Regular Meeting of
the
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:00 p.m.
High School Library
Present: Elaine Brighty, Chair Jere Hochman, Superintendent
Kathleen Anderson Public
Andy Churchill Press
Maureen Ecclestone Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder
Sonia Correa Pope
Chrystel Romero
Absent: Michael Katz, Marianne Jorgensen, Michael Hussin
1. Welcome 7:08 p.m.
A. & B. Call to Order/Agenda Review—Ms. Brighty called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. She then reviewed the agenda and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
C. Minutes—Mr. Churchill made a motion to approve the minutes of March 10, May 22, June 5, June 19 and June 28, 2007. Ms. Correa Pope seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
2. Announcements and Public Comments
7:11 p.m.
Ruth Killough-Hill, parent, spoke to endorse the hiring of
the new guidance counselor at the
3. Superintendent’s Update 7:14 p.m.
Dr. Hochman distributed and reviewed an updated list of the major areas of concentration and the specific goals for the 2007-2008 school year. He then reviewed the trainings that have taken place for staff during the summer months, and distributed a draft calendar listing the topics that will be covered at School Committee meetings in FY08. Dr. Hochman invited members of the School Committee to attend the school year opening assembly for all faculty and staff beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 29. He then reviewed the “Every School” list used by each principal to ensure they are ready for the opening of school, the Superintendent’s Checklist, and plans for safety preparation.
4. Unfinished/Continuing Business 7:41
p.m.
A. Stabilization Fund—Dr. Hochman reviewed
the request for the School Committee to approve applying the maximum amount
allowable, which totals $443,747.00, to the stabilization account for use on
capital projects. He noted that reasons
for having the funds left at the end of FY07 include, among other things, lower
than expected utility costs, savings on salaries due to positions that were not
filled and unexpected health insurance savings.
Any funds remaining after the maximum amount is applied to stabilization
will be applied to E&D up to the maximum allowable. If there are FY07 funds
remaining at that point, they will be returned to the Towns. Dr. Hochman reviewed some of the capital
projects that may be funded by the requested stabilization funds, including
High School locker room renovations and Middle School exhaust fans. After brief discussion, Mr. Churchill made a
motion to allocate $443,747.00 of unexpended FY07 funds to the stabilization
account. Ms. Ecclestone seconded and the
motion passed unanimously.
B. High School Activities Fees—Dr. Hochman reviewed the request to pilot a plan to charge a voluntary ARHS activity fee. The fee will be assessed to all students, on a voluntary basis, at a rate of $20 for students not receiving free or reduced-price lunch, $10 for students receiving reduced-price lunch and no fee for students receiving free lunch. Ms. Anderson expressed concern that this fee will be another way to identify students who come from low income families, especially if it is collected during the lunch period of the first two weeks of school as described in Ms. Guevara’s memo. Ms. Romero stated that she believes that assessing a fee to every student regardless of participation will help students feel more comfortable participating in clubs whether they can pay the fee or not. However, she agreed with Ms. Anderson that the plan for collecting fees during the lunch period may be problematic. After further discussion, Ms. Brighty made a motion to approve a pilot program of collecting High School Activities Fee on a voluntary basis with the understanding that the Business Office will set up a revolving account for the fees collected. Ms. Correa Pope seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
5. New Business 8:08 p.m.
A. Regional Agreement Subcommittee—Dr. Hochman noted that the School Committee expressed interest in establishing a sub-committee to study the Regional Agreement to see if changes are needed, particularly in the areas of the E&D cap and transportation. Ms. Brighty explained that under the current agreement, transportation for all of the four towns’ elementary schools is paid by the Region. After brief discussion, it was decided that this issue will be brought forward at the meeting on August 28 since two of the member towns’ representatives are not present to provide input at tonight’s meeting.
B. Food Services Contract Discussion—Dr. Hochman reminded the School Committee that the Chartwells Food Services contract is up for renewal this year. He explained that the School Committee can choose to return to an in-house system for food service, which will involve hiring a director, or go forward with an RFP to choose a contractor. Ms. Brighty noted that one reason the choice was made to move from in-house to a contracted food vendor in 2003 was that the districts’ food service had been running at a deficit for a few years prior to the change. Mr. Churchill asked for some of the pros and cons of going back to in-house food service versus an outside vendor. Dr. Hochman noted some of the issues with returning to an in-house system, including costs associated with administration of the food program, the need for expertise in state and federal nutrition laws, and the reduced ability of the district to buy in bulk as a corporation does. The committee requested that Dr. Hochman provide a list of pros and cons for their consideration so a decision about whether to go for an RFP can be made at the August 28 meeting. There was brief discussion of what the make-up of the RFP committee will be if the School Committee chooses to go forward with the RFP. Ms. Romero expressed interest in serving on the committee. Ms. Anderson requested that efforts be made to ensure that parents of color be included on the committee.
C. Accept Donations—
Ms. Brighty reviewed the seven donations, which include $2,652 from Friends of Amherst Regional Performing Arts, $287.85 from Target Take Charge of Education Program, $343.33 from Greenfield Savings Bank Civic Action Program, $523.31 from Greenfield Savings Bank Civic Action Program, $2,500 from Chartwells Education Division, $125.00 from Roy and Janet Williams in memory of Anson Tripp, and $500.00 from Ellen Grobman in honor of Middle School Team Onyx and Barry Brooks. Ms. Anderson made a motion to accept all of the donations. Ms. Romero seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
6. Reports None
7. Sub-Committee Reports None
8. School Committee Planning
None
A. Calendar Review
B. Items for Upcoming Meetings
9. Adjournment 8:39 p.m.
By roll call vote, the committee entered executive session to discuss non-union salaries at 8:39 p.m. Ms. Brighty noted that the School Committee will not return to open session.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Westmoreland
Approved 8/28/07