Regular Meeting of the Regional School Committee

Tuesday, February 5, 2008  7:00 p.m.

High School Library

 

Present:            Elaine Brighty, Chair                                Jere Hochman, Superintendent

                        Kathleen Anderson                                  Rob Detweiler, Director of Finance & Operations

                        Andy Churchill                                         Mark Jackson, HS Principal

                        Michael Hussin                                        Wendy Kohler, Exec. Director of Prog. Dev.

                        Gabriella Booth                                       Sean Smith, HS Latin Teacher

                        Michael Katz (arrived at 7:26 pm)            Tim Sheehan, APEA President

                        Maureen Ecclestone (arrived at 7:27)       Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder

                        Chrystel Romero (arrived at 7:26 pm)      Press

                                                                                       Public

                       

Absent:  Sonia Correa-Pope, Marianne Jorgensen

 

1.  Welcome                                                                                        7:11 p.m. (A/B)/7:26 p.m. (C)

A. & B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Ms. Brighty called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. without quorum. She then reviewed the agenda, announcing that the committee will go into Executive Session at the end of the regular agenda. She noted that the committee will not return to open session.

C.   Minutes—Quorum was reached at 7:26 p.m. so Ms. Brighty called for approval of the minutes. Ms. Ecclestone made a motion to approve the minutes of January 8, 2007 with minor corrections. Mr. Churchill seconded and the motion passed unanimously.  Ms. Ecclestone made a motion to approve the minutes of January 22, 2008. Mr. Hussin seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                                   7:19 p.m.

Tim Sheehan, APEA President read a prepared statement regarding the decision to fully privatize the food services for the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts.  Donna White, Marks Meadow Kitchen Manager, read a statement on behalf of the food service workers of the district.  The statement noted that a number of the cafeteria employees will not be opting to return to work next year for the private food company.  Joan Snowden, ARHS ELE teacher, read a statement requesting that the School Committee reconsider their decision to fully privatize food service.  She expressed concern, in particular, for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, and the quality and choice of foods that will be served.  Mark Moriarty, ARHS teacher, stated that he was speaking as a colleague of the food services workers, a community member, and a representative of the APEA, in asking the School Committee to reconsider their decision.  Ms. Brighty thanked everyone for coming to share their thoughts.

 

3.  Superintendent’s Update                                                                         7:32 p.m.

A.  Middle School Principal Search—Dr. Hochman reported that more than 20 applications were received for the Middle School principal position.  He noted that the Interview Team has narrowed the field down to a number of semi-finalists and interviews will begin next week.  Following the semi-finalist interviews, the field will be narrowed down again and finalists will be brought back to meet with students, meet with parents, and have further interviews. Dr. Hochman stated that he hopes to make a final decision by the end of February.

 

B.  FY09 Budget—Dr. Hochman noted that the Four Towns meeting was held last Saturday morning.  Mr. Churchill said that a very clear explanation was made at that meeting regarding the amount of, and the reason for, the surplus at the end the FY07 budget cycle.  Dr. Hochman reported that the Regional Agreement Committee also met on Saturday.  They have made a recommendation to increase the E&D cap to 5% and to make the shift in transportation expenses to the elementary districts.  Both recommendations will be brought to the Regional School Committee for a vote and both will have to be brought forward as a warrant article at each of the four town meetings.  Dr. Hochman reminded the School Committee that last year he formed a Budget Advisory Group which was made up of financial experts from the community.  The role of the group was simply to provide their perspective on the school budgets.  He has invited the group back for three meetings this year to look at the FY09 budget in the same way. The first meeting is next week.  Dr. Hochman reported that there will be a joint meeting of the Amherst town committees at 7:30 p.m. on February 11 in the Middle School auditorium.  The purpose of the meeting will be to provide community members with the opportunity to voice their thoughts on how budget issues facing the town should be tackled and on how to deal with the budget gap for the elementary schools, town departments and libraries. 

 

Dr. Hochman then asked the School Committee for their ideas of what would be optimum for the Regional schools three years from now. Mr. Churchill said that he thinks having no required study halls, reducing class size for core courses, providing students the ability to double up on academic courses, and professional development for faculty would be optimal. Ms. Romero said she would like to see a level of equity for all students from all backgrounds, as well as accountability for all students and adults in the schools. Mr. Hussin said he would like to maintain the full complement of languages, including restoration of the smaller enrollment requirement in order for seventh grade language courses to be offered; purchasing textbooks and restoring the High School guidance position that as cut.  Ms. Brighty expressed support for increased ALPS course opportunities and increased library hours and support. Ms. Anderson stated that she sees professional development for staff on social justice issues as a priority, and it would be optimum to maintain control over the dietary services in the district.  Ms. Ecclestone listed restoration of technology cuts as a priority.

 

C.  2008-2009 School Calendar Drafts—Dr. Hochman briefly reviewed the two proposed drafts of the 2008-2009 school calendar and asked if any of the School Committee members have any opinions or ideas regarding either of them.  He explained that, because of the quirks in this calendar, he has decided to form a small sub-committee to review the calendars before making a final recommendation to the School Committee.  Mr. Churchill noted that January seems to be a tough time of the year for families with snow days and holidays so it is important to consider that when planning curriculum days.  He also asked if the district has ever considered aligning the schools’ spring break with the University.  Dr. Hochman stated that it has been discussed. After discussion, the School Committee asked that the idea of aligning the breaks be explored for the 2009-2010 calendar.

 

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business                                                              None

 

5.  New Business                                                                                7:12 p.m. (A)/8:14 p.m. (B)

A.  Excellence in Teaching Award Honoree, Sean Smith—Wendy Kohler introduced Sean Smith, ARMS and ARHS Latin Teacher, who has been named 2008 APA Outstanding Pre-Collegiate Teacher of Latin in the United States of America.  She read the introductory statement that was read at the time Mr. Smith received the APA award, after which Mr. Smith received a standing ovation.  Ms. Brighty stated that all of the School Committee members know students who rave about Sean Smith, and that it is especially wonderful that he is both a graduate of ARHS and a nationally recognized teacher.  Other members also expressed their congratulations to and appreciation for Mr. Smith.

 

B.  Accept Gifts—Ms. Anderson made a motion to accept the gifts of $50 from Friends of the Amherst College Library; $47.75 (MS) and $67.96 (HS) from Verizon Long Distance Extra Credit for Schools; $239.13 from Greenfield Savings Bank; $250 for the James Faison Scholarship fund; $1,075 for the Larry Crouse Scholarship fund; $15 for the HS gift account; and an in-kind donation of a saxophone. Mr. Hussin seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 

 

6.  Reports                                                                                          None

 

7.  Sub-Committee Reports                                                               8:14

Ms. Brighty reported that JCPC has begun meeting; that the State of the District meetings were held on January 23 and there was a great deal of input from community members; and that the Food Service RFP has been completed and is available for review at the Business Office.  Ms. Anderson reported that the ACTV Executive Board met last weekend. She said the board is considering the idea of offering television production classes and workshops beginning in elementary school and in the high school as an alternative to a study hall period. 

 

8.  School Committee Planning                                                          None

 

9.  Adjournment                                                                                  8:19 p.m.

By roll call vote, the committee voted to go into Executive Session at 8:19 p.m.  They did not return to open session.

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Debbie Westmoreland

 

Approved 3/11/08