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www.seemcollaborative.org
SEEM Collaborative Board of Director’s Meeting
SEEM Administrative Office
1/13/2015
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Superintendents
Mr. Mark Donovan, Woburn
Dr. Les Olson, Stoneham
Mr. Michael Tempesta, Saugus
Ms. Mary DeLai, Wilmington
Ms. Cyndy Taymore, Melrose
Mr. William McAlduff, Winchester
Dr. Stephen Zrike, Wakefield
Mr. Jon Bernard, North Reading
Collaborative Staff
Ms. Cathy Lawson, Executive Director
Mr. Greg Zammuto, Director of Finance and Operations
Ms. Beth Klepeis, Treasurer
Others in Attendance
Mr. David Farwell, Principal SEEM Prep
Mr. Michael McDermott, Vocational Coordinator SEEM Prep
Mr. Rich Plouffe, Coordinator of Transition Services
Ms. Crystal Kaloostian, Teacher SEEM Prep
Two Students from SEEM Prep
Absent Superintendents
Ms. Jane Tremblay, Lynnfield
Dr. John Doherty, Reading
92 Montvale Avenue, Suite 3500, Stoneham, MA 02180 ~ p. 781-279-1361 ~ f. 781-279-0292
www.seemcollaborative.org
A. Meeting called to order by Chair of the Board, Mr. Mark Donovan at 9:05 AM.
B. Public Comment – There were no public comments.
C. Agenda - Motion to accept as enclosed – approved by all.
D. Approval of the minutes from 11/24/14 – Motion to approve the minutes of 11/24/14 by Ms.
Cyndy Taymore, seconded by Dr. Stephen Zrike, all in favor.
E. Administrative and Committee Reports
1. Executive Directors Report
a. Ms. Cathy Lawson discussed House Bill 3938. This will not be through the Ways and
Means this year so the regionalization of services has stalled for the time being. The bill
will be presented again in the future, but this will give collaboratives more time to look at
the role of collaboratives and the vision of services.
b. The Annual Report and financial statements have gone to ESE, State Auditor, Board
members and posted on the website. This is to be viewed by the school committees but
does not have to be voted.
c. The Collaborative Agreement is approved by ESE and has been distributed to Board
members to bring to school committees. Once voted, the signature page should be
returned to Ms. Cathy Lawson.
d. Job Alikes:
i. Curriculum Directors are working on Social Studies Mapping for the elementary
level. The Title IIB grant is in process. SEEM is beginning to implement the Title III
grant. Ms. Lawson is facilitating ELL job alike and also providing some professional
development. DDM development work continues and will be completed and sent
to ESE by the end of January.
ii. Preschool Directors are focusing on transition and social emotional challenges.
Jessica Minahan will be attending a meeting to discuss intervention strategies.
iii. Elementary level Principals Job Alike is a new effort initiated by Jenny Corduck,
principal in Melrose. Five SEEM member districts are participating.
2. Planning and Assessment Committee Report – Ms. Cathy Lawson reviewed the minutes from the
12/12/14 meeting. The majority of the meeting was a legal issues update presented by Matthew
McAvoy, Esq. and Michael Joyce, Esq. Other topics discussed were the SEEM extended year
program. Attendance on Friday’s in the summer is very low and SEEM is considering going to a 4
day program rather than 4.5 day. The group discussed this and felt that it was appropriate to
move to 4 days with the only challenges being a possible stay-put issue with the IEP because it’s
on the service delivery grid and possibly a problem for parents of Beebe School students. Cathy
will continue to work with the Sped Directors on these issues and come back to the Board with a
recommendation and cost analysis. The other topic discussed was inclusion. Jessica Minahan
was hired to go into districts in lieu of a full-time consultant because there weren’t any
candidates for a full-time position. The challenge has been the culture change and mind-shift
among teachers that comes with inclusion. Ideas considered are PD for leadership teams and
looking at what tools are needed to begin launching these changes. The consultant has helped
92 Montvale Avenue, Suite 3500, Stoneham, MA 02180 ~ p. 781-279-1361 ~ f. 781-279-0292
www.seemcollaborative.org
with this but the comprehensiveness of the need requires more time than she is contracted for.
Another idea discussed was showcasing what is working in districts that have been successful
with inclusion models by possibly having panel presentations to learn from each other and help
the districts move forward. The next meeting is 3/19/15.
3. Personnel Report – Ms. Cathy Lawson presented the Personnel report. The only new positions
are coming from an increase in students and ABA per diem staff for new home service cases.
Motion to accept the personnel report for 11/10/2014 - 1/6/2015 by Mr. William McAlduff,
seconded by Ms. Mary DeLai, all in favor.
