HWRSD School Committee

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
 School Committee Meeting
Stony Hill Elementary School
September 25, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.

Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, Chair; William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy (arr 7:15), Lisa Morace, Gilles Turcotte and Student Representative Greg Boilard.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Beth Regulbuto and Donna Scanlon
Guests: Sherrill Caruana, Principal of Stony Hill School; Robert Page, Concerned Citizens of Wilbraham; Ed Gorski, Hampden resident; and students from Mr. Liska’s class at MRHS.
Absent : Peter Salerno

 Chairman Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and explained that this is the first stop on the School Committee’s “road show” and turned the meeting over to Mrs. Caruana, new Principal of Stony Hill Elementary School.

  1. Welcome to Stony Hill School
    Mrs. Caruana welcomed everyone and invited members to read the colorful papers on the tables which were students’ wishes for the coming year at Stony Hill. She also spoke about some of the goals she set for herself when she started at Stony Hill, such as meeting individually with each staff member and reading in each and every classroom. As is customary when visiting a school, Mrs. Desmond presented Mrs. Caruana with two books for the Stony Hill Library. The books are about sports and represent the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
  2. General (see attached)
    1. Public Comment
      There were no comments.
    2. Student Representatives
      Student Representative Greg Boilard noted that the new computer lab in the Media Center is opened and although he hasn’t seen it yet, he understands it’s great with computers, SmartBoards and other new technology.
    3. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – September 11, 2007
        The minutes from the September 11, 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 11, 2007
         The minutes from the September 11, 2007 Executive Session were reviewed. Mrs. Desmond made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Mr. Turcotte seconded, and they were approved.
  3. Financial issues (see attached)
    1. Budget Update
      The district has had a preliminary audit done by the auditor, Stan Kulas, because the State needs to certify the funds in E&D and they want that information by their October deadline. Also in regards to budget, there will be a Budget Subcommittee meeting prior to the next School Committee meeting, from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. at TWB. Mrs. Regulbuto and Mrs. Pieciak have been reviewing the current budget to see where we stand and there will probably be a budget freeze put in place soon.
    2. Approve Warrants
      The warrants were approved.
  4. Other Business (see attached)
    1. Grants Update
      Dr. Scanlon previously distributed an update of the District’s FY08 State and Federal grant allocations and descriptions of the fund uses. She reviewed the information, highlighting a few grants and noting that grants through the Massachusetts Department of Education total $1,535,426, an increase of $17,899; and the Federal funds are $920,969.
    2. District Wide Improvement Goals
      The District Wide Improvement Plan 2007-2008 was previously distributed as a draft. Dr. Gagliarducci explained that the format is the same as previously used and that these plans are based on the School Committee’s goals for the year and relate back to the District’s Strategic Plan. He noted that perhaps in the spring a committee should convene to begin planning the process to update the strategic plan. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to approve the District Wide Improvement Plan 2007-2008 as submitted. Mrs. Desmond seconded and it was unanimously approved.
    3. Policy Manual Review – Mr. Salerno
      Dr. Gagliarducci noted that unfortunately Mr. Salerno was unable to attend the Policy Subcommittee meeting just held prior to this meeting. Progress was made and the group thinks only a couple more meetings of the subcommittee are needed before bringing their recommendation to the full School Committee.
  5. Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
      In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci noted that a letter was sent to the Selectmen in response to comments made by the Concerned Citizens of Wilbraham regarding limitations on future budgets. In tonight’s correspondence folder there is also a letter to the Selectmen with an update on the State’s report on the air quality at MRHS.
    2. Misc. Correspondence (green folder)
      Miscellaneous correspondence included a letter from WHAT with a $5,000 check for the Autodesk Design Academy Software at MRHS, as well as our thank-you for that support; and a letter from the Lincoln Public Schools asking for a letter of support to government officials for the METCO program. Mr. Chapman will write a letter, unless anyone strongly objects.
  6. Personnel
    The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
    1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
      • Michele Ashe, PTA @ HWRSD, eff 9-24-07*
      • Deborah Brennan, Lunch Monitor @ SRS, eff 9-10-07
      • Lauren Hummel, PT Speech Language Assistant @ MT, eff 9-29-07
      • Edward Lennon, Attendance Officer @ HWRSD, eff 9-4-07
      • Melissa McElreath, PE Teacher @ MRHS, eff 9-19-07
      • Danielle Meilleur, LT Sub Social Studies Teacher @ TWB, eff 9-14-07
      • Cynthia Peles, Lunch Monitor @ SRS, eff 9-10-07
      • Jeffrey Rivet, LT Sub 8 th Gr Social Studies Teacher @ WMS, eff 9-17-07
    2. Resignations
      • None
    3. Leaves of Absence
      • Charlene Normandeau, Gr 5 Teacher @ TWB, eff 11-26-07 (childbear)
    4. Retirements
      • None
  7. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    1. Policy Manual Subcommittee (ongoing)
    2. Negotiations Subcommittee Convene (ongoing)
    3. Review Home Education Plans (October)
    4. Budget Subcommittee Convene (October)
    5. Reading Recovery & MCAS Update (October)
    6. School Improvement Plans (October)
  8. Executive Session
     As there was need for Executive Session to discuss ongoing litigation and a contract matter, Mr. Chapman asked for a motion. Mr. Turcotte so moved, Ms. Morace seconded and roll call was taken with Mr. Bickley, Mr. Chapman, Mrs. Desmond, Mr. McCarthy, 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 9:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary

Next Meeting Scheduled:
Tuesday, October 9, 2007 @ 7:00
* Thornton W. Burgess Middle School *

Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
School Committee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Stony Hill Elementary School
September 25, 2007

 Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, Chair; William Bickley, Marianne Desmond, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, and Gilles Turcotte.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci, Beth Regulbuto, and Donna Scanlon
Guests: Thomas Philpott, SPED Director, and Peter Smith, Attorney for HWRSD
Absent : Peter Salerno

The meeting convened at 7:52 p.m. The Committee discussed litigation on two ongoing suits. No votes were taken.

Mrs. Desmond made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Bickley seconded and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. to return to open meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Gilles Turcotte
School Committee Secretary