Mt. Everett Regional School

            Sheffield, MA

   March 31, 2005

                           School Committee Meeting #1,317

 

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

          

Administrators:  Ms. Spriggs, Ms. Brown

 

Press: CTSB

 

Others: Mr. Louis Orazio, Berkshire County Bowling Director; Mr. James Kern; Ms. Linda Higgins

 

Student Representatives:  Arielle VanDeusen, Cody Kern  

 

I.                    Chairman Stevens called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.  On behalf of the School Committee, he welcomed and introduced Ms. Linda Silvestri, newly appointed member representing the town of Alford. 

 

II.                 Mr. Pollitt moved, seconded by Ms. LeGeyt, to approve the minutes of School Committee Meeting #1,316.  It was so voted.  (Ms. Silvestri abstained.)

 

III.               Communications:

 

A.                 Arielle VanDeusen stated that she had no Grade 9 student representative report.

 

Grade 10 representative Cody Kern introduced Mr. Louis Orazio, Berkshire County Bowling Director, to give an overview and update regarding a proposal to move toward the acceptance of bowling as a high school sport.  Mr. Orazio explained in depth about the Berkshire Bowling Conference for High School Students, which has been established for the upcoming fall.  He shared a copy of a letter he had written seeking the support of the Wahconah Regional High School Principal, which spelled out the terms and conditions that the group will operate under this year (copy on file with these minutes).  He said that the group is hoping to petition the MIAA for acceptance as a varsity sport in the next year or two, and he hoped that Mt. Everett would join the petition as one of the four schools that they will need support from to initiate that process.  On behalf of the Committee, Chairman Stevens thanked Mr. Orazio and asked that he come back at the end of the season to report how it went.    

 

IV.              Business

 

A.                 Approval of District Improvement Plan for 2003-04:  Superintendent Spriggs explained that there was no formal District Improvement Plan in place when she began working in the District, and that when she sought the advice of the MADOE, she had been advised to wait before working on the development of such a plan, as the Municipal Relief Act was expected to consolidate several reports/plans that were required.  However, as time went on, it became apparent that such relief was not forthcoming.  Therefore, Ms. Spriggs was presenting a plan that reflected what actually happened during 2003-04.  The Superintendent then walked the Committee through the information, noting that for the future, the District is moving toward a strategic plan, rather than an improvement plan.  In the meantime, though, she felt it necessary to respond to the current state requirements.  Mr. Ronan moved to approve the 2003-04 District Improvement Plan.  Mr. Pollitt seconded the motion.  Following a brief discussion, the plan was approved, unanimously.

B.                 Subcommittee/Representative Reports

·         Policy Subcommittee:  Superintendent Spriggs noted that in an earlier policy review effort, Policy AD had apparently been removed from the Manual for revision, but had not been officially voted out.  In discussion, the Policy Subcommittee had agreed to reinsert it until such time as it was actually revised.  However, they wanted the full Committee to have a chance to discuss the issue.  Following brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to put Policy AD back into the Policy Manual.  Mr. Pollitt requested that it be brought back for close review later in the year.

 

The Committee reviewed proposed Policy JECAA, Homeless Students.  Ms. Spriggs explained that the MADOE Special Education MidCycle review had cited the District for the lack of a policy dealing with the admittance of homeless children.  The District had believed that since such situations are thoroughly covered by state law, there was no need for a policy.  She said that essentially, the policy presented was the same as the law, with the addition of the words “after review of school physician”, relative to admittance of students who do not have their immunization records.  The policy will be brought back at the April 14 meeting for second reading/approval.

 

It was reported that the Policy Subcommittee has also discussed the request from the auditors to develop a policy regarding the monitoring of investments.  The Subcommittee had considered asking the Warrant Subcommittee members to periodically initial investment reports when they signed the warrants.  Ms. Brown explained that the treasurer has the sole oversight of funds and where they can be invested. She said that although the auditor has suggested an oversight committee to all schools, where funds can be invested is very limited. 

 

Other ideas to address the recommendation included bringing a report forward to the whole School Committee on a monthly basis; asking the finance subcommittee to handle the matter; putting guidelines and monthly reports in the School Committee members’ packets.  No conclusion was reached.  Ms. Brown agreed to seek further clarification from the auditors.

 

·         Special Education Director Search Subcommittee:  Ms. LeGeyt reported that at a recent meeting, the team had reviewed an outline of duties and responsibilities.  They also decided to expand the selection committee to include interested staff and parents.  The Subcommittee will work on building the full screening team after the first leg of the audit process is completed.  It was agreed to provide all School Committee members with the opportunity to view applications.  A file will be kept in the Central Office for any Member who wishes to review.  It was also agreed that all School Committee members were welcome to participate in the interviews, but Ms. LeGeyt expressed a hope that if a member attends one interview, he/she would attend all of them.  Mr. Stevens noted the desire to be sure that all candidates experience the same criteria. 

 

Following further discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to keep the interviews structured.  School Committee members would be invited to add questions that could be asked of each candidate who was invited to a second round interview.   Superintendent Spriggs agreed to guide the process.  She indicated that each screening team member usually takes notes and then ranks each candidate on a numerical basis.  After the rankings are tallied, open discussion would take place.  She noted that this process produces an equitable and clean process and treats all screening team members with equal respect.

 

·         Subcommittee Vacancies:  Mr. Ronan and Mr. Stevens both agreed to attend Undermountain/Mt. Everett Youth Athletic Association meetings if informed of when they take place.  Ms. Spriggs agreed to check to see how the UMEYAA board members are notified of the meetings.  Other subcommittee changes/additions included the following:  Ms. Silvestri was added to the Finance Committee, the Warrant Subcommittee, the Special Education Director Search Team, and as a liaison to the Southern Berkshire Child Care Program.

 

C.                 Financial Updates/Transfers:  The Committee reviewed an FY’05 Income Statement for the period ended February 28, 2005.  It was explained that an overdrawing of the grade 5 account was due to an anticipated grant, which did not materialize.  Funds will be transferred from the Contingency Account.  Ms. Spriggs said that Ms. Brown should not be faulted for the overdraft, and she assured the Committee that such occurrences would be avoided in the future.

 

V.                 Communications

 

A.                 Superintendent Spriggs explained that although fundraising had occurred throughout the year, the 5^th grade team had, unfortunately, overlooked formalizing a request for the School Committee’s permission for their annual trip to Nature’s Classroom.  She offered apologies and asked the Committee’s indulgence.  Mr. Mielke moved to approve the trip.  Ms. Maggio seconded the motion.  Mr. Pollitt stated objections to the process, noting that the request was untimely, and that there were not enough chaperones listed to satisfy District policy.  Other members stated that they were willing to approve, given their previous experience with the program.  They noted that there is a strong staff on premises, and that last year, the principal also attended and was happy with the program.  Mr. Pollitt again voiced strong objections, noting that the Committee has requested over and over again to receive requests in a timely fashion.  It was agreed to be sure that the 5^th grade team knows to bring the trip plans forward much earlier.  Following additional discussion, the trip to Nature’s Classroom was approved, 6-1.  (Mr. Pollitt voted no.)

 

B.                 Superintendent Spriggs reviewed the second edition of the Eagle Feathers newsletter (copy on file with these minutes.

 

C.                 Ms. LeGeyt reported that the Sheffield Grange had distributed dictionaries to the entire third grade last week.  Next week, they plan to do the same at New Marlborough Central.  Ms. Spriggs thanked Ms. LeGeyt and the Grange for making the event possible.

 

On a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.