4. Financial Report: Mr. Greg Zammuto presented the Financial Report
a. Enrollment and Tuition Report as of 12/31/2014 – Current student enrollment is 316.
Total students who have come through the programs this year is 334. Assessment
program is a little below projected enrollment, however, this is the time of year we see an
increase in that program. Based on the current enrollment projected through the end of
year, we are ahead of budget by $227,000.
b. Revenue and Expense report through 12/31/2014 – Projected revenue and projected
expenses has been updated. Based on these changes, the projected balance is $294,323
through the end of the year. A major change is that transportation continues to increase.
Ridership has increased and this has been updated. Major changes to expense side is due
to health insurance rate changes and staff changing their plans. Transportation expense
goes up as the transportation revenue goes up. Some small grants have been received
and these numbers have been updated.
c. Year-to-Date Profit & Loss Budget vs Actual 7/1/14 through 12/31/14 was reviewed. This
is a further breakdown of expenses by line item.
F. Old Business – There was no old business
G. New Business
1. North Reading Lease for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program - Ms. Cathy Lawson reviewed the
proposal. The Lease term proposed is one year lease at $26,200 to be paid in 12 equal monthly
payments in arrears beginning 10/1/15. This is $1800 increase from $14,400. North Reading has
not increased the rent in several years and the collaborative supports the increase because, in
addition to access and use of the rooms, SEEM also receives nursing and cafeteria services and
supplies. Motion to accept the lease agreement as proposed by Dr. Les Olson, seconded by Ms.
Cyndy Taymore, all in favor. Mr. Jon Bernard abstained from voting.
2. FY16 Draft Budget Proposal – Ms. Cathy Lawson and Mr. Greg Zammuto presented the first
reading of the FY16 draft budget proposal. The budget was built on the motion made last year to
present a budget that was transportation revenue neutral. The budget was developed to
support an increase of 16 FTE for students for total of 363. As in other years, if this number is
different, adjustments in staffing will be made as necessary. Technology continues to be a focus
as part of the technology plan that is in place. The technology upgrade will help with PARCC if
SEEM goes in that direction in the future. Based on projected enrollment of 363 FTE and
recommendation to increase tuition, therapy and service rates by 3% and to increase the rate of
92 Montvale Avenue, Suite 3500, Stoneham, MA 02180 ~ p. 781-279-1361 ~ f. 781-279-0292
www.seemcollaborative.org
1:1 aide by $1014, (based on a motion made last year to take the average salary and health
insurance of the aides), the FY16 revenue is projected to be $26,712,119 which is $1,582,546
higher than the FY15 budget amount. This represents a 6.3% increase.
FY16 expenses are projected to be $26,487,118 which represents $1,425,826 more than the FY15
budget amount. The major increases are related to payroll increase and step increase in addition
to increases for transportation, health insurance, supplies and materials, contracted services and
building rent and utilities. The Board will review the draft budget proposal and revisit at the next
meeting on 2/24/15. To save time in the budget process, it was recommended that any
questions on the proposed budget be submitted to Mr. Greg Zammuto prior to the next meeting
so that he can have a response prepared.
3. FY14 Cumulative Surplus Funds – The FY14 certified cumulative surplus funds amount is
$460,325. Unexpected grant and restricted funds are $26,217 of this amount which, once
deducted, brings the total to $434,108. The collaborative’s anticipated FY15 retiree health cost is
$51,552. It is recommended that the Board designates the anticipated FY15 retiree health cost
of $51,552 to fund OPEB and the remaining amount of $382,556 be designated to the SEEM
general fund. Motion to designate $51,552 of the FY14 cumulative surplus into the OPEB
account and the remaining amount of $382,556 be designated to the SEEM general fund by Mr.
William McAlduff, seconded by Ms. Mary DeLai, all in favor.
H. Other Business – Staff from SEEM Prep and the SEEM Transition Coordinator came to present an
overview of their program and the services they provide, as well as, their work with family and
community engagement. Two students who are graduating from SEEM Prep this year also discussed
their experiences working in the community as part of the vocational program.
I. Future Meetings Dates and Agenda Items – the next meeting will be 2/24/2015. Chairman Mr. Mark
Donovan will not be present at the next Board meeting and Dr. Les Olson will act as chair for the
meeting. The revised FY16 budget proposal will be presented, as well as, the actuarial study – OPEB.
J. Adjournment – Motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Cyndy Taymore at 10:30 am, seconded by Dr.
Les Olson, all in favor.
Respectfully submitted by,
Catherine Lawson, Executive Director