Regular Meeting of the AMHERSTSchool Committee
Tuesday, September 19, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
High School Library
Present: Elaine Brighty, Chair Jere Hochman, Superintendent
Tom Flittie Susan Kennedy Marx, CF Assistant Principal
Andy Churchill Russ Vernon-Jones, FR Principal
Sonia Correa Pope Nick Yaffee
Alisa Brewer Public
Press
Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder
1. Welcome 7:00 p.m.
A. & B. Call to Order/Agenda Review—Dr. Hochman called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m., noting that the meeting will begin with a reorganization of officers due to Ms. Brighty’s election as chair of the Regional School Committee. Ms. Brewer nominated Mr. Churchill as chair of the Amherst School Committee. Ms. Brighty seconded and the nomination was approved unanimously. Mr. Churchill called for nominations for vice-chair of the Amherst School Committee. Ms. Brighty nominated Alisa Brewer. Ms. Correa Pope seconded. Ms. Brewer nominated Mr. Flittie for vice-chair. Ms. Brighty seconded. Mr. Churchill invited comments from either of the nominees. Ms. Brewer stated that if Mr. Flittie is interested in serving as vice-chair, she would like for him to have the opportunity. Mr. Flittie said he would be happy to serve if chosen. Mr. Churchill asked for a vote on the appointment of Tom Flittie as vice-chair and the committee voted unanimously to appoint him. Mr. Churchill asked for nominations for secretary of the Amherst School Committee. Ms. Brighty nominated Ms. Brewer for secretary. Ms. Correa Pope seconded and committee voted unanimously to appoint Ms. Brewer. Mr. Churchill then welcomed everyone to the meeting and reviewed the agenda.
C. Minutes—None
2. Announcements and Public Comments 7:06 p.m.
Felicia Mednick, Marks Meadow parent, expressed concern about the size of her child’s second grade class, which has 26 students. She came before the school committee to advocate adding extra support in the class, especially during math, reading and writing. Ms. Mednick noted that she is representing the concerns of a number of families with her remarks. Mr. Churchill thanked Ms. Mednick for bringing forward her concerns and noted that they are working on the issue at the school level.
3. Superintendent’s Update 7:11 p.m.
Dr. Hochman distributed a chart outlining class sizes as of September 15th and then reviewed the numbers. He noted that the Marks Meadow’s second grade is the main hot spot in the district with regard to class size. Dr. Hochman reported that Mr. Yaffe sent a letter to parents last week explaining what measures have been put in place to deal with the class of 26. These measures include having additional adults working with students in the room throughout core subject time. Dr. Hochman said the plan is to give this plan a week or two to see how it works, while monitoring the situation routinely. At Dr. Hochman’s request, Mr. Vernon-Jones and Ms. Kennedy Marx reported briefly on the opening of school at FortRiver and Crocker Farm, respectively. Mr. Vernon-Jones noted that they are feeling the impact of the budget cuts at FortRiver, particularly the loss of the library paraprofessionals.
4. Unfinished/Continuing Business 7:24 p.m.
A. Policies for Approval—Mr. Churchill asked if the committee would like to consider approving the policies as a block since they have already reviewed and voted on them as members of the Regional School Committee. The committee agreed. Mr. Flittie moved to approve the policies listed below as written. Ms. Brighty seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The following policies were approved:
5. New Business 7:30 p.m.
A. Medicaid—Ms. Brighty reminded the committee that there has been discussion with the Finance Committee, Town Treasurer John Musante, and the previous Town Manager requesting that Medicaid reimbursement funding go directly to the schools rather than to the Town of Amherst as Municipal funds. She noted that the discussion is still ongoing and the Town is not ready to bring the issue before the fall Town Meeting. She will keep the committee posted as new updates are available. Mr. Churchill asked what the issues are that are still under discussion by the Town. The discussion centers on whether the money would be used to supplement the school budget or to finance a portion of the existing budget. In addition, there is discussion regarding how the loss of Medicaid funds in the general fund will be made up in other departments’ budgets. Ms. Brighty noted that there are more than 60 towns in the Commonwealth that give Medicaid funds directly to the schools.
B. Welcome Letter—At Mr. Churchill’s request, Ms. Brighty reviewed the edits that have been made to the current welcome letter that is distributed at School Committee meetings. She noted that she strongly recommends removing a line that was added at the end of the letter regarding the School Committee hearing complaints. She explained that under education reform, the School Committee does not legally have the power to arbitrate complaints except with one or two very specific exceptions. Ms. Brewer agreed with the suggestion, noting that it does a disservice to people to have a hearing when there is really nothing the committee can do about their concern. Mr. Flittie noted that he would like to have a recommendation from the MASC regarding this issue. He expressed his belief that hearing from the public is what often leads to development of policy, which does fall within the scope of the School Committee’s authority. Mr. Churchill pointed out that there is a time for public comment at the beginning of each school committee meeting, which provides an opportunity for the community to bring concerns to the committee’s attention. It was agreed that Ms. Brighty will reedit the letter and bring it back before the committee at the next meeting. Dr. Hochman reported that the district is currently developing a complaint procedure/form that will provide a more formal way for parents/community members to bring complaints forward that they believe have been unresolved at the school level. Mr. Flittie suggested referencing the education reform law in the letter so parents will understand the committee’s legal limitations.
C. School Committee Goals and Tasks 2006-2007—Mr. Churchill stated that this agenda item will be discussed in detail at the next Regional meeting and noted that the discussion at this meeting should center on those goals specific to the elementary schools. Dr. Hochman noted that one such goal is conducting a demographic study, which is included in the Joint Capital Plan. He explained that more information is needed to help determine what the questions are that impact the schools organization. A formal demographic study is needed in order to gather this information. Mr. Churchill stated that he agrees with the importance of this work and asked about next steps. Dr. Hochman explained that an RFP will be put forward to request bids for this work if the school committee agrees to it.
6. Reports None
7. School Committee Planning 7:50 p.m.
A. Sub-Committee Reports—Ms. Brighty reported that the Joint Financial Planning Group has been renamed the Budget Coordinating Group (BCG). The work of the group will center on coordinating budget forums and timelines of all of the town departments. Dr. Hochman noted that the BCG is meeting on October 4th. There will also be a joint meeting of all town committees on October 16th to hear budget projections from John Musante. Ms. Brewer reported that the Comprehensive Planning Committee has a number of meetings planned in the near future. She noted that a flyer with all the dates is available. Mr. Churchill reported briefly on the Hampshire Educational Collaborative meeting he attended last week. He noted that there will be a HEC legislative breakfast next week at the HEC offices from 10:30 to Noon. Mr. Flittie reported on the Amherst Education Foundation (AEF) potluck meeting he attended last week. He noted that Dr. Hochman and Dr. Kohler made a presentation regarding projects they are inviting AEF to become involved with.
B. Calendar Review—October 12, Comprehensive Planning meeting; October 12, AEF Trivia Bee; October 16, Joint Town Committees Meeting
C. Items for Upcoming Meetings—A year-long schedule of agenda topics
8. Adjournment 8:10 p.m.
Ms. Brighty made a motion to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Ms. Brewer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Westmoreland
Approved 10/17/06