Meeting Minutes of March 6, 2007

Regular Meeting of the AMHERSTSchool Committee

Tuesday, March 6, 2007, 7:00 p.m.

High School Library

 

Present:            Andy Churchill, Chair                              Jere Hochman, Superintendent

Elaine Brighty                                          Paul Wiley, CF Principal

Alisa Brewer                                           Mark Prince, WW Principal

Russ Vernon-Jones, FR Principal

Nick Yaffe, MM Principal

Susan Kennedy Marx, CF Asst. Principal

Rob Detweiler, Dir. of Finance & Operations

Ron Bohonowicz, Dir. of Maintenance

Public

Press

Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder

 

Absent: Tom Flittie Sonia Correa Pope

 

1.  Welcome                                                                                        7:15 p.m.

A. & B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Mr. Churchill called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.  He then reviewed the agenda and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

C.   Minutes— Ms. Brighty made a motion to approve the minutes of February 13, 2007.  Ms. Brewer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                        None

 

3.  Superintendent’s Update                                                              7:16 p.m.

Dr. Hochman stated that a great deal of preparation has gone into
MCAS testing this year.  Paul Wiley reported on a DOE MCAS
administration teleconference that he and some of the other principals
participated in this week.  One of the purposes of the teleconference
was to outline new requirements for 2007.  He stated that it was
informative and he found it beneficial to hear the questions and
comments from other administrators from across the state.

 

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business                                                  7:22 p.m.

A.  FY08 Budget Update—Dr. Hochman noted that information
from the Data and Directions packet and the Budget Assumptions packet
was reviewed extensively at the Regional Committee meeting last night. 
He reviewed key points that relate specifically to the Amherst budget,
including items that have been requested through the Joint Capital
Plan.  Mr. Detweiler then distributed the proposed 1% increase FY08
budget and reviewed the way in which it was developed.  He noted that
net cuts totaling $707,000 were required to reach the 1% level.  Dr.
Hochman then reviewed the proposed cuts and offsets.  Mr. Churchill
asked how printing will be handled since the Instructional Support
printing services are being cut.  Mr. Vernon-Jones explained that the
elementary schools have used the Instructional Support Services office
(located in the High School) much less in recent years since they each
have copy machines in their own buildings now.  Some money has been
retained to pay for services through the ISS office as needed.  Dr.
Hochman reviewed the reductions in FTE for teachers of art, music, PE
and computer, which will be accomplished by reducing each FTE by .2. He
explained that teachers who are employed full time with professional
status will be able to maintain their 1.0 FTE by working with students
in academic subjects on Wednesdays.  In addition there will be changes
in the music program by beginning strings in grade 4 and winds in grade
5.  Ms. Brewer asked why the cuts are not proportional within the
schools.  Mr. Vernon-Jones explained that the current number of FTEs in
each school is not proportional to the number of classrooms in the
schools.  With the reductions, the FTEs will be proportional to the
size of each school.  Dr. Hochman explained that the greatest effect
will be loss of some of the extra activities that are currently
possible because teachers have some extra time to devote to them. 
Examples include the sixth grade musical at FortRiver and the musical
at Marks Meadow.  Mr. Churchill stated that he appreciates the
thoughtful way the administrators approached these changes, noting that
these are painful cuts to the arts and music program.  Dr. Hochman then
reviewed the class size targets, noting that the number of classes at
each school and grade level can change as enrollment projections
change.  He noted that there are currently four or five classrooms that
are potential hot spots that would be viewed as priorities if there are
any bring backs due to additional revenue.  Dr. Hochman then reviewed
the must adds and restorations for the FY08 budget.  He noted that
library paraprofessional support and texts, as well as professional
development funds, are high priorities as bring backs.  Mr. Churchill
asked if software such as Kronos and Powerschool can be added to JCPC. 
Ms. Brighty noted that when the town and school JCPC requests for
information technology were presented it became clear that the software
is not being treated the same.  She explained that a revised school IT
proposal, which adds some software, will be brought back to JCPC.  Dr.
Hochman noted that a higher-percentage budget will be presented to the
School Committee for a vote in April.  Ms. Brewer asked if there are
specific areas of professional development that need to be done if
money becomes available. Dr. Hochman noted that there are several
areas, including follow up on intensive math training that was done
in-house with a consultant three years ago and implementing more
coaching-model training with teachers and students.  He noted that
professional development in the district is embedded and happens as
close to the student-level as possible.   Mr. Vernon-Jones stated that
he knows the committee understands it, but he feels it’s important for
the principals to state that these cuts are painful and will reduce the
schools’ ability to provide the quality education for which Amherst has
been known.  Mr. Wiley noted that it is important to think about what
is equal versus what is equitable, and it is imperative that we remain
dedicated to supporting all of our schools and the diverse populations
of students across the schools. 

 

Increase School Lunch Prices—Ms. Brighty made a motion to
approve an increase in lunch prices for FY08 in the amount of $0.25 for
student lunches and $0.50 for adult lunches. Ms. Brewer seconded and
the motion passed unanimously.

 

5.  New Business                                                                                None

 

6.  Reports                                                                                          None

 

7.  School Committee Planning                                                          8:31 p.m.

A.  Sub-Committee Reports—Ms. Brighty reported that BCG
met last week and had a dialogue about the override and warrant
language.  She noted that it was clear there was no consensus among the
boards regarding the override plan, but many members of BCG seem to be
speaking as individuals.   Dr. Hochman recapped the recommendation that
the Finance Committee made to the Select Board regarding the override
plan.  He noted that the recommendation is a good, sound, predictable
package.  After discussion, Ms. Brighty made a motion that the School
Committee endorse the Finance Committee’s plan as outlined for the
elementary schools and that the endorsement be conveyed to the other
boards.  Ms. Brewer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.   BCG
will meet again tomorrow, Wednesday, March 7^th. 

B.  Calendar Review—Comprehensive Planning Committee Meetings, March 29 & 30

C.  Items for Upcoming Meetings—Data warehouse presentation. Demographic study

 

8.  Adjournment                                                                                  8:48 p.m.

Ms. Brighty made a motion to adjourn at 8:48 p.m.  Ms. Brewer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Approved 3/20/07                                            Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Westmoreland