School Committee

ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

Library February 4, 2010

R.J. Grey Junior High School 7:00 pm Joint Executive Session

7:30 pm AB Open Meeting

Joint Budget Discussion

Acton Public School Meeting

AGENDA

I. APS/AB Joint Meeting – Executive Session (7:00)

SUSPEND APS – AB Open Meeting begins

II. CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION (7:30)

III. EDUCATION REPORT – Craig Hardimon (RJGJHS) (7:35)

Susan Root/Kate Hermon (NEASC) (7:45)

IV. STATEMENT OF WARRANT AND APPROVAL OF AB MINUTES OF

JANUARY 7, 2010 (addendum) (7:55)

V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (8:00)

1. BLF Report – Brigid Bieber (oral)

2. Recommendation that the District accept the provisions of Section 64D of Chapter 29 of the Mass General Laws, effective April 1, 2010 – VOTE – Sharon McManus (OBRA)

RESUME APS – Joint Meeting begins (8:10)

3. Approval of Joint Minutes of January 7, 2010 (addendum) and January 28, 2010 (special meeting - addendum)

4. ALG Report –Sharon McManus/Xuan Kong

a. 1/27/10 meeting agenda

b. Minutes of 1/13/10 meeting

c. ALG Model

5. FY’10 Budget Discussion – Steve Mills (8:20)

6. FY’11 Budget Discussion –Steve Mills

a. Letter from the Governor with Chapter 70 info and cherry sheets

b. Emails from citizens

7. Health Trust Report (oral) – John Petersen

8. Director of Finance Search Committee Update – Steve Mills

9. Review of District “SMART” Goals – Steve Mills (8:40)

10. July School Committee Workshop Review (9:00)

a. Minutes of 7/1/09

b. Minutes of 8/27/09

VII. NEW BUSINESS (9:15)

1. Update from Blanchard Feasibility Sub Committee - Maria Neyland

Motion: To authorize the Superintendent and his staff to work cooperatively with members of the Boxborough School Committee (and their staff) regarding information needed to evaluate the feasibility of Boxborough regionalizing with Acton, grades K-12

SUSPEND APS – AB Open Meeting continues

3. Recommendation to Approve ABRHS Choral Department/Music Trip to Costa Rica, February 19-25, 2011 – VOTE – Steve Mills

4. Recommendation to Approve ABRHS Trip to England, April 14 – 22, 2011 – VOTE – Steve Mills

5. Recommendation to Approve use of accumulated interest in the student activities account to pay the costs associated with senior year activities for those students who are unable to afford them – VOTE – Steve Mills

VIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION (9:25)

1. ABRHS Info

a. Discipline Report – January 2010

b. Spectrum – January 2010

2. RJGrey Info

a. Discipline Report – January 2010 (addendum)

3. Pupil Services Info

a. Flu Clinic update

b. OnTeam – Jan/Feb 2010

4. FY’10 Monthly ABRSD Financial Reports

a. Object Summary

b. SPED Financial (addendum)

5. ABRSD ELL Student Population – February 1, 2010 (addendum)

6. April Town Meeting Report

7. Sale and Recycle of Old Equipment and Materials memo (addendum)

8. 2009- 2010 District Profile

9. Theodore “Ted” Damko Award to Athletic Director, Steve Desy

IX. ISSUES FOR THE COMMITTEE

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)

XI. NEXT MEETINGS: February 6 – 9am - 3 pm, JH Library – School Department Budget Presentation - Joint meeting

February 25 – 7:30 pm, JH Library – Joint meeting – Open

Budget Hearing

March 4 – 7:30 pm, JH Library

XII. ADJOURNMENT (9:30)

APS MEETING (if needed)

ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

Library February 4, 2010

R.J. Grey Junior High School 7:00 pm Joint Executive Session

7:30 pm AB Open Meeting

Joint Budget Discussion

Acton Public School Meeting

AGENDA

I. APS/AB Joint Meeting – Executive Session (7:00)

SUSPEND APS – AB Open Meeting begins

II. CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION (7:30)

III. EDUCATION REPORT – Craig Hardimon (RJGJHS) (7:35)

Susan Root/Kate Hermon (NEASC) (7:45)

IV. STATEMENT OF WARRANT AND APPROVAL OF AB MINUTES OF

JANUARY 7, 2010 (addendum) (7:55)

V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (8:00)

1. BLF Report – Brigid Bieber (oral)

2. Recommendation that the District accept the provisions of Section 64D of Chapter 29 of the Mass General Laws, effective April 1, 2010 – VOTE – Sharon McManus (OBRA)

RESUME APS – Joint Meeting begins (8:10)

3. Approval of Joint Minutes of January 7, 2010 (addendum) and January 28, 2010 (special meeting - addendum)

4. ALG Report –Sharon McManus/Xuan Kong

a. 1/27/10 meeting agenda

b. Minutes of 1/13/10 meeting

c. ALG Model

5. FY’10 Budget Discussion – Steve Mills (8:20)

6. FY’11 Budget Discussion –Steve Mills

a. Letter from the Governor with Chapter 70 info and cherry sheets

b. Emails from citizens

7. Health Trust Report (oral) – John Petersen

8. Director of Finance Search Committee Update – Steve Mills

9. Review of District “SMART” Goals – Steve Mills (8:40)

10. July School Committee Workshop Review (9:00)

a. Minutes of 7/1/09

b. Minutes of 8/27/09

VII. NEW BUSINESS (9:15)

1. Update from Blanchard Feasibility Sub Committee - Maria Neyland

Motion: To authorize the Superintendent and his staff to work cooperatively with members of the Boxborough School Committee (and their staff) regarding information needed to evaluate the feasibility of Boxborough regionalizing with Acton, grades K-12

SUSPEND APS – AB Open Meeting continues

3. Recommendation to Approve ABRHS Choral Department/Music Trip to Costa Rica, February 19-25, 2011 – VOTE – Steve Mills

4. Recommendation to Approve ABRHS Trip to England, April 14 – 22, 2011 – VOTE – Steve Mills

5. Recommendation to Approve use of accumulated interest in the student activities account to pay the costs associated with senior year activities for those students who are unable to afford them – VOTE – Steve Mills

VIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION (9:25)

1. ABRHS Info

a. Discipline Report – January 2010

b. Spectrum – January 2010

2. RJGrey Info

a. Discipline Report – January 2010 (addendum)

3. Pupil Services Info

a. Flu Clinic update

b. OnTeam – Jan/Feb 2010

4. FY’10 Monthly ABRSD Financial Reports

a. Object Summary

b. SPED Financial (addendum)

5. ABRSD ELL Student Population – February 1, 2010 (addendum)

6. April Town Meeting Report

7. Sale and Recycle of Old Equipment and Materials memo (addendum)

8. 2009- 2010 District Profile

9. Theodore “Ted” Damko Award to Athletic Director, Steve Desy

IX. ISSUES FOR THE COMMITTEE

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)

XI. NEXT MEETINGS: February 6 – 9am - 3 pm, JH Library – School Department Budget Presentation - Joint meeting

February 25 – 7:30 pm, JH Library – Joint meeting – Open

Budget Hearing

March 4 – 7:30 pm, JH Library

XII. ADJOURNMENT (9:30)

APS MEETING (if needed)

5. Recommendation to Approve Use of Accumulated Interest in the Student

Activities Account – VOTE - Steve Mills

Motion: Move to approve a maximum amount of $3000 to be expended

by the High School Principal from the High School Student

Interest Account to meet the needs of seniors who are unable to

afford senior dues and prom tickets.

VIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION

2. RJ Grey Junior High Info

a. Discipline Report

4. FY10 Monthly ABRSD Financial Reports

a. Object Summary (updated)

b. SPED Financial

5. ABRSD ELL Student Population – February 1, 2010

7. Sale and Reuse of Old Equipment and Materials memo - postponed to next month

10. Wicked Local/Beacon article – Acton-Boxborough Schools Examine

Demoographics, Educational Values, Becki Harrington-Davis, 1/29/10

11. February 1, 2010 Monthly Enrollment and Class Size Info

ACTON PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

I. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Recommendation to authorize the Acton Town Manager to sign the solar

panel project contract for Douglas School – VOTE – Steve Mills

Motion: To approve the administration’s recommendation that Acton Town

Manager Stephen Ledoux, be authorized to sign the solar panel contract with

NexAmp for the Douglas School project.

a. Decision by Acton Town Meeting to authorize the Town Manager, with the

approval of the School Committee with respect to school buildings, to enter

into agreements allowing the use of Town-owned buildings for the purpose of

installing and operating solar energy facilities, April 2001

2. ALG Discussion

a. Meals Tax

b. Minuteman High School Capital Project

ACTON PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

Library January 21, 2010

R.J. Grey Junior High School 7:30 pm

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. CHAIRPERSON’S INTRODUCTION

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2009 (addendum) AND STATEMENT OF WARRANT

IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (7:40)

1. ALG Report/Acton Finance Committee Report – Xuan Kong/Sharon McManus

a. ALG 1/13/10 Meeting Agenda

b. ALG Minutes of 12/16/09 Meeting

c. ALG Spreadsheet from 1/13/10 Meeting

d. ALG Warrant Timetable from 1/13/10 Meeting

2. FY’10 Budget Update – Steve Mills (7:50)

3. FY’11 Budget – Steve Mills

a. The COPS Program and Survey – Liza Huber (7:55)

b. Bus Ridership/Student Transportation and Possible Fees – JD Head (8:10)

c. Classroom Assistants in Elementary Schools – Marie Altieri (8:35)

i. Spreadsheet

d. Joint Task Force on Cost Savings Update – Jonathan Chinitz & Xuan Kong (8:45)

4. Health Insurance Trust Report – John Petersen (oral) (8:50)

5. School Committee Liaison for each Elementary School – Xuan Kong (8:55)

6. Solar Contract re Douglas School – JD Head (9:00)

7. Reconsideration of 1/7/10 VOTE to Request that Town of Acton Adopt OBRA

(addendum) (9:05)

VI. NEW BUSINESS

1. Communications within the Community – Lamplighter (9:10)

2. Kindergarten Information Meeting Report – Marie Altieri/Sue Horn (9:15)

a. 1/12/10 Presentation Slides

3. Recommendation to Accept Gift from Community Education to Conant School – VOTE – Steve Mills

VII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION (9:25)

1. Monthly APS Financial Reports

a. Budget Status Summary

b. Budget Status Summary – SPED

2. January 1, 2010 Student Enrollment Numbers/Class Size Info

3. ESL Student Enrollment Report, 1/1/10

4. FY’09 APS School Lunch Report

5. Advertisement for Director of Finance/Treasurer, -Boston Globe 1/17/10 and 1/24/10

6. Letter from Douglas PTO Chairs re Class Size and Teaching Assistants – 1/11/10

7. Acton Community Access Television (ACAT) website and weekly schedule

8. School Newsletters –

Acton Public School Preschool: http://ab.mec.edu/Preschool/index.htm

Conant Crier: http://conant.ab.mec.edu/pto/newsletter.html

Douglas Digest: http://douglas.ab.mec.edu/index.html?pto/pto

Gates Gazette: http://gates.ab.mec.edu/gazette.html

McCarthy-Towne Bulletin: http://www.mctptso.org/bulletin/

Merriam Community News: http://merriam.ab.mec.edu/newsletters.html

VIII. ISSUES FOR THE COMMITTEE

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)

X. NEXT MEETINGS –

Educational Values Meeting - Jan 28, 7:30PM, JH Library

AB Meeting – Feb 4, 7:30PM, JH Library – Open Budget Hearing

Joint SC Budget Presentation, Feb 6, 9:00AM-3:00PM, JH Library

JT/APS Meeting with Acton and Boxborough Finance Committees – Feb 25 7:30PM, JH Lib - Open Budget Hearing

XI. ADJOURNMENT (9:40)

Office of the Superintendent

Acton Public Schools

www.ab.mec.edu

(978) 264-4700 x3211

TO: Acton Public School Committee Members

FROM: Dr. Stephen Mills

ON: January 21, 2010

RE: ADDENDUM

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2009

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. ALG Report

e. ALG Minutes of 1/13/10

3. FY’11 Budget

c. Classroom Assistants in Elementary Schools

ii. Memo from Dr. Mills

7. Reconsideration of 1/7/10 VOTE to Request that Town of Acton Adopt OBRA -

Motion: “Acton Public School endorses Chapter 29, Section 64D (OBRA) subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen.”

a. 1/22/10 Letter from Xuan Kong, Chair APS to Paulina Knibbe, Chair BOS

b. 12/2/09 Memo and materials from Tess Summers

VII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION

4. FY’09 APS School Lunch Report

a. Questions and Answers 1/21/10

9. H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic – January 25th from 3 – 6PM at Acton Town Hall

X. NEXT MEETINGS

1. Educational Values and Interest Survey Meeting – Jan 28, 7:30PM, JH Library

ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

Library January 7, 2010

R.J. Grey Junior High School 7:00 pm Joint Executive Session

7:30 pm Open Meeting

AGENDA

I. 7:00 APS/AB JOINT MEETING – Executive Session

SUSPEND APS – AB OPEN MEETING BEGINS

II. 7:30 CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION

III. 7:35 STATEMENT OF WARRANT AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3, 2009

IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

V. 7:40 EDUCATION REPORT

COPS Program Funding – Acton Police Chief Frank Widmayer

VI. 7:55 UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. ALG Report –Sharon McManus/Xuan Kong

• Minutes of 12/16/09

2. BLF Report – Brigid Bieber (oral)

3. FY’10 Budget Discussion – Steve Mills

a. FY10 Budget Reductions (same as 12/3/09 packet)

4. Athletic Budget/Corporate Sponsorship Update – Steve Desy

a. Corporate Sponsorship Handout from Steve Desy

b. ABSAF Update – ABSAF representative

c. Email from a citizen

8:15 RESUME APS – JOINT MEETING BEGINS

5. FY’11 Budget Discussion – Steve Mills

a. Impact Statements

b. FY’11 Budget Reductions

c. Memo re FTE Description

6. FY11 Update from Roger Hatch (DESE) – Steve Mills (oral)

7. Health Trust Report – John Petersen (addendum)

8. Solar Panel Update – JD Head (oral)

9. Race to the Top Program Overview – Sue Horn

VII. NEW BUSINESS

1. Search Committee – Sharon “Tess” Summers Retirement

9:15 SUSPEND APS – AB OPEN MEETING CONTINUES

2. Recommendation to Approve Baseball Trip to Pennsylvania – VOTE – Steve Mills

3. Recommendation to Accept Gift from Community Education – VOTE – Steve Mills

VIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION

1. ABRHS Info

a. Academic Decathlon Team State competition

b. Mathematics Olympiad competition

c. The Spectrum – December issue

d. Discipline Report – 12/31/09

e. Wellness Action Plan (addendum)

2. RJGrey Info

a. Discipline Report – 12/23/09

b. Wellness Action Plan (addendum)

3. Pupil Services Info

a. Flu Clinics

b. Thank You to Nurses

4. FY’10 Monthly ABRSD Financial Reports

a. Object Summary (addendum)

b. SPED Financial (addendum)

5. FY’09 AB School Lunch Report

6. ABRSD ELL Student Population – January 1, 2010

7. NESDEC Enrollment Report

8. December Lamplighter – Electronic only

IX. ISSUES FOR THE COMMITTEE

1. Changing Demographics Update (oral)

X. NEXT MEETINGS: February 4 – 7:30 pm, JH Library – Open Budget Hearing

February 25 – 7:30 pm, JH Library – Joint meeting – Open Budget Hearing

XI. ADJOURNMENT

APS MEETING (if necessary)

Office of the Superintendent

Acton Public Schools

Acton-Boxborough Regional School District

(978) 264-4700 x 3211

TO: Acton Public School Committee Members

Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee Members

FROM: Stephen Mills

ON: January 7, 2010

RE: ADDENDUM

AB MEETING:

V. EDUCATION REPORT - COPS Program Funding

1. School Resource Officers – Memo from Liza Huber

VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

3. FY10 Budget Discussion

b. FY10 Budget Reductions (replaces VI. 3.a.)

