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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 05/18/2016 a \ T CQ%ASSET� Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, May 18, 2016 Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street Cohasset, MA In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman Ellen Maher Katie Dugan Barbara Stefan Amanda Zani Also in Attendance: Barbara Cataldo, Superintendent Margaret Foster, Interim Business Manager Superintendent Cataldo called the public hearing to order for School Choice at 6:52 p.m. Roll Call; Barbara Stefan-Present, Katie Dugan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Ellen Maher-Present, Amanda Zani-Present. School Choice-Public Hearing-Mrs. Cataldo explained to the Committee what they need to discuss and vote on. The Committee had a brief discussion. Cohasset has not participated in School Choice in the past. Motion by Mrs. Maher to opt not to become a School Choice district in Cohasset, seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher- Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye. Mrs. Cataldo called the regular meeting to order. Roll Call; Barbara Stefan-Present, Katie Dugan- Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Ellen Maher-Present,Amanda Zani-Present. School Committee Reorganization-Mrs. Maher nominated Jeanne Astino as Chairman. Mrs. Dugan and Mrs. Stefan agreed that Mrs. Astino should remain as Chairman. Mrs. Astino thanked the Committee and stated she appreciated their support. Mrs. Zani nominated Mrs. Dugan as Vice Chairman. Mrs. Stefan nominated Mrs. Maher as Vice Chairman. Mrs. Maher thanked Mrs. Stefan for the vote but is happy to defer to Mrs. Dugan. Mrs. Dugan accepted the nomination of Vice Chairman. Mrs. Stefan nominated Mrs. Maher as Secretary. Mrs. Maher accepted the nomination. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve new slate, Mrs. Maher seconded and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Pledge-Recited Invitation to Speak-Paul Schubert-155 Sohier Street asked the Committee and residents to contact local Senators and ask them to get the Kindergarten Grant reinserted into the budget. Mrs. Dugan stated the School Committee budget was built on not receiving the grant and there will be no cuts however, it is a good idea to reach out to Senators. Superintendents Report-Michael Welch Teacher Award-Chairman Astino read aloud a letter from the MA Council for the Social Studies. Mr. Michael Welch was awarded the George Watson Award for Excellence in Teaching Economics. The Committee congratulated Mr. Welch. PAX Presentation for Exchange Student-Mr. Collette,a representative from PAX was present. He gave an overview of the Exchange Program. They are a small company and require a rigorous exam and background check before any student is considered. Most students from Spain participate at a very high level. The Cohasset family,the Wallingford's, have had a relationship with the exchange family for many years. This is a unique situation. The cost to the school is minimal. Mrs. Maher asked about user fees for athletics. Mr. Collette stated the family pays any fees. Mrs. Dugan asked if they do agree to this as a pilot program are they required to have the program. Mr. Collette stated they are not committed to continue the program. Mrs. Cataldo stated they have discussed the possibility of the exchange with Ms. Connolly, Ms. Sandler and Mr. Scott and they are in favor of it. Mr. Wallingford stated he graduated from Cohasset in 1987 and they had 2 exchange students and it was a wonderful experience. After some discussion the Committee will make their decision at the June 1't meeting. Special Education Update-Director of Student Services Mary Buchanan gave an overview of the Special Education Department, Special Education Statistics, changes to next year's program and professional development for the upcoming year. Mrs. Maher asked how many ESP's are designated for SPED. Ms. Buchanan will bring information to the June 1't meeting. Special Education Transportation-Ms. Buchanan stated they have spoken with North River Collaborative and they are able to transport all identified special education students for the 2016-17 school year who require transportation as indicated on their IEP. They have also indicated they could employ Cohasset Public Schools drivers and monitors. Their services are professional and they treat students with dignity and care. The Committee discussed what compensation would be considered with the current drivers and monitors. Mrs.Astino asked if they could get some back feedback from current parents that use North River Collaborative.The Committee