NORTH MIDDLESEX REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE Ashby Pepperell Townsend, Massachusetts MEETING MINUTES Monday, July 13, 2015 PRESENT Chairperson Randee Rusch Member, At Large Vice Chairperson William Hackler Member, At Large Anne Adams Member, Pepperell Jonna Clermont Member, Pepperell Brian Edmonds Member, Pepperell Crystal Messamore Member, Ashby Michael Morgan Member, At Large ~ absent Susan Robbins Member, Townsend Robert Templeton Member, Townsend ALSO PRESENT Joan Landers Superintendent of Schools Nancy Milligan Assistant Superintendent Nancy Haines Business Manager Amber Edmonds Student Representative Parent/Community Members Press 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. The Chairperson hereby informs the Committee and audience members of the recording of this meeting. 3. The next meeting of the North Middlesex Regional School Committee will be held on Monday, August 10, 2015 at the North Middlesex Regional High School at 7:00 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes: Monday, June 8, 2015 2. Acceptance of Donations A $500.00 donation from the Fisher Cats Baseball team to the Ashby Elementary School as part of a reading challenge that the school participated in during the school year. A $500.00 donation from the Neil Stone s Karate Academy to the Spaulding Memorial School. A $50.00 donation from the North Middlesex Honor Society to the Ashby Elementary School. A Motion was made by Susan Robbins and seconded by Jonna Clermont to approve the revised minutes of June 8, 2015 within the consent agenda. Brian Edmonds expressed our deepest sympathy to the family of 23-year-old Joseph Recco, who was a 2012 North Middlesex Graduate. Mr. Edmonds requested a moment of silence in Joseph s honor. The chair requested bullet six under new business be moved to this point in the agenda. 6. North Middlesex Regional School District Athletic User Fee ~ James Bunnell ~ Athletic Director
Mr. Bunnell shared his projected Athletic budget and where he would utilize the requested Athletic user fees. He expressed the need for the fee to increase to be able to support the Athletic programs. Mr. Bunnell explained that the sports registration sign-ups for Fall sports are the week of August 24th, Winter is the first Monday after Thanksgiving, and Spring is the third Monday in March. Superintendent Landers asked Mr. Bunnell to explain the new concussion management software. Mr. Bunnell stated that the system is available for athletes, parents, and coaches to help everyone communicate together. It is able to provide baseline compared to post-concussion scores. The cost is $1,500.00 per school, and Mr. Bunnell thinks he will be able to add the middle schools into the system as well. Committee members shared their support for user fees, but are also very sympathetic to the financial impact on families. The committee continued a lengthy discussion. A motion was made by Jonna Clermont and seconded by William Hackler to increase the 2015/2016 Athletic user fees at the High School by $25.00 and at the Middle Schools by $10.00. Vote: Anne Adams no; Rob Templeton no; Crystal Messamore no; Jonna Clermont yes; Will Hackler no; Susan Robbins no; Brian Edmonds no; Randee Rusch no. Vote: Seven no, one yes, the motion fails. The committee continued the discussion. A motion was made by Susan Robbins and seconded by Brian Edmonds to increase the 2015/2016 Athletic user fee at the High School by $40.00 and the Middle Schools by $20.00. Mr. Templeton made an amendment to the motion, seconded by Anne Adams to increase the 2015/2016 Athletic user fee at the High School by $40.00 and the Middle Schools by $20.00 and to include a late registration fee of $25.00. Roll Call Vote to approve the amendment to the motion: Anne Adams abstained; Rob Templeton yes; Crystal Messamore yes; Jonna Clermont no; Will Hackler abstained; Susan Robbins yes; Brian Edmonds yes; Randee Rusch yes. Vote: five yes, one no, two abstained. The amendment to the motion passed. A motion was made by Susan Robbins and seconded by Brian Edmonds to increase the 2015/2016 Athletic Users fees at the high School by $40.00 and the Middle Schools by $20.00 and include a late registration fee of $25.00. Roll Call Vote: Anne Adams no; Rob Templeton yes; Crystal Messamore no; Jonna Clermont no; Will Hackler yes; Susan Robbins yes; Brian Edmonds yes; Randee Rusch yes. Vote: Five yes, three no, the vote passed. PRESENTATIONS 1. DESE Presentation A Changing Metric: Low Income vs. Economically Disadvantaged. Superintendent Landers shared a presentation from the DESE on the changes to student eligibility for a free or reduced lunch and the CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) Benefits. Massachusetts joined the USDA in 2013-2014, and Boston Public Shools were the pilot district. In 2014-2015, the program became available to all districts. In looking at the data, it appears the 2013-2014 low-income numbers compared to the new 2014-2015 economically disadvantaged numbers are showing that the statewide decrease is 13%. REPORTS/INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Student Representative Report ~ No report this evening 2. Superintendent s Report
