Dover-Sherborn Regional School Committee

Meeting of October 2, 2007  

Members Present:                Shelley Poulsen, Chair
                                                Mark Linehan, Vice Chair
                                                Ellen Williamson 
                                                Sue Anderson 
                                                Rainie Pearson 
                                                Beverly Madden

Also Present:                      Perry P. Davis, Superintendent

                                   Richard Mathieu, School Business Manager

Denise Lonergan, High School Headmaster

                                    Frederick Randall, Middle School Headmaster

                                     Robert Couture, incoming Interim Superintendent

                                    Citizens 

                              1.             Call to Order

Ms. Poulsen called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM in the Dover Sherborn Middle School Library. 

The Committee welcomed Zachary Sokol, Student Representative for the 2007-08 school year. 

2.             Approval of Minutes

a.        Regional School Committee– September 4, 2007

Ms. Anderson made a motion to approve the minutes of September 4, 2007. Ms. Williamson seconded. Several typos need to be corrected. Also, in the last bullet of section 3d, first sentence change “given that the Towns did not both pass the amendment” to “given that both member Towns did not pass the amendment.”

07-58 VOTE (as amended): Unanimous

Ms. Anderson made a motion to approve the executive session minutes of September 4, 2007. Ms. Pearson seconded.

07-59 VOTE: Unanimous

The Sherborn School Committee minutes of June 14, 2007 and the Dover School Committee minutes of June 19 and July 30, 2007 were noted. 

Dr. Davis introduced and welcomed the delegation from Hangzhou High School in China.

3.             Reports

a.        Middle School Curriculum – Mr. Randall presented the Grade 6 Survival Unit Curriculum Review and made the following recommendation:

“The added book and historical background, while positive and rich, make this unit unwieldy and takes up too much time from the rest of the year’s units. None of the units since January had enough time. Students were forced to rush through their drama performances in February and were made responsible for reading too much at a time during the “Roll of Thunder” unit.

Although we feel the grade 6 survival unit was actually stronger in 2007, we feel that those sources (‘So Far From the Bamboo Grove’ and ‘When My Name Was Keoko’) need to be removed from the survival curriculum in order to balance the time on learning for all of the ELA units from January to June. The English department is looking at using ‘True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle’ as the primary book for the survival unit this year and the interview project will be continued as well.”

Discussion followed between the Committee, Mr. Randell, representatives of the English Department and the audience. A packet was provided by Dr. Ahn which she reviewed. After her statement, the packet was collected and is not available to the public through the School Committee or Administration.

Mr. Randall will make the Curriculum Review available on the Middle School website. A vote on the matter will be taken at the November School Committee meeting (November 6.)

b.       Business Manager’s Report –

·         Finance – The monthly report by function code was provided. The E&D has been certified by the Department of Revenue. The balance for FY08 is $789,782 which is 4.37% of the budget.

 An initial review of the FY09 budget shows the following areas that are facing notable increases:

Teachers (step increases only, no lanes/contract increases)                               $175,016

Health Insurance (projected)                                                                             218,000

Retirement (projected)                                                                                      27,000

Utilities                                                                                                              50,000

Insurance (Worker’s Comp)                                                                             20,000

Technology                                                                                                      80,000

MS Expenses                                                                                                    20,000

Athletics                                                                                                            38,000

Facilities and Maintenance                                                                                 15,000

Student Success Mentoring Program                                                                   26,500

New Staffing Increases                                                                                     159,153

TOTAL                                                                                                          $828,669 or 4.6%

·         Facilities and Maintenance – All permanent construction changes to the Waste Water Treatment Plant have been completed. The readings for July and August were within permit although the September readings have not been completed yet. The Administration has been working closely with Weston & Sampson to handle the adjustments needed to bring the plant from minimal usage during the summer to the increased usage it will see for the school year.

·         Cafeteria – Sales for the current year total $46,051 with a participation rate of 59% (vs 55% last year.)

·         Utilities – Mr. Mathieu updated the Committee on his recent meetings with NStar and the recommendations NStar made to reduce electricity usage.

c.        Professional Development Update – Ms. Hallion discussed the most recent meeting of the Professional Development Committee and their work to plan for the November 26^th Professional Development Day.

d.       Dover-Sherborn High School Report – Ms. Lonergan updated the Committee on recent and upcoming events at the High School. Ms. Lonergan also introduced Jonathan Rich who is the alternative Student Representative for the 2007-08 school year.

e.        Dover-Sherborn Middle School Report – Mr. Randall updated the Committee on recent and upcoming events at the Middle School. The draft NEASC report has still not been received despite numerous communications from Mr. Randall.

f.         Building Project – J.E. Case Settlement

The terms of the proposed settlement are as follows:

·         The Dover Sherborn Regional School District will pay J.E. Case Co., Inc. the sum of $275,000 in full satisfaction of all outstanding claims asserted by J.E. Case Co, Inc.

·         The parties will execute a settlement agreement, which will incorporate releases of all existing claims, whether asserted by J.E. Case Co., Inc. or by the Dover Sherborn Regional School District, but will not extinguish whatever rights the parties may have with respect to claims that arise in the future.

Ms. Williamson made a motion to accept the settlement with J.E. Case as proposed by legal counsel and to allow counsel to draw up the final settlement agreement. Ms. Pearson seconded.

07-60 VOTE: Unanimous

Dr. Davis also provided a letter from the Department of Revenue recognizing the problem created by the changes to the MSBA law; however,  the DOR cannot issue a resolution as it is beyond the scope of its regulatory authority.

g.       Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Davis reviewed enclosures provided to the Committee including:

·         Update on School Safety

·         ACCEPT Technology Strategic Plan

·         Exit Planning with Dr. Couture  

4.             Special Items

a.        2007-08 School Committee Goals

Mr. Linehan made a motion to accept the 2007-08 School Committee Goals (as amended) with the understanding that timelines will be discussed with the Administration.  Ms. Anderson seconded.

07-61 VOTE: Unanimous 

5.             Community Comments

 Mr. Robinson spoke about the MSBA funding issue between the Towns and the Middle School book curriculum. 

6.             Future Business

a.        November Regional School Committee Agenda Items

FY09 Budget, Contract negotiations, MCAS results, Middle School Curriculum – Survival Unit, School Emergency Plan 

7.          New Business

a.        FY09 Budget Development

New Positions – Data Management (HS & MS), Health Aide, Chinese Teacher (.2 FTE), Physical Education teacher (.2 FTE), History teacher (.2 FTE), and HS Special Education teacher.

There will be an additional meeting to discuss the budget on December 17^th at 7 pm.

b.       Subcommittee Assignments

c.        Sailing Club – The current coach will not be returning to that position in the spring. The Athletic Department will advertise to fill the position.  

8.             Routine Business

a.        Enrollments as of October 1, 2007

b.       Treasurer’s Statement (July) 

9.     Adjournment to Executive Session not to return to open session for matters pertaining to contract negotiations with custodians and cafeteria workers.

Ms. Pearson made a motion that the Committee adjourn at 10:05 PM.  Ms. Anderson seconded. Ms. Madden – yes, Ms. Pearson – yes, Ms. Williamson – yes, Mr. Linehan – yes, Ms. Anderson - yes 

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy Davis