4. Athletic Budget/Corporate Sponsorship Update

d. Email from Citizen #2

e. Athletic Budget Update – Steve Desy

f. Email to PTO Chairs

JOINT MEETING:

5. FY11 Budget Discussion

d. FY11 Budget Reductions (replaces VI.5.b.)

e. FY11 Budget Totals

f. FY11 FTE Summary

g. Level 5 Reductions and Impacts

h. FY11 Proposed Personnel Cuts

i. Powerpoint Presentation Slides – Steve Mills

7. Health Insurance Trust Report – John Petersen

10. Negotiations Subcommittee Update – Terry Lindgren (oral)

VII. NEW BUSINESS

1.5 Consolidating Financial Software re: Management Letter from Borgatti

Harrison Report – John Petersen

AB MEETING:

VIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION

1. ABRHS Info

e. Wellness Action Plan

2. RJ Grey Junior High Info

b. Wellness Action Plan

c. Dragonfly Theater Dedication – January 16, 2010 at 2:00

4. FY10 Monthly ABRSD Financial Reports

a. Object Summary

b. SPED Financial

9. Acton-Boxborough Community Education Interaction- Winter 2010

10. January 1, 2010 Monthly Enrollment and Class Size Info

11. Community Ed “Instructor Showcase” – January 12th, 7 – 9PM, ABRHS Commons

APS MEETING:

XII. NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion of Social Security/the Town of Acton Adopting OBRA (Omnibus

Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) - VOTE

2. Recommendation to Accept Gift from Douglas School PTO – VOTE - Steve

Mills

XIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION

1. FY10 Monthly APS Financial Reports

a. Object Summary

b. SPED Financial

AGENDA

ACTON PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

December 17, 2009 R.J. Grey Junior High School 7:30 pm Library

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. CHAIRPERSON’S INTRODUCTION

III. APPROVAL of MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 19, 2009 AND STATEMENT OF WARRANT (see addendum)

IV PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. 7:35 Enrollment Projections Annual Report – Marie Altieri

• Discussion of Number of Sections

8:00 ALG Report/Acton Finance Committee Report

• November 18, 2009 ALG minutes

• December 16, 2009 Agenda

3. 8:05 FY’10 Budget Update – Steve Mills

4. FY’11 Budget – Steve Mills

• Preliminary FY’11 Budget

• APS Object Summary and Detail (bring with you from 12/3/09 AB packet)

• 8:30 JT Task Force on Cost Savings – Jonathan Chinitz & Xuan Kong

• Acton Warrant deadline is 12/31/09

5. 8:40 Health Trust Report – John Petersen

6 8:50 School Committee Liaison for each Elemntary School – Xuan Kong

VI. NEW BUSINESS

1. 8:55 Recommendation to Accept Gift from Yoon Jung Hur and Jinhaeng Cho to Acton Public Schools Preschool – VOTE – Steve Mills

2. 9:00 Bus Ridership/Fees – JD Head

VII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION

1. School Newsletters –

Acton Public School Preschool: http://ab.mec.edu/Preschool/index.htm

Conant Crier: http://conant.ab.mec.edu/pto/newsletter.html

Douglas Digest http://douglas.ab.mec.edu/index.html?pto/pto

Gates Gazette: http://gates.ab.mec.edu/gazette.html

McCarthy-Towne Bulletin: http://www.mctptso.org/bulletin/

Merriam Community News: http://merriam.ab.mec.edu/newsletters.html

2. ESL Student Enrollment Report, 12/1/09

3. Monthly APS Financial Reports

a. Budget Status Summary

b. Budget Status Summary – SPED (see addendum)

4. Kindergarten Registration Schedule

5. December 1, 2009 Student Enrollment Numbers/Class Size Info

6. Wellness Action Plans (See addendum)

7. H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic Backpack Letter – Clinics on 12/10 and 12/17

VIII. ISSUES FOR THE COMMITTEE

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)

X. NEXT MEETINGS - January 7, 2010 – 7 pm, RJ Grey JH Library – Joint Budget meeting, followed by AB Meeting

January 21 – 7:30 pm, R.J. Grey Junior High Library

January 23 – All-Day Budget Workshop, JH Library – to be decided.

XI. 9:15 ADJOURNMENT

RE: ADDENDUM

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 19, 2009

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

2.a. ALG Report

i. Proposal to use additional reserve to reduce the debt/COPS impact on APS

FY2011 budget

2.b. Acton Finance Committee Report

i. FinCom “Point of View” with respect to FY2011 Budget Planning

ii. FinCom “Carve Out Letter” related to employee compensation

VII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION

3. Monthly APS Financial Reports

b. Budget Status Summary – SPED

5. December 1, 2009 Student Enrollment Numbers/Class Size Info (replacing packet copy)

6. Wellness Action Plans

a. Conant

b. Douglas

c. Gates

d. McCarthy-Towne

e. Merriam

8. Social Security Withholding vs OBRA Report

SC Agenda 12-3-09

ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

APS/AB JOINT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

Library December 3, 2009

R.J. Grey Junior High School 7:00 pm Joint Executive Session

7:30 pm Open Meeting

AGENDA

I. 7:00 APS/AB JOINT MEETING – Executive Session

SUSPEND APS - AB OPEN MEETING BEGINS

II. 7:30 CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION

Superintendent’s Entry Plan Update – Steve Mills

III. 7:35 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 2009 AND NOVEMBER 5, 2009

AND STATEMENT OF WARRANT

IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

V. 7:45 EDUCATION REPORT

Athletics – Steve Desy

VI. 8:00 UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. ALG Report– Sharon McManus (oral)

2. BLF Report – Tess Summers

8:20 RESUME APS - JOINT MEETING BEGINS

3. Negotiations Subcommittee Report – Terry Lindgren

4. FY’10 Budget Update – Steve Mills

a. FY ’10 Budget Reductions

5. FY’11 Budget – Steve Mills

a. Pupil Services Budget Trends, Reductions, and Projections

b. Revised Budget Assumptions

c. Revised Budget Calendar

d. Summary of FY ’11 Budget Levels

e. FY ’11 AB Budget Summary by Admin Responsibilities

f. FY ’11 AB Budget Summary Object Budget

g. FY ’11 APS Budget Summary by Admin Responsibilities

h. FY ’11 APS Budget Summary Object Budget

i. FY ’11 Budget Reductions

j. Summary of FY ’11 Budget Scenarios

k. FY ’11 Powerpoint Presentation

6. FY’11 Superintendent’s Salary - VOTE

9:30 SUSPEND APS – AB OPEN MEETING CONTINUES

6. Health Trust Report – John Petersen

7. Anti-Bullying Task Force – Liza Huber

8. Solar Panel Update – Steve Mills/JD Head

VII. 9:35 NEW BUSINESS – CONSENT CALENDAR

1. Recommendation to Approve 2009-10 SPED Program Tuition Rates – VOTE –

Steve Mills/Liza Huber

2. Recommendation to Approve ABRHS Trip to Italy, June 2010 – VOTE – Steve Mills

3. Recommendation to Accept Artwork Gift from Mr. David Chamberlain – VOTE – Steve Mills

4. Recommendation to Accept Gift from the Acton-Boxborough Swimming Boosters Club – VOTE – Steve Mills

5. Recommendation to Accept ABRHS Gift from Qin Wang and Hua Yang – VOTE –

Steve Mills

VIII. 9:45 FOR YOUR INFORMATION

1. ABRHS Info

• Discipline Report, November 2009

2. RJGrey Junior High Info

• Discipline Report, November 2009 (addendum)

