HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 09/02/2015 U
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Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Cohasset Middle-High School
Community Use Room
143 Pond Street
Cohasset, MA
In Attendance: Chairman Jeanne Astino
Mary McGoldrick
Ellen Maher
Katie Dugan
Barbara Stefan
Also in Attendance: Barbara Cataldo, Superintendent
Dave DeGennaro, Business Manager
Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call Vote; Ellen Maher-Present, Mary McGoldrick-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Katie Dugan-
Present, Barbara Stefan-Present.
Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into executive session for exemption#3-to discuss strategy
to collective bargaining for teachers and for exemption#4-to discuss the deployment of security
devices. Motion moved by Mrs. McGoldrick,seconded by Mrs. Maher.
Roll Call Vote; Ellen Maher-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye, Barbara
Stefan-Aye.
The Committee went into executive session at 6:02 p.m.
The Committee came out of executive session and into public session at 7:36 p.m.
Pledge-Recited
Invitation to Speak-None
Motion by Mrs. Maher to move the approval of minutes to the end of the agenda, seconded by Mrs.
McGoldrick.
Roll Call Vote;All aye.
Superintendent Report
Ron Ford-Concussion Policy Update-2"d Read
Mr. Ford distributed an updated concussion policy with grammatical changes for the Committee's
review. Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve concussion policy, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick
Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jeanne
Astino-Aye.
Superintendent Cataldo will have the policy uploaded to the new website tomorrow.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to move the Sports Finance discussion up on the agenda, seconded by Mrs.
McGoldrick.
Roll Call Vote;All Aye.
Mr. DeGennaro discussed all of the expenses and revenues by each sport and season. Mr. Ford stated
fall sport enrollments for this year are up to about 420 athletes. Mrs.Stefan requested that the
participation numbers be added to the report.
School Resource Officer
Sgt. Michael Lopes was present along with Chief Bill Quigley. Sgt. Lopes discussed with the Committee
his time spent with the Recreation Program this summer. Superintendent Cataldo discussed the School
Resource Officer's general duties and schedule. Sgt. Lopes discussed some of the programs they plan to
start up. He has met with the Principals of the schools. He also plans to attend sporting events. Patty
Gillis 492 Jerusalem Road stated there has been increased risky behavior and drug use in schools now.
She believes police presence will help. Sgt. Lopes stated they are aware of the issues and will
consciously address.Tentatively he plans to be at Osgood and Deer Hill on Tuesday&Thursay 11-1. He
would like to tag team them on health/wellness programs at those schools.
Open Day Reports
Mr. Vinton was present in Principal LeCount's absence. He spoke about the first couple of days of the
school year at Osgood. He discussed the classroom sizes and how many students there are in the
school. Kindergarten orientation was yesterday and they started classes today. He discussed the PBIS
training for Osgood School. Helane Childs-73 Pond Street/SEPAC President asked Mr.Vinton if the PBIS
program will include special needs children. Mr. Vinton responded that the program is for all students.
Their goal is to reach all students at all levels. Principal of Deer Hill School Dr.Jennifer deChiara advised
the Committee the school year is off to a nice start. They currently have 394 students. Deer Hill ended
June 2015 with 440 students. Sixth grade departures were greater than third grade additions. She
discussed Deer Hills PBIS leadership team. The expectations of the school are to be safe, responsible
and respectful. She spoke of the newly installed 12 security cameras. She thanked the office staff and
teachers for coming in over the summer and preparing for the school year. ESPs will be responsible for
supervision of common areas. Principal of Cohasset Middle/High School Ms. Connolly was present. She
advised the Committee they have a full building with 850 students (423 Middle School and 427 High
School). Ms. Connolly stated she introduced the new School Resource Officer Sgt. Lopes to each grade
and explained what his role is. There are eight new teachers this year, 5 at the Middle School and 3 at
the High School. Band at the Middle School is now all year, every 3rd day. Ms. Connelly followed up that
students who originally signed up for Latin have chosen other classes. Assistant Superintendent Louise
Demas discussed the Mentor Program. The program started in 2001 and was revamped in April 2015. It
is a 3 year program for new teachers required by the State. The new teachers has a one day induction
with a trained mentor(there are 49 in the district covering all schools and all subject areas) and learn
policies and procedures for the district and curriculum. Ms. Demas distributed an agenda that she used
for the training in August.
Emergency Medical Plan
Superintendent Cataldo discussed the emergency medical plans for each school with the Committee.
Capital Items
Superintendent Cataldo distributed the proposed list of Facilities, IT and Capital Improvement Plans.
