Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative

The board meeting included a presentation on Central MA Academy and Restorative Justice. The board acknowledged a donation of winter apparel. The FY15 budget was discussed, addressing student census numbers and outreach efforts. The board approved the FY14 Annual Report and discussed the Recovery High School contract, agreeing to post the Principal/Director position. The WDS enrollment data was reviewed, considering the closure of the Fremont Street site and potential reconfiguration. The possibility of increased revenue through a new professional development center was highlighted, and MAP assessment results were reviewed. The meeting also included an executive session for strategy sessions related to negotiations.

The board reviewed and discussed the approval of FY15 budget reductions, including a motion to approve the revised budget with a request to review tuition/revenues for the August 14, 2014 meeting. There was also a note regarding a request to see a reduction of budgeted revenue to member towns to reflect the newly reduced expense figure.

The board meeting included a presentation of the draft report of the FY14 independent audit. The board expressed displeasure that contractual obligations were not met relative to the agreed upon time frame for report submission. The board presented the Executive Director's Summative Evaluation report.

The board meeting included discussions and reviews of several key areas. Topics included a change to the agenda format, a review of the executive director's report, which covered the Woodward Day School reconfiguration and the engagement of a leadership team consultant. There was also a building committee update, a MOEC update, a technology review, and an update on the educator evaluation system. The Director of Finance & Operations presented the FY 15 Budget assumptions and the FY14 Year to Date Budget. The board discussed member requests and new business, including a recovery high school and proposed FT 15 meeting dates. The board also decided to add the approval of the final draft of the Collaborative Agreement and the evaluation of the Executive Director to the August agenda.

The board reviewed the FY15 budget, which included tuition reductions, and compared it against FY13 and FY14. Updates on FY14 financials and an IRS notice were presented. The Woodward Day School presentation was given by Site-Coordinators. A donation from Harvard Pilgrim for the Hartwell Learning Center was accepted to purchase iPads. The Building Committee provided an update, and the THRIVE program was discussed, including concerns about parent comfort and hiring deadlines. The revised Collaborative Agreement was accepted, and Recovery High School plans were reviewed, including contacting schools, creating a task force, and selecting a facility. New staff for THRIVE were reviewed, and it was recommended that future personnel issues be forwarded to the board prior to each meeting. The Executive Director Year End Progress Report and FY15 goals were presented, and a request was made to complete the report as per the superintendent rubric.