FEBRUARY 16, 2011, 7:00 P.M., PITTSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PAGE 1 I. A. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Amuso called the meeting to order. "Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 20, I am hereby informing all attendees that a video and audio recording is being made of this meeting." B. MOMENT OF SILENCE C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D. ROLL CALL PRESENT Kathleen Amuso, Chairperson Alfred Barbalunga Churchill Cotton Daniel Elias Erin Sullivan Katherine Yon ABSENT Hon. James Ruberto STUDENTS Christian Kennedy Madeline Bianchi Jacob Mullen Yi Zhong Pittsfield High School Taconic High School Taconic High School Pittsfield High School Chairperson Amuso declared a quorum. II. A. PARTICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC Andrew George a PHS student spoke about the Work-To-Rule by teachers and how students are being hurt by it. B. PARTICIPATION BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE Daniel Elias thanked Andrew for coming and speaking at the meeting this evening. He also thanked the Berkshire Museum for hosting the Science Fair. Mr. Elias reported on the Taconic School Council meeting he recently attended. He said some of the topics being discussed were planning activities for the after-prom, progress on their handbook to promote Taconic, the fund raised by the Mr. Taconic Pageant to the anti-bullying campaign, and transitions between grades 8-9. Katherine Yon echoed Mr. Elias sentiments on the Science Fair. She congratulated the students who took part in the event and especially Jacob Mullen a first place
FEBRUARY 16, 2011, 7:00 P.M., PITTSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PAGE 2 winner. She announced some of the names of the students who participated in the poetry contest. Ms. Yon also commented on Carl Ameen s book he authored on bullying. Chairperson Amuso also thanked everyone involved in the Science Fair. Jacob Mullen talked about the students who will go on to the state science competition. In addition, he said the Mr. Man Pageant at PHS is raising funds for the Citizens Scholarship fund. C. REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES NONE III. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS ROUTINE MATTERS A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES approve the minutes of January 26, 2011, as outlined in Enclosure No. 1 and the Executive Session minutes of January 26, 2011, was by vote unanimously approved. take Items VI. E. (Acceptance of Donation) and III. E. (School Presentation) out of order, was by vote unanimously approved.. ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION William Dunlaevy, President of Legacy Bank, along with Lori Gazzillo presented Principal Rush with a check for $5,000.00 to complete their outdoor fitness trail. accept a donation from Legacy Banks in the amount of $5,000.00, as outlined in Enclosure No. 10, was by vote unanimously approved (see Page 4). SCHOOL PRESENTATION EGREMONT SCHOOL Principal Judy Rush introduced grade four teachers Katie Koziara and Karli Stanton, along with permanent substitute teacher, Ashley Behrent, shared the way they have creatively woven writing, presentation skills, reading comprehension, and Egremont s bullying prevention program. Students were present to share their feelings on bullying prevention accept the presentation by Egremont School, was by vote unanimously approved.
FEBRUARY 16, 2011, 7:00 P.M., PITTSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PAGE 3 take Item VI. C (Approval of Field Trip Orlando, Florida) out of order, was by vote unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIP ORLANDO, FLORIDA Cheerleading Coach Shavelle Dudley talked about the various fund-raising events that the cheerleaders have conducted for the trip. She responded to questions from Committee members relevant to the method of funding for students who cannot afford the trip. approve the overnight field trip to Orlando, Florida, March 24-28, 2011, as outlined in Enclosure No. 8, was by unanimously approved (see Pages 5-7). take Item VII. A (Executive Session) out of order, was by roll call vote unanimously approved. ITEMS OF NEGOTIATIONS Pursuant to Ch. 30A, Section 21, Subsection a3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the United Educators of Pittsfield in that an open session would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body. go into Executive Session pursuant to Ch. 30A, s. 21(a)(3), to discuss strategies with respect to collective bargaining with the United Educators of Pittsfield because an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Pittsfield Public School, was by roll call vote unanimously approved. The School Committee returned to the regular order of business at 8:29 p.m. Let the record show no votes were taken in Executive Session. Chairperson Amuso read a statement on behalf of the School Committee relevant to the status of negotiations with the United Educators of Pittsfield, clarifying some of the statements the United Educators of Pittsfield have made. return to the regular order of business, was by roll call vote unanimously approved. B. ACCEPTANCE OF PERSONNEL REPORT accept the Personnel Report, as outlined in Enclosure No. 2, was by vote unanimously approved (see Pages 9-11).
