| TSC Preliminary Minutes December 3, 2009
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PRELIMINARY MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
TOPSFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE (TSC)
PROCTOR SCHOOL LIBRARY
DECEMBER 3, 2009
Members Present: Susan Archer, Rebecca Brockelman, Jeanine Cunniff (Acting Chairperson) and Rosemarie Lucey
Members Absent: Jeffrey Evaul
Others Present: Dr. Creeden (Tri-Town Union (TTU) Superintendent), Steve Greenberg (TTU Director of Finance and Human Resources), Sharon Lyons (TTU Director of Special Education (SPED)), Mrs. Nawoichik, Mrs. Klipfel and Mrs. Corliss (Steward School), Michelle Costa (Steward School Principal), Cheryl Soriano, Diane Diplacido, Robyn King, Lisa Hancock, Lorri Denman, Judy LeBlanc and Katie Lyons (Steward Preschool), Kevin Zajas (Proctor School), Sarah O’Leary (Proctor School Principal), Kathy Curran (Videographer), Paul Gaurette (Principal Mentor) and Ellen Gaskell (Recording Secretary)
Acting Chairperson Jeanine Cunniff called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
ROUTINES:
1. Remarks from the Public: None
2. Reports from Other Committees:
a. Tri-Town Union Regional Readiness Subcommittee:
i. Susan Archer reported on the 12/2/09 meeting.
ii. There is a need to consolidate meetings and work because Dr. Creeden plans to retire soon and his replacement may not want to attend so many meetings. It will be difficult to replace him because the pool of superintendents is small.
iii. Different ways to pay salaries and bills are being considered, to eliminate triplicate work.
iv. Steve Greenberg discussed the Fiscal Agent piece with the financial managers of the Tri-Town and said that a two-tiered approach would be best: start with paying bills, then payroll. Payroll is harder to pay this way because there are some difficulties with apportioned costs, such as the retirement system.
v. Steve Greenberg, Dr. Creeden and Joseph Gianino will meet with J. D. La Rock of the Executive Office of Education on 12/14/09. Regulatory relief and home rule legislation are topics to be covered.
vi. Steve Greenberg will schedule a meeting with Christine Lynch of DESE.
vii. Steve Greenberg compared the Central Office costs of a comparable school district that consists of one town (Boxborough) to the Tri-Town to see if each town in the Tri-Town having its own Central Office made financial sense. Boxborough’s Central Office has a budget of $500K versus $780K for the Tri-Town, so this option would be much more expensive.
viii. There are two choices: strengthen the TTU or form a region (either PK-6 or PK-12).
ix. The next Subcommittee meeting will be 12/16/09 at 7:30 p.m. at the Flint Library.
REPORTS:
1. Reports of the Building Principals:
a. Michelle Costa, Steward School Principal:
i. Principal Costa presented her report, a copy of which is included in the packet.
ii. Teachers Jessica Minnaar and Lisa Martin are working with the Kindergarten teachers on how to teach phonics to their students. Mrs. Minnaar and Mrs. Martin are writing a grant to fund the program.
iii. Principal Costa wished to thank Head Custodian Mark Schiaboni and Kerry Shugrue for their help with the recent Fall Give-Back event and Master Sergeant Marianne Monbleu for her work with the Veteran’s Day presentation.
iv. Percussionist Tony Vacca gave a recent presentation; the highlight was the 3rd Grade end of the day concert, with Steward Staff also performing.
v. The Code of Conduct was recently reviewed by the staff. Third graders were instructed about actions and consequences and what inappropriate behavior is and how to correct it.
vi. Report card conferences are next week.
vii. Pre-School Models for 2010-2011:
1. Preschool Director Katie Lyons presented these reports: Annual Program Evaluation 2008-2009, 2009-2010 Enrollment as of 12/3/09, 2009-2010 Preschool Tuition, Preschool Survey Results and Enrollment Comparisons 2003-2009, which were included in the packet along with a preschool brochure.
2. Sharon Lyons said there has been a decline in enrollment; one of the reasons for this is the decline in school-age children.
3. Families need longer days for children; the Preschool staff would like to extend the basic preschool program by 15 minutes, from a 2.5 hour day to a 2.75 hour day.
4. Early drop-off and a longer extended-day option are also being considered.
5. Jeanine Cunniff noted that Trinity had an earlier enrollment deadline than Steward, so parents had to commit to Trinity before they knew if their child was accepted to Steward Preschool; Katie Lyons responded that they were moving up the enrollment deadline.
6. Sharon Lyons noted that the ratio of SPED students to non-SPED students was increasing; more non-SPED students would have to be enrolled in the future to keep the integrated preschool status.
7. Katie Lyons said that both Trinity and Joyful Noises Preschools plan to raise their tuition this year; Trinity plans to charge $25 more and Joyful Noises will increase tuition 3%. Dr. Creeden noted that the program doesn’t pay for itself. Sharon Lyons asked if any families receive subsidies; Katie Lyons replied that only 2 families request them.
8. There was discussion as to whether teachers who are non-Tri-Town residents should be able to enroll their children in the program. Katie Lyons believed that they should, but enrollment preference should be given to Tri-Town residents.
9. Michelle Costa introduced the preschool staff at the meeting to the audience and thanked them for attending the meeting: teachers Judy LeBlanc and Lisa Hancock and aides Lorri Denman, Cheryl Soriano, Diane Diplacido and Robyn King.
