Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 06/30/2015 Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday,June 3, 2015 Selectmen's Office—Town Hall 41 Highland Avenue In Attendance: Paul Ognibene, Chairman Jeanne Astino Mary McGoldrick Katie Dugan Ellen Maher Also in Attendance: Barbara Cataldo, Superintendent David DeGennaro, Business Manager Call to Order and Roll Call The Committee came out of Executive Session at 7:37PM. Pledge of Allegiance—Pledge recited. Invitation to Speak- None Superintendent's Report Gifts Motion by Mrs. Mary McGoldrick to accept a gift in the amount of$2,030.75 from the Cohasset Golf Boosters Club, seconded by Mrs.Jeanne Astino. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. Mrs.Astino moved to accept two trombones, each valued at$289.00,from Mrs.Ann Helbock of 54 Old Pasture Road and Ms. Robin Martell of 29 Hammond Avenue, seconded by Mrs. Ellen Maher. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. SEPAC Resignation—Superintendent, Barbara Cataldo, announced the resignation of Diane Herth as Co- Chair of SEPAC. Helane Childs will assume the role of Chair.r Deer Hill School and Osgood School Handbooks Principal Jennifer deChiara, Ph.D. of the Deer Hill School and Mr. Robert LeCount, Principal of the Joseph Osgood School addressed the Committee. Dr. deChiara stated that much of the Deer Hill handbook's content has remained the same. They have updated the language surrounding laws protecting children with disabilities. They also worked closely with Counsel. Superintendent Cataldo stated that Mrs. Katie School Committee—6/3/15 -JBO 1 Dugan pointed out some changes that could be made and these will occur in the coming weeks. Mrs. Astino asked that the four digit zip code extension for Deer Hill and the graduation date be corrected. She added that both books should contain the same policies where they are both elementary schools. Mrs. McGoldrick stated that on both handbooks, she thinks the table of contents, as well as other items, should parallel one another. She added that email addresses for staff would be beneficial. After further discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Dugan to accept the Deer Hill Handbook and the Osgood Handbook with the recommended changes, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. Leadership Retreat Superintendent Cataldo reviewed the schedule for the annual Leadership Retreat. They will be holding it between the end of school and the 4t"of July. The Committee discussed who would attend. Governance Proiect Mrs. McGoldrick asked for this to be on the agenda to address questions from Mrs. Dugan and review where they are on this. Thus far they have had three sessions with Dorothy Presser Field Director of the MASC (Massachusetts Association of School Committees). The first sessions with Ms. Presser focused on protocols. Their next meeting will include former Committee members, Helene Lieb and Paul Schubert to gain their perspective on initiatives they had worked on while on the Committee so those initiatives continue [with the new members]. They will also do some goal setting at the next session as well. Mrs. Astino asked that copies of any documents that have been handed out thus far be made for those who do not have them. Copies will be provided to the new members. Mrs. Dugan asked if Ms. Presser had brought examples of goals from other School Committees to these meetings. Mrs. McGoldrick stated that Ms. Presser did say that the most goals a School Committee should have is 4 or 5 because they have to be attainable. At their meetings for Cohasset,they have discussed having 2 or 3 goals and that they should be attainable and Smart. School Committee Liaison Assignments Superintendent Caltaldo provided the committee with an updated list in their packets. One of the assignments not filled was for Elder Affairs as they were waiting to confirm when the Elder Affairs Board holds their meetings. The meetings are second Monday of the month at 8:30AM and if there is a holiday,they are moved to the third Monday of the month at 8:30AM. Mrs. McGoldrick and Mrs. Dugan will share this liaison assignment. Chairman Ognibene said that they also needed to create the Sub- Committee for the Superintendent Evaluation. Superintendent Cataldo asked if they could check with Counsel on this. Mrs. Maher stated that at "Charting the Course",they recommended a Sub-Committee be created. Mrs. Dugan added that the Sub-Committee keeps a calendar to keep the Committee on time and that the Sub-Committee is considered to be a best practice because the entire process is so time intensive. Mrs. Maher and Mrs. McGoldrick were appointed to the sub-committee for the review process. Mrs. Maher moved to create a Sub-Committee for the Superintendent Review process, Mrs. Astino seconded the motion. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. School Committee—6/3/15 -JBO 2 Flood Update Superintendent Caltaldo updated the Board on the Flood in her office. They have moved back into the space. It took them about 12 hours to get back in. They still have some more furniture to condemn and then replace. Chris Haggerty from WB Mason will help with interim furniture. It will take a few weeks to get them fully back up and running. 2015-2016 School Calendar—The Committee discussed making changes to the calendar. They would like to move the new teacher orientation to August 261" and change the date of graduation to June 41n After further discussion, Mrs.Astino moved to update the calendar with those changes. Mrs. McGoldrick seconded the motion. Roll call vote: 5-0,All Ayes. Superintendent Evaluation—Chairman Ognibene reviewed how he took everyone's summaries and put them together. He stated that overall,the rankings were proficient in the various categories. He stated that he spoke for former members Paul Schubert and Helene Lieb, as well as the three members sitting on the review, that they thank Superintendent Cataldo for all of her great work. Mrs.Astino moved to accept the evaluation. Mrs. McGoldrick seconded the motion. Roll call vote: 3-0-2. Katie Dugan and Ellen Maher abstained from the vote. Chairman Ognibene stated it was time to get right into the next evaluation cycle. They proposed giving the sub-committee some time to review everything and then have it on for a topic at the August 12t" meeting. Superintendent Cataldo will provide the Committee with copies of the signed contract. She explained that the contract runs on a Fiscal year calendar. Finance Warrant 15-21S—Mrs.Astino moved to approve Warrant 15-21S. Mrs. McGoldrick seconded the motion. Roll call vote:4-0-1. Mrs. Maher abstained from the vote. Warrant 15-21S1—Mrs.Astino moved to approve Warrant 15-21S1. Mrs. McGoldrick seconded the motion. Roll call vote:4-0-1; Mrs. Maher will abstain until she receives clarification from counsel that she can sign the warrants given she has a family member that works in the district. End of Year Purchase Update—Mr. DeGennero requested to add one item of new furniture for the Deer Hill Library. The cost would be $4,315 and would come out of the supplies and materials accounts. Mrs. Astino moved to approve the expenditure of$4,315 coming out of the supplies and materials accounts. Mrs. McGoldrick seconded the motion. Roll call vote: 5-0. All Ayes. School Committee Comments— Mrs. Astino asked if everyone had received their MASC report cards. School Committee—6/3/15 -JBO 3 Chairman Ognibene reminded the Committee that they have a 4PM negotiating session with the Teacher's Association. He requested an Executive Session either before or after. They agreed to before the meeting. Mrs. McGoldrick stated that the prom went swimmingly. It was a beautiful day and a very respectful crowd attended. She added that the awards ceremony is the next evening at 6:30 and that graduation is on Saturday at 1:3013M. Mrs. McGoldrick moved to adjourn the meeting. Mrs.Astino seconded the motion. Roll call vote: 5-0. All Ayes. Meeting adjourned at 8:5013M. Documents: Letter from Stephanie C. Moriarty, Instrumental Music Director regarding gifts Resignation Letter from Diane Herth dated May 17, 2015 Draft Joseph Osgood School Parent Handbook Draft Deer Hill School Handbook Draft Cohasset Public Schools 2015-2016 Calendar School Committee—6/3/15 -JBO 4