I am splitting the recap from our March 13th Meeting into two parts, one just on the budget presentation and one on everything else during the meeting.
Continue reading “March 13th School Committee Recap Part 2”Author: William Garrity
March 13th School Committee Recap: The Budget Presentation
I am splitting the recap from our March 13th Meeting into two parts, one just on the budget presentation and one on everything else during the meeting.
Budget Presentation
Superintendent Curtis and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Behnke presented the administration’s FY25 budget proposal.
Continue reading “March 13th School Committee Recap: The Budget Presentation”Upcoming School Committee Meeting March 13th, 2023
Click here to view the agenda for the regular meeting
Click here to view the packet information
The Pittsfield School Committee will have a meeting on Wednesday, March 13th at 6pm in City Hall Council Chambers (70 Allen St). The meeting will also be broadcasted on PCTV Channel 1302, PCTV’s Facebook page, and PCTV Select.
Any member of the public may wish to speak during our public comment period. Public comment is limited to 3 minutes per person and the public comment period is limited to 15 minutes unless the school committee votes to extend the public comment period. Anyone wishing to speak during the public comment period may be required to sign up before the meeting starts.
Continue reading “Upcoming School Committee Meeting March 13th, 2023”March 5th Joint Meeting Recap
Click here to view the agenda for this meeting
Click here to view the PCTV meeting recording
Berkshire Eagle and iBerkshires were both present at this meeting. PCTV recorded the whole tour and I would highly recommend watching their recording.
Continue reading “March 5th Joint Meeting Recap”February 28th School Committee Meeting Recaps
February 28th Regular Meeting Recap
Click here to view the agenda and packet information for this meeting
Click here to view the meeting recording
Restricting Virtual School Enrollment – Commonwealth Virtual Schools (CMVS) are virtual schools that serve the whole state and are approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Under Massachusetts State Law a school committee may “restrict enrollment of its students in commonwealth virtual schools if the total enrollment of its students in commonwealth virtual schools exceeds 1 per cent of the total enrollment in its district; provided, however, that no student enrolled in a commonwealth virtual school shall be compelled to withdraw as a result of that vote.”
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has determined based on student enrollment data reported to them on October 1st, 2023 that more than 1% of students from Pittsfield are enrolled in a CMVS. Under DESE Guidelines the School Committee must vote by March 1st if it is considering restricting student enrollment in the CMVS.
Based on this information, the School Committee voted to restrict enrollment in CMVS to 1% in a 6 – 1 vote (I opposed the motion).
Continue reading “February 28th School Committee Meeting Recaps”Upcoming School Committee Meeting and Budget Workshop February 28th, 2024
Update: The Regular Meeting at 5:15pm will be recorded by PCTV. The budget workshop will not be covered however.
The next Pittsfield School Committee meeting on February 28th is being divided into two meetings, a brief regular meeting with one item on the agenda, and our first budget workshop. Both meetings will be held at Reid Middle School (950 North Street) in the Library.
The regular meeting will start at 5:15pm.
The budget workshop will start at 5:30pm or after the regular meeting adjourns.
Upcoming Regular Meeting
Click here to view the agenda for the regular meeting
Click here to view the packet information
The Pittsfield School Committee will have a meeting on Wednesday, February 28th at 5:15pm in the Reid Middle School Library (950 North Street).
Any member of the public may wish to speak during our public comment period. Public comment is limited to 3 minutes per person and the public comment period is limited to 15 minutes unless the school committee votes to extend the public comment period. Anyone wishing to speak during the public comment period may be required to sign up before the meeting starts.
Agenda Highlights
There is one item on the agenda for this meeting.
Restricting Virtual School Enrollment – Commonwealth Virtual Schools (CMVS) are virtual schools that serve the whole state and are approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Currently the two CMVS in the state are the Greater Commonwealth Virtual School (GCVS, and formally known as Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School) and TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School (TECCA).
