Special Meeting #212 Monday, January 29, 2001

7:00 PM

Media Center

Wachusett Regional High School

Members present:

Duncan Leith, Chairman Peter MacDonald

John Rokicki, Vice-chairman Lorraine Neilan

Paul Anderson John Nunnari

Kimberly Ferguson Kathleen Singh

Sherry Horeanopoulos (7:40 PM) Rosemary Warren

Sarah Jordan Jeffrey Wentzell

Members absent:

Mary Copeland Paul James

Kenneth Fensin David Lowenthal

Jeffrey Gibbs Kelly Maxwell

Jane James Elizabeth Pape

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:

Ryan Brennan, Student Representative

Caleb Marsh, Student Representative

Timothy Ethier, Holden Selectboard

James Scola, Holden Selectboard

Linda Lehans, The Landmark

Richard Halloran, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Sue Staudaher, Sterling Meetinghouse News

Anne Gillespie, Holden

Maureen Floryan, Holden

Joseph Giotta, Holden

Donna Dominguez, Sterling

Debbie Croucher, Sterling

Steve Kelly, S. Kelly & Associates

I. Call to Order

Chairman Duncan Leith called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.

Chairman Leith allowed a time for public comment.

Maureen Floryan, Holden read a prepared statement (attachment 1).

Debbie Croucher, Sterling requested some clarity on a statement made by Member Kathleen Singh regarding making minor renovations to the high school at a cost of $4,000,000. At the request of Debbie Croucher, through the Chair, the Superintendent responded, reminding School Committee members of previous notification that no further construction at the high school site would be approved by the Fire Chief or Building Inspector until the building meets code. In 1996 HMFH estimated that cost to be $15,000,000, which translates to approximately $22,000,000 in 2001 dollars, at very limited reimbursement, if any.

Timothy Ethier, Holden Selectman, spoke in favor of the original proposal and also encouraged the Committee to go with town meetings rather than the ballot.

Chairman Leith distributed copies of correspondence from Mark Ferguson, Chairman Holden Selectboard (attachment 2) and copies of a Letter to The Landmark Editor, which he has submitted (attachment 3).

Member Kathleen Singh distributed copies of correspondence from James Jumonville, Chairman of The Regional Selectmen’s Educational task Force (attachment 4).

II. Adoption of Timeline for High School Project

Motion: To adopt the timeline presented by Tappe Associates, Inc.

(J. Nunnari)

(J. Rokicki)

Member Sherry Horeanopoulos arrived at 7:40 PM.

Roll call vote:

In favor:

Duncan Leith

John Rokicki

Paul Anderson

Kimberly Ferguson

Sherry Horeanopoulos

Sarah Jordan

Lorraine Neilan

John Nunnari

Kathleen Singh

Rosemary Warren

Jeffrey Wentzell

Opposed:

None

Abstained:

Peter MacDonald

(Motion passed 11-0-1)

III. Other High School Project Issues

John Nunnari, Chairman of Public Relations Subcommittee distributed courtesy copies of the mailers to go out this week (attachment 5).

Motion: To schedule a Special Meeting on February 5, 2001 at 7:00 PM at the Media Center at WRHS, to have a shortened Regular Meeting on February 12, 2001 at the Media Center at WRHS, to end at 8:00 PM, to schedule a Public Hearing on February 12, 2001 at 8:00 PM at the Media Center at WRHS, to schedule a Public Hearing on February 7, 2001 at 7:00 PM at a place to be determined in Princeton or Sterling, and the schedule a Special Meeting on February 15, 2001 at 7:00 PM at the Media Center at WRHS to decide on the high school project.

(S. Jordan)

(L. Neilan)

Vote:

In favor:

Duncan Leith

John Rokicki

Paul Anderson

Kimberly Ferguson

Sherry Horeanopoulos

Sarah Jordan

Peter MacDonald

Lorraine Neilan

John Nunnari

Kathleen Singh

Rosemary Warren

Jeffrey Wentzell

Opposed:

None

(Motion passed unanimously)

Member Kathleen Singh distributed two pages from the NESDEC Report (attachments 6 and 7) and expressed her concerned about the number of students.

Motion: To build the cafeteria of the high school to accommodate 2,200.

(S. Jordan)

(K. Singh)

Substitute Motion: To build a high school for a population of 2,000 students.

(J. Wentzell)

(L. Neilan)

Member Kathleen Singh requested that she be on the record as opposed to building a school for 2,000 students.

Motion: To table the motion until the Special Meeting on February 5, 2001.

(S. Horeanopoulos)

(J. Rokicki)

Roll call vote:

In favor:

Duncan Leith

John Rokicki

Paul Anderson

Kimberly Ferguson

Sherry Horeanopoulos

Sarah Jordan

Peter MacDonald

Lorraine Neilan

John Nunnari

Kathleen Singh

Rosemary Warren

Opposed:

Jeffrey Wentzell

(Motion passed 11-1)

The Superintendent was asked to communicate with the architects to answer the following:

1. The capacity of the cafeteria
2. If the school was built for more students would there be greater reimbursement.

IV. Funding Inequities

The Superintendent distributed Reforms to Chapter 70 Local Education Aid Formula (attachment 8) and Preliminary Estimates of Chapter 70 Aid for Fiscal Year 2002 (attachment 9).

The Superintendent will be meeting with Commissioner David Driscoll next week and will again bring up the inequities of funding.

V. Executive Session

For the purposes of discussing strategies for collective bargaining

Motion: To enter executive session, not to return to public session, for the purposes of discussing strategies for collective bargaining.

(J. Rokicki)

(R. Warren)

Roll call vote:

In favor:

Duncan Leith

John Rokicki

Paul Anderson

Kimberly Ferguson

Sherry Horeanopoulos

Sarah Jordan

Peter MacDonald

Lorraine Neilan

John Nunnari

Kathleen Singh

Rosemary Warren

Jeffrey Wentzell

Opposed:

(Motion passed unanimously.)

The School Committee left the public meeting at 8:44 PM.

VI. Adjournment

Motion: To adjourn.

(S. Horeanopoulos)

(J. Nunnari)

Vote:

In favor:

John Rokicki

Paul Anderson

Kimberly Ferguson

Sherry Horeanopoulos

Sarah Jordan

Peter MacDonald

Lorraine Neilan

John Nunnari

Kathleen Singh

Rosemary Warren

Jeffrey Wentzell

(Motion passed unanimously.)

The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Alfred D. Tutela, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

ADT:ss School Committee/Minutes