Minutes for the Regional School Committee Meeting of January 11, 2011 (DRAFT)

 

Rick Hood, Chair                                             Maria Geryk, Interim Superintendent

Irv Rhodes                                                       Jerry Champagne, Information Systems Director

Debbie Gould                                                   Mike Hayes, ARMS Principal

Nora Maroulis                                                 Beth Graham, Dir. of Curr., Inst. & Assessment

Kip Fonsh                                                        Rob Detweiler, Director of Finance & Operations

Kristen Luschen                                               Mark Jackson, ARHS Principal

Rob Spence                                                     Public

                                                                        Press

Absent:                                                           Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder

Steve Rivkin    

Catherine Sanderson

 

A. & B. Call to Order and Agenda Review—Mr. Hood called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. Ms. Luschen asked if it is possible to add a discussion of the Superintendent finalist interview process to tonight’s agenda. Mr. Hood noted that the topic should be part of the discussion at tomorrow night’s meeting.   

C. Approve Minutes—Ms. Gould made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2010 Regional and Joint Regional and Union 26 meetings. Ms. Maroulis seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Gould then made a motion to approve the minutes of December 14, 2010. Mr. Fonsh seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.

 

There were no public comments.

 

Ms. Geryk noted that the ARMS Chorus’ was selected to participate in the WGBY TV series Together in Song: A Celebration of Choral Music in Western Massachusetts. She then reported that she will be meeting monthly with the ARHS Student Advisory Council, which is working with Principal Jackson to schedule opportunities for School Committee members to tour the high school and sit-in on classes. Ms. Geryk noted that two additional parent volunteers will be added to the K-16 Math Council. Additional parent volunteers will be asked to serve on a parent advisory council that will review curriculum materials and texts as the review process moves forward. Mr. Fonsh spoke regarding Leverett community members’ concerns about the Superintendent Search, which include not knowing the total number of volunteers who applied to serve on the search committee or the criteria that was used to choose search committee members; the timing of the search process; and the fairness of the process for the third candidate. Ms. Gould said that she was surprised to read in the newspaper that the composition of the search committee had changed, noting that the School Committee should have been notified. Mr. Hood apologized for the oversight and explained that he notified the search committee but did not notify the full School Committee. Ms. Maroulis noted that the School Committee representatives who selected the search committee members did not discuss whether they would publish the full list of volunteers, but it would be something they can discuss. Mr. Hood noted that the search process itself is not too compressed; however he agrees that it is difficult to vote on the same night as the last interview. He explained that feedback forms received on the evening of the last interview will be compiled and reviewed prior to the vote.  

Ms. Gould questioned what the School Committee is trying to accomplish by discussing the goals at this point in time. She stated that these goals are a good draft; however, she does not see how the committee can evaluate the Superintendent on them since it is already January 11^th. Mr. Hood suggested that perhaps these can form the basis for next year’s goals, which he has suggested setting in the spring for the following year. Ms. Geryk stated that many, if not all, of these goals are consistent with the District Improvement Plan. She offered to integrate the draft goals into the District Improvement Plan and bring it back to the committee for review. The committee approved of her suggestion by consensus.

 

Mr. Detweiler distributed and reviewed the quarterly update on the FY11 budget, noting that:

These variances have resulted in a shift of $847,000 to control accounts. With the reduction in Charter reimbursement, the result is $573,000 in additional funds for FY11.  Mr. Rhodes noted that it is important for the public to understand the reasons behind the shifts in funds since they are based on factors beyond the district’s ability to control. Ms. Gould stated that these funds could be well spent on capital needs in the schools. Mr. Detweiler explained that it is highly unusual to have this many variances in any single year, particularly such large variances.   Ms. Luschen asked for the current E&D balance.   Mr. Detweiler explained that it is currently being verified by the State, as well as our districts’ auditor. Mr. Fonsh asked if Ms. Geryk or Mr. Detweiler have educational recommendations for using this money. Mr. Detweiler noted that they are looking forward to FY12 and beyond when the federal grant funds dry up. Ms. Geryk agreed, noting that the district needs to look at a multi-year picture. Mr. Rhodes said it is important to get this information out to the each of the four towns’ Finance Committees so they understand that this money is not being viewed at as a one-time windfall to be used in FY11. Ms. Geryk noted that she is meeting with Amherst Town Manager John Musante on Friday and will share these figures then. 

Mr. Detweiler briefly reviewed the Capital Plan proposal. Mr. Rhodes then made a motion that the Regional School Committee approves the Capital Plan for Fiscal Year 2012 not to exceed $1,104,700 to be funded in part from the Stabilization Fund, in part from a Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) not to exceed $920,000, and in part from a capital lease obligation to be funded from the Stabilization Fund. Mr. Spence seconded. Ms. Gould’s amended motion is that the Regional School Committee approves the Capital Plan for Fiscal Year 2012 not to exceed $996,000 to be funded in part from the Stabilization Fund and in part from a Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) not to exceed $920,000.  The motion to amend the original motion passed unanimously and the amended motion then passed unanimously. Mr. Rhodes stated that this is the culmination of a lot of work by a lot of people, noting that this is the first time the Regional schools have ever had a Capital Plan.