| TSC Preliminary Minutes January 7, 2010
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PRELIMINARY MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
TOPSFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE (TSC)
PROCTOR SCHOOL LIBRARY
TOPSFIELD, MA 01983
JANUARY 7, 2010
Members Present: Susan Archer, Rebecca Brockelman, Jeanine Cunniff, Jeffrey Evaul (Chairperson) and Rosemarie Lucey
Others Present: Dr. Creeden (Tri-Town Union (TTU) Superintendent), Steve Greenberg (TTU Director of Finance and Human Resources), Michelle Costa (Steward School Principal), Sarah O’Leary (Proctor School Principal), Karen Dow (Topsfield Board of Selectmen (BOS)), Kristen Masino, Julie Scott and Lindsay Grenert (Proctor School Teachers), Kathy Hartmann (Topsfield Finance Committee (FinCom)), Kathy Curran (Videographer) and Ellen Gaskell (Recording Secretary)
ROUTINES:
1. Call to Order: Chairperson Jeffrey Evaul called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
2. Remarks from the Public: None
3. Reports from Other Committees:
a. Tri-Town Union Regional Readiness Subcommittee:
i. Susan Archer reported on the 1/6/10 meeting and previous meetings.
ii. At the 12/16/09 meeting, there was a regionalization vote: 3 members were for it and 8 members were against it, opting to strengthen the TTU instead.
iii. At the recent meeting with Christine Lynch of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), it was determined that creating a district with some hybrid of regionalization could cause legislative trouble and unless each town has the same programs, it wouldn’t be considered a regionalized district. DESE documents regarding regionalization will be emailed to Committee members.
iv. A meeting calendar was proposed that had 25% less meetings. The TTU would take a more forward role and would meeting in each of the three towns.
v. A new Central Office organizational chart was proposed with 4 direct reports to the superintendent: the school principals, the Assistant Superintendent of Pupil and Personnel Services, the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations and the Director of Curriculum.
vi. There was a comparison of the educational programs in the 3 towns.
vii. A fiscal agency was proposed which would handle accounts payable but not payroll for the Tri-Town. Jeanine Cunniff asked Steve Greenberg if this would result in a cost savings; Steve Greenberg responded that it would reduce the calls to the Central Office from vendors regarding partial payments.
viii. Dr. Creeden reported on the Subcommittee recommendations:
1. 6 recommendations were proposed, #1-4 were adopted and #5-6 were merged into one.
2. 3 were endorsed unanimously and 2 had one dissenting vote.
3. For further information, see the preliminary minutes of the 1/6/10 meeting.
ix. There was no need for a Subcommittee meeting on 1/20; findings will be presented at the 1/21/10 TTU meeting. The Central Office budget will also be discussed.
REPORTS:
1. Reports of the Building Principals:
a. Sarah O’Leary, Proctor School Principal:
i. Sarah O’Leary presented her report, a copy of which was included in the packet. She highlighted these areas:
ii. The Grade 4 teachers are focusing on writing during instructional team time and will participate in a writing workshop by Kathy Dodwell.
iii. There have been discussions about the Response To Intervention (RTI) Model; an action plan to improve the model will be created.
iv. The Code of Conduct is being reviewed.
v. The Topsfield Public Schools’ website has been revised.
vi. There will be a Professional Development Day 1/25/10.
b. Michelle Costa, Steward School Principal:
i. Principal Costa presented her report, a copy of which is included in the packet. Here are the items she highlighted:
ii. Report cards were sent home 12/7/09.
iii. Principal Costa thanked Kristen Galardi and Ryan Engebretson for their work on the holiday concerts. Principal O’Leary echoed her sentiments, thanking Kevin Zajas and Ryan Engebretson for their work on the Proctor concerts.
iv. RTI interventionists have meet with classroom teachers regarding student progress.
v. Respectful Resolutions for the New Year for each of the grades have been written.
1. Thank you to the custodians for keeping the building so clean; staff members have noticed.
2. Report of the Superintendent:
a. Dr. Creeden presented his report, a copy of which was included in the packet.
b. Thank you to the PTOs and Tri-Town Council for the 1/5/10 Benjamin Zander presentation, “The Art of Possibility”. The presentation’s ideas will be incorporated into the upcoming Professional Development Day.
c. H1N1 Planning Update:
i. There will be a clinic at the Fairgrounds this Saturday, open to all ages. Non-resident town employees may also receive the vaccine.
d. Personnel Update:
i. Christine Elliot will be the Acting Director of Curriculum.
e. State Local Aid Update: Restoration of Regional Transportation Aid:
i. $18 million will be restored by the Governor.
f. DESE “Race to the Top” Memo of Understanding (MOU):
i. Due to the lack of information and the fact that Topsfield’s expected grant would be very small ($2K), Dr. Creeden recommended that the Committee not participate in this matter. The Committee agreed.
g. Tri-Town Union Meeting – January 21, 2010:
i. See the Reports From Other Committees section (Tri-Town Union Regional Readiness Subcommittee) above.
