HWRSD School Committee

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
School Committee Meeting
Thornton W. Burgess Computer Lab
October 9, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.

Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, Chair; William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Peter Salerno, Gilles Turcotte and Student Representatives Greg Boilard and Kim McCarthy.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Beth Regulbuto and Donna Scanlon
Guests: Marc Ducey, Wilbraham Finance Committee; Suzanne McLaughlin, The Republican; Ed Gorski, Hampden resident; and a student from Mr. Liska’s class at MRHS.
Absent : Lisa Morace

Chairman Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.

  1. General (see attached)
    1. Public Comment
      No comments.
    2. Student Representatives
      Student Representatives Greg Boilard and Kim McCarthy, both sophomores, reported on recent happenings at the high school including PSATs and the powder puff football game, as well as the upcoming semi-formal at the end of the month.
    3. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – September 25, 2007
        The minutes from the September 25, 2007, meeting were reviewed. Mrs. Desmond made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Mr. Turcotte seconded, and they were approved.
      • Executive Session – September 25, 2007
         The minutes from the September 25, 2007 Executive Session were reviewed. Mrs. Desmond made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Mr. Turcotte seconded, and they were approved.
  2. Financial issues (see attached)
    1. Request for Easement for Sewer Line – Vote Req’d
      The Town of Wilbraham has requested the necessary easements for the upcoming Main Street sewer project. Mr. Salerno made a motion to allow the Town of Wilbraham the necessary easements for the sewer project and Mrs. Desmond seconded. During discussion, Mr. Salerno asked who would draft the easement language; and if it is the Town, then he would want our attorney to review them. The motion was unanimously approved.
    2. Pension Plan Amendment – Vote Req’d
      Ms. Regulbuto explained that these changes have to do with non spousal beneficiary benefits for 401 and 403 pension plans and emergency distributions.

      Mr. McCarthy made a motion
      • Resolved that, effective as of October 9, 2007, the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District is hereby amended to:
      • Permit non spouse beneficiaries of the plan to make a direct rollover distributable amount to their own IRA.
      • Permit hardship or unforeseen emergency distributions based on hardships or unforeseen emergencies experienced by a participant’s designated beneficiary.
      • And be it further resolved that the officers of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to take such further action as may be necessary or advisable to effectuate the foregoing resolution, including but not limited to, adopting written amendments to the plan documents to implement the amendments authorized by this resolution and providing notification to certain interested parties of such amendments.

      Mr. Salerno seconded. During the discussion, Mr. Salerno asked who decides on the definition of hardship or unplanned emergency. Ms. Regulbuto will do some research. The motion passed unanimously.

      Mr. Salerno made a motion:
      • That the undersigned, being a duly authorized officer of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District (the “Institution”), acting pursuant to the authority granted to the officers of the Institution by the resolution of the Board of Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District of the Institution adopted on October 9, 2007, hereby approved and adopts the following resolution:
      • Resolved that, effective as of the date set forth in the attached Pension Protection Act Election document, the Pension Protection Plan Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District is hereby amended substantially in the form attached hereto; and
      • Resolved that, the officers of the Institution be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to take such further action as may be necessary or advisable to effectuate the foregoing resolution, including, but not limited to providing notification to certain interested parties of such amendments.

      Mrs. Desmond seconded, there was no discussion and it was unanimously approved.
    3. GASB45 Audit Recommendation – Vote Req’d
      GASB45 is a new audit requirement that the district will have to soon follow. It concerns how unfunded retirement benefits (other than pensions) are reported on financial statements. In an effort to reduce costs and consolidate efforts, Ms. Regulbuto has been meeting with representatives from the LPVEC and the towns of Longmeadow, East Longmeadow and Wilbraham to request bids for actuarial services. The recommendation is The Segal Company to provide the actual services necessary to comply with the GASB45. Mrs. Desmond made a motion that we authorize The Segal Company $8,000 to complete our GASB45 audit services, and Mr. Turcotte seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
    4. Treasurer’s Report – August 2007
      Mrs. Regulbuto previously distributed the Treasurer’s Report for August 2007. She reviewed some of the highlights, including that a spending freeze for $106,000 has been instituted. She also mentioned some of the money-saving efforts, including the new networking/printing/copier initiative throughout the District.
    5. Discussion of Establishing Stabilization Account (per DOE)
      Dr. Gagliarducci reported that the State is recommending regional school districts establish a stabilization fund (MGL, Chapter 71, Section 16G½) for districts to put aside money for major capital projects so if the need arises the money can be used for that, thereby reducing the burden on the individual towns. Mr. Salerno asked how this is funded and could all the E&D money be transferred into this new fund? Dr. Gagliarducci will seek advice from the auditor, Stan Kulas. In reading the law, Mr. Salerno also asked who is on the “emergency finance committee”. This topic will be put on a future agenda for further discussion.
    6. Reclassification Entry to Close Out FY07 (new)
      Dr. Gagliarducci explained that we have to make reclassifying journal entries based on the information resulting from a new DOR regulation, and the preparation of the district End of Year Report. According to our auditor, Stan Kulas, we need to complete two tasks: 1) reverse the entries that transferred revenue into the general fund from the revolving funds, and 2) make entries to reclassify general fund expenses to the revolving funds.

