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Pentucket Regional School District School Committee Minutes 2005
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| January 4, 2005 | ||
| February 15, 2005 | ||
| May 17, 2005 | ||
| September 20, 2005 | ||
| October 18, 2005 | November 15, 2005 | |
| November 29, 2005 | December 13, 2005 | |
| December 20, 2005 | ||
PENTUCKET
REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Members Present:
Chairwoman Piccolomini, Mr. Atwood, Mr. Buell, Mrs. Carpenter, Mr.
Castiglione, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Cronin, Mrs. Gadd, Mrs. Grazio, Mr. Levine, Mrs.
Muench and Mr. O’Keefe.
Also Present:
Dr. MacLean, Dr. McGinn, Student Representatives Ms. Burns and Mr.
Williams, Spectators and Press
Chairwoman Piccolomini called the
meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
Mr. Williams led the Committee in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Majority vote began as 5.1.
Majority vote was changed to 5.5
when Mrs. Gadd arrived.
It was moved by Mr. Atwood and seconded by Mr. Castiglione to accept the agenda. Motion carried. (unanimous approval)
It was moved by Mr. Atwood and seconded by Mr. Levine to
approve the consent agenda. Motion
carried. (for: Atwood, Buell,
Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, Grazio, Levine, O’Keefe, Piccolomini)
(for: 10.1) (abstained: Gadd, Muench) (abstained: 1.9)
Majority vote was set at 6.1 upon arrival of Mrs. Grazio.
Susan Swanson of West Newbury advised of a musical
performance and art exhibition at the
ADMINISTRATIVE
REPORTS
Budget
Overview
Dr.
MacLean gave a PowerPoint presentation to explain the preliminary budget figures
for FY06. It was noted that
providing the same level of programs and services in the next fiscal year that
are being provided this year will cause an increase in cost of $2.5 million.
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mr. Castiglione to have a cover letter
signed by Chair Piccolomini to forward the FY06 preliminary budget figures and
entitle it “FY06 Preliminary Maintenance of Effort Budget” to the Financial
Directors of the three Towns along with the revenue sheet.
(unanimous approval)
There
was discussion about the budget workshops, which are scheduled for January 11,
2005 and January 25, 2005.
·
Dr. MacLean asked that committee members consider the question, “What
do we want students to learn?”
·
Mr. O’Keefe suggested a format for the first workshop, consisting of
workgroups of three to four people who would discuss what they value; then after
discussion two workgroups would form to discuss what they value and revenue
streams. Then the Administration
could be asked to ascribe costs for the second workshop so dollar figures could
be worked up.
·
School principals should be invited to attend the workshops.
·
It was suggested that Administration move forward as soon as possible
with recommendations on programs and services for budget consideration.
Majority
Vote was
changed to 5.7 when Mrs. Conner left the room at 8:41p.m.
Majority
Vote
returned to 6.1 at 8:48 p.m.
Quorum
was lost at 8:51 [Mrs. Carpenter then Mrs. Grazio left the room]
Quorum
was again in place at 8:56.
Advanced
Placement Course Opportunities
Dr.
McGinn gave a more in-depth explanation of a previous handout regarding the
advanced placement courses.
·
Pentucket currently offers six AP courses.
·
The curriculum and exams are nationally prescribed and are the same
regardless of what high school you attend.
·
Performance is rated on a 1-5 scale.
A score of 3, 4 or 5 can earn college credit upon enrollment.
·
The difference between AP, H1 and H2 classes are rigor, pace and
eventual weight of the course used when computing grade point average or class
rank.
OLD
BUSINESS
Conflict
of Interest
Based
on review of the school committee’s ethics policy, discussion ensued regarding
the need of putting a conflict of interest policy in place.
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Castiglione and seconded by Mrs. Carpenter to have the
Superintendent ask legal counsel and/or the State Ethics Commission what the
Committee’s obligations are regarding conflict of interest.
