Meeting of February 05, 2008
Dover-Sherborn Regional School Committee
Members
Present:
Shelley
Poulsen, Chair
Mark
Linehan, Vice Chair
Ellen Williamson
Rainie Pearson
Beverly
Madden
Also Present: Dr.
Robert E. Couture, Interim Superintendent
Richard Mathieu, School Business Manager
Denise
Lonergan, High School Headmaster
Frederick Randall, Middle School Headmaster
Zachery Sokol & Jonathan Rich, Student Representative
Citizens
1. Call to Order
Ms.
Poulsen called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM in the Dover Sherborn Middle
School Library.
2.
Approval of Minutes
a.
Regional
School Committee– January 8, 2008
Add
January to the heading. Change Zachery Sokol to Jonathan Rich under also
present. After Call to Order correct spelling of Skapars.
Ms.
Williamson made a motion to approve the minutes of January 8, 2008. Ms.
Pearson seconded.
08-07 VOTE
(as amended): Unanimous
The Dover
School Committee minutes of December 18, 2007 were noted.
3.
Reports
a.
Business
Manager’s Report –
·
Finance –
The monthly report by function code was provided.
·
Facilities
and Maintenance – The equipment to deal with the “power factor” issues (which
result in paying a premium on the electric bills for the high school) has
arrived and is scheduled to be installed over February vacation. A temporary
custodian has been hired to fill in for a custodian out on disability.
·
Cafeteria
– The participation rate has fallen slightly and will continue to be
monitored.
b.
Student
Advisory Council – Mr. Sokol gave an update of Student Council activities.
c.
Dover-Sherborn High School Report – Through the Intel Science and Talent
Search, the High School is eligible for a $1,000 grant. Anugraha Raman was
named an Intel STS Semifinalist and also received $1,000.
Ms. Pearson made a motion to accept
$1,000 from Intel to further support excellence in science, math or
engineering education. Ms. Williamson seconded.
08-08 VOTE: Unanimous
Open Fields has raised
approximately $1,000 for the High School Drama department through a recent
performance of “Annie”.
Mr. Linehan made a motion to accept
approximately $1,000 from Open Fields to support the High School Drama
department. Ms. Williamson seconded.
08-09 VOTE: Unanimous
Ms. Lonergan updated the Committee
on recent and upcoming events at the High School.
d.
Dover-Sherborn Middle School Report – Mr. Randall reviewed the NEASC report
highlighting both commendations and recommendations. The report is available
on the Middle School website.
e.
Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Couture discussed the recent meeting with
Selectmen (both towns), Warrant and Advisory Committees and recommended having
Attorney Ryan meet with Dover and Sherborn Town Counsels so that they can
discuss in detail their different interpretations of the problem. They can
then lay out their differences in a proposal that could be sent to the
Attorney General for an Advisory Opinion. The Committee directed Dr. Couture
to have Attorney Ryan provide a written opinion of his interpretation. Mr.
Linehan and Ms. Poulsen will meet with their respective town Selectmen to
discuss the three lawyers getting together.
4.
Special Items
a.
Staff
Request – Ms. Li, a teacher at the High School, has asked the Committee to
allow her daughter to attend
Dover-Sherborn
High School for the 2008-09 school year. It has been past practice not to
approve such requests due to enrollment increases and the possible obligation
to accept all requests from staff.
Ms. Madden made a motion to grant
the request of Ms. Li as presented by Dr. Couture. Mr. Linehan seconded.
08-10 VOTE: 0-5
5.
Community Comments
Ms. Hall, on behalf of sailing team
parents, expressed support for the proposed increase to the coaching stipend
recommended by the Advisory Council on Extra Duties.
6.
Future Business
a.
March
Regional School Committee Agenda Items
FY09 Budget, MSBA reimbursement
issue, School Choice, Transition planning for incoming Superintendent,
Assessment method including how to inform citizens
7. New Business
a.
FY09
Budget Discussion – The Dover Warrant Committee Chair gave the Regional
Committee guidance: The Warrant Committee will support a potential Regional
Committee vote to use the statutory assessment formula (versus the formula in
the Regional Agreement), the Warrant Committee is uncomfortable with
additional E&D funds being used this year given the potential litigation
around the debt assessment issue, the Warrant Committee cannot give a %
guidance at this time.
The Regional School Committee
discussed the recommendations of the Advisory Council on Extra Duties. The
Administration recommended increasing the athletic fee by $25 to cover the
cost associated with implementing the recommendations. Several members did not
support an increase in the Athletic fee.
Mr. Linehan made a motion to remove
the N-er-G and Personal/Social Issues new stipend positions from the FY09
budget. Ms. Williamson seconded.
08-11 VOTE: 1-4
Dr. Couture recommended removing
the additional funds ($11,400) to increase the Health Aide to full time. The
Administration is applying for a five year grant to hire an additional nurse
instead. Dr. Couture also recommended removing an additional SPED Aide
($25,000) that was discussed last month. The Committee directed the
Administration to remove those items from the budget.
Both Warrant and Advisory
Committees expressed their desire to see a “level service” operating budget.
The current budget represents a 5.34% increase; a level service budget is a
4.16% increase. The dollar difference between the two is approximately
$213,000.
There is an additional meeting
scheduled on
February
13, 2008 at
6 pm to discuss the alternative assessment
formulas.
8. Routine
Business
a.
Enrollments as of
February 1, 2008
b.
Treasurer’s Report (October 2007)
9. Adjournment to Executive Session
not to return to open session for matters pertaining to contract negotiations
with the incoming Superintendent.
Ms. Pearson made a motion that the
Committee adjourn at
10:10 PM. Ms. Anderson seconded. Ms.
Madden – yes, Ms. Pearson – yes, Ms. Williamson – yes, Mr. Linehan – yes, Ms.
Anderson - yes
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Davis
