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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINAL OS Minutes 1.8.13.pdf FINAL Approved 2 12 13 MINUTES MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING JANUARY 8,2013 7 00 PM PAUL REVERE ROOM,MINUTEMAN HIGH SCHOOL Present: Alice DeLuca,Chair(Stow) Kemon Taschioglou(Lincoln) Jeff Stulin,Vice-Chair(Needham) Laura Morrissette(Arlington) Came Flood, Secretary(Concord) Dore Hunter(Acton) Ford Spalding(Dover) Jack Weis(Belmont) Cheryl Mahoney(Boxborough)(arrived at 7 29 pm) Mary Ellen Castagno(Wayland) Bella Wong(Weston) David Horton(Lexington) David Manjarrez(Sudbury) Daniel Mazzola(Lancaster) David O'Connor(Bolton) Student Representative Solomon Rubin Absent Don Rober(Carlisle)(arrived at 9 06 pm,during Executive Session) Others Present Ed Bouquillon,Elizabeth Rozan,Ernie Houle,Kevin Mahoney,Kris Luoto,Diane Dempsey, Sheila Nagle,Gene DiPaolo,Julie Kremer,Rachel Gammian,Marjorie Daggett,John Donato,John Pelletier,and Attorney Matt Tobin(arrived at 7 45 pm) 1 CALL TO ORDER OPEN SESSION The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7 00 pm,after which a member announced that he was recording the meeting After acknowledging the new year,congratulations were extended to Ms Momssette,as the victor in the Gingerbread House contest 2 PUBLIC COMMENT There was no Public Comment 3 STUDENT REPORT,Solomon Rubin The student representative gave a brief report,noting that the students were just back from vacation,the winter sports season has kicked off,and that preparation for the Skills USA leadership competition is underway 4 SUPERINTENDENT REPORT,Dr Bouquillon, Superintendent a. Field Trip Approval. FFA to State Convention,Sturbridge,MA March 11-13,2013 The Superintendent called attention to the FFA Field Trip request for approval,noting the longevity of the FFA,and that this year,there is a larger group participating He affirmed that this trip complies with the School Committee policies on overnight field trips,and the following vote was taken ACTION 2013#1 Moved(Castagno)and seconded(Flood) To approve attendance at the FFA State Convention in Sturbridge,MA,March 11-13,2013 Vote. Unanimous,with 14 members present b. Calendar 2013-14 The Superintendent called attention to the proposed calendar,and it was explained that because of the way the dates fall this year,there is a 2 week break in December,representing a potential energy savings Pnncipal Houle noted that he has discussed the schedule with the Parents Association A member referred to the June 6 graduation date, and inquired about the cost of renting the Lowell Auditorium It was explained that the cost is approximately $5,000,and due to the timing of the graduation and the size of the venue,this was deemed to be the best option The member noted that this,plus the cost of the buses,represented a large sum,that there were other options to save the money and use it for something else that would benefit the students Another member suggested that the dates of the December break in the explanatory detail be clarified to better reflect the two week break The following vote was then taken ACTION 2013#2 Moved(Hunter)and seconded(Morrissette) To approve the 2013-14 School Calendar as presented Vote: 13 in favor, 1 abstention,with 14 members present c. Mass.Life Sciences Center Grant The Superintendent reported that he was very pleased that Minuteman received$134K from the Mass Life Sciences Center Grant He explained that this grant was established by Governor Patrick to improve efforts in biotech, pharmacology,and economic development d. Regionalization Grant The Superintendent reported that he was also pleased that Minuteman received$50K from the Regionalization Grant He explained that the Deparlcnent of Elementary and Secondary Education received$3 3 M in requests,and Minuteman was one of the 10 applicants to receive an award He also explained that the funds need to be expended by June 30,2013,and he will work with the Mass Association of Regional Schools(MARS) in implementing the grant A member offered congratulations for this success in the highly competitive environment He noted that it speaks to the importance of the work,and that he is looking forward to hearing more In response to questions,the Superintendent clarified that MARS is a part of the consulting services that will be used to begin the analysis,and that milestones in the grant proposal will be the guide He noted that he will report to the School Committee periodically,with the Finance Subcommittee looking at specific issues He noted there is no required matching tied to this grant e. Minuteman Parents Association Report Co-Chairs Rachel Ganimian and Julie Kremer referred to the packet they had distributed,which included 2011-12 accomplishments,2012-13 goals,and information about their 2013 Comedy Night Fundraiser scheduled for March 23,featuring comedian Jimmy Tingle(see Attachment A) They extended thanks to the Superintendent for reinstating the 3 30 pm buses on Tuesday(and Thursday later in the year) They noted that donations are being accepted for their on-line Bidding for Good auction,which will be live in about two weeks,and they described details of their senior scholarship,including their sliding scale membership dues A member commended them for the amazing change in the MPA,and for all the things they do for the school Another member noted that when Jimmy Tingle was master of ceremonies at a fundraising event for the orgamzation she works for,they overshot their fundraising goal for the evening by 30% She wished the Parents Association similar success Another member noted that he has attended Comedy Night in the past and enjoyed the highly spirited event 5 BUILDING REPORT,Ford Spalding a Update on Designer Selection Process Mr Spalding's report included a summary of activities to date He explained that he has sent out an update communication to a wide range of stakeholders in the Minuteman community,and that the process is in the Designer Selection phase of Module 2 on MSBA's timeline,and it is being led by Mary Ann Williams of Skanska He noted that a Designer Selection Subcommittee of the School Building Committee,consisting of 5 members of