Southern
Berkshire Regional School Committee
Mt. Everett Regional School
Sheffield, MA
November 5, 2011
Special School Committee Working Session
School Committee Members: Mr. Abelow, Mr. Willig, Mr. Flynn, Ms. Miller, Ms. Mielke, Mr. Sears, Mr. Valentini
Absent: Mr. Fetterhoff , Mr. McSpiritt, Mr. Stewart
Others: Ms. Higgins
1. Call to Order: Chairman Abelow called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m.
1. Finance:
a. Operating Budget:
Involvement with Administration Development: It was generally agreed that the School Committee should give the Administration a “not to exceed” number to use in developing the FY 2013 Operating Budget. In further discussion, it was the consensus of the members present to make an official request that the administration present a level-funded FY 2013 Operating Budget.
The Committee discussed communications with and presentation of the budget to member town officials. Following discussion, it was generally agreed to follow the budget calendar, as adopted, and revisit this item, if it is deemed necessary as the budget season progresses.
b. Capital Expenses: Regarding the FY 2013 Capital Budget, those present were in general agreement to let the towns take the lead on the issue of whether or not to close the outlying schools. However, members expressed a belief that if the schools were to remain open, it is the duty of the School Committee to provide for the education and safety of the students in those buildings.
Ms. Mielke left the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
It was agreed that the Committee will present a listing of Capital needs to the towns and ask them to decide how they would prefer to fund those needs.
3. School Committee Election 2012:
a. Regarding the elections of 2012, it was noted that few current members were planning to run for another term of office. Members agreed to talk with people in the community to try to develop an interest in serving on the Committee. Mr. Sears agreed to research the procedures for running for election/re-election and share such with the Committee members.
4. Communications:
a. The Committee discussed communications problems in the District. They expressed a need for the school to be a more welcoming place. They also stated a need for a “cheerleader” in support of the level of instruction provided in the schools. Suggestions to improve communications with the communities included bringing the public into the building more. It was noted that Mr. Hastings had researched areas of adult education that could be offered, including computer classes, pottery classes and others. Another suggestion made was to improve the tennis courts and hold tournaments on campus. It was also suggested that programs could be offered regarding what fiber-optic cable will mean
to the communities and how its arrival will impact local government. Members expressed a desire to follow through on those ideas.
It was noted that a tri-fold brochure is currently under development, and a blog presence will be developed as well.
5. Negotiations:
Mr. Abelow and Mr. Willig will meet with Messrs. Rapport, Schwartz and Lomaglio to begin the negotiations process for successor agreements to those which will end in 2012. It was agreed that the Committee will ask Atty. McNulty to be involved early in the negotiations process. The Committee will hold an executive session in January to discuss what they wish to bring to the negotiations table. It was generally agreed to address stipend positions separately from salaries and to attempt to make stipends objective, rather than subjective.
6. Superintendent Search:
It was generally agreed that a consultant should be engaged for the upcoming search for a superintendent and that funding should be included in the FY’13 Operating Budget. Members were asked to think about the search for a future discussion to be held in executive session in January.
7. Other:
School Choice: It was noted that the District can opt out of the School Choice program. It was agreed to look at the School Choice law for discussion at a future meeting.
South Berkshire Educational Collaborative: Mr. Willig is the representative to the Collaborative and will keep the Committee posted on happenings there.
Collaboration with other districts: It was noted that although Southern Berkshire has attempted to be proactive in attempting to collaborate with its neighbors, they have not yet been able to get anything going.
On a motion by Ms. Miller, seconded by Mr. Willig, the meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
Documents presented for this meeting:
- Agenda – School Committee Retreat of November 5, 2011
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