Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 03/02/2016 T CQ%ASSET O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, March 2, 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 6:30 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Present, Katie Dugan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Mary McGoldrick-Present, Ellen Maher-Present. It was moved by Mrs. McGoldrick and seconded by Mrs. Dugan to enter into Executive Session with regards to Exemption#2, strategy related to contract negotiations with non union personnel. The Committee came back into open session at 7:20 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye Pledge of Allegiance-Recited Invitation to Speak- Patty Gillis-492 Jerusalem Road asked about the students having yesterday off for professional development and if they could switch and have the Friday before Martin Luther King Day. Superintendent Cataldo explained they scheduled it for this Tuesday due to Primary voting in the town. At the time of the scheduling it was believed that Town Hall would be unavailable for voting. Mrs. Gillis also asked about having half days on Fridays instead on Wednesdays The Committee agreed to revisit the conversation about half day scheduling. SEPAC President Helane Childs-73 Pond Street read aloud a statement asking the Committee to maintain the privacy and dignity of the students and their families when discussing details of the Special Education budget. Chairman Astino assured Ms. Childs that Committee has every intention of doing that. Jennifer Madden-60 Forest Avenue expressed her concern about the Mathematics and Science Technology and Engineering scores for all grades in the district. She distributed information for the Committee. Chairman Astino stated they have had a discussion previously about the MCAS scores. She thanked Ms. Madden for her research and information. Superintendent Cataldo will have a discussion with Mrs. Demas and respond to Ms. Madden's concerns. Patty Gillis thanked Mr. DeGennaro for all of his hard work over the years and recognized all of his work. He will be missed. Mrs. Stefan added that when she first met Mr. DeGennaro as a parent with a transportation issue and how helpful he was. Superintendents Report Superintendent Cataldo asked the Committee to move the discussion of the Update on the Interim Business Manager to later in the agenda. Motion moved by Mrs. McGoldrick,seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous. Costa Rica 2017 Trip Margaret Jordan-World Language Department presented the Committee with the details of the proposed trip from February 19-26, 2017. The students stay with families and have the experience of using the language constantly. There is one chaperone for every 7 students. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve the trip to Costa Rica as a school sponsored trip for February 19-26,2017, seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye. Kindergarten Update-Principal of Osgood School Bob LeCount was present. He gave the Committee an overview of the upcoming Kindergarten registration on March 14 and 15. There are signs around town and information is on the school website. He discussed the Kindergarten Informational Meeting on March 11th. There is a Kindergarten Orientation Meeting scheduled for March 181h. Mrs. Dugan asked Mr. LeCount if they add dates for September Open House and 1st Conferences to the parent handout. Mr. LeCount said they are prepared for the 2 days of registration. Mrs. Maher asked if they have any orientation for new families moving into the district. Mr. LeCount stated the PSO does a new family welcome meeting in the fall. Patty Gillis-492 Jerusalem Road asked if they still have parents volunteer to ride on the school buses. Mr. LeCount responded that the PSO does this and they should be recognized for their role. Sarah O'Shea-445 King Street thanked Mr. LeCount for all the information. She asked what the plan is to communicate with parents that filled out forms in February. Mr. LeCount said they will be contacted by phone. All information will be in the Mariner again this week and is on the school website. Laura Tabaczynski-12 Old Pasture Road asked when they will know if it is necessary to go to a lottery. Mrs. Dugan responded they will know at the School Committee meeting on 3/16. Bianca Bersani-40 Forest Avenue suggested the school may want to do exit interviews with parents that finished Kindergarten this year to get their input. The Committee discussed orientation on March 181n Chairman Astino suggested anyone that registered on March 14th or 15th get a written invitation for March 18th Orientation. FY17 Budget Discussion-Mr. DeGennaro and Superintendent Cataldo presented another draft of the FY17 budget. Mr. DeGennaro