Southern
Berkshire Regional School Committee
Mt. Everett Regional School
Sheffield, MA
October 20, 2011
Meeting #1,435
School Committee Members: Mr. Willig, Mr. Valentini, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Sears, Ms. Miller, Mr. Stewart, Ms. Mielke
Absent: Mr. Abelow, Mr. Fetterhoff, Mr. McSpiritt
Administration: Dr. Singleton, Mr. Turner, Ms. Hubbard, Mr. Devoti, Mr. Hastings
Press: CTSB
Others: Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Antil, Mr. Andrew Rapport, Ms. Linda Higgins
1. Call to Order: Vice Chairman Willig called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes: Vice Chairman Willig declared the minutes of the Special School Committee Meeting of September 28, 2011, regular and executive sessions, approved with the following amendments: Mr. Willig was not in attendance at either session; note that Mr. Flynn voted at each of those sessions.
3. Communications from the Audience Pertaining to This Evening’s Agenda:
A. There were no student representatives in attendance. Mr. Willig informed the Committee that Ms. Danielle Goewey, a 10th grade student and President of the Student Government, would be serving as the Student Representative this year.
B. There were no communications from the public.
4. Presentations/Updates: Mr. Stephen Antil, Mt. Everett Grades 7-8 Science Teacher, gave a slide show presentation on Karst Topography in Berkshire County and other regions and explained its relevance in his science classes.
5. Business
A. Superintendent’s Report:
- Dr. Singleton reported on the following:
- There was some vandalism in the school over the previous weekend. The culprits have been caught, and the damage has been fixed.
- There will be a free flu clinic on November 4, 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Elementary and Middle School teachers spent four days working with Math Consultant Tom Schersten.
- Dr. Singleton, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Flynn attended a meeting with the select boards of the five member towns the previous evening. Discussion centered around budget development, capital needs, and the small schools. There was no representative from Monterey in attendance. There was agreement that all five towns wish to support the School District’s operating budget for FY’13. There was also general agreement that technology upgrades were needed, but some towns did not wish to go forward with a bond until the FY’13 operating budget is passed. Those in attendance requested more accurate information regarding the cost savings if the outlying schools were closed. They also expressed a desire for an up-to-date engineering study using 2011 numbers.
B. Ms. Miller moved, seconded by Ms. Mielke, to approve setting June 2, 2012, 10:00 a.m. at Tanglewood for commencement exercises for the Mt. Everett Class of 2012. It was so voted, unanimously.
C. Following a brief discussion, Ms. Miller moved to approve the FY’13 Budget Development Calendar, with the addition that some of the meetings will be held in the outlying towns (as suggested by Ms. Mielke). Mr. Sears seconded the motion.
Following discussion, which included clarification that modifications could be made, if the Committee deemed it prudent to do so in the future, the Budget Development Calendar was approved, as presented. (Dr. Singleton and Mr. Turner will work with Mr. Abelow to try to schedule some of the meetings in the outlying towns.)
D. Following discussion, the Committee agreed to meet on Saturday, November 5 at 9:00 a.m. in the Mt. Everett Eagles Loft. The meeting will be a working session to establish priorities for 2012. Members were asked to e-mail Mr. Abelow with requests or suggestions for agenda items. It was noted that the meeting will be posted and open to the public; however, no audience participation will be allowed.
E. Subcommittee/Representative Reports
1. Buildings, Grounds & Technology Subcommittee: Mr. Flynn reported on the October 13 meeting. He offered appreciation to Mr. Finkle for improvements in the Buildings & Grounds Department, Mr. Thompson for the updates in technology thus far, and to Mr. Turner for holding it all together.
2. Mr. Willig reported that the Executive Evaluation Subcommittee met last week with the Superintendent. Dr. Singleton presented his objectives, and the Subcommittee will meet to review progress throughout the year. Mr. Willig will send the 2011-12 objectives to the School Committee members.
F. There were no financial updates or requests for transfers.
5. Communication from the Public: There were no communications from the public.
On a motion by Ms. Miller, seconded by Mr. Flynn, the meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
Documents presented for this meeting:
- Agenda – School Committee Meeting #1,435
- Minutes – School Committee Special Meeting of September 28, 2011, Regular and Executive Sessions
- Letter from Mt. Everett Principal Glenn R. Devoti dated October 13, 2011
- Draft of FY 2013 Budget Development Calendar
- Minutes of October 13, 2011 Buildings, Grounds & Technology Subcommittee Meeting
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