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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINAL Minutes SC RAAS 10.1.13.pdf FINAL Approved 10.29.13 OPEN SESSION MINUTES MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE With the Regional Agreement Amendment Subcommittee(RAAS) OCTOBER 1,2013 6 30 PM PAUL REVERE ROOM,MINUTEMAN HIGH SCHOOL Present. Alice DeLuca,Chair(Stow) Kemon Taschioglou(Lincoln) Jeff Stulin,Vice-Chair(Needham) Jack Weis(Belmont)(amved 6 37 pm) Came Flood, Secretary(Concord) Mary Ellen Castagno(Wayland)(left at 8 20 pm) Ford Spalding(Dover)(arrived 6 34 pm,left at 8 30 pm) David Horton(Lexington) Cheryl Mahoney(Boxborough) Dan Mazzola(Lancaster)(arrived 6 34 pm) Judy Taylor(Carlisle) Doug Gillespie(Weston) Nancy Banks(Acton)(left at 8 30 pm) Absent: Laura Morrissette(Arlington),Dave Manjarrez(Sudbury),David O'Connor(Bolton) Others Present: Ed Bouquillon,Elizabeth Rozan,Kevin Mahoney,Ernie Houle,Bill Blake,Kevin Lynn, John Pelletier, Steve Hemman,Steve Donovan,Ed Lenox,Carl Valente,Mary Ann Williams,Dan Matthews,Charlie Foskett,Bob McLaughlin,Jerry Lerman,Neil Hesler,Nancy Pierce,Joe Scali,Margone Daggett 1 Call to Order. Open Session The School Committee Chair called meeting to order at 6 30 PM and then passed the meeting over to Carrie Flood, who also serves as Chair of Regional Agreement Amendment Subcommittee She explained that discussion of the draft amendments to the Regional Agreement was the only item on the agenda,and she offered some ground rules for the discussion 2. Regional Agreement Amendment Subcommittee Introductions Introductions were made around the table As background for the discussion,the Superintendent explained the grant under which this Subcommittee functioned,and that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has been apprised of developments along the way Process and Subcommittee Recommendations Steve Hemman expressed thanks to all those who served on this Subcommittee,noting the focus on arriving at a friendlier agreement that emphasizes District sustainability He reviewed the features in the Draft Agreement, highlighting weighted voting,right to withdraw,4-year averaging of enrollment share, apportionment of annual operating costs,current debt,new debt,and conditions for new members He pointed out the importance of looking at the agreement as a whole package,and noted that there were many trade-offs and compromises made along the way He pointed out areas where special legislation may be needed,with the cooperation of DESE,and that DESE has some concerns with precedent setting components The rationale for these items was discussed,and questions were raised for clarity How the voting weight would be determined,the need to create balance in relation to the number of students a member town sends,the need for fairness and proportional influence,simulation of weighted voting,and the ease with which this could be done with current technology were some of the items discussed Towns that currently use weighted voting in relation to elected or appointed bodies was also raised Steve Hemman pointed out that the School Committee can determine the way they want it to be done Intergovernmental Agreement It was clarified that this option would give the Distnct flexibility,and that it would necessitate a change in the admissions policy It was clarified that DESE is still reviewing their concerns about precedent setting It was noted that this component would be separate from the Regional Agreement,as a policy of the District,although presented for consideration simultaneously It was explained that these agreements would be between the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen of a town,or the Mayor,in the case of a city It was explained that the impact on individual towns could not yet be determined with certainty,but that these agreements would allow the District to be better off than it is now,as currently,the situation is unworkable 1 Considerations of future vs the present,enticements,out of district tuition, apportionment of costs,and concerns about students being refused because a town didn't have an agreement were raised It was noted that the District does not have to admit every student,but that this is new ground, and DESE has some concerns Steve Herrman urged not going forward until DESE has a comfort level with the withdrawal,debt,and Intergovernmental Agreement pieces Before the School Committee moved into general discussion of the proposals, Carl Valente gave a summary of the efforts over the last few years to work with the Town Managers on agreeing to a Capital Apportionment Formula that looks at enrollment,wealth/ability to pay, and has all contributing He explained that a number of scenarios were reviewed,and consensus was reached on a three part formula weighted with 50%on enrollment,34%on wealth,and 16%equally shared(1%for each community) The large variation in student costs was raised,as was the"double whammy"for small towns with the 1%and a minimum of 5 students It was pointed out that this agreement addresses the governance issues,and facilitates new communities joining in the future It was also noted that the right to withdraw is an essential element in the view of the RAAS,and that time is of the essence in these amendments,given the Building Project It also was pointed out that some towns have serious concerns about the Capital Assessment Model,and how the wealth factor plays into the numbers The Superintendent commended the work of the RAAS,noting that despite different voices and opinions,the focus was on sustainability for the District for a number of years to come,and solidifying changes that will serve kids in the long term He felt it was good agreement,and he pointed out the impact on taxpayers in the communities as being between$16-100 on a tax bill