HWRSD School Committee

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
School Committee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Wilbraham Middle School
June 12, 2007

 Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, Chair; William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace and Gilles Turcotte.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Donna Scanlon and Beth Regulbuto
Guests: Jeff Farnsworth, Hampden Police Chief; Stephen Hale, Principal of Wilbraham Middle School; Stephanie Cusson and Alivia St. Aubin, 8 th Grade Students at WMS; Bob Page, Concerned Citizens of Wilbraham; Suzanne McLaughlin, The Republican; Doug Farmer, Wilbraham Hampden Times; and Levo n Kinney, The Reminder.
Absent : Peter Salerno and Student Representative.  

Mr. Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. following a reception honoring the District’s retirees and recognizing a variety of student achievements.

With the Committee’s permission, Mr. Chapman asked Chief Farnsworth to make his presentation.

a) School Safety Training Presentation – Chapman/Farnsworth
Mr. Chapman previously distributed a packet of information entitled, “School Safety Training Presentation” which summarized the conference he and Chief Farnsworth recently attended. The two day intensive training, “Chief Executive Officers Safe Schools Briefing” was funded through a grant from the US Department of Justice. Mr. Chapman noted that reviewing the safety needs of the schools and the public is an ongoing process, but that he felt good about where we stand as a district. Chief Farnsworth agreed that we are on the right track, but the conference also helped him highlight areas needing improvement and also opened some doors for additional resources for attending other conferences like this one. He noted that recommendations for improvements were in the packet of information provided, and they include such things as reviewing the schools’ handbooks looking at privacy laws, locker searches and other personal space issues; updating “Memorandum of Understanding” between Hampden and Wilbraham and the District Attorney; evaluating roles for handling crisis situations; and discussing new building design with the MRHS Building Committee because there is training available relative to school safety and building design.

  1. Welcome to Wilbraham Middle School – Stephen Hale
    Mr. Hale welcomed the School Committee to Wilbraham Middle School. He had two 8th grade students join him to discuss some of the changes made to the Special Education program this year. They reviewed the Power Point Presentation regarding the pros and cons of the new inclusion model compared to the former Focus Class, from the viewpoint of both teachers and students, based on surveys done in the fall and spring. In summary, it seems the new inclusion model is a positive step forward, but there is still work to be done to give the students more support.
  2. General (see attached)
    1. Public Comment
      There were no comments.
    2. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – May 22, 2007
        The minutes of the May 22, 2007, meeting were reviewed. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Mrs. Desmond seconded and it was approved with one abstention.
      • Regular Meeting – June 5, 2007
         The minutes of the June 5, 2007, meeting were reviewed. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Mrs. Desmond seconded and it was approved with two abstentions.
      • Executive Session – May 22, 2007
         The minutes of the May 22, 2007, Executive Session were reviewed. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Mrs. Desmond seconded and it was approved with one abstention.
    3. Student Representatives
       There were no Student Representatives in attendance. However, Nicole Sawyer, who attended the student recognition reception earlier, gave Dr. Scanlon her notes to present. She reported that Sophomores took the Science MCAS test; Juniors took SAT/ACT tests recently; Juniors enjoyed “step up week” when they celebrated becoming the senior class at school; Seniors enjoyed the “ultimate party” and their graduation was great; and finally, during the Memorial Day weekend, the MRHS Band marched in the Hampden parade.
  3. Financial issues (see attached)
    1. Budget Update
       See below.
    2. Treasurer’s Report –
       Ms. Regulbuto presented the Treasurer’s Report for May 2007 and believes the new timing of the report provides a more accurate picture of where the district currently stands. As noted in the highlights, revenues continue to surpass budgeted expectations, in particular transportation revenue; and as noted previously, expenditures will exceed projections due to unanticipated SPED costs and additional group insurance commission expense for retirees. Ms. Regulbuto and staff met with the auditor in preparation for the year-end close, and she and Dr. Gagliarducci will be meeting with the Budget Subcommittee on June 19 th. Dr. Gagliarducci mentioned, as noted in the highlights, that adjustments to the financial statements are needed as a result of new GASB 47 rules stating no unfunded liabilities are allowed.
    3. Approve Warrants
       The warrants were approved.

