Prior to yesterday’s Gateway Regional School Committee meeting, School Committee members and staff gathered to honor Gateway staff members who are retiring, and those who achieved outstanding recognition during the 2012-13 school year. Left – right: Seventh grade teacher Susan Luppino, unanimous choice for the Westfield State University 2013-2014 teacher in residence; seventh grade teacher Stephen Estelle, “Coach of the Year “in Division 3 Girls Soccer; and Middle School/Junior High World Language and High School Spanish teacher, Mary Shipman, who is retiring after 21 years at Gateway. (Photo by Amy Porter)
HUNTINGTON – Following the distribution of the Superintendent’s Evaluation at yesterday’s meeting, Michelle Crane of Blandford made a motion to extend Dr. David B. Hopson’s contract for six years. Last year, the Committee voted not to extend the contract for six years, meaning at the end of this school year, there are four years currently remaining on Hopson’s contract, which ends June 30, 2017.
At the onset of the discussion, Anne-Marie Buikus of Montgomery questioned whether another vote could be taken on an extension, due to language in the contract that seemed to her to imply that once it was voted to not extend the contract last year that it could not be voted on again. The school’s attorney was consulted, who said the extension could be voted on annually.
“I do not think that he (Hopson) always looks out for the best interests of everybody,” said Buikus. “I don’t see any good reason to have a six-year contract. I don’t think there’s any other superintendent in the area with a six-year contract.”
“You just voted to extend Steph’s contract for six years,” said Hopson, referring to the preceding vote taken by the school committee to extend Business Manager Stephanie Fisk’s contract for six years, which passed overwhelmingly. “If it’s to the point that the School Committee doesn’t think they can work collaboratively with me, then don’t vote for it. I am committed to the people in the district, the staff in the district and the students in the district.”
Prior to the Gateway Regional school committee meeting yesterday, school committee members and staff gathered to honor Gateway staff members who are retiring, and those who achieved outstanding recognition during the 2012-13 school year.
Pupil Services Secretary Phyllis Dassatti, left, who is retiring after 28 years at Gateway, is pictured with speech pathologist Beth Harmon. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Hopson said the reality for him is that he could move back to Connecticut for three years and get a contract that would allow him to retire after three years at a rate equal to a six-year contract at Gateway.
“It’s really your choice whether you want to commit to me, or not to commit to me,” said Hopson. “This is not the end of the world for me.”
Hopson also said that although there are four years left on his contract, he is only required to give a notice of 90 days if he should leave to take another position.
“I was hired by the first superintendent this district had,” said Ron Damon of Huntington. “I taught here for 22 years. Less than six months after that, I served on the school committee, and have been re-elected every year since except once. I have served as a teacher or on the school committee for every superintendent this district has had. Replacing a school superintendent is very difficult. A motion has been made to extend his contract for two years. We should take a positive vote to reinforce our commitment to him and his commitment to us.”
“I make my decisions to vote based on what happens in this school committee,” said Michelle Crane of Blandford. “I have not had any residents asking me not to renew his contract. I have never seen a resident speak against Dr. Hopson. I have also had several staff speak to me about being upset with the school committee, because we don’t seem to be behind Dr. Hopson. A change at the top might mean a lot more changes.”
“I have had people tell me they would like to see a change in leadership,” said Gretchen Eliason of Worthington. “So maybe it depends on who you know.”
The town of Worthington has voted to withdraw from the Gateway Regional School District. An amendment to allow the withdrawal was voted down by all six other towns in the district at this year’s town meetings.
Prior to the Gateway Regional school committee meeting on Wednesday, school committee members and staff gathered to honor Gateway staff members who are retiring, and those who achieved outstanding recognition during the 2012-13 school year. Left – right: School Committee moderator Beth Brett reads a tribute to Gateway seventh grade teacher Susan Luppino, who was unanimously chosen to serve as Westfield State University’s teacher-in-residence during the upcoming school year, as Dr. David B. Hopson, Gateway superintendent stands ready to present her with a certificate. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Wendy Long, District Grant Writer, also spoke up in support of Hopson, saying, “I don’t think we would ever be able to replace Dr. Hopson.”
Ruth Kennedy asked Hopson about his retirement plans. Hopson responded, saying at this point he is thinking about retiring in six years.
A motion was made to move the question, which passed. A vote was then taken on the extension of Hopson’s contract. The vote was five to five, which moderator Beth Brett said meant a “no” vote for the contract extension.
The school committee is facing another big vote at its next meeting, on a new budget for the school year that begins on July 1. Budget Version 2.1 was narrowly rejected by Chester at its annual meeting on Saturday, joining Worthington and Russell in the no vote category. Five out of the seven towns must vote for the budget in order for it to pass.
Before yesterday’s meeting, Hopson said that Chester did not want to pass the budget until the state budget passes, which is expected to happen by next week. He said that ironically it looks like with the new numbers from the state, five towns will have a decrease in their minimum contribution, but Worthington and Chester will have an increase.
As required by law, beginning July 1, Hopson has asked for a one-twelfth budget set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) based on the Budget Version 2.1 voted on by the school committee, until the towns pass a new budget.
