Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
 
School Committee Minutes 1/5/12
                                                                Southern Berkshire Regional School Committee
Mt. Everett Regional School
                                                                Sheffield, MA
                                                                January 5, 2012
                                                                Meeting #1,438

School Committee Members: Mr. Abelow, Mr. Willig, Mr. Valentini, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Sears, Ms. Miller, Mr. Stewart,  Mr. Fetterhoff, Ms. Mielke

Absent: Mr. McSpiritt

Administration: Dr. Singleton, Mr. Turner, Ms. Hubbard, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Woodsome, Mr. Devoti, Mr. Nadolny, Mr. Hastings

Press: CTSB; Berkshire Record

Student Representative(s):  Danielle Goewey

Others: Mr. Charles Ketchen, Chair, Alford Select Board; Ms. Julie Hannum, Member, Sheffield Select Board;  Mr. Leonard Ohman; Ms. Angel Rote; Ms. Karen Chamberland; Ms. Barbara Delmolino; Mr. Andrew Rapport; Mr. Michael Farmer; Ms. Linda Higgins

1.      Call to Order:  Chairman Abelow called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2.      Approval of Minutes:  Hearing no corrections or comments, Chairman Abelow declared the minutes of School Committee Meeting #1,437 accepted, as presented.

3.      Communications from the Audience Pertaining to This Evening’s Agenda:  

A.      There was no Student Representative report.
B.      There were no communications from the public.

  • 4.      Presentations/Updates:  Mr. Andrew Rapport, Mt. Everett Life Skills Teacher, gave a brief presentation regarding Transition Planning for special needs students. A question and answer question took place.  Mr. Rapport offered to return to the Committee to give a more in-depth presentation at a later time.
  • 5.      Business
A.      Superintendent’s Report:
        Dr. Singleton’s report included following:
  • The replacement windows were installed at the South Egremont School over the holiday break. Dr. Singleton again offered appreciation to the anonymous donor of the windows.
  • At the Superintendent’s request, Ms. Woodsome explained that the School Council is set to help address the handling of the new state law regarding “competitive foods”; i.e., food that is brought into school during the school day or thirty minutes before or after the school day. She said that the law, which will be effective in the next school year, will impact what treats parents can send in for their children. She also said that the kindergarten teachers will meet with Ms. Woodsome and Director of Student Services Sandi Hubbard to plan for the changes.
  • A Response to Intervention Consultant will be working with staff on January 25.
  • The National Center on Health and Disease Control has selected the Southern Berkshire Regional School District to complete several surveys on school health policies and services. Mr. Devoti has taken on the task of coordinating the District’s response to these surveys. Mr. Devoti reported that staff members are approximately at the mid-point with the various surveys and will submit all before the deadline.
  • Mr. Hastings reported that a total of four college courses will be available for students and teachers during the spring semester.
  • The carpeting was replaced in several classrooms at Undermountain Elementary School over the holiday vacation.
        B.      Chairman Abelow distributed copies of a proposed two-month contract extension for Superintendent Singleton (copy on file with these minutes).  He explained that the contract had been drawn up by the District’s attorney, based on items the Committee had wished to be included, and he apologized that the School Committee members had not been able to see it ahead of the meeting.  He asked that the Committee members take a few minutes to review the document.

                Ms. Miller moved to adopt the contract extension, as written.  Mr. Willig seconded the motion.

                Following a lengthy discussion, which included members expressing their support or opposition to the contract extension and Dr. Singleton explaining his position on the issue, Ms. Miller moved to call the question. Chairman Abelow requested that the membership vote on the calling of the question, and it was so voted, unanimously.

                A roll-call vote was then taken regarding the motion to approve the contract extension.  The vote:

                Ms. Miller              yes             Mr. Stewart             abstain         Mr. Flynn               no
                Mr. Abelow              yes             Mr. Willig              yes             Mr. Fetterhoff  yes
                Mr. Sears               yes             Mr. Valentini   no
                
                Mr. Abelow declared the motion carried.

Ms. Mielke arrived at 6:20 p.m.
                
        D.      Subcommittee/Representative Reports:
                a)      Buildings, Grounds & Technology:  Mr. Sears reported that the replacement windows installation project in South Egremont School was successfully completed.  

                Mr. Sears reported that an unsolicited proposal to install a photovoltaic energy system on the Mt. Everett/Undermountain campus had prompted discussion regarding exploring alternate energy resources by the Subcommittee.  He explained that he had become aware that the Hampshire Council of Governments (a nonprofit group providing services to government entities mostly in the Hampshire County area) is in the process of putting together a request for proposals (RFP) for photovoltaic services.  He said that the District could receive the RFP from that group at no cost, and he requested the School Committee’s approval to ask to be included.

                Mr. Sears moved that the School Committee vote as a whole to participate in the RFP of the Hampshire Council of Governments.  Ms. Miller seconded the motion, and it was so voted.