3. Spring 2009 MCAS Scores – An Instructional Plan

4. ABRSD ELL Student Population, November 2009

5. FY’10 Monthly ABRSD Financial Reports

a. Object Summary

b. SPED Financial

6. Revised School Calendar, 2010-11 (2/28/10 added as a school day)

7. Donation from the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce’s Oktoberfest

8. High School Students’ Exhibit at Acton Town Hall

9. November 1, 2009 Student Enrollment Numbers/Class Size Info

10. On Team – Nov/Dec 2009

IX. ISSUES FOR THE COMMITTEE

1. Under-funded and Un-funded Mandates

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)

XI. NEXT MEETING: January 7 - 7:30 pm, at RJ Grey JH Library

XII. 9:50 AB ADJOURNS – APS OPEN SESSION RESUMES

1. Approval of Minutes of November 5, 2009

2. School Committee Position on Use of Reserves

a. Budget Views Email to Fincom from Bob Evans

XIII. 10:15 APS ADJOURNS

Office of the Superintendent

Acton Public Schools

Acton-Boxborough Regional School District

(978) 264-4700 x 3211

TO: Acton Public School Committee Members

Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee Members

FROM: Stephen Mills

ON: December 3, 2009

RE: ADDENDUM

AB MEETING:

V. EDUCATION REPORT

1. Athletic Budget Reduction Memo

2. Citizen’s Email regarding Corporate Sponsorship

VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

7. Health Insurance Trust Report – 11/20/09 Meeting (John Petersen)

10. Recommendation to Approve ABRSD Non-Resident Tuition Rate for FY10 –

VOTE – Tess Summers

VIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION

2. R.J. Grey Junior High Info

• Discipline Report, November 2009

11. H1N1 Clinic – Liza Huber

JT APS/AB MEETING:

VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

2.5 Approval of Joint Minutes of October 1, 2009 (Within AB Minutes)

School Committee Agenda 11/19/09

ACTON PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Library November 19, 2009
McCarthy-Towne School/Parker Damon Building 7:30 p.m.

AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. CHAIRPERSON’S INTRODUCTION
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 15, 2009 AND STATEMENT OF WARRANT
IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
V. EDUCATION REPORT - McCarthy-Towne School – David Krane, Principal
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. ALG Report/Acton Finance Committee Report – Xuan Kong
� Revised Minutes for 10/21/09
• ALG Meeting Agenda for 11/18
2. BOS Update – Terry Lindgren
3. FY’10 Budget Update – Steve Mills
4. FY’11 Budget Update – Steve Mills
• APS Principals’ FY’11 Budget Requests
5. Health Trust Report – John Petersen
6. Recommendation to Approve FY’10 Integrated Preschool Tuition Rate –
VOTE – Liza Huber
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. State Petition to Relieve Unfunded Mandates per Representative Corey Atkins – list of prioritized mandates and required reports – Xuan Kong
2. Recommendation to Approve Acton Public Schools’ Tuition Rate for 2009-10
– VOTE – Tess Summers/Steve Mills
3. Recommendation to Approve 2010-2011 School Calendar – VOTE – Steve Mills
� Citizen’s Email
4. Recommendation to Accept Gifts from the Friends of the Acton Libraries –
VOTE – Steve Mills
5. Moving Forward with Capital Projects – Steve Mills/JD Head
VIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION
1. Flu Update – Liza Huber
2. ESL Student Enrollment Report – November 1
3. FY’10 Monthly APS Financial Reports
a. Budget Status Summary
b. Budget Status Summary – McCarthy-Towne
c. Budget Status Summary - SPED
4. Thanksgiving Dismissal Schedule – November 25
5. Report on Superintendent’s Health Advisory Council meeting – November 18
6. Kindergarten Registration Schedule (addendum)
7. November 1, 2009 Student Enrollment Numbers/Class Size Info (addendum)
8. Report of Professional Development Day, November 3 – Susan Horn (oral)
9. Report on Minuteman Tech Expansion Breakfast Meeting, Oct 23 – Steve Mills/Sharon McManus https://doc.acton-ma.gov/dsweb/View/Collection-2959
10. Measuring Growth in Student Performance in MCAS – Susan Horn
11. Links to School Newsletters:
Acton Public School Preschool: http://ab.mec.edu/Preschool/index.htm
Conant Crier: http://conant.ab.mec.edu/pto/newsletter.html
Douglas Digest: http://douglas.ab.mec.edu/index.html?pto/pto
Gates Gazette: http://gates.ab.mec.edu/gazette.html
McCarthy-Towne Bulletin: http://www.mctptso.org/bulletin/
Merriam Community News: http://merriam.ab.mec.edu/newsletters.html
IX. ISSUES FOR THE COMMITTEE
1. School Committee Liaison for each Elementary School – Xuan Kong
2. Long-range planning question from BOS member – Xuan Kong
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)
XI. NEXT MEETING – December 17, 7:30 pm at R.J. Grey Junior High School
XII. ADJOURNMENT

TO: Acton Public School Committee Members
FROM: Dr. Stephen Mills
ON: November 19, 2009
RE: ADDENDUM
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. ALG Report/Acton Finance Committee Report
• ALG Packet for 11/18/09
• FinCom Cost Reduction Task Force Findings – Mary Ann Ashton and Steve Noone
6. Integrated Preschool Q and A
VIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION
6. Kindergarten Registration Schedule (to be in 12/17/09 packet)
7. November 1, 2009 Student Enrollment Numbers/Class Size Info
12. Sped PAC MCAS Concerns email
13. Response to a Citizen’s Communication

ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Room 184 West (Math/Science Lecture Hall) November 5, 2009
AB Regional High School 7:30 pm
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 2009 AND STATEMENT OF
WARRANT (appendix)
IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
V. EDUCATION REPORT
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. 7:35 ALG Report– Sharon McManus
a. Agenda 10/21/09
b. Spreadsheet 10/21/09
c. BOS Budget Overview
d. Minutes of 9/9/09
e. Minutes of 10/21/09
f. Suggested Calendar for Budget Planning for FY11 - draft
2. 7:50 BLF Report – Tess Summers
3. 7:55 Negotiations Subcommittee Report – Brigid Bieber
4. 8:05 FY’10 Budget Update – Steve Mills
• Governor Patrick’s 9C Budget Cuts/MMA Action Alert 10/29/09

5. 8:20 FY’11 Budget – Steve Mills
6. 8:35 Endorsing Corporate Sponsorships - Steve Mills
7. 8:45 Health Trust Report – John Petersen
8. 8:55 Anti-Bullying Task Force Update – Liza Huber
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. 9:00 School Calendar, 2010-11 – VOTE - Steve Mills
2. 9:15 Recommendation to Approve ABRHS Trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, July 2011 – VOTE – Steve Mills
CONSENT CALENDAR:
3. Recommendation to Approve Acton-Boxborough Regional School District’s 2009-10 Tuition Rate – VOTE – Steve Mills/Tess Summers (appendix)

4. Recommendation to Approve 2009-10 SPED Program Tuition Rates – VOTE –
Steve Mills/Liza Huber (appendix)
5. Recommendation to Approve ABRHS Girls Ice Hockey Team Trip to Falmouth, MA, December 4-5, 2009 – VOTE – Steve Mills
6. Recommendation to Approve ABRHS Girls Basketball Team Trip to Freeport, ME, December 5, 2009 – VOTE – Steve Mills
7. Recommendation to Approve ABRHS Spanish Language Trip to NYC, December 4, 2009 – VOTE – Steve Mills
8. Recommendation to Approve ABRHS Basketball Team Trip to Cape Cod, December 11-12, 2009 – VOTE – Steve Mills
9. Recommendation to Approve RJGJHS Ski Trip to Waterville Valley, NH, January 23, 2010 – VOTE – Steve Mills
VIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION
1. ABRHS Info
• Discipline Report, October 2009