It was amended by Mrs. Carpenter to ask more specifically what role a
School Committee member can take in decisions that have financial impact if they
have a family member who could be influenced by that.
(unanimous approval)
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Peter Cronin and seconded by Mr. Castiglione to have the Human
Resources Subcommittee formulate a new biographical format for members to
complete. Motion carried.
(for: Atwood, Buell,
Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, Levine, O’Keefe, Piccolomini)
(for: 9.8) (against:
Grazio) (against: 1.1) (abstain: Muench) (abstain: 1.1)
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mrs. Grazio and seconded by Mr. Levine to have a state auditor
conduct an operational audit before the new Business Manager takes over the
position. It was amended to ask to
obtain quotes for an operational audit from both a state and private audit
agency. Mrs. Carpenter asked to have
clarification made between an operational audit and a financial audit.
Motion carried. (for:
Atwood, Buell, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Gadd, Grazio, Levine,
Muench, O’Keefe, Piccolomini) (for: 11.2)
(against: Cronin) (against:
.8)
ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Recording Secretary
Approved:
March 22, 2005
Distribution:
Website;
PENTUCKET
REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Business
Meeting Minutes
Amended
March 1, 2005
High School
January 18, 2005
Members Present:
Chairwoman Piccolomini, Mr. Atwood, Mr. Buell, Mrs. Carpenter, Mr.
Castiglione, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Cronin, Mrs. Gadd, Mrs. Grazio, Mrs. Muench and
Mr. O’Keefe.
Also Present:
Dr. MacLean, Dr. McGinn, Student Representatives Ms. Burns and Mr.
Williams, Spectators and Press
Chairwoman Piccolomini called the
meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
Mr. Williams and Ms. Burns led the
Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Majority vote was 5.5.
It was moved by Mr. Atwood and seconded by Mrs. Muench to accept the agenda. Added to the agenda was public delegation under Public Comment. Motion carried. (unanimous approval)
It was moved by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mr. Cronin to approve the consent agenda. Added to the consent agenda was an invitation from the Chair of the Performing Arts Dept. Motion carried. (for: Atwood, Buell, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, O’Keefe, Piccolomini) (for: 8.7) (opposed: Grazio, Muench) (opposed: 2.2)
Valerie Paquette of Merrimac spoke about an article in the Daily
News that she viewed as misleading. Information
regarding class size and budget information reflect statistics from FY04.
It was recommended that the website be updated.
It was moved by Mr. Cronin and seconded by Mrs. Grazio to
have the
Brenda
Dresser and Tammy Brackbill, delegates of the PTO Executive Board, were present
for the item added to the consent agenda. Brenda
Dresser addressed the members regarding the possibility of having a motion
passed that would enable individuals, organizations or towns to make financial
gifts and/or donations to supplement FY05-06 school revenue.
Discussion followed.
·
Mrs. Grazio pointed out the statute that covers how gifts and donations
are accepted – they must come to the school committee for approval.
·
If a town wants to give a donation, the Regional Agreement specifies
that it must be handled through the town meeting process, preceded by a vote
from the school committee.
·
There is no obligation nor can a guarantee be provided to spend donated
money as specified by the donor.
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mrs. Grazio to table the discussion.
Motion failed. (for:
Buell, Castiglione, Grazio, Muench) (for:
4.4) (opposed: Atwood,
Carpenter, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, O’Keefe, Piccolomini) (opposed:
6.5)
Discussion
continued.
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. O’Keefe and seconded by Mr. Cronin that the petition to
approve the motion from the PTO Executive Board be sent to Attorney Finnegan to
offer his legal comments and have it back by the first meeting in February.
Motion carried. (unanimous
approval)
Executive
Session
A
roll call vote was taken to go into Executive Session at 8:17 p.m.
Motion carried. (unanimous
approval)
It
was moved by Mr. Cronin and seconded by Mr. Atwood to end Executive Session.
