Meeting Minutes of September 19, 2006

Regular Meeting of the AMHERSTSchool Committee

Tuesday, September 19, 2006, 7:00 p.m.

High School Library

 

Present:            Elaine Brighty, Chair                                Jere Hochman, Superintendent

Tom Flittie                                               Susan Kennedy Marx, CF Assistant Principal

                        Andy
Churchill                                         Russ Vernon-Jones, FR
Principal                  

Sonia Correa Pope                                  Nick Yaffee

Alisa Brewer                                           Public

Press

Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder      

 

1.  Welcome                                                                                        7:00 p.m.

A. & B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Dr.
Hochman called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m., noting that the
meeting will begin with a reorganization of officers due to Ms.
Brighty’s election as chair of the Regional School Committee.  Ms.
Brewer nominated Mr. Churchill as chair of the Amherst School
Committee.  Ms. Brighty seconded and the nomination was approved
unanimously.  Mr. Churchill called for nominations for vice-chair of
the Amherst School Committee.  Ms. Brighty nominated Alisa Brewer.  Ms.
Correa Pope seconded.  Ms. Brewer nominated Mr. Flittie for
vice-chair.  Ms. Brighty seconded.  Mr. Churchill invited comments from
either of the nominees.  Ms. Brewer stated that if Mr. Flittie is
interested in serving as vice-chair, she would like for him to have the
opportunity.  Mr. Flittie said he would be happy to serve if chosen. 
Mr. Churchill asked for a vote on the appointment of Tom Flittie as
vice-chair and the committee voted unanimously to appoint him. Mr.
Churchill asked for nominations for secretary of the Amherst School
Committee.  Ms. Brighty nominated Ms. Brewer for secretary. Ms. Correa
Pope seconded and committee voted unanimously to appoint Ms. Brewer. 
Mr. Churchill then welcomed everyone to the meeting and reviewed the
agenda.

C.   Minutes—None

 

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                        7:06 p.m.

Felicia Mednick, Marks Meadow parent, expressed
concern about the size of her child’s second grade class, which has 26
students.  She came before the school committee to advocate adding
extra support in the class, especially during math, reading and
writing.  Ms. Mednick noted that she is representing the concerns of a
number of families with her remarks.  Mr. Churchill thanked Ms. Mednick
for bringing forward her concerns and noted that they are working on
the issue at the school level.

 

3.  Superintendent’s Update                                                              7:11 p.m.

Dr. Hochman distributed a chart outlining class sizes as of September 15^th
and then reviewed the numbers.  He noted that the Marks Meadow’s second
grade is the main hot spot in the district with regard to class size. 
Dr. Hochman reported that Mr. Yaffe sent a letter to parents last week
explaining what measures have been put in place to deal with the class
of 26. These measures include having additional adults working with
students in the room throughout core subject time. Dr. Hochman said the
plan is to give this plan a week or two to see how it works, while
monitoring the situation routinely.  At Dr. Hochman’s request, Mr.
Vernon-Jones and Ms. Kennedy Marx reported briefly on the opening of
school at FortRiver and Crocker Farm, respectively.  Mr. Vernon-Jones
noted that they are feeling the impact of the budget cuts at FortRiver,
particularly the loss of the library paraprofessionals. 

 

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business                                                  7:24 p.m.

A.  Policies for Approval—Mr. Churchill
asked if the committee would like to consider approving the policies as
a block since they have already reviewed and voted on them as members
of the Regional School Committee.  The committee agreed.  Mr. Flittie
moved to approve the policies listed below as written. Ms. Brighty
seconded and the motion passed unanimously.  The following policies
were approved:

• 110.10 School Committee: Member Ethics
• 400.15 Students: Wellness Policy
• 410.12 Students: Student Suspension
• 410.13 Students: Student Expulsion
• 410.15 Students: Sexual Harassment of Students
• 420.01 Conduct of Students: Student Conduct
• 420.02 Conduct of Students: Guide to Dress and Grooming
• 420.04 Conduct of Students: Corporal Punishment

 

