Alford Town Hall

                                                                                                            Alford, MA

                                                                                                            October 20, 2005

                                                                                                            School Committee Meeting #1,329

 

School Committee Members: Mr. Pollitt, Ms. Miller, Mr. Abelow, Dr. Savage, Ms. Mielke, Mr. Twing, Mr. Tillett, Ms. Silvestri, Ms. Maggio, Mr. Ronan

 

Administrators: Ms. Spriggs, Ms. Brown, Mr. Devoti, Mr. O’Brien

 

Press: CTSB

 

Student Representatives:

 

Others: Ms. MaryEllen O’Brien, Ms. Karen Ketchen, Ms. Linda Higgins

 

Chairman Pollitt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

Mr. Tillett moved, seconded by Mr. Abelow, to approve the minutes of Meeting #1,328 (regular session and two executive sessions), and the Special School Committee Meeting of October 11, 2005.  It was so voted.  (Ms. Maggio abstained.)

 

3.      Communications: 

 

A1.     Superintendent Spriggs reviewed the October 20 edition of Blue Notes (copy on file with these minutes.  The School Committee offered congratulations to Mr. Paul O’Brien for his appointment to the administrative position of Supervisor of Technology and Curriculum.

 

B.       There were no Student Representatives in attendance.

 

4.     Business:

 

A.       Business Administrator Position:  Chairman Pollitt reviewed the business administrator recruitment process.  Superintendent Spriggs noted that the two top applicants were both very talented, but that she was recommending the appointment of Lauren Sartori due to the breadth of experience that she would bring to the position.  Ms. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to approve the appointment of Ms. Sartori as Business Administrator.  It was so voted, unanimously.

 

B.       Notification of Appointment of Supervisor of Technology and Curriculum: Supt. Spriggs reiterated that she was pleased to have the position as an administrative one.  She stated that the title was as dictated out by the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board.  Mr. O’Brien said that he was happy to be a part of the administrative team and was looking forward to that role.  He noted that he felt there was a pioneering spirit unique to the SBRSD which had drawn him to the District 30 years ago, and that the spirit continues to this day.

 

C.       Approval of Three Goals to Support 2005-06 District Improvement Plan:  Following discussion, Ms. Miller moved to approve the following three goals to support the 2005-06 District Improvement Plan: 1) Improve student mathematics achievement and passion, interest, attitude toward the subject across all grades; 2) Complete a needs-based analysis resulting in an implementation plan to decrease the mobility; and 3) Gather data from multiple sources about the teaching, learning, and working conditions of various employee groups. It was so voted.  (Mr. Ronan abstained.)

 

D.       Request for Approval of Overnight Field Trips: Mr. Devoti explained requests for approval of overnight field trips for the cross country team and a Key Club leadership seminar.  He apologized for not having the requests before the Committee six weeks in advance.  He also stated that should

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the cross country team qualify, there could be additional overnight trip requests forthcoming which would need an accelerated approval.

 

Mr. Pollitt stated that he had no problem with either of the trips, but he questioned how the Committee could get the requests in a more timely fashion.  He noted that the Committee would likely need to say “no” at some point, and students would be greatly disappointed. 

 

Supt. Spriggs stated that she had spoken with both Mr. Devoti and Mr. Finkle about the lateness of the requests, but noted that although she was cognizant of trying to honor the School Committee’s desire to have the requests far in advance, sports teams do not always know they have qualified early enough to comply. 

 

During additional discussion, members of the School Committee recognized the possible need to make some exceptions for athletics, and a desire to review the policy was voiced.

 

Mr. Abelow moved to accept the two field trips as an exception and to review the policy governing overnight field trips at the next Policy Subcommittee meeting.  Mr. Tillett seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.

 

E.       Subcommittee/Representative Reports: 

1.   SBEC:  Mr. Ronan updated the Committee regarding the recent meeting of the South Berkshire Educational Collaborative Board of Directors.  He reviewed ideas being explored by the Collaborative to help the four district members, and he stated that he believes that the Collaborative can be beneficial once again.  Some specific areas under consideration are professional development and joint summer school through the use of video-conferencing. 

 

Regarding the SBEC 2006-07 budget time line, Ms. Brown requested that it be finalized and given to the Districts in January.

 

2.   Audit Subcommittee: At Mr. Ronan’s request, Ms. Brown explained responses to the Student Activities Audit Management Letter, which had been drafted by the Audit Subcommittee.  She noted that the committee had honored the auditors’ requests in most instances, but not all.  The auditors had recommended that the accounts of booster clubs, summer camps and the play account not be included as student activities accounts.  The Audit Subcommittee was recommending that the Play Account be taken in as a District revolving account, but had chosen to keep the booster club accounts as part of the student activities accounts.  The members had agreed that the booster clubs were for the students, but the adult leaders change frequently, thus keeping the monies as part of the student activities allowed for a better accounting of the funds.

 

Noting that field trips sometimes require thousands of dollars to be dispersed in one check, Ms. Brown requested that the Committee authorize the student activities checking account to hold up to $15,000.  She said that the treasurer currently writes such checks directly from the large account. 

 

Following additional discussion, Mr. Tillett moved to increase the amount to be held in the student activities checking account to $15,000.  Mr. Abelow seconded the motion, and it was so voted.

 

Mr. Tillett moved that any student activities check in excess of $4,999 be written by the District treasurer.  Ms. Mielke seconded the motion, and it was so voted.

 

3.   Negotiations: This item was postponed until the end of the meeting, as executive session was required.

Mr. Pollitt then moved off of the agenda, recognizing Ms. Karen Ketchen and thanking her for being there as a representative of the Chairman of the Alford Select Board.  Ms. Ketchen apologized that the Chair (Mr. Ketchen) could not attend the meeting.

 

F.        Ms. Brown explained transfer requests totaling $86,000.  Following a question and answer session, Ms. Mielke moved to approve the transfers as requested (copy on file with these minutes).  Mr. Twing seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.

 

5.     Communication from the Public/Requests

 

        A.       Communications

C                      Ms. Silvestri reported that she had attended the recent Board meeting of the Southern Berkshire Child Care Program.  She noted that the Winter Cookie Walk would be held December 3 & 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  She also reported that the SBCCP will need to seek renewal of its NAEYC Accreditation at a cost of $1,600 and will also need to renew its state licensing this year.

 

C                       Ms. Maggio reported that the eagle fund phone-a-thon will take place soon.  Mr. O’Brien added that the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) group are looking forward to topping their $10,000 goal of last year. 

 

C                       Superintendent Spriggs encouraged all to attend the festivities in celebration of the District’s 50^th anniversary during the upcoming weekend.

 

4C3. Negotiations: Mr. Tillett moved to appoint Mr. Ronan to the Negotiations Subcommittee.  Ms. Mielke seconded the motion, and it was so voted.

 

Ms. Mielke moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining. Ms. Miller seconded the motion.  The vote:

 

                  Mr. Abelow                        yes                               Ms. Silvestri                  yes

                  Ms. Mielke                         yes                               Ms. Miller                     yes

                  Mr. Pollitt                           yes                               Dr. Savage                   yes

                  Mr. Tillett                           yes                               Mr. Twing                    yes

Mr. Ronan                          yes                               Ms. Maggio                  yes

 

                  Mr. Pollitt stated that no further business would be conducted following executive session.

 

The Committee held a recess at 8:23 p.m.

 

The Committee entered into executive session at 8:30 p.m.

 

                  The Committee came out of executive session at 8:40 p.m.

 

On a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.