Under Massachusetts State Law a school committee may “restrict enrollment of its students in commonwealth virtual schools if the total enrollment of its students in commonwealth virtual schools exceeds 1 per cent of the total enrollment in its district; provided, however, that no student enrolled in a commonwealth virtual school shall be compelled to withdraw as a result of that vote.”
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has determined based on student enrollment data reported to them on October 1st, 2023 that more than 1% of students from Pittsfield are enrolled in a CMVS. Under DESE Guidelines the School Committee must vote by March 1st if it is considering restricting student enrollment in the CMVS.
Based on this information, the School Committee will discuss then vote on whether or not to cap enrollment to the CMVS.
Upcoming School Committee Budget Workshop
Click here to view the agenda for the meeting
Click here to view the packet information
The Pittsfield School Committee will have its first budget workshop on Wednesday, February 28th at 5:30pm following the regular meeting in the Reid Middle School Library (950 North Street).
There will be no participation by the public for this portion of the meeting.
Agenda Highlights
- Building an Understanding of the Budgeting Process
- Overview of State Aid, Enrollment Projections and Grants (usually a presentation given at a regular School Committee meeting)
- Small Group Discussions with the District Leadership Team
Newsletter
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Statement on the Death of Nex Benedict
I am utterly horrified by the death of Nex Benedict, a transgender student from Oklahoma. After months of bullying due to their gender identity Nex got into a fight with three older girls on February 7th, then suddenly passed away the next day. Nex died as a result of hate against the LGBTQ+ community. Hate that has been pushed by the highest leaders of the Oklahoma educational system who put partisan politics over the safety and wellbeing of the students these leaders served. Nex did not have to die like this.
Hate has no place in any of our schools, and no LGBTQ+ student should have to suffer like Nex did. I will always push for what is best for all of our students, and to ensure that our LGBTQ+ students feel welcomed and safe in the Pittsfield Public Schools.
To all LGBTQ+ students in Pittsfield and beyond, always remember that there are people who do care about you, want to make sure you are safe, and want to see you succeed into adulthood and beyond.
Resources
Resources for LGBTQ+ Students
For more information about the death of Nex Benedict and the impact it is having on LGBTQ+ students in Oklahoma and beyond
Rolling Stone – ‘That Could Have Been Me’: Queer Teens Mourn Nex Benedict
School Committee Meeting Recap February 14th, 2024
Click here to view the agenda and packet information for this meeting
Click here to view the meeting recording
Acceptance of Donation for Taconic’s Auto Technology Program – Toyota Motors North America, Inc. is looking to donate the use of a 2023 Toyota GR86 with an estimated value of $25,723 for 5 years for Taconic’s Auto Technology Program. School Committee policy requires the committee to accept any donation of $5,000 or more to the Pittsfield Public Schools. The School Committee voted to accept the donation.
Report on Education Spending Outside of School Committee Budget and Governor’s Budget Update
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Kristen Behnke gave the presentation. Here is the most important information:
Big takeaway: If Pittsfield was in group 11 we could possibly receive $1 million to $1.5 million more based on rough estimates. More information will come during our budget workshop on February 28th.
Discussion of Submittal of an SOI with the MSBA Regarding Crosby Elementary School and the Submittal’s Role in the Restructuring Planning – The district is looking at a potential new building project on the Crosby site as a part of its restructuring project. In order to get state funding for the project, the Superintendent must submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) by Friday, April 12th. The School Committee and the City Council must vote to authorize the Superintendent to submit the SOI.
Superintendent Curtis gave an overview of the work the School Building Needs Commission and the school restructuring consultant DRA (who were the architects for the Taconic High School building project) have done. Here are some highlights of the presentation:
The proposed Joint City Council and School Committee Workshop would also include a tour of the Crosby and Conte sites.
This is the district’s master plan spanning out to 2046. Click here to view a larger version.
When asked about PHS administration mentioned that it would cost approximately $120 million to renovate PHS. It would also be difficult to run two building projects at once.
Approval of Memorandums of Understanding with the United Educators of Pittsfield and the Pittsfield Pittsfield Federation of School Employees/AFT, Local 1315, Bus Drivers’ & Attendants’ Unit – These Memorandums were tabled until our next regular meeting.
