Regular Meeting of the AMHERSTSchool Committee
Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
High School Library
Present: Andy Churchill, Chair Jere Hochman, Superintendent
Elaine Brighty Rob Detweiler, Dir. of Finance & Operations
Kathleen Anderson Russ Vernon-Jones, FR Principal
Sonia Correa Pope Susan Kennedy Marx, CF Assistant Principal
Nick Yaffe, Marks Meadow Principal
Mark Prince, Wildwood Principal
Public
Press
Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder
1. Welcome 7:07 p.m.
A. & B. Call to Order/Agenda Review—Dr. Hochman called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. He welcomed Kathleen Anderson, who was elected to the School Committee on March 27th, and noted that the Committee must elect officers following an election. Dr. Hochman then asked for nominations for School Committee Chair. Ms. Brighty nominated Andy Churchill as Chair. Ms. Correa Pope seconded the nomination and Mr. Churchill was elected unanimously. Dr. Hochman then turned the meeting over to Mr. Churchill who asked for nominations for School Committee Vice-Chair. Mr. Churchill nominated Elaine Brighty for the position of Vice-Chair. Ms. Correa Pope seconded and Ms. Brighty was elected to the position unanimously. Mr. Churchill requested nominations for School Committee secretary. Ms. Brighty nominated Sonia Correa Pope to the position of secretary. Mr. Churchill seconded and Ms. Correa Pope was elected unanimously. Mr. Churchill then welcomed everyone to the meeting and reviewed the agenda.
C. Minutes—None
2. Announcements and Public Comments None
Renata Shepard, parent of three children, expressed concern that her son will not be able to begin learning an instrument in third grade next year due to budget cuts in music. She asked if all options, such as grants and fee-based lessons, have been explored in order to avoid changing the first year of music lessons. Dr. Hochman stated that now that the schedule has been reconciled, there appears to be some possibility of maintaining beginning music in third and fourth grade instead of moving it to fourth and fifth grade. While it cannot be guaranteed yet, he said the door is being held open to this possibility. He noted that the possibility of offering fee-based lessons is also being explored. Mr. Churchill noted that music is an area that was discussed in great detail and making cuts was painful. He said he is hopeful that we will be able to maintain the music program without cuts. Mr. Churchill then stated that a School Committee vacancy will be announced soon due to Ms. Brewer’s election to the Select Board and subsequent resignation from the School Committee. He noted that the seat will be filled through a roll-call vote of the Amherst School Committee and the Select Board. He encouraged anyone who is interested in serving in this position to submit a letter of interest to the Town Clerk or to a member of the School Committee who will forward it to the Town Clerk.
3. Superintendent’s Update 7:15 p.m.
Dr. Hochman reported on the Gaining Traction conference he attended yesterday, which was sponsored by the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability. He noted that once the conference materials are posted online next week, he will provide School Committee members with copies. Dr. Hochman also noted that he saw a wonderful student performance at FortRiver today on Irish Immigration in America.
4. Unfinished/Continuing Business 9:21 p.m.
A. FY08 Budget—Mr. Detweiler briefly reviewed the 3% increase Amherst budget that is being recommended for School Committee approval. Dr. Hochman then reviewed the summary of adds/cuts needed to reach a 1% increase budget and the “bring backs” that will be made—incrementally up to the 3% budget—if additional funds are received through the Amherst override. He noted that, based on the Chapter 70 funding figures released by the joint House and Senate committee last week, funding was reduced by $92,000 for Amherst. Dr. Hochman noted that the bring back list was developed with the three year financial plan in mind. Ms. Brighty made a motion to approve the Amherst budget in the amount of $19,841,997.00 for FY08. Ms. Correa Pope seconded and the motion passed with Ms. Anderson abstaining. Ms. Anderson noted that she abstained only because she just came into the process as a newly elected School Committee member. Dr. Hochman thanked the Principals, Mr. Detweiler, and the Central Office staff for their efforts on budget development over the past several months.
