BILLERICA SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MEETING
Monday, October 17, 2011
M I N U T E S
A regular meeting of the Billerica School Committee was held on Monday, October 17, 2011 in the Maureen Collins Rea Lecture Hall, Billerica Memorial High School. Present: Maryann Harring Laurendeau, Chair; Joanne Barry, Vice Chair; Dan Cugno, Secretary; Members, Marie Blanchette and Kim Conway. Present for School Administration: William Ryan, Superintendent, Deanne Galdston, Assistant Superintendent, Instruction and Tim Piwowar, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance/Operations.
Maryann Harring Laurendeau called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion: Blanchette seconded Barry to approve the Minutes as written for the October 3, 2011 meeting. Voted unanimously.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
Motion: Cugno seconded Conway to approve Warrant 1206 in the amount of $861,919.48. Voted unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
PARKER SCHOOL UPDATE – Mr. Ryan reported that we had three finalists for the position of Parker School Principal. The first Billerica site visit and interview was held today. We have two more site visits and 2 more interviews scheduled for October 20 and 24 in the Town Hall Auditorium. After the final interview a quick decision will be made as to a replacement at the Parker School.
TOWN MEETING – Town Meeting went better than expected. Tim Piwowar did a great job in answering and handing Town Meeting member questions. All the school Articles passed.
Marie Blanchette requested from Tim a list of all events on repairs and dates scheduled.
PARKER SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT – Some workers have been holding signs stating “is the Parker School safe”. Today they placed flyers on cars in the parking lot of the Parker School. Checking with legal to see if they made any violations. The issues that they are referring to have been investigated and taken care of. Everything is being done by MSBA requirements.
MSEC- The Board of Directors met and has elected an Interim Director. An audit will be done and a Memorandum of Understanding has been approved and anything that is approved would have to have the approval of the DESE Commissioner. An ad will be going out for a Business Director, the two Co-Directors have resigned.
NEW BUSINESS ITEMS:
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Concussion Policy – This is the first reading of the policy. Policy will be reviewed a total of three times before approval. Carole Butze and Dave Lezenski were at the meeting to present the first reading.
Some discussion took place on equipment used by students in various sports and if they met the requirements. Mr. Lezenski stated that the football helmets could be used by NFL players. All equipment meets standards.
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ROTC Program Billerica Memorial High School – Mr. Soraghan, Principal reported that this program is a shared program with Bedford. Currently we have 2 instructors and have two sections which serve 47 students. Program has many activities and some thought about opening the rifle range (pellet gun) at the high school. The Air Force supplies the uniforms and will provide a lock box for the rifles. This program has gone over very well. They may start a drill team and present colors at various activities.
Maryann Harring Laurendeau asked the ratio of male/female in the program. Mr. Soraghan stated he would check and report back.
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Middlesex Community College Early College Program – Mr. Soraghan reported that this program has 29 students, 1 BMHS teacher and 2 adjunct professors for Middlesex. All twenty-nine students are enrolled in all three classes.
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Credit Recovery – Summer School Program – Steve Bottari, Guidance Director that this pilot program was a success. A total of 75 students were enrolled and 67 graduated with success. Three students were seniors who would not have graduated. Total tuition received was $19,075 and an estimated $6,000 was stipends for teachers. This program would be a five year commitment totaling $64,000.
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Full Day Kindergarten Program – Deanne Galdston reported that a total 157 students were enrolled in the full day kindergarten program. One hundred and twenty (120) are tuition based students. Sixteen are in the half day program to keep the program balanced. Total kindergarten enrollment is 378.
Marie Blanchette asked for a comparison this year/last year on this program
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Class Enrollment – Deanne Galdston went over the October class size. She stated that this would be done again in January. The committee asked that an eye be kept on the numbers in grade 4 especially at the Ditson.
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Budget Summary – Tim Piwowar went over the new budget summary sheet. This is the first time it has been presented and he requested that if the committee wanted any changes to let him know. He explained the columns and the whys for the transfers. He stated that they are changing some things and making sure that things come out of the correct budgets.
Bill Ryan, Superintendent stated this is a good tool. We are in good shape for FY12.
Kim Conway asked about students who were not able to get into Shawsheen and then went to Minuteman. If we are not School Choice is this acceptable. Is there any appeal process. Tim Piwowar stated there is an appeal process and we lost.
Some discussion took place regarding iPads vs. textbooks. Where is Billerica? Deanne Galdston stated we are looking at it. Some districts have started, we don’t want to be the pioneers, and things change. We are looking at three years.
Discussion took place regarding facilities and exploring hiring and electrician and plumber to cut costs in contracted services. Tim stated that this was being looked but the start up costs for year one would be high. There may be talk with the Town to work together on this.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Bill Ryan, Interim Superintendent read a portion of a letter received from Salem on how well behave Billerica students were at a presentation.
District Attorney Leone’s Truancy letter will be sent to all elementary school parents. This letter addresses attendance and truancy issues.
Free and Reduced Lunch Surveys – Two iPads were awarded one to a Marshall student and another to a Kennedy student. A total of 868 surveys were received. To date we have received 1250 applications.
MSBA – Statement of Interest Letter regarding $60M in lab initiatives for science labs.
SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH:
Maryann Harring Laurendeau stated 3 RFP’s were received. She called to check on references and NESDEC references were very positive. One firm was not eligible because not all information required was on the RFP. Other firm’s references were not positive.
Kim Conway asked why MASC did not submit. Mr. Ryan stated that he received a call the RFP was too involved.
Motion: Blanchette seconded Conway to interview the two firms. Motion failed 0-5
Motion: Blanchette seconded Barry to interview NESDEC. Voted unanimously.
Tentative date for interview with NESDEC is scheduled for October 27 at 6:00 P.M.
Tim will make a call to NESDEC.
APPOINTMENTS:
Maryann Harring Laurendeau appointed herself and Kim Conway to serve on the Budget Ad Hoc Committee. She appointed Dan Cugno to serve on the Facilities Sub Committee.
COVERAGE OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Discussion took place on location and day for coverage by BATV for School Committee meetings. Mr. Ryan stated that he spoke with Mr. Curran, Town Manager and that Room 210 could be used on Wednesday. Selectmen have their meetings on Mondays. Maryann Harring Laurendeau stated that the meetings have always been held in the Lecture Hall maybe something could be done and School Committee meetings could be moved temporarily if work needs to be done.
Dan Cugno stated that this was visited before. He will contact Sam Sauerman, BATV, Mr. Kevin Conway, and Cable Committee regarding wiring of the Lecture Hall.
OPEN DISCUSSION:
Mike Ashe stated that it was previously mentioned that the Marshall Auditorium could be wired. This would be advantageous to the repairs at the Marshall.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: Blanchette seconded Barry to adjourn at 8:00 P.M. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. Fran O’Donnell
Recording Secretary
Mr. Dan Cugno
Secretary
