WACHUSETT REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

HOLDEN ¨ PAXTON ¨ PRINCETON ¨ RUTLAND ¨ STERLING

Wachusett Regional School District Committee

Regular Meeting #1021, Monday, February 12, 2001

7:00 p.m.

Media Center

Wachusett Regional High School

Committee Members present:

Duncan Leith, Chairman David Lowenthal

John Rokicki, Vice-Chairman Peter MacDonald

Paul Anderson Lorraine Neilan (7:07 PM)

Jeffrey Gibbs John Nunnari

Kimberly Ferguson Kathleen Singh (7:06 PM)

Sherry Horeanopoulos Rosemary Warren

Jane James Jeffrey Wentzell

Sarah Jordan

Mary Copeland Kelly Maxwell

Kenneth Fensin Elizabeth Pape

Paul James

Administration present:

Alfred D. Tutela, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools

Paul Soojian, Director of Operations

Mary Scott, Director of Administrative Services

Philip Campbell, Director of Student/Information Services

Susan Sullivan, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

Others present:

Linda Lehans, The Landmark

Richard Halloran, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Joseph Lambert, Community Crier

Melanie Mangun, Clinton Item News

Douglas Briggs, Rutland Selectboard

Edmond Benoit, Chairman Holden Finance Committee

Joe Giotta, Holden Finance Committee

Ruth Briggs, Rutland

Janis Pancare, Sterling

Sue Schneeweis, Sterling

Debbie Croucher, Sterling

Janet Sidor, Princeton

Ann Walsh, Princeton

Deb Pospiel, Rutland

Greg Pospiel, Rutland

Tom Gogen, Sterling

Dan Olds, Sterling (student at WRHS)

Donna Dominguez, Sterling

Catherine Riley, Holden

Kimberly Dickman, Holden

Brian Tokarz, Holden

Caitlin Smith, Holden

Robert Becker, Holden

Edward McTigue, Paxton

Hal Lane, Holden

Jane McTigue, Holden

Angela M. Colwell Cubour, Holden

Lori St. Germain, Holden

Lisa Sutter, Holden

Joan Siegel, Holden

Karen King, Holden

Kathleen Halloran, Rutland

Chuck Ivaldi, Sterling

James Connolly, Holden

Jim Pedone, Holden

Pamela Robinson, Holden

Marianne Wojcicki, Rutland

Bob Williamson, Princeton

Patrick McNawn, Sterling

Dennis Criner, Sterling

Linda Trulson, Paxton

Bob Rauh, Rutland

Nancy Washkevich, Holden

Sharon Bednarek, Holden

Jeff Larson, Holden

Anthony Gribbons, Holden

Ginny Belcher, Holden

Carla Volturo, Princeton

Linda Sasso, Princeton

Maureen Sullivan, Paxton

Sue Reynolds, Holden

Jack Farley, Holden

Rosann Silver, Holden

Sheila Bachant, Holden

Otto Lies, Holden

Patricia McKeon Johnson, Holden

Melinda Johnson, Paxton

Ian Callahan, Holden

Beth Cunningham, Holden

Ryan Brennan, Rutland (Senior WRHS)

Mary Kate Cunningham, Holden (Sophomore WRHS)

Chris Belcher, Holden (Freshman WRHS)

Clif Wheeler, Rutland

Karen Key, Holden

Roberta Lojko

Chairman Duncan Leith called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.

Motion: To enter executive session for the purposes of discussing strategies related to negotiations to return to public session.

(S. Horeanopoulos)

(J. Rokicki)

Roll call vote:

In favor:

Duncan Leith

John Rokicki

Paul Anderson

Kimberly Ferguson

Jeffrey Gibbs

Sherry Horeanopoulos

Jane James

Sarah Jordan

David Lowenthal

John Nunnari

Rosemary Warren

Jeffrey Wentzell

Opposed:

None

Abstained:

Peter MacDonald

(Motion passed 12-0-1)

The Committee entered executive session at 7:06 PM.

Chairman Leith called the meeting back to order at 7:22 PM

I. Secretary’s Report

1. Approval of the 1020^th Regular Meeting minutes of the WRSD Committee held on January 8, 2001 – approved by consensus, with correction on page 4, changing "The concern expressed was that the administration and staff were too strong when speaking about the condition of the building." To "The concern expressed was that the administration and staff were too critical when speaking about the high school."
2. Approval of the Executive Session Minutes of the WRSD Committee held on January 8, 2001 – approved by consensus but not released to the public
3. Approval of the 211^th Special Meeting minutes of the WRSD Committee held on January 23, 2001 – approved by consensus
4. Approval of the Executive Session Minutes of the WRSD Committee held on January 23, 2001 – held for discussion in executive session
5. Approval of the 212^th Special Meeting minutes of the WRSD Committee held on January 29, 2001 – approved by consensus
6. Approval of the Executive Session Minutes of the WRSD Committee held on January 29, 2001 -- approved by consensus but not released to the public
7. Approval of the 213^th Special Meeting minutes of the WRSD Committee held on February 6, 2001 – approved by consensus

1. Treasurer’s Report

1. Presentation of warrants and payrolls

Warrants were circulated for signature.

