To:          MARS Membership

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

                Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

                Phone: 978-821-2890 (cell)    Office: 978-874-0385

Re:         Senate Proposed Budget Reductions

The Senate Ways and Means issued their Proposed FY2010 Budget. The Ways and Means cut Regional Transportation to $30.5 million which is the same number as the House did originally. This means that reimbursement on those students transported over a mile and half will be at the rate of 40% to 44%. 

We suggest that you contact your senator immediately by email and phone indicating that this drastic cut will have negative effect on your district. Below is the website for their emails and phone numbers.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenus.htm

We are also including the talking points that were used during the House Debate.

When you email and call your Senator, you might suggest that they will need to make decision on new revenues. If you feel comfortable indicating that you support increased revenue, please indicate your support to your senator.  Also indicate to them how much the loss is for your district and what are the consequences of the reduced reimbursement.

An amendment has been filed to restore regional transportation so please urge your senator to vote in favor of the amendment.  

To:          Membership

From:      Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

                Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

                Phone: 978-821-2890 (cell)    Office: 978-874-0385

Re:         Regional Transportation—House Passed the Amendment

 

We officially heard that the House did pass our regional transportation reimbursement by a vote of 148 to 5. Joe Giannino will send me the roll call vote. The amount is $51 million which Jay Sullivan said would be a 65% to 70% reimbursement rate. This rate is pretty close to the amount that was in the Governor’s House 1.

You now need to send thank you emails and phone calls to your local legislator. Please indicate to them the amount of money that would have been lost without this amendment. You might include that you realize the economic problems we face the Commonwealth and really appreciate their vote.

The email and phone number of your representative can be found at:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenuh.htm

 

If you have a chance, please send a thank you email to Speaker DeLeo, Rep Walz (Chair of the Education Committee), Rep. Murphy (Chair of Ways and Means), Rep. Guyer (original sponsor of the amendment) and Rep. Ann Gobi (who worked hard on behalf of regions).   These were the reps that helped in getting the amendment  passed.

 

The next step will be the Senate and we will let you know the next steps later this week.

 

To:          Superintendents, School Committee Members, Asst. Supt. and Business Administrators 

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

                Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

                Phone: 978-821-2890 (cell)    Office: 978-874-0385

Re:         House Ways and Means FY2010 Budget

Date:      April 23,2009

We want to thank those members who contacted their local representative and asked them to sign on to the Guyer amendment that increased the funding for Regional Transportation Reimbursement. As of Wednesday, April 22, there were 30 representatives who have signed on to the bill. May we suggest that you email your representative asking if they have had a chance to sign on to the bill?  Indicated to them the amount of the cut by the House Ways and Means puts a major strain on your district’s budget.

Our understanding is that the Representatives have until Friday, April 24, 2009 to sign on and debate in the House begins on Monday, April 27. We will be asking you to send future emails as the budget deliberations take place.

You can go to the Mass.Gov website to get the emails of your representatives.  I assure that the Representatives read their email and most likely will respond. Click on the site below and it will take you to the listing and email of the representatives.

  http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenuh.htm

To:          MARS and MAVA members

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

                Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

                David Ferreira, Executive Director

                Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators

Re:         Regional Transportation Reimbursement FY2010

The House Ways and Means Committee issued a proposed budget for FY2010 that cut Regional Transportation to $30 million from the FY2009 amount of 60 million. This reduction would amount to a 40 to 44 percent reimbursement rate. In the House 1 from the Governor the amount was $53 million which was a 65 to 70 percent reimbursement rate. The House 1 amount was used by most districts to build their FY2010 budget and assessments to the member towns.

MARS President Maureen Marshall recommended that MARS contact a Representative and ask that an amendment be filed to restore Regional Transportation reimbursement.

WE received the following from our Legislative Consultant, Joe Giannino, the following:

Dear Colleague:

We write to inform you that, on our behalf, Representative Anne Gobi and Representative Dennis Guyer have filed amendments to the House FY2010 budget proposal.

