MARS Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Date of Meeting: September 14, 2010 Location: Assabet Valley
Attendees: See sign-in sheet
Agenda Items: Decisions/Actions
Call to order Steve opened the meeting at 9:35 and announced that Barbara Ripa was attending the meeting
via conference call. He then turned the meeting over to President Maureen Marshall.
Introductions Everyone introduced themselves.
Minutes The minutes from the Annual Meeting held on June 8 were accepted as presented, with thanks
to Michael Zepantis, who prepared them.
Professional Development Steve distributed the schedule of professional development activities planned for the year. The
topics presented reflect superintendent activities throughout the year.
Mentors Steve and Barbara will be meeting with all new regional superintendents. Steve will mentor
those in Central and Eastern Massachusetts; Barbara will mentor those in the West.
Regionalization Chris Lynch from DESE shared updates on regionalization. The state has funded ten grants for
new regional districts. Eight grants were for the purpose of exploring forming new regions or
expanding existing regions. The remaining two grants were given to the two new regions to
help cover transition costs. Districts can use the funds to contract a consultant who can help the
districts research the educational changes and financial costs if a region is expanded or formed.
When asked if one community can squash regional changes, Chris answered that currently they
can. Most regional agreements state that such votes must be unanimous. She is unaware of any
activity to mandate changes in the law regarding such actions.
The new Regional Study Commission, established by recent law, was created to look at
regional collaborative activities.
Commission nominations MARS nominated Steve Hemman, Maureen Marshall and David Pagnani as its three candidates
to be considered as the representative from MARS on the Commission.
Steve thanked Chris for all she does for our organization, calling her a "Great resource for
MARS."
MARS Goals Maureen listed the MARS goals for 2010-2011. She thanked Mike, Steve and Barbara for their
outreach efforts. With regard to the technology goal, Maureen noted that Quabbin can video
conference meetings and is willing to help other districts that want to implement such
technology. She stated that Life Size provides grants for districts who want to implement
video conferencing. The cost for each participant is about $22,000. Maureen thanked Steve
and Barbara for presenting such ambitious goals and for moving MARS forward.
Newsletter Steve shared a memo from Barbara inviting districts to submit information for the newsletter.
Barbara added that photos would also be welcome.
Annual required trainings Steve explained that Superintendent Dan Durgin shared at the MASS Summer Institute how his
district puts all of its mandatory annual trainings on line. Dan told the members that all of the
trainings are in PowerPoint and anyone is welcome to use their materials. He uses Survey
Monkey to present the information and gather electronic signatures from participating staff
members. Mike Zepantis stated that Worcester County superintendents are looking to develop a
common policy on Bullying. Maureen noted that head trauma is the next issue for schools and
districts will need a policy. She stated that perhaps MARS could form a sub-committee to look
at the policy.
Final FY2010 Financial Report Not available at this time.
2010-2011 Meeting Topics The following topics and possible presentation dates were discussed:
Assessment and Accountability - Carla Baer October
RTTT Carla Baer October
Open Meeting Law - Asst. Attorney General October
Jobs Bill November
Ethics Commission re COI law changes November
Outstanding Legislator Award Steve would like MARS to annually recognize a legislator that has served MARS well and
suggested Senator Steve Brewer. Mike Zepantis nominated Senator Brewer with a second from
Dan Durgin. The vote was unanimous.
Legislative Proposals:
Municipal Relief Bill
A. Stabilization Fund Provides more flexibility to districts. Currently, it still requires a vote from the towns to
establish the fund. Ellen distributed handouts that contained proposed language that would
allow school committees to approve the establishment of a stabilization fund. Towns would
then have 45 days to call a town meeting vote. Absent a vote, the fund would be established.
B. Regional District Planning Committee Proposal - that any town by majority vote of the Select Board or Town Meeting to
establish a study committee. The purpose of this proposal is that it could move the regionali-
zation process along faster. Chris Lynch explained the reason for keeping it a town meeting and
Ellen made the case that Town Meetings can shut down the process before people get the basic
facts. Steve asked the Board if MARS should move the issue forward. The consensus was that
it should.
Ellen also proposed that the legislature address the fiscal mechanism for sharing personnel
among districts.
C. Performance Contracts For the first three years of the contract, performance contracts should appear in the operational
portion of the budget. After that, they are considered capitol expenses. The proposed change in
the law would provide more clarity to districts. Chris stated that performance contracts are
capitol expenses but districts are given a three-year waiver.
Standing Committees Steve distributed a list of the Standing Committees, their members and their chairs. Meetings
will be held via conference call to save traveling time for members.
Sharing the good news Steve invited the Board and others present to share good news from their districts. He started
the sharing with information about the award he was given by MAVA in June. Rosalie Weiss
shared that her district implemented full-day kindergarten this year. Mary Beth Hamel stated
that Ayer-Shirley has merged their middle schools one year ahead of schedule. Doug White
from Old Rochester shared that his district is looking to regionalize 7-12. Dave Tobin shared
that Raynham is looking into withdrawing from the Bridgewater-Raynham region. Maureen
raised a concern about special education students who have enrolled in the new virtual high
school in Greenfield. Who is responsible for them, especially with regard to MCAS was her
question. This gave rise to several additional questions. Mike Fitzpatrick suggested that Steve
compile all the questions and seek out someone who can answer them.
Steve thanked everyone for attending and invited them to stay for lunch. He took photos of all new superintendents present.