went through the recent changes. He mentioned the line item for maintenance of buildings and grounds. Patty Gillis-492 Jerusalem stated the sidewalks outside of the school needs repairs. Amanda Zani-38 Forest Avenue asked if Line 113 Special Ed ESP Salaries is for special education or general education. Mrs. Dugan stated there are 16 ESP's at the Osgood School next year. Some are from the Kindergarten grant and some from special education grant. Mr. DeGennaro discussed Line 264 Science teachers' salaries. They have reduced this line and will not add another science teacher as requested. Principal CMHS Carolyn Connolly stated she disagrees with the decision and it is a big issue. This was their number one priority. The decision means they cannot offer AP Science classes which is very concerning. Mrs. Maher stated she was the one that suggested taking the science teacher out she misunderstood the request and apologized. Mrs. Dugan recommended adding the science teacher position in and taking out the transitional services position. Mr. DeGennaro went through the remaining changes. Update on Interim Business Manager-Superintendent Cataldo introduced the Interim Business Manager Joanne McDonough. Ms. McDonough started this week working with Mr. DeGennaro. She will be with the school all of March and most of April. Mr. DeGennaro gave an overview of Ms. McDonough's experience. The Committee welcomed her. Warrant 16-185 Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve Warrant 16-18S 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. Bus Maintenance Update-Mr. DeGennaro went through the maintenance log and reported that things have settled down. The scheduled oil changes for February vacation have not been done yet. They will be scheduled within a couple of weeks. Mrs. Maher asked Mr. DeGennaro to check on the mileage of bus#90736. It has not changed from the last update. He will check on it. Mrs. Dugan asked how the new maintenance person is working out. Mr. DeGennaro stated he is working out well. He will check and see how many hours he is working and let committee know. School Committee Comments and Communications FY17 Educational Goals for the District-Mrs. Dugan gave an overview of the Student Achievement Objectives draft they have started working on. She discussed district level goals and sped goals. Mrs. Buchanan suggested they change the heading from SPED to Special Education. Mrs. McGoldrick stated this is an excellent start to the document. A lot of these things are action items. Ms. Buchanan spoke earlier about how much it helps keeping a student in district and that should be part of the plan. Mrs. Dugan went over the Cohasset Middle/High School Goals. The Committee invited Ms. Connolly to add a statement and send along to the Committee. Mrs. Dugan went over the Osgood and Deer Hill School goals. Bianca Bersani-40 Forest Avenue asked what audience these objectives are for. Mrs. Dugan responded they are for the School Committee and by going through this exercise it allows them to articulate more to other boards what they are trying to accomplish. It provides a framework within the budget. Appointment of Special Counsel-Chairman Astino stated the Committee has a personnel matter and need to appoint outside counsel as there is a conflict with school committee counsel. They have contacted Michelle McNulty of Murphy, Lamere & Murphy. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to appoint special counsel Michelle McNulty of Murphy, Lamere& Murphy, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher- Aye. Report from sub committees of School Committee-Mrs. McGoldrick stated next week on Tuesday, March 8th there is a SEPAC program-Take Care of Me-relaxation program @ 7 p.m. Mrs. Stefan stated last Thursday she attended the Fiscal Forum and Rep. Bradley was present. It was a good opportunity to ask questions about trends and this year's budget. Chairman Astino added that Rep. Bradley will be at the 3/23 School Committee meeting. Mrs. Dugan reminded everyone that this Saturday @91 Sohier Street at 9 a.m. is a Master Plan Visioning forum which is open to the public. The Board of Selectmen are meeting on Tuesday and Capital Budget is meeting on Monday. Chairman Astino announced that the Town of Cohasset now has a Facebook page. Mrs. McGoldrick asked Supt. Cataldo to follow up with building leadership regarding enhanced programming with Elder Affairs.The Elder Affairs committee meets again in 2 weeks. Follow-up and Updates-Mrs. Maher asked that if anyone has any follow ups to email them to her and she will bring back to the next meeting. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Documents used at the Meeting E-1 Costa Rica 2017 Trip E-2 Kindergarten Update F-1 Bus Maintenance Update