Meeting Minutes of June 18, 2008

Regular Meeting of the RegionalSchool Committee

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 7:00 p.m.

High School Library

 

Present:            Michael Hussin, Chair                              Jere Hochman, Superintendent

Michael Katz                                           Helen Vivian, Interim Superintendent

Catherine Sanderson                                Al Sprague, Interim Superintendent

Kathleen Anderson                                  Wendy Kohler, Exec. Director of Program Dev.

Marianne Jorgensen                                 Press

Maureen Ecclestone                                Public

Andy Churchill (arrived @ 7:20)              Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder

 

Absent:             Sonia Correa-Pope, Andy Churchill, Gabriella Booth (student rep)

 

1.  Welcome                                                                                                    7:02 p.m.

A. & B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Mr. Hussin called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.  He then welcomed everyone to the meeting and reviewed the agenda.

C.   Minutes—Ms. Brighty made a motion to approve the minutes of May 27, 2008.  Ms. Sanderson seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                                   7:03 p.m.

Mr. Hussin welcomed and introduced Helen Vivian and Al Sprague, the
new interim superintendents for 2008-2009.  Cynthia Rhodes, cafeteria
worker, read a statement signed by 15 members of the cafeteria staff. 
She said it was to refute statements regarding the cafeteria workers
that she deemed misrepresentations by the School Committee and the
Superintendent.  Hwei-Ling Greeney, community member, then made a
statement and presented the School Committee with approximately 350
postcards she said are signed by members of the community regarding the
outsourcing of the food service employees’ jobs.  Jim Oldham, community
member, noted that the food service workers continue to object to what
has been done with their jobs and the public sentiment is still
strongly against the School Committee’s decision.  Larry Ely, community
member, stated that the decision made by the School Committee does not
fit with his image of Amherst as a “Good Guy Town.” Ms. Sanderson
stated that it is not clear to her what the community norm is or even
what the norm is of the group in attendance, but that sometimes there
are community norms that is wrong.  She stated that sometimes boards
must make decisions that go against the norm. She said she agreed,
however, that there was not enough opportunity for community input
before the decision was made and it is important for the School
Committee to provide those opportunities before decisions are
finalized. Ms. Anderson stated that she found it curious that when town
meeting had an opportunity to vote for a higher school budget they
chose not to, which she finds inconsistent with what she thought the
town’s values are.  Ms. Brighty stated that she knows some people are
frustrated with the decision, but the school committee’s decision on
this issue is done.

 

3.  Superintendent’s Update                                                                         7:23 p.m.

Dr. Hochman distributed a memo reminding school committee members
to try to drop by the business office on a regular basis during the
summer to sign warrants.  It was decided that Debbie Westmoreland will
email school committee members when there is a group of warrants ready
to sign.  Dr. Hochman distributed the draft of two MASC Resolutions
developed by Mr. Katz based on the Legislative Action Statement
approved by the School Committee earlier this year.   Mr. Katz read the
resolutions and asked for feedback from the committee.  Mr. Churchill
noted that he finds the first two “whereas” statements on the charter
school resolution to be subjective and, therefore, possibly
problematic.  Ms. Brighty agreed.  Mr. Hussin recommended moving the
information in the first two “whereas” statements into the “rationale”
section and rewrote the third “whereas” statement.   Mr. Katz then made
a motion to approve the resolution regarding charter school funding. 
Ms. Ecclestone seconded and the motion passed unanimously.  Ms. Brighty
made a motion to approve the circuit breaker resolution. Ms. Jorgensen
seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 

 

Dr. Hochman distributed a revised version of the proposed calendar
of 2008-2009 school committee meetings.  Mr. Churchill noted that the
changes to the original draft the school committee received in their
agenda packet were based on scheduling conflicts for Catherine
Sanderson due to required faculty meetings at AmherstCollege.  A
discussion followed regarding the proposed changes and whether meetings
should take place on a day other than Tuesdays. After extensive
discussion, the committee agreed to approve the proposed August meeting
dates.  The calendar for the remainder of the school year will be
finalized at the August 5^th meeting.

