparisons of test scores was discussed. Principal Halliday is collecting data to report on any consistent gaps in the testing scores.

5.3 Special Ed. Director's Report:
Sandra Warden reported on how well the teachers have done in asking for very little during the budget process. RTI is continuing to work well for students. There are 75 students enrolled in special education. A physical therapist has been hired thanks to Carol Wendel and her suggestion to inquire with Visiting Nurses.

Sandra along with Pam Hartsell and Michele Libby has been attending Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training this week.

5.4 Facilities Director's Report:
Andy Brazier reported the repairs to the heating system have been successful. The temperature in the school has been lowered by two degrees. The temperature range throughout the building is set between 65-66 degrees.

There has been one custodial staff out do to health issues and Glenn Wallace Jr. has been subbing in that position.

The Title 1 room project will begin over the holiday break. This project will be paid for by stimulus funds. Andy is hoping this will be completed before school begins in January.

Mary asked about the winterization of the underground sprinkler system. Andy informed her that it would be approximately $400 to winterize. He would look into the contract to determine that if damage occurred in the system, it would be covered by the company doing the winterization.

Andy reported on the excavation work that was done for the installation of the generator. This project was contracted out because the school does not own the equipment to perform the job and due to the liability with digging around underground utilities.

Andy inquired about the land adjacent to the school that houses the fire hydrant. In the past this has been cleaned out by the custodial staff to have access to in case of an emergency. Andy is going to look into the ownership of the hydrant with the fire department and town hall.

6. School Committee Standing and Special Committees:
6.1 Long Term Planning Committee:
Did not meet

6.2 Policy Committee:
Mary reported that they have been meeting twice a month

7. Unfinished Business:
7.1 Second Reading of the Following Policies:
BBA- School Committee Powers and Responsibilities-Review
BCA- Committee Members Code of Ethics-Review
BCB- Conflict of Interest-Review
BCC- Nepotism-Revision
BG- School Committee Policy Process-Review
BG-R- Policy Adoption Process-Review
A discussion about revisions took place

Motion: Mary made the motion to accept BCC Nepotism revision. Ted seconded, motion passed 5-0.

Motion: Ted made the motion to accept BG-R revision. Mary seconded, motion passed 5-0

Motion: Mary made the motion to accept BBA, BCA, BCB and BG as revisions. Ted seconded, motion passed 5-0.

7.2 School Committee Goals 2009/2010:
The goals were reviewed and Mary added a proposal to form a High School Committee to review parental feedback on positives and negatives with our students attending Sanford High School. She does not want to sign another contract to house our high school students at Sanford High School if the feedback is overwhelmingly negative.

8. New Business:
8.1 Educational Presentation of MEA/NWEA Test Scoring 2008/2009:
Tricia is working on collecting the data between the two tests. NWEA test scores come back quickly and the results are used by the teacher that year to strengthen any weaknesses. Tricia reported on the importance of communicating with the teacher and not just using the test scores to view the whole child and not just how the child did on a certain date while taking a test.

8.2 Certification of Employment of Superintendent of Schools:
Mr. Hadley stated that to help reduce the administrative budget, he will start working 2 days instead of 2 ½ days a week for the remainder of this budget year. In order to help with fiscal year 2010-2011, he will continue to work 2 days a week for the Acton School Department.
Motion: Mary made the motion to extend Mr. Hadley's contract for an additional three year period at two days a week ending June 30, 2013. Ted seconded, motion passed 5-0.

8.3 November Financial Report:
A simplified report was handed out to the committee to review.

Motion: Mary made the motion to enter into executive session at 9:25 p.m. pursuant to support staff contracts MSRA 405 (6)(D). Ted seconded, motion passed 5-0.

9. Executive Session:
Motion: Mary made the motion to return to public session at 9:46 p.m. Ted seconded, motion passed 5-0.

Motion: Jeanette made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:49 p.m. Richard seconded, motion passed 5-0.