Representative Gobi's amendment would correct a technical error and extend the term for regional school district borrowing from the present 20 year term to a 25 year term.

 Representative Guyer's amendment would increase the regional school transportation reimbursement line to last year's levels.

 We strongly urge you to contact every one of your local state representatives and respectfully ask that he/she offer his/her support of these amendments by co-sponsoring them with Reps. Goby and Guyer.

 Thank you.

 Joe G.

  We suggest you let your local Representative know how much money your district will lose under the House Ways and Means proposal. It is a large sum of money. Also, let them know that this could result in additional costs to the member towns.

We clearly understand the financial picture of the Commonwealth, but we need to make sure that our Reps know exactly what will happen with this reduction in Regional Transportation Reimbursement. We are pleased that Chapter 70 was at least level funded but we do need to let the representatives know of our concern.

To:          MARS Membership

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

                Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

                Phone: 978-821-2890 (cell)    Office: 978-874-0385

Re:         Regional Transportation

I have been emailing with DESE concerning the Stimulus Money that the Governor plans to use toward Chapter 70. However, there is no provision as I understand it for regional transportation. I suggest that you contact you senator and rep indicating the concern over the cutting of regional transportation. We are expecting it to be 65% to maybe 70%, This is a cut which as you know is in most cases passed on to the member towns.

MARS needs to let the Legislature know that a cut in Regional Transportation can cause problems for our districts and that is the last incentive for regionalization.

Please send them an email as well as a call.

 

To:        Board of Directors and Members

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

             Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

             Phone: 978-821-2890 (cell)    Office: 978-0874-0385

Re:        Meetings

 

It is with great pleasure that I announce the guests that we will have at our next three MARS meetings.

                December 15, 2008 at 10:00am at Assabet----Jeff Wulfson will present proposals for regulations concerning E and D as well as budget approvals by member towns. Use and approvals of E and D has become an issue. Jeff has been conferring with stakeholders in effort to write regulations that will clarify the issues that have come forward concerning E and D and budget approvals.

                Jan 6, 2009 at 10:00 am at Assabet—Jay Sullivan will discuss Regional Transportation reimbursement as it pertains to calculating the amount as well as documentation to back up the reimbursement claim.  Jay will provide a way to estimate the amount that could be budgeted in FY2010 considering the budget issues we will be facing this year.  Also he will provide information on Circuit Breaker.

                Feb 10,2009 at 10:00 am at Assabet—It is expected that the Governor will have filed House 1 by this date with preliminary  Chapter 70 and minimum contributions amounts. Roger Hatch from DESE and David Bunker from the Executive Office of Education will provide a presentation on understanding the calculations of Chapter 70 and minimum contributions amounts.  Being able to explain these numbers will be very important as you go forward in the budget process.

 

We would appreciate responses from the membership on future possible presentations. 

 

To:        Board of Directors and Members

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

              Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

Re:         Budget FY09- Governor’s 9c Cuts

 

The Governor announced his 9c cuts yesterday. Fortunately he did not reduce Chapter 70 and especially Regional Transportation. This was the first round of cuts and we will have to wait to see if there will be future reductions as the State monitors revenue.

I suggest it is not too early to contact your reps and senators indicating that we are grateful that Regional Transportation was not reduced. However, remind them that we operate under different regulations than cities and towns concerning transportation requirements. May I suggest that you indicate to them that their support in keeping Regional Transportation reimbursement is very important to the financial well being of your District.

You can send an email and/or call your senator and rep by going to: http://www.mass.gov

On the right hand side you will find the Legislature tab. This will take you to a page on which you can choose House or Senate.