 

Dr. Hochman reminded the committee that last year as part of the
Pipeline Project, the idea of developing a portable desk for students
who do not have a place to study at home was raised.  Chris Gere and
Chris Lafley, students in Stuart Olson’s high school Woodworking class,
developed a prototype for which Amherst Education Foundation provided
grant funds to build 20. They built the 20 desks as a class project
this year, and Dr. Hochman demonstrated one for the committee.  Mr.
Hussin asked Dr. Hochman to convey the School Committee’s great
appreciation to Mr. Olson and his students for this wonderful project. 
Ms. Anderson suggested asking Missy Shea to take this project a step
further by having her business students do market research and
marketing of the desks.

 

Dr. Hochman reported that Jerry Champagne, Information Systems
Director has been doing a great deal of research on websites and
possibilities for upgrading our district website.  Members of the
technology department will be evaluating presentations by each of the
potential vendors.  Once potential vendors are identified, we will ask
for community input by using the Learning@arps newsletter to provide
links to Websites developed by each vendor.  In the meantime, a small
committee will be formed to make a final recommendation. Ms. Sanderson
asked what the expected timeline is for this process. Dr. Hochman noted
that he hopes the new vendor will be in place by the opening of school.

 

Dr. Hochman reported that the math review committee report has been
placed on the district website.  There are links to the report on the
Home page, the Curriculum Page and the “In the News” page. 

 

Dr. Hochman reported briefly on the process that is followed for
math placement for Middle School students.  He noted that it includes
pre-testing in the second week of school.  Dr. Hochman is gathering
information on how communications about the process are shared with
parents and will email the school committees with a full update.

 

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business                                                              8:07 p.m.

A.  Policies

 

500.07 Financial Management: Funding Proposals and Applications:
Ms. Brighty noted that there were only minor wording changes to this
policy and the legal references were added. Mr. Churchill stated that
he understands that some School Committees approve district grant
applications.  Ms. Ecclestone stated that we are fortunate to have a
grants administrator and that many grant applications for public
schools are 50+ pages for very small dollar amounts.  She said she
feels very confident that there are people in the district who handle
this appropriately.  Dr. Kohler noted that she receives requests on a
weekly basis to participate in grant opportunities with other agencies,
often with a very short deadline.  In many cases, if school committee
approval was required the deadlines could not be met and the district
would lose opportunities to serve children in various capacities.  Mr.
Hussin asked if Mr. Churchill has specific concerns. Mr. Churchill
stated that his only concern is that there may be times at which it
will be tempting to go after funds that will run out and then have to
be picked up by the district.  He used the example of the FLAP grant. 
Dr. Hochman explained that five years ago the School Committee decided
to do a pilot language program in each elementary school; however, the
budget problems began at that time.  It was decided to apply for the
FLAP grant as a way to keep that pilot moving forward.  Ms. Jorgensen
stated that historically all large, long-term grants have been brought
before the committee.  Dr. Kohler suggested having a grant
update/review on the school committee agenda a few times per year.  

 

500.13 Financial Management: Scholarships and 500.14 Financial Management: Gifts Made for General and/or Specific Purposes: 
Ms. Brighty noted that up until now, scholarships and gifts have been
covered under one policy. This change breaks scholarships out into a
separate policy. Ms. Sanderson asked if there is a reason to have a
non-profit conduit for donating to the school. Dr. Kohler said it is
easier from a tax perspective for a donor to donate through a 501.3C
non-profit.  The school committee can accept donations from anyone;
however, as long as the stated use of the gift complies with the law. 

 

600.01 Instruction: School Year/School Day: Ms.  Brighty
explained that this policy has simply been updated to match
regulations. Dr. Hochman stated that he believes regulations require
the district to build five snow days into the school calendar.

 

600.21 Instruction: Parental Notification Relative to Sex Education: Ms. Brighty noted that the only changes to this policy are to bring it into compliance with the law.

