Kathleen A. Cox

The Special Board Meeting included a Board Workshop where the primary focus was a clarification of FOAA, followed by a discussion regarding the base salary in the Superintendent Search. During the formal Special Meeting portion, the Board voted to set the base salary for the new superintendent at $165,000. The meeting also included a presentation from Zeal concerning the Superintendent Leadership Profile, which the Board subsequently voted to approve as presented.

The primary discussion and action item addressed the postponement of the Community Engagement Week, which involves collecting stakeholder input for the Superintendent Search. The week was postponed from the week of January 26 to the week of February 2, 2026. The meeting concluded with an adjournment vote.

The agenda for the meeting includes reports from the Chair, Student Representative, and Superintendent. Key discussion points include the City Council preliminary budget discussion, a formal proposal for redesigning the elementary school grade level configuration, and the Board's support for the South Portland City Council's Resolve # 5--25/26 concerning federal immigration enforcement activity. The Superintendent's report covers National School Counseling Week recognition, updates on the Community School Strategy Expansion, themes from Budget Forums, Pre K and CDS updates, an Audit report, Athletic Complex status, and enrollment figures. Committee reports cover Finance, Policy (including first reads of Policy BEDH and Policy BCA-E), and Buildings & Grounds. New business items include first reads of Policy BEDH and an action to add Rules of Decorum as an addendum to the Ethics Policy, approval consideration for the 2026-27 School Year Calendar, becoming a Community School district, and approving overnight field trips for SPHS clubs/choir. The Board will also consider a one-time exception to the administrative procedure regarding student representative participation in executive sessions for superintendent semi-finalist interviews, and will consider action on the City Council's immigration enforcement resolution and the proposal for elementary school reconfiguration.

Key discussions focused on the potential expansion of the Community School Model to all elementary schools and the high school, detailed in a presentation by the SPMS Principal and Community School Director, including historical context, proven results, and financial implications necessitating a board vote. Other major agenda items included reviewing themes from Budget Forums, receiving updates on Pre K and Child Development Services (CDS) transition, an Athletic Complex update, and financial committee reports highlighting budget shortfalls and management of FY25 audit findings. The Board also reviewed policy first reads concerning public participation and rules of decorum, planned for a future formal proposal on elementary school grade level reconfiguration, and considered the endorsement of a South Portland City Council resolution regarding federal immigration enforcement.

The Board Workshop included a training session on Freedom of Access (FOAA) conducted by Judith Meyer. The Board then adjourned the workshop without objection.