HWRSD School Committee

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
School Committee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Memorial Elementary School
May 22, 2007

 Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, Chair; William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Peter Salerno, and Gilles Turcotte.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Donna Scanlon and Beth Regulbuto
Guests: Marguerite Myers-Killeen, Principal of Memorial;; Marty O’Shea, Principal of Minnechaug; Julie Dougal, Food Service Director; Ned Doyle, Adult Education and Athletic Director; John D. Flynn, Hampden Selectman; Levon Kinney, The Reminder; Ed Gorski, Hampden resident.
Absent : Lisa Morace

Since this is the reorganization meeting for the School Committee, Dr. Gagliarducci called the meeting to order at 7:01 and immediately turned it over to Mrs. Myers-Killeen.

  1. Welcome To Memorial School – Mrs. Myers-Killeen
     Mrs. Myers-Killeen welcomed the School Committee back to Memorial Elementary School and explained that last year we all met in the computer lab to see technology at work at Memorial School. Tonight’s presentation will be in Room 20 by 5th grade teacher Ms. Linda DeMarey, who submitted a grant for a SmartBoard in her classroom. As a result, technology is infused into her lessons. Ms. DeMarey provided several inspiring examples of how technology engages students on a daily basis in her classroom.

    As is customary when the School Committee visits a school, Mr. Turcotte presented Mrs. Myers-Killeen with a book for the Memorial School library.
  2. General (see attached)
    1. School Committee Reorganization
      Dr. Gagliarducci explained that after town elections the School Committee reorganizes. He asked for nominations for the position of Chairman. Mr. Bickley nominated Mr. Chapman to continue as Chairman. Mr. Turcotte seconded and it was approved with one abstention. Mr. Chapman thanked everyone as he took the gavel. He then asked for nominations for the position of Vice Chairman. Mrs. Desmond nominated Mr. Salerno as the Vice Chairman. Mr. McCarthy seconded and it was approved with one abstention. Mr. Chapman asked for nominations for the position of Secretary. Mr. Salerno nominated Mr. Turcotte to continue as Secretary. Mrs. Desmond seconded and it was approved with one abstention.
    2. Public Comment
      There were no comments.
    3. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – May 2, 2007
         The minutes of the May 8, 2007, meeting were reviewed. Mr. Salerno made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Mrs. Desmond seconded and it was unanimously approved.
    4. Student Representatives
       There were no Student Representatives in attendance. Dr. Gagliarducci took the opportunity to tell the Committee about traveling to Boston with the Model Congress to present their legislation on code gray drills for schools, similar to fire drills currently being conducted. The students were hosted and supported by Senator Gale Candaras, as well as Representative Angelo Puppolo. The Chair of the Security and Safety Committee was very impressed with the student drafted legislation. Mary Lou Brewer and Patty Hogan chaperoned the students’ trip. Mr. Flynn wanted to make the School Committee aware of the great work of Mrs. Dugre’s class that designed the Town of Hampden’s new web page. They delivered the final product this afternoon and it looks great.