2. RJGrey Junior High Info
• Discipline Report, October 2009
3. 9:20 Measuring Growth in Student Performance in MCAS – Susan Horn
4. ABRSD ELL Student Population, October 2009 (addendum)
5. FY’10 Monthly ABRSD Financial Reports
a. Object Summary
b. AB Regional High School
c. SPED Financial (addendum)
6. 9:35 Report of Professional Development Day, 11/3/09 – Susan Horn (oral)
7. 9:40 Westford Comparables – Meeting on 10/20/09 – Marie Altieri
9. Thanksgiving Dismissal Schedule
10. Winter Athletic Coaches
11. Records Request from a Citizen
• 10/27/09 Requests from Allen Nitschelm #AN001 – AN008

IX. ISSUES FOR THE COMMITTEE
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)
XI. NEXT MEETING: December 3 - 7:30 pm, at RJ Grey JH Library
XII. 9:45 ADJOURNMENT

Joint
Acton/Acton-Boxborough Regional SchoolCommittee
Administrator Benefits SubcommitteeMeeting
Minutes
Central Office ConferenceRoomJuly 30, 2009
R. J. Grey Jr. HighSchool7:30 pm

Attendees: Jonathan Chinitz, Terry Lindgren, Maria Neyland, Sharon Smith McManus, Marie Altieri (7:37)
The subcommittee was called to order at 7:30 by Jonathan Chinitz, subcommittee chairperson.

At 7:32 it was moved, seconded and unanimously

VOTED: To go into Executive Session under Chapter 39, section 23b, paragraph 3 to review and approve minutes related to strategy sessions in prepration for negotiations with nonunion personnel.

Returned to Open Session at 8:10 pm

It was moved, seconded and unanimously

VOTED: To approve minutes of July 30th, 2009 that were taken during the meeting and read back to subcommittee members.

Motion to adjourn at 8:12 pm voted unanimously.

Respectfully submitted by Marie Altieri

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Joint
Acton/Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee
Administrator Benefits Subcommittee Meeting
Executive Session Minutes
Central Office Conference Room July 30, 2009
R. J. Grey Jr. High School 7:32 pm

The meeting was called to order at 7:32 pm.
I. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Review/Approval Administrators’ Benefits Subcommittee
Meeting Minutes
• May 15, 2009 – Vote to Approve
VOTE: The subcommittee was polled individually and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of May 15, 2009 as amended.
• May 22, 2009 – Vote to Approve
VOTE: The subcommittee was polled individually and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of May 15, 2009 as amended.

2. Review subcommittee minutes to make recommendation to School Committee for Hold or Release
• March 30, 2009 – Approved/ Recommend to Hold orRelease
• April 13, 2009 – Approved/Recommend to Hold or Release
• May 15, 2009 – Recommend to Hold or Release
• May 22, 2009 – Recommend to Hold or Release

VOTE: It was moved, seconded, the subcommittee members were polled and voted unanimously to recommend to the School Committee that they release the minutes of March 30, April 13, May 15, and May 22.

3. The subcommittee moved, seconded, were polled individually and voted to approve the minutes of July 30th, 2009 as they were written during the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Marie Altieri

JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ADMINISTRATOR BENEFITS SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES

Conference Room May 22, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 2:30 p.m.
===============================================================
Attendees: Jonathan Chinitz, Maria Neyland, Sharon Smith McManus (2:45 pm),
Terry Lindgren, Susan Atwater-Rhodes, Pat Easterly, Chris Whitbeck,
Diana Woodruff, Craig Hardimon, Steve Hall, Marie Altieri
===============================================================

The subcommittee was called to order at 2:40 by Jonathan Chinitz, chairperson.

At 2:40 p.m., it was moved seconded and
VOTED: To go into Executive Session under Chapter 39, section 23b, paragraph 3 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel.
[VOTE: 2 Yes (Chinitz, Neyland), 1 Abstention (Lindgren), 1 Absent
(McManus)]

At 4:10 p.m., the subcommittee returned to open session and adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Marie Altieri
Director of Personnel

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ADMINISTRATOR BENEFITS SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
Conference Room May 22, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 2:30 p.m.

===============================================================
Attendees: Jonathan Chinitz, Maria Neyland, Sharon Smith McManus (2:45 pm), Terry Lindgren, Susan Atwater-Rhodes, Pat Easterly, Chris Whitbeck, Diana Woodruff,
Craig Hardimon, Steve Hall, Marie Altieri
===============================================================

Old Business

Craig and Marie distributed a possible longevity model for the committee’s discussion. Sharon McManus distributed a sheet of responses from SC members to the items discussed at the previous meeting. Terry said he had not seen them. The majority of the meeting was spent discussing articles 3.2 (longevity) and 3.3 (retirement bonus).
• Health Insurance (Article 10)
Terry did not agree that health insurance should wait until after the teachers contract. He thought it was an open issue for the School Committees.
• Longevity and Retirement Bonus (3.2 and 3.3):
The committee talked about trying to combine 3.2 and 3.3 into a single longevity model rather than trying to keep the old longevity model with a second longevity plan. To have a single longevity model, the committee talked about how it might relate to the teacher’s supermax, and how it might be a way to keep an incentive for newer administrators.

The model distributed involved a $500 longevity in an administrator’s sixth year, and an additional longevity of $500 per year going forward. Jonathan suggested that the longevity be capped at $5,000. The committee reviewed the model and discussed the pros and cons. In general, most of the committee members seemed to be in favor of this type of model with a cap.

There was significant discussion about the best way to move to this model while grandfathering those close to retirement. The committee recommended allowing administrators with five or more years as an administrator to have a choice between the old benefit or this new model. The assumption is that administrators who will be retiring in the next five years would want to be grandfathered, but administrators who will work another 5-15 years might prefer the new model. Administrators with fewer than five years would not have a choice, and they would use the new model. The subcommittee will bring this idea back to the School Committee for their feedback.

• There was more discussion about course reimbursement. The committee reached consensus that reimbursement for two courses per year was reasonable.

• The School Committee members felt that vacation time should not be increased earlier (after five years instead of ten) than it is in the current manual.
• The next subcommittee meeting (executive session) is scheduled for May 29, 2009 at 2:30pm in the Junior High Conference Room.

At 4:10 pm, the members of the Committee were polled and unanimously voted to return to open session, solely for the purpose of adjourning.

Respectfully submitted,
Marie Altieri, Director of Personnel

JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ADMINISTRATOR BENEFITS SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES

Conference Room April 13, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 4:00 p.m.
===============================================================
Attendees: Jonathan Chinitz, Maria Neyland, Sharon Smith McManus,
Susan Atwater-Rhodes, Pat Easterly, Chris Whitbeck, Diana Woodruff,
Craig Hardimon, Steve Hall, Bill Ryan, Marie Altieri
===============================================================

The subcommittee was called to order by Jonathan Chinitz, chairperson.

At 4:00 p.m., it was moved seconded and unanimously
VOTED: To go into Executive Session under Chapter 39, section 23b, paragraph 3 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel.

At 5: 30 p.m., the subcommittee returned to open session and adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Smith McManus

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ADMINISTRATOR BENEFITS SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

Conference Room April 13, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 4:00 p.m.

