Later start to school day received in overall good favor

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 9:00pm

CAMDEN — The Camden-Rockport School Board (K-8) meets April 24 at the middle school on Knowlton Street in Camden, and among the business topics, the board will hear a report that the new policy of starting school later in the morning is well received, more so at the Camden Hills Regional High School and Camden-Rockport Middle School; but the trend, in general, is positive.

The board will also consider a $16 million 2019-2020 budget, which represents an approximately $1.235 million, or 7.73 percent, increase over the 2018-2019 budget.

The Camden-Rockport Finance Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m., just prior to the full board meeting at 7 p.m.

The board will also hear that Business Manager J.C. Miller has resigned and that the district is seeking a new business manager.

The full board meeting will be recorded and available at youtube.com/channel/UCrruYqHteIar_8DQCGn9LEA/videos

A report included in the board meeting packet (see attached PDF) indicates that 76 percent of parental survey respondents at the Camden-Rockport Elementary School support the later start to the day while at the middle and high schools, 85 percent of the surveyed parents approved.

The school day now begins approximately one-half hour later than in years past.

The packet report said:

Many families responded that they would like an even later start time.
Some families felt that the elementary school day should start earlier as these children seem to get up earlier and still have a very long school day.
Some families stated that their mornings are more relaxed and children are more awake.
A few families mentioned that they would like to see the extracurricular activities practices respond in a similar fashion – kids still need to get up for early morning swim or rowing
Some families felt that it has been helpful to students to have homeroom/flextime (HS) at the end of the day vs. missing classes when students need to go to away games.
Some families felt that the later start time just pushed everything back – later dismissal later getting home, later to bed.
Summary of feedback from parents at CRES:
Some families responded that it makes for a late day for the youngest students and pushes back outside extracurricular activities.
Some families also stated that it is challenging for working families due to needing before and after care.
Many families responded that more sleep in the morning is great for everyone and makes the morning time easier.
Many families felt that the later start time was beneficial for the older students but would like to see the elementary start earlier or get out earlier.

Summary of feedback from staff at CRMS/CHRHS:
Some staff feel it has been beneficial to students while others do not see any benefits.
Some staff feel it should be an additional 30 minutes later.
Some staff were not sure if there was any reduction in student tardiness or attendance.
Some staff felt it was an improvement to have homeroom at the end of the day (HS) to alleviate student athletes from missing class.

The April 24 Camden-Rockport agenda follows:

AGENDA

Call to Order
Adjustments to the Agenda
Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda
Recognition

a. Karl Hokkanen — Top Four Champion in the Maine State Math Competition.

Approval of the March 20, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
Notification of Resignations
a. JC Miller, Business Manager
Nominations (Note: Executive Sessions are possible for nominations - 1 MRSA § 405(6)A)

a. Teacher Nominations for 2019-20
Nikole Seeger, Special Education, M10, $60,280

Jennifer Baroody, Grade 2, B5, $49,116
Brianna Alley, Grade 4, B2, $44,125

2nd Year Probationary Contracts
Katherine Bauer
Anne Brady
Amy Brown
Scott Kady
Molly MacIntosh
Deborah McSweyn
Lacy Oakes
Leah Percy
Makenzie Whitehead

3rd Year Probationary Contracts
Jennifer Gold
Monique Kady
Gretchen Kuhn
Laura Rivers
Chris St. Peter
Sarah Whittam

Continuing Contracts
Krystle Catell

John Dietter

Jacob Eichenlaub

Meghan Fitzpatrick

Katherine Forand

Molly McKenzie

Jessica Odgren

b. Stipend Nominations

Position

Track Assistant Coach Nominee, David Turner, $1,606.61

Track Assistant Coach Nominee Jen Curtis, $1,338.84

Presentation: A Day in the Life of a Student (CRES)
Presentation: Destination Imagination (CRMS)
CRMS Building Project Update — Keith Rose
Later Start Evaluation
Livestreaming Data
Possible approval of changing the name of MSAD #28 to Camden Rockport Schools
Approval of the MSAD #28 2019-20 Budget for the amount of $16,930,675.
Motion to Approve the Warrants for the Budget Meeting and signing of 2019-20 Warrants
at end of meeting.
School Board Chair’s Report — Matt Dailey
Superintendent’s Report — Maria Libby
Administrative Reports

a. Debra McIntyre, Assistant Superintendent
b. Jaime Stone, CRMS Principal
c. Chris Walker-Spencer, CRES Principal
d. Valerie Mattes, Director of Student Special Services

Ad Hoc Committee Reports
a. CRMS Building Committee — April 1 meeting canceled. Will meet May 6
b. Joint Stipend Committee — Met on March 15th, minutes attached
CRES Garden Coordinator - 6 pts
New Hire Mentor SAD - 9 pts
Revised Stipends for approval:
CRMS Theatrical Production Tech Director (Musical & Play) - 22 pts (from 16)Japan Travel Coordinator - 37 pts (from 29)Big Brothers/Big Sisters On-Site Coordinator - 14
Stipends coming off probationary period:
New Stipends for approval:
Standing Committee Reports
a. Curriculum — Will meet on May 21 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
b. Finance — Met March 20, minutes attached. Meets prior to School Board Meeting on April 24

c. Joint Personnel — Will meet on April 29 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

d. Policy — Met March 25, minutes attached

First Reading
BEDB – Agenda
DJ – Bidding and Purchasing
ECC – Energy Policy
EHB – School Records Retention
GBEA – Purchasing and Contracting: Procurement Staff Code of Conduct GCG – Substitute Teacher Job Description and Pay Benefits
IGA – Curriculum Development and Adoption
IJNDB-L – School Provided Device Use
IJNDB-P – School Provided Device Use Procedure
IJNDB-R – Student Computer and Internet Use Rules
IJOA – Educational Field Trips
JLCC – Communicable/Infectious Diseases
KCD – Gifts From the Public
KHB – Advertising in Schools

22. Future Agenda Items 23. Adjourn