TOWN OF PROVINCETOWN
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Minutes
February 8, 2000
The following minutes are available on-line as a service and are not the official record due to changes in formatting for the Internet. The minutes may have attachments that are not included here in this format. The official, complete paper copy can be viewed during regular office hours, Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Office of the Town Clerk, 260 Commercial St. Provincetown, MA 02657.
Members Present: Lois Borgesi (Chair), Frank Wills (Vice-Chair), Dana Berry, William Rogers
Members Absent: Adrianne Duncan (Secretary)
Others Present: Dr. Susan Fleming (Superintendent), Keith Bergman (Town Manager), Mr. Rokicki (VMES Principal), Mr. Marino (PHS Principal), Katherine Slivka (Director of Student Services), April Schmidt (Student Representative from PHS Principal’s Advisory Committee), Rachel Crosby (Recording Secretary), parents, students and staff.
Call to Order: Chair Lois Borgesi called the Meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
Chair Lois Borgesi explained the public hearing procedures to those assembled. Dr. Fleming gave an overall presentation on the 2000-2001 School Budget and explained details on changes in the budget for the Superintendent’s Office. Mr. Rokicki provided details of the changes in VMES budget. Similarly, Mr. Marino and Ms Slivka went through the changes in the PHS and SPED budgets respectively.
Lois Borgesi opened the hearing to public comment at 7:20 P.M..
· Mr. Fox asked about the required notice in the local newspaper for the public hearing. Dr. Fleming said a notice had been placed in the Provincetown Banner. Lois Borgesi said that the matter would be investigated and, if necessary, the meeting would be re-advertised and held at another time. By consensus, the School Committee decided to continue with the meeting.
· Ms Nelson read a statement from the VMES School Council and PTA concerning the need for foreign language instruction at VMES and offered the suggestion that the school day be extended.
· Mary Ellen Spingler spoke about the VMES budget and asked about the funds budgeted for foreign language instruction. Mr. Rokicki responded with details of the amount budgeted. In response to another question from Ms Spingler, Mr. Marino said commented on the possibility of sharing a foreign language teacher between VMES and PHS. Dr. Fleming commented that there was a commitment to create a foreign language component at VMES, but that details were still being worked out. Ms Spingler suggested increasing the school budget to allow for more foreign language instruction at VMES. The School Committee discussed whether they could discuss extended school days while collective bargaining negotiations were ongoing.
· Ms Trovato expressed concerns about the proposed budget increase, stating she did not feel the increase would be sufficient. Dr. Fleming explained how the 3% salary increase built into the budget was not definite due to ongoing contract negotiations and that the overall budget increase could vary with the results of these negotiations.
· In response to a question, Dr. Fleming explained how the anticipated water bill was going to be paid. Mr. Bergman confirmed that every Town department would be paying for its water in FY 2001. Mr. Bergman clarified how the water used by Town departments had previously been paid for out of the Water Enterprise Fund, but that in 2001 water would be paid for out of the property tax revenues. Mr. Bergman explained the philosophical thinking behind the change in billing policy.
Lois Borgesi closed the public comment portion of the hearing at 8:11 P.M.
In response to a question from Dr. Fleming, Mr. Bergman explained that the water usage peak pricing schedule would primarily impact those that used more water during the summer.
Lois Borgesi closed the hearing at 8:15 P.M.
REGULAR SESSION
VISITORS’ STATEMENTS
Ø Ms Trovato referred to a flyer for the upcoming Parent/Community Forum on the Building Project and asked if there had been any other advertising done for the Forum.
Ø Emily Anderson spoke concerning verification of the results of the election of the PHS Principal’s Student Advisory Council. She also spoke concerning an official request for information on this election.
Ø Mr. Fox spoke about student representation on the Massachusetts Board of Education and made an official request for public information.
January 25, 2000, Regular Session – Dana Berry moved to approve as written, Frank Wills seconded, and it was so voted, 4-0, 1 absent (Adrianne Duncan).
1. VMES Parent Newsletters, January 27, 2000 and February 2, 2000.
2. Letter from Dr. Fleming to Keith Bergman and Betty Steele Jeffers concerning meeting on capital improvements
3. Dr. Fleming reported on the Community Learning Center Grant initiative
4. Dr. Fleming reported on a meeting she had attended on the District Improvement Grant and said the District would be visited by the State on March 23rd. Dr. Fleming distributed copies of a memo on high academic achievement.