===============================================================
Attendees: Jonathan Chinitz, Maria Neyland, Sharon Smith McManus, Susan Atwater-Rhodes, Pat Easterly, Chris Whitbeck, Diana Woodruff, Craig Hardimon, Steve Hall, Bill Ryan, Marie Altieri
===============================================================

The subcommittee went through the Administrator’s Benefits Manual (July 2008) and assigned each section to the appropriate category:

Requires serious discussion:
• 2.2 – proposal to grant 2 vacation days at the time of hire of at the 5 year anniversary (any change will impact section 2.4)
• 2.4 – carry over of unused vacation days
• 2.6 – compensatory time, other options including telecommuting
• Article 3 – Salaries
• 4.1 & 4.2 – sick time, consider adding a disability policy and eliminating these sections
• 7.1 – tuition reimbursement, grandfathered for people enrolled in an existing program?
• 10.2.1 – consider a pay-back option for those who enroll in a spouse’s plan

Needs minor tweaking and/or wordsmithing:
• General – eliminate references to 11 month positions, add a separate pro-rating clause (Marie)
• General – change “school” to “area of responsibility” wherever it appears
o – clarify 2nd sentence or make a separate section (Susan)
• 2.1 – clarify the phrase, “some administrators” (Marie)
• 2.2 – list the actual holidays, as in the Salaried Employees handbook (Marie)
• 2.5 – eliminate the section
• 2.7 – unused vacation time (rate) (SSM note: should this be 2.6 or did we propose adding a section?)
• 4.11 – FMLA, make the wording more consistent with the law
• 6.x – make the wording about legal protection more clear
• 10.22 – can we eliminate this section?
• Notice of nondiscrimination – needs to be updated

No Change required:

• 2.3
• Sections 4.3 through 4.11
• Article 5 (all)
• 7.2
• Article 8
• Article 9
• 10.1
• 10.3
• 10.4
• Article 11
• Article 12

The next subcommittee meeting (executive session) is scheduled for May 1, 2009 at 2:30pm in the Junior High Conference Room.

At 5:30 pm, the members of the Committee were polled and unanimously voted to return to open session, solely for the purpose of adjourning.

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Smith McManus

JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ADMINISTRATOR BENEFITS SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

Conference Room March 30, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 6:45 p.m.
===============================================================
Attendees: Jonathan Chinitz, Maria Neyland, Sharon Smith McManus,
Susan Atwater-Rhodes, Pat Easterly, Chris Whitbeck, Diana Woodruff,
Craig Hardimon, Steve Hall, Bill Ryan, Marie Altieri
===============================================================

Each member of the subcommittee introduced themselves. There are three members of the School Committee, one member of the Finance Committee, one Regional Principal, one APS Principal, one Assistant Principal, one Central Office Administrator, one person representing all other administrators, the Superintendent and Director of Personnel.

Chairman Chinitz told the committee that the role of the committee would be to review the manual and give their feedback related to each of the benefits. He told the five administrative representatives that he would like them to go back to their various groups and gather feedback before the next meeting. He said that he hoped to have recommendations from the subcommittee ready to bring back to the full School Committee in time to modify the manual by June 30th.

At 7:30 p.m., the subcommittee returned to open session and adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Smith McManus

ACTON PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Library October 15, 2009
Merriam School 7:30 p.m.
AGENDA

I. 7:30 CALL TO ORDER
II. CHAIRPERSON’S INTRODUCTION
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 AND STATEMENT OF WARRANT
IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
V. 7:35 EDUCATION REPORT – Merriam School – Principal, Ed Kaufman
VI. 7:55 UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. ALG Report/Acton Finance Committee Report – Xuan Kong
• ALG Meeting – 10/14/09 postponed to 10/21/09
• FinCom presentation - 10/13/09
2. BOS Update – Terry Lindgren
3. 8:05 FY’10 Budget Update – Steve Mills
4. 8:15 FY’11 Budget – Steve Mills
• Chapter 70/State Aid Discussion
5. 8:30 Youth Advocacy Community Symposium Report – Liza Huber
6. West Acton Boardwalk Project – Pat Easterly/Christine Phillips
7. 8: 35 October 1 Enrollment Report – Marie Altieri
VII. 8:45 NEW BUSINESS (Consent Calendar)
1. Recommendation to Approve FY’10 Integrated Preschool Tuition Rate (addendum) – VOTE – Liza Huber
2. Recommendation to Accept Gift from Conant School PTO – VOTE – Steve Mills
3. Recommendation to Accept Gift from Douglas School PTO – VOTE – Steve Mills
4. Recommendation to Accept Gift from Gates School PTO – VOTE – Steve Mills
5. Recommendation to Accept Gift from McCarthy-Towne School PTO - VOTE – Steve Mills
6. Recommendation to Accept Gift from Merriam School PTO - VOTE – Steve Mills
7. Recommendation to Approve Douglas Field Trip to Nature’s Classroom – VOTE - Steve Mills
VIII. 8:50 FOR YOUR INFORMATION
1. Flu Update – Liza Huber
2. ESL Student Enrollment Report – October 1
3. FY ’10 Monthly APS Financial Reports
a. Budget Status Summary
b. Budget Status Summary Report – Merriam
c. Budget Status Summary – SPED (addendum)
4. MCAS/AYP Report – Susan Horn
5. Back-to-School Physical Education Nights
6. Discover STEM flyer: Nov 2, 6:00 – 8:30 pm at ABRHS
7. School Newsletters: website links

Conant Crier: http://conant.ab.mec.edu/pto/newsletter.html
Douglas Digest: http://douglas.ab.mec.edu/index.html?pto/pto
Gates Gazette: http://gates.ab.mec.edu/gazette.html
McCarthy-Towne Bulletin: http://www.mctptso.org/bulletin/
Merriam Community News: http://merriam.ab.mec.edu/newsletters.html
Acton Public School Preschool: http://ab.mec.edu/Preschool/index.htm
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)
X. NEXT MEETING – November 19, 7:30 pm at McCarthy-Towne School
XII. 9:00 ADJOURNMENT

Office of the Superintendent
Acton Public Schools
www.ab.mec.edu
(978) 264-4700 x3211
TO: Acton Public School Committee Members
FROM: Dr. Stephen Mills
ON: October 15, 2009
RE: ADDENDUM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Recommendation to Approve FY’10 Integrated Preschool Tuition Rate – VOTE – Liza Huber
VIII. FOR YOUR INFORMATION
1. Acton Family Flu Clinic Day, 10/24/09
3. c. Budget Status Summary – SPED
8. ABRHS Student Photography Exhibits:
a. State Transportation Building in Boston, 10/15 - 11/27
b. “Our Town Through Student Eyes” at ABRHS 10/30 – 11/7
9. OnTeam – October, 2009
10. 4th Annual Special Education Parent Workshop – “Helping the Child with Disabilities Find Social Success” with Rick Lavoie, 11/6/09
11. “Strengthening Schools through the Prevention of Bullying” with Dr. Elizabeth Englander, 10/20/09, sponsored by Pupil Services, CAFY, AB SpEd PAC, and Acton No Place for Hate

SC Minutes (Joint)

JOINT ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE SC WORKSHOP MINUTES July 2009
(approved 8/6/09)

Sargent Memorial Library Conference Room July 1, 2009
Boxborough

=============================================================
SC Attendees: Brigid Bieber, Jonathan Chinitz, Mike Coppolino, Xuan Kong, Terry Lindgren, Sharon Smith McManus, Maria Neyland, John Petersen
Absent: Bruce Sabot Other Attendees: Stephen Mills, Bart Wendell =============================================================

Sharon Smith McManus and Xuan Kong called the joint meeting of the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee and Acton Public School Committee to order at 6:17pm.

Kopleman and Paige will review changes to the Open Meeting Law at the Acton Memorial Library on Thursday September 24th at 7pm. All SC members are encouraged to attend.

APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
Three AB regional warrants were circulated for SC review and approval: Warrant 09-026A $2,451,199.11 (final payroll) Warrant 09-027 $269,174.97 Warrant 10-001 $1,744,918.07

SUPERINTENDENT INTRODUCTION
Steve Mills recapped the remarks that he made to the school leadership earlier this week. Steve believes in bottom up planning and sees the role of the central office as supporting the primary mission of the schools – classroom teaching. For himself, Steve is committed to universal values - golden rule, respect, fair play and hard work. Steve will personally model good behavior. Steve exemplified his values by stating that he would like the school’s contribution to his health care decreased from 85% to 75% to match the contribution rate recently approved by the SC for administrators.

WORKSHOP DISCUSSION
Bart Wendell began the workshop discussion at 6:40pm. Bart commented that local elected bodies like SC or BOS may be divided along fiscal, social or style issues. He observed that the AB & APS SC tended to be in agreement about fiscal and social issues but was factionalized in terms of style. Some members of the committee are relationship focused while other members of the committee are task focused. The challenge for the committee as a whole is to respect the value of each perspective and act in ways that both preserve our strong, good relationships while effectively completing tasks. The SC agreed that a key ground rule for the workshop and our meetings is to keep the discussion on issues, not on people. Members also need to respect other member’s right to an opinion. The SC concluded that 2005 Summer Workshop outcomes are still relevant and should be applied to ’09-’10 meetings (Appendix). In addition, the SC agreed that distribution and/or presentation of appropriate background information should occur before the SC begins decision-making discussions.

Dr Mills agreed that he was responsible for making sure that relevant information is made available to the committee in a timely fashion and commented that we need to ask, "What data is required?" and "What's the right data?" Steve will review all requests and work with staff to estimate the time required. He will want to understand why the information is important and how it will contribute to decision making. Steve asked that SC members appreciate the time required to meet information requests and that noted that staff time is essentially fully committed before allowing time for SC requests.

The committee was in agreement that SC meetings and SC performance could be improved. Specifically, there was agreement that agendas should be prepared and circulated for SC comment a week before each meeting. Supporting materials (memos, presentations) should be provided a week prior to meetings. Steve Mills committed to supporting this schedule and requested that SC members provide feedback on significant concerns prior to the meeting. The SC agreed with several members supporting Maria Neyland’s comment that a goal is to make sure that complete information comes to the meeting in a form that supports reaching a conclusion (assuming that action is required) that same evening. Mike Coppolino and others expressed concern about opening and closing issues in a single session in part related to time needed to incorporate public feedback into the decision making. It was agreed that the vice-chair of each committee will make sure the SC follows the ground rules during SC meetings and will remind the committee that a vote may be delayed if the committee has not had enough time to consider the relevant information. Brigid Bieber commented that each topic should be framed so that the action that will be requested of the committee (vote to approve, make recommendation, comment) is clear at the outset of the topic discussion. The SC will include a review of School Committee Performance as an agenda item for its Dec 3rd meeting.

Terry Lindgren stated that it was important to clarify SC decisions by making and voting on understandable motions. The SC as a whole thinks that motions should be written in advance of the meeting and drafts of non-routine motions need to be provided as part of the SC packet delivered prior to the meeting. Bart polled individual committee members to self-identify specific areas in which they would work on shortening/improving SC meetings:

Jonathan Chinitz
Talk less

John Petersen
Let details go

Terry Lindgren
Keep issues at appropriate high level

Mike Coppolino Prepare better

Sharon Smith McManus Don’t repeat

Xuan Kong Send questions ahead of meeting

Brigid Bieber Ask what action is being requested from committee

Maria Neyland Send questions in advance, keep issues at appropriate high level

Steve Mills Ensure staff is prepared

The SC discussed the role of SC members in supporting SC decisions after non-unanimous votes. The SC unanimously recognizes that the actions of the committee are the actions of the committee as a whole and that individual members cannot and must not present individual positions as those of the committee. Where members hold positions/opinions on major issues that are not likely to be those of the majority, the SC believes that communicating those positions prior to the night of relevant vote will improve SC performance. The SC discussed the role of individual members in communicating/implementing voted actions of the committee. The primary role of individual members is to communicate what action the committee has taken. In longer discussions, individual members may present both the pro and con positions while making clear the committees' chosen course of action. Terry Lindgren noted that in some extreme cases such as a member believes that the SC decision is illegal and/or immoral the SC member must, as an individual, decide if in this specific case she will be unsupportive of the committee’s decision.

The SC also recognized the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of executive discussions. The content of executive committee discussions should be reported through approval and public release of executive committee minutes.

OTHER BUSINESS
Maria Neyland stated that the Boxborough SC has formed a subcommittee to study various forms of regionalization/unionization for the Boxborough School System (Blanchard Elementary School). There are many different possibilities that are being investigated by the subcommittee. The Boxborough subcommittee expects to have a good understanding of what is good for Boxborough in Spring 2010. The Boxborough SC requested that the AB regional SC schedule any discussions relative to including Blanchard in the ABRSD after the Boxborough subcommittee completes its study or requests a discussion. The sense of ABRSC is that Boxborough should complete their study before any ABRSC discussions. Independently, the APSC is exploring the possibility and merits of the Acton Public Schools joining ABRSD. The idea of APS, as a single entity joining ABRSD is totally separate from the Boxborough School System regionalization and will be vetted on its own merits.

Brigid Bieber will communicate the outcome of the SC workshop discussion to Bruce Sabot. Steve Mills will communicate the outcome of the SC workshop to his leadership team. SC issues and tasks and member assignments for 2009-2010 will be determined at the August meeting. Xuan Kong will not be in attendance and will send his preferences in advance.

At 9:31 p.m., the joint meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

John Petersen

Appendix

2009 Ground Rule Additions Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee

• Keep the discussion on issues, not on people
• Clarify by making motions
• Respect other's right to have an opinion
• Have data before the discussion
• Never vote on the night of the initial presentation (where appropriate)

2005 Summer Workshop Outcomes Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee

Put motions on table earlier

Advance preparation of motions

Committee members prepared to speak to all agenda items prior to meeting

Test consensus more often

Chair summarize points of view; members not repeat items that have already been said

Schedule Executive Sessions before School Committee Meetings

Schedule large topics/education reports for separate meetings instead of within a monthly business meeting

In December check in on how we are doing

Send preliminary agendas to committee members at least a week before the meeting

Keep ongoing list of known agenda topics for whole year so that information gathering and preparation can take place earlier.

Keep ongoing list of action items and committee assignments

Make more information available to the public including schedules and agenda items

Individual committee member requests are brought up at meetings and go through the committee

Requests for staff members to do work go through the Committee and/or Chair and then through the Superintendent

SC Minutes (Joint, Exec. Session)
JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES
Conference Room June 15, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 7:00 p.m.
=====================================================================
Attendees: Brigid Bieber, Michael Coppolino, Xuan Kong, Terry Lindgren, Maria Neyland, Sharon Smith McManus, John Petersen
=====================================================================
The Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee meeting was called to order by Sharon Smith McManus, chairperson.
The Acton Public School Committee meeting was called to order by Xuan Kong, chairperson.
NEW BUSINESS
The Acton Board of Selectmen is holding a policy workshop on July 27 to focus on health insurance issues. The Health Insurance Trust has been asked to present. Members of the School Committees and the Finance Committee are invited to attend. John Petersen asked School Committee members to send him any questions or topics they would like addressed at this workshop.
Terry Lindgren asked School Committee members to think about ideas for introducing Dr. Mills to the Acton and Boxborough communities. He will bring this subject to a future meeting.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:17 p.m., it was moved seconded and unanimously
VOTED: To go into Executive Session under Chapter 39, section 23b, paragraph 3 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel.
At 8:46 p.m., the committees returned to open session and adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Smith McManus
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

Conference Room June 15, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 7:00 p.m.
===============================================================
Attendees: Brigid Bieber, Michael Coppolino, Xuan Kong, Terry Lindgren, Sharon Smith McManus, Maria Neyland, John Petersen
===============================================================

The Committees continued to review proposed changes to the Administrators’ Benefits Manual.

