Minutes 01-23-20067

HWRSD School Committee

HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.
Soule Road Elementary School

Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, Peter Salerno, and Gilles Turcotte.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Donna Scanlon and Beth Regulbuto
Guests: Mary Goodwin, Principal of Soule Road Elementary School, Alexandra Clines, Teacher; John D. Flynn, Hampden Selectman; John Lovejoy, MRHS Building Committee; Bob Page and Allen Kinney, CCW Members; Douglas Farmer, Wilbraham Hampden Times; Suzanne McLaughlin, The Republican; Levon Kinney, Intern atThe Reminder; and Ed Gorski, Hampden resident.
Absent : Student Representatives

Executive Session
For the purpose of discussing school safety and security with town officials.
Chairman Chapman opened the meeting at 5:31 p.m. and immediately noted there was need for Executive Session to discuss school safety and security. Mr. Salerno made a motion to convene Executive Session, Mrs. Desmond seconded. A roll call was taken with those present, Mr. Chapman, Mrs. Desmond, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Salerno, and Mr. Turcotte voting in favor.
Welcome to Soule Road Elementary School – Mary Goodwin
When the School Committee returned from Executive Session, Mr. Chapman reconvened the regular meeting at 7:10 p.m. and explained that the School Committee just had a fruitful meeting with town officials, public safety personnel, and principals. He then turned the meeting over to Principal Mary Goodwin. Mrs. Goodwin welcomed the School Committee to Soule Road Elementary School. She noted the incredible Soule Road School community – students, parents, and staff and briefly spoke about the school’s focus on differentiated instruction and developing strategies for the different types of learners. Mrs. Goodwin then introduced 5 th grade Math and Science teacher Mrs. Clines, who shared a couple examples of student projects called “Dracula houses” which highlighted what students learned during the unit on light.

