Minutes 08-28-2007

HWRSD School Committee

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
School Committee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Minnechaug Regional High School
August 28, 2007

Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, Chair; William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, Peter Salerno and Gilles Turcotte.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Donna Scanlon and Beth Regulbuto
Guests: Marty O’Shea, Principal MRHS; Gina Kahn, Risk Prevention Services Coordinator; Ed Cenedella, District’s Director of Maintenance; Dennis Laplante, MRHS Security Coordinator; Bob Page and Al Kinney, Concerned Citizens of Wilbraham; Melissa Fales, Wilbraham Hampden Times; and Ed Gorski, Hampden resident.
Absent : Student Representatives

Mr. Chapman called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.

General (see attached)
1. Public Comment
  Mr. Kinney, a member of Concerned Citizens of Wilbraham, read a prepared statement concerning the increase in school budgets, keeping school assessment increases to no more than 2½ percent, putting assessments over 2½ percent to an override vote, salary increases and other such issues. Mr. Chapman invoked the Chairman’s prerogative to respond and said that the District and the communities of Hampden and Wilbraham have had a good working relationship and the recent assessments were 1.3% and 1.7% for Hampden and Wilbraham respectively. He also noted that teacher contract negotiations are statutorily confidential, but he will pass along the CCW’s concerns to the negotiating committee. He further noted that the School Committee values the District’s teachers and the work they do. Mr. Salerno added that Hampden and Wilbraham both have a town meeting form of government and as such the district’s budget is part of that voting process. The School Committee presents its budget to the two towns and trusts the constituencies. Mr. Kinney’s comments will be included in the meeting records. Mr. Gorski then questioned an article in the morning paper concerning the starting dates for pre-Kindergarten 3 and 4 year olds. Dr. Gagliarducci explained that the district must adhere to State law for special education children and the others in the program pay tuition.
2. Minutes
  - Regular Meeting – June 26, 2007
    The minutes from the June 26, 2007, meeting were reviewed. Mr. Bickley made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Mr. Turcotte seconded, and they were approved with two abstentions.
  - Regular Meeting - July 24, 2007
    The minutes from the July 24, 2007, meeting were reviewed. Mrs. Desmond made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Mr. Salerno seconded, and they were approved with two abstentions. Dr. Gagliarducci noted the date of the meeting was incorrect on the agenda – should be July 24, not July 27.
Financial issues (see attached)
1. Year End Close – Votes Req’d
  Ms. Regulbuto distributed information regarding the FY07 close. She reviewed the information, including the Detail by Function Report, Summary of FY07 Operations, Fund Balance Analysis, Choice Revolving Account Activity FY2007, and Recommended Motions. Only a couple of motions are needed at this meeting as the others were already made at the preliminary close meeting.
  
  Mr. Salerno made a motion to fund the FY07 Expenditures from the Excess and Deficiency Fund in the amount of $248,613.00. Mr. Turcotte seconded, there was no further discussion and it was unanimously approved.
  
  Mr. Salerno made a motion to fund the MRHS and WMS technology upgrades form the School Choice Revolving Account in the amount of $82,986.00. Mr. Turcotte seconded, there was no further discussion and it was unanimously approved.
  
