Regular Meeting
June 14, 2010
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; John LaFreniere, Secretary; Carol J. Bailey, Paul G. Tassone, Matthew Vance, and Christine Wilson
Member absent: James S. Boone, Vice Chairman
Others present: Dr. Carol L. Daring, Superintendent; Terri Hillman, Recording Secretary; Michael A. Hurd, Assistant Superintendent; Catherine Goguen, Business Administrator; Karen Scanlon, Director of Technology; 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; 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.
Acknowledgement of William Van Valkenburg, GHS Biology Teacher
William Van Valkenburg, Environmental Science teacher at GHS, received the Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He received the award and a check for $200 at the State House in Boston on April 30. He was nominated by Pamela Snow, Harvard University Forest Center’s Coordinator of the School Yard Ecological Study Program. He told School Committee members about the work he has done in the area of climate change. At a recent professional development day, he helped teachers in disciplines beyond science find ways to integrate the study of climate change into their curriculum.
Recognition of 30 Year Employee
Mr. Charles Beattie, Middle School Teacher, could not be present this evening. He will be at the September meeting to celebrate his 30 years with the Gardner Public Schools.
Recognition of Retirees
Ms. Colleen Gikis, Waterford Street School Teacher, Ms. Carla Wojtukiewicz, Waterford Street School Teacher, and Richard Diran, Electrician for the Gardner schools, are retiring and they were recognized for their years of service to Gardner children.
Ms. Judith Refrigeri, Elm Street School Teacher, and Ms. Elaine LaDeau, Waterford Street Paraprofessional, are also retiring but could not be present this evening.
Guidance Department Overview
Mrs. Karen McCrillis and Mr. Michael Richard, GHS Guidance Department, gave a PowerPoint presentation on Guidance services offered to the students at Gardner High.
Mr. Richard outlined a typical day for him. He has many, many interruptions some that require immediate action. The list was very long.
Mrs. McCrillis said she decided to track her time on EZ Analyze and did it for the period 3/22/10 to 5/15/10. Again, the list was very long and just showed a snippet of what she does in a typical day for the five weeks she tracked her time.
Open Time for General Public
The following spoke to the School Committee:
- Mike Wirzbicki Spoke on behalf of the Cross Country Booster Club in regard to the proposed budget cuts. He presented a report showing the impact of the proposed cuts.
- Mrs. Ayesha Coaxum Spoke regarding the proposed cuts to the Sports Program and to Guidance and how important these programs are to the all the students.
- Theresa Thompson Spoke on the amazing job Guidance does in helping students. Regrets that cuts have to be made to the sports program. She said that the PTO had a wonderful year.
- Sean Duncan He is 2007 GHS graduate and spoke on how important the cross country and track teams were to him in high school and especially helped him make the adjustment to college life.
- Raymond and Karen Lashua Said that the poor air quality at Elm Street School is making their daughter ill. An indoor air quality test was conducted in February by the State Bureau of Environmental Health. It is being reviewed by the City Health Director, B. Sullivan.
- Mrs. Katherine Queeneville Spoke on the proposed cuts to the track team. It is an important program.
- Mrs. Andrea Damour. Spoke about cuts to the sports program. Encouraged working with the Booster Clubs and possibly having fund raisers.
- Ms. Jessie Damour GHS student involved in the track program. Does not want to see it cut.
- A Junior at GHS She also spoke about the cuts to the sports programs.
- Mrs. Robin Duncan Sports are a return on investment – over 100 students are involved.
- A GHS Freshman Spoke about concern coaches have for athletes – a student is not just a number to them.
- Mrs. Nancy Tyros Spoke on behalf of her son who is at Boy’s State tonight. Sports are a positive thing in his life and in the lives many other students.
- Mr. Merchant Just graduated from Westfield State and said how important sports were to him at GHS and in college.
Recess
Mayor Hawke declared a short recess at 8:20 p.m. The meeting resumed at 8:25 p.m.
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-45, dated May 6, 2010 in the amount of $111,555.50.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-46, dated May 13, 2010 in the amount of $161,148.97.
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-47, dated May 20, 2010 in the amount of $74,912.32.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-48, dated May 27, 2010 in the amount of $244,196.43.
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-49, dated June 3, 2010 in the amount of $72,283.86.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – May 10, 2010
Mrs. Bailey moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of May 10, 2010 with the following correction:
Page 6, line 1, should be “. . . Facilities Subcommittee……..”.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
Public Hearing - FY 2011 Budget, June 2, 2010
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the minutes of the Public Hearing on the FY 2011 Budget held on June 2, 2010 as presented.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Special Meeting – June 2, 2010
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of June 2, 2010 as presented.
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Vance said that the Policy Subcommittee did not meet.