  4. Other Business (see attached)
    1. School Safety Training Presentation – Chapman/Farnsworth
       See above.
    2. Schedule Graduation Date for June 2009
       Mr. Petzold sent a memo recommending June 5, 2009, for graduation. Dr. Gagliarducci noted that this must be done in advance to reserve Symphony Hall in Springfield. Mrs. Desmond made a motion that the graduation for the Class of 2009 take place on Friday, June 5, 2009, at Symphony Hall. Mr. Bickley seconded and it was unanimously approved.
    3. MRHS Building Committee – Approve New Members
      Due to recent town elections and other job changes, new representatives from the two towns must be appointed to the MRHS Building Committee. As such, Mrs. Desmond made a motion to appoint Patrick Brady from Wilbraham and Vincent Villamaino from Hampden to the MRHS Building Committee. Mr. Turcotte seconded and it was unanimously approved. A letter will be sent notifying them of their appointment.
    4. Timing of Future School Improvement Plans
      Dr. Gagliarducci reported that the Principals requested a new cycle for the School Improvement Plans. Since the goals are often data driven and MCAS results are not received until after school starts in the fall, they would like to present their SIPs in October. After some discussion, it was agreed to change the timing of the School Improvement Plan presentations to the second School Committee meeting in October. Therefore, in October 2007, the goals for 07-08 will be presented. Then in October 2008, the progress of the 07-08 goals will be reviewed and the new goals for 08-09 will be presented.
    5. Policy Manual Subcommittee – Mr. Salerno
      Although the Subcommittee continues to meet, there was no report due to Mr. Salerno’s absence. However, Mr. Chapman did take the opportunity to thank Mr. McCarthy for all the work he has put into this project and that it is very much appreciated.
    6. Select Dates and Times of 07-08 Meetings
      The schedule of the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month was continued. However, for the summer months, only two meetings were scheduled - July 24 th and August 28 th at Minnechaug - with additional meetings to be scheduled if necessary.
    7. Select Subcommittees & Representation
      The Committee reviewed the list of subcommittees and representatives and made some suggested changes and updates.
    8. Discuss School Committee Goals for 07/08
      Discussion tabled to a future meeting when all members are present.
  5. Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
      In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci mentioned that he has been asked to serve on the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS). He is also on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Tournament Committee, and just finished the year as President of the Connecticut Valley Superintendents’ Roundtable (CVSR).
    2. System Wide Curriculum Review
      Dr. Scanlon previously distributed her “System-wide Curriculum Review” report. She reviewed the information, including: Curriculum Renewal, Purchasing Needs, Transitions, Sheltered English Immersion, Inclusion and Least Restrictive Environment, Student/Teacher Assistance Team Training, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Edline and The Self’s Labyrinth: A Novel Installation. She also took the opportunity to talk about the pilot training program, presented by some of our staff members, for the paraprofessionals and it was very well received.
    3. Enrollment Report – 6/1/07
      Enrollment in the District, as of June 1, 2007, stands at 3798, which is 11 more than the “official” October 1, 2006, count.
    4. Misc. Correspondence (green folder)
      No further discussion.
  6. Personnel
    1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
      • Kelly Cianfarani, FT 3 rd Gr Teacher @ MEM, eff 8-27-07
      • Mary Cieplik, FT 7 th Gr Math Teacher @ WMS, eff 8-27-07
      • Monique Dangleis, FT 2 nd Gr Teacher @ SHS, eff 8-27-07
      • Damion Pisacane, FT ELA Teacher @ TWB, eff 8-27-07
      • LauriAnne Shinkle, FT English Teacher @ TWB, eff 8-27-07
    2. Resignations
      • None
    3. Leaves of Absence
      • Kristyn Brannigan, Science Specialist @ GM, eff 07-08S SY
      • Jessica Moskal Noonan, English Teacher @ MRHS, eff 8-27-07 (childbear/rearing)
      • Abigail O’Sullivan, @ MRHS, eff 8-27-07 (childbear)
    4. Retirements
      • None
  7. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    1. Policy Manual Subcommittee (ongoing)
    2. Superintendent’s Contract (June 26)
    3. District Wide Improvement Plan Update (June 26)
    4. School Improvement Plans (June 26)
    5. Professional Development Plan for Upcoming Year (July)
    6. Report on Principals’ Evaluations (July)
    7. Review Task List (July)

 As there was no need for an Executive Session, Mr. Chapman asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mrs. Desmond so moved. Mr. Bickley seconded and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary

Next meeting scheduled for:
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
@ Minnechaug Regional High School