the School Building Committee was established,and that an RFS for a designer was submitted and requested by approximately 39 designers A site visit is scheduled for Thursday January 10,and the deadline for submitting proposals is January 18 He explained that the Subcommittee's review period is January 25-February 19 On February 19, there will be a meeting with MSBA to review the designer applications and vote on the preferred designer based on rankings He noted that a website is being developed,which will contain all information related to the project,and people can sign up to be part of the list serve to receive alerts whenever new information is included He emphasized that it is extremely important that all 16 communities be involved The goal is to adhere to a process that is both transparent and in compliance with MSBA requirements,while protecting all town interests so that 16 towns can vote yes on the project [Ms Mahoney arrived at 7 29 pm] b. School Building Committee Membership A vote was requested to add Kevin Mahoney,Assistant Superintendent of Finance, as a voting member of the School Building Committee A member asked of Mr Mahoney whether he thought the current tuition enrollment was appropriate for the school Mr Mahoney responded that since tuition is used to fund the budget,it is financially appropriate The following vote was then taken ACTION 2013#3 Moved(Stulin)and seconded(Hunter) To appoint Kevin Mahoney as voting member of the School Building Committee Vote: 12 in favor,2 opposed,with 1 abstention,with 15 members present The report was concluded with the announcement of the next School Building Committee meeting on January 14, 2013 at 5 00 pm Thanks were extended for the thorough report 6 BUDGET REPORT,Jeff Stulin a.Presentation of FY 14 Budget The Chair of the Finance Subcommittee reported that the Subcommittee has been meeting,and that he is pleased with the process He explained the main drivers of the budget as being a 10%enrollment increase,additional SPED costs,changes in the Business Office staffing,the hiring of a Technology Plan leader,the building issues (particularly the roof),and a significant contribution to the stabilization fund for future building needs He reviewed 4 reports distributed at table(Attachment B) 1 FY 14 Budget v 3 0-Change in Expenditure Budget FY 13-FY 14 Proposed 2 FY 14 Budget Superintendent Review v 3 0 -Expenditure Summary by Function Code 3 FY 14 Budget-List of Possible Capital Repairs/Improvements 4 FY 14 Preliminary Estimated Revenue Plan v 3 0 Discussion included questions and explanations about the enrollment increase driver,personnel cuts in 4 areas, Medicaid reimbursements,the deadlines for writing town reports,and receiving assessment detail with projected stabilization amounts The percentage change in reliance on current year tuition was explained in the context of the School Committee goals and the timing of tuition fund receipt and expenditure The trend in decreasing Ch 71 regional transportation reimbursement was also noted,and it was suggested that members let it be known to their legislative representatives that this matters A request was made for data on daily road miles through the bus company It was pointed out that over all there is a 7 5%increase in next year's budget,but that 1/3 of this reflects increase in capital related to the building and the stabilization fund Operationally,the increase is under 5%,which is consistent with last year The assessments reflect a 3 8%change over last year Thanks were extended to the Finance Subcommittee members It was noted that the limited comments suggest a better clarity in reports over the last few years Thanks were also extended to the administration for considering the recommendations of the Finance Subcommittee The report was concluded with the announcement of the January 22 budget hearing and vote on the budget 7 NEW BUSINESS No items were raised under New Business 8 and 9 POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE SESSION Indicating that there was as a need for an Executive Session for two purposes,the Chair entertained a motion and the following roll call vote was then taken ACTION 2103#4 Moved(Stulin)and seconded(Hunter) To enter into Executive Session Pursuant to Purpose 1 (MGL c 30A,s 21 (a)(1)),to follow up on progress related to considering complaints or charges against a public officer,employee,staff member,or individual,and pursuant to Purpose 7(M G L c 30A, Section21(a)(7))to comply with or act under the authority of a Massachusetts General Law by receiving legal advice from counsel protected from disclosure under Massachusetts General Law with the relevant citations of law being MGL c 4,Section 7,clause twenty-sixth,MGL c 30A,s 21 (a)(1),and MGL c 30A, Section 22(f),and Pursuant to Purpose 3 (M G L c 30A,Section 21(a)(3)),to discuss strategy with respect to litigation which is demonstrably likely regarding a claim by a contractor,Ovus Ater,when an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the District,and pursuant to Purpose 7(M G L c 30A, Section21(a)(7) ) to comply with or act under the authority of a Massachusetts General Law by receiving legal advice from counsel protected from disclosure under Massachusetts General Law with the relevant citations of law being MGL c 4, Section 7,clause twenty-sixth,MGL c 30A, Section 21(a)(3), and MGL c 30A, Section 22(f),and not to return to Open Session,and with Dr Bouquillon,Attorney Tobin,and Ms Rozan invited to remain O'Connor yes Taschioglou yes Manjarrez no* Morrissette yes Wong yes Hunter yes Mahoney yes Weis yes Spalding yes Castagno no DeLuca yes Horton yes Stulin yes Mazzola yes Flood yes (*The member requested that the record show his no vote was due to a preference for the discussion to be held in Open Session,citing his belief that the matters to be discussed are related to professional competence) Vote 13 in favor,2 opposed,with 15 members present 10 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned from the Executive Session at 10 20 pm Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Rozan Carrie Flood District School Committee Assistant Secretary ATTACHMENTS To 1 8 13 Minutes A MPA Materials B 4 Draft Budget Reports