HWRSD School Committee

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
School Committee Meeting
Minnechaug Regional High School
Media Center Computer Lab
October 23, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.

 Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, Chair; Marianne Desmond, Lisa Morace, Gilles Turcotte and Student Representative Emily Fontaine.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Beth Regulbuto and Donna Scanlon
Guests: John D. Flynn, Hampden Selectman; M. Martin O’Shea, Principal of MRHS; Kristin Browning, MRHS English Teacher; Bob Page and Frank Pychewicz, Concerned Citizens of Wilbraham; Ed Gorski, Hampden resident; and students from Mr. Liska’s class at MRHS.
Absent : William Bickley, D. John McCarthy, and Peter Salerno.

Chairman Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

  1. Welcome to MRHS – M. Martin O’Shea, Principal
     Mr. O’Shea welcomed everyone to the new media lab at MRHS and thanked the “New Beginnings” adult students for vacating the lab so the School Committee meeting could be held here tonight. He explained that many people worked together towards a common goal to achieve these two new labs. He introduced Kristin Browning, a second year English teacher who has emerged as a leader in the inclusion of technology in the classroom. Ms. Browning ran through the various capabilities of SmartBoard and what it can do for a classroom teacher. As is customary when the School Committee holds a “road show” meeting at a school, Mrs. Desmond presented Mr. O’Shea with two books, compliments of Mr. Salerno, for the high school’s library.
     
  2. General (see attached)
    1. Public Comment
      Mr. Gorski mentioned an article in the newspaper which discussed special education.
    2. Student Representatives
      Student Representatives Emily Fontaine, a sophomore, reported on recent and upcoming happenings at the high school including the semi-formal dance, kids’ fun night, and breast cancer awareness day. She also mentioned that the freshmen class elections will take place in December or January and the Student Council will be discussing the topic of school uniforms.
    3. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – September 25, 2007
        The reading of the minutes was tabled until the required quorum is present.
  3. Financial issues (see attached)
    1. Treasurer’s Report – September 2007
      Ms. Regulbuto had previously distributed the Treasurer’s Report for September 2007. She reviewed the information, noting again that a spending freeze has already been put in place. The FY09 Budget preparation will start soon.
    2. Approve Warrants
      The warrants were approved.
  4. Other Business (see attached)
    1. Reading Recovery & MCAS Update
      Dr. Scanlon had previously distributed information regarding “Student Achievement: SAT, MCAS and the long-term impact of Reading Recovery”. She reviewed some of the highlights, noting that great achievements are happening at each and every school throughout the District. It was also mentioned that Mr. McCarthy assisted Dr. Scanlon in producing a podcast on MCAS performance, which is available on the district website.
    2. Policy Manual Subcommittee – Mr. Salerno
      Tabled.
  5. Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
      In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci spoke about school safety and the training he recently attended with other district employees and Tom Connelly, our safety consultant. He also attended a MSBA press conference with Mr. Lovejoy and received a letter from Ms. Craven regarding the MSBA’s outlook for the next five years.
    2. Home Education Plans
      Dr. Scanlon previously distributed a memo regarding “Home Education Plans for the 2007-2008 School Year” for the Committee’s information.
    3. Misc. Correspondence (green folder)
      Miscellaneous correspondence included a Q&A sheet on “methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a copy of a letter from Mrs. Caruana noting compliments on her school and staff from Safety Consultant Tom Connelly, and a letter from the Office of the Inspector General notifying us that Ms. Regulbuto has successfully completed the Public Contracting Overview certification seminar in the Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) program.
  6. Personnel
     The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
    1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
      • Heidi Drawec, Academic Support Services Coordinator* @ MRHS, eff 9-24-07
      • Anna Dufresne, Food Service Staff @ MEM, eff 10-09-07
    2. Resignations
      • Julie Buendo, Sch Adj Counselor @ MEM, eff 12-17-07
    3. Leaves of Absence
      • None
    4. Retirements
      • None
  7. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    1. Policy Manual Subcommittee (ongoing)
    2. Negotiations Subcommittee Convene (ongoing)
    3. Budget Subcommittee Convene (October)
    4. School Improvement Plans (November 13)
    5. Continue Discussion on Establishing Stabilization Fund (ongoing)
    6. Next Year’s School Calendar (November)
    7. Program of Studies (November)
    8. Review of Task List (November)
  8. Executive Session
As there was a need for Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation, Mr. Chapman asked for a motion. Mrs. Desmond so moved and Mr. Turcotte seconded. Roll call was taken with Mr. Chapman, Mrs. Desmond, Ms. Morace, and Mr. Turcotte voting in favor of convening Executive Session with Dr. Gagliarducci, Mrs. Regulbuto, and Dr. Scanlon in attendance. The Committee returned to open session and immediately adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary

Next Meeting Scheduled:
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 @ 7:00
* Thornton W. Burgess Middle School *

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
School Committee Meeting
Minnechaug Regional High School
Superintendent’s Conference Room
October 23, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.

 Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, Chair; Marianne Desmond, Lisa Morace, Gilles Turcotte and Student Representative Emily Fontaine.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Beth Regulbuto and Donna Scanlon
Guests: Attorney Regina Tate from Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane.
Absent : William Bickley, D. John McCarthy, and Peter Salerno. 

The meeting convened at 7:51 p.m. The Committee discussed pending litigation. No votes were taken.

Mrs. Desmond made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Turcotte seconded and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. to return to open meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Gilles Turcotte
School Committee Secretary