Meeting Minutes of February 5, 2008

Regular Meeting of
the Regional School Committee

Tuesday, February 5, 2008  7:00 p.m.

High School Library

Present:            Elaine Brighty,
Chair                                Jere Hochman, Superintendent

                        Kathleen Anderson                                  Rob Detweiler,
Director of Finance & Operations

                        Andy Churchill                                         Mark Jackson, HS Principal

                        Michael Hussin                                        Wendy
Kohler, Exec. Director of Prog.
Dev.

                        Gabriella Booth                                       Sean Smith, HS Latin Teacher

                        Michael Katz (arrived at 7:26 pm)            Tim Sheehan, APEA President

                        Maureen Ecclestone (arrived at 7:27)       Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder

                        Chrystel
Romero (arrived at 7:26 pm)      Press

                                                                                       Public

Absent:  Sonia
Correa-Pope, Marianne Jorgensen

1.  Welcome                                                                                        7:11 p.m.
(A/B)/7:26 p.m. (C)

A. &
B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Ms. Brighty called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. without quorum.
She then reviewed the agenda, announcing that the committee will go into
Executive Session at the end of the regular agenda. She noted that the
committee will not return to open session.

C.   Minutes—Quorum was reached at 7:26 p.m.
so Ms. Brighty called for approval of the minutes. Ms.
Ecclestone made a motion to approve the minutes of
January 8, 2007 with minor corrections. Mr. Churchill seconded and the motion
passed unanimously.  Ms. Ecclestone made a motion to approve the minutes of January
22, 2008. Mr. Hussin seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                       
           7:19 p.m.

Tim Sheehan, APEA President read a prepared statement
regarding the decision to fully privatize the food services for the Amherst,
Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts.  Donna White, Marks Meadow Kitchen Manager,
read a statement on behalf of the food service workers of the district.  The statement noted that a number of the
cafeteria employees will not be opting to return to work next year for the
private food company.  Joan Snowden, ARHS
ELE teacher, read a statement requesting that the School Committee reconsider
their decision to fully privatize food service. 
She expressed concern, in particular, for students who qualify for free
or reduced lunch, and the quality and choice of foods that will be served.  Mark Moriarty, ARHS teacher, stated that he
was speaking as a colleague of the food services workers, a community member,
and a representative of the APEA, in asking the School Committee to reconsider
their decision.  Ms. Brighty
thanked everyone for coming to share their thoughts.

3.  Superintendent’s Update                         
                                               7:32
p.m.

A.  Middle School Principal Search—Dr. Hochman reported that more than 20 applications were
received for the Middle School principal position.  He noted that the Interview Team has narrowed
the field down to a number of semi-finalists and interviews will begin next
week.  Following the semi-finalist
interviews, the field will be narrowed down again and finalists will be brought
back to meet with students, meet with parents, and have further interviews. Dr.
Hochman stated that he hopes to make a final decision
by the end of February.

B.  FY09 Budget—Dr. Hochman
noted that the Four Towns meeting was held last Saturday morning.  Mr. Churchill said that a very clear
explanation was made at that meeting regarding the amount of,
and the reason for, the surplus at the end the FY07 budget cycle.  Dr. Hochman
reported that the Regional Agreement Committee also met on Saturday.  They have made a recommendation to increase
the E&D cap to 5% and to make the shift in transportation expenses to the
elementary districts.  Both recommendations
will be brought to the Regional School Committee for a vote and both will have
to be brought forward as a warrant article at each of the four town
meetings.  Dr. Hochman
reminded the School Committee that last year he formed a Budget Advisory Group
which was made up of financial experts from the community.  The role of the group was simply to provide
their perspective on the school budgets. 
He has invited the group back for three meetings this year to look at
the FY09 budget in the same way. The first meeting is next week.  Dr. Hochman
reported that there will be a joint meeting of the Amherst town committees at 7:30 p.m. on
February 11 in the Middle School auditorium. 
The purpose of the meeting will be to provide community members with the
opportunity to voice their thoughts on how budget issues facing the town should
be tackled and on how to deal with the budget gap for the elementary schools,
town departments and libraries. 