Patty Gillis 492 Jerusalem Road asked if Deer Hill School will ever get air conditioning. Superintendent
Cataldo stated it is not on a list as of yet. Chairman Astino asked Superintendent Cataldo to notify the
sub-committee when Capital Budget meets to discuss schools Capital needs. Patty Gillis 492 Jerusalem
Road asked if they would put air conditioning in the technology office. Mrs. Dugan agreed that it is
critical to go to Advisory for reserve funds this year.
New Teachers
Superintendent Cataldo will invite the new teachers in another time.
Retirees
Superintendent Cataldo distributed a list of retirements to the Committee.
Deputy CIO
Superintendent Cataldo reported she and Ron Menard have reformatted the Deputy CIO job description
and will repost. She will keep the Committee updated. Mr. Menard is hiring for the Help Desk position.
Superintendent Goals
Superintendent Cataldo stated Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents recommends 2-5
goals and they are dependent on teacher participation. She further stated there are 12 month goals
being pushed into 6 months of work and it is not a fair assessment. Mrs. Dugan added some of the goals
are 2 year goals. Mrs. McGoldrick and Mrs. Maher are the subcommittee for the Superintendent goals.
Mrs. McGoldrick explained the process the sub-committee went through to come up with the goals and
the timeline. Chairman Astino said she feels the goals should be done before the election cycle so there
is continuity. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept the Superintendent Goals,seconded by Mrs.
Stefan.
Roll Call Vote;All aye.
New Website Update
Superintendent Cataldo gave an overhead presentation of the new website to the Committee. Each
principal will oversee their own buildings website. Mrs. Dugan asked for a list of the webmasters by
building. Superintendent Cataldo advised that they are each building Principal, Ron Ford, Louise Demas
and the Admins in the Central Office.
Finance
Warrant 16-055
Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve Warrant 16-055, seconded by Mrs. Dugan.
Mary McGoldrick-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye. Ellen Maher and Barbara Stefan
abstained from the vote.
School Committee Comments and Communications
Discussion of Vice Chair position
Motion by Mrs. Maher to nominate Mary McGoldrick as Vice Chairman, seconded by Mrs.Stefan.
All in favor.
Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to nominate Ellen Maher as Secretary, seconded by Mrs. Stefan.
All in favor.
Reorganization of Sub Committees and Assignments
The Committee made some changes to the sub committees and assignments. Mary McGoldrick is on
the Technology subcommittee, Katie Dugan stepped down. Barbara Stefan replaced Mary McGoldrick
on the School Council Communications and Legislative Liaison.
Energy Reduction Plan and Letter of Support
Chairman Astino explained the plan and the letter of support. Shaun Selha put the letter together based
on other towns. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the Energy Reduction Plan and Letter of Support,
seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick.
Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen
Maher-Aye.
Discussion of Dedication of Deer Hill Library
Chairman Astino was contacted by teachers and former teachers to dedicate the Deer Hill Library to
Marjorie Murphy. The School Committee has the authorization for dedications. Superintendent Cataldo
suggested the Committee invite Dr. deChiara in so she is aware that this may happen. Chairman Astino
agreed and the Committee will discuss at the next meeting.
Ratification of Memorandum of Agreement for AFSCME AFL-CIO State Council 93, Local 1395
Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to ratify the MOA for the Custodial Union, seconded by Mrs. Maher.
Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen
Maher-Aye.
Minutes
Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept the minutes of 5/20/15 as amended with corrections identified,
seconded by Mrs. Dugan.
Roll Call Vote;All Aye.
Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept the minutes of 6/3/15 as amended, seconded by Mrs. Stefan.
Roll Call Vote;All Aye.
Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept the minutes of 7/22/15 as amended, seconded by Mrs. Dugan.
Roll Call Vote;All Aye.
Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept the minutes of 8/12/15 as amended, seconded by Mrs. Stefan.
Roll Call Vote;All Aye.
Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept the minutes of 8/19/15 as amended, seconded by Mrs. Dugan.
Roll Call Vote;All Aye.
Motion by Mrs. Dugan to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick.
Roll Call Vote;All Aye.
Meeting adjourned at 11:33 p.m.
List of Documents Used at Meeting
E-1 Minutes5/20/15
E-2 Minutes 6/3/15
E-3 Minutes7/22/15
E-4 Minutes 8/12/15
E-5 Minutes 8/19/15
F-1 Concussion Policy Update
F-2 School Resource Officer
F-3 Emergency Medical Plan
F-4 Retirees
F-5 Superintendents Goals
G-1 Athletic Report
H-1 Reorganization-Sub Committees &Assignments
H-2 School Committee Goals 2015-16
H-3 Dedication of Deer Hill Library
H-4 Ratification of MOA Custodians