NOTES FROM joint fRANKLIN-Hampshire Superintendents Steering Committee MEETING
Friday, November 18, 2016 9:30 A.M.
Present: Michael Buoniconti, Jennifer Haggerty, Rick Martin, John Provost, John Robert, Sheryl Stanton.
CES Staff: Angela Burke, Kevin Courtney, Bill Diehl, Bill Erickson, and Albert Mussad.
Minutes: On a motion (Stanton/Provost) notes from the October 21 Hampshire meeting were approved.
General Discussion-
A. Numerous comments were made about the impact of Presidential election result on students, faculty, schools and educational policy.
1. Kevin noted that urban districts are really struggling because of their large immigrant populations.
2. John Provost said that though Northampton does have undocumented students there is no hateful teasing—rather, kids saying “Are our friends going away?”
3. Sheryl sent a calming e-mail to all employees, and some staff members were crying in her office. She also noted the focus on social justice is important from CES, and did get some backlash emails from teachers around her statements and links from those who objected.
4. All agreed that the joint letter sent internally and published in the paper by Michael Morris and John Provost was quite helpful.
5. A statewide ‘stand-out’ demonstration is planned for teachers to stand outside their schools before the start of classes on November 22. John Robert thought that depending on local resident support of the President-elect, not all districts will participate.
6. John Provost asked openly what could be done with those who challenge the need for social justice education, adding that that healing is needed. What’s really missing is space where people who have different opinions can talk to one another. Bill Diehl took note of how the Collaborative might help.
7. Bill Erickson observed that we should expect a lowering of the bar for what is acceptable or appropriate civil discourse, language and behavior by adults in society and by students in schools, and perhaps even an unofficial redefinition of what constitutes a hate crime.
8. NOTE – When Mike arrived later he asked if anyone is communicating with students, staff and parents around post- election matters, expressing caution as to whether doing so would provoke a negative reaction; he isn’t having a lot happening around it now, but was just wondering.
B. John Provost has been looking for accounting software of appropriate size and usefulness to a small district like his. Rick Martin and Jen Haggerty said they were using I Vision/Tyler. Rick felt it is too hard to use, saying that it took months to figure it out and upload the data.
C. On the passage of a measure legalizing small quantities of marijuana.
1. Most were not expecting big differences within schools, given the strict rules involved these days.
2. Rick added that it is still not acceptable in schools, as per DESE. Once the law goes into effect Principals should meet with students to stress that nothing has changed and that there are some serious negative impacts, just as there are with alcohol and smoking.
3. Kevin asked what message is being sent to kids by adult interest in this regulation. An approach to addiction of all sorts is part of the discussion at the state level. Including alcohol. Physicians may be getting a strong message about limiting prescription of opioids.
D. Budget development:
1. Most are working through their budgets but are not yet finalized; as for so-called 9 (c) cuts, Senator Rosenberg is predicting they won’t be coming soon.
2. Kevin noted that the millionaire’s tax is the only interesting idea on the horizon. Stan said there will be no new money for education until that new tax is in play; it was difficult to get the language through on the MASC/MASS slate because eastern districts are worried it will impact their wealthier constituents.
3. Rick said he was going to budget at 60% regional transportation reimbursement and see what comes.
E. Bill Erickson read of a physician speaking to Mt. Greylock urging schools to reconsider having high school football because of the risk of head injury and concussions. Some commented that there are even more head injuries in soccer because of direct head-to-head collisions without protective headgear.
F. Karol Coffin had asked the group to discuss a new student records law that when into effect this month. Most said they designate a person on staff to serve as an official records officer, but others were unclear as to what the law requires and if there is a need for training. There is concern with a recent surge in the number of random requests for student and personnel data, and how best to respond. Bill Diehl asked if CES could bring people out to assist or hold a training about it; John Robert said perhaps better guidance from Gini Tate on how to post procedures on district websites would be helpful. Bill E noted that Mike Long will be the CVSR speaker on January 6, and if there are any questions to pass them along through Bill to Mike.
G. Mike Buoniconti explained what he is going through to get legislation filed on the subject of school bus safety, and mandated precautions involving students boarding and alighting from buses safely.
H. Rural Schools Initiative –
1. Mike also updated the group on progress with the Rural Schools Initiative, which will be taken up once the legislature reorganizes in January. One approach would be through Stan’s initiative RISE act for sparsely populated districts, but special legislation is another option. If approved it would not be a lot of money by proportion and may not end up as part of Chapter 70, but emerge as a form of special grant.