Dr. Hochman then asked the School
Committee for their ideas of what would be optimum for the Regional schools three
years from now. Mr. Churchill said that he thinks having no required study
halls, reducing class size for core courses, providing students the ability to
double up on academic courses, and professional development for faculty would
be optimal. Ms. Romero said she would like to see a level of equity for all students
from all backgrounds, as well as accountability for all students and adults in
the schools. Mr. Hussin said he would like to
maintain the full complement of languages, including restoration of the smaller
enrollment requirement in order for seventh grade language courses to be
offered; purchasing textbooks and restoring the High School guidance position
that as cut.  Ms. Brighty
expressed support for increased ALPS course
opportunities and increased library hours and support. Ms. Anderson stated that
she sees professional development for staff on social justice issues as a
priority, and it would be optimum to maintain control over the dietary services
in the district.  Ms. Ecclestone
listed restoration of technology cuts as a priority.

C.  2008-2009 School Calendar Drafts—Dr. Hochman
briefly reviewed the two proposed drafts of the 2008-2009 school calendar and
asked if any of the School Committee members have any opinions or ideas
regarding either of them.  He explained
that, because of the quirks in this calendar, he has decided to form a small
sub-committee to review the calendars before making a final recommendation to
the School Committee.  Mr. Churchill
noted that January seems to be a tough time of the year for families with snow
days and holidays so it is important to consider that when planning curriculum
days.  He also asked if the district has
ever considered aligning the schools’ spring break with the University.  Dr. Hochman stated
that it has been discussed. After discussion, the School Committee asked that
the idea of aligning the breaks be explored for the 2009-2010 calendar.

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business                                                              None

5.  New Business                                                                                7:12
p.m. (A)/8:14 p.m. (B)

A.  Excellence in Teaching Award Honoree, Sean
Smith—Wendy Kohler introduced Sean Smith, ARMS and ARHS Latin Teacher, who
has been named 2008 APA Outstanding Pre-Collegiate Teacher of Latin in the United States of America.  She read the introductory statement that was
read at the time Mr. Smith received the APA award, after which Mr. Smith
received a standing ovation.  Ms. Brighty stated that all of the School Committee members
know students who rave about Sean Smith, and that it is especially wonderful
that he is both a graduate of ARHS and a nationally recognized teacher.  Other members also expressed their
congratulations to and appreciation for Mr. Smith.

B.  Accept Gifts—Ms. Anderson made a motion
to accept the gifts of $50 from Friends of the Amherst College Library; $47.75
(MS) and $67.96 (HS) from Verizon Long Distance Extra Credit for Schools;
$239.13 from Greenfield Savings Bank; $250 for the James Faison Scholarship
fund; $1,075 for the Larry Crouse Scholarship fund; $15 for the HS gift
account; and an in-kind donation of a saxophone. Mr. Hussin
seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 

6.  Reports                                                                                          None

7.  Sub-Committee Reports                                                               8:14

Ms. Brighty reported that JCPC has
begun meeting; that the State of the District meetings were held on January 23
and there was a great deal of input from community members; and that the Food
Service RFP has been completed and is available for review at the Business
Office.  Ms. Anderson reported that the
ACTV Executive Board met last weekend. She said the board is considering the
idea of offering television production classes and workshops beginning in
elementary school and in the high school as an alternative to a study hall
period. 

8.  School Committee Planning                                                          None

9.  Adjournment                                                                                  8:19 p.m.

By roll call vote, the committee voted to go into Executive
Session at 8:19 p.m.  They did not return
to open session.

                                                                        Respectfully
submitted,

                                                                        Debbie
Westmoreland

Approved 3/11/08