Regular Meeting of the AMHERST School Committee

Tuesday, December 11, 2007, 7:00 p.m.

High School Library

 

Present:            Andy Churchill, Chair                              Jere Hochman, Superintendent

                        Elaine Brighty                                          Mark Prince, WW Principal  

                        Kathleen Anderson                                  Rob Detweiler, Director of Finance & Operations

                        Chrystel Romero (arrived at 7:19)            Paul Wiley, CF Principal

                                                                                       Ann Marshall, WW PTO

                                                                                       Kristen Ford, WW PTO

                                                                                       Claire Hamilton, WW School Council

                                                                                       Eric Weinbaum, WW School Council

                                                                                       Judy Newcomb, WW Teacher & School Council

                                                                                       Press

                                                                                       Public

                                                                                       Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder

                         

Absent:             Sonia Correa-Pope

 

1.  Welcome                                                                                        7:10 p.m.

A. & B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Mr. Churchill called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. He then welcomed everyone to the meeting and reviewed the agenda.

C.   Minutes—Ms. Brighty made a motion to approve the minutes of November 13, 2007. Ms. Anderson seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                        7:12 p.m.

Dr. Hochman made comments regarding social justice and achievement, two topics that have come to the forefront in the past couple of weeks.  He stated that he has tried to be clear since he came to Amherst that the goal is to raise the bar for every one.  Dr. Hochman noted that he sees proficiency for every student as a floor, not a ceiling, and that equity and achievement are not either/or propositions.  He noted that he will address the issue more in-depth at the Regional School Committee meeting next week.  Mr. Churchill then read a letter to the editor he wrote regarding the issue of equity and achievement that will be included in the local newspaper this week. 

 

Joel Wolf, Fort River parent, asked the School Committee if teachers at the Wildwood School were encouraged to wear buttons stating “7%” and wanted to know how this squares with the equity and achievement issue.  Mr. Prince explained that 7% is a target to decrease the achievement gap of students who are below the MCAS proficiency threshold by 7% this school year and every year from now on until it no longer exists.  Laura Quinn, CF parent, stated that she commends the school committee for their renewed commitment to social justice and stated she feels there is a chance to show this commitment in the treatment of district cafeteria workers.  She read a statement about the cafeteria workers, noting that the cost of subcontracting the food service to a multinational corporation far exceeds the savings projected.  Mr. Churchill explained that the decision regarding food service was one that the School Committee and administration did not make lightly, noting that they met multiple times to determine a course of action with regard to food service.  He noted that approximately half of the food service workers involved are eligible for retirement, which means they can retire, draw their pension, receive the severance package, and be rehired by the new company if they choose to.  In addition, food service is the only employee group that has not affected by budget cuts over the past 7 years, while every other employee group has had cuts.  David Keenan, CF parent, noted that the cafeteria workers are service providers who are every bit as important as the highly qualified teachers and are an important part of the students’ day.  Ms. Anderson noted that the food service cuts are a result of the budget crisis and encouraged members of the community to encourage the town to provide more financial support for the schools.

 

3.  Superintendent’s Update                                                              8:46 p.m.

Dr. Hochman distributed and reviewed a document outlining the timeline and process for the principal searches for Crocker Farm, Fort River and the Middle School. He reported that a letter and survey regarding the Middle School principal search will be distributed to parents of students in grades five through eight tomorrow.  A similar process will be followed for the elementary searches.  In addition, Dr. Hochman is meeting with the school councils and school faculties at each school regarding the process.  Kathryn Sanderson, parent, asked how parents will be selected for the interview committees.  Dr. Hochman stated that he will be talking with each of the school councils for their recommendations of how to get a group of parents who will represent the wholeness of the school.

 

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business                                                  8:08 p.m.

