HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 05/15/2015 U
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Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Selectmen's Office-Town Hall
41 Highland Avenue
In Attendance: Paul Ognibene, Chairman
Dr. Paul Schubert
Mrs. Jeanne Astino
Mrs. Mary McGoldrick
Dr. Helene Lieb
Also in Attendance: Barbara Cataldo, Superintendent
Dave DeGennaro, Business Manager
Call to Order and Roll Call
Chairman Ognibene called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll call vote:All present.
Chairman Ognibene asked for a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of Chapter 39,
Section 29. The purpose of executive session is to discuss strategy with respect to collective
bargaining and litigation. The Committee will reconvene in public session. Dr. Lieb moved the motion
and it was seconded by Dr. Schubert.
Helene Lieb-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Paul Ognibene-Aye.
The committee went in to executive session at 7:03 p.m.
Motion by Dr. Lieb to come out of executive session, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick.
Helene Lieb-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Paul Ognibene-Aye.
The committee came out of executive session at 7:36 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance-Pledge recited.
Invitation to Speak-None
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Cataldo presented Dr. Lieb and Dr. Schubert with gifts and thanked them for all of their
dedication and collaborative efforts while serving on the School Committee.
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Music Festival Trip-John DeWaal
Mr. DeWaal was seeking approval for the Annual Spring Music Festival field trip. He provided a detailed
outline of the trip.
Motion by Jeanne Astino to approve the Annual Spring Music Festival field trip,seconded by Dr.
Schubert.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
Grade 5 Teacher-Apple Distinguished Educator Award-Mr. Michael Lewis
Mr. Lewis was present and discussed with the Committee the video he submitted for the contest and
spoke about his experiences with students and how technology helps. Mr. Lewis joins over 2,000 others
that have received the award.
Middle School Program of Studies
Principal Carolyn Connolly and Assistant Principal Kerri Sandler were present. Ms. Connolly asked the
Committee for this year's graduation ceremony to be at 1 p.m. instead of 1:30 p.m. to accommodate
students taking SAT's. Superintendent Cataldo advised the Committee that Emma Davis will be
highlighted on Channel 5-Mike Lynch's "High 5 Report". Ms. Connolly discussed with the Committee
the changes to the 2015-2016 Middle School Program of Studies and an overview of the course. Katie
Dugan-100 Black Rock Road asked Ms. Connolly if they would be willing to have coffee hours to discuss
the curriculum.
Motion by Dr. Schubert to approve the program of studies as discussed,seconded by Dr. Lieb.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
South Shore Educational Collaborative Board Seat
Superintendent Cataldo stated she is currently serving as Chairman and would like to continue on the
board.
Motion by Dr. Lieb to have Superintendent Cataldo remain on the Committee,seconded by Mrs.
McGoldrick.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
School Committee Technology Sub-Committee
Superintendent Cataldo thanked town meeting for approving all the digital items. She advised the
Committee that she spent yesterday interviewing for the Deputy CIO a group of other individuals. They
interviewed 7 of the 40 applicants whose resumes were received. Mr. Ognibene stated the Technology
committee has completed all of their work and are looking to create a new sub-committee to take over.
Motion by Dr. Lieb to change the current Facilities, Capital Projects,AEC and Technology Committee
to Facilities, Capital Projects and AEC Committee, seconded by Dr. Schubert.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
Motion by Dr. Lieb to create a School Committee Technology Sub-Committee,seconded by Dr.
Schubert.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
Communications Policy Review
Chairman Ognibene stated the Committee wanted to review Communications Policy and discuss social
media. He reminded the Committee members to keep communications open. The basic line of
communication will continue to be through the Superintendent.
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Flood Update Report
Superintendent Cataldo distributed an incident report from Facilities Manager Mark Kelly along with
receipts from what has been encumbered to date. Mrs.Astino asked about the cost of the carpets.
Superintendent Cataldo has asked the insurance company for an exact total but hasn't heard back yet.
Mrs. Astino asked when they will be out of 91 Sohier Street. Superintendent Cataldo responded that
they should be back in the school offices in a few weeks.
Kindergarten Update
Superintendent Cataldo stated as of 4/28/15 there is a total of 93 students enrolled for Kindergarten (87
full day and 6 half day). They currently have 5 full day teachers and 1 half day. They have 1 extra
Kindergarten teacher if the numbers do not increase. There are currently two 2nd grade teaching
positions that need to be filled. She asked the Committee if she should go ahead and hire two teachers.
The Committee discussed and agreed that they should hire both 2nd grade teachers to be safe.
OPEB Discussion
Chairman Ognibene gave a history of the OPEB issue. He discussed what the OPEB committee
recommended and what the Board of Selectmen has done up to this point. Chairman Ognibene spoke
of drafting a letter to the community to explain where the Town is at.
Motion by Dr. Schubert to draft a letter of explanation of OPEB benefits as discussed earlier
incorporating suggested comments,seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
Motion by Dr. Schubert to support the Board of Selectmen's recommendation for a mitigation plan,
seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
Motion by Dr. Schubert for a 5 minute recess,seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
The Committee came back in session at 9:22 p.m.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
Superintendent Evaluation Summary
Chairman Ognibene advised Superintendent Cataldo her evaluation was not ready. He apologized and
he will put on the Committees next agenda.
Finance
Warrant 15-19S
Motion by Dr. Lieb to approve Warrant 14-19S,seconded by Dr. Schubert.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
Warrant 15-04SI
Motion by Dr.Schubert to approve Warrant 15-04SI,seconded by Dr. Lieb.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
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End of Year Budget Forecast
Mr. DeGennaro discussed with the Committee the anticipated forecasted balances for FY15.
Motion by Dr. Schubert to approve the end of year closing process,seconded by Dr. Lieb.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
Sale of School Buses
Mr. DeGennaro went over the sale of the remaining school buses. The money will go back to the town's
general fund.
Motion by Dr. Schubert to accept the sale of School Bus#74469,#80602, #80603,#80604 and#76511
totaling$29,525.00,seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick.
Roll Call Vote: 5-0,All Ayes.
Communications
Mrs. Astino contacted the Chairman and asked that the "Communications Section" on the agenda be
changed to "School Committee Comments and Communications". The Committee agreed. Mrs.
McGoldrick attended the SEPAC meeting last night, Brian McLaughlin was the speaker. Dr. Lieb stated
the Council on Elder Affairs has been using 91 Sohier Street a couple of days a week. She hopes that
they will get to spend more time there soon. Chairman Ognibene thanked Paul Schubert and Helene
Lieb for all their hard work while being on the School Committee.
Chairman Ognibene asked for a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of Chapter 39,
Section 29. The purpose of executive session is to discuss strategy with respect to collective
bargaining and litigation. The Committee will reconvene in public session for purpose of adjourning.
Dr. Lieb moved the motion and it was seconded by Dr. Schubert.
The Committee went into executive session at 10:31 p.m.
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