South Egremont School

                                                                                                            South Egremont, MA

                                                                                                            November 17, 2005

                                                                                                            School Committee Meeting #1,330

 

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

 

Press: CTSB

 

Student Representatives: Cody Kern

 

Others: Ms. Margaret Larkin; Mr. Bruce Turner, Chairman, Egremont Select Board; Mr. James Kern; Mrs. Susan Turner; Mrs. Loretta Curtiss; Ms. Linda Higgins

 

 

Chairman Pollitt called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.

 

Ms. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to approve the minutes of Meeting #1,329 (regular and executive sessions).  It was so voted.

 

3.      Communications: 

        

 

A.       The presentation of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Award was postponed until the December 1 meeting.

 

B1.     Superintendent Spriggs reviewed the November edition of Blue Notes (copy on file with these minutes.

 

A2.     Ms. Julie Milani, South Egremont School Teacher, presented a brief overview of the opening months of school this year. 

 

A3.     Mr. Pollitt welcomed Bruce Turner, Chairman of the Egremont Select Board.  On behalf of the town, Mr. Turner expressed appreciation for the School Committee’s coming to Egremont to hold their meeting.

 

A1.     The Committee members discussed the possibility of changing the “Blue Notes” portion of “Communications”.  Many suggestions were made regarding the role they play and possible formats which could be used.  After hearing the thoughts of each Committee member, Ms. Spriggs stated that she would retain the “Eagle Feathers” portion of the notes, and try a bullet format for the rest.  If some members are still not comfortable with the format/presentation, it will be scheduled for discussion at a later date.

 

B.       Student Representative Cody Kern reported that the class yard clean-up project had been very successful.  He noted that the students were now looking forward to Spirit Week.  He also reported that the high school bowling league games will start on November 29.  The students from Mt. Everett will participate in their first match at 4:30 p.m. that day at the Cove Bowling Lanes in Great Barrington.  Cody invited and encouraged School Committee members to attend.  Committee members congratulated Cody and Mr. Kern for accomplishing their goal of developing a bowling league for high school students. 

 

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D.       Mr. James Kern reported that he has noticed that some of the outside lights blink off and on at the Undermountain/Mt. Everett campus.  Ms. Spriggs and Ms. Brown thanked Mr. Kern for bringing it to their attention and will ask to have it attended to.

 

D2.     On behalf of the New Marlborough Historical Society, Mr. Abelow distributed copies of A Pictorial History of New Marlborough as a gift for the school libraries. 

 

4.     Presentation: Mr. Pollitt explained that due to the expectation of a rather lengthy executive session later in the evening, the presentation of 2005 MCAS scores had been postponed until December 1.

 

5.     Business:

 

A.       Business Administrator Position: This item was postponed for discussion in executive session later in the meeting.

 

B.       Ms. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to approve requests for the following overnight field trips: 1) Mt. Everett Band to Virginia Beach, April, 2006; 2) Mt. Everett Girls’ Basketball Team to Cape Cod, December, 2005.  It was so voted. 

 

C.       Subcommittee/Representative Reports: 

 

C                       Ms. Miller reported that the Policy Subcommittee has been systematically reviewing each section of the Policy Manual and will bring forth proposed modifications section by section.  Mr. Pollitt reminded members that two readings were necessary for policy adoption or revisions. 

 

C                       Ms. Miller also asked the School Committee to consider meeting less frequently, given that preparation for the meetings takes considerable time on the part of management, and given that some of the School Committee meeting agendas are less than substantive.  A lengthy discussion ensued.  Suggestions included the following:

*   Maintain the schedule for this year, but if a meeting agenda is not substantive, cancel the meeting [decision to be made jointly with School Committee Chair and Supt.];

*   Make agendas more “meaty” by inviting faculty members or student groups to give a presentation once a month;

*   Designate one meeting per month to review financial information;

*   Hold one meeting each month as a business meeting, and the other for public information purposes;

*   Try meeting every three weeks;

*   Appoint a study committee to bring back solid recommendations.

 

Members also noted the responsibility of the Committee to make itself available to the public at the times published. 

 

Following additional discussion, Ms. Miller withdrew her request, but asked that each agenda bring the Committee together for substantive reasons, and that the issue be discussed at the end of the 2005-06 year. 

 

It was also noted that although facts could be exchanged via the Internet, no appearance of discussion could take place in that mode due to the Open Meeting law.  It was agreed to put the item back on the agenda in the springtime. 

 

C                       Mr. Abelow moved to appoint Mr. Twing as School Committee Liaison to the Elementary School Council.  Mr. Ronan seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.

 

C                      Mr. Twing reported on the meeting of the Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee earlier in the day (copy of notes on file with these minutes).

 

        D.       There were no financial updates/requests.

 

6.        Communication from the Public/Requests:

 

C                       Ms. Margaret Larkin, R.N., requested that as landscaping plans are developed, to install only “safe” bushes (i.e., no thorns or berries).

C                       Mr. Ronan requested that a Collaborative update be put on the agenda for the December 1 meeting.  He distributed information regarding a proposal for a virtual high school, which he will explain at the next meeting.

C                       Ms. Maggio informed the School Committee that six Mt. Everett students have been accepted for Western District Band, and four have been invited to try out for State.

C                       Ms. Maggio also informed the Committee that two students (Abbie Reardon and Alice Maggio) have been named as National Merit Scholars this year. 

C                       Ms. Mielke informed the School Committee that she had been in contact with Glenn Koocher of MASC to question whether she could serve as a member of the collective bargaining team, given that she has two family members who work for the District.  Ms. Mielke stated that given the relationship of the family members, Mr. Koocher had stated that there was no problem.

C                       Mr. Pollitt reminded the Committee members that the agenda belongs to them, and invited them to call to schedule items they may wish to have discussed.

 

5C3.    Mr. Abelow 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 8:55 p.m.

 

The Committee entered into executive session at 9:10 p.m.

 

                  The Committee came out of executive session at 10:09 p.m.

 

On a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.