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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 06/17/2015 U T CQf1ASSE7 O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday,June 17,2015 Selectmen's Office-Town Hall 41 Highland Avenue In Attendance: Paul Ognibene, Chairman Jeanne Astino,Vice-Chairman Mary McGoldrick Ellen Maher Katie Dugan Also in Attendance: Barbara Cataldo, Superintendent Dave DeGennaro, Business Manager Call to Order and Roll Call Chairman Ognibene called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Roll call vote:All present. Pledge of Allegiance-Recited Invitation to Speak Jack Buckley-272 North Main Street and Jim Willis-Social Studies teacher Cohasset Middle/High School were present and read prepared statements to the Board regarding the OPEB issue and retiree health care. Chairman Ognibene responded on behalf of the Committee. He thanked all the teachers and staff for all of their hard work for the Cohasset Schools. He explained the tough position the Committee and town is in with fiscal realities with the budget and OPEB. He encouraged the CTA to keep the lines of communication open to try and work together to resolve the issues. Laura Humphrey-Teacher-76 Pleasant Street suggested that the town give the school a higher percentage of the town budget. She encouraged the Committee to go to the Selectmen and let them know the schools needs more money. Patty Thompson-Teacher and President of CTA reminded everyone they are not here tonight to negotiate. Teacher's negotiations are ongoing. Stephanie Noble-Teacher-8 Stanton Road spoke about the possibility of an override to address this issue. Chairman Ognibene explained that an override would only solve the issue for one year. Patty Thompson stated they are looking for equity and fairness for what they bring to the Cohasset school system. Approval of Minutes Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve minutes of May 6, 2015 as amended, seconded by Mrs.Astino. Mrs. Astino discussed corrections to the minutes. Roll call vote: Mary McGoldrick-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Paul Ognibene-Aye. Motion by Mrs. Maher to re-arrange agenda due to lateness of meeting,seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote:All Aye. Superintendent Report Gifts Motion by Mrs.Astino to accept the $5000 gift from the PSO for the resurfacing of the basketball court,seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote:All Aye. Motion by Mrs.Astino to accept$949.64 for Deer Hill Box Top Money on behalf of the PSO, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote:All Aye. Motion by Mrs.Astino to accept$2800.00 for 6 Ping Pong tables on behalf of the PSO, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote:All Aye. Motion by Mrs.Astino to accept$1000 from CEF in appreciation of the Sixth Grade Orange Team and $1000 from CEF in appreciation of Assistant Principal Brian Scott, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote:All Aye. Discussion about Bus Lease Marty Hale (bus maintenance)-467 Beechwood Street and Kelly Dickson (transportation coordinator) were present. They discussed the new buses and how they will be recirculated every three years. Mr. Hale stated he gave the Committee information and advice on leasing buses but did not expect his position would be eliminated. Mr. Ognibene apologized to Mr. Hale if he felt mishandled. The Committee voted to eliminate the maintenance position and lease new buses.They worked with Capital Budget Committee on leasing the buses. Mrs. Astino spoke of Mrs. Snowdale and her 5 years ago looking into maintaining buses. Mrs. Astino stated she is was not in favor of eliminating maintenance position. Mrs. Maher asked what the plan is now for the maintenance of the buses. Mrs. Dugan stated there is $31,475 allocated in the budget for transportation maintenance. Mrs. Dugan asked that Superintendent Cataldo and Mr. DeGennaro bring a proposed Operating and Maintenance plan back to the Committee. The Committee had a lengthy discussion about the budget and maintaining the buses. Denise Perez-Botts, driver of the Special Ed van, spoke about the issues the van constantly has and advised the Committee there is not a backup van. Superintendent Cataldo stated the plan is to use Fredrickson and they will come and tow the van if there are any issues. Osgood School Improvement Plan Principal Robert LeCount was present. He stated the plan hasn't changed significantly. The SMART Goals have not changed. They did add a fifth goal; for the Implementation of the Positive Behavioral Intervention System strategies as a school wide behavior management plan. Motion by Mrs. Maher to adopt the Osgood SIP,seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote:All Aye. Deer Hill School Improvement Plan Principal Jennifer deChiara was present. She discussed the plan with the Committee. Mrs. Maher suggested possibly having a demo of the new website at Open House night in the fall. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to adopt the Deer Hill SIP,seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote:All Aye. Middle School & High School Handbooks Principal Carolyn Connolly, Assistant Principals Brian Scott and Kerri Sandler were present. They discussed the changes to the handbook with the cell phone policy, behavioral standards and procedures. Mrs. Dugan asked about the Plagiarism Policy and suggested forgery should also be included. Mrs. Astino questioned the vagueness of the dress code policy. Ms. Connolly stated the internet access policy will be inserted. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the Cohasset Middle School and High School Handbooks dated June 17, 2015,seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote:All Aye. Middle-High School Improvement Plan Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the Middle-High School SIP,seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote:All Aye. Community that Cares Survey Vice Principal Brian Scott, Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition President Christine Murphy and Mr.Torin Sweeney were present and gave an overview of the survey and what the next steps are. They had a lengthy discussion with the Committee about the findings. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to move the Sports Financial Update up on the agenda,seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll call vote:All Aye. Sports Financial Update Athletic Director Ron Ford was present and discussed the sports financials for the year. They are on target for what they said they would do. He discussed gate receipts, user fees and donations and well as all the expenses. Discussion of FY16 Budget Superintendent Cataldo distributed the projections for next year to the Committee. There are currently 99 Kindergarten students enrolled. The incoming Kindergarten grade is higher than the current 2nd grade. At this time there is 5 Kindergarten teachers. MASC Conference Superintendent Cataldo reminded the Committee of the MASC Conference November 4th-7th. There is an early rate deadline of July 151n MOA for Food Service Employees Superintendent Cataldo presented the Committee with the 2-year MOA for the Cohasset Food Service Employees. Motion by Mrs.Astino to ratify the MOA for the Food Service Employees through 6/30/16, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote:Jeanne Astino-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye, Paul Ognibene-Aye. Finance Warrant 15-22S Motion by Mrs.Astino to approve Warrant 15-22S, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote: Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Paul Ognibene-Aye. Ellen Maher abstained from the vote. Motion by Mrs.Astino to approve Warrant 15-06S1, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote: Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Paul Ognibene-Aye. Ellen Maher abstained from the vote. Monthly Update Mr. DeGennaro stated the revenues and expenses for May are in good shape. The forecasting is good. School Committee Comments and Communications Mrs. Astino asked about the possibility of adding 3 Saturdays to the calendar to be safe in the event of too many snow days. Superintendent Cataldo responded that would have to be negotiated with the CTA. The committee agreed to maybe meet on Thursday,July 91" at 6 p.m.to discuss bus maintenance plan. Motion by Mrs.Astino to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll call vote;All aye. Meeting adjourned at 11:14 p.m. List of Documents used at meeting E-1 Minutes 5/6/15 F-1 Osgood School SIP F-2 Deer Hill School SIP F-3 Middle School Handbook F-4 High School Handbook F-5 Middle/High School SIP F-6 Community that Cares Survey F-7 MOA-Food Service Employees F-8 Gifts F-9 School Committee Handbook G-1 Monthly Finance G-2 Sports Finance