1. Financial Statements

Chairman Leith reported that if there were any questions for the Treasurer to refer them to Paul Anderson, Chairman of the Business/Finance Subcommittee and any questions for the Comptroller should be referred to the Superintendent.

2. Public Hearing

Catherine Riley, Holden, restated her concern for the loss of van transportation on Howard Road. She distributed an accident report from the Holden Police Department (attachment 1).

Patricia Johnson, Holden, also expressed concern for the loss of van transportation on Howard Road. She asked about the "90% reimbursement" as quoted in the paper. The Superintendent reported that for next year alone, to maintain the same transportation, the District will be short $500,000.

Kimberly Dickman, Holden also expressed concern about the same busing issue.

Melinda Johnson, Paxton, expressed some concern relating to videotaping School Committee meetings. She never heard of a need when she served on the Committee.

3. Communications

Chairman Leith received correspondence from Carol Sullivan and asked that it be included in the next Superintendent’s report (attachment 2).

Member Sarah Jordan reported she had been contacted by Kevin Shaughnessy from Sterling who was offended by the recent mailing. He expressed concern about the cost of the mailing as well as some of the wording.

Member Ferguson reported that several people had asked her about the cost of the mailings. The Committee will be informed as to the total cost.

Member Horeanopoulos reported that she had been in contact with a constituent regarding Policy P6562 having to do with insurance for students with parking permits at the high school. She asked that this policy be reviewed at the Budget/Finance Subcommittee.

4. Committee Reports

1. Student Advisory Committee (L. McNally, T. Creedon, N. Leger)

Chairman Leith reported that both the girls track and boys track teams won the District Track Meet this past weekend and many students will go onto the States.

2. Management Subcommittee (D. Leith-Chairman, P. Anderson, M. Copeland, S. Horeanopoulos, S. Jordan, K. Maxwell, J. Nunnari, E. Pape, J. Rokicki, J. Wentzell)

1. Motion: To adopt Draft Policy 1681.2 Policy Relating to School Committee Operation Video Taping of Regular School Committee Meetings for the second reading, waiving the reading

(J. Rokicki)

(K. Singh)

Vote:

In favor:

Paul Anderson

Kimberly Ferguson

Jeffrey Gibbs

Sherry Horeanopoulos

Sarah Jordan

David Lowenthal

Peter MacDonald

Lorraine Neilan

Duncan Leith

Jane James

John Nunnari

Rosemary Warren

Jeffrey Wentzell

(Motion passed 10-5)

The Superintendent reported that there were no responses to the RFP for videotaping services but that requests would go out again. He urged the Committee to change their request to regular meetings only.

Member Kathleen Singh reported that she is providing the videotaping presently for Sterling only. The Superintendent reported that he would make copies of the tapes if an original was brought to his office.

Chairman Leith recessed the meeting at 7:58 PM.

Chairman reconvened the meeting at 9:22 PM.

Member Sarah Jordan left the meeting at 9:22 PM.

Chairman Leith opened up the meeting for questions from Committee members.

1. Education Subcommittee (M. Copeland-Chairman, K. Ferguson, J. Gibbs, J. James, S. Jordan, D. Lowenthal, L. Neilan, J. Nunnari, E. Pape, R. Warren)

1. Motion: To adopt Draft Policy 3311.31 Policy Relating to Education Online Education Policy for the second reading, waiving the reading

(J. Nunnari)

(J. Rokicki)

Vote:

In favor:

Duncan Leith

Paul Anderson

Kimberly Ferguson

Jeffrey Gibbs

Sherry Horeanopoulos

Jane James

David Lowenthal

Peter MacDonald

John Nunnari

Kathleen Singh

Rosemary Warren

Jeffrey Wentzell

(Motion passed unanimously)

1. Finance/Business Subcommittee (P. Anderson-Chairman, K. Fensin, J. Gibbs, J. James, P. James, D. Leith, D. Lowenthal, K. Singh, R. Warren)

School Committee Members 2

One member from each town 5

Members at large 4

Total 11

(P. Anderson)

(J. Gibbs)

Vote:

In favor:

Duncan Leith

Paul Anderson

Kimberly Ferguson

Jeffrey Gibbs

Sherry Horeanopoulos

Jane James

David Lowenthal

Peter MacDonald

John Nunnari

Kathleen Singh

Rosemary Warren

Jeffrey Wentzell

(Motion passed unanimously.)

