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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 04/06/2016 G� ' k1� 'T cohasser Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, April 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 Call to Order and Roll Call Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:00 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—The Superintendent Barbara Cataldo reviewed the gifts for the Committee to accept. A grant totaling $2,374 for requests made by teachers at the Deer Hill School to the PSO. Mrs. McGoldrick moved to accept the PSO grants to Deer Hill in the amount of$2,374. Mrs. Stefan seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Barbara Stefan—Aye, Katie Dugan—Aye,Jeanne Astino—Aye, Mary McGoldrick—Aye, and Ellen Maher—Aye. Three grants totaling$2,303 for requests made by teachers of the Middle High School to the PSO. Mrs. McGoldrick moved to accept the three grants from the PSO to the Middle High School in the amount of $2,303. Mrs. Dugan seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Barbara Stefan—Aye, Katie Dugan—Aye, Jeanne Astino—Aye, Mary McGoldrick—Aye, and Ellen Maher—Aye. Grants totaling$5,957 for requests made by teachers of the Osgood School to the PSO. Mrs. McGoldrick moved to accept the grants from the PSO to the Osgood School in the amount of$5,967. Mrs. Stefan Page 1 of 4 seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Barbara Stefan—Aye, Katie Dugan—Aye,Jeanne Astino—Aye, Mary McGoldrick—Aye, and Ellen Maher—Aye. Check from the Cohasset Golf Boosters in the amount of$2,478 for expenses not covered by the user fees. Mrs. McGoldrick moved to accept$2,478 from the Cohasset Golf Boosters. Mrs. Maher seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Barbara Stefan—Aye, Katie Dugan—Aye,Jeanne Astino—Aye, Mary McGoldrick—Aye, and Ellen Maher—Aye. Osgood Playground Request Osgood Principal, Robert LeCount, addressed the committee and distributed a hand out. He is before the Committee seeking their approval to move forward with developing a plan to replace the Osgood Playground area. They have done some prep work and established that their goal is to eliminate the existing play structure and replace it with two structures; one for the younger students and one for the older. Mr. LeCount reviewed the steps they have taken thus far, including talking to Ralph Ditullio and Franchesca Arnold (who spearheaded the Deer Hill School playground replacement), Director of Public Works, Brian Joyce and Recreation Director,Ted Carroll. They have also started looking into funding and have reached out to CEF, are keeping the PSO updated and hope to go before the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). Chairman Astino stated that the CPC was instrumental in the Deer Hill project. There was an extensive conversation regarding the CPC. They have missed this cycle for the Annual Town Meeting, but will present to the CPC in the near future to get the project in front of them for the Spring 2017 budget cycle. After further discussion, Chairman Astino stated that it seemed clear based on the Committee's comments that they felt this was a great project. Mr. LeCount said now they need to build a team and hand the project off to them. Perimeter issues such as the gate to Old Pasture Road and the fencing need to be part of the plan. Mr. LeCount added that he has submitted his paperwork and will retire June 30th. He has spoken to his faculty and wanted to formally thank the School Committee. Strategic Plan Update Mrs. Cataldo updated the committee stating that the Strategic Plan is nearing completion. It will be 35 pages and will be complete after April vacation. The Executive Summary will be 7 or 8 pages. The goal will be to have it for the May 4 meeting. Transgender Laws Mrs. Cataldo reviewed what was in the committee packets. Mrs. Dugan asked if their policy is up to date. Mrs. Cataldo said that some of their policies are updated, but they still have some work to do. Mrs. Cataldo said she will try to complete the updates by July 1st. Mrs. Astino asked if Mrs. Cataldo had pulled the policies that need to be fixed. Mrs. Cataldo stated that the JBA and GBA policies are updated; the ASA policy has not been. DESE information needs to be submitted by July 1. Page 2 of 4 Opioid Addiction Prevention Bill (H#4056) Mrs. Cataldo handed out a synopsis for the committee. She broke down for the committee what needs to be addressed. The Law mandates that schools and districts 1) Create substance abuse and education policies informed by DESE and the Massachusetts Board of Health; 2) (with some exceptions) Must verbally conduct student substance abuse screenings with non-identifying reporting requirements; and 3) Incorporate addiction and substance abuse education into driver education and concussion safety training. Mrs. Cataldo and the committee reviewed the mandates utilizing the memo provided. The question was asked how the verbal screenings will help us as a district. The deadline to incorporate these mandates is July 1, 2016. 