5. New Business None
6. Reports 7:20 p.m.
Dr. Hochman reported that the New England School Development Council has completed their demographic study of the Amherst Public Schools. He introduced John Kennedy, who will present the preliminary report of NESDEC’s findings. Mr. Kennedy then introduced Marge Clark who conducted the capacity study portion of the NESDEC report. He also expressed appreciation to members of the school department, town officials, and community realtors for their cooperation and assistance as NESDEC completed the study. Mr. Kennedy then made a Powerpoint presentation of the demographic findings in the NESDEC study. Ms. Clark followed with a presentation of her capacity study results. Mr. Kennedy concluded the report with a “statement of the problem,” including near-term and long-term needs for the schools and Amherst choice points. They then opened the floor for questions and discussion. Mr. Prince asked if the Wildwood POC (preferred occupant capacity)/COC (current occupant capacity) calculations were made based on the square footage of the building in 1970 or in 2000. Ms. Clark explained that NESDEC does not use the square footage in calculating POC/COC. Dr. Hochman asked what NESDEC needs in order to prepare the final written report. Mr. Kennedy said it is helpful for the School Committee and School Department to have time to review the data and provide feedback to NESDEC. They would then work with the Superintendent to finalize the timeline. He noted that NESDEC will make recommendations for options of educationally sound changes in the district. Ms. Clark noted that the final report will include a profile page for each school, which will include a summary page of what is counted in the COC and which classrooms should be taken off-line for the POC. Ms. Anderson asked how it was that NESDEC came to do the study. Dr. Hochman explained that the only “photograph” we have of the district is our own and that the cohort survival method has been used to make enrollment projections in the past. It is helpful to have an outside review from time-to-time. He noted that funds were budgeted for a demographic study through JCPC last year. Ms. Anderson asked if the Comprehensive Planning Committee is aware of this study. Dr. Hochman stated that the committee is aware that the study is being done and will be using the results for the schools’ portion of the comprehensive plan. Ms. Correa Pope asked how these findings compare to any site visits from the Department of Education with regard to adequate services for special programs. Dr. Hochman said we have not yet had an opportunity to match the NESDEC report with our own enrollment projections or facilities reports at the district level. Mr. Prince stated that the NESDEC findings are consistent with what he has found at Wildwood. Ms. Brighty asked if whether it is the POC or the COC that is used in determining the options that will be recommended to the district. Mr. Kennedy said that ways of dealing with the students displaced by using the POC are addressed in the options that are provided. Mr. Churchill requested that the NESDEC final report include recommendations regarding what issues the FortRiver and Wildwood building committees need to address. Dr. Hochman stated that it is always good to get an external lens and this is an essential study that has been needed. He noted that there are currently facilities studies underway for FortRiver and Wildwood, and a letter of intent will be brought to the School Committee for their review at their May meeting. Mr. Churchill stated it will be important to articulate for the community what it means to do 21st century education so they will understand some of the reasons for overcrowding in the schools.
7. School Committee Planning 9:44 p.m.
A. Sub-Committee Reports—Ms. Brighty reported briefly on the last BCG meeting. She noted that Ms. Anderson attended for the first time as the new School Committee representative on the committee.
B. Calendar Review—Mr. Churchill noted that a meeting must be scheduled with the Select Board to appoint the new School Committee member. After discussion, it was decided to schedule the meeting for 5:45 p.m. on Friday, April 27th. Mr. Churchill will submit a letter to Anne Awad, Chair of the Select Board, regarding the time and date of the meeting. Ms. Correa Pope asked how the school committee vacancy and the process for applying will be advertised. After brief discussion, it was decided that Mr. Churchill’s letter will be distributed to the Parent Councils and included in a Learning@arps newsletter.
C. Items for Upcoming Meetings—district improvement plan, school improvement plans, possibility of moving school committee meeting to a different day of the week next year
8. Adjournment 9:54 p.m.
Ms. Brighty made a motion to adjourn at 9:54 p.m. Ms. Anderson seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Westmoreland
Approved 5-15-07