New Marlborough Central School

                                                                                                            Mill River, MA

                                                                                                            December 15, 2005

                                                                                                            School Committee Meeting #1,332

 

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

 

Administrators: Ms. Spriggs, Ms. Brown

 

Press: CTSB

 

Student Representatives:

 

Others: Monterey Select Board Member Jon Sylbert, New Marlborough/Monterey PTA Chairman Chuck Mielke, Mr. Leonard Ohman, Ms. Frances Stevens, Ms. Francine Groener, Ms. Melissa Kobelin, Mr. Paul O’Brien, Ms. Andrea Scott, Ms. Erna Lampman, Mr. C. William Dunsay,  Ms. Linda Higgins

 

 

Chairman Pollitt called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.  He began by welcoming audience members to New Marlborough Central School, and he announced that Ms. Groener would lead a tour of the building later in the evening.

 

The minutes of Meeting #1,331, regular and executive sessions, will be considered for adoption at the next meeting. 

 

3.      Communications: 

        

A.       Mr. Jon Sylbert, Member of the Monterey Select Board, asked the School Committee whether there were plans in place for the repairs and maintenance of the District’s outlying schools.  Mr. Sylbert also reported that the building inspector had reminded him that there were several building code violations at the Monterey School which were yet to be addressed.  Ms. Brown stated that she had not been informed of any such violations, and she requested that Mr. Sylbert send the list to her so she could follow up.

 

Supt. Spriggs told Mr. Sylbert that the Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee plans to speak with an expert in the field at their January meeting to help in the development of a long term facilities plan.  Mr. Ronan added that the Subcommittee has held many conversations about the state of the outlying buildings; they are not neglecting them, but need a long-term plan.

 

Ms. Brown pointed out that the District’s Agreement specifically addresses the regional schools, but is rather vague about who (i.e., the town or the School District) is responsible for capital projects in the outlying schools. 

 

B.       Mr. Sylbert cited a recent article in the NY Times regarding an ongoing debate over the selling of carbonated soft drinks in schools, and he questioned whether the District had a policy regarding such sales.  Ms. Brown responded that although there is no formal policy, the sale of soda to students is not allowed for reasons of nutrition/health.

 

C.       Superintendent Spriggs informed the Committee that Mr. & Mrs. Paukulis have put together a video on the Village to Village project, which was funded by the money raised by District students following the tsunami last year.  A 15-minute version of the video will be shown to

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the Committee in January.  Ms. Spriggs said that the School Committee should be aware of impact that this project has had on the world.  Through this project, thirty-two schools have been provided with portable libraries.  Beyond that, due to the project’s success, Japan has agreed to provide funding to Thailand to put additional libraries in place, and  Viet Nam has asked to duplicate the module, as well.  In addition, the Fulbright Group has agreed to provide financial backing so that more towns and villages can have similar access.  Ms. Spriggs thanked the School Committee for giving their stamp of approval and providing the initial guidelines at the beginning of the fundraising efforts.

 

Ms. Miller questioned whether there had been publicity regarding the project.  Ms. Spriggs explained that reporters have been invited to cover the effort, but although a reporter did write a small article, the photographer had forgotten his camera on the day of the ceremony, and little coverage had been extended by the local press. Ms. Spriggs said that she intends to set up an appointment with the editor of the Eagle in the near future. 

 

D.       Superintendent Spriggs reviewed the Superintendent’s Update (copy on file with these minutes.  She notified the Committee that Dr. Joseph Rappa, Executive Director of the Education Quality Assurance Office, will conduct a workshop for School Committee members and administrators on January 19 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Dinner will be provided for the Committee, prior to the regular School Committee meeting at 7:00 p.m.  Members discussed whether it was preferable for Dr. Rappa to make a formal presentation, or to conduct a workshop for them.  It was agreed by consensus to request a combination of the two. 

 

E.       There were no Student Representatives in attendance.

 

4.     Business

 

A.       Ms. Francine Groener, Teacher Leader of New Marlborough Central School, aided by teachers Bill Dunsay, Mel Kobelin, and Erna Lampman, led the School Committee members on a tour of the building. 