2015-16 Last Day of School (vote needed) Mrs. McGoldrick moved that June 21,2016 will be the last day of school and it will be an early release day. Mrs. Maher seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Finance Mrs. McGoldrick moved to approve Warrant 16-215. Mrs. Stefan seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Barbara Stefan—Aye, Katie Dugan—Aye,Jeanne Astino—Aye, Mary McGoldrick—Aye,and Ellen Maher—Abstained. School Committee Comments and Communications Mrs. Maher updated the committee on a course offered by the Senior Center with students working with seniors teaching them to use smartphones etc. She is also the Liaison to the Cohasset Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. They are presently working on their fourth class induction. It was noted that the National Honor Society has their induction April 12 at 7 pm, Osgood School is running an auction at Sotheby's downtown Cohasset from 5-7pm as a fundraiser. The committee reviewed meetings and who could attend what during the day. Mrs, Dugan will attend the DH PSO meeting on April 7, Mrs, Maher will attend the PSO leadership meeting on April 8. Mrs. McGoldrick will attend the CMHS PSO meeting on April 15t". Mrs. Dugan and Mrs. Stefan can attend Osgood PSO meeting on April 28t" and the CEF meeting on April 11tn Mrs Dugan and Mrs.Astino commented that we need to provide Advisory with requested headcount information. Mrs. Astino reported on the Alternative Energy Committee meeting, Mrs. Dugan reported that March 30 Capital Budgets reviewed the IT projects for$617K. Page 3 of 4 CEF Fundraiser is April 8 at the Cohasset Golf Club. Mrs. Dugan reviewed the Capital Budget Committee Meeting she attended. There are two meetings on Monday April 11th;the Board of Selectmen and the Advisory Committee. Mrs. Dugan stated that she and Chairman Astino are collecting the resumes for the permanent Business Manager. The posting closes April 15. They will proceed with prescreening interviews. Superintendent's Contract Superintendent Cataldo asked the Committee to please accept her resignation from her position as Superintendent of Cohasset Public Schools for the purposes of retirement. She thanked the Committee for the past five years. Chairman Astino thanked Mrs. Cataldo for her time in the district. Mrs. McGoldrick thanked Mrs. Cataldo for her time with the schools and for the time she spent on digital learning making it come to fruition. Mrs. Dugan thanked Mrs. Cataldo for the strategic plan. Chairman Astino requested a vote. Mrs. McGoldrick moved to accept Superintendent Cataldo's resignation for the purposes of retirement effective June 30, 2016. Mrs. Maher seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Jeanne Astino—Aye, Barbara Stefan—Aye, Katie Dugan—Aye, Mary McGoldrick—Aye, and Ellen Maher—Aye. Approval of Minutes Mrs. McGoldrick moved to approve the minutes of March 23, 2016. Mrs. Maher seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0) Follow-up and Updates There was discussion about the videos of meetings on the website. The most recent meeting up is 12/16/15. They are making progress, but it seems difficult to get the videos uploaded. Motion by Mrs. McGoldrick to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was unanimous(5-0) Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Documents: E-1— Copy of PSO check in the amounts of$2,374.19 and list of grant requests to PSO from Osgood School Teachers. And a copy of the check in the amount of$2,478.00 from the Cohasset Golf Boosters Club Handout from Osgood Principal, Bob LeCount, regarding Osgood Playground Project. E-2— Freedom Massachusetts Press Release Re:Transgender Protections E-3— House Bill. No. 4056 Memo-Opioid Addition Prevention bill—Next Steps E-5— 2015-2016 School Calendar H-1— Minutes for March 23, 2016 Page 4 of 4