September 22 , 2005 - # 1327

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Monterey School

Monterey, MA 01257

September 22, 2005

School Committee Meeting #1,327

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

Administrators: Ms. Spriggs, Ms. Brown

Press: CTSB

Student Representatives:

Others: Mr. Michael Storch, Mr. Jon Sylbert, Mr. Charles Mielke, Ms. Christine Martin, Ms. Susan Andersen, Mr. James Kern, Ms. Linda Higgins

Chairman Pollitt called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. He welcomed Monterey Officials. Ms. Mielke introduced Mr. Jon Sylbert and Mr. Michael Storch, Members of the Monterey Select board; Mr. Charles Mielke, President of the New Marlborough/Monterey PTA; and Ms. Christine Martin, District Foreign Language Teacher Leader, President of the Southern Berkshire Regional Education Association, and resident of Monterey. Supt. Spriggs added that Ms. Brown, District Business Manager, was also a Monterey resident. Mr. Silbert and Mr. Storch voiced their appreciation for the School Committee coming to Monterey and for having the opportunity to visit the school.

Ms. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to approve the minutes of Meeting # . It was so voted. (Mr. Tillett abstained.)

3. Communications:

A1. Ms. Susan Andersen, Teacher at the Monterey School, updated the Committee regarding some of the things the Monterey students are working on this year. She noted that the class is moving at a very quick rate, due to its small numbers this year.

A2. Ms. Spriggs reviewed the current edition of Eagle Feathers (copy on file with these minutes).

Mr. Abelow arrived at 7:17 p.m.

B. Student Representatives: Cody Kern, Grade 11 Representative, stated that the junior class is currently focusing on fund raisers, especially the upcoming fall clean-up, scheduled for October 29 and 30, and November 5 and 6.

C. Ms. Maggio reported that the play, “The Guys”, which was presented on September 10 and 11 by the eagle fund, had been very successful. Ms. Miller concurred and reported that between $13,000 and $14,000 was expected to be realized.

4. Business:

A. Following a brief discussion, Ms. Mielke moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to approve a request from the Grade 5 teachers for the annual trip to Nature’s Classroom. It was so voted.

B. The School Committee received notification of the Unit A Professional Staff Lateral Movements, effective September 1, 2005. Mr. Pollitt noted that the lateral movements were provided by contract, and no vote was required.

C. Subcommittee/Representative Reports:

SBREA: Ms. Spriggs reported that Mr. John Coster, Executive Director of the South Berkshire Educational Collaborative, will attend the October 6 School Committee meeting to provide an update of plans for the Collaborative.

Business Administrator Search: Mr. Tillett updated the School Committee regarding the business manager search. He reported that following two days of interviews, the subcommittee will bring forth three candidates for the full Committee to interview.

Finance Committee: Ms. Brown noted one change in the proposed budget development calendar (i.e., the update to the teacher leaders, scheduled for January 5 will be moved to their February meeting). Following additional discussion, including a notation that the January 12 extended finance committee meeting would provide opportunity for input from town leaders, the time line was approved by consensus.

D. Financial Updates: Ms. Brown reported that the Audit Subcommittee had met during the previous week to discuss responses to the management letter regarding the student accounts audit. A draft of the responses will be brought forward at the next meeting.

E. Contract Negotiations: This item was postponed until the end of the meeting.

6. Communication from the Public/Requests

A. Communications

∙ Mr. Storch stated that he was impressed with the idea of an individual education plan for each student, but he questioned whether the District has enough staff to provide the service. Supt. Spriggs explained that following the testing, the computer program actually performed the bulk of the work and would generate a print-out for the parents and the teacher. She noted that the challenge was looking at a large amount of data and determining the instructional needs of each child. She said that a second assessment will be conducted in January as a mid-year checkpoint on each child. She said that the staff uses many diverse methods of instruction, and is ready for the challenge. She added that the individual plans will help the District fulfill its commitment of taking each child to the highest level possible.

Dr. Savage questioned whether student profiles might prove harmful to students in the lower tier, noting that other students can often be mean. Supt. Spriggs explained that the testing simply points out which skill areas, if any, need improvement. She said that having that specific knowledge allows each student to “catch up” with his/her peers by the end of the year. Ms. Martin also spoke, noting that in her experience, students seem to train any negative focus on those students with more challenging behaviors, rather than those who need academic assistance. Mr. Mielke added that he believed that the teachers’ practice of having students help each other, beginning in second grade, also helps to avoid stigmatizing students who need assistance.

∙ Mr. Storch asked if students are afforded the opportunity to go to large cities. Ms. Spriggs stated that each year teachers take students on trips to cities such as Boston, New York, New Orleans, Virginia Beach, and Washington D.C. Also, many years there are trips abroad, and students have traveled to Paris, Madrid, and even China. She said that she felt that the District’s students were very well traveled.

∙ Mr. Sylbert questioned whether the District has a long-term capital schedule for the buildings. Ms. Brown responded that the Buildings & Grounds subcommittee had developed a five-year plan a few years ago, but she noted that capital items are always the first to be cut, when the budget needs to be trimmed.

∙ Mr. Storch asked if barrington stage’s move to Pittsfield has affected the District’s budget. Supt. Spriggs responded that although the group will be missed, the rent that they had paid was not a major part of the budget. Ms. Brown added that although the District did receive rent, there was also a large outlay for electricity and wear & tear on the building.

B. Chairman Pollitt offered each member an opportunity to bring items forward.

•Mr. Twing reported that he had hosted a field trip of the building structures class at Lindell’s. He noted that the group was a very nice class, and he wished them well. Mr. Twing also reported that he had enjoyed Family Night at New Marlborough Central School on September 15.

∙ On behalf of the Committee, Ms. Mielke extended appreciation to the Mr. Ken Basler of the Monterey Store for providing the evening’s refreshments and to the Town of Monterey for picking up the tab.

5E. Contract Negotiations: Mr. Tillett moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing Collective Bargaining. Ms. Maggio seconded the motion. The vote:

Mr. Abelow yes Ms. Maggio yes

Ms. Mielke yes Ms. Miller yes

Mr. Pollitt yes Dr. Savage yes

Mr. Tillett yes Mr. Twing yes

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

The Committee took a brief recess at 8:15 p.m.

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

The Committee came out of executive session at 9:37 p.m.

On a motion by Mr. Tillett, seconded by Ms. Miller, the meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m.