Regular Joint Meeting of the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-RegionalSchool Committee
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 6:30 p.m.
High School Library
Present: Elaine Brighty, Chair Jere Hochman, Superintendent
Tom Flittie Rob Detweiler, Dir. of Finance & Oper.
Andy Churchill Kathy Mazur, Human Resources Director
Alisa Brewer Public
Michael Katz Press
Tracy Farnham (left at 7:37 p.m.) Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder
Sonia Correa Pope (left at 7:36 p.m.)
Michael Hussin
Marianne Jorgensen
Maureen Ecclestone (arrived at 7:51 p.m.)
1. Welcome 7:44 p.m.
A. & B. Call to Order/Agenda Review—Ms. Brighty called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. By roll call vote, the committee voted to enter Executive Session for the purpose of contract negotiations. Ms. Brighty announced that the committee would return to open session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Ms. Brighty returned the meeting to order in open session at 7:44 p.m. She then reviewed the agenda and welcomed everyone to the meeting. Dr. Hochman noted that the agenda item “Discipline” would not be covered at tonight’s meeting.
C. Minutes—Mr. Hussin made a motion to accept the minutes of December 12 and December 19 with two corrections to the minutes of December 12th. The motion passed with Ms. Brewer abstaining.
2. Announcements and Public Comments None
3. Superintendent’s Update 7:42 p.m.
Dr. Hochman reported that he attended the Three Kings Event at the Middle School and Cabaret at the High School last week, noting that it is always wonderful to see our children in performances. He then distributed a letter sent to the Massachusetts Department of Education from Gus Sayer, South Hadley Superintendent, regarding the proposed ChineseLanguageCharterSchool. Dr. Hochman also distributed a copy of the letter from the Director of Hampshire Educational Collaborative acknowledging receipt of the Districts’ request to withdraw from the Collaborative for two years. The letter notes that the issue will be discussed at the Board of Governor’s meeting on Wednesday, January 10th. Mr. Churchill noted that he will attend that meeting. Dr. Hochman distributed and reviewed a comprehensive list of budget meetings that are planned in the upcoming months.
4. Unfinished/Continuing Business 7:55 p.m.
A. Policy 410.20 Students: Field Trips and Overnight Travel—Ms. Brighty reviewed the changes made to this policy based on the first reading. Ms. Ecclestone made a motion to accept the policy as written. Mr. Hussin seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
B. Budget Meeting #2: Assumptions and Variables—Dr. Hochman distributed the budget meeting two package “Assumptions and Variables.” He noted that this document will be updated on a regular basis throughout the budget process as information becomes available. Mr. Detweiler then reviewed the revenue and expense assumptions portions of the document, noting particularly that there had been hope that Chapter 70 aid would increase by 3% with a new Governor coming in. Now that Governor Patrick has found the state is facing a $1 billion deficit, the assumption is that the increase will only be approximately 1% or less. With regard to food services, Mr. Hussin asked if there would be changes in the numbers if the district did not renew its contract with Chartwells. Mr. Detweiler said that there would need to be supplementary funds even if food services were handled in-district. Dr. Hochman reviewed the facilities and staffing portion of the document. Ms. Brewer asked that it be noted in the packet that FY07 money is already earmarked for the Amherst Elementary Schools demographic study so people will understand that this is not part of the FY08 budget. Dr. Hochman reviewed the class size assumptions for the FY08 budget, explaining the effects that cutting FTEs of teachers will have on class size. Mr. Churchill asked if the district would want to consider requiring parents to purchase their own supplies. Ms. Ecclestone stated that it is illegal to require students to purchase textbooks; however, donations can be requested. Ms. Brewer noted that at the elementary level the district provides all supplies unlike some local communities. She stated that having parents provide supplies will have a larger impact on the Amherst budget than on the Regional budget. Ms. Brighty thanked Dr. Hochman for providing this in-depth information. She asked school committee members to bring this document, as well as the budget meeting one document “Data and Direction,” to serve as reference materials at all meetings throughout the budget process.
C. Discipline—This item was tabled until a future meeting.
5. New Business 8:36 p.m.
A. AYP Improvement Plan—In addition to the information provided in the School Committee agenda packet, Dr. Hochman distributed copies of the district MCAS Improvement Plan form and the Individual Student Success form. He noted that he will be submitting our district plan to the state DOE next week. Dr. Hochman then reviewed the overview of what the district and individual schools are doing to address AYP issues. He noted that a formative assessment program, StudyIsland, has been selected for immediate piloting at Crocker Farm. Ms. Ecclestone asked who is writing the individual success plans at the Middle School and High School. Dr. Hochman said it is being done by the teams in conjunction with support teachers at the Middle School. He is unsure of how the High School is writing the plans; however, individual schools are finding the best way to handle writing the plans in their schools. Ms. Brighty asked if the tutoring being provided is internal or external. Dr. Hochman reported that both are being provided. As part of the Title I requirements, targeted students (those who scored NI or W on the MCAS) must be provided with tutoring from one of the DOE approved providers. Ms. Brighty thanked Dr. Hochman for providing this information, noting that it helps her understand the scope of what is required.
B. High School Handbook Approval—Ms. Ecclestone distributed a copy of a legal opinion from the DOE stating that School Councils approve policies not School Committees. Ms. Brighty pointed out that the dilemma is that our district has a policy requiring the School Committee to approve the Middle School and High School Handbooks. Ms. Ecclestone proposed tabling this item. Ms. Jorgensen proposed bringing the policy before the next meeting to be changed. Dr. Hochman noted that whatever way the School Committee votes to review handbooks, it would be more helpful for the review to be done in the spring before the handbooks are updated and printed rather than in the fall. Mr. Churchill asked if a policy can be developed regarding allergies if one does not already exist.
C. Parking Lot Lights—Ms. Brighty noted that Mr. Flittie requested that this item be on the agenda. Mr. Flittie stated that he really wants to encourage the School Committee to reconsider the idea of increasing the parking fees because those funds can be saved in a reserve fund to cover expenses such as repaving the parking lot. He thought that if enough funds can be saved, the district could consider installing solar panel lighting in the future.
6. Reports None
7. Sub-Committee Reports 9:17 p.m.
A. BCG Report—Ms. Brighty noted that the BCG group is hosting a public information session on January 30 from 7:00-9:00 at Town Hall. Preliminary town budgets will be out at that time. The BCG plan is to have override documents out by January 22nd. BCG will meet again on January 24th. Mr. Flittie noted that Ellen Story and Stan Rosenberg have been invited to attend the public information session on January 30th.
8. School Committee Planning None
A. Calendar Review—
B. Items for Upcoming Meetings
9. Adjournment 9:33 p.m.
Ms. Ecclestone made a motion to adjourn at 9:33 p.m. Mr. Hussin seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Westmoreland
Approved 2/6/07