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Minutes for the Regional School Committee Meeting of March 29, 2011

Submitted by WestmorelandD on Wed, 03/30/2011 - 12:29pm.
Meeting type: 
Regional School Committee
Meeting date: 
03/29/2011
Meeting of the Regional School Committee
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Town Room, Amherst Town Hall
 
In attendance:
Rick Hood, Chair                                               Maria Geryk, Superintendent of Schools
Irv Rhodes                                                        Jerry Champagne, Information Systems Director
Catherine Sanderson (left @ 6:41 p.m.)             Ron Bohonowicz, Facilities Director
Kathy Weilerstein                                              Rob Detweiler, Director of Finance and Operations
Kip Fonsh                                                         Sean Mangano, Budget Analyst
Kristen Luschen                                               Mike Hayes, ARMS Principal
Rob Spence (arrived @ 6:37 p.m.)                      Kim Stender, Volunteer Coordinator
Julia Rossen, Student Representative                  Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder
 
ABSENT:                                                       
Debbie Gould                                                  
Steve Rivkin
                         
1. Welcome                                                                                                                            6:34 p.m.
A. & B. Call to Order and Agenda Review—Mr. Hood called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. Ms. Sanderson noted that she has to leave early for another 7:00 p.m. meeting.

 
C. Approve Minutes—Ms. Weilerstein made a motion to approve the minutes of March 8, 2011. Ms. Luschen seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
 
2. Public Comments                                                                                                            6:32 p.m. 
Mr. Hood noted that this is Catherine Sanderson’s last meeting and thanked her for her service. He noted that he appreciates Ms. Sanderson’s hard work in making the schools better and has enjoyed working with her. Marylou Theilman, Amherst resident, read a statement in tribute to Ms. Sanderson outlining her contributions and accomplishments during her term in office. She presented Ms. Sanderson with framed letters of commendation from Senator John Kerry and Senator Scott Brown. 
 
3. Superintendent’s Update                                                                                                  6:38 p.m.
DOCUMENTS: Memo regarding Superintendent Updates to the Regional School Committee from Superintendent Maria Geryk dated March 29, 2011
 
Ms. Geryk introduced ARHS student Julia Rossen, who is sitting in for Student Representative Haley Andler. Ms. Rossen may be replacing Ms. Andler as the Regional School Committee Student Representative for the 2011-2012 school year; however, that decision is not yet final. Ms. Geryk then made several brief announcements including the ARMS students’ results in the New England Math League contest, the winners of the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards, and ARHS student participation in the JETS competition. She also reminded the Committee that the Later Start Time Task Force is researching the benefits and possible challenges of having a later start time at the secondary schools. Parents, students and staff are encouraged to visit the district website and complete a survey regarding potential schedule changes.
 
4. New and Continuing Business                                                                                          6:41 p.m.
DOCUMENTS: Amherst-Pelham Regional School District FY2010-2011 February Budget Report; Chronological Events of the Middle School Green Repairs Project to Date 3/28/11; MSBA Green Repair Program Project Milestone Dates; MS Green Repairs Project; Memo to the Regional School Committee from Rob Detweiler regarding BAN Borrowing; Memo to the Regional School Committee from Rob Detweiler regarding Regional Capital Plan
 
 A. FY11 Budget Quarterly Update—Mr. Detweiler distributed and briefly reviewed the FY11 quarterly budget update as of February 2011, noting that the district is on target with the FY11 budget.
 
B. Regional Capital Plan Reconsideration—Mr. Detweiler distributed and reviewed the timeline of the ARMS Green Repairs Project to date. He noted that the capital plan approved by the Regional School Committee included $835,000 which was the estimated total budget needed for the ARMS Green Repairs Project when the initial application had to be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in January. Mr. Detweiler explained that the final total budget that was submitted to MSBA is $1,746,809 and outlined the factors leading to the increase. He then introduced Carl Weber who has been hired as the Owners Project Manager (OPM) to serve as liaison between the district and the MSBA during the project. Mr. Bohonowicz then briefly outlined the reasons the Green Repairs Project is needed at this time. Mr. Detweiler distributed and reviewed a chart outlining the Green Repairs Project milestones and the changes between the estimated and final budgets. Ms. Luschen asked for clarification of how the total project cost changed so dramatically. Mr. Detweiler explained that factors leading to the increase include the decision to add doors to the project, instead of just windows as originally planned; the fact that some costs were not completely understood up front, such as the MSBA requirement to have an OPM through the entire project instead of just the planning phase; and the reality that the final budget includes actual spec costs versus estimated ones. Ms. Weilerstein asked about the project’s potential for disruption to students next year. Mr. Bohonowicz explained that the plan is to complete work in as many classrooms as possible during the summer and to complete work in hallways and other central areas later in the year. Mr. Hayes stated that he has a goal of making the Middle School look better in order to enhance the learning environment. He said this project will help with that goal and he is in full support of it. Mr. Hood noted that the budget figures being presented tonight are still estimates until bids are received and the final cost may be lower. Mr. Rhodes stated that the Budget Subcommittee met with Mr. Detweiler and thoroughly reviewed these budget changes. He noted that the subcommittee had serious concerns and questions; however, the benefits of the project are much greater than the cost so the group voted unanimously to support the requested change. 
 

