001United States. Welcome to our new member Tammy Ferrari who joins us from she is replacing aa who sadly could not accomodate us. I will accept a motion to approve this board meeting. >> Any admissions, additions, sorry. All those in favor? All those abstaining. We have a retirement science teacher. All those in favor. >> Can I have a motion to accept his retirement? discussion. All those in favor. >> Okay. Other board comments. It's that time of year again where roads are going to be getting slick. There's supposed to be a storm coming on Monday. Um this is my reminder to the community and everyone who comes in contact with this area. Please drive carefully. The flashing lights on the bus are not a suggestion. It is the law. Please stop for them. We see a lot
002of accidents happening on the news. Let's not have those happen here. We want everyone to be safe and I greatly appreciate everyone rules and air on the side of caution. It's better to arrive late than not to arrive at all. Thank you. The board comments. Good evening. So report will be fairly short because we've been working on budget. Uh spent a lot of time working directly with Crystal, come up with the first draft of budget. Uh Crystal's probably sick of seeing me in her office. Uh also during the last two, three weeks, we've met individually with every administrator and director to work on the budget as well. I was able to attend a couple meetings. However, I attended the Western Maine superintendent meeting in Auburn. We discussed um And we also discussed the building temperature
003policies. At some point we'll be writing one up for that because that is now state law that we have to have one by also attended the western main steering committee meeting. We reertified three area questions for Scott. Yes, I saw that. Usually I have a >> pretty quick meeting. So I think so. um out in the gym. Um obviously uh hopefully I shouldn't say obviously but hopefully uh you've all noticed that the bleachers are here. Two semis showed up yesterday parked overnight got unloaded this morning. Um so I worked with the principal TJ and Mark Keller today make sure we set those all we'd like to have them. pretty close to the to the court, closer than what they were before just a six feet takes up quite a bit of that area. So, um
004that's that's exciting. Um that'll take probably the rest of well today, tomorrow, and most of next week finish those up. So, um we've been doing some extra cleaning around the around the schools. Obviously with viruses going around, illnesses uh going crazy. So working on that quite a bit. Um we had our Kabota tractor and steer in for repairs. Um we got the skits back today. We got plenty of soent of equipment to take care of the snow that's coming up, but just the We have aging like we've been working on budget dig >> everything I was I was here all day long today to uh make sure everything was taken care of. Um actually they ended up, you know, uh we used a skid steer to uh to help them offload it because they were
005just going to do it all by hand, but two 52 foot trailers uh would have taken quite a while with with them. So uh yeah, and they plan on working 12-h hour days here, so they're staying local. Um they just these guys are just out of Sanford, Maine, but they wanted to stay close so they could get as much work done as possible so they could uh you know get our bleaches to us. So we've been waiting for so long. So but obviously I I know TJ had spoke a little bit about it last week um about how you know they started out coming here. They got into uh a blizzard in the Dakotas. Um got delayed there, you know, and then they finally bet trucking across and on the media here yesterday. So, like
006I said, so it's exciting. Glad to get this get this taken care of, get this off our plate. So, so it's exciting. It's been a long time. Long time coming. >> Just We have some basketball games. Yes. How is that logistics for the public? >> So Mark's been I've been working with Mark directly as well. Um like for instance, I know Saturday was supposed to be a Mount Abram game, so he's still working. I know he's still working on that. Um, and then next week they they're able to move some games around, switch switch back and forth because uh, but we've been doing that quite a bit this year anyways. Um, so he's he feels confident that next week we should be he should be all set. Yeah. >> So, so he >> Yes. Please,
007please watch because I know I know he's he's been in contact with like uh he's waiting for Levit right now to see if we can use their gymnasium. Um I know now I'm speaking off the cuff because he was just telling me this tonight. So, um I know they're planning on with a Mountain Valley game um doing a triple header up there. Um I can't remember was that Tuesday? I think it might have been Tuesday. I'm not sure. So, but yeah, please please keep in keep keep in contact or we'll watch the the site. So, he usually keeps that up to date really well. So, but yeah. So, and that that was the whole thing, you know, excuse me. Originally, you know, when they were planning on coming in, you know, we tried to we