Motion carried by roll call vote.
(unanimous approval)
Executive
Session ended at 8:56 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
REPORTS and OLD BUSINESS
Dr.
MacLean commented on some of the information gleaned from the budget workshop,
namely, a list of what is valued by both the school committee members and the
administrators.
In
December, lists of Programs of Study for area high schools in Amesbury,
Hamilton-Wenham,
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Castiglione and seconded by Mrs. Grazio that the same nine
districts that have been used for the last several years (Triton,
Discussion
followed. The towns used for
comparison are geographically situated; they represent a three-tier expression
of income demographics or community wealth, so it provides a reasonably
effective balance in representing what we are comparing ourselves to, and most
of the statistics are from Cape Ann-oriented communities, so there is a common
affinity among those communities.
Dr.
MacLean pointed out:
·
Throughout the country, most high school programs of study involve ten
to 12 disciplines on average.
·
Some high schools will offer certain courses every other semester or
every other year.
·
Criteria that school districts use for rating courses which are offered
include: appropriateness; content
validity; course effectiveness; resource availability; budget support; and
interest level.
Mrs.
Grazio expressed interest in knowing which programs are currently running in the
area high schools.
Mr.
Castigilone questioned whether it is possible to find out what is considered
curriculum for a graduate at each one of the area high schools.
Mrs.
Conner made a request for information regarding the pros and cons of block
scheduling and utilizing teacher advisors vs. guidance counselors.
Discussion
centered around prioritizing the things that are valued, determining what is
core and looking at the role of secondary education.
Dr.
MacLean offered two starting points for consideration:
1)
What do you individually mean by core?
One person’s core is another person’s elective.
2)
What is meant by comprehensive – at the secondary level it would be a
comprehensive high school; at the elementary level, it would be comprehensive
offerings.
Comprehensive,
as explained by Dr. MacLean, typically means two things.
It is a series of varied offerings in a curriculum and it is a
heterogeneous group of students (students who will pursue post-secondary
education and those who will pursue jobs upon graduation).
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Cronin and seconded by Mrs. Carpenter to continue the meeting
past 10:00. Motion carried.
(for: Atwood, Buell,
Carpenter, Castigilone, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, O’Keefe, Piccolomini)
(for: 8.7)
(opposed: Grazio, Muench)
(opposed: 2.2)
Dr.
MacLean indicated that fewer services have been delivered over the past two
years from the general fund than at any time in recent memory.
Fewer services were provided at a higher cost.
No matter how things are reorganized, the $2 million in cuts that will
need to be made will be painful.
Discussion
followed, touching on a variety of topics, including:
middle school philosophy; an academic-focused curriculum; whether the
existing program is adequate; asking the towns to vote for an override;
marketing the Pentucket educational experience;
reallocation and educational trade-offs; foreign language offerings;
request for information about block scheduling and advisors vs. counselors.
ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting was adjourned by unanimous approval at 10:50 p.m.
Recording Secretary
Approved:
March 22, 2005
Distribution:
Website;
PENTUCKET
REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Business
Meeting Minutes
Middle School
February 1, 2005
Members Present:
Chairwoman Piccolomini, Mr. Atwood, Mr. Buell, Mrs. Carpenter, Mr.
Castiglione, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Cronin, Mrs. Gadd, Mrs. Grazio, Mr. Levine, Mrs.
Muench and Mr. O’Keefe.
Also Present:
Dr. MacLean, Dr. McGinn, Ms. O’Brien - Director of Pupil Services,
Student Representatives: Ms. Burns
and Mr. Williams, Principals: Mr.
Benincasa, Mr. Harrison, Ms. Jervey, Ms. Perry, Mr. Binaghi and Ms. Townes,
Teachers, Spectators and Press.
Chairwoman Piccolomini called the
meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
Ms. Burns led the Committee in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Majority vote was 6.1.
