Town of Princeton, MA
Meeting Minutes
Thomas Prince Middle School Enrollment Study Committee
February 15, 2011
Town Hall Annex
Members present were Toryn Bright, Laura Gal, Larry Greene, Matt Lindberg, Larry Pistrang, Dawn Sulmasy, and Carla Volturo. Also present was Selectman Edie Morgan, WRSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Pandiscio and Town Administrator John Lebeaux. Chairman Pistrang called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Acceptance of Minutes
The Committee unanimously voted to approve the minutes of February 8, 2011.
Meet with Dr. Pandiscio
Dr. Pandiscio began his remarks by discussing the District’s model. He and his administration serve as advisors to the School Committee which is the governing body. The principal funding source is the foundation budget which is funded by taxation from the district towns. What is assessed to each town is by a formula of population and income. Though Princeton taxpayers may pay more per pupil than other towns, the District receives the total formula budget. He summarized the principal reason to regionalize is to shed costs and operate more efficiently.
His opening comment regarding the Thomas Prince School’s declining enrollment issue is that the “only solution is bricks and mortar”, and everything else would be programmatic. He mentioned that a programmatic change relies on people wanting it. He commented that the Committee’s survey demonstrates that the preference shown is for things to remain as they are; that 70% of respondents will accept a multi-certified teacher teaching the same students for three years. He cited missed regionalization opportunities in the past.
He offered that it is difficult to hire middle school teachers in small schools with few colleagues. He doesn’t believe the market will produce dual certified teachers who will remain in the district over long periods of time. He told the Committee that he would not recommend a practice that is an unfair or bad practice, and would not have brought his Mountview option to the Board of Selectmen if the current trend was not a path that concerns him.
He related that his goal is to normalize and equalize programming.
In response to questions about the use of part-time teachers, he cited the fact that collectively bargained agreements make that option difficult to implement, and that he did not want a revolving door of part-time teachers coming and going.
He questioned if a magnet school model at Thomas Prince is an attractive option. He noted that Sterling, Princeton, and Sterling are likely candidates for in district choice but families in those schools are highly satisfied.
The costs for construction, debt, transportation, etc. for a building project can be calculated and guaranteed, unlike programming, which is why he plans to recommend the Mountview option to the School Committee.
He related that Holden is soon to begin an architectural study and in spring or summer Princeton will need to choose. He presented a working number of 20% for Princeton’s share if it wished to participate in the Mountview project.
Dawn will investigate the NESDEC numbers.
Discuss Final Report
The Committee agreed that it will review Larry’s draft of the final report on March 15
Public Comment
None.
Future Meeting Dates
The Committee will next March 15 at 730 PM in the Town Hall Annex.
The Committee unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:17 PM.
Respectively submitted,
John Lebeaux
Town Administrator
Referenced Documents
None
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