Gateway Business & Finance director Stephanie Fisk (left) reports to members of the School Committee Wednesday.
HUNTINGTON – The Gateway Regional School Committee met Wednesday in its first regular meeting after the FY18 budget passed on its third try in Huntington a week ago, allowing the district to move forward with school business. Business & Finance Director Stephanie Fisk also reported that she has begun meeting with the administrative team and department heads to review the FY19 budget.
Fisk gave a report on the Facilities and Maintenance program, introducing Ed Quinn, facilities director; Bret Hartley, maintenance/grounds and second shift supervisor, and Joanne Frappier, head custodian in Littleville Elementary to the School Committee.
Completed improvements at the schools included a renovation of the courtyard inside the main campus, well replacement, new rubber flooring in Chester and at the entrances to the main complex, new gym wall mats, one completed field renovation and another to start in the spring. Future renovations that will require capital funding include a boiler replacement, the high school gym, and the roof for the main complex.
Fisk said a company donated new light bulbs last year, saving the school 15,000 kilowatt hours. Altogether since last year’s lighting improvements, the school has saved 63,000 kw hours.
Fisk reviewed recommendations made by the Massachusetts Association of Retired Superintendents (MARS). Overall, she said the group praised the site cleanliness. She also said comments from outside groups visiting the facilities and grounds have been favorable.
School Committee chair Michele Crane of Russell echoed Fisk’s comments, saying she receives many comments about how bright and clean the facilities are. She also called it “super nice for the kids,” adding that while they may not mention it, the facilities are an intangible benefit for the students.
The Gateway Regional Wellness Center, which has been closed to the community since June.
Community Relations director Wendy Long reported that she has been speaking with the Westfield YMCA about the possibility of the Y taking over the Wellness Center, which has been closed to the public since September, although still open for students during the day. She said they have to do a feasibility study first to see how many hours they might be able to open it.
Long has also been looking into restarting the after-school program in the Middle School, which has been closed for two years since a grant with the 21st Century Collaborative ended. Long said next year they will be eligible to reapply for the grant. She and Jason Finnie also discussed with Westfield Y director Andrea Allard about after-school programming, although Long said that program would not be tied to educational standards like the 21st Century Collaborative was. She said she is thinking about waiting and applying for that grant, as she hasn’t heard a lot of comments from parents or students about the lack of after-school programming.
“I wouldn’t take people not asking questions as meaning they’re not interested,” said Russell representative Tara Balboni. She said the middle school students took a hit when the program closed, and offerings for them are slim. “It was wonderful. They would do their homework and get tons of exercise,” Balboni said.
“Because it hasn’t been here, people don’t know about it,” said Martha Otterbeck of Chester. She said she has had comments from staff and some kids about the closing of the Wellness Center.
In response to another question, Long said the option for the Y to run the Wellness Center is separate and apart from the after-school programming.
Gateway Superintendent David B. Hopson reported that the district will join the Hampshire Educational Collaborative for professional development opportunities. He said their increased offerings have made it worthwhile to join, and would also give the district an opportunity to have a voice in future directions they take.
Hopson also said that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) has identified more than 100 policies that need to be revised due to new legislation. It was agreed that the policy sub-committee will work on 15 to 20 at a time.
Long reported that a group of high school students has begun a community service project to gather donations for the Hurricane Maria relief effort in Puerto Rico. Each school will be collecting different new, unused items from now until November 8. Chester and Littleville elementary schools will collect school supplies, the middle school will collect personal care items, and the high school will collect infant care items. A community collection will also be held on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Gateway soccer field.
The next School Committee meeting will be a joint budget meeting with representatives from the towns on Wed, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. The next facilitated planning meeting with MARS consultants, School Committee and town representatives will be held on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Both meetings will take place at Gateway.
