nov 3 2012 presentation

Regional School District Planning Board

Town Officials UpdateAmherst, Leverett, Pelham, ShutesburyNovember 3, 2012

www.RegionalSchoolPlanning.comregionalschoolplanningboard@googlegroups.com

http://www.regionalschoolplanning.com/

mailto:[email protected]



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Board MembersAppointed by the Four Towns

• Amherst▫ Katherine Appy (Amherst School Committee)▫ Alisa Brewer (Amherst Select Board)▫ Andy Steinberg, Chair of the Board (Amherst Finance Committee)

• Leverett ▫ Ann Delano (Leverett Finance Committee)▫ Kip Fonsh (Leverett School Committee)▫ Julie Shively (Leverett Select Board)

• Pelham ▫ Trevor Baptiste (Pelham School Committee)▫ Jeff Eiseman (Pelham Zoning Board of Appeals)▫ Darius Modestow (Pelham School Committee)

• Shutesbury ▫ Michael DeChiara, Secretary/Treasurer (Shutesbury School Committee)▫ Elaine Puleo, Vice Chair of Board (Shutesbury Select Board)▫ Becky Torres (Shutesbury Town Administrator)

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Our Values Guide Us

The Regional School District Planning Board’s (RSDPB) work is being guided by the following values: Be good stewards.

We received good schools from past generations, and take seriously our responsibility to invest in the future by handing off good schools to the generations that follow.

Be fiscally responsible. Be thoughtful and realistic about cost to the towns, and

understand short and long-term results of any investment. Provide ample opportunities for town and resident

input. Learn about, respect, and reflect the culture of the

different communities. Maintain the best features of current schools;

capitalize on their strengths.

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Agenda• Welcome and Introductions - Andy Steinberg• History of regionalization – Michael DeChiara• Models & Options – Elaine Puleo• Discussion with Legislators• Review of Handouts• Timeline & Process - Michael DeChiara• Consultants, Funding & Costs – Kip Fonsh• Core Issues – Darius Modestow• Voter Approval – Alisa Brewer• Outreach & Communications Plan – Julie

Shively• Working with our Town Officials

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History of Current Educational Systems for Amherst, Leverett, Pelham & Shutesbury

1901: Superintendency Union #26 of Amherst & Pelham authorized by special act of the legislature1901: Superintendency Union #28 created by Erving, Wendell, Leverett, & Shutesbury1940: New Salem joins Union #281953: Amherst-Pelham Region created bytowns of Amherst & Pelham1955: Leverett & Shutesbury joined Amherst-Pelham Region

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History of Regionalization Discussions and InitiativesThe four towns participated in regionalization efforts in…

1968, 1976, 1992, and 2009

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1992: Effort involved a year of discussions among the 4 towns resulting in a proposal to create a K-12 region. Since towns were not yet able under Mass law to withdraw from Unions, Shutesbury and Leverett were going to pay other Union #28 towns $300,000 for permission to leave Superintendency Union #28 (exact mechanism unclear). Leverett Town Meeting voted to join the new region; Shutesbury voted against joining. Effort failed.

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History of Regionalization Discussions and Initiatives


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2007-2009: Prompted by leadership from Sen. Rosenberg and Rep. Kulik, the Franklin County Public Education Study Committee was created in 2007.The 2-year process sought to get ahead of anticipated forced regionalization by the Commonwealth. Report to the Committee by NESDEC (New England School Development Council) in April 2009 offered 3 Models for reconfiguration of districts in Franklin County – Model #3: “Leverett, Shutesbury to join with Amherst, Pelham”

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History of Regionalization Discussions and Initiatives2008- 2010: Following NESDEC report and

missed opportunity for regionalization planning grants, Amherst-Regional School Committee voted to create 4-town Regionalization Study Committee in December 2008. Final report released in June 2010 reviewed 4 scenarios – Expand Union 26 to include Leverett and Shutesbury, Expand region to K-12, Expand region to K-12 but close Pelham Elementary, and Retain current structure but increase efficiencies. No action was taken on these scenarios.

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2011-present: Following ongoing town-based processes in 2010, Town Meetings of each town created Regional School District Planning Committees. These committees began meeting jointly in December 2011.A Regional School District Planning Board of the four towns’ committees (consistent with state guidance) was approved by members in June 2012.