Next School Committee Meetings
At the moment our next meeting will be our budget workshop on Wednesday, February 28th at 5:30pm at Reid Middle School. Due to the nature of the workshop format this meeting will not be recorded (though the first portion of the meeting which is a group presentation might be, more information to come).
Our next regular meeting that is scheduled is Wednesday, March 13th at 6pm at City Hall in City Council Chambers.
Newsletter
Want updates like this to be sent to your inbox every Monday? Then sign up for my weekly School Committee newsletter here!
Upcoming School Committee Meeting February 14th, 2024
Click here to view the agenda for the meeting
Click here to view the packet information
The Pittsfield School Committee will have a meeting on Wednesday, February 14th at 6pm in City Hall Council Chambers (70 Allen St). The meeting will also be broadcasted on PCTV Channel 1302, PCTV’s Facebook page, and PCTV Select.
Any member of the public may wish to speak during our public comment period. Public comment is limited to 3 minutes per person and the public comment period is limited to 15 minutes unless the school committee votes to extend the public comment period. Anyone wishing to speak during the public comment period may be required to sign up before the meeting starts.
Agenda Highlights
Acceptance of Donation for Taconic’s Auto Technology Program – Toyota Motors North America, Inc. is looking to donate a 2023 2023 Toyota GR86 with an estimated value of $25,723 for Taconic’s Auto Technology Program. School Committee policy requires the committee to accept any donation of $5,000 or more to the Pittsfield Public Schools.
Report on Education Spending Outside of School Committee Budget and
Governor’s Budget Update
Discussion of Submittal of an SOI with the MSBA Regarding Crosby Elementary
School and the Submittal’s Role in the Restructuring Planning – The district is looking at a potential new building project on the Crosby site as a part of its restructuring project. In order to get state funding for the project, the Superintendent must submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) by Friday, April 12th. The School Committee and the City Council must vote to authorize the Superintendent to submit the SOI. More information will be discussed at the meeting.
Executive Session – There will be an executive session to discuss negotiations with the United Educators of Pittsfield (teachers union), the Pittsfield Educational Administrator’s Association (educational administrators union), and the Pittsfield Federation of School Employees/AFT, Local 1315, Bus Drivers’ & Attendants’ Unit.
Approval of Memorandums of Understanding with the United Educators of Pittsfield and the Pittsfield Pittsfield Federation of School Employees/AFT, Local 1315, Bus Drivers’ & Attendants’ Unit – These Memorandums will be discussed in executive session and then the School Committee will vote on them in open session. The Memorandums of Understanding will be released after the executive session.
School Committee Meeting Recap January 24th, 2024 + Budget Updates
Meeting Recap
Click here to view the agenda and packet for this meeting
Click here to view a recording of the meeting
First Reading on New Curriculum Materials and Courses
School Committee policy require all changes to curriculum and adoption of new curriculums and courses to be approved by the School Committee, with the proposals being read (voted on) at two different meetings.
The following came up for a first reading and will be on the agenda again at our next regular meeting.
New Textbooks (All approved)
- Environmental Science for the AP Course – For AP Environmental Science at PHS
- Young Producers Group Complete Curriculum – For Music Production 1 and 2, Music Appreciation, Career Awareness for Young Producers
Pilot Programs (All approved)
- UFLI (pronounced you-fly) Foundations at Morningside – New literacy curriculum developed by the University of Florida based on “science of reading” principles with the goal of improving literacy outcomes for students.
- TeachTown’s Meta Play – Meta Play is a Pre-K curriculum “offers a systematic, play-based approach to fostering the development of imagination and play skills in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and social and emotional disabilities.”
New Courses (All approved)
- PHS
- High School Playwriting & Directing
- High School Musical Theatre Performance
- Reid (these elective courses were developed to rearrange elective course offerings in response to teacher turnover)
- STEM Lab
- Personal Finance
- Introduction to Digital Literacy
Approval of New Tutoring Program – Ignite Tutoring Program
Ignite! Reading is a “new approach to reading instruction that is built to teach non-readers to READ”, utilizing 15 minutes a day of 1:1 virtual tutoring. Tutoring is for qualifying first graders based on reading ability.