008we postponed it because we knew that sports had started. Um, and then they were coming in again and that's when they got they were supposed to come in during Christmas. That's when they got way laid, you know, and stuff. So, the end the end of December, I should say. So, it's been uh been fun. But we all know how winter is. >> So, mother nature is not >> so much a question as a comment. Um, we know the bleachers has been a long time coming project and I wanted to thank you and your team well in advance uh for putting the time and effort into it, making sure that it's the right kind that we need to keep everything safe for our students. And I I know it's a lot of paperwork. It's a lot
009of, you know, logistical nightmares, but we do appreciate it. The community sees you, and we appreciate you and your team. >> Thank you. Thank you. question. >> Thank you. >> Submit snap. preparing for the national system. I'll explain that moment. We had 153 actively enrolled academic students for the fall semester. And clarify when I talk about students that are high school students who data table does not work or transition students. Another report we submitted this week to 20y old reports the academic hours. July 1st and 42 students are number of hours. We alsate ran our educary I thought it was a very richly discussion there. It was really great to talk about that business and education to make sure So, has there been an an increase in the number of students that you've had that
010have gone from high school to to adult ed, like dropped out of the high school and gone to adult ed? Is is it a big increase? >> So compare can do you have anything to compare that to from year to year? I mean I that seems like a big number to me. So like can you compare it to the last couple? >> So in the past I had not been specifically actually not direct. So, I would be interested to see uh um do you do you keep data on why why kids are I' I'd be interested to see to see a breakdown of of maybe why um if that's something that you can get to us in in the future. students orient. Ask them to envir Other questions for Robin? Tanya, >> do you think
011that you could put together maybe a spreadsheet for us that would show what you're hearing as far as reasons or from the students. I'd be interested to see that. Obviously, no personal information, but maybe some stats. >> Thank you. >> You mentioned that um we were servicing students from outside of the of the region or the area. What is the reason for that? So that might be your parents. tried another >> and is adult education run differently than say like you know this school you have to have like a superintendent's account um is it more of an open forum where people pick and choose >> thanks. Other questions for Robin? >> Um, I know we've had dropout prevention committee in the past. I assume we still do. And um, a lot of that data should
012be able to come through that committee, I would think. Yeah. And maybe a report would be great. Thank you. >> Other questions for Robin? Thank you. >> Okay, so Norma is luckily for her on a cruise >> and Jenna sent in a report so can take a look. No, not not Jenna. Jenna's not feeling well, but uh so Chris, so [clears throat] technically this week, Wayne is Norma. So I did I'm not stepping on your toes. You didn't want to come up close for her? >> Oh, okay. Nor is apparently not prepared this week. Um, all right. So, from curriculum and technology, um, not a lot right uh today for curriculum. Unfortunately, we um we've, uh, because of snow days, we've missed a couple different curriculum meetings. Um, and I do have, um, on the
013good news, bad news, good news. We have some teachers that are going to, uh, we're trying to get on on the board schedule to come present about the new reading program, how that's going and and and how it's working. Um, but because again, because of snow days and life and all that, we haven't we wanted to get it on before we started budget, but so we'll try to get it in between there somewhere, but they're eager to come come present. So, that's a good Um, and then on the technology side, um, I get I did a handout for everybody. Um, you don't have to read it all now, but um, basically I'll just explain what it is so you can when so when you look at it, basically it's just, um, I thought going in
014obviously going into budget season, it' be nice for you to know what kind of technologies in the district and what your technology department does to to help with that. Um, so I did kind of an overview of all the devices, all the things we work with as a as a tech department, um, and all the things in the district that that we're overseeing. Um, and then on the second page, just went through a a list of the members of the technology department, uh, including myself, um, and and kind of what their what what their jobs are. Of course, as I was going through that, I, you know, I I noticed I already missed like um like our social media stuff. Like I'm in charge of the our Facebook and YouTube page and our technology technician
