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November 2, 2010MSBA Update During the past three years while the regional planning board was mapping out the regional agreement there was one set of regulations that governed the appropriation of funds for the purpose of a feasibility study by a regional school district. In the communications that were shared with the community around the plans for the renovation/construction project, this method (bringing the question to both Town Meetings) was the only one discussed because it was the only method available at the time. In the past 12 months the regulations have changed and in the November 2nd meeting the committee voted to move forward with the feasibility study under this new approval process. The result of the vote will be that the committee will put before the towns a single question election to see if the towns will authorize the Regional School Committee to borrow the sum of $750,000 for the purpose of conducting the renovation/construction feasibility study for the Ayer Shirley Regional Middle High School. There will be informational forums over the next couple months so that the community has a chance to ask questions about the feasibility study. The date for the election has not been determined yet. It is worth noting that the funding mechanism for the feasibility study using the new regulatory method is different. In the previous method, the two towns would be responsible for the borrowing article and would have to approve an override to finance the loan. With the new regulation, the Regional School Committee can borrow the funds and avoid the need for an override to finance the feasibility study. The MSBA has shared with the committee that the reimbursement base rate is 56.89% to the region. The final project reimbursement rate will be at least 66.89% with another possible 1-2% based on the final construction plans. This means that more than two-thirds of the project will be reimbursed by the MSBA. Health Insurance Update The administration and the teachers unions continue to collaborate on finding a health insurance plan that will provide comparable benefits to the current plans. Both groups have hired a single consultant to work collaboratively to examine the benefits and the costs associated with the various plans. The focus is on deciding which insurance pool to join so that we improve the buying power of the district and maintain reasonable control over the plans and the costs. The goal is to make a decision in January so that all enrollments can be completed in advance of the July 1 region operational start date. Technology Consultant Update Mike Thibeault (Ayer School District IT) and Deb Cutter (Shirley School District IT) presented the result of the report and recommendations prepared by Focus Consulting (NH). The report covered the technology infrastructure plans needed to bring the district up to speed both figuratively and literally. Mr. Thibeault and Ms. Cutter summarized the state of the technology infrastructure in both districts as being extremely poorly equipped to handle the systems and learning tools that today's software programs require. The committee supports the need for infrastructure improvement in order to support efficiency in the front office and lay the ground work for providing 21st century educational opportunities to our students. The current plan for the infrastructure upgrade is that it will be implemented during the winter vacation. Administration/Organization The superintendent search committee has been formed and will begin their work on bringing highly qualified final candidates to the regional school committee. The response from school staff, parents and the community was impressive and the resulting committee is very impressive. We thank everyone for their interest and willingness to participate in this important process. We are now looking for the same level of interest in the principal search committee has begun and we are currently looking for volunteers from the community to join this group. If you are interested, please contact Amanda Lewis (alewis@ayershirleyregion.org). Strategic Planning Interim Superintendent Mary Beth Hamel has hired a consultant to work with the strategic planning committee to develop a plan for the district that will provide guidance and direction to the district for the first 3 years. This committee will be working during November and December to put together this plan and submit it to the regional school committee for approval. Once again the request for volunteers was met with enthusiasm and interest. We have a strong committee and look forward to the fruits of their labor. The next meeting will be held on November 17th at 7pm in the library of the Ayer Shirley Middle School located in Shirley. As always, great things are happening in the Ayer Shirley Schools every day. Pat Kelly |
What's New?ASRSD School Choice Form (PDF) ASRSD Internal School Choice Form (PDF) Ayer NCLB Report Card (PDF) |
Last Updated on 14 August 2011 |