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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 08/19/2015 U T CQ%ASSET O C k1 School Committee Minutes Wednesday,August 19,2015 Selectmen's Office-Town Hall 41 Highland Avenue Cohasset, MA In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman Mary McGoldrick Ellen Maher Katie Dugan Also in Attendance: Barbara Cataldo, Superintendent Dave DeGennaro, Business Manager Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Katie Dugan-Present, Mary McGoldrick-Present, Ellen Maher-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present. Pledge of Allegiance-Recited Joint Session with Board of Selectmen for the Purpose of New Member Discussion and Appointment Chairman Astino introduced Barbara Stefan and asked if members had any questions. Selectman Kennedy thanked Mrs. Stefan for her interest. Mr. Gaumer asked Mrs. Stefan what areas of interest she had with the School Committee. Mrs. Stefan discussed her interests and her background. Selectman Quigley added that Mrs. Stefan's resume is quite impressive and she would be a great addition to the committee. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to appoint Barbara Stefan to the school committee until the spring election, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Katie Dugan-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye. Chairman Astino gave Barbara Stefan a folder of information to help get her up to date. Invitation to Speak-None Superintendents Report Gifts Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept gift of$1826.00 from Lacrosse Boosters for girls extra coaching, seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Katie Dugan-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept the gift of$5000.00 from Friends of Cohasset Football for new football uniforms, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Katie Dugan-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jeanne Astino,Aye. Athletic Director Ron Ford-Financials Mr. Ford provided the Committee with a report of all financials broken down by sport. It is a work in progress. The Committee asked for more detail. Mr. Ford agreed and will continue to give the Committee information as it is updated. They discussed a possible meeting in October with all booster clubs to get information on donations. Mr. Ford advised the Committee that Cohasset has received the Boston Globe Ames Award for the 41h time in the past 10 years. He thanked the Boosters, kids, parents and the School Committee. Concussion Policy Update Mr. Ford discussed the concussion policy update that was put in place this summer by the State. All students participating in athletics have a baseline concussion test. The updated policy is drafted and completed and needs the School Committee's approval. The Committee discussed and made some minor edits. Mr. Ford will update and bring back to the Committee on September 2nd. Mr. Ford reminded parents that information night is on Monday,August 315t at the High School auditorium. Also, on Tuesday,August 25th the school physician will be available for any students needing a physical. Finance-Warrant 16-045 Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve Warrant 16-04S, seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Katie Dugan-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye. Ellen Maher abstained from vote. School Committee Comments and Communications Agendas and Minutes The Committee discussed the backlog of meeting minutes. Chairman Astino asked that at each meeting the Committee receives the minutes of the meeting before and one from the backlog. The Committee also agreed that all minutes will be forwarded to Mrs. McGoldrick. School Committee Goals Mrs. McGoldrick gave an overview of how the 4 goals came about. Each Committee member read aloud a goal. • Develop an internal report card for measuring district and student achievement by June 2016. • Re-envision and update strategic plan of Cohasset school district by June 2016. • Emphasize consistent,timely communication with the community and ensure that key school initiatives are explained through a variety of media channels. • Professionally manage governance objectives during Fiscal 2016 through initiatives. School Committee Handbook Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept the Cohasset School Committee Handbook, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye. Superintendent Cataldo will put up on the school website. Draft Calendar The Committee discussed upcoming agenda items and made some changes. The discussed possibly adding a couple of meetings. Superintendent Cataldo will edit calendar and redistribute to the Committee. Patty Gillis of 392 Jerusalem Road asked when security and technology will be on an agenda. Superintendent Cataldo responded there will be monthly updates. Benchmarking Report Card Mrs. Maher distributed information for the Committee and advised them that it is a first draft. The Committee had a lengthy discussion about SAT results and AP scores. They discussed class size, enrollment and graduation rate compared to surrounding towns. Barbara Stefan 260 Jerusalem Road suggested maybe looking at a student's MCAS scores and SAT scores. After more discussion,the Committee agreed to continue to work on the Benchmarking Report Card. Report from Sub-Committee of School Committee Mrs. McGoldrick reported that Elder Affairs did not meet this month. The next meeting is September 14th. Chairman Astino attended the AEC meeting on Monday and they were grateful that the Committee voted for the Vehicle Policy. She forwarded the energy reduction plan to the Committee earlier today and asked that everyone read it. She asked Superintendent Cataldo to include it in the Committee's next packet. Chairman Astino asked for a moment of silence for Margie Murphy who passed away today. Ms. Murphy was a former teacher, librarian, Member of the Superintendent Search Committee and Member of the Deer Hill School Council. Mrs. Dugan advised the Committee the town manager is scheduling his fiscal forecasting meeting every other week beginning Thursday October 15t through December 3 d at 7 p.m. at the Community Meeting room. Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into executive session for Exemption#3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for teachers. The Committee will come out of executive session and into public session to adjourn. The motion was moved by Mrs. McGoldrick, seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Katie Dugan-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye. The Committee went into executive session at 9:04 p.m. The Committee came out of executive session at 10:04 p.m. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous(4-0) The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. List of Documents used at meeting E-1 Gifts E-2 Financials and Concussion Policy G-1 School Committee Goals G-2 School Committee Handbook G-3 Draft Annual Calendar G-4 Benchmarking Report Card