Regular Meeting January 4, 2016

SOUTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Regular Meeting January 4, 2016 A. The Regular Meeting of Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School District Committee held in the School Committee Board Room 130/131 at Muggett Hill Road, Charlton, MA was called to order at 7:00pm. Robert L. Zukowski, Chairman, presided, The following members were present: Donald H. Erickson, Auburn Jack Haroian, Auburn Clarence A. Bachand, Charlton Michael E. Tiberii, Charlton Alfred C. Reich, Dudley Timothy M. Schur, Dudley Donald J. Gillette, North Brookfield Ronald P. Ryel, North Brookfield Dr. Rene J. Hamel, Oxford Benjamin J. LaMountain, Oxford Peter M. Schur, Paxton Robert A. Wilby, Paxton Ann Marie T. Pantos, Rutland Helen I. Lenti, Southbridge Robert L. Zukowski, Spencer Kenneth R. Wheeler, Spencer Members Absent: Michael S. Pantos, Rutland Michael D. Langevin, Southbridge Alfred E. Beland, Webster Thomas V. Mroczek, Webster Also present: Carol Baron, District Treasurer Clifford C. Cloutier, Principal Christopher Faucher, Co-op & Adult Ed Director W. Sue Foskett, Recording Secretary Dean Iacobucci, School Business Manager John A. Lafleche, Superintendent-Director Deb Laplaca, Press/Worcester Telegram & Gazette Thomas McDonald, "Be Safe" CEO Sara McMenemy, Student Advisor Committee to SC Donald Montville, Vocational Director Deborah Raulli, BPTA President Thomas Scanlon, Jr., Scanlon & Associates

B.1.a. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE B.1.b. FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS NOTICE OF PROPER EXITS Mr. Lafleche reminded everyone where the proper exits were per Fire Department Regulations. B.1.c. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A MOTION was made by Robert Wilby that we vote to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of December 7, 2015 as submitted. Seconded by Robert Wilby VOTED: (13) Yes (3) Abstain - J. Haroian, R. Ryel, T. Schur B.1.d. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS The Warrants were circulated for members to sign. B.1.e. CORRESPONDENCE - The Secretary, Helen Lenti read the following letters: 1. Deborah Raulli, the BPTA President, sent a letter to the Superintendent and to the School Committee thanking them for their support in passing the option of MGL Part I Title IV Chapter 32B Section 9D; the health insurance benefit for surviving spouses of our retired members. 2. Helen Lenti read a letter addressed to Mr. Montville from the Auburn Public Library dated Dec 15th, thanking the school for the work that was done reinforcing a very special inlaid table. B.1.f. STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Sara McMenemy, a Senior in Culinary Arts, was present at tonight s meeting. Sara said that there wasn t much news today as they had just returned from Christmas break but informed the Committee that the first DECA competition was coming up this week. She also hoped that everyone had a Happy Holiday and wished everyone a Happy New Year. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. NEW BUSINESS B3a.1 ACCEPTANCE OF FY 15 ANNUAL AUDIT Scanlon & Associates An Audit Subcommittee Meeting was held before the regular meeting to present and reviewed the audit. Mr. Thomas Scanlon, Jr., managing partner of Scanlon & Associates, was present at tonight s meeting to present the findings and answer questions. The school received an unmodified opinion which is the best rating that we can receive. Mr. Scanlon was pleased to report that Bay Path is in the top 10 of the very well managed districts. This audit included a more detailed report on the Student Activities Account which has been mandated by the state and there are a few recommendations included in the report. The E & D account contains just about $1,000,000 which Mr. Scanlon reports is within the guidelines and at a good percentage. A MOTION was made by Ronald Ryel that we vote to accept the FY 15 Annual Audit as presented. Seconded by Benjamin LaMountain [2]

B3a.2 BE SAFE PROGRAM PRESENTATION Thomas McDonald/CEO Mr. Iacobucci introduced Mr. Thomas McDonald of "Be Safe" Technologies. Mr. McDonald gave a brief background of himself to the Committee. He is a former Superintendent who has created this emergency response program. This program is a live feed program that can be accessed by first responders in an emergency situation. Two other programs were reviewed but this program seems to be the best fit for Bay Path. The Charlton Police Department has also reviewed and recommended this program. Mr. Iacobucci is very familiar with and supports this program. This program can be up and running in 6 to 8 weeks. The initial start up cost is $13,900 with an annual contract maintenance fee of $10 a month for the first 3 years. A MOTION was made by Ronald Ryel that we vote to approve the implementation of the "Be Safe" Program to be paid out account #6000, Extraordinary Maintenance. Seconded by Timothy Schur After a few questions, B.3.b. 2016-2017 PRELIMINARY SCHOOL BUDGET as recommended by the Superintendent-Director and the School Business Manager and the Budget Subcommittee, A MOTION was made by Timothy Schur that we vote to send the 2016-2017 Preliminary School Budget to the Budget Subcommittee for review and refinement. Seconded by Peter Schur B.3.c. APPROVAL OF 2015 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE TOWNS as recommended by the Superintendent-Director, A MOTION was made by Ronald Ryel that we vote to approve the 2015 Annual Report to the Towns as submitted. Seconded by Peter Schur B.3.d. SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT After Mr. Lafleche shared with the members at the last meeting that Bay Path had reached Level I status in the Massachusetts DESE Accountability Rating System, Mr. Timothy Schur requested information concerning the rating system and the aggregate results of other school systems. Mr. Lafleche gave all committee members Bay Path s Accountability Data Sheet, a brochure on the Massachusetts accountability Measures, a one page description of various accountability levels and DESE Engagement Levels, a ranking of other regional vocational schools and a chart showing the accountability levels of all schools. He also shared a 3 minute video tonight on the DESE rating system and opened the meeting for questions. B.3.e. ACCEPTANCE OF CASH DONATIONS as recommended by the Superintendent- Director, the Vocational Director and the School Business Manager, [3]

