MEETING MATTERS
ASHBURNHAM-WESTMINSTER REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE TUESDAY, NOV. 20
Compiled by Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Reporter

Top Story:

The School Committee vote 6-0 to approve a change to the student parking guidelines.

The new parking requirements will open up 25 to 30 parking spaces in the high school student parking lot for juniors, which is a change from the previous seniors only parking policy.

The limited number of parking spaces there will be an application process for those juniors hoping to drive.

"We've decided we'd break it up seasonally," Oakmont Principal David Uminski said.

The parking spots will be available in three seasons - mid-October to Thanksgiving break; Dec. 1 to February vacation; and March 1 to the end of school. The spots will open up in October so seniors still have first priority for the spots.

A junior who is driving to school must meet three criteria to be considered for one of the spots. The student must have had their license for at least six months, must participate in at least one co-curricular activity, sport or community-based learning experience, and be financially and academically eligible.

"We wanted to be very our in the open," Uminski said. "We didn't want to be accused of playing favorites." MATTERS

The students will have to provide a copy of each their license, the most recent progress report and auto registration, as well as a parent signature and a self-written rationale for the parking permit. These rationales and applications will be reviewed and ranked by a committee and the top ranked student will received parking passes.

School Committee member Leonard Beaton expressed his desire that school officials keep in mind the students that need to get to an after school job.

Junior parking permits will cost $15 per season.

Uminski said that they would and that there will be a few remaining spots for students with emergencies or extenuating circumstances.

In other business:

• School Committee member Ellen Holmes won the Massachusetts Association of School Committee's Leadership for Division 4, announced Zapantis.

• The Committee voted to refer the request of establish lacrosse as a girls and boys club sport to one of the subcommittee for a recommendation in January. As a club sport the teams would have to be self-funded.

Four parents and coaches turned out to the meeting to explain a three-page proposal to establish a high school level of the sport. Lacrosse is a spring sport and more than 60 student expressed interest in playing on either of the club teams.

• The Committee accepted a gift of $9,500 from the FAS foundation and the Boosters Club to fund indoor track and re-instituted the co-ed sport. The Booster Club has loaned the money until the players, coaches, parents and other can fundraise and reimburse the money. The co-ed indoor track team was one of the teams that was cut this summer due to budget restraints.

• The Committee also accepted a gift of $2,800 from an anonymous donor to reinstate the wrestling team as part of the co-op with Montachusett Regional Technical and Fitchburg High schools. The Committee members also voted to reinstate the team. The wrestling team was one of the teams that was cut this summer due to budget restraints.

• The Committee accepted the goals proposed by Zapantis as his goals for the year. to the Town Meeting voters.