Regular JOINT Meeting of the Amherst and Regional School Committees
Tuesday, December 12, 2006, 6:30 p.m.
High School Library
Present: Elaine Brighty, Regional Chair Jere Hochman, Superintendent
Andy Churchill, Amherst Chair Rob Detweiler, Dir. of Fin. & Oper.
Tom Flittie Wendy Kohler, Exec. Dir. of Program Dev.
Maureen Ecclestone (left at 8:45 p.m.) Nick Yaffe, MM Principal
Marianne Jorgensen Paul Wiley, CF Principal
Sonia Correa Pope Mark Prince, WW Principal
Michael Hussin Press
Sok Kimeng Chham (left at 8:55 p.m.) Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder
Absent: Michael Katz, Alisa Brewer
1. Welcome 6:30 p.m./7:04 p.m.
A. & B. Call to Order/Agenda Review—At 6:30 p.m., Ms. Brighty called the meeting of the Regional School Committee to order and Mr. Churchill called the Amherst School Committee to order. The committees voted unanimously by roll call vote to go into Executive Session for the purpose of contract negotiations. Ms. Brighty noted that the Committee will return to open session at approximately 7:30 p.m. The committees returned to open session at 7:37 p.m. Ms. Brighty introduced and welcomed Sok Kimeng Chham, student representative to the Regional School Committee. She then reviewed the agendas.
C. Minutes—Ms. Jorgensen made a motion to approve the Regional minutes of November 21, 2006. Mr. Hussin seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flittie made a motion to approve the Amherst minutes of November 14, 2006. Ms. Brighty seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
2. Announcements and Public Comments None
3. Superintendent’s Update 7:45 p.m.
A. Incident of November 28, 2006—Dr. Hochman reported that communications have continued regarding the arrest of a High School employee for an incident outside of school. He noted that he published the statement he made to parents at the community meeting on Learning at ARPS and the district Website. Mr. Hussin stated that he appreciates how this incident was handled, noting that the collaboration between the superintendent’s office, faculty and police was very well done. He said that he hopes that ways of fostering the kind of communication that will allow students and faculty to feel safe in reporting concerns will continue to be addressed. Ms. Jorgensen stated that she knows that the School Committee supports the kind of communication Dr. Hochman is implementing. Dr. Hochman noted that the district has contracted with ConnectEd for a reverse 911 calling system which will allow the district to communicate via phone and email with all parents through one phone call. A test of the email system was done today for all High School students and an all-call phone test will be done for all schools on Friday at 10:00 a.m.
B. Fall Sports—Dr. Hochman briefly reviewed some of the team and individual accomplishments from the fall sports season. He stated that Karen Keough-Huff, Athletic Director, asked him to particularly note the sportsmanship awards that were received.
C. Summer School—Wendy Kohler gave a brief overview of the Regional summer school program, acknowledging the excellent work of Summer School Director Ben Sears. She noted that it is important to remember in the budget process that grant funds have been greatly reduced—from $80,000 when the program was first put in place to $12,500 for the upcoming year—for the summer school program. In addition, money collected through tuition since the program has been in place has been depleted significantly enough that the program cannot be sustained with those funds and the small amount included in the Regional budget. She asked that the committee keep the program in mind during the budget planning process.
D. Special Education Survey—Dr. Hochman noted that the Department of Education has mailed the parents/guardians of all special education students throughout the state a survey regarding special education services in their district. DOE will be compiling the results and sharing the data with state districts.
E. Memorandum of Understanding—Dr. Hochman noted that we are working to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the district attorney’s office to develop a legal and formal way to share information relevant to the schools. The districts’ legal counsel is reviewing the memorandum in order to assure the wording is acceptable before we enter into it.
F. Demographic Study—Dr. Hochman noted that we are close to reaching an agreement with NESDEC for the demographic study of the Amherst schools. As soon as some minor points are finalized, the contract will be signed and the study can be completed within approximately two months.
G. MCAS Update—Dr. Hochman reported on the MCAS/AYP work that was done by grade K-8 teachers on the December 1st curriculum day. He noted that principals are working directly with their faculties on these issues and he met this morning with Joan Wickman, Leverett and Shutesbury Superintendent, to begin coordinating curriculum work with those schools. Mr. Churchill noted that he attended the Crocker Farm MCAS forum last week and learned a great deal about the work being done and challenges faced at the school. He noted that there are significant equity issues at Crocker Farm that need to be looked at as a district.
H. Charter School Public Comment Process—Dr. Hochman distributed and reviewed a draft of a statement he has prepared to present at the public hearing tomorrow regarding the approval of the proposed ChineseImmersionCharterSchool. He noted that if the School Committees wish to submit a letter regarding the CharterSchool, the deadline is January 2nd. Mr. Hussin noted that he will be attending the public comment hearing tomorrow night, as well. Ms. Correa Pope stated that she appreciates the comments acknowledging that Dr. Hochman and the School Committee do not have a blanket disagreement with charter schools since there are situations in which students need another choice. Ms. Ecclestone made a motion to support the draft letter presented by Dr. Hochman. Ms. Jorgensen seconded. Mr. Churchill noted that on one hand he likes the idea of parent choice, but on the other hand he has an issue with the way the charter school is funded and the less diverse student population it is likely to draw. He stated that he would have less issue with the charter school if the method of funding were changed. Ms. Jorgensen pointed out that the Amherst district will be providing the same sort of program through the FLAP grant funds. Mr. Hussin stated that at this point the funding and the charter schools are so merged it’s hard to separate them out. Ms. Brighty pointed out that part of the dilemma for the school committee is that the parents proposing the CharterSchool are members of our district and we don’t want to lose them because their children are the students who would be most interested in the FLAP grant program. Ms. Brighty called for a vote and the motion passed with two abstentions.
