HUNTINGTON — Wednesday’s Gateway Regional School District (GRSD) School Committee meeting opened as usual with public input.
Huntington Finance Chair Darlene McVeigh said that Huntington voted to ask the school committee to develop a 5-10 year plan for the educational and financial stability of the district at its town meeting . McVeigh brought for consideration by the committee the recent five-year strategic plan from Lenox, which she said is also exploring cost-sharing with Lee.
McVeigh also asked the school committee to consider putting together a meeting of interested members with members of the Gateway Towns Advisory Committee (GTAC) to meet with Lenox.
“What would come out of that for us?” Shirley Winer of Chester asked.
“Forging a long-range plan,” McVeigh replied.
Winer responded that Gateway has a long-range plan extending until 2015, that is about to become a 2025 plan.
Student council representative Brennan Foley reported on a successful graduation. Foley said he was impressed by the seniors and the speeches they gave. He also said the Gateway “As Schools Match Wits” team is still competing as a semi-finalist this year.
After reporting on the many other end-of-year activities, Foley read a letter he had written to the School Committee, commenting on a committee ignorant of its own problems.
“As a Gateway student, I don’t feel that I’m a priority.” he said. “I take nothing away from the hard work done by the members of the committee.”
Ruth Kennedy of Russell said she appreciated the letter, and asked, “What are we not doing?”
“Looking at the agenda, there are things on there that have been on there for months,” said Foley, adding that some committee members have a plan, and are not willing to compromise.
“Everybody has an agenda,” Kennedy said.
“We have a committee professional development item under new business,” said Chair Michele Crane of Blandford. “There are many of us on the School Committee who spend a lot of time, and we’re all volunteers.”
Foley was asked to send a copy of the letter to the School Committee.
The committee than considered the 2016 senior class trip to Disney World, and a request to waive the two-meeting rule for a vote of approval. The trip, which Gateway seniors have taken since 1989, costs $1,200 inclusive. Chaperones also pay for themselves. So far nine seniors have paid deposits, out of the 2016 class of 60, but they hope to have more sign-ups by the fall.
“It’s too bad that not many kids can afford it,” said Winer.
The trip was approved by the School Committee.
Gateway Food Service Director Wendy McCaul then gave her annual state of the cafeteria address, in advance of the vote to continue participation in the USDA school breakfast and lunch program.
McCaul said the average daily participation in the program was slowly rising. McCaul said 50 percent of Chester elementary students qualify for free and reduced meals; Littleville elementary, 45 percent; and Gateway 5-12, 36 percent, with a district total of 43 percent of students qualifying. Chester is also a Breakfast Champion School for the state, with participation rising 35 percent in two years.
McCaul also reported that meal prices will be rising for the coming year, in order to comply with USDA paid lunch equity. Elementary school lunches will rise from $2.25 to $2.50, and the high school from $2.50 to $2.75. Adult meal prices will also be raised from $3.00 to $3.50. McCaul invited all school committee members to come to the cafeteria to “check it out. “
Under old business, the 2017 trip for students to Costa Rica with Eco-Teach was approved after a brief discussion on the costs and potential liabilities of the trip.
Videotaping the school committee meetings was considered again, with Anne-Marie Buikus of Montgomery giving examples of school committees which have students tape, copy and edit the meetings for their district.
“We already have the capability of doing that,” said Buikus.
“Why would we?” asked Winer.
“It might be interesting for some towns that can’t come to the meetings,” Sue Levreault of Worthington said.
“Somebody is going to have to do it. There are going to be costs,” said Superintendent Dr. David Hopson.
The motion to videotape failed narrowly.
The committee also voted to approve a regional transportation fund account, to allow Gateway to deposit transportation reimbursements. The funds can only stay in the account for one year. Business Manager Stephanie Fisk said it gives the district the opportunity to plan.
“Next year’s budget is based on what we’re getting this year,” said Fisk. “We never know what we’re getting next year.” Fisk said it allows the district more flexibility.
Also voted on was whether the School Committee will travel to the towns for its initial meetings, as has been the practice. A proposal had been made to keep meetings at Gateway due to poor attendance at the off-site meetings.
“I would like to see us travel through different towns. We need to bring it to the towns, even if one person shows up,” said Terri Garfield of Blandford.
The vote to keep the meetings in Gateway failed. The first meeting in July will be held in Russell.