      Mr. Turcotte made a motion to make the following transfers:
    • Revenues
      • Transfer revenue of $2,244 from Revolving Operating Reserve to Rental of Facilities revolving account
      • Transfer revenue of $5,000 from Revolving Operating Reserve to Springfield Tuition revolving account
      • Transfer revenue of $5,000 from Revolving Operating Reserve to Insurance Replacement revolving account
      • Transfer revenue of $14,069 from Revolving Operating Reserve to High School Parking Lot revolving account
      • Transfer revenue of $8,509 from Revolving Operating Reserve to Early Childhood Revolving
      • Transfer revenue of $11,780 from Revolving Operating Reserve to School Choice revolving account
      • Transfer revenue of $25,299 from Revolving Operating Reserve to Save Our Schools revolving account
    • Expenses
      • Transfer expense of $2,244 from Electricity Middle School to Rental of Facilities revolving account
      • Transfer expense of $5,000 from SPED Tuition to Springfield Tuition revolving account
      • Transfer expense of $5,000 from Maintenance of Building-HS to Insurance Replacement revolving account
      • Transfer expense of $11,856 from Maintenance of Grounds-HS to High School Parking Lot revolving account
      • Transfer expense of $2,213 from Maintenance of Building-HS to High School Parking Lot revolving account
      • Transfer expense of $8,509 from Salary Early Childhood Aides to Early Childhood Revolving account
      • Transfer expense of $8,168 from Security of Buildings-District to Save our Schools revolving account
      • Transfer expense of $17,131 from Security of Buildings-HS to Save our Schools revolving account
      • Transfer expense of $11,780 from SPED Tuition to School Choice revolving account

        Mrs. Desmond seconded and it was unanimously approved.
    1. Approve Warrants
      The warrants were approved.
  3. Other Business (see attached)
    1. MRHS/WMS Student Fitness Center
      As noted in the Superintendent’s Report, the district has the opportunity to purchase the Scantic Valley YMCA’s leased fitness equipment so they can make room for a new shipment. Using funds donated from the MRHS Booster Club, YMCA, private parties, and fundraising efforts, we hope to raise the $40,000 necessary to purchase the equipment and update the space to house it. The equipment will go primarily to MRHS, with some going to WMS. It was determined that there is no room at TWB.
    2. Computer Lab Update
      The new computer labs in the MRHS Media Center have come together nicely – the whole area has been transformed. Mr. Chapman requested that the next School Committee meeting at Minnechaug be held in the Media Center.
    3. MRHS Building Project Update
      There is not much new to report on this, other than we are waiting for a call from the MSBA to hold another meeting, which is part of the process. Mrs. Regulbuto and Mr. Cenedella will be attending a MASBO meeting at the end of the month regarding building projects.
    4. Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program
      As explained in the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Potter, a Foreign Language teacher at the high school would like to apply to the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program. There is no language in the contract specifically addressing this type of request, so they are using Unit A language meant for sabbatical leaves. There was a general discussion about how this program works and some of the concerns and benefits. Mr. Salerno requested that the superintendent check with the attorney regarding any unforeseen liability or are there any collective bargaining issues. In the meantime, a vote to approve Mr. Potter’s request would only be approving his application. If he is accepted, further discussions may need to take place. Mr. Salerno made a motion to approve the application of Thomas Potter to the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program. Mr. Turcotte seconded and it was approved.
    5. MCAS Update
      Dr. Scanlon gave a power point presentation featuring some highlights of the MCAS 2007 results and showing a comparison of the district’s MCAS scores over the last several years and the improvement trends. Some of the highlights include at MRHS 100% of students passed English Language Arts and 63% of students scored at the advanced level in mathematics. Also important to note is that inclusion and differentiated instruction efforts are working as indicated by the increased Proficiency Index for Students with Disabilities, which is higher than ever in grades 4, 6 7, 8, and 10. The Committee requested that Dr. Scanlon show this presentation to others in the communities, such as on Wilbraham Public Access,
    6. Policy Manual Subcommittee – Mr. Salerno
      Mr. Salerno reported that further progress has been made and the next subcommittee meeting will be either November 15 th or 29 th.
  4. Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
      No further discussion.
    2. Enrollment Report
      Dr. Gagliarducci again mentioned the decrease in Wilbraham enrollment numbers, which may result in the need for fewer first grade classrooms at Mile Tree next year.
    3. Misc. Correspondence (green folder)
      No further discussion.

  5. Personnel
    The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
    1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
      • Beth Cebula, Title 1 Teacher @ MEM, eff 11-4-07
      • Angela Lennehan, Para @ TWB, eff 9-24-07
      • Roy Scott, Lunch Monitor @ SHS, eff 10-2-07
    2. b) Resignations
      • None
    3. c) Leaves of Absence
      • None
    4. d) Retirements
      • Joan Guziec, Business Teacher @ MRHS, eff 1-19-08
  6. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    1. Continue Discussion on Establishing Stabilization Fund (ongoing)
    2. Policy Manual Subcommittee (ongoing)
    3. Negotiations Subcommittee Convene (ongoing)
    4. Review Home Education Plans (October)
    5. Budget Subcommittee Convene (October)
    6. Reading Recovery & MCAS Update (October)
    7. School Improvement Plans

As there was no need for Executive Session, Mr. Chapman asked for a motion to adjourn. Mrs. Desmond so moved, Mr. Turcotte seconded and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary

Next Meeting Scheduled:
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 @ 7:00
* Minnechaug Regional High School Media Center *