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Williamstown to Weigh in on Proposed UnionBy Derek Mong - December 17, 2007
WILLIAMSTOWN — The community will get a chance to weigh in on the proposed union of Williamstown and Lanesborough elementary schools on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at the Williamstown school.
Superintendency union, if instituted, could save Williamstown $115,000 in yearly administrative costs. It would also reduce Mount Greylock School Union 69, currently composed of Lanesborough, New Ashford, Hancock and Richmond, to a union of three.
At last week's Williamstown School Committee meeting, Superintendent Rose Ellis and committee Chairman David Backus said the new union would affect administration only, leaving both schools virtually unchanged. Each town would retain its separate school committees, budgets, on-site administration, parent groups and curriculum.
The superintendent and special education director, however, would be shared between the towns, the latter spending roughly "three days of the week in our offices and two in Lanesborough," said Backus. Ellis would continue as superintendent of the united district.
William Ballen, the current superintendent of Union 69, and Paul Mays, its special education director, are both stepping down, a move that prompted Lanesborough's inquiries and the current proposal.
"This is an opportunity that doesn't come around all that often, with the impending retirement of the superintendent and special ed director," said School Committee member Judy Fraser.
"Lanesborough is unhappy. They have less voice and more responsibility for the budget [in Union 69]," said Backus.
In the proposed union, Lanesborough would contribute 40 percent of the administrative operating costs, while maintaining an equal say in operational issues, budget and hiring of future superintendents. A joint committee overseeing the union would assure this. Each town would contribute three school committee members, including the chairman.
This 40/60 cost breakdown could also adjust over time, depending on the relative growth or decline in each school's population. This is, according to Backus, one of the benefits of a superintendency union. Ellis noted that "[Williamstown's] lost over 100 children in five years." Currently, Williamstown Elementary serves 441 students, while Lanesborough, whose student body is growing, serves 275.
The proposed union's chief benefits, however, remain financial. By covering just 60 percent of a 2008-2009 administrative budget (estimated at $387,000), Williamstown could save as much as $115,000 annually. No suggestions were given for how this money might be spent.
Additionally, the united schools would extend a collaboration already forged with Mount Greylock Regional High School, the middle school and high school shared by Lanesborough and Williamstown. Were Williamstown more deeply "allied with another school, we'd be able to attract a higher caliber of talent," said Backus, referring to future faculty and staff. Likewise, the proposed union might assure greater long-term viability for an unpartnered, rural district like Williamstown. In 2005, only 7 percent of Massachusetts schools were comprised of partial districts (i.e. K-sixth grade) not in unions.
The proposed union, however, remains "very preliminary in [its] process right now," said Ellis, and concerns were raised by other committee members regarding its effects on Williamstown schools.
"We're all going to have to be realistic and think that the superintendent won't be able to call us back as quickly as possible," said Fraser.
The public hearing Tuesday to discuss the proposed union will be held at 7 p.m. Lanesborough will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at its school. |
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