Mt. Everett Regional School

Sheffield, MA

March 17, 2005

School Committee Meeting #1,316

School Committee Members: Mr. Stevens, Mr. Mielke, Mr. Pollitt, Ms. LeGeyt, Mr. Ronan, Mr. Tillett, Ms. Maggio, Mr. Abelow

Administrators: Ms. Spriggs, Ms. Brown, Mr. Devoti, Mr. Nadolny

Press: CTSB; Mr. Peter Rowntree, Sheffield Times; Mr. Derek Gentile, Berkshire Eagle

Others: Mr. Scott Farrell, Ms. Andrea Scott, Mr. Daniel Weston, Ms. Joanne Pavoni, Ms. Patricia Heinsman, Ms. Carol Ide, Ms. Amy Murray, Mr. James Kern, Ms. Linda Higgins

Student Representatives: Arielle VanDeusen, Cody Kern

I. Chairman Stevens called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

II. Mr. Tillett moved, seconded by Mr. Mielke, to approve the minutes of the March 3 Open Hearing. It was so voted, unanimously.

Mr. Tillett moved, seconded by Mr. Mielke, to approve the minutes of Meeting #1,315. Ms. LeGeyt noted that Student Representative Cody Kern and his dad, Jim Kern, had been in attendance and should be added to the listing. She also noted a change in the first sentence under #3B, “they had not received recognition”. The minutes were then approved, unanimously, as amended.

Mr. Tillett moved, seconded by Ms. LeGeyt,, to approve the minutes of the special budget meeting of March 10. It was so voted, unanimously.

III. Communications:

A. Cody Kern stated that he had no Grade 9 student representative report; however, he reported that a letter had been received from the Chairman of the North County Athletic Directors.

(Mr. Abelow arrived at 7:10 p.m.)

Mr. James Kern then read the letter regarding bowling as a sport. Mr. Kern stated that since the MA Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) does not currently recognize bowling as a high school sport, his group intends to form the Berkshire Bowling Conference for High School Students. He said that they will try to attract students from each school throughout the county to form the conference, and they will follow the MIAA rules in hopes of receiving recognition by the MIAA at some point in the future. Mr. Stevens said that he would request a discussion on the agenda regarding bowling in the near future.

Student Representative Arielle VanDeusen stated that she had no report on behalf of Grade 9.

B. Mr. Daniel Weston requested permission to raise funds to purchase an automatic external defibrillator (AED) for the school campus. He explained that an initiative is currently underway at Fairview Hospital to coordinate a group purchasing effort in order to receive a discount rate. He explained that the group rate for an AED, plus pads and an alarm cabinet to store the AED would cost approximately $1,700. He noted that the Southern Berkshire Regional Education Association had raised $300 toward the purchase, and was holding the funds until the rest could be raised. Mr. Weston briefly explained the value of having the machine on campus. He told the School Committee that the purchase would need to be made simultaneously with a policy governing the usage of the machine. He reported that as long as there is a policy in place and it is abided by, there would be no liability, except in the case of gross negligence. Mr. Weston also pointed out that AED’s have been mandated in all public buildings in New York, and said he feels it is likely that MA will also require them in the future.

A question and answer session then took place. Mr. Weston explained that training on the AED machines will be done by the current CPR trainers. He reported that the policy would need to define training as well as maintenance procedures. He also said that there would be a yearly cost for upkeep of approximately $100 per year.

Following additional discussion, it was the consensus of the School Committee members present to support the purchase of the AED machine and to work on a policy governing its usage. Ms. Spriggs and Mr. Stevens expressed their appreciation to Mr. Weston for his work in this regard, and to the Association for their support last year.

