2.      Minutes:  The minutes of the January 27, 2005 Special Budget Meeting, the February 2, 2005 Extended Finance Committee Meeting, and School Committee Meeting #1,313 were passed over at that time. 

3.      Communications: 

3A.    Student Representatives to the School Committee: Student Representative Cody Kern, along with his father, Mr. James Kern, presented and explained a proposal they, along with several other students and parents, are developing to request the establishment of a school bowling team.  Superintendent Spriggs explained that Mr. MacDonald, Athletic Director, has done some preliminary research on the matter, and that Mr. Devoti and the County principals have also begun to discuss the possibilities.  She said that there are a number of issues to be addressed prior to consideration of a formal proposal. 

Mr. Ronan arrived at 7:15 P.m.

Mr. Kern promised to also continue to gather information, and to bring his findings back to the School Committee as they become available.

4.      Presentation: District Curriculum Accommodation Plan

Ms. Mary Edwards, Assistant Elementary Principal, briefly presented and explained the proposed Curriculum Accommodation Plan for the District.  Superintendent Spriggs explained that the Accommodation Plan is mandated by the Department of Education.  She thanked Ms. Edwards for streamlining the plan and making the document more user-friendly and efficient.  It was noted that the plan would be applicable to all grades, K-12.

Following a question and answer session, Chairman Stevens noted that a vote would be needed, but could not be taken until a quorum was present.

5A.    Approval of Grades 7-12 School Improvement Plan (continued from January 12 meeting)

Mr. Devoti reviewed the Grades 7-12 School Improvement Plan, noting areas which had been changed since the presentation of the first draft.  A question and answer session then took place.  Mr. Devoti stated that the school will be ready for the state=s moving up of the science MCAS to 2007, although he noted that there are still some questions regarding the time line.  He explained that the DOE plans to offer a selection of tests (i.e., biology, chemistry, physical science), and that the District will change its course sequence so that all 10^th graders are prepared in the same area.  The other sciences will also be available to students, once preparation for the MCAS takes place.  Only the order of availability will change.

Mr. Stevens thanked Mr. Devoti for his presentation.  He again noted that a vote of approval was necessary, but was not possible until a quorum was present.

Mr. Abelow moved to postpone the meeting until such time as a quorum could be present.  Following discussion, it was agreed to take a short break to see whether Mr. Mielke might be in the building and available to join the meeting.

A recess was called at 7:51 p.m.

Mr. Mielke arrived at 7:54 p.m., and the meeting resumed.

Mr. Abelow withdrew his prior motion.

1.      Mr. Mielke moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to pass over the minutes of the January 27, 2005 Special Budget Meeting, the February 2, 2005 Extended Finance Committee Meeting and School Committee Meeting #1,313 until March 3.  It was so voted.

4.      District Curriculum Accommodation Plan Vote: Mr. Pollitt moved to accept the District Curriculum Accommodation Plan, as presented.  Mr. Abelow seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.

5A.    Grades 7-12 School Improvement Plan Vote: Mr. Tillett moved to accept the Grades 7-12 School Improvement Plan, as presented by Mr. Devoti.  Mr. Ronan seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.

5B.    Tentative FY=06 Operating and Capital Budgets; Preliminary Adoption

Mr. Pollitt moved to accept the preliminary FY=06 Operating and Capital Budgets, as presented.  Mr. Abelow seconded the motion.

Mr. Tillett noted that Ms. Marchione, Select Board Member from New Marlborough, had wished to see the $25,000 stabilization fund line item removed from the budget, on the basis that the money would be used to repair the school roof.  Mr. Tillett said that he felt that clarification was needed, and that many different projects are ongoing, and that is where the money will be used.  He said that the Sheffield Finance Committee had held a similar discussion.  Ms. Brown noted that monies included in the stabilization fund cannot legally be earmarked for any given project.  She stated that such funds are set up to avoid spikes in town assessments, when unusually expensive projects are necessary.  She recalled that earlier in the year, Mr. Witdorchic had questioned whether the school had a Asinking fund@, and she said that the stabilization fund is essentially to a public entity what a sinking fund is to a business. She noted that at the time of that discussion, it seemed to be the Committee=s wish to include funds for the stabilization fund within the FY=06 budget, and so it had been done.

Superintendent Spriggs added that although the District does not yet have a long-range facility plan in place, there is wide recognition for the need, and the development of such will begin very soon. 

Mr. Pollitt stated that the Sheffield Finance Committee did not seem to have a problem with putting funds in the stabilization fund, but were interested in looking at the high dollar items and a time line when they would be replaced, so the towns would be able to plan for them, as well.  Ms. Spriggs and Ms. Brown both agreed that that was a good idea.  Ms. Brown suggested moving forward both with adding to the stabilization fund and with formulation of the long-range capital project time line.