As is customary during a School Committee visit to a school, Mr. McCarthy presented Mrs. Goodwin with a book for the school library from the School Committee. Mr. McCarthy chose Miracle on 49 th Street by Mike Lupica.
General (see attached)
1. Public Comment
  Mr. Gorski asked that the School Committee use the “Public Comment” rules consistently for everyone. He also questioned the legality of the executive session that was held prior to the meeting, not sure it was properly posted.
2. Minutes
  - Regular Meeting – January 9, 2007
    The Minutes of the January 9 th meeting were reviewed. Mrs. Desmond made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Mr. Salerno seconded and it was approved.
3. Student Representatives
  There were none present.
Financial Issues (see attached)
1. Budget Discussion
  Dr. Gagliarducci reported that he is working to stay within the budget guidelines presented to him by the two towns. The Budget Subcommittee has met and reviewed the budget to date. With the new Governor, we don’t know when to expect the State budget or what numbers to expect. Basically we are level funding or making cuts – textbooks, technology, supplies. And as mentioned at previous meetings, we have experienced some unexpected increases in SPED costs and retiree healthcare costs, so even just starting the budget we’ve had to make reductions in staffing and/or programs. He hopes to provide a draft of next year’s budget to the Committee on February 13 th and have discussion on February 27 th. The final budget will be presented at the Public Hearing on March 13 th.
2. Approve Warrants
  The warrants were approved.
Other Business (see attached)
1. Flyer Distribution Discussion
  Mr. Chapman mentioned that he was approached by Judge Swords of the Springfield Juvenile Court to help get the word out about an upcoming “gun buy back program” in April. There was general discussion regarding such issues as the effectiveness of these programs, sending flyers like this through our schools and what grade levels would be involved, setting a precedent for this type of flyer, and working with government agencies which is not specifically mentioned in the policies. Mrs. Desmond summed it up by saying that her understanding is that by allowing the flyers to be distributed by our students we are not endorsing the program, we are only providing a means of conveying the information. Mr. Salerno agreed, and noted that allowing this type of flyer to be distributed should not be viewed as an endorsement but rather as an exception to policy, not setting precedent. If agreed to, the sooner the schools get the flyer, the better, because the high school and middle schools would put it their newsletter, while the younger grades would bring it home. It was decided that the Committee would agree to distribute information about the gun buy back program as a community service to the court systems; but that in doing so, the School Committee is not endorsing the program.
2. Policy Subcommittee
  Mr. Salerno noted that the new subcommittee, consisting of a community representative, two administrators, one parent, and one student, will begin meeting in earnest in February.
Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
1. Superintendent’s Report
  In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci distributed draft information from Mr. O’Shea regarding class rank and an e-mail from the Town of Wilbraham, which was an advance copy of an article submitted to The Wilbraham-Hampden Times regarding the status of the sewer project. He also mentioned that at a brief Faculty Meeting at Stony Hill this afternoon Becky DeSmith announced she is planning to get married and will be retiring from the District this August.
2. Coordinated Program Review Action Plan
  Dr. Scanlon had previously distributed the “Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action Plan”. She reviewed it briefly, indicating that the report includes the types of concerns that the District must respond to when State and Federal compliance audits are conducted.
3. Developmental Guidance Report
  Mrs. Lewis previously distributed a memo regarding “Comprehensive Guidance Services”. There were no further comments.
4. Misc. Correspondence (green folders)
  No further discussion.
Personnel
The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
  - Loren Callahan, Para @ MEM, eff 1-23-07
  - Jason Christofori, PT Security Officer @ MRHS, eff 1-16-07*
  - Joel Christofori, PT Security Officer @ MRHS, eff 1-16-07*
  - Eric Jones, LT Sub History/SS Teacher, eff 1-23-07
  - Melissa Kelly, Science Teacher @ MRHS, eff 1-22-07
  - Dennis LaPlante, PT Security Officer @ MRHS, eff 1-16-07*
  - Daniel Menard, PT Security Officer @ MRHS, eff 1-16-07*
  - Susan Nowak, PT Para @ MEM
  - Beth Regulbuto, Dir of Financial Svcs, eff 2-12-07
  - Jennifer Stratton, PT Title 1 EC Read Specialist @ GM, eff 1-2-07
2. Resignations
  - Maria Polimeni, PT Para @ MEM, eff 1-19-07
3. Leaves of Absence
  - Nancy Mills, Para @ MEM, eff 1-19-07
4. Retirements
  - Mary Lou Brewer, History/SS Teacher @ MRHS, eff 6-30-07
  - Juhan Laurits, PE Teacher @ TWB, eff 6-30-07-4-07
New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
1. Policy Subcommittee (ongoing)
2. Choice Vote (Feb Proposal/March Vote)
3. Capital Projects Review (Feb)
4. Reading Recovery & MCAS Update (Feb)
5. Begin Superintendent’s Evaluation (Feb) (Mr. Chapman and Mrs. Desmond)
6. Finalize Budget (Feb)
7. School Counseling Grants Update (Feb)
8. Class Rank (Recommendation 2/27, Vote 3/13)

As there was need for Executive Session to discuss a residency issue, Mr. Chapman asked for a motion. Mrs. Desmond made the motion, Mr. Turcotte seconded. Roll call vote was taken with Mr. Bickley, Mr. Chapman, Mrs. Desmond, Mr. McCarthy, Ms. Morace, Mr. Salerno, and Mr. Turcotte voting in favor. The Committee returned at 8:41 p.m. and immediately adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary

Next Meeting Scheduled For:
Tuesday, February 13, 2007, @ 7:00 p.m.
at Thornton W. Burgess Middle School

HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.
Soule Road Elementary School

Early Executive Session:

Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, Peter Salerno, and Gilles Turcotte.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Donna Scanlon
Guests: Various town officials, safety officers, building principals, and district administrators.
Absent : None

The meeting convened at 5:40 p.m. There was general discussion about safety and security issues in the District’s schools. No votes were taken.

This meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. and returned to the regular session.

Respectfully submitted,
Paul C. Gagliarducci, Ed.D.

Late Executive Session:

Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, Peter Salerno, and Gilles Turcotte.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Donna Scanlon
Guests: Attendance Officer Ed Lennon and Attorney Bryan Clausen with his clients.
Absent : None

The meeting convened at 7:54 p.m. There was discussion regarding a residency issue with Attorney Clausen, the family in question, and Attendance Officer Lennon. No votes were taken.

The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m. and returned to regular session to immediately adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,
Gilles Turcotte