It was moved by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mr. Cronin to approve the agenda as amended. The amendments were to add Executive Session, FY06 Budget, SC Meeting Venue, Central Administration Reduction of Staff and Deliberation of Math Curriculum. (unanimous approval)
It was moved by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mr. Atwood to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried. (for: Atwood, Buell, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, Grazio, O’Keefe, Piccolomini) (for: 9.8) (opposed: Grazio, Muench) (opposed: 2.2)
Valerie Paquette of Merrimac delivered a handout to the
members. The document called into
question items such as per pupil expenditure discrepancies amongst the
elementary schools and inequalities in the use of specialists.
Ms. Paquette stated that she felt the Committee could not ask the towns
for an override.
A letter was read by the Chair at the request of the sender,
Rebecca Gould, in which she voiced concerns about potential changes at the high
school due to budget cuts.
It was moved by Mr. O’Keefe and seconded by Mr. Cronin to
have administration provide a response to Ms. Paquette by the meeting on
February 15, 2005. Motion carried.
(for: Atwood, Buell,
Carpenter, Castiglione, Cronin, Gadd, Grazio, Levine, Muench, O’Keefe,
Piccolomini.) (for:
11.2) (abstain:
Conner) (abstain:
.8)
Some of the faculty members in attendance took the opportunity to speak, including Mr. Voltero, the Chairman of the English Department, Inge Buerger, Foreign Language Chair, Ruth Brophy, District Health Coordinator, and Blane Goguen, the Science Chair.
· “We deliver quality education.”
· One of the questions posed was, “Do people want to pay for this [type of education] or do they want to dismantle it?”
· When the DOE came to visit, they found Health and Services to be a very strong area that provides options for students.
Executive
Session
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Cronin and seconded by Mr. O’Keefe to go into Executive
Session, Chapter 39, Section 23, B.3. Motion
carried by roll call vote. (for:
Atwood, Buell, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, Levine,
O’Keefe, Piccolomini) (for:
9.8) (opposed:
Grazio, Muench) (opposed:
2.2)
Executive
Session began at 7:58 p.m.
Executive
session ended at 8:10 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
REPORTS
Social
Studies Task Force
Dr.
McGinn gave an introduction and allowed Michael Stevens to explain what the task
force had accomplished in its study. Wayne
Sylvester provided information as well.
·
Pentucket is meeting the minimum threshold of frameworks.
·
Maps, globes and atlases need to be upgraded in the classrooms.
House
1 Budget
Dr.
MacLean provided an overview of the Superintendent’s meeting with Governor
Romney, in which he was advised that there was no more State aid for Pentucket
for this year. Dr. MacLean referred
to the Governor’s Cherry Sheet that he passed out.
Pentucket
is looking at the third consecutive year of possibly one percent (1%) or less
from State aid. The District has
needs that exceed the ability to pay for them.
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. O’Keefe and seconded by Mrs. Gadd that the Chair extend a
formal invitation to the Pentucket Association of Teachers (PAT) to attend the
February 15, 2005 School Committee meeting.
Motion carried. (for:
Atwood, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, Grazio, Levine,
Muench, O’Keefe, Piccolomini) (for:
10.9) (abstain:
Buell) (abstain:
1.1)
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Cronin and seconded by Mr. Buell that the Chair extend a formal
invitation to the faculty and Chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Department
to attend the February 15, 2005 School Committee meeting.
Motion carried by unanimous approval.
High
School Options
It
was asked of the Committee to read the memo provided by Kathleen O’Brien
regarding high school options for the next meeting.
Dr.
MacLean made a request of everyone that, when providing handouts or memoranda
that include information and/or statistics from other sources, to always list
the source(s) of the information.
Discussion
followed regarding electives, block scheduling and educational quality.
Dr.
MacLean pointed out that the District would probably see a four percent (4%)
increase next year even if nothing different happens.
One
of the parents in attendance pointed out that the override failed by only 30
votes last year.
