Farmington River Regional School District
Farmington River Elementary School
555 North Main Road, Otis, MA 01253
Monday May 7, 2018
Meeting #361
MINUTES
Members Present: Nick DellaGiustina, Jessica Drenga, Hillary Howard, Carol Lombardo, Billie Pachulski, John Skrip, Arlene Tolopko, Tom Nadolny, and Eric Jesner
Absent: None
Guests: None
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:05P.M. by the chair, Nicholas DellaGiustina.
Community Participation: none
- Approval of Minutes of Meeting #360: The minutes of Meeting #360 were approved as submitted. Motioned by Jessica Drenga, and seconded by Arlene Tolopko. Vote was unanimous.
- Principal/Superintendent monthly update: Tom informed the School Committee that we
are still looking to fill the teaching positions that are open from the retirees. The ads have
been posted for a few weeks with little response. Rachel Canon would like to apply for the
SPED teaching position and Katherine Graham would like to transfer to the younger students.
Both will be applying for the positions as well as outside candidates.
Tom updated the Committee about the field trips coming up. He just wanted to double check
with the Committee to see if he needs to approve out of state trips. There is no need as long
as it is not a sleepover.
Carol asked for an update on the busing issue. Tom stated all has been taken care of on our
end, and Dufour did not keep their end of the agreement. Tom talked with Dufour and the
student will not be held responsible for Dufour’s lack of follow through.
Arlene brought to the attention of the Committee that one of the parents/guardians was
unhappy with the Committee for not expressing more concern or question the decision that
the Principal made regarding the busing issue brought up in last week’s meeting. Nicholas
DellaGiustina reminded the Committee that all issues are to go through the proper channels of
communication. Tom was taking care of the problem and further investigation was necessary.
If at that point the parents were not satisfied, then the complaint is more than welcome to be
presented to the School Committee.
- Discuss Teacher participation with School Committee Meetings: Carol Lombardo wanted
to discuss the possibility of having the teachers come in and give their perspective on how the
2017-2018 school year went. The Committee all thought it was a great idea and will extend
an invitation to the teachers to join the Committee at the June meeting.
- Lee Tuition: Eric Jesner just wanted the School Committee to know that Lee increased the
tuition 3%. The agreement was sent to Eric. The School Committee was pleased by the
outcome.
- Financial Update: Eric Jesner updated the Committee with the expenditures. We do a
surplus, which will help with certain repairs that is needed to update/ maintain the school.
All reports are attached to the minutes here at the school if anyone wants to look at them.
Auditors want to see us compile our policy and procedure files. Jane did do this recently.
Auditors also, want Eric to present journal entry reports for the Committee to review.
Berkshire County Retirement wanted to inform us that there is potential for a change of
percentage the retirees pay in. They all need to be on the same rate/level. The Committee
may have to vote on an established retiree contribution rate which is the same for all
retirees.
- Unanticipated topics for discussion: None
Adjourn: Motion to adjourn the meeting by Carol Lombard, seconded by Arlene Tolopko. Unanimous, 7:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa DellaGiustina, secretary
tld