Retreat concept advances

By Mary Carey
Staff Writer

Published on October 10, 2008

The Regional School Committee has identified someone to lead a private half-day "teambuilding" retreat: Kathy Obear, of Belchertown, president of Alliance for Change, a business that consults for organizations and development projects.

The School Committee holds retreats semi-regularly and could particularly use one now, some members have said. Disagreements have arisen over the School Committee's role and other issues - including whether to have a retreat at all and whether it should be closed to the public.

The Northwestern District Attorney's Office recently confirmed that it would not be a violation of the Open Meeting Law for the committee to hold a private retreat as long as board members limit the conversation to how they can work together more effectively and do not discuss school district policy.

Regional School Committee Chairman Michael Hussin said he is confident Obear could help the committee with teambuilding and ensure the conversation didn't inadvertently veer into a policy discussion.

Her clients have included the Department of Mental Health, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Northeastern University and Big Y Foods, among others, according to information at her Web site, www.allianceforchange.com.

School Committee member Sonia Correa-Pope said she has worked with Obear and found her "very effective."

Before the half-day meeting, Obear would contact each School Committee member individually for their perspectives and compile the information, keeping members' comments anonymous in a document she would keep to herself until the gathering, when members would discuss concerns raised.

Member Catherine Sanderson asked whether other town boards have retreats and how much one costs. Hussin said he hasn't received an estimate yet from Obear, but Interim Co-superintendent Alton Sprague said he guessed it would be in the $500 range or more.

Sanderson remains in favor of having the gathering open to the public, so the public can see "what we are choosing to spend our money on." She is concerned that some School Committee members might be interested in persuading others to fall into line so the board could more readily reach consensus, she said. Other members assured her that is the furthest thing from their intent.

Member Kathleen Anderson said if the meeting were open to the public, she would like to see the public participate and not simply observe.

As for whether other committees have retreats, the Human Rights Commission has one every year, Anderson said.

"This kind of work facilitating dialogues between groups of people or members of a group that have to interact or work together is something that I think should happen in all groups," Anderson said. "I think it would be a good example for our communities to understand that and it might be a great segue to organize facilitated dialogues with community members on how we get along together as a community."

Boards in other towns have retreats "when teambuilding is needed," member Elaine Brighty said. "We've been talking about doing it with a facilitator since May. This is not some new idea."

Mary Carey can be reached at mary.carey@att.net.