 

B.       Subcommittee / Representative Reports

 

1.     South Berkshire Educational Collaborative: Committee members discussed the possibility of taking part in a Virtual High School (VHS) Program through the Collaborative.  Mr. Ronan noted that the program was a way for small high schools to offer some courses they generally would be unable to offer.  Dr. Savage expressed concern that her town leaders would not be receptive to supporting new programs, but Mr. Tillett pointed out that the VHS program would be a way to offer new courses without hiring additional teachers.  Mr. Ronan explained that it was possible for each school to join VHS without joining the Collaborative, but the cost would be five times greater for each.  He also pointed out that the VHS was not going to be the only program offered through the Collaborative; rather, bulk buying and other cost cutting measures would be offered to its members.  He stated that he believed that the director has done an incredible job of bringing the Collaborative up to date and making it valuable to the Districts once again.  Supt. Spriggs concurred, and she stated that although she had not seen any value to the Collaborative two years ago, she now felt that it was the best way to strengthen the District and will be recommending strongly that the District retain its membership.  Mr. Ronan said that the next meeting of the Collaborative Board will take place on January 3, with the main topic of the meeting to be the budget.  He will report to the School Committee on January 5.

 

2.     Policy Subcommittee: There was no report from the Policy Subcommittee.  Mr. Tillett stated that he was feeling overwhelmed with all of the subcommittee work, and he asked whether some

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else might wish to take his place.  There were no volunteers at this time.

 

3.     Negotiations: Mr. Abelow reported on recent collective bargaining sessions.  He stated that the teams had met and each unit had presented their “wish lists”.  He said that he felt that the meeting with Unit E had been quite successful.  However, he stated that the Unit D group seemed to harbor some mistrust of the District and the School Committee, and also among themselves. 

 

Chairman Pollitt asked that Mr. Abelow continue the report in executive session at the end of the regular meeting.

 

C.       Superintendent Spriggs distributed a summary of the Program Quality Assurance Audit for the School Committee to look over.  She said that she will provide them with additional information on the process as the District continues its preparation.      

 

D.       Financial Updates/Transfer Requests: Ms. Brown presented financial reports for the month of November.  She informed the Committee that she intends to eliminate two accounts which were incorrectly set up as revolving accounts. 

 

Ms. Brown also distributed a chart depicting the state budget process, for the Committee members’ information.  She noted that the District works with the House 1 Budget figures, which are released in January, and then makes adjustments later on, when the numbers are firmed up.  She stated that the final numbers generally end up greater than the House 1, and they rarely, if ever, decrease.

 

Dr. Savage inquired whether it is the District’s tradition to spend all grant monies.  Supt. Spriggs stated that it was the expectation that all grant funds will be spent.  Ms. Brown added that she expects the grant administrators to live by the budget which they develop.  She noted that when money is sent back to the state, it is generally a small amount.  Dr. Savage stated that in her experience dealing with grants, there is always a way to move money around to where it is needed.  She urged that all funds be used.

 

5.     COMMUNICATIONS

 

A.       In response to a question by Mr. Tillett, Mr. Pollitt reported that Mr. Weston had told him that the Association has collected nearly enough money to buy defibrillators and are now working on the policy piece, which will be presented to the School Committee as soon as it is ready.

 

B.       On behalf of the School Committee, Mr. Pollitt thanked Ms. Groener and the New Marlborough staff members for the tour of the building.

 

 

 

 

4B.  3.        Mr. Ronan moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining.  The vote:

 

Mr. Abelow                        no                                 Ms. Miller                     yes

                  Mr. Pollitt                           yes                               Dr. Savage                   yes

                  Mr. Tillett                           yes                               Mr. Twing                    yes

Mr. Ronan                          yes                               Ms. Maggio                  yes

 

 

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The Committee moved into the library and entered into executive session at 8:51 p.m.

 

                  The Committee came out of executive session at 9:41 p.m.

 

On a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.