School Committee

A message from the Chairperson of the Board

Welcome!

As Chairperson of the Lewiston School Committee, I encourage you to participate in our process. A space is reserved for public input at each meeting, but some people prefer not to speak in public. That does not diminish your issue or concern.

Please feel free to contact our Committee either through the office of our Superintendent, or your School Committee representative. In addition, I may be contacted by phone at 784-1959, or by e-mail at .

We can make good schools better...together.

Thomas P. Shannon, Chairperson
Lewiston School Committee

Our Mission, Beliefs, and Vision

Mission

Ensuring Student Academic and Civic Success

Beliefs

1. All students learn, have talent and want to succeed.
2. Learners progress at different rates, in different ways, for different futures.
3. All students deserve a safe and engaging environment where they feel valued.
4. Students, parents, teachers and community are partners in the learning process.
5. Student learning is enhanced by meaningful, real-life experiences requiring complex thinking.
6. Teaching is collaborative and involves ongoing learning.
7. Teachers are knowledgeable, competent in their field and understand human development.
8. Student learning is fostered by frequent, formative feedback.
9. Instruction is aligned and based on standards.
10. Learning is enhanced by effective use of technology and exposure to the arts.

Vision

Future Learning in Lewiston Public Schools

Learning is

• Standards-based with multiple pathways to achieve success;
• Relevant, and rigorous for the present and the future.
• Based on a common curriculum that cultivates higher order skills;
• Ongoing and constant with the variables being time, place and support.

Our Students

• Feel safe, nurtured and celebrated;
• Help set and monitor progress toward their own educational goals;
• Have high aspirations acquired through experiences and guidance.

Our Staff

• Inspire, challenge and support students;
• Use data and ongoing assessments to inform and differentiate instruction;
• Work collaboratively in on-going professional development to improve instruction.

Our Parents and Community

• Are actively engaged in and supportive of their children's learning;
• Are informed about and work collaboratively with our schools;
• Provide students opportunities for community projects and real world learning.

Adopted by School Committee January 23, 2012

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

Bill Webster 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.

	Thomas Shannon Chairperson Ward 7 784-1959
	Linda M. Scott Ward 1 689-5411
	Paul St. Pierre Ward 2 784-7835
	E. Paul Dumont Ward 3 784-0432
	James R. Handy Ward 4 784-5595
	Sonia Taylor Ward 5 786-5568
	Elizabeth A. Dube Ward 6 783-1914
	Robert V. Connors At Large 783-2575
	Donald D'Auteuil City Council Representative 576-3627
	Marina Affo Student Representative 2011-12 Term Brittany Virgin Student Representative 2011-12 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 January - August, 2012

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