4. Unfinished/Continuing Business 9:00 PM
A. Policies for Approval (AmherstSchool Committee)—Mr. Flittie made a motion to approve the following policies as a block. Ms. Correa Pope seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Policy 410.02 Enrollment: Entrance Age
Policy 410.18 Students: Bullying
Policy 420.07 Acceptable Use Network Policy
Policy 420.08 Students: Physical Restraint
Policies for Second Reading (RegionalSchool Committee)—
Policy 120.09 Community: Public Complaints about Personnel—Ms. Brighty reviewed the changes made to this policy as a result of discussion after the first reading. Ms. Jorgensen asked if this policy should be looked at any differently in light of recent events at the High School. Mr. Hussin noted that a system needs to be put in place to educate students and parents on how to follow up on these issues. Dr. Hochman stated that Mr. Jackson is considering the need to address this issue very specifically at ninth grade orientation. Additionally, these guidelines need to be clear and specific in student handbooks. Ms. Jorgensen said that while she supports protecting employees from unfounded complaints, she wants this policy to show that we are here to protect students. After further discussion, it was decided to review this policy and bring it back at a future meeting.
Policy 230.10 Prohibition Against Firearms— Ms. Brighty noted that no changes were made to this policy as a result of discussion after the first reading. Mr. Churchill made a motion to approve this policy as written. Ms. Jorgensen seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Policy 400.14 Students: Tobacco Use— Ms. Brighty reviewed the changes made to this policy as a result of discussion after the first reading. Mr. Flittie made a motion to pass this motion as written. Ms. Correa Pope seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Policy 700.06 Staff: Tobacco Use— Ms. Brighty reviewed the changes made to this policy as a result of discussion after the first reading. Mr. Flittie made a motion to approve this policy as written. Ms. Correa Pope seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Policy 410.09 Pregnant Students— Ms. Brighty reviewed the changes made to this policy as a result of discussion after the first reading. After brief discussion, Mr. Flittie made a motion to approve this policy as written. Ms. Correa Pope seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
B. HEC Update—Dr. Hochman reported on the follow-up meeting he and Andy Churchill had with Joan Schuman, Executive Director, and Bill Erickson from HEC. He noted that at this time he is not prepared to change his recommendation to take a two year hiatus from HEC with the option to withdraw the leave if the School Committee chooses to. Mr. Churchill stated that he and Dr. Hochman went into the meeting optimistically but felt that the Director’s comments were more focused on the benefit our districts’ membership can provide to HEC rather than the benefit HEC can provide to the district. Dr. Hochman said that at this stage he plans to submit the resignation letter, although he will continue to attend steering committee meetings as possible for the remainder of the year.
5. New Business 8:27 p.m./p.m. (A)
A. Reduction in Staff Notices—Dr. Hochman noted that, in order to meet the contractual notification deadline, reduction in staff notices must be distributed to all employees in anticipation of layoffs due to the budget situation.
B. (Moved to Superintendent’s Update Section)
C. Budget Meeting #1—Data and Demographics—Dr. Hochman noted that the month of December will be used to raise awareness of the budget process. January will be filled with meetings to gather input from faculty, staff, administrators, parents and the public. He will be also be doing presentations on ACTV. Dr. Hochman noted that the Amherst Budget Coordinating Group has been and will continue to meet to plan coordination of the budget process between all town departments and to look at the idea of an override. He then distributed and reviewed a packet of information regarding the budget process and assumptions that are being made during the process. He explained that deep cuts may be required to the base budget in order to meet the finance committee guidelines for a budget increase. For example, The Amherst Finance Committee has given a guideline of a 1% increase. Known increases in salaries, energy costs, insurance cost, etc. will already bring the budgets significantly above that level. After Dr. Hochman’s presentation, Mr. Detweiler briefly reviewed the data contained in the packet “Budget Meeting #1—Data and Demographics.” Ms. Brighty thanked Mr. Detweiler for the packet and stated that having this data compiled is a big help in the budget planning process. Mr. Flittie asked how much room there is in other schools to deal with the space problem at Marks Meadow. Dr. Hochman noted that there is no space utilization report and that is something that should be included in this packet. He said he will work on getting that information. Mr. Churchill commented on the number of students on free and reduced lunch and the need for support for these students. Ms. Brighty noted that the numbers at Crocker Farm point to the glaring inequities at Crocker Farm that need to be addressed. She also noted that she appreciates that the budget process is starting with the worst-case scenario so people will understand from the start what the financial picture looks like. Dr. Hochman noted that this budget packet and additional budget information will be posted on the district website starting tomorrow. He also noted that the Regional School Committee will begin at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday, December 19.
D. Gift Acceptance—Ms. Jorgensen made a motion to accept the generous gift from School Board member Tom Flittie of $250 worth of hardware and fasteners to the RegionalSchool District. Mr. Churchill seconded and the motion passed with Mr. Flittie abstaining.
6. Reports None
7. Sub-Committee Reports 7:05 p.m.
A. Amherst Master Plan—In the absence of Ms. Brewer due to a family emergency, this report was tabled.
School Committee Planning None
A. Calendar Review
B. Items for Upcoming Meetings
8. Adjournment 10:04 p.m.
Mr. Flittie made a motion to adjourn at 10:04 p.m. Ms. Jorgensen seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Westmoreland
Approved 1/9/2007