Mr. Detweiler then distributed and reviewed a memo outlining the new Regional Capital Plan vote that is necessary in order to fund the proposed changes in the Green Repairs Project. Mr. Rhodes moved that the Regional School Committee approves the revised Capital Plan for Fiscal Year 2012 not to exceed $1,746,809, to be funded in part from the Stabilization Fund, and in part from Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) not to exceed a total of $1,670,809. Ms. Luschen seconded and, after brief discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Detweiler then distributed and reviewed a memo outlining the revised vote that is necessary to approve BAN borrowing to support the revised Capital Plan budget. Mr. Spence then read the following motion:

 

VOTED: The District hereby appropriates the sum of $1,585,809 for the purpose of paying costs of repointing leaking capstones and replacing windows and doors at the District’s Amherst Regional Middle School located at 170 Chestnut Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01002, specifically, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto, which proposed repair project would materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational program, said sum to be expended at the direction of the Regional School District School Committee. To meet this appropriation, the District is authorized to borrow said amount, under and pursuant to Chapter 71, Section 16(d), of the General Laws and the District Agreement, as amended, or pursuant to any other enabling authority. The District acknowledges that the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (“MSBA”) grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the District incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the District; provided further that any grant that the District may receive from the MSBA shall not exceed the lesser of (1) fifty-nine and eighty-four hundredths percent (59.84%) of eligible, approved project costs, as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA, and that the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement relating to the proposed repair project that may be executed between the District and the MSBA.
 
FURTHER VOTED: That within seven (7) days from the date on which this vote is adopted the Secretary be and hereby is instructed to notify the Board of Selectmen of each of the member towns of this District as to the amount and general purposes of the debt herein authorized, as required by Chapter 71, Section 16(d), of the General Laws, and by the District Agreement.

 

 
Mr. Rhodes seconded and discussion followed. Mr. Fonsh stated that it is critical to get clear, accurate information about these changes and any potential budgetary impacts, three years out, to the Towns’ Select Boards and Finance Committees as quickly as possible. The motion was then unanimously approved.
 
C. 2011-2012 School Calendar Review—Ms. Geryk reviewed the draft calendar that was included in the School Committee’s agenda packet, highlighting the school start and end dates.  She explained that she wants to have two Professional Development days before school starts in order to focus the curriculum work. Because this would be a change to long-standing practice, she is still having conversations with faculty about the change.  Ms. Weilerstein asked for clarification regarding why a post-labor day start is being proposed since many parents prefer the pre-labor day start that has been the practice for the past several years.  Ms. Westmoreland explained that several anomalies in the 2012 calendar made a pre-Labor Day start impractical for the High School schedule. 
 
5. Policies for Second Read                                                                                                    7:50 p.m.
DOCUMENTS: Policy BED: Procedures for Meetings; Policy BCB: School Committee Member Conflict of Interest; Policy CHCA: Student and Staff Handbooks; Policy JICFB: Anti-Bullying; Policy HA: Negotiation Goals; Policy HAA: Collective Bargaining Planning; Policy HB: Legal Status; Policy HE: SC Negotiating Powers and Duties; Policy HF: Negotiating Agents; Policy HFA: Municipal Representatives; Policy HH: Employee Negotiating Organizations; Policy HMA: Announcement of Final Negotiated Agreement
 
Mr. Fonsh made a motion to delete Policy BED: Procedures for Meetings. Mr. Spence seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.

 

Mr. Fonsh then made a motion to accept all of the policies as a block, including
 
  1. Policy BCB: School Committee Member Conflict of Interest
  2. Policy CHCA: Student and Staff Handbooks
  3. Policy JICFB: Anti-Bullying
  4. Policy HA: Negotiation Goals
  5. Policy HAA: Collective Bargaining Planning
  6. Policy HB: Legal Status
  7. Policy HE: SC Negotiating Powers and Duties
  8. Policy HF: Negotiating Agents
  9. Policy HFA: Municipal Representatives
  10. Policy HH: Employee Negotiating Organizations
  11. Policy HMA: Announcement of Final Negotiated Agreement
 
Ms. Luschen seconded and discussion followed. Mr. Rhodes proposed a change in Policy HAA by striking the word “through” and adding “in conjunction with” in the first sentence.  Ms. Weilerstein noted several changes needed in Policy JICFB. After brief discussion, Mr. Spence moved to amend the original motion to remove policy JICFB from consideration and to approve all other policies with an amendment to Policy HAA to strike the word “through” in the first sentence and amend it to read “in conjunction with.”  Mr. Rhodes seconded and the motion to amend the original motion passed unanimously. Mr. Spence’s amended motion then passed unanimously.
 
 
 
6. Subcommittee and Task Force Reports                                                                           Tabled
A. Review Subcommittee Membership
 
6. School Committee Planning                                                                                              7:57 p.m.
A. Calendar—One person cannot currently attend a School Committee retreat on May 10. Mr. Hood will re-poll the members for other dates if necessary.
B. Items for Future Agendas—reorganization after election; Special Education recommendations; framing issue of the achievement gap to facilitate productive conversation; School Improvement Plans in September
 
5. Adjournment                                                                                                                      8:04  p.m.
Ms. Weilerstein made a motion to adjourn at 8:04 p.m. Mr. Rhodes seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
 
                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,
                                                                                    Debbie Westmoreland
 
 
Last updated March 30, 2011