A MOTION was made by Clarence A. Bachand that we vote to accept a $25 donation from Mr. & Mrs. Umberto Lenti of Southbridge to be placed in the Culinary Arts Account and $547.50 from Mr. Bannister of Webster to be placed in the Metal Fabrication Account. Seconded by Ronald Ryel C.1. REPORT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT DIRECTOR The Superintendent- Director submitted his report in writing to the committee and will comment in item E. C.2. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A. AUDIT SUBCOMMITTEE Jack Haroian, Chair - An Audit Subcommittee was held earlier tonight to present the FY 15 Audit which was placed on tonight s agenda for a vote by the Committee. Mr. Haroian stated that the school received an "A". B. BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE No Report, a meeting will be scheduled in the near future to review the FY 17 Preliminary School Budget. C. BUILDING SUBCOMMITTEE Clarence A. Bachand/Chair/No Report D. NEGOTIATION SUBCOMMITTEE Donald Erickson, Chair/No Report E. POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE Peter Schur, Chair/No Report F. SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE FOR SWCRVSD The last School Building Committee meeting was held on Wednesday, December 9 th. This subcommittee will remain inactive unless necessary items irise. G. WARRANT SUBCOMMITTEE No Report, warrants circulated among members. D.1. D.2. MEETING DATES A Regular Meeting will be been scheduled for Monday, February 1, 2016 at 7:00pm in the School Committee Board Room 130/131. TOPICS FOR FUTURE AGENDA If you have any items to add to the agenda or discuss at the next meeting, please see the Superintendent or the School Committee Chair. E. REMARKS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT-DIRECTOR 1. Mr. Lafleche will be meeting with David Eisenthal from UniBank on Thursday regarding the Building Project financing. The MSBA withholds 5% of the grant money until the final paperwork is completed. As it stands now, we will need to borrow $2,000,000 because of the withholding which will be paid in 6-9 months. We will receive $2-$3 million dollars less than we anticipated because some of the items were not reimbursable. Although disappointed that we had some premium time and additional asbestos to remove, the project still came in $465,000 under budget. We will temporarily need to borrow between $4-5 million for a short term until we receive the final reimbursement from state. After the final reimbursement, we expect to borrow $2-3 million permanently because of the lower reimbursement percentage. 2. The General Advisory Committee is scheduled for January 12 th. Please confirm your attendance as we have only heard from a few committee members. 3. The Day on Hill in Boston will be held on April 26 th. Mr. Lafleche suggests waiting to see what the venue is before deciding whether or not to attend. 4. We received one application for our House Building Project. The applicant lives in Auburn and plans to build a new home in Auburn on Sword Street. The building committee will review and evaluate this application to see if it is feasible for our 2016-2017 house building project. 5. Mr. Lafleche recently spoke to North Brookfield s Superintendent regarding "Project Purple" sponsored by Country Bank. He was pleased to receive an invitation from North [4]

Brookfield for the Bay Path community to participate in this event. A presentation is scheduled for May 9th in North Brookfield and Bay Path s students and parents are welcome to attend. F.1. QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC There were no questions from the public. F.2. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE 1.Mr. Tiberri asked a question regarding the building project and premium time payments which was answered by Mr. Lafleche. 2. Mr. Wilby asked about the sod for the fields. 3.There is a Superintendent's Luncheon tomorrow at WPI in Worcester to honor two of our students; Hannah LePage, who is in the Cosmetology program and Madison Bellerive who is in Auto Collision Repair. Mr. Lafleche and Mr. Cloutier will attend the luncheon with the students. 4.Robert Wilby informed the Committee that Paxton will host a small ceremony on Feb 1st to honor the students and staff that helped with the 250th Anniversary celebration. Coffee and pastry will be served and a certificate will be given to the school. 5.Peter Schur congratulated the school on receiving Level 1 status with the state. 6.Sara McMenemy commented on the Charlton Senior Citizen program and thinks they should somehow expand the program. She thought it was well attended as they sold out of all of their deserts. 7.Tim Schur congratulated Bay Path on their Level 1 status and AP honors. 8.Helen Lenti wished everyone a Happy Healthy New Year. 9.Clarence Bachand said they had the Senior Citizen meal today in the dining room and he thought the meal was excellent and he appreciated it. G.1. EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no Executive Session tonight. H. ADJOURNMENT - A MOTION was made by Ronald Ryel that we vote to adjourn the Regular Meeting of January 4, 2016. Seconded by Timothy Schur The meeting adjourned at 8:09pm Helen I. Lenti, Secretary [5]