Home

Minutes for the Amherst School Committee Meeting of May 24, 2011 (DRAFT)

Submitted by WestmorelandD on Wed, 05/25/2011 - 10:25am.
Meeting type: 
Amherst School Committee
Meeting date: 
05/24/2011

 

Regular Meeting of Amherst School Committee
May 24, 2011
Town Room, Amherst Town Hall
 
Present:
Rick Hood, Acting Chair                                   
Rob Spence                                                     
Katherine Appy                                             
                                                                       
Absent:   
Steve Rivkin
Irv Rhodes  
                                                       
Maria Geryk, Superintendent of Schools
Jo Ann Smith, Director of Student Services
Jerry Champagne, Information Systems Director
Mike Morris, Crocker Farm Principal
Derek Shea, Crocker Farm Assistant Principal
Susan Kennedy Marx, Fort River Principal
Press
Public
Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder
 
1. Welcome                                                                   7:00 p.m.
A. Call to Order—Mr. Spence called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
 
2. Announcements and Public Comments                  7:01 p.m.
Abby Jensen, Crocker Farm parent, spoke regarding parents’ concerns about class size for the fourth grade cohort of students at Crocker Farm this year. She noted that the class size of 24 has been incredibly challenging this year and expressed her belief that just adding a paraprofessional in the classroom next year will not have any positive impact. Greg Bernier, Crocker Farm parent, also spoke about the size of the fourth grade class, asking that the School District look at the cost and benefits of adding an additional fifth grade classroom at Crocker Farm to deal with the issue. He then presented Superintendent Geryk with a parent letter regarding this issue. Danielle Benedetto, Crocker Farm parent, spoke regarding the burden the current Crocker Farm fourth grade students are bearing this year, and stated that she believes it is someone else’s turn to take the burden next year. Ms. Jensen asked about the new RTI program and whether it includes a screening process for incoming kindergarten students that identifies learning disabilities. Ms. Geryk noted that the MAP testing component of RTI begins at Kindergarten, noting that she is a strong proponent of kindergarten screening. Mr. Morris spoke briefly regarding the DIAL-R screening that is administered at all schools, which is used to identify concerns. Mr. Hood asked if there are other class size issues projected for next year. Ms. Geryk noted that there are three classes that the administration is watching closely for class size, including the Crocker Farm fourth grade. She said she has already been in conversation with Mr. Morris about the Crocker Farm class and anticipates having a much better idea of how to will handle each of these situations within the next two weeks. 
 
3. Superintendent’s Update                                    7:14 p.m.
Ms. Geryk provided an update on the district’s elementary after-school programs, in particular the Crocker Care program at Crocker Farm. She provided background on the issue, including the vision for implementing a cohesive, consist program at all schools and steps that have been taken this year toward meeting that vision. Ms. Geryk noted that she had a productive meeting yesterday with Kathy Edgell, Crocker Care Director, and reviewed the plan for moving forward in the coming year. Ms. Geryk then provided brief updates as follows:
·         Monica Colley has signed her contract and will begin her work as the Fort River Principal on July 1st.
·         Use of the camera and buzzer system for entry into any of the Amherst Schools is currently being piloted at Fort River and the Middle School. The system will be in use at all of the districts’ schools in September.
·         Two mathematics professional development opportunities are being offered for elementary teachers this summer.
·         The fifth annual Latino Student Achievement Ceremony was held on Friday, May 20th and it was a very successful event.
·         The Volunteer Recognition Ceremony was held from 4:00-5:00 p.m. yesterday, May 23rd, to honor all those who volunteer in our schools.
·         Mr. Morris reported briefly on the Cambodian Cultural celebration that was held at Crocker Farm today. He noted that it was a very meaningful event for both the students who participated in the program and those who attended as audience members. 
 
4. Unfinished/Continuing Business                                      7:25 p.m.
A. Appoint School Committee Secretary

At Mr. Spence’s request, Ms. Westmoreland reviewed the reason the Amherst School Committee needs to appoint one of their members as their secretary rather than just having her serve in that capacity as she does for the Regional School Committee. She noted that the three officers of the Amherst School Committee also serve as members of the Union 26 School Committee, along with the three Pelham School Committee members. Ms. Westmoreland will continue to take minutes and provide clerical support for the Amherst School Committee. Mr. Spence asked for nominations or a volunteer. Ms. Appy volunteered to serve as Secretary. Mr. Hood seconded and her appointment was approved unanimously.

