School Committee

A message from the Chairperson of the Board

As Chairperson of the Lewiston School Committee, I invite your participation at our meetings. In addition, from time-to-time special committees are established that require direct citizen involvement by parents, students and other stakeholders. We welcome your involvement as opportunities occur.

I believe it is a shared responsibility of the elected leaders and the citizenry to ensure the success of Lewiston Public Schools. As President John F. Kennedy once said:

       “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human
          mind is our fundamental resource".

As advocates for the children and families served by our public schools, we welcome your voice in our endeavors to enhance the quality education we offer here in Lewiston.

Jim Handy, Chairperson
Lewiston School Committee

Our Job

The Lewiston School Committee is responsible for providing an educational program for all of the students within our system. We do this primarily by establishing the policies that direct the instructional and support programs within the system, and by employing a superintendent to whom we give the authority and responsibility to supervise the effective implementation of those policies. It is not our duty to operate the schools, but to see that they are well operated.

Members of the School Committee have authority only when acting as a School Committee legally in session. We cannot be bound in any way by an action or statement of one of our members acting alone, unless we have specifically instructed that person to act on our behalf.

Our Functions and Duties

Legislation/Policymaking

The School Committee develops and adopts policies upon the recommendation of the Superintendent. It also employs the Superintendent who carries out its policies.

Educational Program

The School Committee makes decisions about the scope and nature of the educational program. It is also responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the results of the educational program.

Personnel/Employment

The School Committee is responsible for employing the staff necessary for implementing all instructional and support programs, for establishing the terms and conditions of employment, and for establishing personnel policies. It also provides for the regular evaluation of the staff's effectiveness.

Budget/Finance

The School Committee prepares and presents a budget that will enable the school system to carry out all educational and support programs. It also exercises control over the budget to ensure proper use of, and accounting for, all funds allotted to the system.

School Facilities

The School Committee determines the system's facilities needs, communicates those needs to local citizens and state officials, and purchases sites and approves building plans that will house and enhance the educational and support programs.

Communication with the Public

The School Committee keeps the local citizenry informed about the schools, and keeps its members informed about the wishes and concerns of the public.

Quasi-judicial

The School Committee is responsible for acting as a court of appeal as required by state statutes, and when appropriate for personnel, students, and the public when issues involve School Committee policy and its fair implementation.

The Role of the Superintendent

Leon Levesque Superintendent of Schools The position of Superintendent of Schools provides us with the advice of a professional educator. State statutes and rules give the Superintendent the necessary authority to carry out the responsibilities associated with supervising the operation of the school system and implementing our policies.

Who We Are

Members of the Lewiston School Committee are residents who are elected to represent the community for a two-year term. We have all been elected to serve from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2011. Student representatives serve a one-year term.

	James R. Handy Chairperson Ward 4 784-5595		Ronella Paradis Ward 6 783-3606
	Walter Ed Hill, Jr. Ward 1 783-8644		Thomas Shannon Ward 7 784-1959
	Paul St. Pierre Ward 2 784-7835		Leah M. B. Poulin At Large 795-6382
	E. Paul Dumont Ward 3 784-0432		Larry Poulin City Council Representative 795-6382
	Sonia Taylor Ward 5 786-5568		Hana Ahmed Student Representative 2009-10 Term Robert Lemieux Student Representative 2009-10 Term

Our Meetings

The Lewiston School Committee meets at 6:45 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during the school year. Meeting agendas are prepared in advance by the Superintendent and School Committee Chairperson. Agendas are posted at least three weekdays in advance of each meeting in the Superintendent's office, in each school, and at Lewiston City Hall. To request that an item be considered for a regular School Committee agenda, contact the Superintendent or the Chair at least one week prior to the meeting date. Most of our meetings are held in the Dingley Building; the specific location of a meeting is posted with the agenda.

A Typical Meeting Agenda

Call to order
Action on consent agenda
Public input
New business
Routine reports
Other business

Meeting Schedule for June - November, 2010

Revised 5/21/09

Meeting Agendas & Minutes

Click here for PDF files of meeting agendas and minutes.

Meeting Participation

Meetings of the Lewiston School Committee are public in the sense that they are held in public. Our primary purpose for meeting is to conduct our business as charged by law. Our "Public Input" agenda item permits members of the audience to address the School Committee on non-agenda items, excluding comments concerning items which must be reserved for executive session. Additionally, the Chairperson will provide an opportunity during the consideration of each major agenda item for public comment. Comments from audience members are welcomed during these times within the following guidelines:

The Chairperson will recognize individuals wishing to be heard by the School Committee. All questions and comments should be addressed to the Chairperson.

While all comments will be heard and considered, some questions may require research and/or discussion before they are answered. Generally, the School Committee does not discuss or act on an item not on the agenda.

The number of speakers and the amount of time each speaks may be limited. In the interest of time, speakers are asked not to be repetitious of comments already made. In the case of a large audience, the chairperson may request that a group designate a spokesperson.

Any community member with a legitimate interest in the School Committee's business may speak. Employees or employee groups are generally not permitted to discuss matters for which other, more appropriate forums are provided.

Personnel and student issues should be brought to the appropriate school personnel before being brought to the School Committee.

Citizensmay communicate to the School Committee in writing as well. Correspondence should be addressed to: Lewiston School Committee, 36 Oak Street, Lewiston, ME 04240.

Executive Sessions

In accordance with the Freedom of Access ("Right-to-Know") law, School Committee meetings are held in public. The committee may go into private or executive session upon a vote of 3/5 of the members present to consider certain matters specified by law, such as personnel matters, student suspension/expulsion, contracts to be negotiated, collective bargaining, legal advice, pending litigation, or student records which are confidential by nature. No final action may be taken during executive sessions.

Policy Manual

Our complete Policy Manual is now available online.

Conflict Resolution

In the Lewiston School Department, most issues and concerns can and should be resolved by school personnel before being brought before the School Committee. At this level, teachers and principals can be very helpful. If a conflict needs more attention beyond the school, the next step is to contact the Superintendent or one of his staff. If the issue is still not resolved, then it may be brought to the attention of the School Committee. The Superintendent will assist in contacting the School Committee.

Affirmative Action / Non-Discrimination Statement

The Lewiston School Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, national origin, sex, religion, or physical or mental disability in admission to, access to, treatment in or employment in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Thomas E. Jarvis, Director of Human Resources, Lewiston School Department, Dingley Building, 36 Oak Street, Lewistion, ME 04240, telephone: 207-795-4100. Inquiries concerning the application of nondiscrimination policies may also be referred to the Regional Director, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, S.W. McCormack POCH, Room 222, Boston, MA 02109-4557.

Contact Information

Lewiston School Committee
c/o Superintendent's Office
36 Oak Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
Tel: (207) 795-4100
Fax: (207) 795-4177