Call to Order, and Welcome

Michael Hussin called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. 

Minutes

Minutes of November 7, 2006 were approved as written.

Announcements and Public Comment

Supt. Hochman announced that he had visited math classrooms in 3-10
grades across the district.  At Pelham he visited 3-6^th
grade math classes.  He was impressed with the planning and
differentiation of the math lessons.  He thanked Rena Moore for helping
with the K-12 math curriculum.  He also announced that the Pelham
Building Project has been audited and final papers have been sent out. 
On December 15 at around 10 AM, there will be the first all-call on the
Connect-Ed system.  This system will allow a call to go out across the
district or to just one school, grade, or group.  Supt. Hochman
announced that all the Committees had voted to take a 3 year hiatus
from HEC.  Michael Hussin made several announcements about the
successes of Pelham seniors at ARHS.  Rena Moore presented the AYP
results for Pelham.

Superintendent and Principal Update

Captain Clean (Paul Lipman) visited the school committee and explained
the first grade health unit.  He explained that first graders learn
about germs and the need for handwashing.  The class grows germs in
Petri dishes and looks at whether clean hands or dirty hands have more
germs; then, the class graphs the results. 

Unfinished Business

School Policy Update—The following policies were approved as written: 
410.02-Enrollment: Entrance Age; 410.03- Enrollment: School Admissions;
410.04-Enrollment: Resident and Non-Resident Students; 420.05-Conduct
of Students: Interrogations and Searches; 420.07-Acceptable Use Network
Policy; 420.08-Students: Physical Restraint.

New Business

Michael Hussin presented some background information about charter
schools in Massachusetts.  A group of Amherst parents has written a
proposal for a ChineseImmersionCharterSchool.  On December 13^th,
there was a forum in Springfield to discuss the charter school
proposals.  Supt. Hochman shared his statement that he presented at the
forum.  Comment letters to the Committee will need to be sent by
January 2^nd.  The Pelham School Committee will discuss this
at a later meeting.  Julie DeWalt asked if there were plans for
language programs in Amherst.  Supt. Hochman said that Amherst was
prepared to start these programs last year, but the severe budget cuts
required that these programs be cut from the budget.  This year Amherst
received a grant for a Chinese language program at WildwoodSchool,
which will begin in Fall 2007. 

Spanish Language Program Initiative: 
Elaine Fronhoffer presented the plan for the Spanish Language Program
in Pelham and shared research about foreign language instruction.  The
Pelham School PTO has designated up to $5000 to pilot this program for
the Winter/Spring of 2007.  Rena Moore presented the tentative schedule
for the program and explained how the program and hiring would work for
the spring.  Ellen Leuchs has spoken to the Massachusetts Cultural
Council about the possibility of an enrichment grant for the Spanish
program, particularly for arts programs in Spanish.  Michael Hussin
said that the Committee was supportive of a foreign language program,
but the obvious problem is money and how to fund the program next
year.  This could be a line in the PelhamSchool budget for next year,
but it would also be weighed along with all the other line items in the
budget.  The PTO gift will need to be accepted by the Pelham School
Committee.

Finance Committee Budget Guidelines: 
John Trickey presented the budget preparation guideline of a 1%
increase for FY08, or about a $13,000 increase.  The Pelham Finance
Committee is assuming level state funding—Chapter 70, Local Aid, and
Lottery Funds.  The Finance Committee has also asked for a 1% increase
in the per pupil charge in the Regional budget.  Supt. Hochman will
meet with the PelhamSchool faculty on January 9^th to discuss the FY08 budget.  By April 1^st,
the Town/School Committee will need to decide on the override.  The tax
rate is $18.36, but valuations are going up an average of 11%.  The
Pelham Roundtable will be January 8, 2007. 

Reports

None

School Committee Planning

A.  Calendar Review—Future school meetings:  Jan. 4, Feb. 1, Mar. 1, April 5, May 3, June 7. 

B.  Items for Upcoming Meeting:  World Language in the Elementary School 

C.  Sub Committee Reports

Adjournment

Michael Hussin adjourned the meeting at 8:55 PM.

Next Meeting

Thursday, January 4, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room.

Call to Order, and Welcome

Michael Hussin called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. 

Minutes

Minutes of October 5, 2006 were approved as written.

Announcements and Public Comment

.