 

B. Sabbatical Request
DOCUMENTS: Memo to Amherst School Committee from Maria Geryk re: Sabbatical Request
Ms. Geryk explained that district teacher Lisa Poirier submitted a proposal for a sabbatical in the 2011-2012 school year. She and Mr. Rhodes met with Ms. Poirier and, after careful consideration, concluded that her proposal does not sufficiently support district priorities to warrant funding it at this time. Their recommendation is that the proposal should not be funded. Ms. Appy asked if Ms. Poirier will be able to resubmit the proposal in the future if she wants, and Ms. Geryk confirmed that she may.  Mr. Hood moved that the Amherst School Committee does not approve the sabbatical request of Lisa Poirier for the 2011-2012 school year. Mr. Spence seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 
C. Clerical/Media Award Winners
DOCUMENTS: Memo to Amherst School Committee from Debbie Westmoreland regarding Clerical/Media Awards.
Ms. Geryk reported that the Clerical/Media Award subcommittee met and recommends that the awards for 2010-2011 be awarded to Beverly Jenks, District Food Services Secretary, and Michelle Pietras, Wildwood Special Education Secretary.    Mr. Spence moved that, in accordance with the Unit B employee contract, the Amherst School Committee approves the clerical clerical/media merit awards in the amount of $500 each for Beverly Jenks and Michelle Pietras. Ms. Appy seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.

 

 
5. New Business                                                        7:35  p.m.
A. Crocker Farm School Improvement Plan
DOCUMENT: Crocker Farm School Improvement Plan for 2011-2014
Mr. Morris, Principal, and Derek Shea, Assistant Principal, briefly reviewed the Crocker Farm School Improvement Plan for 2011-2014, which was provided to the School Committee for review prior to the meeting. Their presentation included a broad review of each of the plan’s four goals:
 
  1. To have a positive learning environment across all contexts of the school
  2. To use data to inform our instructional practices and intervention programs
  3. To have an engaging, differentiated, and aligned curricular program
  4. To meet the needs of the whole child by providing an inclusive and enriching experience.
 
Mr. Hood expressed appreciation for the School Improvement Plan and the clear way in which it has been presented. He asked if this is the first year Crocker Farm has used the Delaware survey, noting that he is glad they chose to utilize a national survey. Mr. Morris said it is the first year and they plan to use it again next year. Mr. Hood asked how progress toward the SIP is evaluated. Mr. Morris explained that there is alignment between the teachers’ Professional Growth Plans, the School Improvement Plan and the District Improvement Plan. He meets with the Superintendent regularly and reports to the School Committee annually on the yearly progress on the plan goals. He noted that the School Governance Council also discusses the plan and updates it annually. Ms. Appy also expressed her appreciation for the Crocker Farm plan. She asked how parents/guardians are being involved in PBIS so they can understand the program and reinforce it at home. Mr. Shea stated that parent, teacher and student feedback have helped Crocker Farm get to where they are with the PBIS program to date. He noted that he includes information in the newsletters on a regular basis, the school’s handbooks will be redone to include PBIS information, and they are working to get a PBIS link on the website. Mr. Morris said that teachers are working to make phone calls to parents to share positive information, too. Ms. Appy asked how students with documented behaviors in their files are tracked. Mr. Shea explained that every behavior entered comes to him, noting that some are minor issues that are noted so they can be shared in a parent conference or simply tracked. Major behaviors are dealt with immediately. Mr. Morris noted that there is a mental health team at Crocker Farm and there are two groups working on PBIS next year. Another intervention is the mentor program. Mr. Spence noted that he really appreciates the use of data in the School Improvement Plan. He asked if the MAP test will replace all other assessments. Mr. Morris noted that there are some areas, such as literacy, for which MAP will be used as a supplement to assessments already in use. However, the MAP test did replace the end-of-year math assessment that has been used by the district in the past. Mr. Spence asked what curricular issues will be addressed next year through the alignment goal. Mr. Morris said Crocker Farm has a longer history of working on alignment in math than in literacy. For this reason, they will spend more time on literacy alignment next year. Ms. Geryk thanked Mr. Shea and Mr. Morris for taking the district lead on PBIS and for the excellent plan they developed with the School Council and presented tonight. Mr. Spence made a motion to approve the Crocker Farm School Improvement Plan as presented. Ms. Appy seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.
 
6. Policies                                                                           8:26 p.m.
DOCUMENTS: Policy BBBCA—Prolonged Absence of a Member
Mr. Hood reviewed the changes that were made in Policy BBBCA—Prolonged Absence of a Member based on input from the Amherst School Committee. He noted that the Policy Subcommittee developed this policy based on the community conversation that occurred based on the extended absence of one of the Jones Library trustees last year, not because of the absence of any member of the School Committee.  Mr. Spence stated that he supports the policy now that it no longer contains any unenforceable language.  Mr. Hood made a motion to approve Policy BBBCA—Prolonged Absence of a Member as presented.  Ms. Appy seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.
 
7.  Subcommittees                                                               None
 
8. School Committee Planning                                            8:31 p.m.
A. Calendar—June 9 is the Retirement/Years of Service ceremony; June 10 is ARHS graduation
B. Items for Future Agendas
 
5. Adjournment                                                                   8:32 p.m.
Mr. Hood made a motion to adjourn at 8:32 p.m. Ms. Appy seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Westmoreland
 
 
DRAFT—Scheduled for Approval June 21, 2011
Last updated May 26, 2011