Regular Meeting
April 12, 2010
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; James S. Boone, Vice Chairman; John LaFreniere, Secretary; Carol J. Bailey, Paul G. Tassone, Matthew Vance, and Christine Wilson
Others present: Dr. Carol L. Daring, Superintendent; Stephanie Ellis, Student Representative; Terri Hillman, Recording Secretary; Michael A. Hurd, Assistant Superintendent; Catherine Goguen, Business Administrator; Karen Scanlon, Director of Technology; Dr. John Salovardos, Special Education Director; Susan Hui, Grants Administrator; Andrew S. Haas, Principal GHS; Christopher Casavant, Principal GMS; Joyce Swedberg, Principal ESS; Cherie McComb, Principal HMS; F. Daniel Hill, Principal Waterford Street School; Howard Klash, G.E.A. President; Ms. Anne Hurst, President of SPED-PAC; Jolene O’Brien, SPED, PAC; Robert O’Brien, Director of Facilities; Stephen Landry, Gardner News; and other interested persons
Call to Order
Mayor Hawke, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. The meeting opened with a roll call and the pledge of allegiance. The meeting was broadcast live on cable television.
Open Time for General Public
Ms. Anne Hurst, President of the SPED Parent Advisory Council, attended the PAC Leadership Institute on March 27th in Holyoke. The role of PAC’s in Massachusetts’ law, conducting Needs Assessment Surveys, and guidance for SPED Parent Advisory Councils were discussed. She distributed a brochure the Gardner SPED-PAC has prepared. She gave the following web site for further information – www.doc.mass.edu/sped/pad/guidelines.doc
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-36, dated March 4, 2010 in the amount of $181,467.01.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-37, dated March 11, 2010 in the amount of $98,056.03.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-38, dated March 18, 2010 in the amount of $129,817.59.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-39, dated March 25, 2010 in the amount of $193,575.39.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-40, dated April 1, 2010 in the amount of $64,092.85.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – March 8, 2010
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of March 8, 2010 with the following corrections under Final Comments:
Page 4 – change to Mrs. Bailey
Page 5 – change to Ms. Wilson
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Policy Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on April 26.
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere, Chairperson, said that the Facilities Subcommittee met at the Superintendent’s Office on April 5. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Mr. O’Brien updated the Subcommittee regarding the replacement of the Elm Street School chimney. Work has been completed with the exception of the final inspections.
The Subcommittee reviewed the district’s five year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the purpose of preparing it to go the Capital Improvement Committee. The replacement of the Gardner High School Auditorium lighting system is recommended for inclusion in the FY11 CIP. Mr. O’Brien gave an update on the cleaning of air ducts in the schools and the proposed work on the school playing fields over the April vacation.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson, Chairperson, said that the Finance Subcommittee met on April 6. Minutes of the meeting were presented. FY11 Budget requests from the Gardner Middle School, Gardner High School and Athletics were reviewed and discussed. The following items were recommended to the full Committee and will be voted on under Item 1949 and Item 1950: Extension of First Student Contract, Extension of Chartwells’ Contract.
The Subcommittee has invited Mr. Calvin Brooks, City Auditor, to a future Finance Subcommittee meeting to present information regarding the projected indirect cost increase for the School District for the FY11 budget. The Subcommittee has scheduled an additional Budget Review meeting on Wednesday, April 28 from 4 to 9 p.m.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on April 27.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
Mrs. Bailey, Chairperson, said that the Transportation Subcommittee met on April 5. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Ms. Goguen updated the Subcommittee regarding the Transportation contract with First Student. The current Gardner Public Schools transportation contract terminates on June 30, 2010 and allows for an extension of one additional year beginning on July 1, 2010 and ending on June 30, 2011. First Student has offered a zero percent (0%) increase for an FY11 transportation contract extension, contingent upon the School Department choosing First Student to provide in-district Special Education Transportation. The extension will be voted on under Item 1949.
Athletic Council
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Athletic Council did not meet in March.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring reported on the release of data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for the class of 2009 cohort. In its most basic form, the graduation rate refers to the percentage of students who entered high school in the fall of 2005 and graduated four years later in 2009. She explained how the rate is calculated.
Gardner’s 4-year graduation rate for 2009 for all students is 68.6% which includes our Gateway to College students. Excluding the Gateway students, the GHS’s graduation rate for 2009 is 72.7%. Improvement of the graduation rate has been a focus for school administration. A PowerPoint showing additional information in Dr. Daring’s written report was presented
G.E.A. President
Mr. Howard Klash, President of the G.E.A., said there was no report this evening.
Student Representative to the School Committee
Stephanie Ellis, Student Representative to the School Committee, reported on the many student activities at GHS as the school year approaches the final term. Report cards for the third term were issued. The high school band, chorus, women’s choir and jazz bands were showcased on April 8, and the concert band and chorus performed at their respective MICCA festivals on April 10 and 11. Students from Franklin Pierce College shared time and information with the GHS students. A pre-prom meeting for parents and students who will be attending the Junior Prom was held and a similar meeting for parents and students who will be attending the Senior Prom is scheduled for May 10.
The National Honor Society inductions will be held on April 14. Megan Reiser was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for outstanding volunteer work. This is a very exciting and somewhat anxious period for seniors as they wait to hear from the colleges to which they applied.
April vacation starts on the 19th and the seniors only have 26 school days left as of tonight!
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1905G – Oral Reports from Administration
Mr. Robert O’Brien, Director of Facilities, gave an oral report on his work at the Gardner schools during the past year. He outlined his major accomplishments for FY 2010 which included oversight of the 20,000 gallon oil tank installation at GHS, renovation of A-Wing at GHS damaged in the ice storm, the chimney renovation at ESS, supervision of grant-funded summer workers, and upgrades to the fields at GHS and GMS.
He also outlined several projects planned for FY 20ll which include boiler installation at HMS, assessment of GHS hot water energy costs, exploration of building masonry needs, and exploration of repairs for ESS.
Item 1906G– K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on April 9. Mrs. Scanlon was present to answer questions.
Item 1907G– Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on April 9. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1908G– Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
April 9. Ms. Goguen was present to answer questions.
Item 1909G– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
April 9. Dr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1910G – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
April 9. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1949 – Extension of First Student Contract
Mrs. Bailey moved to accept the recommendation of the Transportation Subcommittee and the Superintendent to approve a 1-year extension of the transportation contract with First Student with a 0% increase contingent upon Special Education in-district transportation being provided by First Service.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1950 – Extension of Chartwells’ Contract
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent to approve a 1-year extension of the Chartwells’ contract beginning on July 1, 2010 and ending on June 30, 2011.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Comments
Mrs. Bailey congratulated John Salovardos on receiving his doctorate (Ed.D).
Ms. Wilson attended the Mother/Son Pizza/Movie Night at Elm Street School and had a wonderful time.
Mr. Tassone attended the Indoor Track Banquet with Ms. Stephanie Ellis. He also spoke about the excellent academic records of the Gardner students who are participating in sports. He attended the Father/Daughter Dance at Helen Mae Sauter School and also had a wonderful time.
Mr. Boone commented on the report that 13 out of 15 GHS seniors passed the Science MCAS with a 220 or better. He reminded everyone that it is budget season and things are “scary”. He thanked Brigitte Flick, Dr. Katie Hannigan, and Donna Couture for volunteering with the art curriculum at Helen Mae Sauter. He recognized Addie LaRoche and Gage Butler for their volunteer work in the community and beyond. Addie and Gage are Middle School students.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. LaFreniere moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Boone.
Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
John LaFreniere, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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