Education Options Review Committee, March 22, 2017

HOLDEN EDUCATION OPTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

March 22, 2017

6:30PM                                                                                                               Starbard Building

Present: Brian Allen, Tom Curran, Tim Ethier, Susan Sullivan, Kristin Turner, Lauren Salmon-Garrett, Christopher Larsen

Not present: Liam Dempsey, Laura Puleo

Chair Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:38pm.

1. Approval of Minutes – February 15, 2017

Motion by Vice Chair Allen, seconded by Ms. Salmon-Garrett it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 15, 2017  EDUCATION OPTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES BY A VOTE OF 4-0-1 (Larsen: abstain)

2. Review of Information Garnered from Holden School Councils RE: Current Status of Holden Education

Chair Sullivan updated the committee regarding her discussion with Superintendent McCall.  After meetings with the select boards the Superintendent was concerned about some of the questions proposed by the committee to bring to the councils as there is concern that the 4.6% budget voted on by the School Committee may not pass 4/5 towns.  There was some discussion about the budget, what was included in it, and the town specific increases.

The committee discussed whether or not the school councils should still be interviewed. The committee agreed that in keeping our charge from the Select Board we must meet with the committees to make our report to the select board complete.

The committee discussed changes to the questions to be mindful of Superintendent McCall’s concerns.  In response to this it was decided that the committee will review the questions and return to the next meeting with revised question lists for approval prior to meeting with the school councils.  The questions will be sent to Superintendent McCall as well – as they will be changed.

3. Review of the First Draft of Final Report of the Committee

Chair Sullivan passed out copies of the DRAFT report.  After a brief discussion the committee decided to edit the document and bring those edits to the next meeting.

4. Old Business

Selectman Ethier asked that any members free to attend the next Select Board meeting on April 3 at 6:30 at Memorial Hall attend to answer any questions – as the committee is on the agenda for that meeting.  There was then discussion as to getting the recommendations of the committee on the warrant for Town Meeting through the Select Board.  It’s unclear if the report and meetings with the school councils will be complete before Town Meeting as the committee would like to meet with the councils prior to completing the final report.  The hope of the committee was that if the 4.6% budget is approved in Holden, the recommendation for the stabilization fund may be approved as well, in case the other towns do not pass the first budget. 

5. New Business

No New Business.

6. Citizens’ Address

No citizens present for Citizens’ Address

7. Next meeting to be scheduled

Tuesday April 4, 2017

6:30pm

Memorial Hall

8. Adjournment

Motion by Vice Chair Allen, seconded by Ms. Salmon-Garrett it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE March 22, 2017 EDUCATION OPTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING AT 7:35 PM