Discussion
followed regarding the need to get the message out to the entire population of
taxpayers.
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mr. Castiglione to hold all future School
Committee meetings in the
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mr. Cronin to go past 10:00 p.m.
Motion carried. (for:
Atwood, Buell, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, Levine,
O’Keefe, Piccolomini.) (for:
9.8) (against:
Grazio, Muench) (against:
2.2)
OLD
BUSINESS
Regional
Agreement Task Force Report
Mr.
O’Keefe gave an overview of the issues the task force has been discussing and
advised that the next meeting will be held on February 10, 2005.
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Castiglione and seconded by Mr. O’Keefe that the Committee
will vote on February 15, 2005 on the original Regional Agreement (5-6 items)
and the recommendations of the Regional Agreement Task Force.
Motion carried. (for:
Castiglione, Levine, O’Keefe, Carpenter, Piccolomini, Conner, Cronin
and Gadd) (for:
7.9) (against:
Buell, Muench, Grazio and Atwood) (against:
4.1)
Approval
of Gift
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mr. Cronin to approve acceptance of the
$1,000 gift from Banknorth Charitable Foundation to the
Deliberation
of Math Curriculum
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Levine and seconded by Mrs. Grazio to have the Math Curriculum
remain the same for 05-06 and to open deliberation for change for the next
school year. Motion failed.
(for: Buell, Grazio, Levine,
Muench) (for:
4.4) (against:
Castiglione, O’Keefe, Conner, Cronin, Atwood, Gadd)
(against: 5.4)
(abstain: Carpenter,
Piccolomini) (abstain:
2.2)
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Castiglione and seconded by Mr. Cronin to have the task force
ask the Superintendent to look into the cost of a union structure.
Mr. Buell added the amendment to not pursue it at this time.
Motion failed. (for:
Castiglione, Carpenter, Piccolomini, Cronin, Gadd)
(for: 4.9)
(against: Levine, Buell,
Muench, Grazio, Conner, Atwood, O’Keefe) (against:
7.1)
Motion/Vote
It
was moved by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mr. Cronin to adjourn.
(unanimous approval)
ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda D’Zmura
Recording Secretary
Approved:
March 22, 2005
Distribution:
Website;
PENTUCKET
REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Business
Meeting Minutes
High School
February 15, 2005
Members Present:
Chairwoman Piccolomini, Mr. Atwood, Mr. Buell, Mrs. Carpenter, Mr.
Castiglione, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Cronin, Mrs. Gadd, Mrs. Grazio, Mr. Levine, Mrs.
Muench and Mr. O’Keefe.
Also Present:
Dr. MacLean, Dr. McGinn, Student Representatives Ms. Burns and Mr.
Williams, Principals, Teachers, Spectators and Press
Chairwoman Piccolomini called the meeting to order at 7:35
p.m.
Mr. Williams led the Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Majority vote was 6.1.
It was moved by Mr. Castiglione and seconded by Mr. Atwood to
accept the agenda as amended. Executive
Session was removed, New Business was moved to No. 6, Old Business was moved to
No. 7, and Public Comment was moved to No. 9 after the Superintendent’s Budget
Proposal. Motion carried by
unanimous approval.
Mrs. Grazio would like to add the Unfinished Business to the next agenda so it stays there henceforward.
It was noted that the enclosure entitled Secondary School
Comparison was for informational purposes.
It was moved by Mr. Castiglione and seconded by Mr. O’Keefe to accept the consent agenda as amended. (for: Atwood, Buell, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, Levine, O’Keefe, Piccolomini) (for: 9.8) (against: Grazio, Muench) (against: 2.2)
The Monthly Budget Report was pulled to provide clarification on the following:
· The Treasurer is investigating the matter of the $70,000 debt.
· Category 1, salaries for principal and business manager – they are contracted services so they do not come under the salary account balance.
· Will we see fund positions for all the funds, aggregately? Yes, in the near future.