Maria Neyland reported on the response from administrators following the superintendent’s meeting with the Administrator representatives to the Administrator Benefits Subcommittee. School Committee members were pleased with the positive and constructive replies.

Maria proposed that all current administrators (28) be grandfathered under Articles 3.2 and 3.3 of the Administrators’ Benefit Manual. Current administrators were defined as those who are hired on or before July 1, 2009.

Bieber, Lindgren, Neyland, Smith McManus, and Petersen expressed their support to bring this proposal to the subcommittee. Coppolino and Kong dissented.

Regarding the Administrators’ Benefits Manual, the joint committee reached consensus on the following:
• Article 1.1 – add “Any proposed change to this manual requires the approval of both school committees.”

• Article 2.4 – be amended to read
An administrator shall devote the time necessary in his/her professional judgment to assure quality of education for the students of each school system. The Administrators may carry over vacation days per the following schedule:
• Effective June 30, 2010 Administrators may carry over unused vacation days to a maximum of forty days.
• Effective June 30, 2011 Administrators may carry over unused vacation days to a maximum of thirty days.
• Effective June 30, 2012 Administrators may carry over unused vacation days to a maximum of twenty days.
• Effective June 30, 2013 Administrators may carry over unused vacation days to a maximum of ten days.
Vacation day carry over exceeding these limits will require the express written consent of the Superintendent.

• Article 2.6 – delete the last sentence. Resulting article is:
The Superintendent may grant compensatory time based on the requirement of an administrator to work unusual hours or days.

• Article 3 – Leave this article, as written, for all existing administrator hired on or before July 1, 2009, for the duration of their employment. Delete 3.2 and 3.3 for anyone hired after this date. Insert the following between 3.1 and 3.2
Administrators hired on or prior to July 1, 2009, are covered by Articles 3.2 and 3.3. Administrators hired after July 1, 2009 are not covered by Articles 3.2 and 3.3.

• Article 7.1 – leave this article as written

• Article 13 – to be added. A list of the positions that are covered by this manual.

Maria Neyland proposed the following:
• Article 10.2.1 – change 85% to 75%. Resulting article is:
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the cost of individual or family coverage, whichever applies in the particular case for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Master Health Plus or a substantially equivalent plan.

• 10.2.1.1-- Administrators will be given the option of paying for their health insurance with pretax dollars if permissible by statute.

The goal is for all 28 administrators to sign up for the 75%/25% cost split. A onetime bonus payment will be made to compensate those administrators for 100% of the change in health insurance cost for FY10. This amount is a bonus and not added to the salary base.

Bieber, Coppolino, Lindgren, Smith McManus, Neyland, and Petersen expressed their support to bring this proposal to the subcommittee. Kong dissented.

At 8:45 p.m., the members of the Committees were polled and unanimously voted to return to open session solely for the purpose of adjourning.

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Smith McManus

SC Minutes (Joint, Exec. Session)
JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES
Conference Room May 29, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 3:30 p.m.
=====================================================================
Attendees: Jonathan Chinitz, Mike Coppolino, Maria Neyland, Terry Lindgren, Brigid Bieber, John Petersen, Xuan Kong, Sharon Smith McManus joined the meeting at 3:45 pm
Mike Coppolino left the meeting at 4:15 pm
=====================================================================
The ABRSC was called to order by Jonathan Chinitz, chairperson.
The APSC was called to order by Mike Coppolino, vice-chair.
At 3:40 p.m., it was moved seconded and
VOTED: To resume the Executive Session of May 28, 2009 under Chapter 39, section 23b, paragraph 3 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel.
At 5:09 p.m., the committees returned to open session and adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Smith McManus
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

Conference Room Continuation of May 28th meeting, held on May 29, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 3:30 p.m.
===============================================================
Attendees: Jonathan Chinitz, Mike Coppolino, Maria Neyland, Terry Lindgren,
Brigid Bieber, John Petersen, Xuan Kong, Sharon Smith McManus joined the meeting at 3:45pm, Mike Coppolino left the meeting at 4:15pm
===============================================================

The meeting was resumed after being suspended on May 28, 2009.

The Committees continued to review proposed changes to the Administrators’ Benefits Manual. Jonathan Chinitz reported on information gathered from the superintendent and legal counsel.

The discussion focused on Articles 3.2, 3.3 and 10.2.1. Several proposals were considered which included the following areas:
• Changing the health insurance benefit to 75%/25% (Article 10.2.1)
• Modifying the longevity benefits for the individuals currently covered by the manual (Articles 3.2 and 3.3)
• Implementing the modifications agreed to at the May 28, 2009 executive session meeting

No consensus was reached on these topics. Committee members asked Jonathan Chinitz to request written legal opinions on some aspects of the proposals.

At 5:09 p.m., the members of the Committees were polled and unanimously voted to return to open session solely for the purpose of adjourning..

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Smith McManus

SC Minutes (Joint, Exec. Session)
JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Conference Room May 28, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 7:30 p.m.
=====================================================================
Attendees: Jonathan Chinitz, Xuan Kong, Maria Neyland, Sharon Smith McManus, Terry Lindgren, Brigid Bieber, Mike Coppolino, Bruce Sabot, John Petersen
=====================================================================
The ABRSC was called to order by Jonathan Chinitz, chairperson.
The APSC was called to order by Xuan Kong.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:32 p.m., it was moved seconded and
VOTED: To go into Executive Session under Chapter 39, section 23b, paragraph 3 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel.
(Terry Lindgren abstained for both committees.)
At 11:04 p.m., the meeting was suspended, to be continued on Friday, May 29, at 3:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Smith McManus
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
JOINT
ACTON/ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

Conference Room May 28, 2009
R.J. Grey Junior High School 7:30 p.m.
Attendees: Jonathan Chinitz, Xuan Kong, Maria Neyland, Sharon Smith McManus,
Terry Lindgren, Brigid Bieber, Mike Coppolino, Bruce Sabot, John Petersen

Jonathan Chinitz gave an overview of the Administrator Benefits Subcommittee meetings held so far and reviewed the items in the packet.

Regarding the Administrators’ Benefits Manual, the joint committee reached consensus on the following:

Article 1.1 – add “Any proposed change to this manual requires the approval of both school committees.”

Add new Article 13 – list of the positions that are covered by this manual.

Article 2.4 – replace existing article with:
An administrator shall devote the time necessary in his/her professional judgment to assure quality of education for the students of each school system. The Administrators may carry over vacation days per the following schedule:
• Effective June 30, 2010 Administrators may carry over unused vacation days to a maximum of thirty days.
• Effective June 30, 2011 Administrators may carry over unused vacation days to a maximum of twenty days.
• Effective June 30, 2012 Administrators may carry over unused vacation days to a maximum of ten days.
Vacation day carry over exceeding these limits will require the express written consent of the Superintendent.

Article 2.6 – delete the last sentence. Resulting article is:
The Superintendent may grant compensatory time based on the requirement of an administrator to work unusual hours or days.

Article 7.1 – leave this article as written

Article 3.3 – delete this article. For current administrators,
• Individuals hired in 2000 and earlier are covered by the original article 3.3.
• Individuals hired in 2002 who meet the eligibility requirement of the original article 3.3 will receive a bonus of $20,000.
• Individuals hired in 2003 and 2004 who meet the eligibility requirement of the original article 3.3 will receive a bonus of $10,000.
• Individuals hired in 2006 and later will receive a lump sum bonus during FY10 equal to $500 times their number of years of service.

During the next twelve months, the committees will re-evaluate where positions belong and which are covered by this manual. This means creating new categories for positions that will not be covered.

Articles 3.2 and 10.2.1 were not discussed due to time constraints.

At 11:04 p.m., the members were polled and unanimously voted to suspend the Executive Session, to be continued on Friday, May 29, at 3:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Smith McManus