At the meeting it was reported that the program has been working and the kids are very happy about meeting with their tutor/”friend” each day!
The School Committee voted to approve the pilot program.
Approval of School Committee Representatives
Per School Committee policy at its meeting after its organizational meeting the School Committee shall appoint members to serve as representatives to various bodies and groups. The Chair made the following recommendations for appointments, which the School Committee approved:
- Berkshire Legislative Delegation: Hon. Peter Marchetti
- Berkshire Anthenaeum Board of Trustees: Diana Belair
- School Building Needs Commission: William Cameron
- Berkshire Compact for Higher Education: TBD (the Chair does not know if this organization exits anymore)
- Berkshire Chamber of Commerce: Sara Hathaway
- City Council: William Cameron and Sara Hathaway
- School Councils: Daniel Elias
- Berkshire Educational Resources K-12: William Cameron
Presentation on Paraprofessional Educational Opportunities
Due to a communication issue, this item was tabled until the next meeting.
Budget Updates
Governor Healey released her proposed state budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (which runs from July 1st, 2024 to June 30th, 2025). After the release of the Governor’s budget, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE’s) released it’s preliminary estimates of Chapter 70 school aid (which is where Pittsfield Public Schools gets most of its funding from).
Based on DESE’s estimates, Pittsfield is estimated to receive $61,496,778 in Chapter 70 aid this fiscal year. This is a $649,248 increase compared to last physical year.
For comparison here are the increases in Chapter 70 aid spanning back to FY18:
- FY18: $390,423
- FY19: $2,119,739
- FY20 $5,020,681
- FY21: $477,007
- FY22: $1,497,516
- FY23: $4,594,226
- FY24: $6,592,719
For a state education funding’s expert on this, I would highly recommend checking out Tracy Novick’s Whos of Who-cester Blog Post Governor Healey FY25 budget recommendation. But here is the highlight of the post:
If you’re in a district with falling enrollment and not a high rate of low income students (thus meaning you’re not getting the driving push of the SOA increases in low income rates), a 1.35% inflation rate isn’t going to be enough to push a significant increase. It’s certainly made it harder for districts still in hold harmless to get back out, particularly on top of the $60 per pupil minimums last year.
Even the Gateways–and yes, I’m including Worcester in this–aren’t seeing the same increases we have in past years, when the inflation rate was being driven by the pandemic spending of previous quarters.
And no one’s budget is increasing by 1.35%.
More to come on the FY25 budget process at our next School Committee meeting in February.
Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings
- January 29th @ 5:30pm Personnel and Negotiations Subcommittee Meeting at Herberg Middle School – Executive session to conduct collective bargaining sessions with the United Educators of Pittsfield (Teachers Union). (Agenda)
- January 30th @ 5:30pm Personnel and Negotiations Subcommittee Meeting at Mercer – Executive session to conduct collective bargaining sessions with the Pittsfield Educational Administrators’ Association (PEAA) (Agenda)
Upcoming Dates
- January 22-February 2, 2024 – Annual Family Survey Range
- February 2, 2024 – Secondary Families Receive Notice of Quarter 2 report cards
- February 2, 2024 5-7p.m. For the LOVE OF ART Exhibit Opens @ the Lichtenstein!
- February 2 – February 9th – One Week to Celebrate our LOVE OF ART!! Join to view midway Senior Portfolios, Drawings & Paintings, Photography, and Ceramics works by Pittsfield High School artists!
- Empty Bowls Project: A handmade bowl. A simple meal. A way to fight hunger. Help us fill the bowls in our community! Join us for our Empty Bowls Event. All the proceeds raised during this event go to the St Joseph’s/ Christian Center Food Pantry in Pittsfield. Dinner of soup and bread “to go” will be available with a suggested donation for the one-of-a-kind ceramic bowls that are taken home after.
- February 14th, 2024 – Next regular School Committee meeting