The letter submitted by the Pentucket Association of Teachers was pulled. Mrs. Grazio wished to have it stated on the record that the Regional Agreement is not illegal, that the supplemental budget is the only area that is in question in the Agreement.
The memo regarding legal costs was pulled for discussion. Although the memo stated the total of the legal costs for FY05 to date, Mr. Buell expressed interest in getting more detailed invoices or a ledger from the attorneys to verify charges. Dr. MacLean explained that there are specific invoices that the Finance Subcommittee evaluates.
The Bagnall Principal Search Process information was pulled for discussion. Mrs. Grazio inquired as to whether there was anything to report regarding the Assistant Principal, to which Dr. MacLean responded that there was not.
The minutes from the January 18, 2005 meeting were pulled so Mrs. Grazio could point out corrections that needed to be made.
Motion/Vote
It was moved by Mrs. Grazio and seconded by Mrs. Muench to table the discussion on the January 18, 2005 minutes until they have been corrected. Motion carried by unanimous approval.
It was moved by Mr. Castiglione and seconded by Mr. Buell to
accept the donation of a Mac iBook laptop from a
Mr. O’Keefe informed the Committee that the RATF has not
yet made any recommendations, however, he has issued a report of his own
personal assessment as to where the consensus exists.
Mr. Castiglione handed out to the members some suggested
changes to the language of the Regional Agreement, to encourage discussion and
to enable legal counsel to prepare the requisite language for changes in the
Agreement for the town warrants.
It was moved by Mr. Castiglione and seconded by Mr. Cronin to begin to offer language changes to the Regional Agreement that will be part of the Town Warrant and to discuss it this evening, then vote on it at the next business meeting. Motion carried. (for: Atwood, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, O’Keefe, Piccolomini) (for: 7.6) (against: Buell, Grazio, Levine, Muench) (against: 4.4)
The changes to the Regional Agreement will go to the town
meetings as warrant articles and be voted on by the three communities.
If they are favorably accepted they will become part of the Agreement.
The will become effective in FY07.
There was discussion regarding the deadline dates for
the town warrants. A written
response was received from
Motion/Vote
It was moved by Mr. Cronin and seconded by Mr. O’Keefe to have a formal request sent to all three towns for a placeholder (until March 3rd) on the town warrants for the Regional Agreement. Motion carried. (for: Atwood, Buell, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, O’Keefe, Piccolomini) (for: 8.7) (against: Grazio, Levine, Muench) (against: 3.3)
Mr. Castiglione’s recommendation was that the changes be submitted as one entire package. Mrs. Carpenter felt that the items should be considered individually.
It was moved by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mr. Castigilone to
send the document provided by Mr. Castiglione entitled “Suggested Changes to
Regional Agreement” to the Finance Directors of the towns.
Motion carried. (for:
Atwood, Buell, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner Cronin, Grazio, Levine,
Muench, Piccolomini) (for:
10.1) (against:
Gadd, O’Keefe) (against:
1.9)
Discussion continued regarding the suggested changes to the
Regional Agreement.
Mr. O’Keefe pointed out that the report that the Committee received was originally submitted in June 2004 and the School Committee previously approved the recommendations. The first point was to analyze the funding, education, demographic, employment and performance trends affecting PRSD. This was completed and delivered in the form of a formal research report. Mr. O’Keefe wanted to give attention to the recommendation to have opportunities for greater quality and efficiency in delivery of education services through comprehensive study of the regional school district. Mr. O’Keefe feels that what we lack as a Committee is the in depth education knowledge from the standpoint of being educators and that limits our ability to pick out particular education models or devise strategies to move forward during a difficult time. It should be recognized that some kind of reconstruction or reformation is necessary. Another member brought up concerns about RFP and Mr. O’Keefe suggested perhaps looking at that as a first step.
Dr. MacLean said that it is important to involve all the
stakeholders in this district in developing a strategic planning process.
