HWRSD School Committee

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
School Committee Meeting
Thornton W. Burgess Middle School
November 13, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.

Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, Chair; William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, Peter Salerno, Gilles Turcotte and Student Representatives, Kim McCarthy and Amanda Carron.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Beth Regulbuto and Donna Scanlon
Guests: Principals and Assistant Principals of the HWRSD Schools: Rose Brosnan, Mile Tree; Deb Thompson, Green Meadows; Marguerite Myers-Killeen, Memorial; Sherrill Caruana, Stony Hill; Mary Goodwin, Soule Road; Noel Pixley, Thornton Burgess; Steve Hale and Dan Handzel, Wilbraham Middle School; Marty O’Shea, Minnechaug; and Ed Gorski, Hampden resident.
Absent : None

Chairman Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

  1. General (see attached)
    1. Public Comment
      There were no public comments.
    2. Student Representatives
      Student Representatives, Kim McCarthy and Amanda Carron, reported on recent and upcoming events at the high school including the successful semi-formal dance, progress on work-out room, upcoming blood drive and the Tuesday night talent show (PAVAS).
    3. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – October 9, 2007
        The minutes were reviewed. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Mrs. Desmond seconded and they were approved, with one abstention.
      • Regular Meeting – October 23, 2007
         The minutes were reviewed. Mrs. Desmond made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Mr. Turcotte seconded and they were approved, with three abstentions.
      • Executive Session – October 23, 2007
         The minutes were reviewed. Mrs. Desmond made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Mr. Turcotte seconded and they were approved, with three abstentions.
  2. Financial issues (see attached)
    1. Treasurer’s Report – October 2007
      Ms. Regulbuto had previously distributed the Treasurer’s Report for October 2007, which was self-explanatory. She noted there are no significant financial issues to report at this time and that they are closely monitoring current budget activity and looking for more efficient and effective ways to process and use the data produced.
    2. Approve Warrants
      The warrants were approved.

  3. Other Business (see attached)
    1. Restructuring Indoor Track Program
      As noted in the Superintendent’s Report, the high school indoor track program has grown tremendously and Ned Doyle, Athletic Director, has requested the addition of two assistant coaches to work with the head coach. In order to provide a more comprehensive program and due to liability issues, Dr. Gagliarducci supports the addition of the two coaches. There was no need for the Committee to vote at this time, but Mr. Chapman thanked Dr. Gagliarducci for bringing this addition to their attention.
    2. School Improvement Plans 07-08
      Each of the Principals took the opportunity to highlight their school improvement goals for the 07-08 school year:
    • Deb Thompson – Green Meadows :
      • To increase the literacy skills of all students.
      • To increase the mathematical skills of all students.
      • To meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
    • Marguerite Myers-Killeen – Memorial:
      • To improve number of students achieving a score of Proficient or Advanced by 5% at each grade level in MCAS scores in Mathematics.
      • To increase students’ knowledge base in working with a variety of genres in English Language Arts.
      • To continue to increase the ability of teachers to meet the academic and social needs of all learners through increased knowledge of Differentiated Instruction strategies and Responsive Classroom strategies/concepts.
    • Marty O’Shea – Minnechaug :
      • To use technology tools to improve teaching and learning and organizational productivity and efficiency.
      • Development of a new mission statement and a revised set of Expectations for Student Learning in order to prepare Minnechaug for NEASC reaccreditation.
      • To further develop a professional learning community at Minnechaug that is based on collaborative and professional inquiry and that works to sustain past improvement initiatives and explores best educational practice.
    • Mary Goodwin – Soule Road :
      • To continue to improve student writing at Soule Road School by incorporating comprehensive writing strategies, experiences, and assessments throughout the curriculum.
      • To continue to implement Differentiated Instruction practices into the curriculum in order to meet the needs of our diverse learning population.
      • To improve the focus of our Math instruction which will result in consistent growth in students’ skills and improve student performance on Math MCAS.
    • Noel Pixley – Thornton Burgess :
      • To increase student academic performance in areas that have been identified for each content area listed below.
      • To create a culture which meets the needs of all learners.
      • To promote the use of technology by fostering a climate conducive to the physical and educational needs of students and staff.
    • Rose Brosnan – Mile Tree:
      • Increase our capacity to respond to individual student needs.
      • Foster a sense of personal and social responsibility.
      • Use of technology to enhance instruction and communication.
    • Sherrill Caruana – Stony Hill :
      • Increase student math achievement in the areas of math facts, algorithms, geometry and measurement.
      • Ensure a safe environment for all staff and students.
      • Create a respectful school climate that supports the well-being of students and staff.
    • Steve Hale – Wilbraham Middle:
      • Increase WMS’ capacity to meet the individual math learning needs of diverse student learners.
      • To improve the Science Program at WMS by incorporating analysis of MCAS results and introducing grade level formal assessments which align with the Massachusetts State Frameworks and the HWRSD Science Curriculum Maps.
      • To further develop the sense of community, collaboration, and consistency within WMS while maintaining individual team spirit. To foster a whole school awareness and appreciation beyond the four academic teams.