a) Workman s Compensation/ Property and Liability Plans 2015-2016 The Superintendent and Nancy Haines shared that the district is moving to different insurance providers. Hanover Insurance for the district's property and liability for $135,386.00 and A.I.M. Insurance for the district s workman s comp for $151,000.00 with a potential savings of $60,000.00 for the district. b) Whitson s End of the Year Update The Superintendent met with Whitson s. We have an outstanding lunch debt for this school year as well as previous school years. The district needs to collect money owed on the lunch balances. There is approximately $26,000.00 in outstanding lunch debt. If any parents/guardians have a balance, they should call their school or the district office, and we will work with them to pay their debt. c) Regional Transportation State Aid Update The Superintendent shared that some of the 9C cut funds were reinstated. We do not have the exact numbers from DESE as of yet, but it is looking to be about 71%. Committee member Brian Edmonds requested to move bullet number four in New Business to this point in the agenda; he needs to leave by 8:45 this evening. 4. Request to approve conference expenses for school committee member(s) to attend the MASC/MASS Conference being held on November 4, 2015 ~ November 7, 2015. Five committee members would like to attend this year s MASC/MASS conference: Brian Edmonds, Randee Rusch, Anne Adams, Jonna Clermont and Crystal Messamore. A motion was made by Susan Robbins and seconded by Rob Templeton for Brian Edmonds, Randee Rusch, Anne Adams, Jonna Clermont and Crystal Messamore to attend the 2015 MASC/MASS. Roll Call Vote: Anne Adams yes; Rob Templeton yes; Crystal Messamore yes; Jonna Clermont yes; William Hackler yes; Susan Robbins yes; Brian Edmonds yes; Randee Rusch yes.. Mr. Edmonds left at 8:43 p.m. d) Superintendent Evaluation Meeting Schedule The Superintendent invited any School Committee members who would like to schedule an individual meeting to discuss her goals and progress this year, to please reach out to get on her calendar. The Superintendent s evaluation will be on the mid September school committee agenda. e) 2015 Budget Update Nancy Haines gave an update on the 2015 budget. Ms. Haines spoke of the increase in the Special Education Department tuition bills and increased use of the circuit breaker money. The circuit breaker revolving funds was close to $500,000 for this year alone. There have been reductions in administration, operation and maintenance. There have been significant increases in our 2014/2015 heating bills, Special Education, and homeless transportation. f) Building Committee Report Update Rob Templeton shared that a lot is going on, and it is very exciting. The temporary parking lot is being constructed, all the fencing is up, new temporary bus drop-off created, tree work being completed, as well as the abatement at the former Central Office. The Superintendent and Rob are having weekly meetings with the construction team at the site. The building committee is planning on providing monthly walkthroughs and will have a monthly video for local channels, showing the construction progress. He is also looking to create informational announcements for parents regarding school drop offs and pickups during the construction period. 5. PARCC Report - Anne Adams Anne Adams shared information with the committee from the PARCC seminar at Fitchburg State College. It was attended by a mixed group of educators, community members, teachers, and parents.
Areas of concern are technology and the funding to support the systems associated with PARCC. Administrations feel that schools are being forced to update their technology to track the PARCC results, data, etc. Principals need to provide heavy staffing, training, and test prep time and the Pearson support is very lacking. It was felt that the PARCC is creating a demographics and socio-economic disadvantage. Special Education groups need to retrain students to take the test. 6. Public Communications ~ 10 minutes will be allotted Rachel Loprinze ~ Pepperell: It has been brought to her attention that a music teacher position has been cut at Varnum Brook Elementary School for next school year. Curious where this came from; she does not recall this being spoken of at the budget hearings or school committee meetings. Noticed on SchoolSpring there is an Assistant Director of Special Education and an Instructional Data Coach positions open. Are we cutting teacher position and adding in more administrative positions? The Superintendent stated that Principal Gleason and Principal Dr. Hanley shared this in the budget meetings with the administrative team. The Superintendent will invite the two principals to the next school committee meeting to speak of this position. Assistant Superintendent Milligan explained that she is not going to replace her administrative assistant, she is looking for the Instructional Data Coach instead, to address the amount of testing that is being done. We are data rich information poor. Ms. Milligan wants to make sure we are gathering the data from the testing these students are taking and focusing on student achievement, not testing for testing. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Warrant Subcommittee Available for Committee review are accounts payable warrants 15-0604, 15-0618, and 15-0630, and payroll warrants 06/04/15 and 06/18/15. The warrants have been reviewed and signed by the warrant subcommittee. 2. Policy Subcommittee Discussion/Vote The Policy Subcommittee recommends the Committee adopt the following policies (1 st reading): Policy GBEE, Social Networking A motion was made by Susan Robbins and seconded by Jonna Clermont to approve policy GBEE, Social Networking for a 1 st reading. Policy IOJA, Field Trips A motion was made by Crystal Messamore and seconded by Jonna Clermont to approve policy IOJA Field Trips, for a 1 st reading. Policy JJH, Student Travel A motion was made by Jonna Clermont and seconded by Susan Robbins to approve policy JJH, Student Travel for a 1 st reading. Policy JJH-R, Student Travel Regulations A motion was made by Crystal Messamore and seconded by Jonna Clermont to approve policy JJH-R, Student Travel Regulations for a 1 st reading. The Policy Subcommittee recommends the School Committee adopt the following policies (2 nd reading): Policy IJNDD, Policy on Facebook and Social Networking Web Sites