Subcommittee Chairman, Paul Anderson reported that a request for information regarding the Jefferson Renovation was given to the Superintendent and that the report will be discussed at the next Business/Finance Subcommittee meeting to be held in March.

1. Ad Hoc Subcommittee to Review the Regional Agreement (J. Rokicki-Chairman, S. Horeanopoulos, D. Leith, K. Singh, J. Wentzell)

Committee is working on an aggressive schedule to propose amendments for the annual town meetings. Nothing concrete at this time. There appeared to be no interest in "fast-tracking" changes for this year’s annual town meetings.

2. School Building Committees

1. Holden – (K. Maxwell)

Member Kimberly Ferguson reported that the WRSD Holden Building Committee had a mediation session on Dawson.

The Superintendent reported that there were fire engines at Dawson School because the sprinklers went off in the lobby. Luckily Principal Gruszka was in the building.

Member Ferguson also reported that she brought up the issue of snow coming in to Mountview again. The Superintendent reported that someone was in to look at the situation but that the District has not yet heard anything.

1. Paxton – (C. Ely)

No report.

3. Rutland – (J. Rokicki)

No report.

1. Sterling – (S. Jordan)

No report.

2. High School Building Committee

1. Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Public Information

The Superintendent distributed copies of flyers for the additional public hearing at Thomas Prince School in Princeton at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 14, 2001 (attachment 3).

Member John Nunnari distributed courtesy copies of the second flyer to be mailed (attachment 4). There were some concerns expressed on the wording of some of the information. Member Nunnari will contact the printer and have the changes made before the flyers are mailed.

1. School Council Representatives: Central Tree Middle School (J. Nunnari); Chocksett; Davis Hill (M. Copeland); Dawson (K. Maxwell); Houghton (S. Jordan); Mayo (L. Neilan); Mountview (J. James); Naquag (J. Gibbs); Paxton (R. Warren); Thomas Prince (S. Horeanopoulos); Wachusett Regional High School (E. Pape)

Member Warren reported that Paxton School Council will be meeting this week.

1. Recommendations and Reports of the Superintendent
2. Unfinished Business

1. Tabled Motion: Be it resolved that the Wachusett Regional School District Committee supports a modification to the Department of Education’s Foundation Formula to include a new ‘regional equity aid’ provision. This new aid will be in the form of an adjustment to Chapter 70 aid. The WRSDC advocates that the Department of Education calculate a ‘regional per pupil net school spending requirement’, i.e. a per pupil spending requirement that is the average of the different per pupil spending requirements, including the states’ contribution, of the member towns. Those member towns that exceed the average per pupil cost will have their respective minimum local contribution reduced to the average regional per pupil cost and those member towns that are below the average regional per pupil expenditure will be brought up to the average by the ‘regional equity aid’ provision through an increase in Chapter 70 aid. This will eliminate unequal local contributions, on a per student basis, for the same educational services. The Chair of the WRSDC is directed to share this resolve with appropriate State Legislators, Selectboards and Finance/Advisory Committee members
2. Release of Executive Session minutes of the WRSD Committee held on August 21, 2000 as approved on September 11, 2000
3. Release of Executive Session minutes of the WRSD Committee held on June 12, 2000 as approved on July 10, 2000
4. Release of balance of Executive Session minutes of the WRSD Committee held on December 14, 1999 as approved on December 22, 1999 and partially released on December 22, 1999
5. Release of Executive Session minutes of the WRSD Committee held on August 23, 1999 as approved on October 18, 1999

1. Public Hearing

Melinda Johnson, Paxton read a prepared statement (attachment 5).

Mark Ferguson, Chairman of the Holden Selectboard requested that the high school project go before the Planning Board in Holden. He noted that the Planning Board was there to help the District with the project.

2. New Business

Member Lowenthal asked why the Boy Scout issue and the Jefferson School issue have not been put on the agenda. Chairman Leith explained that the Boy Scout issue will be discussed at Management Subcommittee and that the report on the Jefferson School renovation will be discussed at the Business/Finance Subcommittee. Member Lowenthal did not want to wait until after the Management Subcommittee meeting and asked how to get it on the next regular agenda. He was told to craft a motion for action and the Superintendent would add it to the agenda of the March meeting.

Motion: To go into executive session for the purpose of discussing executive session minutes.

(K. Singh)

(K. Ferguson)

Roll call vote:

In favor:

Duncan Leith

Paul Anderson

Kimberly Ferguson

Jeffrey Gibbs

Sherry Horeanopoulos

Jane James

David Lowenthal

Peter MacDonald

John Nunnari

Kathleen Singh

Rosemary Warren

Jeffrey Wentzell

(Motion passed unanimously.)

Members Nunnari, Warren, and Gibbs left the meeting at 10:45 PM.

Executive session was not convened due to lack of quorum.

XI. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned by default due to lack of quorum at 10:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Alfred D. Tutela, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

ADT:ss/School Committee/Minutes