Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2006

Regular Meeting of the RegionalSchool Committee

Tuesday, August 15, 2006, 7:00 p.m.

High School Library

 

Present:            Marianne Jorgensen, Chair (arrived 7:42 p.m.)  Jere Hochman, Superintendent 

                        Elaine
Brighty                                                              
Mark Jackson, High School Principal

Andy Churchill                                                              Rachel Bowen, Recorder

Alisa Brewer                                                   

Maureen Ecclestone

Sonia Correa Pope

 

Absent:             Michael Hussin, Michael Katz, Tom Flittie

 

1.  Welcome                                                                                        7:21 p.m.

A. & B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Ms. Brighty called the meeting to order, noting that Ms. Jorgensen was delayed.  She then reviewed the agenda.

 

C.  Minutes of July 11, 2006—The School Committee voted to accept the minutes of July 11 with Ms. Brewer abstaining

 

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                        7:25 p.m.

Mr. Detweiler introduced Mary Wallace, Treasurer, and she was warmly welcomed.

 

3.  Superintendent’s Update                                                              7:35 p.m.

Dr. Hochman reviewed the activities scheduled for
the month of August.  He noted that there will be workshops for
administrators on Safety and Health, Sexual Harassment, and Safety and
Building Security.  He also noted that a Crisis Management team has
been established in every building and a shelter appropriate drill for
each school building is planned for the upcoming year. The district is
also working in conjunction with the Town of Amherst on pandemic
emergency planning. Dr. Hochman reported that all bus drivers
participated in a workshop, which included a presentation on
sensitivity to children with special needs, listening and effective
communication, rule setting and other safety issues as it relates to
the transportation of children.  Administrators are in the process of
completing other manuals for distribution, including the discipline
manual. Ms. Pope asked to see a copy of the finished manual.

 

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business                                                  8:35 p.m.

A.  Policies for Approval—110.10 School Committee: Member Ethics: 
Ms. Brighty reviewed the changes made to the policy based on discussion
at the last school committee meeting.  After some discussion, the
committee voted unanimously to approve the policy as amended.

400.05 Students: Student Fee Assessment for Participating in Athletic Programs: 
Ms. Brighty reviewed the changes made to the policy based on discussion
at the last school committee meeting.  The committee voted unanimously
to approve the policy as amended.

410.16 Students: Participation of Home-Educated Students in Athletics and Extra-Curricular Activities: Ms.
Brighty reviewed the changes made to the policy based on input from the
Athletic Director.  The committee voted unanimously to approve the
policy as amended.

 

B.  Discipline Policies for First Review—Dr.
Hochman reported that Alvin Morton, David Slovin and Wendy Kohler have
been working on the discipline policies.  He noted that the schools do
not want a punitive environment and that the district does not espouse
a zero tolerance approach. Students must be dealt with as individuals. 
Dr. Hochman then reviewed the definition of the PRISM discipline model,
which stands for Prevent, Plan, Respond, Intervene, Support and
Monitor. 

420.01 Student Conduct: Ms. Brighty
reviewed the changes being proposed to this policy. Dr. Hochman
reviewed the range of disciplinary actions that can be taken related to
the policy. There was discussion around the wording of “compliance with
authority.” Dr. Hochman explained that compliance with authority is a
safety issue for our students.

410.12 Student Suspension:  Ms. Brighty
reviewed the changes being proposed to this policy. A question was
raised and discussion followed regarding due process, suspension,
advocacy, and parental/guardian notification.  Dr. Hochman stated that
we must pay attention to due process, but that we will not stop a
process in order to wait for parental/guardian notification.

410.13 Student Expulsion:  Ms. Brighty
reviewed the changes being proposed to this policy.  Ms. Ecclestone
asked for clarification regarding the terms expulsion and exclusion.
Dr. Hochman noted that we have been advised to use “expulsion” by our
legal counsel.  Ms. Brighty suggested that language be added to include
the role and responsibility of the School Committee in issues of
expulsion, as it is required by law.

410.15 Students: Sexual Harassment:  Ms. Brighty reviewed the changes being proposed to this policy.

Ms. Brewer asked to include sexual orientation in
the topic of sexual harassment and the committee agreed to include this
language. 

420.02 Student Dress and Grooming:  Ms. Brighty reviewed the changes being proposed to this policy.

It was noted that administrators or their
designee may develop guidelines for this policy. It was suggested that
the last paragraph be deleted and the committee agreed.

420.04 Corporal Punishment:  Ms.
Brighty reviewed the changes being proposed to this policy.  It was
noted that this policy needs to cross-reference the policy on
restraint.

420.05 Interrogation and Searches:  Ms. Brighty will review this policy and make changes as necessary.

 

5.  New Business                                                                                7:26 p.m.

A.  FY07 Budget Summary—Rob Detweiler
stated that the Region ended FY06 in the black. He distributed and
reviewed an update regarding the FY07 budget. At a future meeting, he
will request a vote by the committee approving the updated FY07 budget.
Mr. Detweiler also noted that the district is in the process of
refinancing the debt on the high school and other debts. This is a time
sensitive process and he will be calling on the committee to reconvene
in a special session to vote to approve the refinancing.

 

6.  Reports                                                                                          7:45 p.m.

A.  High School Improvement Plan—Mark
Jackson, experiencing technical difficulties, used two desktop
computers to share information regarding the High School Improvement
Plan with the School Committee. He distributed the school goals in hard
copy. Mr. Jackson reviewed the “Core Habits,” noting that the High
School is seeking to achieve consensus amongst core teachers (teachers
teaching the same subject) that all students are learning the same
material, are being assigned the same homework, and are reaching the
same educational goals. He stated that “advocacy to be balanced with
inquiry is a descriptive phrase that will guide the high school.  Mr.
Churchill noted that Mr. Jackson’s goals are fabulous and show respect
for the teachers, students and all others participants.  Ms. Ecclestone
asked about attendance during fire drills. Mr. Jackson suggested that
they did very well at this during the past year.  He noted that there
are safety captains in place for the upcoming year who have a role in
taking attendance after a drill is over. Mr. Jackson noted that he is
using the Parent Center to get the message out that parents are
responsible for getting their children up on time each morning, fed and
to school on time. He asks that all adults make no apology for having
this expectation, noting that this helps to ensure that all students a
chance to fully participate and be successful learners.

 

7.  School Committee Planning                                                          9:40 p.m.

A.  Sub-Committee Reports

B.  Calendar Review—Jere Hochman shared
information about the Latino student initiative. The next meeting is
August 24, 2006 in the Middle School library.  The next School
Committee meeting is August 29 and will require an Executive Session
for both Amherst and the Region.

C.  Items for Upcoming Meetings—district
goals, school updates, reorganization of the committee  Ms. Jorgensen
announced she will be stepping down as Regional School Committee chair
due to additional professional responsibilities.

 

8.  Adjournment                                                                                  9:52 p.m.

The committee voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:52 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Rachel Bowen

 

Approved 9-12-06