Committee members had questions and there was discussion concerning the language around personal vs. professional use in the social networking policy. Staff members need to have two identities in the community: your professional and your personal social networking sites. IJNDD is missing the cross references at the bottom of the page in the school committee packets. The Chair requested we bring IJNDD back with GBEE to our next school committee meeting. 3. Finance Subcommittee ~ No report submitted. NEW BUSINESS 1. Bonding Anticipation Note Award (NMRHS Building Project/SECC & Hawthorne Brook Septic System). The Superintendent shared that the total note is for $8,034,915.00. The Breakdown is $2,000,000.00 is to renew the bond already borrowed with Eastern Bank at a 1.5% interest rate; $5,000,000.00 is for the high school building project; the High School Feasibility study is $438,766.00, and the SECC and Hawthorne Brook septic system is $500,000.00. Our bond rating remains the same at this time. A motion was made by Randee Rusch and seconded by Susan Robbins to approve the Bonding Anticipation Note Award. yes; Will Hackler yes; Susan Robbins yes; Randee Rusch yes. 2. Lease Award for NMRSD Server Project The Superintendent recommends that the School Committee award a 48-month lease to Hewlett-Packard Financial Services for $195,803.00 for the district s servers. A motion was made by Jonna Clermont and seconded by Will Hackler authorizing the Superintendent to award a 48-month lease to Hewlett-Packard Financial Services for $195,803.00 for the district s servers. yes; Will Hackler yes, Susan Robbins yes; Randee Rusch yes. 3. Appointment of Negotiating Team for Collective Bargaining with the NMRSD Clerical Association The Superintendent is meeting with the Clerical Association on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. The Superintendent is looking for Committee members who would like to participate on the negotiation subcommittee for the Clerical Association. The meetings would be during school hours. Randee Rusch and Susan Robbins volunteered; Crystal Messamore would like to know the time and dates of the meetings. The Superintendent will work out a meeting schedule with the Association and provide to the school committee at the next school committee meeting. 4. Moved up in the Agenda. 5. FY2016 Budget Discussion and Updated Budget Adoption Vote Motion that the North Middlesex Regional School Committee vote to adopt the amended operational budget for FY2016 of $43,225,490.00 a FY2016 transportation budget of $3,119,700.00, a FY2016 debt service budget of $736,073.00 and to use these amounts to calculate the FY2016 school assessment for member towns as required by statute. In addition, the Committee authorizes the use of $300,000.00 from the Excess & Deficiency Account to offset the FY2016 operational Budget. The motion was made by Jonna Clermont and seconded by Crystal Messamore. yes; Will Hackler yes, Susan Robbins yes; Randee Rusch yes.
6. Moved up within the Agenda 7. District Goals for 2015-2016 The Superintendent requested that we move this agenda item to the August 10, 2015 meeting. The Chair made an announcement: The Chair so declared that in compliance with the MA General Law Chapter 71, Section 67, the chair formally notifies the North Middlesex Regional School Committee that it is the intent of the School District to employ Jake Robbins, son of School Committee member Susan Robbins and Kyle Templeton, and son of School Committee member Rob Templeton for summer maintenance help in the North Middlesex Regional School District. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Rob Templeton asked if Assistant Superintendent Nancy Milligan could provide a presentation to the School Committee on PARCC. He would like to understand the time to prep and time for assessment. REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION The Superintendent recommends that the North Middlesex Regional School District enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations re: non-represented personnel. The Superintendent recommends that the North Middlesex Regional School Committee enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the NMRSD Nurses Association. The Superintendent recommends that the North Middlesex Regional School Committee enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the NMRSD Teachers Association. M.G.L. Chapter 39, Section 23B (3) The School Committee will not return to open session. A motion was made by Susan Robbins and seconded by William Hackler to move into Executive Session and not to return to open session. yes; Will Hackler yes, Susan Robbins yes; Randee Rusch yes. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.