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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 03/16/2016 T CQ%ASSET O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street Cohasset, MA In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman Mary McGoldrick Ellen Maher Barbara Stefan Also in Attendance: Barbara Cataldo, Superintendent Joanne McDonough, Interim Business Manager Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:26 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Mary McGoldrick-Present, Ellen Maher-Present Pledge-Recited Invitation to Speak-None Finance Monthly Update-Interim Business Manager Joanne McDonough gave an overview of the budget to date. She is working on updating projections in Special Ed which may have savings. Warrant 16-19S Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to approve Warrant 16-19S, seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye. Ellen Maher abstained from the vote. Superintendents Report Technology Update-Deputy CIO Bart Riley was present with an update on technology. He went through the list they have been working on. The three new sonic walls have been configured and tested. The high school connections have been updated. At the Deer Hill School they now have Ethernet and on Monday they will configure firewall. Some of the IPads have been delivered. They are also working on the 4th and 5th graders Chromebooks. Next month they will analyze the BYOD survey. They are also working on the policies and procedures for the BYOD initiative. Mrs. Maher asked about a management system to track devices. Mr. Riley said they have discussed it and are looking into different options. Mrs. McGoldrick asked if the roll out for Deer Hill and Osgood will be done by April vacation. Mr. Riley responded they hope to be done before. MCAS Presentation Follow-Up-Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction &Assessment Louise Demas and High School Principal Carolyn Connolly were present to discuss MCAS data. Ms. Demas spoke about the changes in Mathematics in MA after research revealed that the State taught too much too soon and too superficially. They have changed the curriculum to address the new standards. The focus in Math now is to cover fewer topics in greater depth with the goal of achieving mastery of the basics early on. She explained how they look at grade, school and district scores. She discussed student growth percentile for the district. Jennifer Madden-60 Forest Avenue asked if they think maybe they need to schedule more time in math. Students have math just an hour a day. Ms. Connolly stated she has met with the Math Chair and he believes they are waiting to catch up. He has never mentioned more time is needed. Ms. Connolly added that some parents push students into a class that was not recommended and they cannot proceed as quickly. John Madden-60 Forest Avenue asked that given the results is there anything different they think the school needs to do and how do they use the data and realize they need to go into a different direction in Math. Ms. Demas stated the have to learn the new standards and they are constantly working on a student success plan. Other districts are dealing with the same issue. Everyone is concerned but they are on the right course for improvement. Jane Cava naro-Student Representative added that there should not be a great concern on the data from MCAS. There is no incentive to do well. Most students focus on how they are doing in the classroom. The MCAS does not affect your grade in the class. Most students perception is that is doesn't matter how you do on MCAS until you get to high school. Ms. Demas said 2017 is the last MCAS testing. They will then move on to the new MCAS 2.0. SEL CMHS Update-Carolyn Connolly, Brian Scott, Kerri Sandler and Torin Sweeney were present to discuss Cohasset Middle/High School Social Emotional Learning Update. Ms. Connolly stated based on the CTC survey from the spring of 2015 they have developed a relationship with the Safe Harbor Coalition and they have ongoing coordination with SRO Lopes on student issues which has been fantastic. They have scheduled a parent meeting on 4/7/16 which will address Social Emotional Learning and substance abuse. They will see if it can be recorded for parents that cannot make it. They will also have assemblies at the middle school and high school. The Principal and Safe Harbor Coalition jointly supported the CEF grant for"Drug Story Theatre" which will be presented in May. They have scheduled a Mental Health Awareness Week at the high school. Students at the middle school have formed a SADD chapter. Mr. Sweeney discussed the subjects they will cover in the middle school and high school health curriculum. Kindergarten Registration Update-Superintendent Cataldo advised the Committee at the conclusion of Kindergarten registration there are 100 seats filled for full day and 9 seats for% day. There is no need for a lottery. She asked if the Committee wants to keep 5 full day classes and 2 half day. After some discussion the Committee decided it was too soon to make that decision. Superintendent Cataldo stated they will begin to enter all the email addresses into the system. Laurie Tabaczynski-12 Old Pasture Road asked if the school decides the pilot system is a reality will they notify parents earlier and start the process earlier. Superintendent Cataldo stated the date will be moved up next year. H3929 An Act Relative to Ending Common Core Education Standards-Superintendent Cataldo stated she just wanted the Committee to be aware of the request. Mrs. Maher asked for more articulated information to understand what the argument is. Leave of Absence (vote needed)-The Committee postponed the discussed and requested more information. School Committee Comments&Communications-Chairman Astino stated there is a social studies teacher that is getting a prestigious award and she would like to recognize it at a meeting in the future. Chairman Astino said the Committee received a letter from Boxborough to DESE regarding vacation schedules and MCAS. They will discuss at the next meeting. Mrs. McGoldrick reported at the last leadership meeting they were working on security. She spoke to Detective Lennon and he is still working on School Safety Assessment and it should be ready in a couple of months. She also met as part of the sub-committee on the Superintendent's evaluation. Mrs. McGoldrick spoke with CIO Ron Menard and was told there is work to be done on the policies. They have scheduled a meeting for next Wednesday @ 1 p.m.to discuss. Mrs. Maher stated the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame will have the first meeting on 4/5. Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into executive session for Exemption#2 strategy related to negotiations with nonunion personnel; bus coordinator. The Committee will come out of executive session for the purpose of adjourning. Mrs. McGoldrick moved the motion, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Mary McGoldrick-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye. The Committee went into executive session at 9:23 p.m. Documents used at the Meeting D-1 MCAS Presentation Follow-up D-2 Social Emotional Learning CMHS Update D-3 H3929-an Act Relative to Ending Common Core Education Standards D-4 Leave of absence request E-1 Financial Monthly Update