Attachment: 2005 Regional Agreement Task Force Recommendations 1. Assessment method – Assess each member town by student population then give each town credit for their portion of the Chapter 70 state aid.~~ ~ Chapter 70 state aid calculated by town the same way the state calculates it at the district level.~Use each town’s Chapter 70 aid over the last 5 years (FY02-FY06) to compute an average percentage of aid by town.~Current year Chapter 70 state aid to be apportioned based on each town’s 5 year average percentage as follows:~ Groveland~~35.4% Merrimac~~40.2% ~~~~~ ~West Newbury~24.4% These percentages are effective as of FY08.. 2. Assessment approval – (2a)Last years assessment plus 2.5% to be approved by 2 out of 3 member towns.~(2b)Any additional assessment amounts require 3 out of 3 member towns for approval.~ ~ (The recommendation would require legal council to present a strong argument to the DOE because in the DOE’s mind 3 out of 3 is not consistent with Chapter 71, section 16(B), which
states a 2/3rds vote.~Though, the DOE would have to consider if legal council presents a strong argument.~ If DOE approves or not, we’d have to go for special legislation.) Need Board of Selectman to support getting legal advice and funding. 3. Establish a Regional Advisory Board.~This board will be made up of~a Selectman and the Finance Director from each member town.~The board would meet with the School Committee Chair, or his/her delegate along with the Business Manager and Superintendent through out the year.~~Task force needs to write letter indicating these responsibilities
should be included with the Superintendents job description if this were to pass. ~ The board will be expected to discuss budget calendars, timelines, revenue issues of the towns and the district, and other issues such as capital budget items and other concerns that may impact the school district and/or the towns.~ ~ Chairmanship of the Regional Advisory Board shall rotate year to year among the 3 towns. ~ 4. Reduce the number of School Committee members from 12 to 9 and give each member equal representation and voting rights . Maureen will ask Steve Finnegan if equal voting rights are possible without district wide elections. (This recommendation might not get approved unless we hold district wide elections which the task force is not in favor of doing) They are not infavor of doing district wide elections because they are held during state elections which is during budget season. Not a good time to be changing school committee members.
Summary of how other districts handle voting rights
Nashoba Regional School District Total Members~13 Lancaster~~5 Stow~~5 Bolton~~3 The population of the participating towns shall be determined every 5 years in accordance with the town’s annual census.~The census will be reviewed to ensure the number of members is within the standard 10-16% deviation in compliance with the one person-one vote ruling Annual town elections |
Berkshire Hills Total Members~~10 Great Barrington~~5 Stockbridge~~3 West Stockbridge~~2 District wide elections |