 

To:        Board of Directors and Members

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

             Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

Re:        Budget FY09 Concerns

             Over the last several weeks information has been sent out indicating possible problems with the FY09 Budget on the State level. Below is a press release:

PATRICK: TOO EARLY TO SAY IF LOCAL AID WILL BE CUT TARGET
Gov. Deval Patrick said on Wednesday that it’s too early to say whether local aid will be one of the casualties of the potential budget crisis. “I think it’s too soon to speculate how deep we’re going to have to go,” Patrick told reporters after heading back from a press conference on a children’s mental health law.  Asked about raising fees, Patrick said the administration had sketched out scenarios to take on “all sorts of possibilities,” and may have to consider layoffs as well, but cautioned the revenue numbers that have come in so far in September are preliminary. To cut local aid, Patrick needs additional powers, currently under review by the Legislature, to pare back the budget. Asked about his summer tour of town halls across the state, Patrick said he heard anxiety about the high cost of home heating and whether job growth will be spread out across the Commonwealth.  “They want us to be good stewards of the fisc,” he said, employing his word for the state’s budget. “I think I found a lot of engagement out there.”  The Patrick administration is trying to keep the state’s $28.2 billion budget from tumbling out of balance in the face of a slowdown in tax revenue growth and spending demands that were not addressed in the budget.  Local aid accounts for more than $5 billion in the state budget and is not subject to executive branch spending reductions that the governor is currently authorized to make.

Regional Transportation reimbursement  probably will  be considered if the State Budget is facing short falls in revenue. I suggest you might want to start contacting your State Senator and House Rep indicating to them at Chapter 70 and Regional Transportation reimbursement should not be cut midyear. Any reduction in aid to our regionals would cause problems which would most likely result in layoffs and reduced services to the children.

You can send an email and/or call your senator and rep by going to: http://www.mass.gov

On the right hand side you will find the Legislature tab. This will take you to a page on which you can choose House or Senate.

We will keep informed on Budget issues as they become known.

 

To:        Board of Directors and Member Districts

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

             Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

Re:        Question 1 on November Ballot

As you are aware, Question 1 on the November Ballot calls for eliminating the State Income Tax. If this should pass, funding for education as well as other governmental services would be drastically affected. Proponents say that by voting in favor of the initiative, the average taxpayer would get $3,600 back in their pockets. But what they don’t say is how this would affect the cities, towns and regional school districts which rely on aid.

Below is an email that Glenn Koocher sent concerning the Ethics Commission.

For those of you who have been following the discussions here on the opinion of the Ethics Commission relative to the right of school committees to take positions on referenda and initiative questions, I am pleased to report that the General Counsel of the Ethics Commission called me five minutes ago to say they have rethought their position and now consider it to have been "too restrictive."  They have accordingly changed their opinion to find no violation of ethics law for an elected board to take a position on a ballot question that is relevant to what they do.

The commission still believes that an election issue that is not related to the work of the board may be in violation, but we'll fight that battle another day.  It does seem that school committees might have an interest in any of the three questions because the income tax affects revenue, the marajuana decriminalization (Question 2) impacts students, and greyhound racing addresses revenues as well.

Thanks to the many members who opined here on this issue and who contacted local media, legislators, and local attorneys.

Glenn Koocher
MASC

I spoke to Glenn today and he told me that Campaign and Finance also stated there would be no violation.

We urge you to consider having your school committee discuss this at their next school committee meeting. Below is a motion by the Arlington School Committee.

 

"Moved that the Arlington School Committee opposes Question 1, a ballot initiative that would eliminate the state income tax.  Passage of Question 1 would cut the state budget by 40%, cause massive reductions in local aid to cities and towns, and result in drastic reductions in school programs.  The Committee urges the residents of Arlington to vote No on this ballot question."

Special thanks to Glenn Koocher for encouraging the Ethics Commission to determine that it is not a violation of the State Ethics law for a School Committee to take a vote on a ballot initiative that is relevant to its work. 

 

To:        Superintendents

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

              Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

Re:        DESE Request

 

Just a reminder concering a request from DESE concerning contracts:

 

To:	Superintendents and Charter School Leaders
From:	Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D. Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Date:	September 19, 2008

 

Legislation signed last month by the Governor assigns responsibility for district and school accountability to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The structure outlined in the new law replaces the former Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (EQA) and its board, the Educational Management Audit Council.

