The Gladfly March 2004
Newsletter of the Maine School of Science and Math Parents Group

Terrie Frisbie, President Alice Chartrand, Co-President Jon Eaton, Treasurer
ncalder@lincoln.midcoast.com chartran@midcoast.com cmmj@verizon.net

Jane Karker, Enrichment Paul Meyer, Communications John McCann, Student Life
janekarker@earthlink.net prmeyer@colby.edu jmccann@ciinternational.com

News flash: Paul Meyer elected Communications Chair! Paul has put our website into action and maintains it faithfully. Find out more about us at: mssmvoice.org (contains minutes for all meetings below)

MSSMPG general meeting Jan 24: Consensus that there is a large morale problem in the dorm which is affecting enrollment and retention. Increased Board attention is urgently needed. Mature adult leadership with administrative authority is needed in the dorm, such as a live-in full time Dean, or dorm parents. Current disciplinary approach needs to be changed to inspired leadership and to teaching students self governance.

MSSMPG represented at MSSM Board of Trustees meeting Jan 26:Seven parents attended committee meetings and the full board meeting.Co-President Alice Chartrand presented concerns to the board:The best recruiters of high quality students for MSSM are happy students and parents. The current problems in residential life need to be addressed urgently. Request made that the Board exhibit leadership to change the tone of dorm life. Request made to form an Ad Hoc committee to address these issues or to expand the Parents Advisory Council to include board members and faculty. Two parents have volunteered to be considered as candidates for upcoming Board seats: both have financial expertise (Ralph Townsend and Georges Berube). The state is reducing MSSM's funding by $32,000 this year, while health insurance costs for employees are rising 16%.
Next Board of Trustees meeting April 26, 2004, Poland Springs contact Alice or Terrie for details or check website.

Parents Advisory Council met February 2nd (see website for minutes)
Next Parents Advisory Council meeting March 30, 2004

Prom Parents Picnic April 16 evening: socialize while the kids party!
Weekend volunteers needed: to drive vans or proctor dorm for a few hours on a weekend that you are visiting your student at MSSM.
Grant writers/fundraisers needed to raise funds to support the hiring of a full time dorm director/residential dean (by providing more scholarship funds through the MSSM Foundation).