5. Dr. Fleming reported on the potential distribution of contaminated USDA food.
6. Lois Borgesi reported that she had received a letter from Ms Skowron thanking the School Committee for making her eligible for the Early Retirement Incentive Program.
7. Lois Borgesi reported on a letter received from the Library.
FY 2001 School Budget – Lois Borgesi said because there had been a question raised about the legal notice posted for the public hearing, that perhaps the School Committee should postpone the vote on the Budget. By consensus, the School Committee decided to consider voting on the budget at the regularly scheduled meeting of February 22, 2000. In response to a question from Dana Berry, Dr. Fleming explained why it appeared that the Finance Committee was recommending $35,000 less than the budget proposed by the School Committee.
Building Project Update – Dr. Fleming referred to materials presented to the Finance Committee. The project is currently estimated at 5.7 million dollars. Town Manager Keith Bergman referred to a memo he sent to the School Committee and detailed the proceedings of a budget meeting he had had with the Finance Committee. The School Committee discussed the proposal contained in the memo with Mr. Bergman. Dr. Fleming said she felt there was a very good possibility of reducing the Building Project budget by eventually leasing some or all of the Annex Building.
Parent/Community Forum on Building Project: February 17th – Dr. Fleming explained what would be presented and discussed at the Forum. Dr. Fleming mentioned the possibility of a continuous week of Open Houses during a week in March.
Capital Improvement Articles, FY 2001 – Dr. Fleming referred to her memo, dated February 2, 2000, and explained the results of her meeting with the Selectmen on these articles. Dr. Fleming also explained how these articles would be put on the Annual Town Meeting warrant and would be modified or postponed depending on how the Building Project articles fared at the Special Town Meeting. By consensus, the School Committee decided to postpone voting on these articles until the meeting on February 22nd.
Proposed Article on Revolving Account
for Reimbursement of State Wards Students – Dr. Fleming referred to her
memo, dated February 2, 2000 and explained the two alternatives. Dana Berry moved to approve the Town Meeting
Article entitled “Alternative #1” in Dr. Fleming’s memo, with the condition
that the Article would be possibly revised per consultation School Counsel,
William Rogers seconded and it was so voted, 4-0, 1 absent (Adrianne Duncan).
Other –
· None
Ski Trip Weekend to
New Hampshire – Dr. Fleming
explained the proposed trip. Frank
Wills moved to approve the proposed trip, William Rogers seconded and it was so voted, 4-0, 1 absent
(Adrianne Duncan).
Out-of-State Trips and Conference – Dr. Fleming explained the following staff travel plans.
· High School English Teacher – attending a Shakespeare conference.
· Superintendent attending AASA Conference from March 1st through March 6th.
VMES: Extended Day/After-School Program – Dr. Fleming explained that she had met with the PTA and the VMES Principal concerning the extended-school-day concept. Dr. Fleming outlined several possible options and said she would report again on this issue. William Rogers expressed his support for the concept. The School Committee discussed the issue of compliance with the 900-hours-of-instruction-per-school-year requirement.
Other –
· Dr. Fleming reported on her discussions with the PASG and their temporary need for office space.
· Dr. Fleming distributed copies of a draft letter to the Superintendent of Schools in Harwich supporting the continuation of the shared ice-hockey team. Frank Wills moved to approve sending the letter, William Rogers seconded and it was so voted, 4-0, 1 absent (Adrianne Duncan).
Frank Wills moved at 9:21 P.M. to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing non-Union contracts and to hold a discussion relative to Collective Bargaining, William Rogers seconded, and it was so voted in a unanimous roll call vote of those School Committee members present.
Chair Lois Borgesi reconvened the Regular Session at 10:02 P.M.
CLOSING STATEMENTS
·
The School
Committee discussed the status of the Grace Hall Parking Lot ownership research
and other possibilities for offsetting the School Budget and Building Project
costs. The Grace Hall Parking Lot issue
will be put on the agenda for an upcoming meeting.
·
William Rogers mentioned that the Town is operating one
parking lot on land listed as belonging to
“owners unknown”.
·
Frank Wills and William Rogers volunteered to be on a
sub-committee to review the various budgetary and financial implications
contained in Keith Bergman’s memo concerning the Finance Committee’s proposal.
ADJOURNMENT
Frank
Wills moved to adjourn at 10:05 P.M.
and it was so voted unanimously.
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These minutes were approved by a vote of the Provincetown School Committee present at their meeting on ________________, 200__
Respectfully Submitted:
_____________________________ ________________________
School Committee Signature Title
_______________________________
Rachel
T. Crosby, On-call secretary