HOLDEN ¨ PAXTON ¨ PRINCETON ¨ RUTLAND ¨ STERLING
Minutes
Regular Meeting
#1024, Wednesday, May 16, 2001
7:00 p.m.
Media Center
Wachusett
Regional High School
PUBLIC HEARING
SCHOOL CHOICE
School Committee Members Present:
Duncan Leith,
Chairman David
Lowenthal
John Rokicki,
Vice-Chairman Peter MacDonald (8:13 PM)
Ruth Briggs Kelly Maxwell
Mary Copeland
(7:15 PM) John
Nunnari
Carol Esperti
(7:40 PM) Elizabeth Pape (7:07 PM)
Kimberly Ferguson Julie Scott
Sherry
Horeanopoulos (7:45 PM) Kathleen Singh
Jane James Jeffrey Wentzell
Sarah Jordan
School Committee Members Absent:
Kenneth Fensin
Jeffrey Gibbs
Rosemary Warren
Administration Present:
Alfred D. Tutela,
Superintendent of Schools
Paul Soojian,
Director of Operations
Philip Campbell,
Director of Student/Information Services
Susan Sullivan,
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Public Present:
Richard Halloran, Worcester
Telegram & Gazette
Linda Lehans, The
Landmark
Douglas Briggs,
Rutland Selectman
Timothy Ethier,
Chairman Holden Selectboard
Maureen Floryan,
Holden
David Gibbs,
Sterling
Melinda Johnson,
Paxton
Donna Dominguez,
Sterling
Ginny Belcher,
Holden
Janis Pancare,
Sterling
Donna Halloran,
Sterling
Tammy Tod, Rutland
Michele Wronski,
Holden
Chairman Leith called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
Chairman Leith welcomed new members Ruth Briggs, Rutland, Carol
Esperti, Holden, and Julie Scott, Holden.
Chairman Leith opened the Public Hearing on School Choice. The Superintendent explained that there is
no room at the high school so it is difficult to be a school choice district as
by law once a district allows a choice student into the district, the student
is allowed to stay through completion of grade twelve.
No testimony was provided.
Chairman Leith closed the Public Hearing at 7:07 PM.
Motion: That the
Wachusett Regional School District not participate as a School Choice District
for the 2001/2002 School Year
(J.
Wentzell)
(J.
Nunnari)
Vote:
In favor:
Duncan Leith
John Rokicki
Ruth Briggs
Kimberly Ferguson
Jane James
Sarah Jordan
David Lowenthal
John Nunnari
Elizabeth Pape
Julie Scott
Kathleen Singh
Jeffrey Wentzell
Opposed:
Kelly Maxwell
(Motion passed 12-1)
A.
Approval of the 1023rd
Regular Meeting Minutes of the WRSD Committee held on April 9, 2001 – approved
by consensus.
B.
Approval of the Executive
Session minutes of the WRSD Committee held on April 9, 2001, not to be released
to the public – approved by consensus
C.
Approval of the Special
Meeting #220 of the WRSD Committee held on May 8, 2001 – approved by consensus
D.
Approval of the Executive
Session minutes of the WRSD Committee held on May 8, 2001, not to be released
to the public – approved by consensus
Maureen Floryan, Holden
read a written statement (attachment 1).
Donna Dominguez, Sterling read a written
statement (attachment 2).
Melinda Johnson, Paxton read a written
statement (attachment 3).
Chairman Leith reported that he had met
with representatives from the Department of Revenue as part of the DOR
audit. Member Kathleen Singh reported
that she had also met with the DOR team at the Town Hall in Sterling.
Member John Nunnari recognized science
students who had placed in the State Science Fair. Carl Harper and Catherine Reyes-Spencer won first place awards
with Catherine receiving a 4-year scholarship to UMass Boston. Carl also competed in the International
Science Fair in San Jose, California where he received a fourth place
award. Isiah Grigos won a second place
award; Jackie Roux won a third place award; Jessica Clark received an honorable
mention.
Member Kimberly Ferguson asked why
Counsel Robert Martin’s letter of May 1st had not been made
available at the May 8th Special Meeting. It was included in the Superintendent’s Report. The Superintendent indicated that it was not
available at the time of the last mailing.