2. Mike has been in touch with Tom Moreau in Secretary Peyser’s office on ways to have the Governor influence future budgetary priorities, i.e. filing in FY18 and with no funding until the year after.
3. It will be challenging to persuade suburban and urban districts who don’t face the sparse population and enrollment dilemma to follow his lead. He is trying to keep the definition of ‘rural as small as possible, thus to limit having to share funds with slightly more densely populated districts in central and eastern Massachusetts.
4. Though all support the idea, not all School Committees have voted on it; a few have passed resolutions to that effect. Superintendents asked Mike to furnish the proposal and resolution language. Briefly discussed was ways to use social media, i.e. Facebook or Twitter messages to get the word out.
CES Matters of Interest-
A. Administrative – Bill highlighted news and events shown in his November report to the Collaborative Board.
1. Jennifer Haggerty spoke highly of the Proud initiative to get the good word out about public schools in the Pioneer Valley, saying she wished we would have a small bumper sticker or logo for display.
2. The group asked Kathy hook CES up with people in their districts who might have the stories to post, especially around community service, kids making kids feel safe, SJE initiatives, etc.
3. Jennifer added that she’ll send info on the Shutesbury school’s effort to collect food for kids with hunger, and their plans to “March with Monty” on November 22.
4. John Provost mentioned getting us in touch with the Northampton CTV gentleman helping them with PR.
B. Professional Development-
1. In response to a question about when a course would be available for teachers and administrators who don’t have ELL students, Albert explained that ESE changed its intent around to now have regular courses integrate them, since they have alternative activities for those without language learners..
2. The SEI requirement is for core academic teachers; not for every teacher. They need it for initial licensure, or if they have ELLs. The admin endorsement is required for principals, assistants, director or supervisors who supervise a teacher who has an ELL.
3. The 15 ELL PDPs are different. ESSA and ESE have changed their language from ELL to EL. Those 15 PDPs have to be everybody that has any teaching or admin license.
4. When an EL student arrives in your school and there wasn’t one before, you have one year to comply.
5. Albert spoke highly about Fernanda Cray at the department, who has a brilliant approach to next generation ESL. Under her leadership DESE has developed model curriculum units for ESL classes - a separate and dedicated period of instruction. The updated guidance document has more flexibility for school districts. The curriculum units are proposed, not mandated. They are excellent and Albert recommends them. It integrates UbD, universal design for learning, and elements that are great for all students. The Mass Frameworks (standards) integrate systematic and explicit instruction re: academic language, features for all content, learners, grade levels. These are also aligned to the WIDA standards.
6. Albert is collecting paperwork for the new Title III grant, which will address services that benefit kids (tutoring), teachers (PD), and family engagement. He is also working with TEC on the two online courses that fulfill the SPED/ELL credits. The window will open in January. For those who participate to get the CES PDP certificate, we will come out to the district for an additional 2 hour session to support the PDPs. Also, they can purchase the online course where it stands.
7. Finally, Albert will meeting in December with planners of the 2017 Summer Academy.
C. Technology-
1. Angela reported that the new digital literacy and computer science standards have been published.
2. The Commissioner has said that he feels districts don’t need a person with tech director certification any more, presumably because superintendents can serve that function. He also favors getting rid of the ITS license completely, because all teachers should get their 21st century skills via licensure.
3. Angels will be meeting with the new MBI representative in the coming weeks around the cost and equity issue of connecting to the MBI.
D. Other-
1. Bill Diehl offered to send out electronically the notes/materials from the Gini Tate seminar.
2. Bill Erickson asked Superintendents to encourage their Principals to join with others at the periodic Professional Group meetings hosted by Kevin and him. Bill Diehl passed along a compliment from the Shutesbury Principal who raved about the meeting she attended. Kevin noted concerns raised about isolation among principals. Job-alike groups like this can be really supportive.
3. Bill E also asked anyone who can’t open the zip files he sends with articles to let him know. Angela said she would help Bill form a Google folder as an alternative.
4. Mike expressed appreciation for the periodic batches of articles that help keep him informed.
5. John Roberts suggested that the group discuss having another shared PD day in the fall even though there is no national election.
6. Final admonition: if the Superintendents meet jointly, the meeting starts at 9:30, not 9:00 a.m.
Adjourn at 11:15 a.m.
With great assistance from notes taken by Kathy Levesque, submitted by:
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Bill Erickson, Recorder