Regular Meeting
May 10, 2010
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: James S. Boone, Vice Chairman; John LaFreniere, Secretary; Carol J. Bailey, Paul G. Tassone, Matthew Vance, and Christine Wilson
Member absent: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman
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; Nick Magalhaes, new student representative; Stephen Landry, Gardner News; and other interested persons
Call to Order
Mr. Boone, Vice 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
Mr. Haas, GHS Principal, presented GHS invitations to members of the School Committee for the 135th Commencement Exercises at GHS on June 5, 2010.
Gardner High School Students Kayla Ovaska, Chelsea Kelley, Tammi Popham and Michael Campbell spoke about the annual Wildcat Palooza sponsored by the Forward in Health Student Group. They presented invitations to the School Committee members.
The following spoke to the School Committee and voiced concerns about possible personnel cuts and especially to the music education program at the Elm Street School:
- Margaret Jaillet, 72 Leamy Street
- Jane Kattau, 139 Fernwood Drive
- Theresa Thompson, 44 Brookside Drive
- Gary Popham, 347 Park Street
- Robert Abisla, 34 Parker Hill Road
- Jennifer Hamel, 173 Chapel Street
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-41, dated April 8, 2010 in the amount of $310,806.11.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-42, dated April 15, 2010 in the amount of $349,144.34.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-43, dated April 22, 2010 in the amount of $131,723.35.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-44, dated April 29, 2010 in the amount of $155,742.25.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – April 12, 2010
Mr. LaFreniere moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of April 12, 2010 with an addition under Final Comments:
“Mrs. Bailey said that Mr. Adam Porter, Music Director at the Middle School has left to join the Marine Corps. Band.”
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Vance said that the Policy Subcommittee met on April 26, 2010 and minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee approved presenting the following policy to the full Committee for a first reading:
Policy GCBA – Professional Staff Salary Schedules (including Merit Incentives)
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere, Chairperson, said that the Facilities Subcommittee met at GHS on May 3, 2010. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Dr. Daring presented an update of the MSBA Feasibility Study. The MSBA is willing to consider allowing Gardner to do a feasibility study for the repair/replacement of several of the school building roofs. This would be in lieu of a much more costly renovation/replacement of Waterford Street School considering that the City would not be in a financial position to fund its portion of such a project. The Facilities Subcommittee voted to recommend to the full School Committee that they vote to fund a feasibility study on the repair/replacement of school building roofs.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson, Chairperson, said that the Finance Subcommittee met on April 13 and 28 and May 4, 2010. Minutes of the meetings were presented. At the April 13 Subcommittee meeting, Calvin Brooks, City Auditor, presented information regarding the calculation of indirect costs associated with the School Department. Also the FY11 Budget requests from the District/Facilities, Grants, Curriculum, Technology and Special Education were reviewed and discussed. The FY11 budget (salary portion) was reviewed and discussed at the April 27 meeting.
The Subcommittee voted at the May 4 meeting to revisit with the City Auditor appropriate fund handling procedures for the Gardner High School Band Disney Trip. The status of FY10 expense budgets and the FY09 Carryover Allocation balance were reviewed and discussed. A donation was accepted and will be voted on under Item 1951.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee did not meet.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
Mrs. Bailey, Chairperson, said that the Transportation Subcommittee did not meet.
Athletic Council
Mr. Tassone said that the Athletic Council met on May 4, 2010. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Discussion took place regarding the GHS Boys’ Ice Hockey team joining with Murdock HS, Winchendon, to form a cooperative team. Discussion also took place regarding the GHS Swimming team forming a cooperative team with Murdock HS. Both items will be recommended to the full School Committee for a vote.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring’s report reviewed the series of events and actions that have created an enormous fiscal challenge for the School Department in regard to finalizing a budget. The usual budget process was followed, but this year, in anticipation of a very difficult FY11, principals and directors were asked to prepare both a level services budget and a 10% below level services budget.
In March an additional 4% reduction at the state level was made and instead of $18,880,829 in Chapter 70 funds, Gardner is slated to receive only $18,125,596. In spite of many efficiency measures, $1.8 million in personnel needs to be cut in order to reach the net school spending level.
Currently, the Finance Subcommittee continues to review the proposed FY11 budget. Another meeting is scheduled for May 11 and the Public Hearing on the FY11 School Budget will not take place until June.
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, presented her last report to the School Committee. She thanked the GHS student body for allowing her to represent them. She also thanked the School Committee members for their attention and encouragement.
There are many activities going on at the high school:
- Prom time, with the Senior Citizens’ Prom and the GHS Senior Prom, is being held this week
- Progress reports for the fourth term will be issued on Friday
- Spring sports are finishing up their seasons
- The symphonic band, jazz bands, chorus and women’s choir will perform at the Spring Concert on May 20. The band will also perform in the Memorial Day Parade and at the Relay for Life
- Wildcat Palooza for students will be held on May 21
- Many activities are planned for Senior Week ending with Graduation on Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m.