A. Mr. Stevens then requested additional discussion regarding the bowling issue. Mr. Kern further explained that those interested would bowl after hours and would take care of transportation to matches themselves. Mr. Stevens noted the need to be careful not to go against the MIAA, and Mr. Kern agreed. Some discussion also took place regarding the advisability of using the name “Mt. Everett” in the club’s title, with Mr. Kern stating that the club would like to keep the name close enough so that there could be a seamless change, should the MIAA recognize bowling. He noted that 34 other states do recognize bowling as a high school team sport, and stated he felt it would be only a matter of time until such was the case in MA. However, some members of the Committee felt that a clear line needed to be established between school-sponsored sports and those, which are not school sponsored. Mr. Kern pointed out that the bowling club would be more along the lines of little league baseball for the time being and that they would simply use the schools as a recruiting base.

4A. Mr. Tillett moved to adopt the FY’06 operating and capital budgets. Mr. Pollitt pointed out that the motion needed to be in two parts. Mr. Tillett then moved to adopt a gross FY’06 operating budget of $10,821,215. Mr. Pollitt seconded the motion.

Mr. Ronan stated that given the controversy over the budget, he wished to acknowledge the School Committee members, administrators, and teacher leaders for the hard work they had all done in preparation of the FY’06 budget. He said that he recognized that some very difficult decisions had been made, and he had every confidence that those decisions had not been made lightly. He noted that although the process seemed to be very inclusive, he realized that some had felt left out of the process, and he made a commitment to making sure it does not happen again next year. Mr. Ronan continued, saying that he felt that the budget was the best that the Committee could do, and although he was not happy with it, he stated that he had confidence in the Superintendent and that he felt that the school has the best and brightest teachers who have a great love for the school and could be counted on to rise to the occasion. He added that if additional funds should come in, he would like to see the superintendent consider restoration of programs and positions. Mr. Ronan concluded by asking all to let the federal government know that they were letting the children down and “leaving children behind”.

Mr. Stevens then called a vote. The vote:

Ms. LeGeyt yes Mr. Tillett yes

Mr. Pollitt yes Ms. Maggio yes

Mr. Ronan yes Mr. Abelow yes

Mr. Mielke yes Mr. Stevens yes

The operating budget was approved, 8-0.

Mr. Tillett moved to adopt a gross FY’06 capital budget of $2,359,093. Mr. Abelow seconded the motion. Mr. Pollitt and Mr. Tillett requested that Ms. Brown schedule a presentation from representatives of Unifund, LLC for the Committee. Mr. Stevens then took a roll call vote:

Ms. LeGeyt yes Mr. Tillett yes

Mr. Pollitt yes Ms. Maggio yes

Mr. Ronan yes Mr. Abelow yes

Mr. Mielke yes Mr. Stevens yes

The capital budget was approved, 8-0.

Mr. Pollitt moved that if Chapter 70 funds received are greater than $1,687,824, up to $75,000, and/or if Chapter 71 funds received total more than $358,627, up to $238,000, such additional funds will be used by the District to further restore and/or enhance programs, materials and/or services.

Mr. Abelow suggested that the wording should be “up to an increase of $75,000 (Chapt. 70) and up to an increase of $238,000 (Chapt. 71)”. Mr. Stevens clarified that the intent of the motion is to take the amount of the existing allocation of Chapter 70, up to $75,000 increase above that, and the amount of the existing allocation of Chapter 71, up to an increase equal to 100% of the reimbursement rate.

Mr. Abelow moved to add the words “increase of” (after the words “up to”) in the motion. Mr. Mielke seconded the motion.

Ms. Spriggs explained that the vote was similar to that taken each year to allow the District to expend additional state aid, should such be forthcoming. However, the a capped amount was being added to the wording of the vote based on advice contained in a letter from the Department of Revenue to the Town of Sheffield’s Finance Committee and from the District’s attorney.

Mr. Stevens then requested a roll call vote regarding the addition of the words, “increase of ”:

Ms. LeGeyt no Mr. Tillett no

Mr. Pollitt no Ms. Maggio abstention

Mr. Ronan yes Mr. Abelow yes

Mr. Mielke yes Mr. Stevens no

The motion failed.

