Ms. Miller moved, seconded by Dr. Savage, to approve the minutes of Meeting #1,325.  It was so voted. 

3.      Communications: 

A1.      Ms. Spriggs reviewed the current edition of Eagle Feathers (copy on file with these minutes).

A2.      Mr. Pollitt distributed information on laws regarding collective bargaining.  He also noted that the Committee has been requested to consider engaging in collaborative bargaining, and he offered further information on that process.

B.        There were no Student Representatives in attendance.

4.     Presentation: Mr. David Jowett and Ms. Heidi Byron, of the Munis Division of Tyler Technologies, presented information on their company=s administrative software offerings.

Following the presentation and a  lengthy question and answer session, Mr. O=Brien asked for a Aballpark@ figure of what the Munis system would cost.  Mr. Jowett promised to e-mail particulars the following day, but stated that the cost would be in the range of $150,000, if the personnel segment were not included.  He added that there would also be a yearly maintenance cost equal to 18% of the initial license cost.

On behalf of the Committee, Chairman Pollitt thanked Mr. Jowett and Ms. Byron for their presentation. 

A recess was held at 8:10 p.m.

The meeting resumed at 8:22 p.m.

Mr. Pollitt asked Mr. O=Brien for thoughts regarding the two companies offering administrative software.  Mr. O=Brien stated that both proposals are from good, solid companies.  He said that the crux of the matter would be how to take the District=s data and put it in the Munis system.  He said he believes that the people who work with UniFund=s FundSense system are comfortable, and although he believed that they could become comfortable with the Munis system, he would recommend staying with the known entity (i.e., FundSense System). 

Ms. Brown said that most of the school districts in the county use the FundSense system, and are very happy with it.  She noted that, per the cost range offered by Mr. Jowett, the Munis System would cost approximately $100,000 more than the FundSense System, without all of the components that would be included in the FundSense system.

Mr. Abelow added that although he believed that the Munis System would likely be longer lasting, it was unlikely that it would be worth the extra money.

Superintendent Spriggs stated that it is important that the District purchase the human resource segment of the program, as many things are still being done by hand which should be computerized, and she said that she believes that the lack of proper software is keeping the Central Office Staff from moving in a forward direction.  She said the UniFund representative had addressed all issues to her satisfaction.

Following additional discussion, Ms. Miller moved to support the purchase of the upgraded administrative software, as proposed by UniFund.  Mr. Ronan seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.

5.     Business

A.       Report on Opening of Schools: Superintendent Spriggs reported that the opening of schools for 2005-06 had been smooth and exciting.  She said the students= current major concern is helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and she reported that fund raisers are already under consideration.  She promised to updated the School Committee as plans took shape.

B.        Safety & Security Update: Superintendent Spriggs reported that although the District had been working with Chief McGarry to put a School Resource Officer in place, it appears that that will not be possible, and so other options that may allow a uniformed presence on campus will be considered.

Mr. O=Brien described the background of the District Crisis Team and Safety Team.  He explained efforts to ensure the safety of all students and staff, including the development of a safety manual, the use of access cards for entrance to the Mt. Everett/Undermountain complex, the wearing of security badges, the installation of cameras at major doors, and the locking of all school doors during the day when students are present.  For the immediate future, he noted the need to reconstitute the Safety Committee, and a need to appoint a safety coordinator to oversee and coordinate all safety measures.  He requested that School Committee members consider joining staff in working on the Safety Committee.

Mr. Ronan asked whether the Safety Committee might come under the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee, given the number of subcommittees already in place.

Superintendent Spriggs agreed that there were already ample subcommittees, and suggested that the School Committee send a representative instead.  Members agreed, and Mr. Twing volunteered to be the School Committee representative to the Safety Committee.

5C.      Review/Confirmation of Subcommittee Membership: Ms. Brown requested additional member(s) for the Audit Subcommittee.  She said that she needed to set a meeting of that Subcommittee very soon.  Following Discussion, Mr. Ronan moved to appoint Ms. Miller to the Audit Subcommittee and Mr. Twing to the Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee.  It was so voted, unanimously.

5E.      Financial Updates/Transfer Requests: Ms. Brown presented and explained a listing of state funds received over and above what had been anticipated when the budget was prepared in March, along with a listing of how those funds would be expended (copy on file with these minutes).  She noted that the District was able to spend the funds because of the vote taken when the Committee approved the FY=06 budget. 

Ms. Brown also reported that she had been able to lock the District in for oil at $1.82 per gallon.  Although the price reflected a great savings over current market prices, Ms. Brown noted that it was very much higher than what the District had paid in previous years.

Ms. Brown requested that the School Committee formally vote to exercise their option to extend the contract for the wagon/van/mini-bus routes in New Marlborough, much as they had done for the base routes.  Mr. Ronan moved, seconded by Ms. Mielke, to exercise the option to extend the wagon/van/mini-bus routes in New Marlborough for two years (through June, 2007).  It was so voted, unanimously.

Ms. Brown reported that the auditors had completed a comprehensive audit of the student activity funds.  She requested a meeting of the Audit Subcommittee in the near future to review the draft of the management letter.

Ms. Miller reported on the recent Finance Subcommittee meeting.  She said that the purpose of the meeting was to review the salary and benefits package to be offered to the new business administrator.  The Subcommittee had agreed to set the start date at January 1, 2006, and to set the salary range at $65,000 to $71,000. 

Ms. Miller reported that the budget process had also been discussed, with the Subcommittee members urging the superintendent to work with the appropriate parties and try to bring the process to an early successful conclusion.  Superintendent Spriggs will develop a schedule for the Committee=s consideration.

5D1.    Mr. Abelow reported that the Collaborative had hired John Coster as Executive Director.  The next meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for September 20.  Mr. Ronan will attend.  Mr. Ronan will also invite Mr. Coster to attend a School Committee meeting in the near future.

5D2.    Ms. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Abelow, to adopt Policy BCA, as presented.  It was so voted, unanimously.

5D3.    Superintendent Spriggs reported that the Business Administrator Screening Team had met earlier in the day to review applications.  First round interviews will be held on September 21 and 22. 

6.     Communication from the Public/Requests

A.       Chairman Pollitt asked each member if he/she had any items to bring forward.

C         Ms. Mielke reminded all that the next meeting will take place in Monterey.

C         Ms. Maggio noted that she felt badly that the Egremont parents= night had been scheduled for the same evening as the New Marlborough Central School Family night, as she would have like to have attended both events.

C         Ms. Maggio also reminded members of the upcoming performances of AThe Guys@.

C         Mr. Pollitt reported on a meeting with Lt. Governor Kerry Healy earlier in the week.  He said that Ms. Healy had promised changes in the massive amount of reporting currently required of the public schools.  She had also asked that people contact their representatives regarding regional transportation.  Mr. Pollitt also reported that he had invited the Lt. Governor to the District=s 50^th anniversary celebration on October 23, and she has requested further information.

Mr. Abelow moved, seconded by Mr. Ronan, adjourn the meeting.  It was so voted, and the meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.

Approve Minutes

Eagle Feathers

Info. Re: Coll. Barg.

Student Reps.

Munis Software Presentation

Vote to Support UniFund

Proposal

Opening of Schools

Safety Update

Subcom-mittee Membership

Expenditure of Additional Funds

Oil

Vote to Extend New Marlb. Routes

Re: Student Activity Audit

Finance Subcom. Mtg.

SBEC Rept.

Approve Policy BCA

Business Admin. Scr. Team

Communic.

Adjourn