Massachusetts School Library Association
Executive Summary
June 14, 2017
Westborough High School Library
View full meeting minutes
The Executive Board met in-person and virtually on June 14 to discuss conference venues and dates for 2018, the 2018 budget, board member responsibilities, ESSA and and other school library organizational affiliations.
Attending (V=Virtual):
Allison Barker, Old Rochester Regional High School, Co-Director South East Region
Anita Cellucci, Westborough High School, outgoing President
Chani Craig, Co-Director Western Region
Karen Davidson-Heller, Malden Catholic High School, Co-Director Boston Region
Laura D’Elia, Westborough elementaries, outgoing PLC Chair
Jennifer Dimmick, Newton South High School, Secretary
Patsy Divver, Millis Middle/High School, Co-Director Metrowest Region (V)
Deeth Ellis, Boston Latin School, Co-Director Boston Region
Julie Farrell, Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School, Central Region Co-Director
Laura Gardner, Dartmouth Middle School, Co-Chair Advocacy (V)
Laura Harrington, North Andover High School, Co-Director Northeast Region (V)
Kathy Lowe, Executive Director
Laura Luker, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter, Professional Learning (V)
Ann Perham, Awards (V)
Amy Short, Cambridge Public Schools, Awards (V)
Katherine Steiger, Newton South High School, Forum Newsletter Co-Editor
Carrie Tucker, East Bridgewater Junior Senior High School, President
Jen Varney, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Elementary School, Cambridge, Treasurer
Robyn York, outgoing Secretary
The meeting kicked off with words of appreciation for Anita Cellucci, our outgoing president as well as outgoing board members Laura D’Elia, Chani Craig, Kim Cochrane, Ariel Dagan, Robyn York, and Suzanne Mathews.
After a review of member survey results and discussion about the pros and cons of Amherst vs. Worcester as our conference venue for next year, the board decided to select DCU in Worcester as a one year trial. Although DCU is more expensive because they do not have an attached hotel with an associated revenue stream, the board feels it is important to try a more centrally located venue in response to long standing member requests to hold the conference in a central part location of the state. DCU’s conference space is of high quality and contained in one area on one floor vs. being spread across multiple spaces and floors. It is hoped that the novelty of a new venue combined with its more central location will increase volume and offset costs.
The budget for FY18 was proposed and approved by the board.
MSLA President Carrie Tucker described various planning and reporting responsibilities to new board members.
Outgoing President Anita Cellucci reminded the board to submit their annual reports in preparation for the MSLA annual report which will be posted for members by July 1.
Future board meeting dates were discussed, as well as the merits and disadvantages of in-person vs. virtual meetings and/or virtual attendance options for board members.
The board decided on an in-person meeting retreat at the BPL in September retreat and a virtual meeting in October, with remaining options TBD
ESSA status update
Although it is unclear what changes will be made to ESSA under new administration, right now focus in MA has been on educating people about ESSA and ensuring school library programs are included in DESE’s ESA implementation. the role of school libraries in bringing it to fruition.
The initial work of the ESSA committee has been focused on writing letters and building support, but the next step will involve creating a task force, similar to what CA is doing, and building a list of action opportunities.
AASL Affiliate assembly, NESLA, and MSLA connection
MSLA has a variety of regional and national affiliations nationwide. MSLA is the state school library professional organization, NESLA is the New England School Library Association. Each NE state has representatives on the NESLA Board. Carol Gordon has taken over as their president. AASL is the national organization. Its Affiliate Assembly is made up of representatives from each affiliated state organization. NESLA is the only regional organization affiliated with AASL. The assembly is grouped into regions. NE makes up Region 1. NESLA rep's usually also serve as Affiliate Assembly rep's, and our representatives are Anita Cellucci and Reba Tierney (previously Jennifer Dimmick and Reba Tierney).
Happy summer everyone!
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Dimmick
Executive Summary
June 14, 2017
Westborough High School Library
View full meeting minutes
The Executive Board met in-person and virtually on June 14 to discuss conference venues and dates for 2018, the 2018 budget, board member responsibilities, ESSA and and other school library organizational affiliations.
