Mr. Stevens opened the floor for nominations of vice chairman. Mr. Witdorchic moved the nomination of Mr. Pollitt; Ms. LeGeyt seconded the motion. Ms. Maggio moved the nomination of Mr. Mielke; Mr. Ronan seconded the motion. Mr. Ronan moved the nomination of Ms. Tomich. Hearing no further motions, nominations were closed. A roll-call vote was called, and Mr. Mielke was elected as Vice Chairman.

Mr. Mielke moved to appoint Ms. Spriggs as Secretary to the School Committee. Mr. Witdorchic seconded the motion. Hearing no further motions, Mr. Stevens closed nominations and cast one vote for Ms. Spriggs.

Committee members then discussed subcommittee positions:

• Ms. Tomich and Mr. Mielke requested additional information regarding how often the Southern Berkshire Child Care Program Board of Directors meets.
• Subcommittee membership was set as follows:
• Finance Committee: Mr. Mielke, Mr. Witdorchic, Mr. Pollitt, Ms. Tomich, Mr. Ronan, Mr. Stevens
• Collective Bargaining Subcommittee: Mr. Ronan, Mr. Witdorchic, Mr. Mielke, Ms. Tomich, Mr. Pollitt
• UMEYAA Representatives: Mr. Ronan and Ms. Tomich
• Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee: Mr. Mielke, Ms. LeGeyt, Ms. Tomich, Mr. Witdorchic, Ms. Maggio
• Warrant Subcommittee: Ms. Tomich, Ms. LeGeyt, Mr. Ronan; Alternates: Mr. Mielke, Mr. Witdorchic, Ms. Maggio



• Eagle Fund Representatives: Mr. Stevens and Ms. Maggio
• Audit Subcommittee: Mr. Witdorchic and Mr. Ronan
• South Berkshire Educational Collaborative Representative: Mr. Ronan (Supt. Spriggs clarified that although the Collaborative would be in a state of "hibernation" for 2004-05, some services were still to be provided to the member districts at a discounted rate. It was also expected that the Collaborative Board would be working on other areas in which it might serve the Districts. Ms. Spriggs estimated that the representatives should plan to attend at least quarterly meetings.)
• Massachusetts Association of School Committees Representative: Mr. Pollitt
• Policy Subcommittee: Mr. Ronan, Ms. LeGeyt, Ms. Maggio
• Liaisons to School Councils: Ms. Maggio - Mt. Everett (Mr. Ronan, alternate); Ms. Tomich - Elementary; Mr. Ronan and Ms. Maggio alternates.
• Tek2000 Liaison: Mr. Mielke

Mr. Witdorchic requested that the minutes reflect the intent of the Committee to ask the two new members yet to be appointed which subcommittees they would like to serve on.

4. Superintendent Spriggs reported that the Policy Subcommittee had met with both principals regarding the 2004-05 student handbooks. The principals had relayed that legalistic language had been included in the handbooks, based upon advice of the Department of Education and/or counsel. Supt. Spriggs requested School Committee approval to publish the handbooks, although she conceded that they continue to be somewhat of a work in progress, and that not all conflicts have been cleared up. She noted that much work had gone into editing the handbooks, but additional policy work needs to be accomplished, and stated that such work will be taken up in the ensuing school year.

Mr. Pollitt requested that the School Committee take the time to read through the handbooks and to postpone voting until the next meeting. Mr. Witdorchic agreed, adding that he felt they were not ready to be approved, as the edits were not all finished.

Mr. Ronan noted the need to have something in place.

Mr. Mielke agreed that the handbooks should be complete prior to approval. He asked whether the Committee could be given a list of changes, and a vote taken on August 26.

Mr. Devoti noted that an August 26 vote would be very close to school opening.

Following additional discussion, Mr. Witdorchic moved to approve the handbooks, subject to the Superintendent's final review. Further, if Ms. Spriggs finds the need for any major changes, she will contact the School Committee members and obtain a voice vote. If no major changes are necessary, there would be no need to contact the School Committee members. Mr. Mielke seconded the motion, and it was so voted. (Mr. Pollitt voted against the motion.)

5B. Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee: Mr. Witdorchic reported that the subcommittee had been given a presentation during their last meeting regarding the development of a vocational off-campus building program. He explained that the first project would be to build a shed for the Kiwanis Club on land donated by the town of Sheffield. He said that the students will learn house building and construction.

Mr. Witdorchic moved to approve the vocational off-campus building program. Mr. Ronan seconded the motion.

Mr. Devoti explained that the District has been trying to develop vocational programs on its own since the break-up of the Collaborative. Mr. O'Brien added that the building program would present the first step in obtaining a certified vocational program within the District. He noted that vocational programs present an opportunity for increased state revenue.

Following additional discussion, the program was approved, unanimously.

