Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2006

Regular Meeting of the RegionalSchool Committee

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 7:00 p.m.

High School Library

 

Present:            Elaine Brighty, Chair                                Jere Hochman, Superintendent

Tom Flittie                                               Press

Andy Churchill                                         Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder      

Maureen Ecclestone                               

Sonia Correa Pope                                                      

Alisa Brewer (arrived at 7:27 p.m.)

 

Absent:             Marianne Jorgensen, Michael Katz, Michael Hussin

 

1.  Welcome                                                                                        7:12 p.m.

A. & B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Ms.
Brighty called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.  She announced that
since a number of members cannot be attendance tonight, some items of
business will be tabled until a future meeting.

C.   Minutes—Ms. Ecclestone made a
motion to approve the minutes of August 15 with one correction.  Ms.
Correa-Pope seconded and the motion passed with Mr. Flittie
abstaining.  Ms. Ecclestone moved to approve the minutes of August 29.
Mr. Churchill seconded and the motion passed with Mr. Flittie
abstaining.  Mr. Churchill made a motion to approve the minutes of
September 5. Ms. Brighty seconded and the motion passed with Mr.
Flittie and Ms. Ecclestone abstaining.

 

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                        7:16 p.m.

Ms. Brighty noted that the Budget Coordination
Group (formerly Joint Financial Planning Group) will begin meeting
tomorrow. She stated that we may need another Regional School Committee
representative from one of the other towns to serve on this committee.

 

3.  Superintendent’s Update                                                              7:17 p.m.

Dr. Hochman noted that the schools have opened
successfully and it feels good to have the students back in school.  He
noted that safety has been emphasized in preparation for the opening,
and a major safety walk-through was performed in each school.  Each
school also had a fire drill within the first three days.  Dr. Hochman
recognized the Amherst DPW for their willingness to postpone work daily
until after 7:45 a.m. on Pleasant Street in order to help facilitate
students arriving on time at the Middle School and High School.  He
reported that, based on the recommendation of Police Chief Charles
Scherpa and Fire Chief Keith Hoyle, the Select Board has voted to
install a four way stop at the Chestnut Street High School/Middle
School entrance.

 

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

A.  District Goals/Organization—This item was tabled.

 

B.  Policies for First Review—This item was tabled.

 

C.  Subcommittees Update— This item was tabled.

 

D.    Handbooks—Dr. Hochman distributed
copies of the Middle School Student Handbook, Middle School Family
Handbook, and district pages for all handbooks.  He noted that the High
School handbook is still being edited and printed.  Dr. Hochman
explained that Alvin Morton has reviewed all district pages to ensure
that they are consistent in all seven school handbooks, as well as in
full compliance with Massachusetts General Law.  With regard to the
High School handbook, the only major change will be sorting the
discipline sections according to the PRISM guidelines.  Ms. Brighty
noted that the handbooks will have to be officially approved by the
School Committee at a future meeting.

 

E.     College Admissions—The Common Application—Dr.
Hochman reviewed the new draft language for the non-disclosure of
discipline information sticker/attachment the district would like to
include on the Common Application.  He noted that the district’s legal
counsel has reviewed the language and found that it passes legal
muster.  Massachusetts General Law 37H and 37H.5 will serve as the
district guideline for discipline infractions that will be reported. 
Dr. Hochman noted that he has heard from about 10 other superintendents
who have said they will not include discipline information on the
Common Application either.  Ms. Brighty asked for consensus from the
school committee on this issue, and the committee noted they are all in
agreement with this proposal.  Dr. Hochman noted that although most
discipline information will not be reported to colleges and
universities, discipline information is shared with other high schools.

 

5.  New Business                                                                                None

 

6.  Reports                                                                                          None

 

7.  School Committee Planning                                                          7:32 p.m.

A.  Sub-Committee Reports

B.  Calendar Review

C.  Items for Upcoming Meetings

 

8.  Adjournment                                                                                  7:33 p.m.

Ms. Ecclestone made a motion to adjourn at 7:33 p.m. Mr. Churchill seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Westmoreland

 

Approved 9-26-06