015is in charge of the website. So, I've already missed things, but um but it does get a little crazy because even though they have specific things they work on a lot, when things happen, they all work together and cover for each other and and things like that. So, so sometimes it does get a little blurry on everything. Um, and then there just the last two pages are just an overview of the basically the ecosystem and what what we kind of categorize them under data and student information which is a big part. Uh, the infrastructure and phys physical security which is a lot of our network stuff, cameras, things like that. um the area of productivity and learning which is of course [clears throat] our Google um uh workspace and and curriculum software and then support
016and maintenance which um which are the repairs and things we do on devices and and the troubleshooting with software and things like that and keeping them up to date. So that's it. >> Go ahead. I wasn't gonna say it publicly. I mean, we did >> saying that she's an important part of the whole >> we did. The team did have a vote. [laughter] >> I I cannot say who voted against having her on the team, but unfortunately She did not get voted on. >> So, Chris, I a couple of things um stand out to me. Um 130 smartboards and 25 photocopers. Is that >> Yep. Those are the the photocopers are the basically the big machines that that we um purchased from through a lease from uh Xerox Transco. And there's yeah, there's um each
017building has not every building has exactly the same amount, but they're spread throughout the district in strategic places. Um and we've moved to more like the last time we moved to more we do have some color photocopers, but we've moved to more black and white ones to to actually save us money because of the color printing cost more. And then the smart boards were um those Prometheians were bought during COVID with that with that big co money for teachers to be able to teach remotely and stuff and now they've become an integral part of their classroom. >> Other questions for Chris >> Tanya? >> Um under registra for Spruce Mountain Middle School and Spruce Mountain High School. I was I'm obviously wrong, but I was informed when I asked about it that that was a
018guidance job. >> Sure. Uh >> so doing the job, I guess, is my question. >> Yes, they are that technically they are in the guidance department at the high school. That's where they're stationed. Um and and before um it was years ago it it that position officially became a a registar. It always used to be um like a secretarial position. Um and then at some point they decided they wanted it to be under a registar. Um and when they did that um you know a registar spends does a lot of stuff with um our power school system and so they thought they felt like that that position would be better housed under technology but it's technically it's technically under technology for the power school piece of it but but they basically work in the school
019with kids in the guides department. So where would the position fall? Under guidance or under technology? >> It's under I think the salary is under the technology department. >> Okay. That's not what I was told when I asked. >> Okay. >> Other questions for Chris? >> Tammy. These devices here, how many of them are rented and how many have we purchased? Uh we have purchased uh everything except for um those um those photocopers >> which which basically we uh do that through a five-year lease. And so we pay a certain amount each year for and then at the end of that we own the photocopers. Um and and um and we actually and so when it rotates through like this time when we rotated through the five-year process, we got 13 new leased photocopers that
020were leasing for five years. But of course, we're 25. That means we have about, you know, 12 others that we've owned for over five years. So we try to rotate the older ones out and keep the So we own about half of what we have and lease about half. >> Okay. and and the life expectancy. It says you have over 2,000 uh district managed devices like Chromebooks and MacBooks and iPads. What's the life expectancy of these? I mean >> uh they they go uh at the upper levels it's like high school. Um, we rotate out uh every well every uh year the freshman get new devices and then they rotate out when they become seniors to the to the elementary schools, okay? >> Because they're not as they're not as heavily used at the elementary
021and primary school. And so that helps um prolong the life a little bit longer. Um, but usually it's about for for Chromebooks it can be up to eight to possibly 10 years because um, what really makes it so that Chromebooks aren't usable anymore is when they stop allowing when they don't update the OS anymore. And Google now is is doing about a 10year span. So from when you get that new Chromebook to when they stop supporting updating the OS, it's about 10 years. Okay, thank you. >> Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that we move that to that registar position under Dr. Wall. >> I was trying Yeah, I was trying to remember exactly when it happened. >> It was popping back in my Yeah, >> I had just asked about it because