                Mr. Sears noted that he and Mr. Turner are also talking with the Hampshire Council of Governments regarding other services they offer, and he explained that that group may be able to help with the lighting project bidding.

                b)      Finance Subcommittee:  Mr. Valentini reported that the Finance Subcommittee had met the previous evening. He said that all member towns had also sent representatives to the meeting.  He explained that it was the first viewing of the FY 2013 budget, and that Dr. Singleton had informed them that the administration could meet the request for a flat budget in FY’13 with the proviso that all three outlying schools be closed and the savings applied to the budget. He noted that the proposal had been a surprise to most in the room. Mr. Valentini stated that a lot of discussion had taken place, and that the consensus was that the District citizens should be allowed to express their opinions on the outlying schools.  Further, he stated that it was felt that the proposal should be “all or nothing”; i.e., either close all three or leave all three open.
 
                        Mr. Valentini stated that as the proposed closings had dominated the discussion, the Subcommittee will need to revisit the operating budget soon. He also noted that no alternatives had been presented, in case the outlying schools were not closed.  Mr. Valentini concluded by encouraging anyone with questions or concerns to share such through phone calls or e-mails.  

                        Mr. Sears moved that in order to meet the requirements of Section 3 of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District’s Restated Agreement, the proposed school action be put to a vote of the five towns on following tentative schedule:

                       Mr. Flynn interjected that as the proposed school action was not an agenda item, it would be necessary for the Committee to vote on whether to add it to the evening’s agenda.

                        Mr. Valentini moved to modify the agenda to consider proposed school action.  Mr. Willig seconded the motion.  It was so voted (Mr. Flynn voted in opposition).

                        Mr. Sears then moved that in order to meet the requirements of Section 3 of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District’s Restated Agreement, the proposed school action be put to a vote of the five towns on following tentative schedule:   January 6, 2012 – Notice of proposed school action sent to five towns with dates for required meetings and actions; January 23, 2012 – Public hearing on proposed school action held in Monterey; January 26, 2012 – Public hearing on proposed school action held in Egremont; January 30, 2012 – public hearing on proposed school action held in New Marlborough; February 8, 2012 – Public hearing on proposed school action held in Sheffield at the Thomas A. Consolati Performing Arts Center; February 27, 2012 – School Committee meeting to vote on proposed school action; February 28, 2012 – Notification to towns with warrant language if proposed school action is passed.  May 1, 2012 (Egremont), May 5, 2012 (Monterey), May 7, 2012 (Sheffield and New Marlborough), and May 8, 2012 (Alford) town meeting votes on proposed school action.

                        Mr. Valentini seconded the motion.

                        It was clarified that if necessary, the proposed dates could be changed, following consultation with counsel.  The Committee members also generally agreed that the Chair would write a letter notifying the select boards of the five towns of the proposed school action and the schedule and send each a copy of the notice.  

                        Chairman Abelow then called for a vote:
                        Ms. Miller              yes             Mr. Stewart             yes             Mr. Flynn               no
                        Mr. Abelow              yes             Mr. Willig              yes             Mr. Fetterhoff  yes
                        Mr. Sears               yes             Mr. Valentini           yes             Ms. Mielke              yes



                c)      Collective Bargaining:  As executive session would be needed, Chairman Abelow stated that this item would be put off to the last item on the agenda.  He stated that no additional actions would take place in open session following the executive session.

  • 6.      Other Communications / Requests for Future Agenda Items
        A.      Dr. Singleton noted an article in the Berkshire Record regarding the college undergraduate course that Mr. Hastings had arranged for Mt. Everett students.

        B.      Mr. Stewart clarified that the letter to Mr. Williamson was the action referred to in the minutes of Meeting #1,437.

        C.      Ms. Barbara Delmolino questioned how many people would lose their jobs if the outlying schools were to close.  Dr. Singleton stated that it was estimated that two teaching positions, one custodial position, 1 nursing position, and one ESP position would be affected.  However, he said he believed most, if not all, may be tempered by retirements.  He also noted that there would be room for the 100 children enrolled in those schools to come into Undermountain.

        D.      In regard to the FY 2013 budget, Mr. Nigel Peacock questioned what numbers the towns would receive.  Mr. Abelow responded that there had been only a first presentation of the budget; he said that there would be many refinements to come before the budget was formally given to the towns.  Mr. Peacock also requested information regarding the capital budget for the South Egremont School for the past ten years and he suggested conducting surveys regarding how school choice.

5D.             c)      Ms. Miller moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing strategy for collective bargaining.  Mr. Valentini seconded the motion.  No further business would be conducted in open session.  The vote:

                        Ms. Miller              yes             Mr. Stewart             yes             Mr. Flynn               yes
                        Mr. Abelow              yes             Mr. Willig              yes             Mr. Fetterhoff          yes
                        Mr. Sears               yes             Mr. Valentini           yes             Ms. Mielke              yes

                The Committee moved to Room D7 and entered into executive session at 6:40 p.m.

                The Committee came out of executive session at 7:48 p.m.

                On a motion by Ms. Miller, seconded by Mr. Fetterhoff, the meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.

                                
        


Documents presented for this meeting:
  • Agenda – School Committee Meeting #1,438
  • Minutes – School Committee Meeting #1,437
  • Contract extension for Michael Singleton, Ed.D., Superintendent
  • Letter to Mr. & Mrs. Charles Williamson, dated December 19, 2011
  • Proposed time line for School Committee vote regarding proposed closure of outlying schools