Central MA Readiness Center Governing Board Meeting January 21, 2014 MESPA Center, Marlborough 9:30 a.m. please note starting time change Meeting Minutes Attendees: Mike Dubrule, Kim Davenport, Nadya Aswad Higgins, Joanne Gravel, Karen Frank Mays, Elaine Tateronis, Ralph Hicks, Richard Murphy, Mary Ellen Brunelle Meeting called to order by Chairperson, Nadya Asward Higgins at 9:40 am Introduction of new governing board member, Al Ganem (WPS) Al was not present to be introduced. Moved to next item on agenda. Review and approval of last meeting s minutes Change Joanne s last name, small typo; Motion for approval Mary Ellen Brunelle, 2 nd Elaine Tateronis; ALL approved Communication from Peter Azar s family Elaine T. shared a note from Dr. Azar s wife thanking the group for support in his name and how much he enjoyed working with the Central MA Readiness Center. Nadya thanked Elaine for taking the lead to set up the gift. Other members remarked that they too received notes from Mrs. Azar. Updates from Executive Director Kicked off DDM Workshop this morning. It booked up in 1.5 days. We have a waiting list of 35. How do we capture all of the information from workshops to see impact? - Mike constructed an evaluation form for the workshops. He will send it out to the Board via email. Will we run the DDM Workshop again since we have a waitlist? We need to see if we have the funds. It costs approximately $4,200. It is a two-part workshop; second date in February Will it make any difference in future funding to demonstrate effectiveness via evaluation and demand? Group discussed pulling together documentation of training effectiveness which lead into a discussion on Sustainability. All other professional development activities are in process or on schedule to be implemented this year. Sustainability Discussion
Summary from RCN Meeting on 1/13 (Mike shared) Saeyun joined the meeting via phone for 30 minutes Exploration of setting up 501C3 status not viable Exploring MOU to establish Institutional Status at public institutions Funding question still remains perhaps each agency can put in some funding to keep basic infrastructure in place No time to get into Govenor s budget Would DESE put in funding? How about a small piece from each agency? Saeyun asked for a bare-bones budget to keep RCs running. RC Directors already sent this in August. RC Directors agreed to do this again: salary and minimal professional development Support Discussion Where is the general support for RCN Secretary Malone supports Readiness Centers Do we have legislative support? Who is championing the cause Birth 26? This was Paul Reville s initial vision with the Governor Secretary Malone articulates this vision Birth Career Discussion of negative view on Readiness Center effectiveness from those outside there isn t enough information circulating on what the RCs do and what has been accomplished. RC direct work Should there be an aggregated report and article about RC s objectives and accomplishment? How about updating the summary document of RC accomplishments drawn up by Andy and Stacey and then send to all Commissioners? Let s demonstrate what has been achieved. Mike will follow up to get the original documents and prepare an updated version. Other discussion points: What happened to the plan for the RCN website via DOE? All university presidents put money into this and there has been no website. Mike reported that RC s have to reforecast the funding at the end of March. How closely did the statewide schedule of PD and initiatives delivered via RCs come to be? In addition to PD by centers, all the work that RCs did the first year without the funding; e.g. Worcester State and Fitchburg State University on ELA Standards and Math Standards RCs meeting with DESE department in April about getting in-service out into the field; they are looking for a mechanism to do this. Seems like this is the express role of the RCs.
We also need to consider the mixed delivery system and the Readiness Center s work there given ELCG. There is far more PD across private PreK and Public School PreK-3. Very successful and not have happened before. Collaboratives discussion Perhaps just DESE mandated info and PD to be funneled that way; What is the role of Collaboratives? Collaboratives don t have B-Career span and don t reach into teacher prep. Collboratives don t have same capacity as RCs MOEC discussion also included PD has been issued via Vendors; discussed building internal capacity to do presentations and deliver the PD for lower costs Aside from aggregating information on accomplishments, do we want to craft a statement on this? Should we make a request of the legislature? Federal money is ending, can we look to secure state funding to continue RC work to support the Commonwealth. We have also identified a need that is not met and will continue to be a demand. RCs should explore with university partners to build internal capacity for training and delivering professional development locally, regionally, and it would be for lower cost. Need to ensure content base and presentation skills. Budget Review Budget updated from last meeting. Thank you to Karen Frank Mays and Keyna Thomas for their hard work on budget reviews and updates. Professional Development Activities Sheet captures all expenses. Projecting a small deficit that is OK to have at this point given that it is early enough to implement changes. Professional Development Updates reviewed each PD offering MESPA Activities Winter Conference fully subscribed January Coaching Program starting in February Only 3 open slots from 10 Will know final number end of this week Other PD Activities Reviewed line by line for update Writing to Text Hedi Wojack, PhD was given as reference from Peg to create this workshop for $5,000; Mike just received this contact on Friday and has reached out to Hedi to explore viability and desire to do the workshop
Ray Lewis and Peg Bouchard have waitlists from last summer s workshops; these were planned to be re-run to clear the need off waitlist MITS Workshop (originally ~$16,500) the cost was NOT inclusive of graduate credit course; the cost is due to the subcontracting with 3-4 contractors; Karen Frank Mays found some additional funding from FSU ($5,000) to support the workshop, so have budget of $10,000. MITS needs to determine if they can reduce costs a bit to come closer to $10K. Issue: Brochure developed and sent out; securing registrations already via CPS/MITS. They were told fully funded, pre DESE cuts. Registration issues: we need it to be Central MA as a catch basin not across state until we have extra slots. We need to continue to have conversations and diplomacy with MITS to come to a positive resolution. Mike asked if they can reduce scope. Suggetion: How about opening to neighboring RC and charge a fee to help recoup the cost? Skills for Working Effectively with PLCs Kim asked - can we blend funds from CMRC and ELCG to cost share? Kim and Karen to ask Program Officer permission. This would restore funds to CMRC budget to catch shortfall of MITS or other programs. Meeting Challenges for Using Complex Text with All Leaners a go Leadership Institute: Reflective Collaborative Practice - a go, but may select lower cost option Teaching for Deep Understanding: The Case for Rationale Numbers a go Motion: If funds saved within scope of budget, can reallocate funds back to fully fund MITS program at $16,500 - Ralph Hicks; 2 nd Elaine Tateronis; All in favor: ALL Question: Who is covering the $1,700 overage in RC s current budget? Karen explained options for covering the small deficit. It is something to watch b/c offerings that are cancelled, not fully subscribed, etc. might cover this difference. Early Learning Challenge Grant Kim Davenport reported Kim reviewed the ELCG Activity Update document covering each area of the ELCG. Highlights and discussion included completion of EEC Program and Fiscal Audit; new Program Amendment issued from EEC; MKEA updates on training vendor and state selection of single tool (TS GOLD) for Cohorts 3 & 4; planned and in process planning for PD Opportunities Leverage funding and established broad collaborations and building a system should be highlighted as RC accomplishment and original intension. Issue: ELCG continuing beyond CMRC funding; changes the landscape for opportunities and what can/cannot continue. Board Request: Request to Mike to offer DDM Workshop again if funds are available
Next Meeting February Meeting: Conflicts with travel and school vacation; Week of February 10 th too soon Week of March 10 th Mike to send a Doodle: March 12 th, 13 th, 14 th ; 20 th ; 21 st Motion to Adjourn: Ralph Hicks; 2 nd Richard Murphy; All in Favor: ALL; Opposed: NONE Meeting Adjourned 11:08 am