Education Options Review Committee, May 24, 2017
HOLDEN EDUCATION OPTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
May 24, 2017
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Brian Allen, Tom Curran, Liam Dempsey, Christopher Larsen, Susan Sullivan, Lauren Salmon-Garrett
Not present: Tim Ethier, Laura Puleo, Kristin Turner
Chair Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm.
1. Approval of Minutes - April 4, 2017
Motion by Mr. Allen, seconded by Ms. Salmon-Garrett, it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE APRIL 4,2017 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
Ms. Salmon-Garrett highlighted her visit to the school council meeting at Mayo Elementary School. The school council highlighted the need for technology and extra staffing. The principal at Mayo is in her first year and was surprised that the teachers did not have a mobile technology device (tablet or laptop). The teachers at Mayo highlighted the lack of professional development; one teacher noted that she had to spend money out of pocket to attend conferences because the district could not afford it.
Mr. Dempsey highlighted his visit to the school council meeting at Davis Hill Elementary School. The school council's primary concern was maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and grounds but that technology was also an area in which they felt additional funding would help. Davis Hill serves as a central meeting place for the administrators for all district schools and that upkeep of the building is both a point of pride for the staff
Chair Sullivan highlighted her visit to the school council meeting at Dawson Elementary School. Technology was the school council's primary concern (particularly the need for more Chromebook carts) but also noted that maintenance of the building is a concern. The school can only test one grade at a time for MCAS because of lack of technology and classroom space. They also noted for staffing needs that a reading specialist, counselor, librarian and technology teacher would be their most urgent staffing needs.
The general consensus across school councils for the elementary schools was that the quality of education is high and that the administrators and teachers are proud of the jobs they can do with what funding they have but that they would certainly appreciate more funding.
Tom Curran entered the meeting at 6:49pm
There was a general discussion about the legality of proceedings at town meeting in regards to a number for the school budget being presented that was lower than the school committee's submitted budget. The school committee's budget was eventually passed at the end of town meeting with the town budget.
Dr. Larsen discussed the regional agreement and the potential outcome of a number of towns leaving the school district as opposed to the committee's previous review of solely Holden leaving the district. Vice Chair Allen mentioned the possibility of changing the committee's final report to suggest we recommend with other district towns to dissolve the district and regional agreement and form a new district with those other towns.
The committee discussed various ideas for how to dissolve the district under the regional agreement.
Motion by Mr. Dempsey, seconded by Vice Chair Allen it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATION #2 OF THE FINAL REPORT
3. Review of Draft of Possible Mini-Grant Recommendation
Motion by Mr. Dempsey, seconded by Dr. Larsen by it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATION #4 (MINI-GRANT RECOMMENDATION) OF THE FINAL REPORT
Motioned by Vice Chair Allen, seconded by Mr. Dempsey it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATION #3 OF THE FINAL REPORT
4. Old Business
Chair Sullivan summarized her discussion with the superintendent regarding the Holden Pupil Population Study Taskforce. That committee is not set to reconvene until additional data is available.
5. New Business
Dr. Larsen will draft a recommendation regarding the committee’s recommendation that a committee similar to the Education Options Review Committee be assigned to assess the quality of education at Wachusett Regional High School in the same manner as the committee reviewed the Holden schools. Dr. Larsen will submit the draft for review prior to the next committee meeting.
6. Citizens’ Address
No citizens present for citizens' address
7. Next Meeting to be Scheduled
June 7th
6:30pm
Location TBD
8. Adjournment
Motion by Vice Chair Allen, seconded by Dr. Larsen it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MAY 24, 2017 EDUCATION OPTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING AT 7:49 PM