 

410.20  Students: Field Trips, Overnight Travel and International Travel: Ms.
Brighty noted that this policy has been updated to include an
international travel component.  She explained that there will be some
more minor changes from the high school for the second reading. Dr.
Hochman cautioned that the statement about the superintendent reserving
the right to cancel a trip can raise issues because most travel
companies have a lot of fine print with regard to what they will
reimburse. It may become an issue if people lose money and don’t agree
with the Superintendent’s decision to cancel. Ms. Jorgensen stated that
there can be other reasons to cancel trips, in addition to safety
issues.  Ms. Anderson stated that she knows a group of staff members
have been working on an exchange trip to Africa. She expressed concern
that the trip could be canceled simply because the destination is
Africa and asked how to build in assurances that a trip cannot be
canceled simply because it is to a black country.  Dr. Hochman stated
that there is no guarantee because the Superintendent makes decisions
based on educational soundness and safety. He would hope that the
Superintendent would use the principles and values we hold in making
such decisions. Dr. Kohler stated that she knows the faculty has been
working with the full support of the High School administration on the
proposed trip to Africa.

 

600.09 Instruction: Education of Gifted and Talented Students: 
Ms. Brighty stated that the decision was made to delete this policy
once the Enrichment Policy was approved. Mr. Katz made a motion to
delete this policy. Ms. Jorgensen seconded. Ms. Anderson questioned
whether the other policy had been approved. Ms. Westmoreland confirmed
that it was approved at the Regional School Committee meeting on April
25, 2008. The motion then passed unanimously.

 

600.08  Homework:  Ms. Brighty and Dr. Kohler reviewed
the changes made to this policy based on the discussion at the last
reading. Ms. Ecclestone made a motion to approve the policy as written.
Mr. Katz seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

B.  Long-Range Planning—Dr. Hochman reminded the School
Committee that the Town of Amherst is working on a long-range financial
plan for the town, and each department has been asked to develop
scenarios including “minimal enhancements,” adequate enhancements,” and
optimal enhancements.”  He asked the School Committee to brainstorm
what they would consider to be optimal for the Regional Schools so
their input can be included in the district’s planning.  Ms. Anderson
suggested lobbying the  College Board for an AP African-American
Studies Course, increasing the range of AP courses offered, and
offering a course on the history of race in the United States.  Ms.
Sanderson mentioned adding AP Chemistry and AP Physics to the High
School course offerings.  Mr. Churchill noted that he wants no
mandatory study halls, smaller class sizes at the secondary level, and
more career awareness and college links for students.  Ms. Jorgensen
stated that the district needs an assistant superintendent and a
curriculum director, after school programs for all interested students,
and free athletic and student organization opportunities so more
students can participate.  Ms. Brighty suggested adding more elective
choices; increased range in music and arts; support for students who
want to take college courses, more summer school support, and
increasing transportation for after school activities. Ms. Ecclestone
would like to see more support for students who are not passing the
MCAS science test since they must now reach proficiency on that test as
well.  Mr. Katz stated that he would like algebra to be available as
one of the earliest mathematics offerings, to have more hands-on theory
to practice opportunities for students, and more laboratory
facilities.  Mr. Hussin noted that he would like for the locker rooms
to be repaired.  Dr. Hochman noted that he would also suggest including
opportunities for every student to take the PSAT during school time and
including a major technology component.

 

5.  New Business                                                                                8:54 p.m.

A.  Accept Gifts—Ms. Brighty made a motion to accept
gifts in the amount of $449.62 and $200.00 to the Middle School.  Mr.
Katz seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

6.  Reports                                                                                          None

 

7.  Sub-Committee Reports                                                               None

 

8.  School Committee Planning                                                          8:56 p.m.

Future Agenda Items:  Trimester Committee Report

 

Ms. Jorgenson noted that a time for an exit interview with Dr.
Hochman should be selected.  After discussion, the meeting was
scheduled for Monday, June 23 at 3:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s
Conference Room.  Ms. Jorgensen acknowledged that this is the last
school committee with Dr. Hochman.  She then made a statement, noting
that it has been an amazing five years and his motto “every child,
every day,” in its simplicity and complexity, will be his legacy in the
district.  Ms. Brighty said that the amount of work Dr. Hochman
accomplished in his five years is amazing and that he has set a very
high bar for the next superintendent.  Dr. Hochman thanked the
committee for tonight’s comments and others they have shared at other
times.  He stated that there were amazing things happening here for
many, many years before he came and, hopefully, what he did was to help
weave them together in a coherent system.

 

9.  Adjournment                                                                                  9:10  p.m.

Ms. Brighty made a motion to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.  The motion passed unanimously. 

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Westmoreland

Approved August 5, 2008