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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 11/03/2015 T CQ%ASSET O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Tuesday, November 3, 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-arrived 6:05 p.m. 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 and Exemption#4-to discuss security personnel or devices. The Committee will resume public session. Motion moved by Mary McGoldrick,seconded by Ellen Maher. Roll Call Vote; Katie Dugan-Aye, Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye. The Committee went into executive session at 6:02 p.m. Barbara Stefan arrived at 6:05 p.m. The Committee came back into public session at 7:50 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance-Recited Motion by Mary McGoldrick to rearrange the agenda and move up MASSUPT award,seconded Ellen Maher and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Award of Superintendent's Award-MASSUPT Superintendent Cataldo presented Senior Olivia Arnold with the MASSUPT award. The Committee congratulated her on the accomplishment. Invitation to Speak Chairman Astino read aloud a letter on behalf of the School Committee regarding the status of negotiations/mediation with the CTA. Patty Gillis-492 Jerusalem Road read aloud a letter concerning issues she has with security at the Cohasset Schools. Superintendent's Report Security Discussion Superintendent Cataldo stated the Committee had an executive session tonight to discuss security issues that have occurred over the last couple of weeks. The Police Chief has asked that they limit the discussion as the investigation is active and ongoing. Mrs. Cataldo has met over the last 5 days with the Police, principals and central administration staff. Security protocols have been sent to everyone and are being signed off on. The protocols will be reviewed on a regular basis. She will continue to meet with the Police Chief. Chairman Astino added that going forward no vendor would be let into a school without an escort. Erin O'Duggan-10 Great Brewster Trail asked about the Lobby Guard system at the schools. The location is not ideal since a person can choose whether or not to go into the office or just go into the school. She doesn't believe it is safe. Mrs. Cataldo stated all external cameras have been installed in the schools. The internal cameras will be installed next year in public places. Chairman Astino added there have been issues with Lobby Guard but it is still an extra step in security. Sara McSweeney-14 Summer Street stated there was a break in the process and the school needs to take responsibility. People don't have a level of comfort with the security in place and parents are concerned. The parents want a remedy to the issue and want it communicated to them. Kelli Gildea- 31 Highland Avenue asked about the disparity between the different schools. She asked if there is a plan to fix the entrances of schools for better security. Chairman Astino discussed issues with the entrances. Patty Gillis-492 Jerusalem Road stated the Schools previously went to Advisory for money to fix the entrances but they were denied because equipment that was previously approved as an emergency request was never installed and was stored in a closet. Helane Childs-73 Pond Street asked about security on days there are concerts and if it is possible to have the SRO on site. Mrs. Cataldo said that issue has been raised and the SRO will be present. Maureen McElgunn-306 Fairoaks Lane asked how long the vendor was at the school and what schools he entered. Mrs. Cataldo responded she could not comment at this time. Wendy Mazer-22 Smith Place stated she has been to Deer Hill School 5 times recently and only had to sign in once. There was recently a drum holding a door open when she was there. As a parent, she finds this very concerning. The staff needs to be more aware. Mrs. Cataldo will speak with Deer Hill staff tomorrow. Robert Desalvao-51 Ox Pasture Lane suggested the town look at other school districts with older buildings to see how they handle security. Amanda Zani-38 Forest Avenue asked if the school has looked into getting parent id's. Sara McSweeney suggested maybe the school get an outside security consultant to check all of the schools. 2016-17 School Calendar(vote needed) Mrs. Cataldo stated 1/2/17 is New Year's holiday and school will be closed. The last day of school then becomes June 19, 2017 Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept the 2016-17 Calendar,seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Technology Update Mrs. Cataldo advised the Committee they have hired a Deputy CIO-Bart Riley to work with CIO Ron Menard. He will start on Monday, November 9th. They will be completing interviews next week for the help desk position. Mrs. Dugan suggested an update at an upcoming meeting with Ron and Bart on the Deer Hill and Osgood rollout. The January 2016 rollout will be delayed. Mr. Menard and Mr. Riley need to look at infrastructure updates. Camp Wing Report High School Principal Carolyn Connolly gave the Committee an update on the Camp Wing trip. She said they had a splendid time and couldn't have been happier with the staff. The quality of the activities were great. The camp director did a marvelous job with the needs of the schools. Private School Enrollment Report Ms. Connolly discussed the chart she provided for private school enrollment. The chart showed a break down by grade level, school chosen and reason they left Cohasset. The Committee had a brief discussion. Transportation Update Mrs. Cataldo advised the Committee they have had several discussions with First Student. They have posted an onsite mechanic position for 10-15 hours a week. An onsite mechanic will help with repairs onsite instead of sending buses to Tyngsboro for minor repairs. She will report back to the Committee next week regarding talks with First Student. Mrs. Dugan commented on the number of days buses were out of service in October as well as the fact that 70%of the costs so far are on owned buses. Patty Gillis- 492 Jerusalem Road asked when the cameras would be installed and working on the buses. Chairman Astino responded they are looking into it. Ad Hoc Committee for Deer Hill Library Mrs. Cataldo presented a list of members for the ad hoc committee. They have met and have chosen a name for the library. They would like to come to the next meeting and present their choice to the Committee. Enrollment Update Mrs. Cataldo advised the Committee they still have not received their final numbers. She is hoping to receive tomorrow. The final deadline from the state is 11/8. The chart she distributed is from the principals and includes every student currently occupying a seat right now. She confirmed that IPass will count every student and that each building will report enrollment in the same manner. It was discussed to add class size to our benchmarking. Finance Warrant 16-09S Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approved Warrant 16-095,seconded by Mrs.Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye. Ellen Maher abstained from the vote. School Committee Comments&Communications Communications Policy Chairman Astino stated she and Mrs. McGoldrick are the sub-committee and they will review all policies and put on a future agenda. Report from subcommittees of School Committee Mrs. Dugan stated she and Mrs. McGoldrick (finance subcommittee) are meeting on 11/12 to discuss fee analysis, building utilization and Pre-K. Mrs. Dugan will be attending the Elder Affairs on Monday and will give an update at the next meeting. She will also be attending the Deer Hill PSO meeting on Thursday and will give an update. Mrs. McGoldrick attended the Presidents Council meeting last Friday which was very informative and there was a lot of conversation about the recent security issues that were covered here tonight. Tomorrow night SEPAC is hosting the 10 Traits of Effective Parenting and Navigating the Special Education System. Due to the confidential nature of the topics it will not be televised. Mrs. McGoldrick asked Mrs. Cataldo if it would be possible to have a link on the school website to other meetings in town. Mrs. McGoldrick to follow up on our policy on residency requirements. She also asked Mrs. Cataldo if the CTC Survey could be posted on the school website. Mrs. Maher attended the recent Hidden in Plain Sight forum at 91 Sohier Street. It was an incredible eye-opening experience. She is thankful that Cohasset has an SRO at the schools. She also attended the first Cohasset Middle/High School council meeting as the liaison.They discussed climates in the buildings due to current situations and they touched on school improvement goals and the social and emotional well being of students. Minutes Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the minutes of 12/4/14,seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was 4-0. Mrs. Stefan abstained from the vote. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the minutes of 1/21/15 as amended,seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was 5-0. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the minutes of 3/18/15 as amended, seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was 5-0. Motion by Mrs. Maher to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick and the vote was 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:54 p.m. List of Documents used at the Meeting E-1 2016-17 Calendar E-2 Private School Enrollment Report E-3 Ad Hoc Committee for Deer Hill Library H-1 Minutes 12/4/14 H-2 Minutes 1/21/15 H-3 Minutes3/18/15