Mr. Abelow moved to add the words “at the discretion of the Superintendent” at the end of the original motion. Mr. Mielke seconded the motion.

Following a brief discussion, Mr. Ronan moved the question, and Mr. Stevens again requested a roll call vote:

Ms. LeGeyt yes Mr. Tillett no

Mr. Pollitt yes Ms. Maggio yes

Mr. Ronan no Mr. Abelow yes

Mr. Mielke yes Mr. Stevens yes

The motion to amend the motion was approved, 6-2.

Mr. Stevens then requested a roll call vote on the original motion:

Ms. LeGeyt yes Mr. Tillett yes

Mr. Pollitt yes Ms. Maggio yes

Mr. Ronan yes Mr. Abelow yes

Mr. Mielke yes Mr. Stevens yes

Mr. Abelow left the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

4B. Superintendent Spriggs thanked members of the School Committee who had called in changes and corrections for the Mt. Everett 2005-06 Program of Studies in advance. She noted that the main changes in the Program pertained to science and social studies.

Mr. Devoti then explained changes. He informed the Committee that there may be one possible addition of a course in ethics, which ran during 2004-05, but had not been included in the document for next year.

A question and answer session then took place, which included an explanation from Mr. Scott Farrell, Science Teacher Leader, regarding preparations for science MCAS, which may be moved up a year by the Department of Education.

Mr. Pollitt moved to approve the 2005-06 Mt. Everett Program of Studies. Ms. LeGeyt seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously. (Note: Mr. Mielke was not present for the vote.)

Superintendent Spriggs thanked Mr. Devoti, the Mt. Everett staff and Mr. Farrell, in particular, for the work they had put into the Program of Studies. She also expressed appreciation to all of the teachers who came forth to speak passionately regarding the budget and to the School Committee for listening and respecting what they heard. Ms. Spriggs also reaffirmed her commitment to address the communications process next year in an effort to improve the budget process. Mr. Stevens concurred and also thanked all of the staff, on behalf of the School Committee.

4C. The Committee discussed the process and time line for the hiring of a permanent special education director. It was the consensus of the Committee members present to go forward with the process, as recommended by Superintendent Spriggs, but to allow for flexibility in the dates. Mr. Stevens and Ms. LeGeyt volunteered to serve on the search team, with other School Committee members attending as they are able. It was agreed to also ask Mr. Abelow, Mr. Witdorchic, and Ms. Sylvestri if they are interested in serving on the search team. In the meantime, Mr. Stevens requested that Committee members contact either Ms. LeGeyt or him to convey any thoughts or requests they may have regarding the process.

4D. Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee: The Committee was informed of discussions at the March 8 meeting. It was reported that the members discussed adding better illumination to certain areas of the property. They also agreed on a contract for 2005-06 with Barrington Stage Co.

Policy Subcommittee: Ms. Spriggs informed the Committee of discussions that took place at the March 8 meeting, including a need to develop a policy for reviewing District investments, per the request of the auditors; and the importance of the towns appointing members who can be full and active participants throughout the year. The subcommittee also looked into policies regarding prompt action in dealing with behavioral issues and decided that no additional policies were necessary.

4E. Financial Updates/Requests: Ms. Brown thanked the School Committee for their work on the FY’06 budget and for their votes earlier in the evening. She then reviewed a report on grants and revolving fund accounts, as of December 31, 2004. She noted that if necessary, she will come back and ask to transfer funds from accounts 27030, 28054 and 28048 to cover any overages that may occur if the District needs to purchase more oil this year.

5A. Communications

Ms. Spriggs and Ms. Brown exchanged appreciative remarks for the other’s work during the budget process.

Superintendent Spriggs then reviewed the first edition of an “Eagle Feathers” Newsletter.

Ms. Maggio reported that the high school parent/teacher conferences had taken place the evening before. She noted that she always feels uplifted after speaking with the faculty members and feels very encouraged by who is on the staff.

On a motion by Mr. Mielke, seconded by Mr. Ronan, the meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.