      Speaking of safety, Mr. Chapman noted that he and Hampden Police Chief Farnsworth attended a school safety and security conference by the Department of Justice. He would like to make a formal presentation about it at one of the June meetings.
  3. Financial issues (see attached)
    1. Budget Updates
      Dr. Gagliarducci reported that the same day he was at the State House with the Model Congress the Legislature voted on their budget. The Senate’s regional transportation figure reflects the House number. This is good news because with additional funds we may be able to reassess some of the budget items and/or put it into E&D.
    2. Treasurer’s Report – April 2007
       Ms. Regulbuto noted that instead of presenting the Treasurer’s Report at the second meeting of the month, as has been done in the past, she plans to present it at the first meeting which will provide a clearer picture of where we stand. Mr. Salerno requested that a narrative accompany the monthly report.
    3. Approve Warrants
       The warrants were approved.
  4. Other Business (see attached)
    1. Community Education Update – Mr. Doyle
       Mr. Doyle previously distributed an update of the adult community education program. He reviewed the highlights of the program, which includes eight different entities under the “New Beginnings” title: adult community education, MRHS summer school, elementary summer reading, summer camps, elementary accelerated math, community recreation, YMCA cooperative programs, and private music lessons. During the past 12 months the programs have served over 2,000 participants.
    2. Food Service Reports – Ms. Dougal
       Ms. Dougal previously distributed the food service report. She reviewed the information and answered questions from the Committee. Mr. Salerno noted that the food cost expense percentage is down to 37% from 41% and asked if Ms. Dougal thought this trend would continue? She explained what they did this year to reduce costs, such as carefully reviewing menus and splitting the bids for products, and she believes the 37% can be replicated. There was a discussion about including the cost of lunch monitors in the Food Service budget, but the plan is move them into the school budget. As requested, Ms. Dougal previously distributed information on the privatization of school food services. She noted that she has a background in contract food service so she’s familiar with the business. Ms. Dougal reviewed the information and answered questions from the Committee. Mr. McCarthy asked if the price per meal included retirement costs and Ms. Dougal said she would get that information for him.
    3. MRHS Handbook Revisions – Mr. O’Shea
       Mr. O’Shea previously distributed information regarding changes to the MRHS student handbook. He reviewed the changes in attendance, student athlete chemical health, and parking. He also noted that the attorney made some recommendations to update legal references in the manual. Mr. McCarthy asked if this would be on the district’s web site. It was noted that all district handbooks are currently available online.
    4. Policy Manual Subcommittee – Mr. Salerno
       Mr. Salerno explained that the next subcommittee meeting will be June 5 th.
    5. Select Dates and Times of 07-08 Meetings
       Discussion tabled to a future meeting.
    6. Select Subcommittees & Representation
       Discussion tabled to a future meeting.
    7. Discuss School Committee Goals for 07/08
       Discussion tabled to a future meeting.
  5. Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
      In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci mentioned that it was an interesting day last week when he went to Boston with the Model Congress and was on his way back when he heard about the tornado alert. Dr. Scanlon handled the situation with the assistance of Minnechaug administrators. It was a good learning experience as to what we did well and where changes need to be made.
    2. Misc. Correspondence (green folder)
      No further discussion.
  6. Personnel
     The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
    1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
      • Maureen Budrow, SPED Secretary, eff 7-1-07
      • Cindy Girard, Food Service @ MRHS, eff 5-14-07
      • Julie Ann LeClair, 8 th Gr ELA @ WMS, eff 8-27-07
      • Karen McCarthy, PT Sub 8 th Gr MCAS Math @WMS, eff 5-29-07
      • Elizabeth Perkins, Administrative Secretary @ MRHS, eff 7-5-07
      • Cindy Willcutt, 4 th Gr Teacher @ SHS, eff 8-27-07
    2. Resignations
      • Anne Lewis, Food Service Secretary @ MRHS, eff 6-30-07
    3. Leaves of Absence
      • Shahla Hosnander, 8 th Gr Teacher @ WMS, 9-22-07 (childbear)
      • Alexandra Clines, 5 th Gr Teacher @ SRS, SY 07-08 (childbear/rear)
    4. Retirements
      • Joyce Robinson, Kindergarten Teacher @ MT, 11-30-07
  7. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    1. Policy Manual Subcommittee (ongoing)
    2. System Wide Curriculum Review (May)
    3. District Wide Improvement Plan Update (May)
    4. Community Education Report (May)
    5. Food Services Report (May)

 There may be need of a special meeting on June 5th; otherwise, the next meeting on June 12th will be at Wilbraham Middle School. This meeting will also be the evening of recognition for retirees and others and will start at 6:30 p.m. The Committee returned at 8:36 p.m. and immediately adjourned.

8) Executive Session
As there was need for an Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations, Mr. Chapman asked for a motion. Mr. Bickley so moved and Mrs. Desmond seconded. A roll call was taken with Mr. Bickley, Mr. Chapman, Mrs. Desmond, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Salerno, and Mr. Turcotte voting in favor.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary

Next meeting scheduled for:
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 @ Wilbraham Middle School @ 6:30 p.m.