Stephanie introduced Nick Magalhaes, the new student representative. Nick spoke to the Committee giving his resume. School Committee members welcomed him.
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1905H – Oral Reports from Administration
Mrs. Susan Hui, Grants Administrator, presented highlights from her monthly report. She was very pleased to announce that the Gardner Middle School Science Department has received a $10,000 grant from Verizon. The Thinkfinity grant will provide professional development to teachers, after school support to students and culminate in a science fair at GMS.
Mrs. Hui highlighted grant accomplishments for this year. A total of $692,123 was received from federal allocations in FY 2010. In addition to the federal grant allocations, there are a number of competitive grants that have been received in FY2010. As an example, through the quality full day kindergarten grant, full day kindergarten is offered tuition free to all students.
Mrs. Hui outlined many other competitive grants that she is in the process of submitting. Some will be submitted within the next month and will fund summer professional development and others will be submitted in the summer for programs that will take place during the next school year. New grants may not save positions during difficult fiscal times, but they are opportunities to create new, grant funded positions that provide academic and support services to our students.
Item 1906H– K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on May 7. Mrs. Scanlon was present to answer questions.
Item 1907H– Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on May 7. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1908H- Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
May 7. Mr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1909H– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
May 7. Ms. Goguen was present to answer questions.
Item 1910H – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s report was included in the packet. Mrs. Hui presented her report under Item 1905H.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1951 – Acceptance of Donation
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent to accept a $210 donation to Gardner High School from Hannaford Helps Schools.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1952 to Item 1956– School Improvement Plans
The following items will be voted on at the June 2010 School Committee meeting:
- Item 1952 Gardner High School Improvement Plan
- Item 1953 Gardner Middle School Improvement Plan
- Item 1954 Elm Street School Improvement Plan
- Item 1955 Helen Mae Sauter School Improvement Plan
- Item 1956 Waterford Street School Improvement Plan
Item 1957 – Roofing Projects with Alternative Energy
Mr. LaFreniere moved to accept the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent to recommend that the Gardner Public Schools pursue roofing projects with alternative energy (Massachusetts School Building Authority) in lieu of a full–school renovation/expansion project.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey.
Vote – 3 yes (Vance, LaFreniere and Bailey); 2 no (Wilson and Tassone). Mr. Boone, Chairman, declared that the motion passed.
Item 1958 – Proposal to Pursue a Cooperative with Murdock High School for the GHS Boys’ Hockey Program
Mr. Tassone moved to accept the recommendation of the Athletic Council and the Superintendent to recommend pursuing a cooperative with the Murdock High School for the GHS Boys’ Ice Hockey Team for a 2-year period. Murdock students would skate for Gardner High School and pay Gardner user fees. The cost for the hockey program will be shared proportionately.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Item 1959 – Proposal to Pursue a Cooperative with Murdock High School for the GHS Boys’ Hockey Program
Mr. Tassone moved to accept the recommendation of the Athletic Subcommittee and the Superintendent to recommend pursuing a cooperative with the Murdock High School for the High School Swim Program for a 2-year period. Murdock students would swim for Gardner High School and pay Gardner user fees. The cost for the swim program will be shared proportionately.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Comments
Mrs. Bailey commented on the budget shortfall and possible cuts which may have to be made to staff and programs. The City of Gardner may not be able to give more money to save the school budget. She suggested the possibility of having to request an override to fund the schools.
Ms. Wilson said that the Finance Subcommittee has worked many hours with all the administration trying to maintain every position and ever program. The Subcommittee will meet again tomorrow night. She thanked the members of the Finance Subcommittee for all their work.
Mr. Tassone said he attended the Elm Street School Student Council meeting. It was a pleasure to meet with the students and see what has been accomplished this year.
Mr. Vance thanked the Finance Subcommittee members for all the work they have done to prepare a budget. He also thanked all the people who attended tonight’s meeting to voice their opinions. He welcomed Nick Magalhaes, the new student representative.
Mr. LaFreniere said that the City of Gardner must take care of the School system. No longer can we depend on the State or Federal Government to help with funding. He thanked the Finance Subcommittee members and administration for all their work on the budget. He welcomed Nick Magalhaes, the new student representative.
Mr. Boone said that it is a difficult chore to prepare the School budget. He thanked the parents who attended tonight’s meeting.
All the School Committee members thanked Stephanie Ellis for her representation of the students this past year and wished her good luck with her future plans.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. LaFreniere moved to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Wilson.
Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
John LaFreniere, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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