Learning at ARPS
February 21, 2006

Dear Everyone Learning at ARPS:

First, I invite you to check out our new-look website at www.arps.org.

We are constructing components as we go, and we will utilize the website more frequently now for district(s) news and information. A big "Thank You!" to Wendy Kohler, Executive Director for Program Development, for her persistence in getting this project completed. And big "Thank Yous" to Yvonne Mendez who provided early architectural work, Afranio Torres who provided the aesthetics work, Jerry Champagne in our I.S. department for his technical support, Sharon Gross and Debbie Westmoreland in our central office for their work on the content (and they will be doing our ongoing updates) and a really big Thank You to high school teacher Nina Koch who made this her mission and provided technical work, program language, and all that make websites user friendly for you and me.

Budget Meeting

This is a reminder I am holding a meeting to discuss the Amherst and Region budget on Monday, February 27 at 7:30 pm. The meeting is intended as one to meet with School Council members and community members to review where we are in the budget process and to discuss strategies for outreach to legislators. A brief portion of this meeting will be devoted to coordination of fund raising strategies and tax exempt status of school councils. The meeting will be held in the High School Cafeteria.

Budget Update

We are continuing with our budget process. As noted here previously, we are working with the plan established by the Amherst Finance Committee for the Amherst and Regional budgets and the planning of the Pelham Finance committee for the Pelham and Regional budgets.

I noticed in the paper that an override was mentioned at a Select Board meeting. I would like to note that the Amherst School Committee has not brought this forward, nor discussed it as an option. Speaking as your superintendent (not based on a discussion with the school committee), I would like to note that this option has not been in our thinking or planning. It is my belief that such an option should be part of a comprehensive planning and financial strategy. We are scrutinizing every line of the budget, reconfiguring efforts without redefining our schools, and looking ahead for increased efficiency and continually-improving results! We must continue to petition our federal and state legislators and promote appropriate local economic development to support our schools. And, yes, we are making cuts with which we must cope as this planning continues.

AGENDA

Regional School Committee

The Regional School Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:00 pm in the High School Library. Topics include:

• Broadcast of School Committee meetings
• Benchmarks of Academic Progress
• Policy Development Process Report
• FY 06 Budget Reconciliation Report
• Budget Development (Transportation; Athletic Fees and Participation Rates; Budget cuts to achieve 3.0% increase goal )

Jere Hochman
Superintendent