Minutes

ATHOL-ROYALSTON REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE

December 16, 2009, 6:30 P.M.

Athol-Royalston Middle School

I. CALL TO ORDER

The session was called to order by Chairman L. Chauvette at 7:34 P.M.

II. ROLL CALL –

A. SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Nancy Melbourne Present Roberta Newman Present

Wayne Whitfield Present Chet Hall Present (6:34)

Joseph Maga Present Karen McNiff Present

Lee Chauvette Present Deborah Kuzmeskas Present

Kala Fisher Present William Caldwell Present

B. RECORDING SECRETARY Julie M. Marynok

Also present: R. Dupere, Superintendent Polito, J. Drolette, M. Handy

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

November 18, 2009 – Regular Session – R. Newman moved approval, K. McNiff seconded, motion passes.

Vote: 8-0-2 Nancy Melbourne Yes Roberta Newman Yes

Wayne Whitfield Yes Chet Hall Yes

Joseph Maga Abstained Karen McNiff Yes

Lee Chauvette Yes Debbie Kuzmeskas Yes

Kala Fisher Abstained William Caldwell Yes

IV. PUBLIC INPUT – Athol-Royalston Middle School presentation – Holiday Chorus Songs

Principal – Technology Para increase in hours request – C. Hall moved to increase the Athol High School Technology Para’s hours from 19.5 to 30 hours per week with a review in February, W. Caldwell seconded. J. Maga asked to amend motion to 32.5 hours as requested, C. Hall agreed, W. Caldwell seconded. W. Caldwell withdrew second on the amendment. Original motion passes.

Vote: 9-1-0 Nancy Melbourne Yes Roberta Newman Yes

Wayne Whitfield Yes Chet Hall Yes

Joseph Maga Abstained Karen McNiff Yes

Lee Chauvette Yes Debbie Kuzmeskas Yes

Kala Fisher Abstained William Caldwell Yes

John Smolenski gave a presentation on an AP Grant program that the Athol-Royalston Regional School District has been invited to apply for.

V. RECOGNITION

R. Newman recognized the Athol-Royalston Middle Schools chorus presentation this evening. She also wished everyone a very merry Christmas.

K. McNiff recognized the Athol High School football team on advancing to the semi finals.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

GIC letter and new deductibles – W. Whitfield moved to allow the Superintendent to contact other school Districts and Municipalities who have signed on to GIC to see if all involved can prevent this from happening again, D. Kuzmeskas seconded, motion passes.

Vote: 7-0-3 Nancy Melbourne Yes Roberta Newman Yes

Wayne Whitfield Abstained Chet Hall Yes

Joseph Maga Abstained Karen McNiff Yes

Lee Chauvette Yes Debbie Kuzmeskas Abstained

Kala Fisher Yes William Caldwell Yes

VII. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

RTTT Grant – Race to the Top – J. maga moved to authorize the Superintendent to review and sign the MOU (Memo of Understanding), K. Fisher seconded, motion passes.

Vote: 9-0-1 Nancy Melbourne Yes Roberta Newman Abstained

Wayne Whitfield Yes Chet Hall Yes

Joseph Maga Yes Karen McNiff Yes

Lee Chauvette Yes Debbie Kuzmeskas Yes

Kala Fisher Yes William Caldwell Yes

AP Grant – J. Maga moved to support the Administration in pursuing the AP grant, C. Hall seconded, motion unanimous

Vote: 10-0-0 Nancy Melbourne Yes Roberta Newman Yes

Wayne Whitfield Yes Chet Hall Yes

Joseph Maga Yes Karen McNiff Yes

Lee Chauvette Yes Debbie Kuzmeskas Yes

Kala Fisher Yes William Caldwell Yes

VIII. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE

Negotiations – W. Caldwell moved to follow M.G.L., Chapter 71, and not allow the Municipal Representative a Sub-Committee vote, J. Maga seconded, motion unanimous.

Vote: 10-0-0 Nancy Melbourne Yes Roberta Newman Yes

Wayne Whitfield Yes Chet Hall Yes

Joseph Maga Yes Karen McNiff Yes

Lee Chauvette Yes Debbie Kuzmeskas Yes

Kala Fisher Yes William Caldwell Yes

Policy Sub-Committee – R. Newman moved approval for third reading – BDE, J. Maga seconded, motion unanimous.

Vote: 10-0-0 Nancy Melbourne Yes Roberta Newman Yes

Wayne Whitfield Yes Chet Hall Yes

Joseph Maga Yes Karen McNiff Yes

Lee Chauvette Yes Debbie Kuzmeskas Yes

Kala Fisher Yes William Caldwell Yes

W. Whitfield moved approval for second reading – GBD-1, J. Maga seconded, motion unanimous.

Vote: 10-0-0 Nancy Melbourne Yes Roberta Newman Yes

Wayne Whitfield Yes Chet Hall Yes

Joseph Maga Yes Karen McNiff Yes

Lee Chauvette Yes Debbie Kuzmeskas Yes

Kala Fisher Yes William Caldwell Yes

VIII. COMMITTEE MEMBER REFERRALS

R. Newman requested copies of all Administrative contracts.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

K. Fisher moved to adjourn, R. Newman seconded, motion unanimous.

Vote: 10-0-0 Nancy Melbourne Yes Roberta Newman Yes

Wayne Whitfield Yes Chet Hall Yes

Joseph Maga Yes Karen McNiff Yes

Lee Chauvette Yes Debbie Kuzmeskas Yes

Kala Fisher Yes William Caldwell Yes

Adjourned at 8:59