It was moved by Mr. O’Keefe and seconded by Mrs. Conner to
have the Administration hire consultants to advise the School Committee of
various education models. An
amendment was made to have the consultant develop a strategic plan with a
particular focus on education models and to have this done within 30-60 days.
Motion carried by unanimous approval.
It was moved by Mrs. Piccolomini and seconded by Mr. Cronin
to table the discussion on the Bagnall flashing lights until the next meeting.
Mrs. Grazio was out of the room during the vote.
Motion carried. (for:
Atwood, Buell, Carpenter, Castiglione, Conner, Cronin, Gadd, Levine,
Muench, O’Keefe, Piccolomini) (for:
10.9)
Dr. MacLean began the budget presentation and noted that
Pentucket is in a financial crisis that has been three years in the making.
State aid began to diminish several years ago and at the same time,
community contributions decreased significantly.
A school district of this size cannot continue the level of programs and
services at the rate of state aid and the rate of local contribution that has
been seen.
Dr. MacLean explained that many of opportunities we have
utilized in the past two years are the reason why we currently offer the same
kind of quality services that the community came to enjoy during the very
important days of good revenue from the state.
This administration has done three things:
The administration has worked with the School Committee to
implement full-day kindergarten, which will be self supporting.
Additional instructional assistants will be provided.
Class sizes can be kept at or below 18 in kindergarten.
Class size goal is 20 or below in the primary grades.
The federal and state government will not be providing any funding for
full-day kindergarten.
Angela Jervey, Principal of the
Phil Benincasa, Interim Principal of the
Arlene Townes and Jonathan Seymour, Principal and Asst.
Principal of the High School, spoke about the
Arlene Townes noted that one of the biggest challenges before
her is how to preserve the values and essence of an elective program in a
six-block day. Currently, students
take seven classes in a seven-period day. Every
student has 5.5 classes that are fixed. Periods
open for electives amount to 1.5, which include fine and performing arts,
business, technology education, family and consumer sciences as well as health
and physical education. Students
will not have as many options and will need to make choices.
There will be a decrease in science classes.
Increased enrollment will exacerbate the class size situation.
There will be increased contact time in English, Social Studies, Math and
Science, except for the AP Sciences and Foreign Languages.
Length of class will be going from 49 minutes to almost an hour.
Another feature of this budget proposal is redesigning the
kind of delivery system the District has for special education:
This budget proposal will reduce classroom teachers
throughout the District by 13.4 (FTE), Specialists by six.
Support service people would be increased because the District continues
to have SPED needs to be met.
This proposal would send bills to the three communities with
an increase of $1,375,000 down from $2,700,000.
Many of the proposed changes are dependent upon the other changes for it
to work. Some of these are very time
sensitive and will need to be moved forward on very quickly when the budget is
approved:
Time will be needed for planning and professional
development.
It was move by Mr. Buell and seconded by Mr. Castiglione to
carry the meeting past 10:00 p.m. Motion
carried by unanimous approval.
Mrs. Carpenter proposed that questions regarding the budget
proposal and answers be put on the website.
Dr. MacLean advised that such a process is currently in the works.
Mrs. Carpenter also recommended providing a mechanism for a discussion
group so there can be full disclosure of the answers to the questions that are
asked. Student representative,
Michael Williams, will work on putting this together.
Inge Buerger, PAT President, made a proposal that everyone
should promote our schools and advocate for our students.
She suggested we all work together to provide a funding structure that is
fair and just and she said the District cannot afford to cut more.
Mrs. Buerger stated, “Our schools are our most important resource, and
our children are our future.”
Erik Eames,
It was moved by Mrs. Grazio and seconded by Mr. Levine to
accept the petition given by Erik Eames to make it a part of the official
minutes. Motion carried by unanimous
approval.
Ellen Hart, Chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Department, explained that throughout the last 13 years, she has worked with te