Superintendent and Principal Update

Supt. Hochman introduced Debbie Jacque, Pelham Kindergarten teacher,
who shared the Guggenheim Art as Inquiry Project being implemented at
PelhamSchool.  She illustrated how to use inquiry to discuss Camille’s
Pissarro’s painting, The Hermitage at Pontoise.

Unfinished Business

School Policy Update—The following policies were approved as written: 
110.13 (School Committees:  Communications and School Visits), 110.17
(Use of Electronic Messaging by School Committee Members), 400.14
(Students:  Non-Custodial Parent Rights), 410.17 (Students: Hazing),
410.19 (Students:  Student-to-Student Harassment), 110.07 (Additional
guideline:  Minor Change to Policy), and 410.02 (Enrollment:  Entrance
Age).  410.18 (Students:  Bullying) was tabled until after the Regional
Committee review. 

New Business

Budget Projection, 2007-2011: 
John Trickey presented a five year financial forecast for the Town of
Pelham, 2007-2011.  His assumptions included level funded Chapter 70,
lottery aid, and local receipts, and no or only a small increase in new
growth for the town and school choice enrollment at the elementary
school.   His assumption were that town expenses each year would
include 5-6% increases in the elementary and regional school budgets,
4-5% increases in general government, and fully funding the Town’s
capital plan.  Supt. Hochman asked how school choice money was included
in the revenue estimates.   John Trickey stated that the money was not
included in the revenue lines, but the town’s appropriation was
included in the school account.  He then presented ways to balance the
budget through additional revenue (faster growth, additional state aid,
new sources of revenue, and/or tax overrides) or reduced spending
(elementary school, police department, fire department, public works,
building and grounds, library, and/or town offices).  Tracy Farnham
asked if the community is looking at some clean businesses for specific
areas of Pelham.  John Trickey said that a minor zoning change was made
at Town Meeting and the Planning Board is also looking at this. 
Maureen Ecclestone asked what would happen if the Town of Pelham could
not support itself.  John Trickey said that he did not have an answer. 
Michael Hussin asked if changes in the tax rate and assessments would
help the situation.  John Trickey said that if nothing changes, at the
end of five years the tax rate would be $27/thousand, which would be
exorbitant for many homeowners.  Now, the Finance Committee is working
with a total increase of $75,000 for FY08. 

FY07 Budget Update—Rob
Detweiler presented the FY06 budget reconciliation, which showed a
balanced budget total of $1,297,077.  Michael Hussin asked if the
school has looked at solar panels such as the ones that the
ShutesburySchool has.  Supt. Hochman will ask Ron Bohonowicz to look
into it.  Rob Detweiler next presented the FY07 Operating Budget, which
indicates that the budget is very close to balanced at this time.  The
Pelham School Committee approved a $1,362,539 budget with any
difference from the appropriated amount from the Town of Pelham of
$1,232,539 to be made up from school choice funds.  Supt. Hochman also
reported that there is about a 12% increase in health care costs for
the second half of FY07, which Rob included in his FY07 Operating
Budget.

HEC:  Michael Hussin recused
himself from the vote to withdraw membership in HEC because his wife is
a HEC employee.   Supt. Hochman reported that the district is looking
at withdrawing membership from HEC to save money.  The Committee will
vote on this at a later date. 

Reports

None

School Committee Planning

A.  Calendar Review—Future school committee meetings:  December 14,
January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7. 

B.  Items for Upcoming Meeting:  World Language in the Elementary School, AYP/MCAS

C.  Sub Committee Reports

Adjournment

Michael Hussin adjourned the meeting at 8:53 PM.

Next Meeting

Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 7:00 PM in PelhamSchoolArtRoom.

Call to Order

Maureen Ecclestone called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.

Minutes

Minutes of September 7^th meeting were not available.

Announcements and Public Comment

Rena Moore reported that several parents had expressed concerns about
the CORI policy.  Also, there is now about a three week wait for CORI
checks. 

Superintendent and Principal Update

Rena Moore reported that the Curriculum Nights were well attended.  The
Playground Maintenance Day is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, 2006. 
Anette Jacque from the GuggenheimMuseum will visit the classrooms on
October 11. 

