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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 11/18/2015 T CQ%ASSET O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, November 18, 2015 Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman Mary McGoldrick Ellen Maher Katie Dugan Barbara Stefan Also in Attendance: Barbara Cataldo, Superintendent Dave DeGennaro, Business Manager The Committee came back into public session at 8:06 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Present, Katie Dugan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Mary McGoldrick- Present, Ellen Maher-Present. Pledge of Allegiance-Recited Public Hearing for Naming of the Deer Hill Library Dr. deChiara stated the sub-committee met and had a lengthy discussion of why Marjorie Murphy would be a great choice to name the library after. They believe that they should also incorporate her involvement in technology as well. The sub-committee has approved unanimously. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to name the Deer Hill Library-The Marjorie Murphy Library and Media Center, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye. Superintendent Cataldo recommended Dr. deChiara meet with her and Mr. DeGennaro to plan for the design of the sign. Invitation to Speak Mrs. Maher read aloud a statement on the recent security breach in the Cohasset Public Schools. The School Committee,Superintendent,Town Manager, CIO, Cohasset Police have met twice in executive session. The outcome of the meetings are; 1. A thorough post-mortem or "hot wash" on the incident with complete review of policies and operating protocols resulting in identification of weaknesses in our security protocols and systems that allowed the breach to occur.The hot wash will also include assessment of strengths in our policies& protocols to leverage. 2. Formation of a Sub Committee of the School Committee for Security. • Formation of a CPS Security Task Force including CPD,the SC subcommittee,the Superintendent, and representation from the building leadership,the faculty and the town facilities department. The Task Force will be charged with: • Complete Security Assessment of all Cohasset Public School buildings and grounds led by Detective Lennon • Review of all policies and operating protocols including school staff training schedules • Recommendation of capital needs for security enhancements • Strengthen our culture of Security and gain ownership of such from all stakeholders involved with the Cohasset Public School District. A resident asked what the policy is for the doors after school hours. She observed doors being propped open after school. Superintendent Cataldo said the task force would also look into that as well. As of right now,the doors are open after the school day because of the number of activities that go on. Amanda Zani-38 Forest Avenue asked what the time frame is for the Lobby Guard at Osgood to be fixed. Superintendent Cataldo stated they are replacing it with a Raptor and it should be installed and working within a week. Anna Smith-48 Stockbridge Street asked if the parents will be notified when the Raptor is operating. Superintendent Cataldo stated it will be communicated to parents. Patty Gillis-492 Jerusalem Road stated she signed in at Deer Hill School as Cinderella and was issued a pass. Superintendent Cataldo said they are aware of the issue and Deputy CIO-Bart Riley added that this issue was fixed today and everyone is now required to show a license. Jennifer Safarik-11 Bayberry Lane asked if they needed a parent representative on the task force. Mrs. Maher responded that because the nature of information,they have to be careful who is privy to the details of security. They do welcome ideas from parents and that parents can email the School Committee. Helane Childs-73 Pond Street suggested maybe the Committee could send a survey to help communication with parents. Mrs. Dugan stated the point of the task force to involve police as experts to make recommendations. Patty Gillis added that her husband has offered several times to assist with any security issues as this is his background. Superintendent's Report Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to adjust the order of agenda and move the Cohasset School Resource Officer to the end,seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote;All Aye. Introduce Deputy CIO Superintendent Cataldo introduced the new Deputy CIO-Bart Riley who started on 11/9. Mr. Riley gave an overview of his background. He is excited to be with the Town. He is looking forward to the roll outs at Deer Hill and Osgood and to work on the security at all the schools. The committee welcomed him. The Adams Scholars Superintendent Cataldo read aloud the list of 37 recipients of the John &Abigail Adams Scholarship award. Transportation Updates The Committee reviewed and discussed the transportation maintenance log. Superintendent Cataldo stated they are interviewing for a part-time mechanic for a few hours a week to help with small repairs and cold weather starts. The cameras in the buses are operating. She will be contacting Cummins Northeast in Dedham to discuss a maintenance plan with them. She also has started a discussion with Brian Host of Capital Budget. She will report back to the committee with an update. Mrs. Dugan asked if Superintendent Cataldo would have a conversation with Mary Buchanan to evaluate if it makes sense to outsource for SPED vans instead of purchasing new ones. The current SPED vans have over 90K miles. Update on BESE PARCC Vote Superintendent Cataldo discussed Commissioner Mitchell Chester's (Board of Secondary and Elementary Education) recommendation of the state transitioning to a next generation MCAS. