September 14th - Minutes
The Mohawk Trail Regional School District Interim Planning Steering Committee met in the Mohawk Trail Regional Middle School on Thursday, September 14, 2006, at 7:00 p.m.
Members in attendance: Michael Buoniconti, Steering Committee Chair; Sheila Litchfield and Win Healy, Steering Committee Vice Chairs; Marguerite Willis, Building Team Alternate Chair; John Taylor, Building Team Vice Chair; Dave Purington, Budget Team Primary Chair; Susan Flaccus, Budget Team Alternate Chair; Paula Consolo, Budget Team Vice Chair; Jon Wyman, Education Team Primary Chair; Julie Godfrey, Education Team Vice Chair; and Andrew Baker, Transportation Team Primary Chair.
Members absent: Robert Aeschback, Building Team Primary Chair; Pam Porter, Education Team Alternate Chair; Michelle Olanyk, Transportation Team Alternate Chair; and Charles Stetson, Transportation Team Vice Chair.
Others in attendance: Curtis Rich, Chris Skelly, Jeremy Dirac – Recorder, Don Stewart – Shelburne Falls Independent, Faye Whitney – West County News.
Jon Wyman reported the Interim Education Planning Meeting has 15 members including school committee members, teachers, staff, and community members. They have reviewed the various models using the SWOT method and have done research and shared ideas. A “must have” list was created including items they feel must be included in any model. Guest “specialists” have attended their meetings to present information. The Interim Education Planning Committee has eliminated the K-12 model as an option for interim planning due to current space and population requirements; however, they do feel this is viable long-term. One option they did look at was to keep K – 1 in the local community, not necessarily in current school buildings, consolidate grades 2 – 5, and move the 6th grade to the Middle School at Mohawk. In addition to research of studies conducted, staff input is being used. This has shown a constant desire to keep Middle School students in the Middle School and not integrate them into the High School building. With this premise, it puts the pressure on consolidating the elementary students/schools. Discussion followed regarding class size. Michael will summarize what the foundation formula uses for class size and distribute to the Interim Committee. It was the general consensus with all committees that we need to come to an agreement on class size before going much further in the planning process. Staff feedback indicates that the teachers want at least two classes in each grade for a better mix of gender, social skills, and academic abilities to make stronger classes that are easier to teach. While smaller class sizes are desirable, the Mohawk Education Subcommittee would rather be able to offer art, music, and physical education and have larger classes than to eliminate these in order to decrease class sizes.
John Taylor reported for the Building Use Interim Planning Committee. They also utilized the SWOT method to assess the various options and found the Enhancement Option to be the most costly to operate. While there may be shared uses for some of the buildings, very few of these would generate the revenue necessary for the district. The Union concept introduces new problems—shared equipment, bulk purchasing, etc. The K-8 model leaves the Middle School empty and creates space for a Voc/Tech program at Mohawk; however, does stress space at some of the elementary schools. This option would also require a capital investment at the elementary schools to install science labs. The only building large enough to house the Regional elementary school is Buckland-Shelburne and capital improvements have been identified for this building. This also leaves three empty schools; however, does offer significant operating cost savings. The Regional Middle School option was the least appealing option and required significant capital investment. The Regional K-12 option is not immediately feasible as the students would not fit in the building at this time and it is not anticipated that they would fit within three years. This option leaves four empty schools and would also require some capital improvements. Consolidation does save operating costs and creates space at the elementary schools. It was noted that Central Office can be moved—the students’ needs come first. Discussion followed regarding whether to use recommended space or what’s currently being used for education when assessing how much space to allow. Preschool and after school programs are positive attributes for school choice families. We are also responsible for the education of three and four year old special education children. The idea of using buildings other than the school buildings for PK – K or PK – 1 was discussed. It was generally felt that this was not feasible as regulations and requirements may prohibit this and it would not help to keep education in our school buildings to continue to qualify for the MSBA construction reimbursement.
