HWRSD School Committee

HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.
Thornton W. Burgess Middle School

Present:
School Committee Members: Scott Chapman, William Bickley, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, Peter Salerno, and Gilles Turcotte.
Administrators: Paul Gagliarducci, Donna Scanlon and Beth Regulbuto
Guests: Noel Pixley, Principal of Thornton W. Burgess Middle School; Sue Fitts, Assistant Principal; Mark Ducey, Wilbraham Finance Committee; Gina Kahn, Risk Prevention Services Coordinator; Tom Philpott, Director of Student Services; School Adjustment Counselors Darcy Andre/TWB/MRHS, Sue Long/WMS, Deb Poppel/SHS, Pam Haywood/SRS, Donna Benard/GM, Whitney Harrington/MT; Douglas Farmer, Wilbraham Hampden Times; Suzanne McLaughlin, The Republican; and Ed Gorski, Hampden resident.
Absent: Marianne Desmond

  1. Welcome to Thornton W. Burgess Middle School – Noel Pixley and Sue Fitts
    Mr. Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and turned the meeting over to Principal Noel Pixley. Mr. Pixley welcomed the School Committee to Thornton W. Burgess Middle School and talked about plans to celebrate the upcoming 40th anniversary of the school. They plan to highlight the author Thornton W. Burgess, as well as the history of the building. He also briefly talked about his project working on comparing the District’s two middle schools, where they are different, where they are similar and where changes need to be considered. Mrs. Fitts then reported on the impressive array of community service that Thornton Burgess students participate in.

    As is customary during a School Committee visit to a school, Mr. Chapman presented Mr. Pixley with a book for the school library from the School Committee. He chose John Lewis in the Lead: A Story of the Civil Rights Movement in honor of Black History Month.
  2. General (see attached)
    1. Public Comment
      There were none.
    2. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – January 23, 2007
        The Minutes of the January 23rd meeting were reviewed. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Mr. McCarthy seconded and it was approved.
      • Executive Session – January 23, 2007 (early session)
        The Minutes of the January 23rd Executive Session early meeting were reviewed. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Mr. McCarthy seconded and it was approved
      • Executive Session – January 23, 2007 (later session)
        The Minutes of the January 23rd Executive Session later meeting were reviewed. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Mr. McCarthy seconded and it was approved.
    3. Student Representatives
      Student Representatives Nicole Sawyer and Liz Medeiros reported on some recent and upcoming events at the high school including Student Council members attending a three-day convention at Cape Cod, Mr. O’Shea’s discussions with Student Council regarding class rank, new Program of Studies and new semester, PAVAS Show, Class of 09 Ring Breakfast, Renaissance Lunch for honor roll students, and students volunteering at Camp Sunshine during vacation week with Mrs. Fitts.
  3. Financial Issues (see attached)
    1. Budget Discussion
      Dr. Gagliarducci reported that at the next meeting the proposed FY08 budget will be presented and then the public hearing on the budget will be at the March 13th meeting, after which the Committee will vote. From what he has read and heard, it appears that the new Governor is making a commitment to funding Chapter 70. Regarding the uncertainty of the Chapter 70 funding, Mr. Salerno urged “fiscal prudence”. In order to save money on such things as copying and paper supplies, there was discussion about “going electronic” with newsletters and other materials to be posted on the website and the use of the “list serve” for the District. Parents are encouraged to sign up so they can get information via the list serve and to also check the website regularly.” Mr. McCarthy asked about the website being used for accessing grades, etc. Dr. Scanlon explained that “Ed Line” is being piloted at the high school with about a dozen teachers and they are excited about its future potential.
    2. Approve Warrants
      The warrants were approved.
  4. Other Business (see attached)
    1. Elementary Counseling Grant Update – Gina Kahn
      Mrs. Kahn, the District’s Risk Prevention Services Coordinator, provided a packet of information and an update on the Elementary Counseling Grant. In honor of National School Counselors Week, she brought the District’s School Adjustment Counselors who provided a brief update of some of the programs they are involved in, particularly as a result of the three-year grant. Mr. McCarthy expressed concern that once the grant is finished, is there a way to justify the programs continuing, i.e., baseline measurements and program results? Mrs. Kahn agreed that was an important concern and explained that baseline measurements were part of the initial grant application and that the counselors are tracking referrals and other information on spreadsheets for this very reason.
    2. School Choice Recommendation
      Dr. Gagliarducci previously provided his recommendation regarding School Choice for next year, which is to replace the three graduating seniors and add 16 new slots in 9th grade, for a total of 19 School Choice students in 9th grade. Mr. McCarthy asked if School Choice stresses diversity, but it was explained that the METCO program is geared towards that, and although School Choice has its roots in providing diversity, the application process is strictly color blind. Ms. Morace asked about transportation. METCO students are provided transportation, but School Choice students have to provide their own. She also asked about the financial impact of accepting School Choice students, and it was explained that the State pays about 75% of the per pupil cost. The Committee will vote on the recommendation presented at the next meeting.
    3. Policy Subcommittee
      Mr. Salerno explained that he plans to have the Policy Subcommittee meetings after school to accommodate the teachers and students, probably on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and hopes to complete the task by the end of March.

      Although not on the agenda, Mr. McCarthy brought up the fact that he read with interest an article about the Town of Wilbraham asking to have the Town’s polling places consolidated into just one site at Minnechaug Regional High School. He would like to endorse the proposal. There was much discussion about the proposed change regarding the logistics, liability, security, disruptions, and voter turnout. Mr. McCarthy made a motion that the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee allow the Town of Wilbraham to use Minnechaug Regional High School as the Town’s polling place for a period of the next two years. Mr. Turcotte seconded and it was approved. There was one abstention.
  5. Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
      In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci noted the following, including items in the green folders:: he plans to advertise for a new principal at Stony Hill Elementary School; Emeralds received a superior ranking in the 2006 NCTE program to recognize excellence in student literary magazines; WMS is having a special performance on Friday and all are invited; Minnechaug Scholarship Foundation is sponsoring a pasta dinner fundraiser on March 12th; and on March 28th the District’s choral groups will present a performance at Springfield Symphony, which is sponsored by W.H.A.T. and is a fundraiser for them.
    2. Misc. Correspondence (green folders)
      See above.
  6. Personnel
    The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
    1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
      • Joanne Bell, LT Para Sub @ MEM, eff 1-29-07
      • Scott Trombly, PT Security Officer @ MRHS, eff 1-16-07
    2. Resignations
      • Anthony Coloa, PT Music Teacher @ MRHS, eff 1-19-07
      • Isabel Vieira, Para @ GM, eff 1-29-07
    3. Leaves of Absence
      • Christine Bak, Para @ MEM, (FMLA)
    4. Retirements
      • Rebecca DeSmith, Principal @ SHS, eff 8-17-07
      • Kenneth Peterson, Science Teacher @ TWB, eff 6-30-07
  7. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    1. Policy Subcommittee (ongoing)
    2. Class Rank (Feb 27)
    3. Capital Projects Review (Feb)
    4. Reading Recovery & MCAS Update (Feb)
    5. Begin Superintendent’s Evaluation (March 27)
    6. Finalize Budget (Feb 27)
    7. Public Hearing on Budget (3-13-07)
    8. Review Task List (Mar)

As there was no need for Executive Session, Mr. Chapman asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Salerno so moved, Mr. Turcotte seconded, and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary

Next Meeting Scheduled For:
Tuesday, February 27, 2007, @ 7:00 p.m.
 at Minnechaug Regional High School