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MARS Board Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2008
Present: Barbara Ripa, Michael Zapantis, Steve Hemmen, Paul Gagliarducci,
Michael Wood, Peter Dewar, David Papagni, Mindy Kempner, Cliff fountain, Lynn
Ryan, Michael Fitzpatrick, Gene Carlo, Maureen Marshall, James Lynch, Dee Dee
Niswonger
After the call to order and introductions, the meeting members discussed the
proposed 2009 MARS budget. Working from an earlier draft a final budget was
developed and accepted. Maureen Marshall, President of MARS’ Executive Board,
will write a letter to be e-mailed to all regional superintendents explaining
the proposed changes in the organization and the increase in dues. This letter
will be followed by a bill from our Treasurer to allow those who so wish to pay
out of this year’s revenues.
Discussion followed about the job description, built out of conversations with
the current Ex. Director and the expectations of the Board with particular
attention paid to the enormous loss to MARS of the work done for many years by
Gene Carlo and Dave Tobin. We can no longer expect that magnitude of material to
be available to MARS. Therefore MARS needs a part time lobbyist, as well as an
Executive Director who will work closely with the lobbyist. Furthermore, the job
requires more travel than in the past because of the Board’s interest in
reaching out to the farthest reaches of the Commonwealth. Meeting at times and
places where superintendents are already scheduled to meet may be the most
efficient arrangement, that is piggy backing on existing meetings. The Board
expects the organization’s annual income to increase with the increase in dues
and that the salary of the Ex. Director will increase over time. A multi-year
contract was mentioned. However, the dues increases need to be gradual.
Strong opinion was expressed that one of MARS’ strengths has been its unusual
structure of school committee members, business managers and superintendents as
Board members. Maintaining this diverse membership on the Executive Board is
very important to the well fare and individuality of the organization. School
committee members and business managers are urged to continue their
participation with MARS and others not now involved are welcomed. The current
Board of Directors will discuss mechanisms to ensure this, in the future.
Also in the future will be the creation of new By-laws, to replace those
suspended at last month’s meeting. It is planned that this will be done with the
new Ex. Director, after the appointment of that person starts in July. The
appointment itself is planned to be announced by June 10.
A finalized budget was voted on following a motion by Michael Zapantis, seconded
by several, to accept the finalized budget to include $750.00 dues for FY 09.
The motion passed unanimously.
The budget includes 20,000 per year for the Ex. Director, 11,500 for a lobbyist,
6000 for travel/conferences, with the expectation that the Ex. Director will
supply an office, supported by $2000 from MARS, food costs for meetings, and
4000 for the treasurer/web master. It is expected that the part time lobbyist’s
costs will vary from year to year, giving a small cushion for the budget. To be
conservative the budget is built on the expectation of only 60 members, although
historically we have had a larger membership than that.
Following the budget discussion and vote the meeting turned to the job
description.
Paul Gagliarducci moved that the job description be accepted by the Board. Three
amendments followed
1. To call the Department of Education by its new name: Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
2. amendment by Michael Fitzpatrick: under Administrative Duties to add:
Investigate external revenue streams including grants, awards, gifts and
alternative resources. Under Professional Networking add: Foster a PR initiative
which strengthens public and membership confidence in regional LEAs and MARS.
Under Relationship with Board of Directors add: Identify value added, measurable
organizational growth strategies/ activities and periodically report milestones
to the Board.
Discussion following item 2 determined that work on a strategic plan would be a
joint effort of the Board and the new Director.
3. amendment by Lynn Ryan: Add under Administrative Duties: Present an annual
budget and monitor the budget, and other duties as assigned by the Board of
Directors.
All these amendments were accepted. There was an unanimous vote to accept the
amended job description.
(Please check the MARS website for the fully amended job description. It should
be there by Monday.)
With a finalized budget and job description in place the time line for hiring
became clear. The interview team will consist of those Board of Executive
members who wish to be included. The Board Members are: Gene Carlo; Michael
Fitzpatrick; Clifford Fountain; Donna Harlan; Stephen Hemmen, Mindy Kempner;
Maureen Marshall (President); David Pagagni; Kenneth Rocke; Lynn Ryan
(Vice-President); Michael Zapantis.
Paul Gagliarducci is MARS liason to MASS. As Board members you are urged to
participate in this interview that will set the course for MARS’ new future.
The Board will meet Friday May 30 at 10 am at Assabet, with interviews set to
begin at 11. Please expect to hear more about this shortly.
All those who are dues paying members of MARS are welcome to attend these
interviews as observers. If you have questions you would like to have addressed
to the candidates please send them promptly to
niswonger@comcast.net so that they can be incorporated into the
interviews.
State Update
This has been a very quiet spring on the Hill for education. We can thank MAVA
for the push that brought regional transportation up $3 million to $61.3. (As an
after the MARS meeting addition, the Senate now stands at the same figure).
Please remember that inequality is not the issue with the foundation budget;
inadequacy is the issue. School districts must spend more than the foundation
budget to do the job required of them; that amount more measures the
adequacy of the foundation, and because of the consistency of the need to spend
more, we can say, the foundation budget is inadequate. The foundation review
committee needs to meet. It has not because the costs of correcting the
foundation budget are so high. Leslie Kirwan, A & F, and Theresa Murray,
President of the Senate, are very well informed about this issue—they know the
chapter 70 formula. Regions are hit the hardest under the inadequacies of
Chapter 70. and once again, the ongoing need to keep all legislators well
informed about the impact of the formula and all the education legislation must
be maintained. Your legislators vote on your issues. Be sure they know those
issues and how your district fits into the larger picture.
If our income tax rate of 5.3 was returned to the old rate, we would not be
struggling to meet our costs. If the tax referendum passes the 3.8 billion
state money currently helping to support public education is estimated to drop
to 1.6 billion.
There are always rumblings about ending save/harmless. This is an issue regions
need to protect as without it, many would be in very very severe difficulties.
When Jay Sullivan sends out the transportation money from the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education to regions he does not send out a full 50%;
he sends out about 40%. The amount he holds back is so that corrections can be
made in cases of late end-of-the-year reports, and other such needs. Ultimately
he disburses correct amounts.
The cherry sheets are now posted online so you can check your numbers.
Towns should submit their reports of non-resident transportation directly to Jay
Sullivan (DoE&SE). Non-resident transportation costs are fully reimbursed.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Dee Dee Niswonger
For More Information Contact:
Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools
P.O. Box 334, Williamsburg, MA 01096-0334
Tel: 413-268-3607
E-mail:
niswonger@comcast.net
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