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted yesterday in favor of a transition by an 8-3 vote. Superintendent Cataldo participated in a conference call with other districts yesterday with the Commissioner and he gave an overview of his ideas. There is another conference call scheduled for next week. Superintendent Cataldo will update the committee. Mrs. Maher advised the Committee there was a lengthy article in the Patriot Ledger today as well. Enrollment Superintendent Cataldo stated they are still working with the data person at DESE. There were four more errors that were in the school's favor which have been corrected and will be sent back tomorrow. They haven't been able to get the final numbers yet. Cohasset SRO Superintendent Cataldo advised the Committee she received a message from Sgt. Lopes and he is unable to make it to the meeting tonight. Superintendent Cataldo stated she has met with Sgt. Lopes and they have been discussing changes and plans for large gatherings at the schools. He will be present at the upcoming concerts. They will have police details if necessary at large events. There will be new instructions going out to parents to let them know in advance of any changes during upcoming events. They are also looking at protocols as well which have been sent to the principals of all schools. She advised all parents and residents that there should be no expectation of privacy coming and going into the schools. Patty Gillis-492 Jerusalem Road asked why the gate at the Osgood School (at the Old Pasture Road entrance) is locked. Superintendent Cataldo stated she will speak with Chief Silvia and see if they are required to keep it locked. Finance Warrant 16-10S Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve Warrant 16-10S as presented,seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye. Ellen Maher abstained from the vote. Monthly Update The Committee reviewed and discussed the budget summary information. Mrs. Dugan asked why textbook supplies/materials are up over 12%. Mr. DeGennaro said he couldn't pinpoint why but he will keep an eye on it and mention to the Principals. Mrs. Dugan suggested maybe discussing at the leadership meeting. Mrs. Maher asked about the line item for transportation services/leases which is 50%spent. Mr. DeGennaro responded that the bus leases are paid for the entire year. Mrs. Maher also asked about the line item for contracted services. Mr. DeGennaro said they will combine the line item with help desk salary/data base support since that is where the money was spent. They discussed professional development as well. Mr. DeGennaro stated most professional development is done at the beginning of the school year and Louise Demas keeps track of it. School Committee Comments and Communications Mrs. McGoldrick stated she will be attending the Middle/High School PSO meeting tomorrow. She also met with Mrs. Maher and Mrs. Cataldo, as part of the Superintendent sub-committee, about the Superintendent Goals. Recently a couple of things have come up that are not in the Superintendents control. They have decided Goal#6 will be pushed off until 2017 and Goal #2, which is also a 2-year goal,will be re-evaluated in January. Mrs. McGoldrick met with SEPAC and there is a program "Achieving Dreams on 12/1/15. Subcommittee Chairman Astino stated the Committee has formed a sub-committee of security consisting of Mrs. McGoldrick and Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye. Mrs. McGoldrick advised parents/residents that the Security Policies manual is on the school website. Mrs. Dugan stated the Finance and Budget Committee met last week and talked about fee schedules, specifically building/turf field use and Prekindergarten. They collected and reviewed benchmark data and turf fees from other towns. They discussed setting aside turf fees for field replacement savings. They will be meeting again on 12/10/15. Mrs. Dugan also attended Elder Affairs meeting and they are going to model the transportation reports used by the school. They continue to ask if there could be a partnership with transportation between the schools and Elder Affairs to share capital costs. Mrs. Dugan stated that there was a Planning Board meeting tonight to start the discussion of the master plan process. This will be an 18-month process. She asked Chairman Astino to find out from the Town Manager when the School Committee should get involved in the process. Approval of Minutes October 7, 2015 Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the minutes of 10/7/15,seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was unanimous. October 21, 2015 Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the minutes of 10/21/15 as amended, seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous. Topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours in advance of meeting Helane Childs-73 Pond Street asked for the status of the teachers' contract negotiations. Chairman Astino stated the Committee doesn't have an update at this time. Motion by Mrs. Maher to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. McGoldrick. Roll Call Vote;All Aye. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. List of Documents used at the Meeting F1 Adams Scholars F2 Transportation Update F3 Update on BESE PARCC Vote F4 Enrollment G1 Monthly Update 11 Minutes 10/7/15 12 Minutes 10/21/15