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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 04/15/2015 U T CQf1ASSE7 O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday,April 15, 2015 Selectmen's Office-Town Hall 41 Highland Avenue In Attendance: Dr. Paul Schubert Mrs.Jeanne Astino Mrs. Mary McGoldrick Dr. Helene Lieb Paul Ognibene, Chairman Also in Attendance: Barbara Cataldo, Superintendent Dave DeGennaro, Business Manager Call to Order and Roll Call Mr. Ognibene called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Roll call vote:All present. Pledge of Allegiance-Pledge recited. Read-A-Thon Winners The Committee took a roll call vote to move ahead to the Read-a-Thon winners. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. Superintendent Cataldo and Principal Mr. LeCount called up the winners of the Read-A-Thon and announced the number of minutes read. Approval of Minutes—April 1, 2015 Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the minutes of 4/1/15, seconded by Dr. Schubert. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. Superintendent's Report Senior Calendar Superintendent Cataldo presented the Committee the Class of 2015 Calendar. Student Council President Christian Cunnie discussed the calendar events with the Committee. 1 School Committee-4/15/15-TC Digital Learning Committee Katie Dugan-100 Black Rock Road and Assistant Superintendent Louise Demas were present. They discussed the goals of the Digital Learning Committee. The plan is to promote current teaching techniques, and reviewing and revising the vision. They discussed the committee membership existing of the Town CIO, Deputy CTO, Curriculum IT Specialist, 2 teachers from each school, school administrator and a parent, student, school committee member and Capital Budget member. Laura Soderberg-15 Black Horse Lane asked if they would consider having more parents on the committee. Martha Gjesteby-81 Old Pasture Road asked that the committee write a letter to the Selectmen to update them. High School Special Education Teacher Job Description Director of Student Services Mary Buchanan and Principal of Cohasset High School Carolyn Connolly were present. Superintendent Cataldo stated they are not increasing their budget but need to move things around to cover the expense of a new position. She believes every kid in the district should have the opportunity to stay in their district. Ms. Connolly explained they were going to move a special education teacher from one school to another. This is not possible as there is an increase of IEP's in the Elementary level. They now need an additional special education teacher for the High School. Mrs. Astino and Mr. Ognibene expressed their concern as to why they are just realizing the need at this point. They asked what changed over the last two months since the budget was set. Ms. Connolly explained how they just received the requests for additional IEP's from the parents of Elementary level. This is an ever evolving process. The assessments are not complete until this point in the school year. Helene Childs-73 Pond Street stated most IEP's aren't determined until the Spring. It is the nature of the beast. Diane Herth-100 Pond Street asked how the school was going to move a teacher from the Elementary School when they already cut back 30%. Franchesca Arnold-20 Flintlock Ridge Road applauded the fact that the budget is done but special education needs are constantly changing. Motion by Dr. Lieb to establish the High School Special Education Teacher position, seconded by Dr. Schubert. Mrs. Astino asked about the salary. Superintendent Cataldo responded it is Step 3 and salary is in the low$50k. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. 2014-15 Last Day of School Vote-Friday,June 26, 2015 Motion by Dr. Lieb to approve last day of school as 6/26/15, seconded by Dr. Schubert. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. 2016-17 School Calendar/Survey The Committee discussed the results of the survey for the 2016-17 school year. Motion by Dr. Lieb to start school on September 6, 2016,the last day will be on June 16, 2017 and to close on Good Friday,seconded by Mrs.Astino. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. 2 School Committee-4/15/15-TC Kindergarten Enrollment Update Superintendent Cataldo stated as of today the number of students enrolled for Kindergarten is now 92. They will need all the teachers in the budget due to the increase over the last week. She discussed the census and how to determine what enrollment will be. Katie Dugan-100 Black Rock Road stated some of the parents wait until after Kindergarten orientation before deciding where to send their children. Retirements Superintendent Cataldo advised the Committee she has received notice of two individuals that will be retiring at the end of this school year. Motion by Dr. Lieb to accept the proposed retirements,seconded by Mrs.Astino. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. Superintendent's Evaluation The Committee went over the 4 Standards and 2 Goals of the Superintendents Evaluation set by the Massachusetts Department of Education. The overall rate was Proficient. The Committee discussed maybe having a sub-committee to tailor the review to better fit Cohasset. Finance Warrant 15-185 Motion by Mrs.Astino to approve Warrant 15-18S,seconded by Dr. Lieb. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. Warrant 15-03SI Motion by Mrs.Astino to approve Warrant 15-03SI, seconded by Dr. Schubert. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. Communications Monthly Update Superintendent Cataldo stated she is waiting on answers from the insurance adjuster. She is working with Brian Joyce to get information for the builder. Mr. DeGennaro stated they have received a bid of $5185.00 for Bus#55971. He needs to get the Committee's approval to sell. He hopes to get offers for the other buses soon. Motion by Mrs.Astino to approve the sale of Bus#55971 for$5185.00,seconded by Dr. Schubert. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. Mrs. Astino stated she attended the CEF Spring Fling and it was a fabulous event. Superintendent Cataldo stated she attended the Barnes and Nobles Favorite Teacher Contest. Topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chairman within advance of 48 hours Mr. Ognibene stated he needs to have the Committee go into executive session for some unforeseen personnel matters under Chapter 39, Section 29—to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel and to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with union personnel. To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or 3 School Committee-4/15/15-TC litigation position of the public body and the chair so declares. The committee will reconvene in open session for the purpose of adjournment only. Motion moved by Dr. Schubert and seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. The committee went into executive session at 10:36 p.m. The committee came out of executive session at 10:55 p.m. Motion by Mrs.Astino to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. The meeting adjourned at 10:57 p.m. 4 School Committee-4/15/15-TC