FEBRUARY 16, 2011, 7:00 P.M., PITTSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PAGE 4 C. SIX-MONTH BUDGET PROJECTIONS Assistant Superintendent Douglas reviewed projected balances in the FY 11 School System Budget. accept the Six-Month Budget Projections, as presented by Mrs. Douglas and outlined in Enclosure No. 3, was by vote unanimously approved (see Pages 12-20). D. ACCEPTANCE OF REPORTS CAFETERIA REPORT STUDENT ACTIVITY AND SCHOLARSHIP REPORTS accept the Cafeteria Report, as outlined in Enclosure No. 4A and the Student Activity and Scholarship Reports, as outlined in Enclosure No. 4B, was by vote unanimously approved (see Pages 21-27). E. SCHOOL PRESENTATION EGREMONT SCHOOL THIS ITEM WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER. take Item IV. B (Early Childhood Education Presentation) out of order, was by vote unanimously approved. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PRESENTATION Susetta Doucette, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education, provided an overview of early childhood in the Pittsfield Public Schools. She talked about the programs, registration process, parent resources and community initiatives. accept the presentation on Early Childhood Education, as presented by Ms. Doucette, as outlined in Enclosure No. 5, was by vote unanimously approved (see Pages 28-38). The School Committee returned to the regular order of business. IV. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS A. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT Superintendent Eberwein announced the following: MSBA looking at Berkshire County area;
FEBRUARY 16, 2011, 7:00 P.M., PITTSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PAGE 5 Skanska conducting a public outreach survey; Budget survey launched on Pittsfield Public Schools website; Jim Abel provided some winter athletic highlights Taconic wrestling team captured their first Western Mass Wrestling Championship in the school s history, Taconic Girls Alpine Skiing team captured the Berkshire County Championship and will move on to the State Team Championship, Taconic High senior, Chris Bush scored his 1,000 point in December, PHS Girls Basketball team qualified for the western Mass Division I Championship Tournament and PHS Boys Basketball team hoping to qualify for Western Mass Division I Carl Ameen has written a book entitled Smelly Button to raise funds for the Allendale PTO; DE&SE recommended that CBS News contact him about the Pittsfield Public Schools Bullying Policy; Four students from Taconic High School and two student from PHS are going to the All-States Music Festival; Race To The Top presentation will be on the next School Committee agenda; Mayor Ruberto and he attended the Gateway Cities Education Conference in Worcester; and Drop Out & Graduation data was provided to School Committee Graduation Rate up a little, reduction in Drop Out rate. Superintendent Eberwein thanked Sue Doucette for her presentation on Early Childhood Education; Legacy Bank for their donation to Egremont School; Charlie Crew from SABIC for their donation and support for the Science Fair; Keith Babuszczak and his staff for the newsletter they creating promoting the Pittsfield Public Schools; Everyone who volunteered their time for the Read Across America; and accept Superintendent Eberwein s report, was by vote unanimously approved. V. RECOMMENDED ACTION UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. NONE VI. RECOMMENDED ACTION NEW BUSINESS A. APPROVAL OF FY 10 END-OF-YEAR AUDITS accept the End-of-Year Audit for Fiscal Year 2010, as outlined in Enclosure No. 6A, was by vote unanimously approved (see Pages 41-44).
FEBRUARY 16, 2011, 7:00 P.M., PITTSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PAGE 6 APPROVAL OF FY 10 STUDENT ACTIVITY AND SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS AUDIT accept the Student Activity and Scholarship Accounts Audit for Fiscal Year 2010, as outlined in Enclosure No. 6B, was by vote unanimously approved (see Pages 45-58). B. APPROVAL OF PEP GRANT EVALUATOR BID approve award the PEP Grant Evaluator Bid for the first year to MJA Health and Wellness Consultants of Wellesley, MA, in the amount of $34,000.00, was by vote unanimously approved (see Page 59). C. APPROVAL OF OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIPS ORLANDO, FLORIDA THIS ITEM WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER FRAMINGHAM, MA approve the overnight field trip to Framingham, MA, March 5-7, 2011, was by vote unanimously approved (see Pages 60-64). D. APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND LOCAL 1315, AFT, AFL-CIO PITTSFIELD BUS DRIVERS AND ATTENDANTS UNIT approve the Settlement Agreement Between the Pittsfield School Committee and Local 1315, AFT, Pittsfield Bus Drivers and Attendants Unit, as outlined in Enclosure No. 9, was by vote unanimously approved (see Pages 65-66). E. ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION THIS ITEM WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER F. APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH UNITED EDUCATORS OF PITTSFIELD accept approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the United Educators of Pittsfield, as outlined in Enclosure No. 11, was by vote unanimously approved (see Page 68).
FEBRUARY 16, 2011, 7:00 P.M., PITTSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PAGE 7 F. APPROVAL 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR approve the 2011-2012 School Year Calendar, as outlined in Enclosure No. 12, was by vote unanimously approved (see Page 69). VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. ITEMS OF NEGOTIATIONS THIS ITEM WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER VIII. FUTURE BUSINESS A. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 7:00 P.M., Pittsfield High School. IX. ADJOURNMENT be adjourned was by vote unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, ERIN SULLIVAN