One requirement of the new law is that each school district, including regional school districts and charter schools, will annually file a copy of its current personnel contracts and collective bargaining agreements with the Department by October 1st. In her role overseeing the Offices of Accountability and Assistance, Deputy Commissioner Karla Brooks Baehr will be responsible for developing ways to organize and disseminate information gleaned from these documents so that this provision in the law becomes a requirement that is useful to the field.

We ask that you send a copy of the following to the Department by October 1st:

• The most recent personnel contract for the superintendent

• The personnel contract for the most recently hired principal

• The most recent collective bargaining agreements for:

  • Teachers

  • Administrators

  • Instructional assistants

  • Other educational support personnel

We are asking Superintendents to send any formal "side agreements" that may not appear in the collective bargaining contract but that have been negotiated to implement expanded learning time, pilot schools or other similar initiatives.

This year, you may send hard copy or transmit these documents electronically, though we would prefer electronic submission.

By mail, please send the documents to:

     Diane Beck

     Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

     350 Main Street

     Malden, MA 02148-5023

By email, send the documents to: contractagreements@doe.mass.edu

Thank you in advance for your cooperation

 

To:       Board of Directors

From:   Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

            Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

Re:       Meetings Held and Attended

I would like to bring up to date on meetings I have held and attended. On Monday, Sept 22, 2008 I had my first meeting with a new superintendent. We had a great meeting and discussion on how MARS can help a new a superintendent. I indicated that I would be very willing to visit again and help explain the finances of a regional school. I have scheduled five meetings with new superintendents at their offices.

On Tuesday Sept 23 I met with JD LaRock from the Secretary of Education office. I reviewed with him how regions are organized and worked. He was very interested in finding out a much as he could about regions. I also met with David Bunker who is the CFO in the Secretary’s Office. He will be very much involved in the budgets for DESE. I spoke with Paul Reville and asked him if JD and David  would come to one of our meetings if invited. He indicated yes and  encouraged the invitation.

After my meeting at the Secretary’s Office, I went to MSBA for a meeting with the Director. Unfortunately, Katherine Craven had a conflict and I met only with Sarah Young. We discussed regions and school finance. MSBA has formed a task force on regionalization. Maureen and I have been asked to be a members of the task force. We will be attending their meetings with the first on October 29. I will meet with Sarah on Oct 23 to continue our discussion on regions. I plan to attend the MSBA Board meeting on Monday, September 29 at noontime. I will report back what took place at the meeting.

On Wednesday, September 25 the Rennie Center had a session on School District Consolidation in Massachusetts: Opportunities and Challenges. There were over 200 attendees with many of our members present. I have attached the overview of the session. There was time only for the speakers with no question/answer time. I will be forwarding to our members the power point presentation of each speaker. This was described as the first inning of the discussion on school consolidation.

I think we need to discuss at our meetings the challenges we now face as regions. I suggest we might want to set up meetings to bring our concerns to the policy makers. 

School District Consolidation in Massachusetts:
Opportunities and Challenges

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
8:30 AM ? 10:30 AM

Omni Parker House Hotel
Boston, MA

Presented by the:
Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy

Join us as we discuss the opportunities and challenges of reducing the number of school districts in Massachusetts.

Session Overview

In the current constrained fiscal environment, policymakers are seeking opportunities to reduce costs where ever possible. One idea gaining momentum, and being promoted by Governor Patrick, is that of reducing the number of school districts in the Commonwealth. Among the long-term goals stated in the Administration?s education agenda is to: ?Increase the size while reducing the number of the Commonwealth?s current school districts to streamline administration and management structures, which will expand opportunities to ensure strong oversight and leadership and improve teaching and learning.?

Proponents view a reduction of the number of school districts as a way to reduce administrative and facilities costs and improve the efficiency of districts, ensuring that more money is spent in ways that directly meet the needs of students. Some proponents also view consolidated districts as a way to boost the capacity of smaller districts to provide support for high quality curriculum and instruction. Conversely, some educators, parents, and community leaders question the actual savings potential of district consolidation and harbor concerns over its impact on students and communities.

