HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 09/16/2015 U
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Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Cohasset Middle-High School
Community Use Room
143 Pond Street
Cohasset, MA
In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman
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. and 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 resume public session. Mrs. McGoldrick moved the motion, seconded by Mrs. Dugan.
Roll Call Vote; Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen
Maher-Aye.
The Committee went into executive session at 6:02 p.m.
The Committee came out of executive session and back into public session at 7:25 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance-Recited
Invitation to Speak-None
Chairman Astino requested that the topic of the dedication of the Deer Hill Library be postponed to
another meeting as Dr. deChiara and her staff wish to do a presentation.
Superintendent's Report
Student Enrollment
Superintendent Cataldo discussed with the Committee the student enrollment as of September 16,
2015. They currently have 1643 students in the district.
Special Ed Presentation—Director of Student Services-Mary Buchanan gave an overview of the Special
Education program. She discussed each school and how many special education teachers, speech
therapists, occupational therapists and adjustment counselors are in at each school. Ms. Buchanan
explained how the district is assessed and early intervention. Ms. Buchanan stated that the caseloads at
every grade level provide the appropriate level of services. Helane Childs-President of SEPAC stated
right now there are 2 special education teachers at the Osgood School and asked if they were planning
on getting another. Ms. Buchanan stated for the number of students requiring special education two
teachers are appropriate. They will be reassessed in October. Mrs. Stefan spoke of her concern with the
number of students in the lower grades not on IEP's but maybe needing help. Mrs. Buchanan spoke of
the team process as the Osgood School and how it is very successful. They meet weekly with the teams
and have a very good pulse. Ms. Childs stated concern with the quality of services with students in
Osgood going on to Deer Hill. Ms. Buchanan again stated they are providing (without giving exact
numbers of students on IEP's)the appropriate level of services.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to move the Strategic Plan update to the next item on the agenda, seconded
by Mrs. McGoldrick.
Roll Call Vote;All Aye.
Strategic Plan Update
Assistant High School Principal Brian Scott presented the Strategic Plan proposed timeline. They are
currently assembling the Strategic Plan Steering Committee which consists of the 3 Principals,
Superintendent,Assistant Superintendent and Business Manager Dave DeGennaro and a school
committee representative. The goal would be to present a draft plan at a public hearing in May and
hopefully finalize and publish the plan in June. Superintendent Cataldo added they would give the
School Committee updates. Mr. Scott discussed a survey the Committee may start out with. They are
modeling how other districts approach this.
College process for Seniors
Middle/High School Principal Carolyn Connolly was present. She explained the college process for
seniors and a check list they have developed starting with junior year. The goal is to get the students
and parents informed and prepared for the process.
Fees
Superintendent Cataldo distributed a fee survey of surrounding towns. They haven't asked for increases
in a few years and the point is open for discussion. After some discussion, Mrs. Maher made a general
comment about raising fees. She stated that she didn't feel it was appropriate to rise fees since there is
always money left over. She doesn't think what other towns are doing should dictate what they do.
Mrs. McGoldrick agreed. Mrs. Stefan commented that the South Shore is the last geographical area in
the state to charge tuition for full day kindergarten.
Transportation Update
Superintendent Cataldo discussed the update on the maintenance costs for the bus fleet. Right now
they have spent$13,945.18 on the fleet so far. Mrs. Maher noted that the number represents 1/3 of
the budget for the year. Superintendent Cataldo responded that they are aware of the costs and are
monitoring closely.
Finance Warrant 16-6S
Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve Warrant 16-65,seconded by Mrs. Stefan.
Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye.
Ellen Maher abstained from the vote.
Proposed Budget Calendar
Mr. DeGennaro went over the proposed Budget Calendar for FY17. There are a few meetings added.
Mrs. Maher had concern with not having enough time for a full update on 10/7 if the enrollment
numbers are not available. Chairman Astino and Superintendent Cataldo will discuss dates offline.
Motion by Mary McGoldrick to accept the Proposed Budget Calendar for FY17 as amended,seconded
by Mrs. Dugan.
Roll Call Vote;All Aye.
Monthly Update
Mr. DeGennaro went over the monthly expenses/revenues through 8/31/15. Mr. DeGennaro stated
that unemployment is up right now. Mrs. Maher asked about regular transportation costs. They are up
from last year. Mr. DeGennaro responded that they spent extra money training the new bus
coordinator while they were still paying the existing bus coordinator. Mrs. Dugan asked for information
on specific head counts for grants. Mrs. McGoldrick asked if the reports could indicate when something
is pre-purchased.
School Committee Comments and Communications
Paperless Meetings and Devices
Chairman Astino asked the Committee if they were interested in paperless meetings. After some
discussion the general consensus was continue to have printed information. They agreed to print
double-sided and continue the conversation.
School Committee Goals 2015-2016-Revisit for Edits
The Committee discussed the goals. Mrs. McGoldrick will manage the dates and deadlines of the goals.
Mrs. Maher will continue to work on the district report card and give updates to the Committees. Mrs.
McGoldrick also offered to be the representative for the steering committee for the Strategic Plan.
Superintendent Cataldo invited the entire School Committee to the first meeting. It will be on Tuesday
October 6th at 10:30 a.m. Mrs. Astino will attend. Mrs. Dugan will focus on Goal#3. Mrs. McGoldrick
will draft a hearing notice for operating protocols.
Subcommittee Reports
Mrs. Dugan went to the Elder Affairs and the topic of discussion was 91 Sohier Street. She stated
Chairman of Elder Affairs Paul Kierce asked if the School Committee would discuss the possibility of co-
utilizing vans. Chairman Astino stated there could be legal issues using school bus vans for Elder Affairs.
Mrs. McGoldrick attended the SEPAC meeting and met the team chairs. Mrs. Dugan also commented on
the CEF meeting; the CEF had funded grant money for CMHS for databases and in addition maybe fund
to make CMHS library more 215t century, but there was a water leak. Superintendent Cataldo advised it
is not the roof.
Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Dugan.
Roll Call Vote;All Aye.
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
List of Documents used at Meeting
E1 Student Enrollment
E2 Fees
E3 Transportation Updates
F1 Proposed Budget Calendar for FY2017
F2 Monthly Update
G1 School Committee Goals 2015-2016
G2 Discussion of Dedication of Deer Hill Library