5D. Updates:

• Supt. Spriggs reported that interviews for new staff members are on-going. She also reported that since the end of school, Mrs. Christine Kelley had retired.
• Mr. Witdorchic questioned whether there was any teacher who was let go at the end of 2002-03 who had not yet been brought back. Ms. Spriggs responded that there was still at least one teacher who had been displaced who had not been re-hired. She noted that displaced teachers had been given the opportunity to apply for available openings, go through the interview process, and the most highly qualified applicants were then hired.
• Supt. Spriggs reported that Dr. Joseph Rappa, Executive Director of the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (EQA), would be coming to the District on August 3 to give an overview of what the EQA audit would entail. Mr. Witdorchic expressed an interest in attending that meeting. Mr. Witdorchic also expressed concern regarding possible budgetary implications of the audit, given the amount of additional work that was certain to be involved.

5E. Ms. Brown stated that she would present a final June 30 financial report at the August 26 meeting.

Ms. Brown reported that business administrators had been notified on-line that the 1% School Building Assistance Bureau funds which had been eliminated in 03-04 have been reinstated. She noted that the towns that had paid the additional assessment would receive a reimbursement from the District, and there would be no need for the others to pay.

Ms. Brown also reported that it appears likely that the District will receive additional transportation (Chapter 71) funds. Ms. Spriggs noted that the superintendents who attended the annual MASS meeting had been advised that the chance of such an increase appears favorable. She asked that members share the news with their select boards and let them know that their letters and contacts with state legislators had helped.

5C. Mr. Turner introduced Mr. Clark Rowell, Vice President of UniBank, who explained the process for refunding the District's bonds. Mr. Rowell reported that if all goes well, the refunding would be accomplished on August 31. He noted that a total savings of $107,000 was anticipated, in equal amounts over the life of issue. He stated that he recommended going forward with the refunding, as although the percentage of savings may possibly go up, the amount of the bonds was steadily declining, and thus the savings would also go down. Mr. Rowell said that if the interest rates begin to move, it would be necessary to move quickly, thus he was before the Committee requesting preliminary approval in order to allow Mr. Turner to have flexibility to negotiate with an underwriter. He said approval would be reconfirmed at the August 26 meeting. Mr. Rowell recommended direct issuance of bonds at a cost of approximately $75,000.

A question and answer session then took place.

Mr. Mielke requested a breakdown of costs. Mr. Rowell responded with a listing as follows: Underwriter - $19,000; Bond Insurance - $12,500; Bond Counsel - $17,500; Printing - $3,000; Paying Agency - $2,000; UniBank - $12,500. He explained that such were "typical costs" of refunding.

In response to a question from Mr. Mielke, Mr. Rowell stated that if the bonds were sold at a cheaper rate, the District would benefit.

Mr. Turner stated that he will seek the ultimate approval of the School Committee at its August 26 meeting and will need signatures that evening.

In response to a question from Mr. Ronan, Mr. Rowell stated that if the School Committee wished to set a threshold, it would be best to do so before the deal is agreed.

Mr. Rowell also stated that he would need the information from the towns by August 6.

Ms. Brown noted that the towns will be the ultimate recipients of the savings.

Mr. Mielke requested a payment schedule for his town (Monterey).

Mr. Rowell informed the Committee that UniBank will do a "Due Diligence Letter".

Mr. Rowell will send the refunding analysis, breaking out all costs, to the District, prior to the next meeting.

Mr. Witdorchic moved approval of the refunding process, based on additional information, and a final vote on August 26. Mr. Mielke seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.

5C. Ms. Brown informed the School Committee that at this point it appears that the District will be short approximately $15,000 in its budget for heating oil, due to the steep increase in price. She noted that it may be possible to take the additional funds from the contingency account.

6. Supt. Spriggs reviewed the "Superintendent's Notes."

• Mr. Witdorchic questioned whether Ms. D'Allessandro was still coming to the District "gratis". Ms. Spriggs responded that she will be asking the committee to approve a contract for Ms. D'Allessandro for the upcoming year for providing mentoring services for the District's administrators.
• Committee members requested that Superintendent Spriggs follow up on a notice that property adjoining the school would be coming on the market.
• Supt. Spriggs offered thanks to those who have attended the Focus Group sessions.
• Mr. Stevens and other Committee members thanked Mr. Pollitt for his service as Vice Chairman during the past year.

5 Mr. Ronan moved, seconded by Mr. Witdorchic, to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining. The vote:

Mr. Ronan yes Mr. Witdorchic yes

Ms. LeGeyt yes Ms. Tomich yes

Mr. Pollitt yes Ms. Maggio yes

Mr. Mielke yes Mr. Stevens yes

Mr. Stevens stated that no further business would take place following executive session.

The Committee entered into executive session at 9:02 p.m.

The Committee came out of executive session at 9:18 p.m.

On a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m.