A motion was made by Becky Brockelman to 1.) increase preschool tuition by 3%, 2.) accept non-resident children of employees to join the program and 3.) accept program changes as detailed in the brochure. Jeanine Cunniff seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-0-0.
viii. Five Day Kindergarten Model:
1. Principal Costa said that Kindergarten Teachers Sue O’Brien and Sandy Ragan plan to hold a Community Information Night on 1/5/10 regarding this program, registration will occur the following week.
2. Presently there is 1 section of Five Day Kindergarten taught by Sue O’Brien. Principal Costa said they are considering adding 1 more section of Five Day Kindergarten.
b. Sarah O’Leary, Proctor School Principal:
i. Sarah O’Leary presented her report, a copy of which was included in the packet.
ii. The first interim math assessment was given November 13th; results were analyzed at the recent staff meeting. Principal O’Leary thanked Jen Steinberg for her assistance in this matter.
iii. Tony Vacca had a recent presentation at Proctor School.
iv. Reading Specialist Nancy Swan recently went to Newbury to speak with school professionals regarding Response to Intervention (RTI). A RTI study group consisting of Steward and Proctor teachers has been created and teachers are encouraged to join.
v. In the Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH) program, Grade 4 students recently met with Landmark School ambassadors and Grade 5 will hear Dr. Spiers speak about living with physical challenges tomorrow.
vi. Principal O’Leary thanked Ed Rudolph, the Boxford Athletic Association and the Eagle Scouts for the new basketball hoops and backboards and the U.S. map painted on the playground.
2. Report of the Superintendent:
a. Dr. Creeden presented his report, a copy of which was included in the packet.
b. H1N1 Planning Update:
i. Yesterday, additional doses of the H1N1 vaccine were received, so the clinic today from 3-7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds, originally only for Tri-Town elementary students, was expanded to include middle and high school students. Any leftover vaccine will be distributed in this order of priority: first responder adults, vulnerable adults and then, school personnel.
ii. At present, influenza-like illness in the schools is in a lull.
c. Personnel:
i. Long-term substitutes for 2 teachers going on maternity leave are being put into place.
ii. In April, 2009, six teachers planned to retire at the end of the school year. As of now, 3 have withdrawn their request, 1 has asked for an extension and 2 haven’t been heard from.
3. Report of the Director of Facilities:
a. Steve Clifford will submit his report later.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. School Calendar Draft #1 for 2010-2011:
a. Dr. Creeden presented two versions of the school calendar, which were included in the packet: one starting before Labor Day and one starting after.
b. If Committee members wish to comment on the calendar, they should email Antonette at the Central Office.
c. After the calendar has been sent to the Teachers’ Association for input, it will be an action item for the Committee in 2/10.
2. FY 2011 Budget Development Process:
a. Finance Committee FY 2011 Budget Guidelines:
i. Steve Greenberg met with the FinCom on Monday about this; the schools have a 0% increase, the same as all other departments.
ii. The total available for capital expenditures, excluding police vehicles, will be $100K, which is very small.
iii. Representative Brad Hill said recently to expect a 20% reduction in local aid.
iv. In February, there will be 9C cuts.
v. Yesterday, payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOT funds were announced. Topsfield will receive $52K less than expected.
vi. Chapter 70 funds will also be reduced in FY 2011.
vii. Jeanine Cunniff concluded that next year’s budget won’t be level-funded, due to cuts in aid.
viii. Dr. Creeden said the challenges are greater than last year.
b. Budget Development Calendar for January and February:
i. The school budget will be developed at Committee meetings in January and February; teacher contract negotiation meetings start in January.
3. Correspondence: None
4. Other: Taking a moment of personal privilege, Dr. Creeden introduced retired principal from Reading, Paul Gaurette, who has been working as a mentor to Michelle Costa and Sarah O’Leary, to the audience.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Bills and Payrolls: A copy of the handout was included in the packet.
Motion by Rebecca Brockelman to approve the following, as read by Jeanine Cunniff:
BW#FY10-30 DATED 12/2/09 $36,069.15
BW#FY10-28 DATED 11/15/09 $4,852.52
BW#FY10-29 DATED 11/30/09 $41,413.50
PAYROLL #10 & 7&5 DATED 11/19/09 $205,816.99
PAYROLL #11 & 8&6 DATED 12/3/09 $204,961.66
GRAND TOTAL $488,261.30.
Seconded by Susan Archer. Motion passed 4-0-0.
2. Declaration of Surplus Equipment: Handouts regarding this were included in the packet.
a. Regarding the 2 surplus pianos at Proctor, Dr. Creeden requested appraisals (prior to disposal).
Motion made by Susan Archer to dispose of surplus equipment, seconded by Rosemarie Lucey; motion passed 4-0-0.
Motion made by Susan Archer to appraise the pianos, seconded by Rosemarie Lucey. Motion passed 4-0-0.
3. Minutes of Previous Meetings:
a. November 5, 2009 Regular Meeting (no Executive Session)
Motion made by Susan Archer to accept the 11/5/09 Regular Meeting minutes, seconded by Rebecca Brockelman. Motion passed 3-0-0 (note: Jeanine Cunniff abstained due to absence).
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 9:22 p.m., a motion was made by Rosemarie Lucey to leave the Regular Meeting and enter into Executive Session to prepare for negotiations with Represented Personnel, returning to Regular Meeting for the purpose of adjournment only, seconded by Rebecca Brockelman. Motion passed by roll call vote (in favor: Susan Archer, Rebecca Brockelman, Jeanine Cunniff and Rosemarie Lucey).
ADJOURNMENT:
At 10:21 p.m., on a roll call vote, the Committee returned from Executive Session to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Susan Archer moved to adjourn, seconded by Rosemarie Lucey. Motion passed 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Gaskell
Recording Secretary
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