Mt. Everett Regional School

                                                                                                            Sheffield, MA 01257

                                                                                                            October 6, 2005

                                                      School Committee Meeting #1,328

 

 

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

 

Administrators: Ms. Spriggs, Ms. Brown

 

Press: CTSB

 

Student Representatives: Phil Hannum, Arielle VanDeusen

 

Others: Mr. Bruce Turner, Ms. Christine Martin, Ms. Catherine Rueger, Mr. John Coster, Ms. Linda Higgins

 

 

Chairman Pollitt called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

 

Mr. Tillett moved, seconded by Ms. Miller, to approve the minutes of Meeting #1327, regular and executive sessions.  It was so voted.  (Ms. Silvestri abstained.)

 

3.          Communications: 

 

A1.        Superintendent Spriggs reviewed the October 6 edition of Blue Notes (copy on file with these minutes. 

 

Mr. Ronan arrived at 7:05 p.m.

 

B.    Student Representatives Phil Hannum and Arielle VanDeusen introduced themselves to the School Committee members.  There was no student representative report.

 

        C.        Chairman Pollitt distributed copies of the minutes of a recent meeting of the Undermountain/Mt. Everett Athletic Youth Athletic Association.

 

4.        Presentation:

 

Chairman Pollitt welcomed Mr. John Coster, Executive Director of the South Berkshire Educational Collaborative (SBEC).  Mr. Coster reviewed the history of the SBEC and updated Committee members regarding short term (6 month) goals, and longer term goals.  He noted that the Collaborative needs to show itself as an organization that the Districts wish to be a part of during the current year, or it would cease to exist.  Following a question and answer session, the Committee thanked Mr. Coster for his presentation.

 

5.        Business     

 

At the request of Mr. Pollitt, the Committee moved to Item 5E, School Committee Hearing of Level IV Grievance.  Ms. Miller moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of hearing a Level IV grievance.  The vote:

 

                Mr. Abelow        yes              Ms. Silvestri               yes        Mr. Ronan        yes

                Ms. Mielke                yes              Ms. Miller                  yes

                Mr. Pollitt                  yes              Dr. Savage               yes

                Mr. Tillett                  yes              Mr. Twing                 yes

The Committee entered into executive session at 7:40 p.m.

 

The Committee came out of executive session at 8:25 p.m.

 

The meeting resumed at 8:26 p.m.

 

5A.        Superintendent Spriggs explained a request to change the technology coordinator position from a Unit A position to an administrative one.  She said that the position has become administrative in nature, noting that the person deals with curriculum via the curriculum guides, and oversees the District Assessment Program.  Ms. Spriggs asked that the School Committee approve the creation/realignment of the position. 

 

Mr. Ronan moved to changed the technology coordinator position to an administrative position.  Ms. Mielke seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.  Ms. Spriggs will post the position and bring forth a recommendation at the next meeting.

 

5B.        Superintendent Spriggs presented goals that had been developed during a workshop held with administrators, teachers, and school council members on September 15.  She asked the School Committee members to consider adopting them as support for the District Improvement Plan for 2005-06, and to please call/e-mail any questions or concerns prior to the next meeting.  A vote will be requested at the October 20 meeting.

 

5C.        Subcommittee/Representative Reports:

SBEC: (covered under Agenda Item #4)

 

Business Administrator Search: It was noted that interviews will be conducted by the School Committee on October 11.  Mr. Pollitt asked Members to come in at 5:45 that evening to prepare.  Ms. Spriggs requested that School Committee Members call or e-mail suggested interview questions, and she asked Ms. Brown to help out with technical information.  A lengthy discussion took place regarding the format of the interviews.  It was generally agreed that each Member would ask one question, and that follow-up questions would be allowed immediately following each candidate’s response.  Additional discussion took place regarding when a decision was likely to be made.  It was generally agreed that a vote should take place on October 20, if possible.  It was also agreed that a 2/3 majority vote would be required for appointment.

 

        Finance Committee: Mr. Abelow reported that although the subcommittee had met, no figures were yet available.

 

Policy Subcommittee: It was reported that the Policy Subcommittee met on September 27. Each member will review a section of the policy book and bring forward those policies that need to be updated. 

 

Buildings & Grounds: Mr. Twing reported that at its September 29 subcommittee meeting, the Buildings & Grounds Subcommittee  discussed bringing in a consultant to help with long-term facility planning.  The Subcommittee also agreed that the School Committee should plan to tour each of the school buildings in the near future.

 

Negotiations: Mr. Pollitt moved to appoint Ms. Mielke to the Negotiations Subcommittee.  Mr. Twing seconded the motion, and it was so voted, unanimously.

 

D.        Financial Updates:  Ms. Brown reported the following: 1) The FY’05 End of Year Report has been filed with the Department of Education; 2) A draft of the responses to the student activities accounts audit management letter will be provided for the next meeting; 3) The District’s annual audit for FY’05 will begin at the end of October; 4) A contract with UniFund for the software upgrade has been signed, and they are in the process of scheduling.

 

Ms. Spriggs thanked Ms. Brown for all of her work on the End of Year Report, noting that she was likely the first in the state to submit.

 

F.     A discussion regarding contract negotiations was moved to the end of the meeting, as executive session would be requested.

 

6.        Communication from the Public/Requests

 

        A.        Communications

∙                         Superintendent Spriggs updated the Committee regarding the Educational Quality Assurance audit report.  She noted that the District had received a 120 page report, and the Administrators were in the process of reviewing it page by page and making corrections.  Ms. Spriggs stated that she plans to attend the meeting when the report is presented to the Board of Education.

 

∙                         Superintendent Spriggs updated the Committee regarding the upcoming Coordinated Program Review audit.  Mr. Ronan voiced the frustration shared by many that the State’s multiple audits present obstacles to the District’s work by keeping administrators and teachers from their work with the students.  Ms. Spriggs and Mr. Pollitt noted that both Representative Pignatelli and Lt. Governor Healy have expressed a desire to provide relief to the public schools in this regard.

 

∙                         It was noted that although there had been a sense of initial anxiety regarding the attendance policy early in the year, recent concerns of parents seem to be concentrated on cases involving extenuating circumstances.

 

5E.           Contract Negotiations:  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

 

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

 

The Committee moved to the Superintendent’s Office and entered into executive session at 9:29 p.m.

 

                The Committee came out of executive session at 9:54 p.m.

 

On a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.