Member Sarah Jordan asked for a copy of
the letter to the Ethics Commission, as voted by the School Committee. The Superintendent indicated that according
to District Counsel, Ethics Commission issues are privileged between the party
and the Ethics Committee and that the District does not have a copy. Vice Chairman John Rokicki reported that he
would supply a copy to the Superintendent for inclusion in the next
Superintendent’s Report.
Member Sarah Jordan also asked that the
Committee be sent a copy of Counsel McCabe’s opinion regarding an employee
sitting on the School Committee. Member
Ruth Briggs indicated that she has not yet received her copy. The Superintendent indicated that it would
be included in the Superintendent’s Report.
A. Student Advisory
Committee (L. McNally, T. Creedon, N. Leger)
No members from the Student Advisory
Committee were present.
B. Management
Subcommittee
1. Superintendent’s
Evaluation
Chairman Leith distributed copies of the
evaluation for members who did not bring the copies previously supplied by the
Chairman (attachment 4).
Chairman Leith read the Preface to the
Superintendent’s Evaluation.
There were some questions regarding the
procedure for evaluating the Superintendent.
The Committee was advised by the Chair that any changes to the process
must be agreed upon by the Committee and the Superintendent.
Motion: To accept the Superintendent’s Evaluation as presented.
(E.
Pape)
(M. Copeland)
Roll Call Vote:
In favor:
Duncan
Leith
John
Rokicki
Mary
Copeland
Sherry
Horeanopoulos
Jane
James
John
Nunnari
Elizabeth
Pape
Jeffrey
Wentzell
Opposed:
Kimberly
Ferguson
Sarah
Jordan
David
Lowenthal
Kelly
Maxwell
Kathleen
Singh
Abstained:
Ruth
Briggs
Carol
Esperti
Julie
Scott
(Motion passed 8-5-3)
2. School Committee
Self-Evaluation
Chairman Leith began the
School Committee Self-Evaluation but several Committee Members were not
prepared so Chairman Leith postponed the Self-Evaluation until the June 11,
2001 meeting. Chairman Leith distributed
copies of the School Committee Self-Evaluation (attachment 5).
3. Motion: To adopt Policy AP8130 Policy Relating to
Communication/Public Relations Distribution of Notices by Students
as second reading
(J. Nunnari)
(M. Copeland)
Motion:
To amend the motion by changing “local parent group” in #5 to PTO, PTA,
FORE, SEA, SIMCO or its equivalent” and to delete “at the discretion of the
principal.”
(K. Singh)
(K. Ferguson)
Vote:
In favor:
Duncan
Leith
John
Rokicki
Ruth
Briggs
Mary
Copeland
Carol
Esperti
Kimberly
Ferguson
Sherry
Horeanopoulos
Jane
James
Sarah
Jordan
David
Lowenthal
Peter
MacDonald
Kelly
Maxwell
John
Nunnari
Elizabeth
Pape
Julie
Scott
Kathleen
Singh
Jeffrey
Wentzell
Opposed:
None
(Motion
passed unanimously)
Vote on the Main Motion as Amended, for a
second reading:
In favor:
Duncan Leith
John Rokicki
Ruth Briggs
Mary Copeland
Carol Esperti
Kimberly Ferguson
Sherry Horeanopoulos
Jane James
Sarah Jordan
David Lowenthal
Peter MacDonald
Kelly Maxwell
John Nunnari
Elizabeth Pape
Julie Scott
Kathleen Singh
Jeffrey Wentzell
Opposed:
None
(Motion passed unanimously)
C. Education
Subcommittee
Subcommittee Chair Mary Copeland reported
that the Education Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 22, 2001.
D. Finance/Business
Subcommittee
No report.
E. Ad Hoc
Subcommittee to Review the Regional Agreement
No report.
F. Ad-Hoc
Subcommittee to Review the School Committee By-Laws
1. Recommendation
to Amend School Committee By-Laws
Motion: To adopt the
changes on Article 2, Section 3 as grammatically corrected by Member Carol
Esperti
(S.
Jordan)
(J.