  For FY 08, Mr. Salerno made a motion to accept the change in classification of revenue due to updated information on our estimated transportation reimbursement resulting in Estimated Transportation Reimbursement in the Amount of $1,735,781 and the Applied Choice Tuition in the amount of $329,511. Mrs. Desmond seconded, there was no further discussion and it was unanimously approved.
2. Authorization for New District Credit Card – Vote Req’d
  Dr. Gagliarducci explained that a new credit card is needed because information from the current bank seems to be only accessible by the former superintendent. This card is rarely used. Mr. Salerno made a motion to authorize a new district credit card in the name of Dr. Paul Gagliarducci with a $10,000 limit. Mrs. Desmond seconded, there was no further discussion and it was unanimously approved.
3. Approve Warrants
  The warrants were approved.
Other Business (see attached)
1. General Update on Safety & Security
  Mr. Chapman showed everyone the District’s new emergency flipchart and then Ms. Kahn provided some of the background of the chart. She also explained that the flipchart was presented in all schools on opening day as part of the staff training in safety protocols throughout the district. Mr. O’Shea had previously distributed a safety report and he, Mr. Laplante and Mr. Cenedella reviewed its general content. Mr. O’Shea noted that with the School Committee’s support, as well as the efforts and cooperation of teachers, support staff, administrators, maintenance staff, custodial staff, coaching staff, and students, several safety and security improvements have been made at Minnechaug. Some of these include improving safety protocols, developing an after-school security team, and upgrading the facility and equipment. Dr. Scanlon added that the presentation of the emergency flipcharts on opening day got everyone involved and thinking about safety and security and that we are all in this together.
2. Discuss School Committee Goals for 07/08
  Mrs. Desmond made a motion that the School Committee accept the “Proposed School Committee Goals for 2007-2008” as previously presented: 1.) To negotiate an appropriate and timely resolution to the Unit A and other collective bargaining contracts in the District to begin on July 1, 2008. 2. To continue developing effective strategies for safety and security of the District's students, staff, and facilities. 3.) To support the District’s various technology initiatives, including increase use of technology for communications, student records management, parent involvement, and instructional strategies. 4.) To complete and implement recommended changes to the School Committee’s Policy Manual. Mr. Salerno seconded, there was no further discussion and it was unanimously approved.
3. Appoint Attendance Officer SY 07-08
  Per Massachusetts General Laws, the School Committee is required to appoint an Attendance Officer for the District. Dr. Gagliarducci recommended appointing Edward Lennon, a current employee of the Wilbraham Police Department who has done a great job for us. Mr. Salerno made a motion that Edward Lennon be appointed as the Attendance Officer for the District for the 07-08 school year, with the compensation rate to be $24/hour, not to exceed $2,500 unless authorized for the School Committee. Mrs. Desmond seconded, there was no further discussion and it was unanimously approved.
4. New Grant Announcement
  Dr. Gagliarducci had previously distributed Ms. Kahn’s overview of the new grant awarded to the district. He explained how we actively and aggressively apply for federal grants to support and improve the various programs in the district. Ms. Kahn reviewed the information about the project entitled “United We Stand – Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems”. The amount is $221,144 and it’s an 18 month project. There were only 15 total awards in 2007. The project represents the district’s vision of an integrated model of school and community mental health services that will establish collaboration between schools, local agencies and service providers for improved access to quality mental health care for our students and their families. She stressed that it is a “grant of access” not necessarily service delivery. After Ms. Kahn’s presentation, Mr. Salerno noted that over the past four years the district has received over $1,740,000 in grant monies due to the leadership, execution and success of Ms. Kahn, Dr. Scanlon and Dr. Gagliarducci.
5. Policy Manual Subcommittee
  Mr. Salerno reported that he had received a formal opinion from Attorney Toomey regarding what must be covered in a policy manual and what is suggested to be covered in a policy manual. Mr. Salerno will review the letter and compare it to our manual. A subcommittee meeting will be scheduled in September.
Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
1. Superintendent’s Report
  In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci noted the list of completed summer projects in the green folder. He thank Ed Cenedella and his staff for their hard work on these projects.
2. Misc. Correspondence (green folder)
  In the green folders is a memo updating the Committee and town officials on the recent visit of engineers to MRHS for the MSBA as part of their new process.
Personnel
1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
  - John Derosia, Assistant Principal @ MRHS, eff 8-1-07
  - Stephanie Dolaher, Gr 6 Teacher @ SRS, eff 8-27-07
  - Benjamin Ellis, Social Science Teacher @ MRHS, eff 8-27-07
  - Susan Fitts, Assistant Principal @ GM & TWB, eff 8-1-07
  - Daniel Handzel, Assistant Principal @ WMS, eff 8-1-07
  - Patricia Hogan-Cerasuolo, History & Social Science Dept Chair, eff 8-27-07
  - Keith Ireland, LT Gr 8 Social Studies Sub @ WMS, eff 9-22-07
  - Kathleen Leo, SPED Teacher @ SHS, eff 8-1-07
  - Linda Mandolesi, Lead Teacher @ MEM, eff 8-27-07
  - William Metzger, LT Social Science Sub @ MRHS, eff 10-8-07
  - Maureen Moran, Para @ SHS, eff 8-27-07
  - Paul J. Mieltowski, Night Custodian @ TWB, eff 8-13-07
  - Gary Petzold, new title of Dean of Students @ MRHS, eff 8-27-07
  - Beth Richard, Reading Recovery Teacher @ GM, eff 8-27-07
  - Correna L. Roberts, Science Specialist @ GM, eff 8-27-07
  - Maureen Russell, SPED Teacher @ SRS, eff 8-27-07
  - Connie-Lynn Salvatore, para @ WMS, eff 8-27-07
  - Meghan E. Saunders, Gr 4 Teacher @ SHS, eff 8-27-07
  - Judith Shannon, PT Phys Ed/Health Teacher @ MRHS, eff 8-27-07
  - Nicole Smith, Assistant Principal @ MRHS, eff 8-1-07
  - Jane Stenning, PT Secretary @ Assess Center, eff 8-29-07
2. Resignations
  - Katy Anderson, Para @ WMS, eff 7-31-07
  - Laura Devine, Para @ MEM, eff 8-17-07
  - Benjamin Ellis, Para @ WMS, eff 8-27-07
  - Roberta Hamer, Secretary @ Assess Center, eff 7-19-07
  - Christine Johnston, Gr 6 Teacher @ SRS, eff 6-30-07
  - Catherine Kielb, Para @ SRS, eff 8-15-07
  - Barbara Lucas, Para @ WMS, eff 8-20-07
  - Kim Marowski, Para @ MRHS, eff 7-30-07
3. Leaves of Absence
  - None
4. Retirements
  - Jane Ross, Library Media Specialist @ MRHS, eff 9-30-07
New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)

Policy Manual Subcommittee (ongoing)
Grants Update (September)
Review Home Education Plans (October)
Budget Subcommittee Convene (October)
Reading Recovery & MCAS Update (October)
School Improvement Plans (October)
Negotiation Subcommittee (October)

s there was need for Executive Session to discuss safety and security and a real estate matter, Mr. Chapman asked for a motion. Mr. McCarthy so moved, Mrs. Desmond seconded and roll call was taken with Mr. Bickley, Mr. Chapman, Mrs. Desmond, Mr. McCarthy, Ms. Morace, Mr. Salerno and Mr. Turcotte voting in favor of convening Executive Session with Dr. Gagliarducci, Dr. Scanlon, Mrs. Regulbuto, Mr. O’Shea, Mr. Laplante, Mrs. Kahn, and Mr. Cenedella in attendance. The Committee returned to open session and immediately adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary

Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 @ 7:00
Thornton W. Burgess Middle School

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
School Committee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Minnechaug Regional High School
August 28, 2007

The meeting convened at 7:22 p.m. The Committee discussed safety and security issues, as well as a real estate matter. No votes were taken.

Mr. Salerno made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mrs. Desmond seconded and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gilles Turcotte
School Committee Secretary