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Models & Options

•Form a new preK-12 region with all 4 towns▫Shutesbury and Leverett withdraw from Union

28, Union 26 is dissolved, 4 towns create preK-12 region to replace current 7-12 region

•Maintain current 7-12 Region and form a new preK-6 region with all 4 towns▫Shutesbury and Leverett withdraw from Union

28, Union 26 is dissolved, 4 towns create a new elementary region, current 7-12 region continues

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Discussion with LegislatorsThe Regional School District Planning Board’s (RSDPB)

work is being guided by the following values: Be good stewards.

We received good schools from past generations, and take seriously our responsibility to invest in the future by handing off good schools to the generations that follow.

Be fiscally responsible. Be thoughtful and realistic about cost to the towns, and

understand short and long-term results of any investment. Provide ample opportunities for town and resident

input. Learn about, respect, and reflect the culture of the

different communities. Maintain the best features of current schools;

capitalize on their strengths.

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Reference Materials•Massachusetts General Laws &

Regulations•Planning materials from DESE and MA

Association of Regional Schools (M.A.R.S.)•“Exploring a Regionalization Solution for

Elementary Education in Amherst, Leverett, Pelham and Shutesbury” – RSDPB flyer

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Timeline & Process


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Consultants, Funding & Costs

•Exploration of Regionalization Alternatives to Current School Structures

•Values Forming Foundation for Deliberations and Inform Actions▫Be good stewards▫Be fiscally responsible▫Provide for ample time for community input▫Respect different community cultures▫Preserve what is currently working

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Consultants, Funding & Costs

• Need for Information and Analysis▫Provide information and analysis that will allow Board

to act in harmony with stated values• Consultants Role

▫Educational▫Financial

• Funding▫Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC)▫Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG)▫Amherst-Pelham Regional School District (APRSD)▫DESE grant▫Community Innovation Challenge (CIC) grant

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Core Issues to be Resolved

•Governance•Curriculum & Elementary Education

Focus•Valuing Schools as Community Centers

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Voter Approval to Create New RegionOctober – November 2013

MGL Chapter 71 Section 15

...Said question shall be determined, in a town having an open town meeting, by vote with printed ballots at an annual or special town meeting to be held in either case within thirty days after receipt of such recommendation by the selectmen and, in a town having a representative town meeting or council, at an annual or special town election to be held in either case not less than thirty-five nor more than fifty days after receipt of such recommendation. The article in the warrant for such annual or special town meeting or election and the question on the printed ballots to be used at such meeting or election shall be in substantially the following form: Shall the town accept the provisions of sections sixteen to sixteen I, inclusive,

of chapter seventy-one of the General Laws providing for the establishment of a regional school district, together with the towns of Amherst, and Pelham, and Leverett, and Shutesbury, and for maintenance and operation of a regional school by said district in accordance with the provisions of a proposed agreement filed with the selectmen?

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Voter Approval to Create New RegionOctober – November 2013

• Total Costs: approximately $17,500

▫Amherst: $14,250

▫Pelham $2,800

▫Leverett $150

▫Shutesbury $300

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Outreach & Communications Plan•Committee established to ensure focus

▫Identification of constituencies and communication opportunities

•Ongoing communications regarding work in progress▫Web site & email ▫Meeting participation by members of the

public•Individual town communication initiatives

using existing channels •Series of Four Town public forums

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Outreach & Communications Plan•Fall 2012

▫Flyer with key information▫Existing communication avenues in each town▫Four Towns Meeting

•February 2013▫Public forums to review consultant reports

•March /April 2013▫Public forums to review Board

recommendation•September/October 2013

▫Public forum to review Agreement & Long Range Plan

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Next Steps and Closing Remarks

•Working with our town officials•Research and frame “Core Issues”•Support and guide consultants•Secure additional funding•Engage further with public in all four towns

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www.RegionalSchoolPlanning.com

[email protected]

http://www.regionalschoolplanning.com/


nov 3 2012 presentation

Education

leverett shutesbury

pelham shutesbury

towns of amherst pelham

amherstpelham region

amherst pelham region

leverett town meeting

new region shutesbury

vice chair of board