Attending (V=Virtual):
Allison Barker, Old Rochester Regional High School, Co-Director South East Region
Anita Cellucci, Westborough High School, outgoing President
Chani Craig, Co-Director Western Region
Karen Davidson-Heller, Malden Catholic High School, Co-Director Boston Region
Laura D’Elia, Westborough elementaries, outgoing PLC Chair
Jennifer Dimmick, Newton South High School, Secretary
Patsy Divver, Millis Middle/High School, Co-Director Metrowest Region (V)
Deeth Ellis, Boston Latin School, Co-Director Boston Region
Julie Farrell, Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School, Central Region Co-Director
Laura Gardner, Dartmouth Middle School, Co-Chair Advocacy (V)
Laura Harrington, North Andover High School, Co-Director Northeast Region (V)
Kathy Lowe, Executive Director
Laura Luker, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter, Professional Learning (V)
Ann Perham, Awards (V)
Amy Short, Cambridge Public Schools, Awards (V)
Katherine Steiger, Newton South High School, Forum Newsletter Co-Editor
Carrie Tucker, East Bridgewater Junior Senior High School, President
Jen Varney, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Elementary School, Cambridge, Treasurer
Robyn York, outgoing Secretary
The meeting kicked off with words of appreciation for Anita Cellucci, our outgoing president as well as outgoing board members Laura D’Elia, Chani Craig, Kim Cochrane, Ariel Dagan, Robyn York, and Suzanne Mathews.
After a review of member survey results and discussion about the pros and cons of Amherst vs. Worcester as our conference venue for next year, the board decided to select DCU in Worcester as a one year trial. Although DCU is more expensive because they do not have an attached hotel with an associated revenue stream, the board feels it is important to try a more centrally located venue in response to long standing member requests to hold the conference in a central part location of the state. DCU’s conference space is of high quality and contained in one area on one floor vs. being spread across multiple spaces and floors. It is hoped that the novelty of a new venue combined with its more central location will increase volume and offset costs.
The budget for FY18 was proposed and approved by the board.
MSLA President Carrie Tucker described various planning and reporting responsibilities to new board members.
Outgoing President Anita Cellucci reminded the board to submit their annual reports in preparation for the MSLA annual report which will be posted for members by July 1.
Future board meeting dates were discussed, as well as the merits and disadvantages of in-person vs. virtual meetings and/or virtual attendance options for board members.
The board decided on an in-person meeting retreat at the BPL in September retreat and a virtual meeting in October, with remaining options TBD
- Saturday, September 9, 2017 9:00--3:00 Boston Public Library
- Wednesday, October 18, 2017 4:00--6:00 Virtual
- Wednesday, November 15, 2017 4:00--6:00 TBD
- Wednesday, January 17, 2018 4:00--6:00 TBD
- Wednesday, February 28, 2018 4:00--6:00 TBD
- Wednesday, March 21, 2018 4:00--6:00 TBD
- Wednesday, April 11, 2018 4:00--6:00 TBD
- Wednesday, May 16, 2018 4:00--6:00 TBD
ESSA status update
Although it is unclear what changes will be made to ESSA under new administration, right now focus in MA has been on educating people about ESSA and ensuring school library programs are included in DESE’s ESA implementation. the role of school libraries in bringing it to fruition.
The initial work of the ESSA committee has been focused on writing letters and building support, but the next step will involve creating a task force, similar to what CA is doing, and building a list of action opportunities.
AASL Affiliate assembly, NESLA, and MSLA connection
MSLA has a variety of regional and national affiliations nationwide. MSLA is the state school library professional organization, NESLA is the New England School Library Association. Each NE state has representatives on the NESLA Board. Carol Gordon has taken over as their president. AASL is the national organization. Its Affiliate Assembly is made up of representatives from each affiliated state organization. NESLA is the only regional organization affiliated with AASL. The assembly is grouped into regions. NE makes up Region 1. NESLA rep's usually also serve as Affiliate Assembly rep's, and our representatives are Anita Cellucci and Reba Tierney (previously Jennifer Dimmick and Reba Tierney).
Happy summer everyone!
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Dimmick
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