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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 12/10/2014 Cohasset School Committee Meeting Minutes Dec. 10, 2014 In Attendance: Mary McGoldrick Paul Schubert Jeanne Astino Paul Ognibene Helene Lieb Mr. Ognibene called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. He reminded everyone that it is being televised and recorded. Roll call all present. Mr. Ognibene invited the audience to speak. Mrs. Gillis mentioned that the second anniversary of Sandy Hook is two years ago almost to the date and requests that Mrs. Cataldo and Mr. Ognibene request emergency funds to provide additional security. Mr. Ognibene feels very good about our path to progress which has been shared with the Police and Fire. Last eight weeks have been very productive he feels. Boys' Varsity Football Captains and Trophy: Huge win on Saturday at Foxboro, and they've been invited to share their victory. Captain Cole Kissick, said it was "an awesome experience for the team as a whole." All of the captains thanked the community for their support. Captain Tim Gillis mentioned that Cohasset had as many fans in attendance as other larger communities. Captain Matt Froio said the win was amazing for the team and the town. Last year's trip helped calm their nerves. Chief Silvia was standing in for Coach Afanasiw who passed along his thanks to everyone from the team. Chief has been coaching for 35 years. He commented "This is a special group of captains who have led the team to this achievement." He continued that the entire team is a tight knit group, and the overall team spirit was natural among the members of the team. Congratulations from all the SC members. First state championship for the school. Team represented the school as great ambassadors. National Merit Scholarship Award: Erin Driscoll is here tonight because she has received a letter of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Association. It's based on PSAT scores. The award is given to the top students of the 1.5 million students taking the national merit qualifying test. 34000 students commended nationwide. Quebec Trip: Kathy Sanges-Sullivan presented the trip. It is the ninth year taking the students to Quebec. Grade 8 students will travel on May 1,2,&3. Great experience for the students; to experience the culture and the language. It is an immersion for three days. Itinerary includes, maple sugaring and touring museums, copper manufacturing, and a Native American village. 24 hour a day Tour Guide. Cost is approximately$480 per student. Currently have 45 students interested in attending. Students are required to do an essay on why they want to go and keep a journal while on the trip. Several volunteers (5) are needed for 45 students. Volunteers are all teachers in the Middle School. Paul Schubert moved to approve, Mary McGoldrick seconded. All voted in favor; aye. New Kindergarten Report Card: Mr. LeCount, along with Mrs. Demas discussed the new format for the kindergarten report card. This Kindergarten report card was piloted and it has been a long, thoughtful process to development a report card that aligns with frameworks as well as reflect the goals of the grade. Grading is the same as it is in the preschool environment. AGENDA ITEM: D-cZ OCT 21 2015 Helene Lieb suggested a section for comments. Not every child needs to have a comment. The report card is followed by a parent/teacher conference where a dialog regarding the specifics of the child's development can be discussed. Mrs. Astino feels this is a vast improvement over the previous iterations. Terminology will set the tone for the elementary learning environment. Parents were included in the dialog of redesigning the report card. The plan is to use this new version in January. Teachers originated the format and own it and understand it as do the parents. Jeanne Astino moved to approve the new report card format; Helene Lieb second; all aye. Second Reading of Communications Policy: Some procedural issues need to be addressed in the future. Mrs. Astino made a statement regarding where this policy came from. All of the School Committee members want open communication, and Mrs Astino & Mrs. McGoldrick felt this policy reflected that philosophy. Mrs. Astino read the policy as corrected at the first reading. Paul Schubert moved to approve the policy, Helene Lieb seconded. All aye. Mrs. Astino resurrected the question of a Facebook page for the District. Seems that the time has come to look into it again. Supt Cataldo mentioned that it is a summer 2015 project. Many community members may be willing and able to help. A discussion of class sizes was proposed for the next meeting. Warrant 15-10S: Paul Schubert moved to approve, Helene Lieb second. Roll call vote: All aye. School Bus Lease Contract was still be finalized today. It was just received from the bus company as well as approval from attorney. The lease is more open if we have warranty issues and it clarified our responsibilities. We agreed to the timing of the payments. We are expecting some buses in this week and Mr. DeGennaro is requesting approval for Mrs. Cataldo and Mr. Ognibene to sign the contract on behalf of the SC since we aren't meeting again until January. Payment structure was worked out$75K in first year. Best guess for having them on the road is when students return from vacation. Security cameras have been a slight holdup. Paul Schubert made the motion to include bus lease agreement with the ability of the Chair to execute the lease, and Helene Lieb seconded the motion. Roll call, all aye. Include caveat that it can change if a member finds something they feel needs to be changed. $75K this year is from Capital. Maintenance will still be ongoing for the entire fleet. Maintenance will be highlighted in budget discussions. Monthly Update: As of Nov. 30th. expended 32.3%of the budget. Revised version of the revolving accounts was handed out because there is a correction for the lunch program. Some numbers aren't on this because of the early meeting. Utility bills haven't all come in yet. METCO grants have been adjusted for the cut that has been made. Transportation portion has already been cutting into the educational piece of the program. Mr. DeGennaro said Circuit Breaker won't be cut. The plan is to reduce supply line item and perhaps supplant it with budget. Will also reduce the amount charged for METCO bus monitor but Hingham portion may help to offset. Communications: Mary McGoldrick had a meeting with Digital Learning, teachers, and consultants. Another meeting is scheduled for next week. They are putting together information from their site meetings. Target date is the 1/21/15 meeting to present what they have developed. (Also going to DH School Council.)Town revenues are not as robust as last two years from the meeting last Thursday with Selectmen and Town Manager. Capital Committee is beginning to look at requirements and requests, and we are putting together a list of initiatives we are considering. There are ongoing discussions regarding School Resource Officer. Jan. 7th meeting will have technology summary. We will have met with Teachers' Union regarding next contract by Jan. 7th meeting. An Administrator should attend to all doors that are not locked while the doors are open. Helen Lieb moved to adjourn at 8:20 Jeanne Astino seconded the motion. All aye.