Andrew Baker reported for the Transportation Interim Planning committee. Their committee of five or six people have done some preliminary data gathering and developed three questions to be used in assessing each of the options—will the option increase or decrease cost, will the option increase or decrease student time on buses, and will the option increase or decrease the convenience for parents. The committee is negotiating with First Student to use their software to determine various route times, etc. Options the committee looked at to save money included making a policy change to transport elementary and high school students on the same route. This would involve coordinating school start times between the middle/high and elementary schools. It was determined that “mainlining” was not an option for our district as side roads off the main road are longer than two miles. We would need to go to consolidated stops instead. Charlie Stetson had researched the option of owning and operating our own buses and found this option would save the district money. With a regional elementary, the assumption was made that we would have a five-year bus contract and have the flexibility to move upper grade(s) to Mohawk. BSE would be the receiving school and the other three elementary schools would be closed in year one. The idea of Heath and Rowe combining was mentioned. With the Union option, there would be no impact on transportation as long as the schools joined together for busing. Four options were considered for consolidation: (1) three school option with Sanderson and BSE combining and Heath and Colrain combining, (2) two school model – close Sanderson (to BSE), close Heath (to Colrain) and tuition Plainfield to Cummington, (3) two school option with Sanderson as is and consolidate Heath and Colrain in BSE, and (4) keep Sanderson and Colrain and send one-half of BSE to each and tuition Heath to Rowe or form Heath/Rowe Union. With the K-12 model, routes would be combined and stops consolidated having the same start time at elementary and middle/high schools. With this option there could be a phased closing of all four elementary schools. The K-8 model would not impact transportation. To form a separate middle school at BSE would require the BSE students to go to other elementary schools. This would result in the current walkers having to ride a bus. Three different start times would result in increased costs in fuel and bus driver wages and increased student times on buses.
Dave Purington reported the members of the Budget Interim Planning Committee include Susan Flaccus, Paula Consolo, Cindy Smith, Tom Lively, and Dave Purington. Their first meeting was a strategy meeting and the second meeting they reviewed preliminary numbers for some of the options. Superintendent Buoniconti and Joanne Blier developed the numbers for four of the models, one with four options. A 6% increase was used for inflation to project the status quo budget over the next three years. Dave asked that the Education and/or Building Committees submit necessary capital investments to be included in the budget. They would like to narrow the number of options and then develop good numbers. Projected renovation costs for the next five years will need to be looked at for all buildings. Qualified people will need to be consulted to do the estimates. Capital investments can be amortized. The committee has not made any assumptions about selling buildings, increased revenues from rent, or the status of Walnut Hill. Enhancement: this is the category where a voc/tech program fits in and initially will cost the district money in the early years. Union: a budget was developed for this option. It showed a strength of possibly having more buy-in early on; however, a weakness of not saving much money. K-8: the committee chose not to model this scenario. We would be required to build labs and would also need to look at the credentials of current staff. Requirements wouldn’t mandate labs; however, labs would be necessary to maintain the level of education provided for 7th and 8th grade students. Regional Elementary: all consolidations happening in the first year with K-5 students and 6th grade coming to the middle school. Costs look favorable for this option. Regional Middle School: this would require more funding so was not examined closely. K-12: a draft budget was created closing one elementary at a time. This would provide significant savings. Consolidation: many options were looked at—Heath to Colrain, Colrain to BSE, Sanderson to BSE, and BSE to Colrain, Sanderson, and Heath. This showed significant savings. The committee has a good modeling format set up to apply to different options.
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the group that the K-12 model should be kept on the table as a long-term solution; however, was not feasible as an interim plan and, therefore, was moved to the bottom of the list for consideration.
Assumptions discussed included:- Preschool stays with the elementary schools
- Central Office can go anywhere
- Walnut Hill is negotiable
- Class size Ð to be determined
- Consider all current uses or mandated Ð to be determined
The regional middle school option was determined to be less beneficial to consider as middle school students need the resources (science labs, world language teachers, music programs, sports, etc.) that are available at Mohawk.
K-8 – No consensus – keep in for now. It was noted that this option showed no cost savings and was complicated with the Rowe and Hawlemont K-6 school districts. Sports, music, and arts would be difficult with this option. Students would only get a continuation of what is available at the elementary schools already.
Voc/Tech Program: There is strong support for inclusion of Voc/Tec somehow. Courses suggested included EMT/medical career, small engine, and automotive maintenance. This may keep some students in school who might otherwise drop out of school. It may take some students from the academic classes; however, will also provide classes for students scheduled in study halls.
Unions: This scenario presents difficulties for the superintendent. The question was also raised if unions could be mandated by school committees or only approved by the towns. Is it worth spending time looking into if it is the towns that must approve? The reason for regionalizing initially was to provide equity in education for K-6. It was stated that the union model is going backwards. However the model remains as an option for consideration at this time.
Regional Elementary, Consolidation, Enhancement, K-8, and Voc/Tech Program are options that will be kept for consideration.
Win Healy suggested a committee be formed to look into increasing revenues.
The meeting adjourned at 10:07 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 27, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. with pizza being provided by Win Healy. Key assumptions and models to be used to define consolidation will be determined.
Judy Willis Secretary