At this session, education and policy leaders with diverse perspectives will discuss the question: What are the opportunities and challenges that must be considered when developing a plan for district consolidation?

Presentations
District Consolidation in Maine: Lessons Learned
Susan Gendron, Commissioner, Maine Department of Education

Analysis of District Size and Costs in Massachusetts
Lisa Famularo, Ph.D., Research Director, Rennie Center

District Consolidation: Overview of Challenges and Opportunities
Donald Kennedy, Ed.D., Senior Consultant, New England School Development Council (NESDEC)

Moderated Panel Discussion
Representative Patricia Haddad, Chair, Joint Committee on Education, Massachusetts State Legislature
Katherine Craven, Executive Director, Massachusetts School Building Authority
Senator Stan Rosenberg, Massachusetts State Legislature
Nicholas Young, Superintendent, Hadley Public Schools
Glenn Koocher, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of School Committees
JD LaRock, Policy Advisor, Executive Office of Education

Moderator
Robert Schwartz, Rennie Center Board of Directors; Academic Dean, Harvard Graduate School of Education

REGISTRATION

Call the Rennie Center reservation line at 617-354-0002, ext. 13 or register online by clicking here. Registration is free, however space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

About the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy
The Rennie Center's mission is to develop a public agenda that informs and promotes significant improvement of public education in Massachusetts. Our work is motivated by a vision of an education system that creates the opportunity to educate every child to be successful in life, citizenship, employment and life-long learning. Applying nonpartisan, independent research, and civic engagement, the Center is creating a civil space to foster thoughtful public discourse to inform and shape effective policy

To:        Superintendents

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

             Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

Re:       Requesting School Committee and Business Official Names

 

                Our Association is comprised of regional schools and as such we include School Committee members, Superintendents and School Business Officials Central/ Office administrators. I am requesting that you email me the name of a school committee member who would receive information and represent your District at Association meetings. Also please send me your school business official or other central office administrator who would also receive information and represent your District.

Below the section of our Bylaws concerning selection of members.

                Active members of the Association shall be all duly elected or appointed members of such regional school district committees together with all school administrators of such affiliated regional school districts including but not limited to the positions of Superintendent of Schools, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Associate Superintendent of Schools and School Bus­iness Administrators.

I would appreciate you emailing me the names and email addresses as soon as possible so that I can update and add the names to your membership list.

 

To:          Board of Directors and Member Districts

From:    Stephen Hemman, Executive Director

                Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS)

Re:         Attendance at Board of Education Meeting on Sept 10, 2008

 

I attended the Board of Education meeting on September 10, 2008. I would encourage members to go to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Website to review the agenda of the meeting and read the Board in Briefs on the meeting when it  gets posted. Following are items of interest:

1.       The Secretary of Education will have a major role in preparing the educational budgets for preschool, DESE, and higher education. This is the first year of preparing the State budget for education in this way.

2.       DESE has divided into two major divisions:
        Division for Learning, Leadership, and Information

        Division for Accountability, Partnership, and Assistance

Jeff Neilhouse will be Deputy Director for Division of Learning and Karla Books Baehr will be the Deputy Director for Accountability.

The Department has clearly heard that the old EQA style was unacceptable. It was stated that they want to help instead of just pointing out the problems. They are forming an advisory council on district accountability. If you should be interested, go their Website for information. Another point in the law is that no school is audited during state wide assessments or within 9 months of another comprehensive review.

The Readiness Project was outline by the Secretary of Education and I would point out that a major point is looking at regionalization. At the meeting I met J.D. LeRock from the Secretary’s Office who will be dealing with the issue of regionalization. I have arranged to meet with him on Friday, September 19, 2008. I plan to ask him to attend one of our monthly meetings to discuss this part of the Readiness Project.

You can find more information on the Board meeting by going to the Department of Elementary and Secondary website.

                                http://www.doe.mass.edu/