A.  FY09 Budget—Dr. Hochman distributed the updated version of the document “Meeting 1: Data and Direction.”  He noted that budget assumptions are all set based on the data in this document.  Dr. Hochman also stated that two additional informational documents are being developed to provide important information for the budget process.  The budget will be built on a three-year optimum process, looking at what needs to be put in place in order to have what we believe to be an optimum educational program by 2011.  Dr. Hochman then reviewed the document and answered School Committee questions regarding the data.  Mr. Detweiler noted that it is still early in the process so budget projections may change as more information comes in.  Dr. Hochman noted that John Musante is projecting a $1.9 million gap between level services and available funding for the Town of Amherst in FY09.  Mr. Churchill asked that the minutes of all of the Amherst Budget Coordinating Group meetings be forwarded to all members of the School Committee.  Debbie Westmoreland will forward the minutes via email. 

 

5.  New Business                                                                                8:47  p.m.

A.  Policies—Mr. Churchill noted that all of the policies being considered for approval have already been reviewed and approved by the Regional School Committee.  He commented that policy 600.01 Instruction: Goals of Instructional Programs, addresses the equity and achievement issues that are currently under discussion in the community.   Ms. Anderson made a motion to approve policy 600.01 Instruction: Goals of Instructional Program. Ms. Brighty seconded and the motion passed unanimously.  Ms. Romero had a question regarding policy 420.06 Conduct of Students: Absences, Excuses and Truancy.  She questioned whether the word “emergencies” should be removed from line four since parents often have to schedule doctor’s appointments during the school day.  After extensive discussion, it was agreed that the word “emergency” should be changed to “urgent.”  Ms. Brighty made a motion to approve policies 600.02 Instruction: Instructional Materials Selection; 600.03 Instruction: Library Materials Selection; 600.04 Instruction: Curriculum Development and Instructional Program Evaluation; 130.10 Safety and Well-Being; and 420.06 Conduct of Students: Absences, Excuses and Truancy. Ms. Anderson seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

6.  Reports                                                                                          7:39 p.m.

A.  Wildwood School Improvement Plan—Mark Prince, Wildwood Principal, introduced members of the Wildwood School Council and PTO who were in attendance, noting the outstanding efforts of the Wildwood parents who contribute to the school everyday.  He introduced Ann Marshall and Kristen Ford from the PTO who coordinate the Wildwood WISH book program (With Involvement Success Happens) and Claire Hamilton, Eve Weinbaum, and Judy Newcomb from the School Council.  Mr. Prince then gave a Powerpoint presentation outlining the School Improvement Plan for 2007-2009 and reviewed the goals of the plan in detail.   He noted that the goal of the plan is to move from random acts of improvement to a targeted plan for improvement.  Mr. Churchill asked who is on the leadership team. Mr. Prince stated that the team is made up of teachers from all areas of the school, noting that the group met today regarding social justice.  Mr. Churchill stated that the school improvement plan looks like a nice, focused set of goals.  Ms. Anderson asked about the social justice project the Leadership Group met about today.  Mr. Prince explained that the group had an open, honest dialogue of “Where do we go next (after the curriculum day work).” This was followed up with brainstorming types of differentiated study group models around social justice. These ideas will be brought to the full faculty/staff.  Mr. Churchill asked how teachers deal with the quad system in the building since the state did not fund the request for renovation funds for the upcoming year.  Mr. Prince stated that teachers have come up with individual ways to deal with the hum of teaching and learning that takes place in the rooms next to them.  He also stated that he believes Wildwood is one of the best-looking buildings in the district, noting that they have a great custodial staff and respectful students who take pride in keeping it clean.  Ms. Brighty stated that the WISH book is wonderful and commended the PTO on their work.  Ms. Brighty made a motion to accept the School Improvement Plan for Wildwood.  Ms. Romero seconded and the motion passed unanimously.  Ms. Romero asked how much sharing of good ideas goes on between the principals.  Mr. Wiley noted that principals meet together on a regular basis and there is a good, healthy exchange of ideas.

 

7.  School Committee Planning                                                          None

A.  Sub-Committee Reports

B.  Calendar Review

C.  Items for Upcoming Meetings

 

8.  Adjournment                                                                                  9:09 p.m.

Ms. Brighty made a motion to adjourn at 9:09 p.m.  Ms. Anderson seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Debbie Westmoreland

 

 

Approved 3/4/08