Mr. Mielke offered apologies for not having been in attendance earlier.  He stated that Monterey has some concerns that the District may not be spending enough money, and that they need to discuss the proposed budget further.  He said that he would likely abstain from voting on the proposed preliminary budget numbers.

Mr. Abelow moved to call the vote.  Mr. Mielke seconded the motion, and it was so voted.

Mr. Stevens then called the vote on the original motion to accept the preliminary operating and capital FY=06 budgets, as presented.  It was so voted.  (Mr. Mielke abstained.)

Committee members then began a discussion of the proper procedure for the development of a long-range facilities plan.  Mr. Stevens requested that the matter be put on the agenda of the March 3 meeting.

Superintendent Spriggs stated that there is a mechanism in place to deliver a long-range facilities plan. 

Even more importantly, she said, the essential pieces in putting the budget together were driven by the instructional process.  She stated that there are instructional initiatives underway, and she was certain that all could be excited about them.  She added that she would be happy to go to Monterey and meet with the Select Board.  She stated B unequivocally B that there is no better place to educate children than the Southern Berkshire Regional School District.

5E.    Request for Approval of 8^th Grade Trip to Washington, D.C., March 2-4, 2005

Mr. Mielke moved to approve the 8^th grade trip to Washington, D. C. on March 2-4, 2005.  Mr. Abelow seconded the motion.  Mr. Ronan added that approval was, of course, contingent upon the completion of CORI checks prior to the trip.  The request was then approved, unanimously.

Mr. Mielke left the meeting at 8:16 p.m.

5D.    Proposed 2005-2006 School Calendar: The Committee members received a copy of the proposed 2005-2006 school calendar.  A vote will be requested at the March 3 meeting.

5C.    Lateral Movements on the Unit A Salary Schedule: The Committee received notification of lateral movements on the Unit A Salary Schedule, effective February 1, 2005.

5F.    Subcommittee/Representative Reports:

Buildings & Grounds: Mr. Stevens reported on the meeting of February 10.  He stated that the Subcommittee had looked at a listing of proposed projects.

Regarding a tennis team proposal, Chairman Stevens stated that Mr. MacDonald would make a presentation at a future meeting.

Policy Subcommittee: Supt. Spriggs reported that the Policy Subcommittee had looked at the District Curriculum Accommodation Plan at their February 10 meeting.  The group also began discussions regarding a policy on investments, as requested by the District=s auditors.

Mr. Ronan left the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

Undermountain/Mt. Everett Youth Athletic Association (UMEYAA): Mr. Abelow reported that some community members had approached him with questions regarding UMEYAA.  He noted that the organization seems to be a pretty major activity of the school and said that he felt that perhaps the School Committee should oversee the group, since it seemed to be their charge.  He also noted the need to send a member of the School Committee as a representative to their Board. 

Superintendent Spriggs explained that UMEYAA is an organization of volunteers who do a tremendous amount of work for the children.  She said that Mr. McSpiritt had represented the School Committee during his 6 year tenure, and that Ms. Tomich had taken over that representation when Mr. McSpiritt left.  However, with Ms. Tomich=s departure from the School Committee, a new representative should be named.  Ms. Spriggs also noted that the group had provided minutes from their last meeting in order to show how they had addressed two specific issues that had arisen. 

Mr. Abelow requested minutes from the past 12 months.  Mr. Stevens asked that UMEYAA be requested to copy the School Committee with each set of minutes.

Mr. Tillett suggested that it may be good to ask representatives from UMEYAA to give the School Committee a presentation.  Also, he suggested that it may be helpful if School Committee members could have a thumbnail sketch of each subcommittee or group that they need to elect representatives to at their reorganization meeting in July.

5G.    Financial Updates : Ms. Brown presented an income statement for the period ended January 31, 2005.  She said she would provide the Committee with a report on the revolving funds/grants at the next meeting.  Mr. Pollitt questioned whether there is a time line in place for clearing up the old grants (as noted in the 2004 audit report).  Ms. Brown responded that there was no urgency to do so, but she expected that it would be done by the end of the year.

6.      Communications:

Superintendent Spriggs noted that the production of Damn Yankees the previous weekend was wonderful. She offered congratulations to all involved.

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

Chairman Stevens thanked the Committee members present for their flexibility during the meeting.

Mr. Pollitt moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to adjourn the meeting.  Those present agreed, and the meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

Minutes

Student Reps.

Re: Bowling Club

Presentation of DCAP

7-12 School Improvement Plan

Motion to Postpone Mtg.

Break

Resume

Quorum

Minutes

(postpone)

Approve DCAP

Approve School Improvement Plan

Prelim. Adoption of FY=06 Budgets

Approve Prelim. Budget

Approve Field Trip

2005-06 Calendar

Lat. Moves

Bldgs & Grounds

Policy Subcomm.

UMEYAA

Financial Updates

Updates

Adjourn