He called attention to Senate Bill 228,noting that it goes hand in hand with the Regional Agreement,and with the Building Project He expressed that he was honored to work with the Subcommittee on this effort There was a discussion about the legal process going forward for approval Ed Lenox suggested that it is not legally complicated DESE is involved up front,the document is presented to all town Meetings,and passage is sought next Spring,with grassroots effort and education,and a possible implementation by July,2014 Bob McLaughlin thought it would be more complicated than that,given the need for a Special Act,and that Spring,2014 was unlikely Clarity in the legislative process was raised,so as not to usurp the authority of the towns Steve Hemman clarified that the Agreement needs DESE approval,then filing for Special Acts simultaneously with Town Meeting votes General Discussion It was determined that looking at the document as a whole would be more effective than section by section People shared their appreciation for the work done to date,and their willingness to do the work to try to get it passed Town Managers/Adminstrators and Boards of Selectmen need to be informed so they can signal support It was pointed out that there has been no feedback from some communities,and a concern was raised that there might be some complaints hiding in the background The Superintendent offered that he and the Assistant Superintendent are available to attend meetings with various town people to explain the material in depth The Chair of the School Committee pointed out that this is the closest the District has come to a sustainable revision to the Agreement,and that these efforts have built on what was done before She noted that what will be left is a document that should have as few problems as possible in it She expressed her concern about potential instability a withdrawal could create,or the possible cascade effect of withdrawing She noted that her interest is rooted in making vocational education available to students who want it,and ensuring a fail safe way to prevent a massive dissolution of the District Bob McLaughlin explained the solution of relieving the OPEB and Pension liability as a wash with the absence of any credit for a share of district assets upon the potential withdrawal of a member Dan Matthews suggested that if the integrity of the school was at issue,the Commissioner would step in He emphasized that a precondition to joining is understanding that withdrawal is possible It was noted that some smaller towns might consider withdrawing if a new Regional Agreement and the Intergovernmental Agreement option were both in place The importance of S228 in offsetting future capital costs to district members and withdrawal sections of the agreement were pointed out With capital costs more widely shared,there is more of an incentive for communities to send more students It was pointed out that capital costs are 2 tough for smaller towns,but to create a 21st century sustainable district,a new facility and new students are needed, and with that per student costs would drop It was noted that educational benefits create the viability of the District, and that a new building itself is an incentive,as it would be seen as a beautiful place to be educated in The discussion evolved around what is needed to get Finance Committees and Selectmen engaged in the process It was suggested that rather than sending a spreadsheet with numbers,it would be best for the Superintendent to develop a package that explains multiple benefits The representative from one of the smaller towns expressed concern that the Agreement left them with a diluted vote and a raised assessment While the Agreement as a whole was good,the 5 student minimum served to penalize small towns A visitor from Carlisle noted that he was disappointed that the Agreement doesn't allocate out-of-district costs, he expressed that he would advocate for a fair apportionment of costs Steve Hemman explained that leaving the specifics out of the Agreement leaves more room for flexibility It was noted that DESE does control some things,and the Agreement is timed with the capital project,and that the cost issue needs to be addressed It was also pointed out that fixing the agreement is a critical first step,and that it offers a firm base upon which the Intergovernmental Agreement can be added,then the discussion about school size,then the discussion about the Building Project Next stens for RAAS and SC There was discussion about whether the RAAS should meet on October 7,as tentatively scheduled, to tie up loose ends with the Agreement,and it was determined that the RAAS would meet at 4 00 PM on that day An update will be presented at the October 8 regular School Committee meeting,however no vote on the Agreement is expected at that time,as Steve Hemman does not expect to have official feedback from DESE officials in time This perhaps would be on the November or December agenda There was also discussion about the School Committee's charge to the RAAS,and whether the group should continue in its current form or be reconfigured The Superintendent pointed out that communication and outreach is a big part of the next step,and that he is planning to work with the newly established Communications Task Force to develop a strategy,and that perhaps the next step for some members of the RAAS group would be to join that Task Force He then referred to number of upcoming meetings that have been established to begin to educate the public about the multiple efforts underway 3. Adjournment Carrie Flood thanked all in attendance for their serious consideration of the issues and the meeting was adjourned at 8 45 PM Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Rozan Carrie Flood District School Committee Assistant Secretary 3