3. Communications:

3A. Mr. Stevens thanked Ms. Milani for hosting the meeting. Ms. Milani reviewed highlights of the school year at the South Egremont School, thus far, and invited School Committee members to stop in at any time to see the children and their work. Ms. Milani shared a slide show which showcased the children's work on a unit on Native Americans. Ms. Spriggs and School Committee members noted the great work done by Ms. Milani, and they thanked her for her presentation.

Eagle Fund: Mr. Stevens introduced Ms. Lucy Prashker, who updated the Committee regarding the fund raising efforts of the Eagle Fund. She reviewed some of the many projects which the Eagle Fund has supported in the past several years, and she asked for the support of School Committee members, noting that the fund needs their support so they, in turn, can help the District. Following a question and answer session, Mr. Stevens thanked Ms. Prashker for her presentation, and he stated that he has been amazed by the passion, interest and willingness of the Eagle Fund Board members to work for the students.

PreK Parents: Ms. Alice Naylor, Mr. & Mrs. Louis Aragi, and Ms. Catherine Kane addressed the Committee to express their concerns and opposition relative to the reduction of ½ hour per day from the morning prekindergarten program at Undermountain. Superintendent Spriggs explained that the reduction had taken place due to a contract issue with the teacher. She reported that she has been meeting with the teacher to try to work out a better solution, but the details have yet to be resolved. She promised to send a correspondence to the parents updating them on progress on this issue prior to the upcoming vacation period.

Student Representatives: Arielle VanDeusen reported that the 9^th grade is working on choosing fund raising projects to pursue.

4A. Class of 2005 Commencement Date: Ms. Maggio moved, seconded by Mr. Abelow, to approve the request of Tom Buchte, President of the Class of 2005, to set the graduation date for his class for May 28, 2005. Following a discussion of the pros and cons of holding graduation ceremonies on Memorial Day weekend, the request was approved, 5-1. (Mr. Pollitt voted in opposition.). Ms. Tomich requested that in future years, important testing dates (i.e., SAT, ACT, etc.) be "cast in stone" on the master calendar and nothing be scheduled to conflict with those dates.

4B. Superintendent Spriggs reviewed a proposed FY'06 budget development calendar. It was the consensus of those present to accept the schedule, as presented.

4C. Finance Committee Meeting: Ms. Tomich reported on the December 6 Finance committee meeting and reviewed recommendations of the subcommittee regarding transportation contracts. Mr. Pollitt questioned why the subcommittee felt they would get a better deal on special education transportation contracts. Ms. Brown reported that it had cost the District some $120,000 to transport nine special needs children during the past year. She noted that the District will reserve the right to reject any and all bids, and should the bid be higher than the current price, would exercise the option to extend the contract at that time. It was the consensus of the School Committee to accept the recommendation to put the special needs routes out to bid.

Ms. Tomich moved, seconded by Ms. Maggio, to formalize the extension of the field trip and athletic transportation contract through the 2004-05 school year. It was so voted, unanimously.

Mr. Pollitt then moved to exercise the option to extend the base routes contract and the Monterey kindergarten route contract. Mr. Abelow seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.

4C. Policy Subcommittee: Ms. Maggio reviewed the following recommendations of the Policy Subcommittee: 1) Place Policy BCB back in the policy books. (It was felt that the School Committee had inadvertently removed the policy several years ago, and thus no vote would be needed to put it back.) 2) Policy BCA - vote to approve, as amended; and 3) Adopt Policy BCE as presented.

It was reported that at the request of the Policy Subcommittee, Ms. Spriggs had contacted the Massachusetts Association of School Committees regarding the legal number of members to sit on a subcommittee. MASC had advised that subcommittee meetings should have no more that five members present; however, if a quorum was expected to attend, the meeting should be posted as "The School Committee will attend a Subcommittee Meeting on (time) and (date) and (place)." If no quorum was anticipated, but a sixth member did attend, the member would be allowed to sit in, but not to participate in discussion.

Mr. Abelow explained that in order to respond to concerns of the Committee members, it was recommended that a summary of each subcommittee meeting, to include all items discussed, will be sent to School Committee members. In response to a question from Ms. Brown regarding note taking at the subcommittee meetings, Superintendent Spriggs explained that the Policy Subcommittee recommended having one subcommittee member take notes and put together a bulleted list to distribute to other School Committee members. Also, it was stressed by School Committee members that they do wish to have the notes included with their regular meeting packets.

Policy BCA and BCE will be brought back for a second reading and approval at the January 6 meeting.

Audit Subcommittee: Mr. Stevens reviewed recommendations of the Audit Subcommittee in response to the 2004 draft Management Letter. He noted that the subcommittee felt that the responses can be addressed simply with a letter to the auditors. Ms. Brown explained that the auditors send the draft management letter, which includes items of any concern, when they have completed their audit findings. The audit subcommittee then answers those points, and their responses are included in the final management letter.

Mr. Abelow moved to accept all of the recommended responses (copy on file with these minutes). Ms. Tomich seconded the motion. Supt. Spriggs reminded the Committee that Mr. Witdorchic had voiced a desire to take action toward resolving the lunch program deficit, rather than just continuing to monitor the account. Mr. Pollitt agreed, but stated that he felt that the response was appropriate at least until the budget process was further along.

The Committee then voted, unanimously, to approve the responses, as presented.

In response to Mr. Pollitt's request for a time frame for action regarding researching the old grants, Committee members agreed to work toward resolution before the end of the year in order to not have the same note included in the FY'05 audit.

Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee: Ms. LeGeyt reported that the Subcommittee had met with Mr. Dana Bartholomew, President of Sheffield Water Company. Mr. Bartholomew had asked to meet regarding the possibility of extending the water lines to the Mt. Everett/ Undermountain campus. He had noted that when the current work on Berkshire School Road is completed, the state will not allow the road to be dug up for at least 5 years. Mr. Bartholomew suggested that the school consider extending the lines in case of a need to tap into the public water supply, should anything happen to the existing well on campus. Ms. LeGeyt reported that the consensus of the Subcommittee was not to pursue the extension of the line at this time.

4D. Ms. Tomich moved to approve a request for a trip to New Orleans for the Mt. Everett chorus. Mr. Pollitt seconded the motion. Discussion took place regarding whether all chorus students who wish to attend could afford to do so. Supt. Spriggs agreed to gather further information from Ms. Loder and bring it back to the Committee. The motion was then approved, unanimously.

4E. The School Committee received an income statement for the period ending November 30, 2004.

5. Communications:

• Ms. Spriggs reviewed the Superintendent's Blue Notes (copy on file with these minutes).

Ms. Tomich moved, seconded by Ms. Maggio, to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. It was so voted.