Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 01/06/2015 a \ T CQ%ASSET� Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, January 6, 2016 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 Call to Order and Roll Call Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Present, Katie Dugan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Mary McGoldrick-Present, Ellen Maher-Present. Pledge of Allegiance-Recited Invitation to Speak- None Superintendent's Report-Gifts Cohasset Education Foundation Grants Chairman Caitlin Appleton and President Cindy Matheison presented a check for$47,807 to the district to be distributed as follows; $6000-Stem Instruction Curriculum Enhancement, $4307-Little Bits for Education, $4400 Deer Hill Library's Transformation to a 21s'Century Media Center, $6800-Maximizing Differentiation &Specialized Instruction with Technology, $9000-Stop Motion Animation, $14,000-Phase II of Furniture Design, $3000-Drug Story Theater and $300-College Fair for sophomores. Re-Allocate funds as follows; $1210 from Facilitating Learning through Technology for Children with Disabilities to Maximizing Differentiation &Specialized Instruction with Technology Tools, $4019 from Photography to Stop Action Animation. The Committee thanked the Cohasset Education Foundation for their generous donation. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to accept the gift from Cohasset Education Foundation in the amount of$47,807, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher- Aye. Model UN Approval for Harvard Mr. Luvisi and Mr. Welch were present and gave an overview of the Harvard Model United Nations 2016 Conference Scheduled for January 28-31th. There are 24 students attending this year. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the Model UN Conference from January 28-31, 2016,seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Quebec Trip Mrs. Sanges was present to give an overview of a three day trip to Quebec from April 29t"-May 1" There are currently 45 students interested. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the three day trip to Quebec City, Canada from April 29`h-May 15Y, seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Sergeant Michael Lopes The School Resource Officer-Sgt. Lopes was present to give the Committee an update on what has been going on at the schools. Sgt. Lopes reported he spent the first couple of months getting to know all of the students and getting them comfortable with his presence at the schools. He receives more visits from students than he expected; which is great. He has been participating in alcohol and drug awareness, personal safety and internet safety classes with students. There are no major issues at the schools to report. He has been visible at after school activities, concerts and sporting events. He discussed plans for the second part of year, including visits to court houses and working with Mr. Buckley's classes. Technology Update Deputy IT-Bart Riley was present to give the Committee an update on the work that has been completed over the last couple of months. They have installed 3 new sonic fiber walls at the Middle/High School and installed switches at the Deer Hill and Osgood. They are researching a town wide phone system and continue to research the BYOD program. The Raptor System is installed and functioning well. FY17 Overview and Special Education Detail Business Manager- Dave DeGennaro, Superintendent Cataldo and Director of Student Services Mary Buchanan were present to discuss the Proposed FY17 Operating budget. They discussed Special Education,the priorities for FY17, the impact to the bottom line, enrollment history, class size and new staffing. Mr. DeGennaro stated they start their budget from zero and the proposed is a draft assumption. Helane Childs-73 Pond Street asked the School Committee to consider Mary Buchanan's request for increases to meet special education guidelines and requirements. Strategic Plan Superintendent Cataldo advised the Committee on Tuesday at the Leadership meeting they discussed focus groups and what they would look like. They have also put in a blurb in the Mariner asking for public input. Restraint Policy Signature Superintendent Cataldo stated she made the changes requested by the committee. Chairman Astino signed the policy. Mid-Year Review of Superintendent's Goals-Progress Superintendent Cataldo met with Mrs. McGoldrick and Mrs. Dugan before the winter break to continue the discussion of her goals. Superintendent Cataldo gave an update on the goals to the Committee. Mrs. Maher asked Superintendent Cataldo for a list of classes that have finals. She will get information from Carolyn Connolly and bring back to the Committee. Finance Warrant 16-13S Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve Warrant 16-13S as presented,seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye. Mrs. Maher abstained from the vote. Building Utilization Fee Schedule Superintendent Cataldo advised the Committee they have made the changes requested. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the Building Utilization Fee schedule as of 1/6/16, seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick- Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye. Superintendent Cataldo will upload to website. School Committee Comments and Communications Discussion of FY17 Budget Process Chairman Astino stated Mrs. Dugan has put together a sheet that explains the budget process. Mrs. Dugan reviewed the FAQ sheet on the process of the school budget. She asked the Committee to review and send comments to her and she will update and bring back on 1/20/16. Mrs. Maher stated this document is a great start and asked if on page 2 question#3 it could be broken into more questions and less narrative. Mrs. Stefan suggested there be an index to explain certain budget terms. Bianca Bersani-40 Forest Avenue asked if the percentage from the town has always been 61%. Mrs. Dugan explained how the town's money is divided. Debra Kenealy-84 Old Pasture Road asked if they would put a glossary in the budget FAQ sheet as other towns do it. She also asked if there was any way to get the Town to change the amount given to the schools. Selectman Kevin McCarthy was present and gave the history of how the town came to the 61% divide for the schools and spoke of the financial policies set for the Town. Chairman Astino added that the Town has been very generous with the schools before the money is split. The School has a great working relationship with the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen. Report of Subcommittees Mrs. McGoldrick stated there will be a SEPAC presentation "Watchful Eyes on the Young Learner" on 1/12/16. They are also hosting a Parent to Parent coffee on 1/20 (details are in this week's Mariner). Mrs. McGoldrick stated there will be an update from Detective Lennon on the hotwash on January 20tn Mrs. Maher attended the 12/18 emergency management meeting. The Board of Health is in the process of considering raising the purchasing of cigarettes to the age of 21. Chairman Astino stated the Town is now designated as a Green Community and the schools have proudly participated in the discussions. The Town will receive a grant for$141,000. Mrs. Dugan stated she will meet next week with Superintendent Cataldo, Mr. DeGennaro and Chairman of Capital Budget Sam Wakeman to discuss the bus leases. She also reminded everyone that Safe Harbor Coalition is meeting on Wednesday,January 13tn at 6:30 p.m. Approval of Minutes Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the minutes of 12/16/15 as amended,seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The meeting adjourned at 10:07 p.m. Documents D1 Gifts D-2 Model UN Harvard D-3 Quebec Trip D-4 FY17 Proposed Operating Budget D-5 Restraint Policy E-1 Building Utilization Fee Schedule G-1 Minutes 12/16/15