Mt. Everett Regional School

Sheffield, MA

June 22, 2006

School Committee Meeting #1,344

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

Administrators : Ms. Spriggs, Ms. Regan

Press : CTSB

Student Representatives :

Others : Middle School Alternative Program staff members, Ms. Gillian Voight, Teacher, and Ms. Miriam Hilbert, Caseworker, with students Walter Brown and Shawn Stevens; Mr. & Mrs. Roger Stevens; Mr. Michael Farmer; Ms. Kathleen VanOrman; Ms. Linda Higgins

1. Chairman Pollitt called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

2. Mr. Abelow moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to approve the minutes of the School Committee Meeting #1,343, regular and executive sessions. It was so voted.

3. Communications from the Audience:

A. Superintendent Spriggs provided a bi-weekly update (copy on file with these minutes).

B. There was no student representative report.

4. Presentations:

A. Walter Brown and Shawn Stevens, students in the Mt. Everett MAP Program, presented a Power Point presentation on the work completed by their class to bring the pathway to the vernal pool into compliance with the federal IDEA laws. Committee members thanked the students for their hard work and for their presentation, and Superintendent Spriggs presented each with a thank you gift.

(Mr. Ronan arrived at 7:15 p.m.)

B. Ms. Kathleen VanOrman presented a request for approval of the “Savings Makes Cents” curriculum, to begin in the fall of 2006. A brief question and answer session followed. On a motion duly made and seconded, the program was approved, as presented. Ms. VanOrman will proceed with plans for the program select a bank to participate.

5. Business

A. Mr. Michael Farmer updated the Committee regarding work accomplished thus far and work planned over the upcoming summer on the enrollment project. He reported that surveys have been sent out to a large and varied group of both parents and non-parents in several the District and surrounding communities. Mr. Farmer said that his group will be tabulating the results over the summer and will report again in the fall.

B. On the recommendation of Superintendent Spriggs, it was moved and seconded to reappoint Harvey Thompson as District Treasurer, Effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. It was so voted,

unanimously.

C. The Committee received an update regarding the focus of professional development activities over the coming summer and a listing of plans for the 2006-07 school year.

D. Superintendent Spriggs notified the Committee members of the appointment of Ms. Mary Edwards as Interim Elementary Principal, and of Ms. Andrea Scott as Interim Assistant to the Principal for the 2006-07 school year.

E. Superintendent Spriggs updated the Committee regarding projected enrollment at the Monterey school for 2006-07. She reported that at this point, plans are underway to make the school a K-1 class. There are currently 6 grade 1 students and 2 early kindergarten students interested in attending; however, the early kindergarten students may be placed in New Marlborough, due the vast age difference in the two groups.

Supt. Spriggs also reported that she has received correspondence from Attorney Matthew Tobin regarding the Monterey School and the District Agreement. The Superintendent will forward the information to the School Committee members.

F. There were no financial updates.

G. 1) Policy Subcommittee Report: Ms. Miller reported that the Policy Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 11 at 8:15 a.m. in the Superintendent’s Office.

2) Mr. Ronan updated the Committee regarding the South Berkshire Educational Collaborative. He noted that Mr. Coster had been offered a contract for 2006-07, and he offered to send out a financial report to any interested School Committee member. Mr. Ronan also stated that the Virtual High School will be up and running in the fall. Supt. Spriggs reported that Mt. Everett was the first of the Collaborative schools to fill all of their VHS spots. Ms. Silvestri shared articles she had printed out regarding the Chinese courses being offered.

3) Negotiations: Mr. Tillett moved, seconded by Ms. Miller, to approve the Unit A Contract between the Southern Berkshire Regional School Committee and the Southern Berkshire Regional Education Association, effective September 1, 2006 through August 31, 2009. The vote:

Mr. Tillett yes Ms. Silvestri yes

Mr. Pollitt yes Dr. Savage yes

Mr. Ronan yes Mr. Twing yes

Ms. Mielke yes Ms. Miller yes

Mr. Ronan moved, seconded by Mr. Tillett, to approve the Unit E Contract between the Southern Berkshire Regional School Committee and the Southern Berkshire Regional Education Association, effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009. The vote:

Mr. Tillett yes Ms. Silvestri yes

Mr. Pollitt yes Dr. Savage yes

Mr. Ronan yes Mr. Twing yes

Ms. Mielke yes Ms. Miller yes

On behalf of the School Committee, Chairman Pollitt thanked the Negotiations Subcommittee for their many hours of work. He noted that it was anticipated that the Unit D Contract will be discussed at the July 13 meeting.

Chairman Pollitt also stated that executive session would be requested at the end of the meeting for the discussion of contracts with non-unit personnel.

6. Communications from the Public/Requests

• The Committee received a note of appreciation from Ms. Janice Storti for their part in her retirement gift.
• A letter was received from Ms. Sandra Halloran, doctoral student, requesting the Committee members’ participation in a survey she will be conducting.
• Ms. Silvestri reported that she had received a letter from Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts concerning the recent increase in the number of students with STD’s and HIV. She requested a presentation from the health/wellness teachers in the fall regarding what is being taught to SBRSD students.
• Mr. Pollitt noted that the next School Committee meeting will include reorganization, and will take place on July 13.

5G. 3) Negotiations: Mr. Twing moved, seconded by Ms. Mielke, to enter into executive session to discuss contract negotiations. The vote:

Mr. Tillett yes Ms. Silvestri yes

Mr. Pollitt yes Dr. Savage yes

Mr. Ronan yes Mr. Twing yes

Ms. Mielke yes Ms. Miller yes

Chairman Pollitt announced that no further business would be conducted in open session.

The Committee moved to the Superintendent’s Office and entered into executive session at 8:10 p.m.

The Committee came out of executive session at 9:30 p.m.

On a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 9:31 p.m.