Rokicki)
Vote:
In favor:
Duncan
Leith
John
Rokicki
Ruth
Briggs
Mary
Copeland
Carol
Esperti
Kimberly
Ferguson
Sherry
Horeanopoulos
Jane
James
Sarah
Jordan
David
Lowenthal
Peter
MacDonald
Kelly
Maxwell
John
Nunnari
Elizabeth
Pape
Julie
Scott
Kathleen
Singh
Jeffrey
Wentzell
Opposed:
None
(Motion passed unanimously)
Chairman Leith appointed an Ad-Hoc
Subcommittee to review the proposed changes to Article 3 of the By-Law and to
make any added recommendations to the Committee. The Ad-Hoc Subcommittee members are:
Elizabeth Pape, Chair
Carol Esperti
Sherry Horeanopoulos
Sarah Jordan
Peter MacDonald
Jeffrey Wentzell
G. School Building
Committees
1.
Holden – (K. Maxwell)
Member Kelly Maxwell had no report. The Superintendent reported that there are
still major issues at Davis Hill and Dawson to resolve and that the water
problems at Mayo continue.
2. Paxton
– (C. Ely)
No
report.
3.
Rutland – (J. Rokicki)
Member John Rokicki reported that the
Building Committee still has not accepted the fields.
4.
Sterling – (S. Jordan)
Member Sarah Jordan reported that the
parking lot expansion article at Town Meeting passed.
There also continues to be a bird nesting
problem.
5.
High School Building Committee
Through consensus, it was agreed to
remove the High School Building Committee from the agenda. The Superintendent answered members’
concerns regarding the plans for short term solutions to the enrollment
problems. The Superintendent reported
that District staff is exploring the cost and engineering for modular
classrooms. In addition, the
Superintendent informed the Committee that next year community service studies
will be held during the long block at Jefferson School.
H. School Council
Representatives: Central Tree Middle School (J. Nunnari); Chocksett (P.
MacDonald); Davis Hill (M. Copeland); Dawson (K. Maxwell); Houghton (S.
Jordan); Mayo; Mountview (J. James); Naquag (J. Gibbs); Paxton (R. Warren);
Thomas Prince (S. Horeanopoulos); Wachusett Regional High School (E. Pape)
Member Peter MacDonald reported that the
Chocksett School Council would be conducting a parent survey. He also wanted as part of the public record
that the Chocksett School Council is delighted with the choice of Marguerite
Snow as the new principal of Chocksett.
Member Sarah Jordan asked about the
schedule for presentation and review of the School Improvement Plans before the
School Committee.
The Superintendent has scheduled two
afternoons for this review, June 5th and June 7th from
3-6 PM. A sign-up sheet was passed
around (attachment 6) and the following members agreed to attend:
June 5th June 7th
Ruth Briggs Ruth
Briggs
Mary Copeland (3:45) Carol Esperti
Kimberly Ferguson Sherry Horeanopoulos
Sherry Horeanopoulos (4:00) Jane
James
Jane James Sarah
Jordan (3:30)
Sarah Jordan (3:30) Duncan Leith
Peter MacDonald John Nunnari
Julie Scott Elizabeth
Pape
Jeffrey Wentzell Julie
Scott
Jeffrey Wentzell
A. That the
Wachusett Regional School District not participate as a School Choice District
for the 2001/2002 School Year
This was taken up at the beginning of the
meeting.
B. Request for
executive session for the purposes of discussing strategies for collective
bargaining
No executive session was requested by the
Superintendent.
C. Motion: To reduce appropriation from Benefits and
Insurance by $29,900, Instructional Support by $16,311 and Building and Grounds
by $4,914 and increase District Administration by $29,900 and Custodial
Services by $21,225
(J. Rokicki)
(J. Wentzell)
Roll Call Vote:
In favor:
Duncan Leith
John Rokicki
Mary Copeland
Carol Esperti
Kimberly Ferguson
Sherry Horeanopoulos
Jane James
Sarah Jordan
David Lowenthal
Peter MacDonald
Kelly Maxwell
John Nunnari
Elizabeth Pape
Julie Scott
Kathleen Singh
Jeffrey Wentzell
Opposed:
None
Abstained:
Ruth Briggs
(Motion passed 16-0-1)
D. Motion: To approve the reappropriation of increased amended indirect cost funds of the PL94-142 federal grant in the amount of $9,923 and increased amended