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere, Chairperson, said that the Facilities Subcommittee did not meet.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson, Chairperson, said that the Finance Subcommittee met on May 11 and June 1, 2010. Minutes of the meetings were presented. At the May 11 meeting, the Subcommittee voted to recommend scenario #1 of the Central Office recommended FY11 Budget to the full School Committee for a vote. A Public Hearing and Special School Committee meeting will be arranged to vote on the FY11 Budget.
At the June 1 meeting, Dr. Salovardos reported that projected FY11 Circuit Breaker reimbursements for Special Education tuition have decreased from 40% to between 24% and 25%. This translates to an approximate $94,000 reduction for Gardner for FY11.
Ms. Goguen requested that a kiln at GHS be declared surplus and disposed of. This will be voted on under Item 1962. Chartwells representatives presented a financial update of the food services program and gave two $500 scholarship checks for graduating GHS students.
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 Subcommittee did not meet.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring’s report outlined federal accountability requirements in the area of Special Education. A congratulatory letter from the State Director of Special Education for “significant gains made over the past academic year, meeting the criteria for Level I” was received on June 2. Gardner has moved to the highest level for 2009-2010.
The Level I determination for 2009-2010 means that “outcomes for the district as a whole or for its students with disabilities give a general indication that positive performance outcomes are either currently happening or likely to happen without specific technical assistance or intervention from ESE”.
She congratulated Dr. Salovardos and all the Special Education staff for their hard work to reach Level I.
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
Nicholas Magalhaes, Student Representative to the School Committee, was not present this evening.
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1905I – Oral Reports from Administration
Dr. John Salovardos, Director of Special Education, presented a Special Education Report. The PowerPoint presentation outlined I.D.E.A. (Individual with Disabilities Act) which is a Federal Law that regulates services for over 6.5 million students in the United States. In Gardner the Special Education Department’s (SPED) philosophy is that there are no special education students, only general education students receiving services through SPED. The goal is to give students modifications and endear them with skills/strategies so that they can manage the curriculum.
Item 1906I– K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on June 11. Mrs. Scanlon was present to answer questions.
Item 1907I– Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on June 11. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1908I- Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
June 11. Dr. Salovardos presented his report under Item 1905I.
Item 1909I– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
June 11. Ms. Goguen was present to answer questions.
Item 1910I – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on June 11. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
Item 1952A – Gardner High School Improvement Plan
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the Gardner High School Improvement Plan for school year 2010-2011.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Item 1953A – Gardner Middle School Improvement Plan
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the Gardner Middle School Improvement Plan for school year 2010-2011.
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
Item 1954A – Elm Street School Improvement Plan
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the Elm Street School Improvement Plan for school year 2010-2011.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Item 1955A – Helen Mae Sauter School Improvement Plan
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the Helen Mae Sauter School Improvement Plan for school year 2010-2011.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1956A – Waterford Street School Improvement Plan
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the Waterford Street School Improvement Plan for school year 2010-2011.
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1960 – Second Reading of Policies
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and Policy Subcommittee to accept for a second reading Policy GCBA, Professional Staff Salary Schedules.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Item 1961 – School Committee Schedule of Meetings
Mr. LaFreniere moved to accept the School Committee Schedule of Meetings for the 2010-2011 school year as presented.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1962 – Declaration of Surplus Property
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee to declare one (1) kiln at Gardner High School as surplus property for the purpose of disposal as it is no longer functioning and is not repairable. The kiln has no value.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Comments
Mrs. Bailey said that she attended graduation exercises at Prospect Street School. It was amazing.
Ms. Wilson thanked all the residents who came out this evening to speak to the School Committee members. She agrees that sports are part of the educational process. She requested that an item be placed on the next School Committee agenda reallocating the $125,000 which was voted to pursue roofing projects with alternative energy with Massachusetts School Building Authority. These funds could save the sports program at the Middle School and the music teacher at Elm Street School. She also attended the Prospect Street School graduation exercise.
Mayor Hawke said that Item 1957 as voted at the May 10, 2010 School Committee meeting will be brought back to the School Committee for reconsideration.
Mr. Tassone thanked the retiring teachers for their dedication to the students. He thanked those who spoke tonight. He said no one wants to take away sports or music and that guidance counselors are needed.
Mr. Vance thanked everyone who came out tonight to speak to the School Committee. It is encouraging to see people in the City who are vocal – sports and music are important.
Mr. LaFreniere thanked the students, parents, and athletes who came to speak tonight. He also said that the feasibility study voted for under Item 1957 is a possible way of getting funds from the State for repairs that are seriously needed for the school roofs. He complimented Dr. Salovardos on a great report.
Mayor Hawke said that the City has a lot of needs for an aging school building inventory. He gave the ages of the school buildings and said there is an endless list of Capital Improvement needs. He said that sports are important but that maintenance of school buildings is also important. He urged people to contact their State representatives and Senators regarding the need for more funding for schools.
ADJOURNMENT
Mrs. Bailey moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere.
Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
John LaFreniere, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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