      This School Improvement Reports will be posted on the District’s website.
  4. Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
      In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci spoke about the letter from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue certifying the E&D as of July 1, 2007, at $660,000. He also reported the good news that 100 members of the Class of 2008 have qualified for the “John and Abigail Adams Scholarship” as a result of their 10 th grade MCAS scores. This scholarship awards a four-year tuition free opportunity to any Massachusetts state college or university. He also noted the upcoming “Budget Roundtable” meeting on December 6 th. Lastly there was discussion about MRSA and the district’s cleaning protocols.
    2. Misc. Correspondence (green folder)
      Miscellaneous correspondence included a letter and form from Dr. Scanlon regarding the Excellence in Teaching Awards, due December 1 st. This year’s recognition dinner will be on April 30 th at the Log Cabin.

      Dr. Gagliarducci noted that at a previous meeting there was discussion about granting an easement to the Town of Wilbraham to allow the new sewer line on the property. Wilbraham’s attorney drafted it, and as requested, our attorney Jim Toomey reviewed it. It is now ready for the Chairman’s signature.
  5. Personnel
     The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
    1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
      • James Barufaldi, LT Sub, Math Teacher @ MRHS, eff 11-2-07
      • Kerry Donohue, LT Sub, 5/6 Gr @ TWB, eff 11-26-07
      • Carol Hulton, EC Reading Specialist @ GM, eff 10-15-07
      • Brian Murray, LT Sub, Info Tech Specialist @ TWB, eff 10-31-07
    2. Resignations
      • Michele Ashe, Physical Therapist Asst, eff 11-1-07
      • Maureen Keating-Lessard, Gr 8 Science Teacher @ WMS, eff 10-31-07
      • Carol Masonis, Math Teacher @ MRHS, eff 1-18-08
    3. Leaves of Absence
      • Linda Rozolsky, Gr 5 Teacher @ SHS, eff 1-9-08
    4. Retirements
      • None
  6. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    1. Policy Manual Subcommittee (ongoing)
    2. Negotiations Subcommittee Convene (November)
    3. Budget Subcommittee Convene (October)
    4. Discussion of Establishing Stabilization Account (per DOE) (November)
    5. Next Year’s School Calendar (November)
    6. Program of Studies (November)
    7. Review of Task List (November)

Due to a scheduling conflict, Dr. Gagliarducci asked the School Committee to consider postponing the next meeting from November 27 th to December 4 th, and the change was approved.

As there was no need for Executive Session, Mr. Chapman asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. McCarthy so moved, Mr. Turcotte seconded and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary

NOTE: CHANGE OF DATE AND VENUE FROM PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED SCHEDULE

Next Meeting Scheduled:
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @ 7:00
* Minnechaug Regional High School *