Unfinished Business

Maureen Ecclestone moved to delete policy 400.07 Students:  Administering Medicines to Students,

And Tracy Farnham seconded the motion.  This policy no longer meets state guidelines.  Motion to

delete the policy carried 2-0.  Maureen Ecclestone asked that policy 400.14 Non-custodial Parents'

Rights be tabled until the next meeting.  The state has issued new
guidelines, which may require some changes in the policy.

Rena Moore reported that the district is
currently in the last stages of providing the final documentation to
our auditor, Melanson and Heath, to complete the Pelham Building
Project Audit.  The final work on the elevator/lift has been completed
and certified, and a Building Occupancy Permit has been obtained.  Now,
the Pelham School Committee needs to accept "the project as completed
for school purposes.”  Maureen Ecclestone moved and Tracy Farnham
seconded to accept the project as completed for school purposes. 
Motion carried 2-0.  Maureen thanked everyone who worked so hard to
complete the building and get the Certificate of Occupancy. 

New Business

None

School Committee Planning

A.  Calendar Review—Future school committee meetings:  October  5,
November 2, December  14, January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May
3, June 7. 

B.  Items for Upcoming Meeting: In November: 
Debbie Jacque on the Guggenheim grant; CORI Policy, policy Policy
400.14 Non-custodial Parents' Rights

C.  Sub Committee Reports

Adjournment

Maureen Ecclestone adjourned the meeting at 7:10 PM.

Next Meeting

Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the Pelham Community Room.

Call to Order

Michael Hussin called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM.

Minutes

Minutes of June 22, 2005 unavailable. 

Announcements and Public Comment

Michael said that he and Jere had been at PelhamSchool on the first day
and that the building and grounds had never looked better.  He thanked
George Graiff and his student helpers for working so hard over the
summer..

Superintendent’s Update

The Superintendent shared the list of Pelham graduates and the colleges
they will attend.  Dr. Hochman shared that over the summer a K-12
mathematics curriculum was developed.  This curriculum will be followed
up by mathematics workshops and coaching at the different levels.  At
the elementary level, teachers will work with consultants on the
Investigations and Connected Math materials.  The Middle School will
work on refining their Connected Math units, and the High School will
work on the IMP program.  On Friday before school started the district
had a barbecue for all the people who worked over the summer.  On
Monday and Tuesday there was the new teacher orientation, and on
Wednesday morning all of the staff met at the high school to celebrate
the opening of school.  Dr. Hochman and Michael Hussin were at
PelhamSchool on Thursday morning when the buses rolled into the parking
lot, and they were happy to see the warm feelings between adults and
students.  Rena Moore reported that the Back-to-School Picnic was
cancelled because of predicted thunderstorms that did not occur. 
However, several families came anyway and had a wonderful time.  The
first few days went very well with the exception of one bus that is
late for the afternoon run.  There are 118 students in PelhamSchool
this year.  The Kindergarten teachers attended special training this
summer, which has helped them have a very smooth beginning of
kindergarten.  Pelham, Amherst, and the Region received an Autism
grant, which will provide training for all staff.  Joan Levy attended
the Schools Attuned training, and Deb King attended de-escalation
training which she will share with the staff.  The Back-to-School
Assembly will be at 9:30 AM on September 12^th.  Open House is scheduled for October 5^th
from 7-8 PM.  The school has two scheduled activities to help raise fun
for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  A sixth grader has begun a cash
collection for the Red Cross, and a fourth grader is spearheading a
bake sale on Saturday, September 10, during Recycling.  Dr. Hochman
said that there have been discussions in all the classes and that all
the schools are involved in some fundraising events.  Meg Gallagher has
replaced Judy Brooks, and Kate Hersey and Jenny Woody are coteaching
fifth grade, while Suzanne Quinlan is on child rearing leave.  Dr.
Hochman also reported that the handicapped lifts were not repaired over
the summer and that the walkway to library was removed to facilitate
drainage.   There are two committees established to discuss finances. 
On September 14, a regional finance group will meet with Richard Hatch
to discuss regional assessments.  Michael Hannahan and Jim Duda are
Pelham’s representatives.  The other group is a Town Budget Planning
Group in Amherst to help the Amherst committees work more closely
together. 
Summer maintenance work was completed on
the univents, and the safety inspections were completed.  Rena Moore
reported that there were five roof leaks in the new addition. 
Inspection by the maintenance department found that at least 3 of them
were caused by uninsulated pipes, which were insulated.