HWRSD School Committee

HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Mile Tree Elementary School Library
March 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

Present:
School Committee Members : William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, Gilles Turcotte and Douglas Moore.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Donna Scanlon and Beth Regulbuto
Guests: Rosemary Brosnan, Principal of Mile Tree; Pam Pearson, MT Teacher; John Flynn, Hampden Selectman; Doug Farmer,The Times; Levon Kinney, The Reminder; Ed Gorski, Hampden resident.
Absent : Scott Chapman and Peter Salerno

In Chairman Chapman’s absence, Vice Chair Desmond welcomed everyone to Mile Tree Elementary School. As is customary when the School Committee visits a school, Mrs. Desmond presented Mrs. Brosnan with a selection of children’s books for their library.

  1. Welcome to Mile Tree Elementary School – Rosemary Brosnan
    Mrs. Brosnan welcomed everyone to Mile Tree and showed a video entitled “Pattern Block Town” which was written, illustrated and narrated by the students in Mrs. Lash’s first grade class.
  2. General (see attached)
    1. Public Comment
      There were no comments.
    2. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – March 13, 2007
         The Minutes of the March 13 th meeting were reviewed. Mr. McCarthy requested that future minutes adhere to Roberts Rules of Order and just report on what happened, without as much detail. Mr. Bickley made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Ms. Morace seconded and it was approved. Mr. Turcotte abstained.
    3. Student Representatives
      Student Representative Doug Moore reported on some recent and upcoming events at the high school including High Meadows for seniors on May 4 th, district-wide choral performance at Symphony Hall tomorrow night, “Battle of the Bands” last Friday and Model UN competed at UMASS recently.
  3. Financial Issues (see attached)
    1. Budget Update
      See below.
    2. Treasurer’s Report
      Mrs. Regulbuto previously distributed the “Treasurer’s Report” and discussed where the budget currently stands. The same issues are still plaguing the District – unanticipated additional sped costs and additional group insurance expenses for certified retirees. The Budget Subcommittee will be meeting next week to discuss various issues.
    3. Insurance Rates Update
      Mrs. Regulbuto noted that a 10% increase was budgeted for insurance rate increases, but the blended increase was about 7.7%, which was good news.
    4. Approve Warrants
      The warrants were approved.
  4. Other Business (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Evaluation
      This item was tabled until the next meeting.
    2. Review Task List
      The task list was reviewed and various changes and updates were made.

      Mr. McCarthy reminded Dr. Gagliarducci that he requested information regarding privatizing the District’s Food Service program. The Superintendent was asked to provide the information at a May meeting.
  5. Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
      In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci announced that two of our students – one at Mile Tree and one at Green Meadows – won honors in the MSBA “My Ideal School” contest! Details will be provided as we know more. He reported that he and others, including Mrs. Desmond, Mr. Bickley, Mrs. Regulbuto, Mr. Cenedella and Mr. Lovejoy, attended a Wilbraham Board of Selectmen meeting where the sewer project was discussed. The meeting was very informative and the potential costs were discussed, as well as how Wilbraham plans to handle the bonding for that project. It was noted that regardless of what happens with the MRHS building project, the sewer problem must be taken care of.
    2. NCLB Report Card Information
      Dr. Scanlon had previously distributed information on the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Report Card for the District. She reviewed the information, noting that this annual report is a requirement of the NCLB legislation. The information will be posted on the District’s website.
    3. Misc. Correspondence (green folder)
      Everyone was again reminded of the district-wide choral event at Symphony Hall on Wednesday, March 28th.
  6. Personnel
    The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
    1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
      • Donna Duchesne, Lunch Monitor @ SRS, eff 2-26-07
      • Virginia Rettura, Lunch Monitor @ TWB, eff 2-26-07
    2. Resignations
      • Cathy Zawrotny, 6 th/7 th Gr Teacher @ TWB, eff 3-2-07
    3. Leaves of Absence
      • None
    4. Retirements
      • None
  7. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    1. Policy Manual Subcommittee (ongoing)
    2. Capital Projects Review (April)
    3. System Wide Curriculum Review (May)
    4. Review of Course Selections (class size, etc) (April 24)

As there was no need for Executive Session, Mrs. Desmond asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Bickley so moved, Mr. McCarthy 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, April 10, 2007,
at Green Meadows Elementary School