Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 09/16/2015 U T CQf1ASSE7 O 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