HWRSD School Committee

HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Committee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Minnechaug Regional High School
April 24, 2007

 Present:
School Committee Members : William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, , Lisa Morace, Peter Salerno, Gilles Turcotte and Student Representatives Liz Medeiros and Nicole Sawyer.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Donna Scanlon and Beth Regulbuto
Guests: Marty O’Shea, Principal of MRHS; Doug Farmer, The Times; Levon Kinney, The Reminder; Bob Page, Concerned Citizens of Wilbraham; and Ed Gorski, Hampden residents.
Absent : Scott Chapman D. John McCarthy

 In Mr. Chapman’s absence, Vice Chair Desmond called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

  1. General (see attached)
    1. Public Comment
      There were no comments.
    2. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – April 10, 2007
        The Minutes of the April 10, 2007, meeting were reviewed. Mr. Salerno made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Mr. Bickley seconded and it was approved.
    3. Student Representatives
       Student Representative Liz Medeiros and Nicole Sawyer reported on some recent and upcoming events at the high school including, only 22 days of school left for seniors, band trip to DC this week, classic drama presentations on 4/30, nominations for Student Council due, MCAS for sophomores, and porchetta fundraising dinner on 5/14.

  2. Financial Issues (see attached)
    1. Treasurer’s Report
      Mrs. Regulbuto previously distributed the Treasurer’s Report for March 2007. She noted that it’s much the same as February, but let her know if there is any further detail you would like to see. Dr. Gagliarducci noted that they are going over the budget carefully, like done earlier in the year, to compare projections vs. actuals. Within the next couple of weeks we will have a much clearer picture of where we stand. Mr. Salerno asked about an overage of $215,000 in the Collaborative tuition account. Mrs. Regulbuto will get the specifics and get back to everyone with an explanation.
    2. Budget Updates
      In terms of next year, we’ve gotten support from both communities regarding the new assessment. The Hampden Annual Town Meeting will be on Monday, April 30 th, and the Wilbraham one will be on May 14 th. Dr. Gagliarducci has not heard anything further regarding the State Budget, but is still hoping for relief in Regional Transportation.
    3. Approve Warrants
      The warrants were approved.
  3.  Other Business (see attached)
    1. Review of Course Selection (class sizes)- Mr. O’Shea
      Mr. O’Shea previously distributed the master list of courses at Minnechaug for the next school year. The list showed the courses to be offered, the number of sections for each class and the projected average class size. He noted that they are still working on the master schedule for next year, which includes over 10,000 student requests for over 450 classes taught by 85 teachers! He further explained that decisions had to be made regarding deleting some basic business courses due to their declining enrollment and increased interest in school-to-career and entrepreneur activities. In the fall they plan to propose a reorganization and update of business curriculum to ensure it meets the needs and interests of the students.
    2. Capital Projects Review – Mr. Cenedella
      This item was tabled until the May 8 th meeting.
    3. Policy Manual Subcommittee Update – Mr. Salerno
      Mr. Salerno reported that this subcommittee has been working hard on this project. Mrs. Desmond asked when the Committee would see something in writing for their review, and Mr. Salerno estimated within a month.
  4. Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
      Dr. Gagliarducci referred to a memo from Mr. Doyle regarding the MRHS Booster Club’s offer to purchase a “Thorguardian Lightning Prediction System”. The system is an advance warning system for lightning and will cover the entire Minnechaug campus. Selectmen, police and fire officials have been notified and support this system. Per policy, Dr. Gagliarducci asked for Committee approval to accept this donation. Mr. Bickley made a motion to accept the Booster’s Club donation of the “Thorguardian Lightning Prediction System”. Mrs. Desmond seconded and it was unanimously approved
      • Wilbraham Sewer Report
        A memo from Mr. DelCastilho, Interim Town Administration, explaining the financial plan for the Wilbraham Sewer System Expansion was previously distributed. There will be a public hearing on the matter on Tuesday, May 1 st. Dr. Gagliarducci suggested that Mr. DelCastilho attend the next School Committee meeting to explain the details of the plan.
      • IAQ Report
        No further discussion.
    2. Misc. Correspondence (green folder)
  5. Personnel
    The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
    1. Appointments
      • Mary Cieplik, LT Sub 8 th Gr Math @ WMS, eff 5-29-07
      • Dan Ryan, PT Evening Security, eff 4-26-07
      • Gail Smola, Lunch Monitor @ MT, eff 4-12-07
    2. Resignations
      • Frank Paige, 8 th Gr LA Teacher @ WMS, eff 6-18-07
    3. Leaves of Absence
      • Alisha Powell, 8th Gr Math Teacher @ WMS, eff 5-29-07 (childbear)
    4. Retirements
      • None
  6. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    1. Policy Manual Subcommittee (ongoing)
    2. System Wide Curriculum Review (May)
    3. District Wide Improvement Plan Update (May)
    4. Community Education Report (May)
    5. Food Services Report (May)

As there was no need for Executive Session, Mrs. Desmond asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Salerno so moved, Mr. Turcotte seconded, and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary  

Next Meeting Scheduled For:
Tuesday, May 8, 2007,
at Thornton W. Burgess Middle School