HWRSD School Committee

HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, November 14, 2006 @ 7:00 p.m.
Thornton W. Burgess Middle School

 Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, Gilles Turcotte and Student Representatives Liz Medeiros and Nicole Sawyer.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci and Donna Scanlon.
Guests: John S. Flynn, Hampden Selectman; Patrick Brady, Wilbraham Selectman; Douglas Farmer, Wilbraham Hampden Times; Julie Dougal, HWRSD Food Service Director; Ed Cenedella, HWRSD Director of Maintenance; Marty O’Shea, MRHS Principal; and Ed Gorski, Hampden resident.
Absent : Peter Salerno

Chairman Chapman opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

  1. General (see attached)
    1. Public Comment
       Mr. Gorski again requested information regarding the district’s per pupil expenditure and could someone please explain how it is calculated. He noted that a simple math explanation is total budget divided by number of children in the district. Dr. Gagliarducci tried to provide an easy explanation for a complex formula and said that the State uses different methods in an effort to equalize the effect throughout the school districts in the State. One way is just as Mr. Gorski stated, dividing the total budget by the number of students. But other formulas the State uses take into consideration health insurance costs, transportation costs, etc., because those expenses are treated differently in some districts.
    2. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – October 24, 2006
        The Minutes of the October 24 th meeting were reviewed. Mr. Bickley made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Mr. Turcotte seconded and it was approved.
      • Executive Session – October 24, 2006
        The Minutes of the October 24 th Executive Session were reviewed. Mr. Bickley made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Mr. Turcotte seconded and it was approved.
    3. Student Representatives
       Student Representatives Liz Medeiros and Nicole Sawyer reported on some recent and upcoming events at the high school including report cards, National Honor Society induction ceremony, canned food drive, end of fall sports and fall sports awards, band participation at the “Harvest Festival” for senior citizens, hypnotist presentation fundraiser for Class of 2008, semi formal, and the inter-club meeting for the Key Club.
  2. Financial Issues (see attached)
    1. Food Service Report – Vote on Prince Increase Request – Julie Dougal
      Ms. Dougal had previously distributed a revised report to the Committee. Dr. Gagliarducci made one minor correction on the current price of the high school lunches – it says $2.00, but it should say $2.25. Ms. Dougal answered questions from the Committee. Mr. McCarthy requested that outsourcing the food service program be investigated. Mrs. Desmond made a motion to increase the school lunch price by 25 cents in the elementary schools effective January 1, 2007. Ms. Morace seconded. The motion was approved with four votes in favor and two opposed.
    2. Budget Subcommittee – Schedule Meeting(s)
      Schedule to be done after the meeting with members of the Subcommittee.
    3. Budget Roundtable – Schedule Meeting(s)
      Tentative meeting date will be discussed after the meeting.
    4. Approve Warrants
      The warrants were approved.
     
  3. Other Business (see attached)
    1. Cell Tower Safety
      Dr. Gagliarducci explained that he had received a phone call from a School Committee member and a parent expressing concern over the proposed cell tower on property at the Church of the Epiphany, abutting Stony Hill School. Dr. Gagliarducci put a letter to parents in the Stony Hill newsletter regarding the upcoming hearing on the issue but explained that the District had not taken a position on the matter. He has since heard various rumors, including that the application has been withdrawn. Mr. Chapman asked Mr. Brady if he knew more about the matter and Mr. Brady explained that it was a Planning Board matter, not a Selectmen or School Committee one, and that he understood if the tower was within the required parameters it is routinely approved.
    2. MCAS Presentation – Dr. Scanlon
      Dr. Scanlon gave a Power Point Presentation on the district’s MCAS results in comparison to previous years and State-wide results. She distributed a copy of the letter sent to parents with their child’s MCAS scores and a DOE press release “New MCAS Regulations Require all Students to Strive for Proficiency”. She answered questions from the Committee. Mrs. Desmond commented that the results were great and she applauds Dr. Scanlon and the District’s teachers.
    3. Athletic Trainer Position
      Dr. Gagliarducci had previously distributed a memo from Mr. Doyle explaining the need for a trainer contract. Dr. Gagliarducci explained that he needs School Committee approval for this position because it has budgetary implications. The contents of the memo were reviewed. The short term need is to transfer funds to a high school revolving account to cover the cost difference. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to transfer $7,000 from a revolving account to the athletic trainer account. Mrs. Desmond seconded and it was approved.
    4. Policy Subcommittee Discussion (discussion tabled to future meeting)
  4.  Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
       In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci mentioned some news at the high school. Doug Moore was a finalist in the Annual Senate Youth Scholarship Program and Greg Baker won the MIAA Sportsmanship Writing contest.
    2. Home School Report
       Dr. Scanlon had previously distributed the home school report. There was no further discussion.
    3. Enrollment Report
       Dr. Scanlon had previously distributed the enrollment report. The official October 1 st enrollment is 3791 in-district students.
    4. Misc. Correspondence (green folders)
       No further discussion.
  5. Personnel
    The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
    1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
      • Tiziana Cirillo, Food Service @ MEM, eff 10-30-06
      • Kim Garvey, Food Service @ SRS, eff 11-6-06
      • Rosemary Lee, Para @ SRS, eff TBD
      • Isabel Vieira, Para @ GM, eff 10-23-06
    2. Resignations
      • None
    3. Leaves of Absence
      • Christine Bak, Para @ MEM, eff 10-30-06, FMLA
      • Tammy Howe, Gr 4 Teacher @ SHS, eff SY 06-07, childrearing
      • Elaina Mendrala, Gr 6 Teacher @ SHS, 3-27-07, childbearing
    4. Retirements
      • None
  6. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    1. Program of Studies – November 28, 2006
    2. District Improvement Plan – January 23, 2007
    3. Budget Capital Projects Review
    4. Review Process Begins – has begun
    5. MRHS Building Committee Update
    6. Student Services Update – January 9, 2007
    7. System Wide Curriculum Review – December 12, 2006
    8. Technology Update – December 12, 2006 – Dr. Scanlon to consolidate with curriculum review
    9. NEASC Written Update – remove from task list
    10. Next Year’s School Calendar (November 28)
    11. Review Task List (November 28)

Mr. Chapman noted that there was need for Executive Session to discuss school safety and security and Dr. Gagliarducci added to also discuss a litigation matter. Mr. Turcotte made the motion. Mrs. Desmond seconded. Mr. Chapman took a roll call vote with Mr. Bickley, Ms. Desmond, Ms. Morace, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Turcotte and Mr. Chapman voting in favor of convening Executive Session. The Committee returned to the regular meeting and immediately adjourned at 9:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary  

Next Meeting Scheduled For:
* Tuesday, November 28, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at Stony Hill Elementary School *

HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, November 14, 2006 @ 7:00 p.m.
Thornton W. Burgess Middle School

 Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, and Gilles Turcotte
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci and Donna Scanlon.
Guests: Marty O’Shea, MRHS Principal, and Ed Cenedella, HWRSD Director of Maintenance
Absent : Peter Salerno

Executive Session convened at 8:29 p.m. The Committee discussed school safety and security issues. New signage will be ordered for school entrances. A confidential student matter was also discussed. There were no votes taken.

The Committee returned to open session at 9:28 p.m. to immediately adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,

Gilles Turcotte
School Committee Secretary