3. Report of the Director of Facilities:
a. Steve Clifford will submit his report later. Dr. Creeden detailed the snow-related maintenance issues.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. School Calendar Draft #2 for 2010-2011:
a. Dr. Creeden presented two versions of the school calendar: one with a pre-Labor Day start and one with a post-Labor Day start, which were included in the packet. A paper copy of an email from Rosemarie Lucey concerning the calendar was also in the packet.
b. The Early Release Day on the 1st day of school can’t be changed; it’s part of the teacher contract.
c. Conference days were considered; Topsfield has 2 Early Release Days and 1 Delayed Opening and the other two towns just have 2 Early Release days.
d. Masco will have a full day on 9/3/10.
e. Dr. Creeden noted that the Kindergarteners have a later start date than Grades 1-6.
f. The Teachers’ Association will send a written response to the calendar.
2. FY 2011 Budget Development Process:
a. Overview of FY 2011 Budget:
i. Steve Greenberg presented an FY11 Budget Update, included in the packet.
ii. The budget will be presented in narrative form; Budget Books will be distributed 1-21-10.
iii. The proposed budget will have a 0% increase.
iv. The good news is that utility costs and the transportation contract increase were both lower than expected this year.
v. Jeanine Cunniff noted that a 0% increase will not translate into a level-services budget, due to step and level increases and an increase in health insurance costs.
vi. Dr. Creeden referenced the N.E. School Development Council (NESDEC) school enrollment projections, included in the packet: there are 73 Kindergarteners entering and 107 6th Graders exiting the elementary schools. There will be 22 less K-6 students next year. He predicted that there would be a staff reduction.
b. Regular Day Transportation Contract:
i. Steve Greenberg summarized the Regular Day Transportation Bid and Contract Award, included in the packet.
ii. The contract was awarded to the low bidder, North Reading Transportation; they had glowing reference checks.
iii. There is no fuel escalation clause in the contract.
iv. Because the Tri-Towns’ request for a waiver was denied, prevailing wage must be paid.
v. The existing bus drivers usually migrate to the current contract holder, so there probably won’t be many personnel changes.
A motion was made by Jeanine Cunniff to accept North Reading Transportation for the five year contract, as recommended by TTU Director of Finance and Human Resources Steven Greenberg, seconded by Rebecca Brockelman. Motion passed 5-0-0.
3. School Committee Annual Report FY 2009:
a. This report is due to BOS Secretary Donna Rich by 2/11/10.
b. Rebecca Brockelman is responsible for editing the report.
c. A revised copy of the report will be sent to Committee members electronically this weekend.
4. Correspondence: Jeffrey Evaul received a School Planning and Management magazine.
5. Other: None
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Bills and Payrolls: A copy of the handout was available at the meeting.
Motion by Jeanine Cunniff to approve the following, as read by Jeffrey Evaul:
BW#FY10-34 DATED 1/6/10 $65,918.48
BW#FY10-35 DATED 1/6/10 $1,552.15
BW#FY10-36 DATED 1/6/10 $6,900.04
BUDGET ADJUSTMENT JE#10-12 DATED 1/6/10 $38,690.93
BW#FY10-31 DATED 12/7/09 $28.75
BW#FY10-32 DATED 12/7/09 $5,036.62
BW#FY10-33 DATED 12/10/09 $37,756.45
PAYROLL #12 & 9&7 DATED 12/17/09 $212,321.17
PAYROLL #13 & 10&8 DATED 12/31/09 $203,579.22
PAYROLL #14 & 11&9 DATED 1/14/10 $193,255.64
GRAND TOTAL $765,010.70.
Seconded by Rebecca Brockelman. Motion passed 5-0-0.
2. Minutes of Previous Meetings:
a. December 3, 2009 Regular Meeting (no changes needed to Executive Session minutes):
i. In the Others Present Section, Page 1 and when mentioned in the minutes subsequently, correct the spelling of Paul Guerrette.
ii. Under Michelle Costa’s Principal Report, Subsection iii., Line 1, Page 2, correct the spelling of Mark Schiavoni and Carey Shugrue. On Line 3, correct the spelling of Marianne Monbleau.
Motion made by Rebecca Brockelman to accept the 12/3/09 Regular Meeting minutes, seconded by Rosemarie Lucey. Motion passed 4-0-1 (note: Jeffrey Evaul abstained due to absence).
Motion made by Jeanine Cunniff to accept the 12/3/09 Executive Session minutes, seconded by Rebecca Brockelman. Motion passed 4-0-1 (note: Jeffrey Evaul abstained due to absence).
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 9:02 p.m., a motion was made by Jeanine Cunniff to leave the Regular Meeting and enter into Executive Session to prepare for negotiations with Represented and Non Represented Personnel, returning to Regular Meeting for the purpose of adjournment only, seconded by Rebecca Brockelman. Motion passed 5-0-0 by roll call vote (in favor: Susan Archer, Rebecca Brockelman, Jeanine Cunniff and Jeffrey Evaul and Rosemarie Lucey).
ADJOURNMENT:
At 9:25 p.m., on a roll call vote, the Committee returned from Executive Session to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Jeanine Cunniff moved to adjourn, seconded by Susan Archer. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Gaskell
Recording Secretary
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