Officials Quizzed on School Union Proposal

By Tammy DanielsPrint Story | Email Story
WILLIAMSTOWN - The plan for a joint superintendency union with Lanesborough Elementary School did not get a warm embrace at Tuesday's public hearing, with one teacher wondering why they seemed to be "rushing into a marriage." Nearly two dozen residents, teachers and interested parties pelted the School Committee with questions concerning the proposed union after a presentation by committee Chairman David Backus. Several were concerned about future votes and what it would mean to the autonomy of each school. Others questioned how it might affect services if the top administrators had to be shared with a district a half-hour away. "I'm not convinced all the subtleties have been explored," said resident Rob Savage. The school district has been in talks with Lanesborough since early September. Lanesborough is currently part of School Union 69, which also includes Hancock, New Ashford and Richmond. It would leave Union 69 to create a new union with Williamstown, if both school committees agree. According to state law, both schools would have equal representation on the supervisory board (three members each) and share four administrative positions and their associated costs based on the number of students (Williamstown's share would be 60 percent). It would not affect programs, curriculum or faculty at either of the schools. "We just share their costs and we just share their time," said School Committee Chairman David Backus. The proposal was presented as a win-win situation by providing long-term stability for both schools. Williamstown would save an estimated $110,000 in administrative costs and Lanesborough, which now pays 60 percent of the costs but only has 25 percent of the voting rights in its current union, might also see some relief. It would also provide greater buying power for commodities such as paper, pencils and equipment. Discussions between the local school districts have been off and on over the last 40 years, but the imminent retirement of William Ballen, Union 69's superintendent, put the school union idea on the fast track. Kate Seid, who said she was "wearing many hats" as parent, teacher and teacher's union president, worried about access to the administrators, who would presumably be Williamstown's Superintendent Rose Ellis and Michael Singleton, director of special education. (The other two positions would be executive secretary and business coordinator.) "We have administrators who don't delegate a lot. Some of us feel access is already limited," she said, referring to faculty and parents. How would that management style work if they had to deal with another school, Seid continued, and if it didn't work out, how would school officials know? "Yes, it's a challenge overseeing two school districts," said Ellis, but added that she had worked with the Lanesborough principal before. Her time, and Singleton's, would likely be split three days in Williamstown and two in Lanesborough. School officials said mechanisms could be put in place to provide feedback to them and the administrators. Backus referred several questions to New Ashford School Committee Chairwoman Brenda Frye, who was sitting in the audience. Frye said there has been no downside to being in a union. "It's worked for us." If the superintendent or special ed director has to spend more time at one school than another, they will, she said. Frye added that the union was likely to release Lanesborough at the end of January. A Lanesborough resident wondered if that town would get a share of the largess Williams College provides to the Williamstown school. Backus said Lanesborough would have to talk to the college about it. Grants and other funding the schools received would not be shared, he said. Some wanted to know if the savings would be put toward specific programs but committee members responded that the funds would part of the general budget. The school district is facing declining revenues and population while costs keep rising, warned committee member Judy Fraser. The declining school population is reducing the number of classes for each grade - squeezing the number of slots open for school-choice students, which bring in 15 to 20 percent of the school's revenue. Joining with Lanesborough will take some of that pressure off and provide financial relief. "I think it's going to be terrific fiscally and in other ways," said Fraser. Jennifer Welch of New Ashford, whose children attend Lanesborough School, asked if the union could facilitate social exchanges between the children to help prevent conflicts between the two groups when they begin attending Mount Greylock Regional High School. Ellis said it was up to the schools, since every union is different - some work very closely together, others stay far apart. Audience members urged the School Committee to schedule another public hearing because they felt there were still too many questions. The committee will likely set another public hearing when it meets next month. Lanesborough is holding a public hearing tonight at 7 the school.
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Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.
 
But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.
 
"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."
 
"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.
 
Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.
 
The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.
 
Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.
 
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