Regular Meeting of the RegionalSchool Committee

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 7:00 p.m.

High School Library

Present:            Elaine Brighty, Chair                                Jere Hochman, Superintendent

                        Tom Flittie                                               Press

                        Andy Churchill                                         Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder      

                        Maureen Ecclestone                               

                        Sonia Correa Pope                                                      

                        Alisa Brewer (arrived at 7:27 p.m.)

Absent:             Marianne Jorgensen, Michael Katz, Michael Hussin

1.  Welcome                                                                                        7:12 p.m.

A. & B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Ms. Brighty called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.  She announced that since a number of members cannot be attendance tonight, some items of business will be tabled until a future meeting.

C.   Minutes—Ms. Ecclestone made a motion to approve the minutes of August 15 with one correction.  Ms. Correa-Pope seconded and the motion passed with Mr. Flittie abstaining.  Ms. Ecclestone moved to approve the minutes of August 29. Mr. Churchill seconded and the motion passed with Mr. Flittie abstaining.  Mr. Churchill made a motion to approve the minutes of September 5. Ms. Brighty seconded and the motion passed with Mr. Flittie and Ms. Ecclestone abstaining.

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                        7:16 p.m.

Ms. Brighty noted that the Budget Coordination Group (formerly Joint Financial Planning Group) will begin meeting tomorrow. She stated that we may need another Regional School Committee representative from one of the other towns to serve on this committee.

3.  Superintendent’s Update                                                              7:17 p.m.

Dr. Hochman noted that the schools have opened successfully and it feels good to have the students back in school.  He noted that safety has been emphasized in preparation for the opening, and a major safety walk-through was performed in each school.  Each school also had a fire drill within the first three days.  Dr. Hochman recognized the Amherst DPW for their willingness to postpone work daily until after 7:45 a.m. on Pleasant Street in order to help facilitate students arriving on time at the Middle School and High School.  He reported that, based on the recommendation of Police Chief Charles Scherpa and Fire Chief Keith Hoyle, the Select Board has voted to install a four way stop at the Chestnut Street High School/Middle School entrance.

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business                                                  7:22 p.m.

A.  District Goals/Organization—This item was tabled.

B.  Policies for First Review—This item was tabled.

C.  Subcommittees Update— This item was tabled.

D.    Handbooks—Dr. Hochman distributed copies of the Middle School Student Handbook, Middle School Family Handbook, and district pages for all handbooks.  He noted that the High School handbook is still being edited and printed.  Dr. Hochman explained that Alvin Morton has reviewed all district pages to ensure that they are consistent in all seven school handbooks, as well as in full compliance with Massachusetts General Law.  With regard to the High School handbook, the only major change will be sorting the discipline sections according to the PRISM guidelines.  Ms. Brighty noted that the handbooks will have to be officially approved by the School Committee at a future meeting.

E.     College Admissions—The Common Application—Dr. Hochman reviewed the new draft language for the non-disclosure of discipline information sticker/attachment the district would like to include on the Common Application.  He noted that the district’s legal counsel has reviewed the language and found that it passes legal muster.  Massachusetts General Law 37H and 37H.5 will serve as the district guideline for discipline infractions that will be reported.  Dr. Hochman noted that he has heard from about 10 other superintendents who have said they will not include discipline information on the Common Application either.  Ms. Brighty asked for consensus from the school committee on this issue, and the committee noted they are all in agreement with this proposal.  Dr. Hochman noted that although most discipline information will not be reported to colleges and universities, discipline information is shared with other high schools.

5.  New Business                                                                                None

6.  Reports                                                                                          None

7.  School Committee Planning                                                          7:32 p.m.

A.  Sub-Committee Reports

B.  Calendar Review

C.  Items for Upcoming Meetings

8.  Adjournment                                                                                  7:33 p.m.

Ms. Ecclestone made a motion to adjourn at 7:33 p.m. Mr. Churchill seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Debbie Westmoreland

Approved 9-26-06