February 28, 2001

REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AGREEMENT

WORKING GROUP

MEETING MINUTES  February 28, 2001

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Dawn Rand, Fred George, Jeff Amberson, John Boiardi, Elaine Kelly, Charles Millett, Martin Healey, Susan Sartori, Karen Gadbois.

 

Fred George convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room of the Northborough Town Hall.

 

Susan Sartori suggested the Working Group define "consensus" at this time in advance of reaching "consensus" on issues in order to avoid conflicts on what the agreement on issues may be. Susan Sartori suggested a definition of "consensus" to be a majority of members of each Town represented on the Working Group.

 

The suggestion was discussed and tabled.

 

The Working Group discussed the draft changes to Section VII. Dissolution of the Regional School District resulting from the discussion of the February 21, 2001 Meeting.

 

John Boiardi suggested defining in Section VII (a) who the proposing Town presented the plan to.

 

Martin Healey suggested several changes to Section VII including elements that the plan should encompass.

 

Discussion included the process of payment of outstanding debt in the event the District was dissolved.

 

Martin Healey agreed to redraft Section VII for review at the next meeting.

 

Charles Millett stated that the State Dept. of Education would need to review amendments to the District Agreement related to dissolution. The Working Group discussed that it would be the responsibility of the Regional School Committee to submit such amendments to the State.

 

‑‑Susan Sartori suggested changing Section II, location of the High School to read the location would be within "the Region" as opposed to being limited to being located in "Northborough." The Working Group concurred with the change.

 

Elaine Kelly suggested changing Section I, Membership of the Regional School Committee. Presently there is equal membership for both Towns.

 

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Discussion on whether the membership should be based on each Town's community population or each Town's student enrollment. Martin Healey acknowledged the inequity of the present membership composition. There was discussion about using the Federal Census as a basis for determining each community's population. To pursue changes in this Section it was agreed that Northborough should draft changes for review and consideration of the Working Group.

 

The Working Group discussed changing the Section concerning the Budget Submission date from March 1St to February 1St as previously considered by the Working Group. It was noted the Regional School District Treasurer had raised concerns over such a change in that an earlier submission date might mean using less than final data for Budgets. The Working Group still wishes to consider this change.

 

Susan Sartori and Karen Gadbois presented changes to Section IV, definitions of CAPITAL COSTS AND OPERATING COSTS. Proposed changes attached to these minutes. It was agreed to include the definitions as Subsection (b) CAPITAL COSTS and (c) OPERATING COSTS.

 

The Working Group responded to an inquiry from Lynne Winter relative to a prior request from the Regional School Committee concerning information attributed to Mary Jane Mastrangelo. The Working Group concurred that a written response would be necessary.

 

The Working Group discussed the request of the High School Study Subcommittee to meet with Representatives of the Working Group. It was discussed that Fred George and David Coombs could meet with the High School Study Subcommittee on March 19th to provide a status report on the Working Group's efforts.

 

Fred George stated that Lynne Winter has indicated there is not a written agreement available as to the establishment and operation of the School "Union." The Working Group agreed that a formal written request should be submitted to the Regional School Committee for written documentation.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

The next meeting is March 7 in Southborough.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Barry M. Brenner

Town Administrator

 

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2/26/01

 

Mr. Brenner,

 

Please find attached the revised draft of definitions for the Working Group to review.

 

Susan Sartori

393‑7193

 

FEB 2 6 2001

 

Town of Northborough

DEFINITIONS FOR REGIONAL AGREEMENT. SECOND DRAFT Section IV. Apportionment and Payment of Costs Incurred by the District

 

CAPITAL COSTS:

 

Capital Budget:

 

Amount of funds appropriated by town meeting in a single fiscal year for all capital requests: capital improvement projects, replacement purchase of equipment, etc.

 

Capital Improvement Program Plan:

 

A six‑year plan for future capital expenditures. The Capital Improvement Program/Plan identifies each capital project, with anticipated start and completion dates; the amount to be spent each year and the method of financing the plan.

 

Capital Improvement Project:

 

Major, non‑recurring expenditures, for one of the following purposes:

 

•      acquisition of land for public purposes;

• Construction of a new facility or extension/expansion or major rehabilitation of an existing one. Improvement or betterment of the facility is of a non‑recurring nature as differentiated from ordinary repairs or maintenance of a recurring nature.

•     Any planning, feasibility, engineering or design study related to a capital project or to a capital improvement program consisting of individual projects.

• Replacement/purchase of equipment with a useful life of at least 5 years and a cost of $25,000 or more.

 

Capital Costs:

 

Capital Costs shall also include payment of principal and interest on bonds and other obligations issued by the District to finance capital costs.

 

Capital Expenditure:

 

Capital Expenditures not meeting the definition of a "Capital Improvement Project" should be financed through inclusion within the operating budget.