Mt. Everett Regional School

                                                                  Sheffield, MA

                                                                                          April 28, 2005

                                                                                          School Committee Meeting #1,319

 

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

          

Administrators:  Ms. Spriggs, Ms. Brown

 

Press: CTSB

 

Others: Mr. Bruce Turner, District Treasurer; Mr. James Kern, Ms. Linda Higgins

 

Student Representatives:  Arielle VanDeusen, Cody Kern  

 

I.                    Chairman Stevens called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.

 

II.                 Mr. Tillett moved, seconded by Mr. Mielke, to approve the minutes School Committee Meeting #1,318.     It was so voted.  (Ms. Maggio abstained.) 

 

 

III.               Communications:

 

A.                 Cody Kern reported that the 10^th grade will hold a car wash at Sears in Great Barrington on the upcoming weekend.  Cody also reported on a production that the Mt. Everett student body had attended earlier in the day.  Students, under the direction of barrington stage co., had written and presented biographical skits.  Superintendent Spriggs added that the production had been tastefully handled, and further, the student audience had been incredibly respectful of the playwright-performers. 

 

4.      A.           The presentation by UniFund was postponed until the next meeting, due to the illness of the presenter.   

 

5       A.           Mr. Pollitt moved to approve Policy File JECAA, Homeless Students, as presented.  Mr. Tillett seconded the motion.  Supt. Spriggs noted that the vote had been postponed at the last meeting, due to a question raised by Mr. Witdorchic regarding admission of students without immunizations.  She stated that the law, and thus the policy, was driven by a need to enroll students as quickly as possible.  She said that the new policy addresses that, and also helps students who do not have immunizations to obtain them.  She also pointed out that the wording of the Policy closely follows the McKinney-Vento Act’s definition of homelessness.   The Committee then voted approval of Policy JECAA, unanimously.

 

5       A2.          Supt. Spriggs reported that the Special Education Director Search Team met earlier in the day.  The Team is comprised of two School Committee representatives, Special Education Department representatives, both principals, three parents, and the Superintendent.  She reported that fifteen applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds had submitted materials for consideration for the position.

 

                        Ms. Silvestri reported that the team was interested in three of the fifteen candidates.  They had been unified in their support for the internal candidate, but had been split on the other two candidates.  Ms. LeGeyt added that the group had felt that the skills and knowledge of the interim director would be very beneficial to the District. 

 

                        Mr. Pollitt asked that all three candidates be interviewed, in order to avoid putting “all the eggs in one basket”.

 

                        Mr. Stevens recused himself and left the room.

 

                        Following additional discussion, Ms. LeGeyt moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to support bringing forward one single candidate for a final interview.  It was so voted.  (Mr. Pollitt voted no.)

 

                        The Search Team will meet on May 10 to develop 12-15 questions for the interview, which will be conducted by the School Committee on May 17 at 7:00 p.m.  The School Committee will conduct a workshop on May 12 at 6:00 p.m. to review the questions.

 

5       A3.          The Committee members received a copy of the results of a study on the South Berkshire Educational Collaborative, which had been conducted by Mr. Glenn Koocher, President of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, in October of 2003.  She stated that the paper was meant to provide an historical perspective for newer School Committee members.  She reported that discussion regarding the future of the Collaborative is still ongoing, and that although there seems to be a desire of all four districts to continue the relationship, the specific work of the Collaborative is yet to be defined. 

 

5       B.            There were no financial requests or updates.

 

6.      Communications 

 

·         Mr. Stevens complimented the Superintendent on the meeting she had held with staff to explain the upcoming audit process. 

·         Superintendent Spriggs expressed the pride of the SBRSD in the students who had competed in New Orleans choral competition.  She noted that the group had come back with a silver medal.

·         The Committee was reminded to mark their calendars for the Madrigal Feast on May 14.

·         It was noted that the Mt. Everett prom will be held on May 6 at Cranwell in Lenox.  Committee members were invited to watch the youngsters arrive at their prom.

·         Supt. Spriggs also noted the tremendous service of the faculty in providing a drug and alcohol free after prom party.

·         Mr. Abelow asked that Policy BCE be brought back to the table for discussion at the next meeting.  He stated that he felt that either the policy should be followed or taken out of the book.

·         Mr. Abelow also requested a listing of who is on the UMEYAA Board of Directors.  He requested that the Chair of the group be scheduled to report to the School Committee.

        

         On a motion by Mr. Mielke, seconded by Mr. Abelow, the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.