5.  New Business                                                                                7:30 p.m.

A. Medicaid—Ms. Brighty reminded the
committee that there has been discussion with the Finance Committee,
Town Treasurer John Musante, and the previous Town Manager requesting
that Medicaid  reimbursement funding go directly to the schools rather
than to the Town of Amherst as Municipal funds.  She noted that the
discussion is still ongoing and the Town is not ready to bring the
issue before the fall Town Meeting.  She will keep the committee posted
as new updates are available. Mr. Churchill asked what the issues are
that are still under discussion by the Town.  The discussion centers on
whether the money would be used to supplement the school budget or to
finance a portion of the existing budget.  In addition, there is
discussion regarding how the loss of Medicaid funds in the general fund
will be made up in other departments’ budgets.  Ms. Brighty noted that
there are more than 60 towns in the Commonwealth that give Medicaid
funds directly to the schools. 

B. Welcome Letter—At Mr. Churchill’s
request, Ms. Brighty reviewed the edits that have been made to the
current welcome letter that is distributed at School Committee
meetings.  She noted that she strongly recommends removing a line that
was added at the end of the letter regarding the School Committee
hearing complaints.  She explained that under education reform, the
School Committee does not legally have the power to arbitrate
complaints except with one or two very specific exceptions.   Ms.
Brewer agreed with the suggestion, noting that it does a disservice to
people to have a hearing when there is really nothing the committee can
do about their concern.  Mr. Flittie noted that he would like to have a
recommendation from the MASC regarding this issue.  He expressed his
belief that hearing from the public is what often leads to development
of policy, which does fall within the scope of the School Committee’s
authority.  Mr. Churchill pointed out that there is a time for public
comment at the beginning of each school committee meeting, which
provides an opportunity for the community to bring concerns to the
committee’s attention.  It was agreed that Ms. Brighty will reedit the
letter and bring it back before the committee at the next meeting.  Dr.
Hochman reported that the district is currently developing a complaint
procedure/form that will provide a more formal way for
parents/community members to bring complaints forward that they believe
have been unresolved at the school level.  Mr. Flittie suggested
referencing the education reform law in the letter so parents will
understand the committee’s legal limitations.

C. School Committee Goals and Tasks 2006-2007—Mr.
Churchill stated that this agenda item will be discussed in detail at
the next Regional meeting and noted that the discussion at this meeting
should center on those goals specific to the elementary schools.  Dr.
Hochman noted that one such goal is conducting a demographic study,
which is included in the Joint Capital Plan.  He explained that more
information is needed to help determine what the questions are that
impact the schools organization.  A formal demographic study is needed
in order to gather this information.  Mr. Churchill stated that he
agrees with the importance of this work and asked about next steps. 
Dr. Hochman explained that an RFP will be put forward to request bids
for this work if the school committee agrees to it. 

 

6.  Reports                                                                              None

 

7.  School Committee Planning                                                          7:50 p.m.

A.  Sub-Committee Reports—Ms. Brighty
reported that the Joint Financial Planning Group has been renamed the
Budget Coordinating Group (BCG).  The work of the group will center on
coordinating budget forums and timelines of all of the town
departments.  Dr. Hochman noted that the BCG is meeting on October 4^th. There will also be a joint meeting of all town committees on October 16^th
to hear budget projections from John Musante.  Ms. Brewer reported that
the Comprehensive Planning Committee has a number of meetings planned
in the near future.  She noted that a flyer with all the dates is
available.  Mr. Churchill reported briefly on the Hampshire Educational
Collaborative meeting he attended last week.   He noted that there will
be a HEC legislative breakfast next week at the HEC offices from 10:30
to Noon.  Mr. Flittie reported on the Amherst Education Foundation
(AEF) potluck meeting he attended last week.  He noted that Dr. Hochman
and Dr. Kohler made a presentation regarding projects they are inviting
AEF to become involved with.

B.  Calendar Review—October 12, Comprehensive Planning meeting; October 12, AEF Trivia Bee; October 16, Joint Town Committees Meeting

C.  Items for Upcoming Meetings—A year-long schedule of agenda topics

 

8.  Adjournment                                                                                  8:10 p.m.

Ms. Brighty made a motion to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.  Ms. Brewer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Westmoreland

 

Approved 10/17/06