022I didn't know what it was and I talked to TJ earlier this year and he said it was part of guidance. That's where I got that. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, but I believe we made that switch by Dr. under Dr. Wall when he was here. >> Um, and secondly, on our Prometheian smart boards and a a large number almost all of those were purchased with ESSA grant money, so it wasn't local money. >> No, those those boards was all grant money. >> Just wanted to be sure we understood. Thank you. >> And a portion since you brought up a portion of those that was 2,000 um not a pretty portion of those. There's also um state has the Milty program which gives us one whole grades worth of Chromebooks every year. So, so a large
023portion of those are actually ones that we haven't had to pay for that we that we move through the middle school. >> Good to know. Thank you, Chris. Other questions for Chris. When we have lists like this broken down at a glance, which we greatly appreciate, by the way, um it's easy to start looking at them and say, "That's a huge number. Why is there so many?" For example, when it comes to photocopers, the average person thinks 25, that is a lot of photocopers until we remember there's more than 400 students in the elementary school by itself. So we remember primary school and middle school and high school when they print reports, how many students are in each classroom, how many of them need to print off their essays to copy them down to peer
024edit them. Um, a lot of this is done on computers I'm aware of, but I do think it's important for the community that um is listening to know that when we give lists like this, it's for transparency and each one of these is important. So 135 video and security cameras. I I believe very firmly that that is important. That's security. When it comes to photocopers, that is important. That is a teaching aid to help our kids learn to help our kids understand technology and have the physical paper. When we talk about how many emails there are to oversee, that is a lot of emails. That is a lot of work. Um, so I do want to commend you for giving us this breakdown and for helping us be able to ask these questions so that
025we have that transparency. It is so important that we understand why we budget for these things, why these things exist and I want to thank you for your hard work in that. >> Thanks. I I will say though the technology team would love it if we move back to rzographs just because photocopers just because photocopies can be such a headache sometime with their with the new technology you know >> other questions for Chris >> not really a question but somebody in the community just messaged me they're trying to listen to the meeting and the volume even when people are >> speaking into the microphone they're not able to hear. >> I'll try to see if I can up it some more. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chris. >> Thanks, >> uh, Sharon, and
026welcome to our new food service director. [applause] >> I'm excited to be here. Can you hear me? >> Okay. No, you can't hear me. Press the button again. >> How about that? >> There you go. [laughter] >> I'm excited to be here. I haven't been here very long. I've had a chance to uh go to all of the kitchens, uh meet the staff. Um I'm very impressed with the kitchens. The uh equipment is in really good shape. You should be very proud. um some of the kitchens that I've been in through my career um are not so great, but you guys are very lucky to got a lot of new ovens and um very impressed with the equipment. Um also, um here at the high school, because I'm I'm right here, the girls that are
027here, um I'm very impressed with the work that they're doing, scratch cooking. Um very very impressed. And that is my goal. Um that all of the schools that we get to more scratch cooking, get away from the processed food. Pop-Tarts are going off. [laughter] I know they like them, but any questions? >> Questions for Sharon? >> No. You letting me off easy [laughter] >> this this time. Yeah. Okay. >> Welcome again. >> Welcome. >> Thank you and welcome. >> Okay. So, I >> I just wanted to I don't know if everybody saw this behind. >> So, the only thing that I have is at the end of the meeting we will get our budget books for our first budget meeting which is on the 5th. Um, you're you've seen your pink sheets with the new
028hires and co-curricular uh resignations and retirements. The policy meeting will be at 6:00 if we don't have a snow day. No, I don't know. We'll see. Uh, the next regular meeting after the budget meeting will be on February 12th. >> And if there's nothing else, I will accept a motion to adjurnn. So moved. >> All those in favor? >> I >> All those opposed. >> Thank you everyone.