NOTES FROM Hampshire Superintendents Steering Committee MEETING

Friday, December 16, 2016 9:00 A.M.

Present: Karol Coffin, Nancy Follansbee, Craig Jurgensen, Anne McKenzie, John Provost and John Robert.

CES Staff: Bill Diehl and Bill Erickson.

Minutes: On a motion (Robert/Jurgensen) the lengthy notes from the November 18 Joint Franklin-Hampshire Steering Committee meeting were approved, with one correction.

General Discussion-

1.  On the general topic of exercising informed, stable leadership at the pace of social media, Superintendents shared various situations they face involving inappropriate or hateful text messaging, the need to determine just who needs to be kept informed when such messaging is discovered, how to maintain student privacy, and when to inform or engage with the press. One perspective to temper the urge to issue harsh discipline or heap rebuke or embarrassment on offenders when they disrupt the learning environment is to keep in mind that ‘kids sometimes do dumb things.’ Today it seems that all wireless correspondence among children and between schools and the community has become everyone’s business.

2.  Among legislative issues being considered, the group shared experiences in creating sanctuary schools (and communities) to be welcoming and protective of those needing assistance or refuge.

3.  A statewide group called the District Management Council was formed more than ten years ago to ‘strengthen and increase the management capacity’ of school leaders. Attention was called to two recent publications of the Council – ‘Spending Money Wisely,’ (getting the most from budgets) and ‘Shifting Resources Strategically (to fund district priorities). These will be shared on line with those interested.

4.  FY18 budget preparation is still at early stages for most, and will likely come to the surface once the state calculates local aid.

5.  Brief mention was made of the need for each school district to identify a ‘records access officer,’ in anticipation of Public Records Law changes going into effect on January 1. This will likely be a subject of discussion when Attorney Michael Long speaks at the Connecticut Valley Superintendents Roundtable on January 6.

CES Matters of Interest-

1.  Bill Diehl’s December report to the Board of Governors was highlighted, and included reference to his attendance at the national AESA conference.

2.  Professional Development offerings of note include mentor training and mentoring of low-incidence teachers, Emerging History offerings on Immigration Issues in Perspective for Diverse Students, Teaching Human Rights and America and World Fascism, and in Technology, Universal Design for Learning.

3.  More than 18 hybrid online courses are offered for teachers seeking Initial Licensure and Professional Advancement.

4.  CES is among a dozen collaboratives across the state participating in LEAP, a Low-Income Education Access Program, designed to support and engage a qualified trainer and consultant in schools to deepen understanding of the impact of poverty on student outcomes.

5.  Bill Diehl repeated an explanation of the newly-formed cadre of liaisons working closely with school districts.

6.  Jacqueline Ryan Vickery, Assistant Professor of media at the University of North Texas will be the Keynoter at the annual Technology in Education Conference and Expo at Holyoke Community College on January 19, 2017. Her focus will be on young people’s digital media practices as they intersect with issues of identity, privacy, informal learning, equity and literacy.

7.  Registrations are now being taken for the Massachusetts Licensure Academy, a DESE –funded program offered through the Collaborative, providing courses and PDPs at no-cost for teachers working on a waiver for special education training, or for content teachers seeking an additional license for moderate disabilities.

Next Meeting – Friday, January 20, 2017

Adjourn – The meeting adjourned at 11:50 A.M

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Bill Erickson, Recorder