will make a decision at the June 1st meeting. Interim Business Manager Marge Foster stated if they do decide to use North River Collaborative they need to start the process of disposing the vans. The first step should be to contact the Town Manager. Jackie Young- Wheeler Park-Scituate stated she is currently a van driver for Cohasset. She wanted to clarify that the drivers all cover for each other. Anytime last year during bad weather they worked collectively to be sure buses were ready and on time every day. Phil Dandrow-11 Cedar Acres Drive stated parents have a great relationship with the current drivers and the drivers have built great relationships with the students as well. South Shore Educational Collaborative Board Seat-Mrs. Cataldo stated she currently sits on the Board and recommends that Louise Demas replace her after her retirement. Ms. Demas will join Mrs. Cataldo at their meeting tomorrow. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to appoint Louise Demas to replace Mrs. Cataldo on the South Shore Educational Collaborative Board, seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Strategic Plan Update-Mrs. Cataldo reviewed the changes to the Plan. Mrs. Maher stated there is no mention of the School Committee in the Plan. She did mention this prior to the last meeting to Brian Scott. Mrs. Dugan stated she still is struggling who they are trying to identify with "stakeholders". She would prefer it said engage or collaborate instead of identify. Mrs. Stefan suggested that they have separate surveys for Middle School and High School. Bianca Bersani-40 Forest Avenue stated maybe the surveys can be an annual thing to help track trends. Motion by Mrs. Maher to change the order of the agenda to discuss Finance,seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Finance-Warrant-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Warrant 16-24S,seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye. Ellen Maher abstained from the vote. Monthly Update-Margaret Foster advised the Committee that trash collection has been charged to the incorrect code. DESE requires it to be coded to the Utilities line. Mrs. Maher asked Ms. Foster to move it in the FY17 budget as well. Ms. Foster has been working on budget transfers. She will bring her recommendations to the School Committee for approval. Ms. Foster reviewed the FY16 budget projection. They currently have a surplus of$431,688 and they would like to use $100,000 for technology. Chief Technology Officer Ron Menard was present to discuss school and student instructional technology needs. Ron, Mrs. Cataldo and Ms. Demas have been working on the plan. They would like to use $18,000 to eliminate the lease of 35 access points. They would like to use $23,000 for the Microsoft 2012 server platform that they will be on until 2021. This will proactively move forward the roll out plan. They would also like to use$16,000 to equip 9 classrooms that are not equipped for 21st century. Lastly,the parent's survey of the Middle School students strongly indicated that the BYOD will be an issue. A good portion of parents cannot provide a device. They cannot have a roll out if they do not have the devices for all students. They would like$43,000 to purchase 140 Chromebooks. Mrs. Dugan stated this request for 140 Chromebooks is hard. Capital Budget approved money at Town Meeting for 80 Chromebooks. It sends the wrong signal to Capital Budget to fund more out of the year end surplus. She is fine with the first three requests but this last one doesn't sit well. Mrs. Dugan stated the roll out for the Middle School was scheduled for January and at this point there is not even a 5 year tech plan. The Committee agreed that asking for$43,000 at this point is not a good idea. Mrs. Demas stated in her conversations with teachers they feel if they do not have the devices for everyone why try it. She suggested a new survey go out to teachers and parents. Mrs. Dugan stated they should strategically deploy the 80 Chromebooks in the fall. Kindergarten Update-Mrs. Cataldo stated they have 96 full day students and 9 half day. She has 2 students on wait list that would like full day. She would like to let them know they are all set. Mrs. Stefan would prefer waiting to add them in until another 2 weeks. Mrs. Cataldo will gather data from the past years summer enrollment numbers. Mrs. Dugan suggested any future Kindergarten students are %day only. The Committee agreed. Request for Reductions in Hours-Mrs. Cataldo has received a request a reduction in hours from 5 days to 2 days. They would have to hire another person for the other 3 days. After a brief discussion the Committee agreed to hold off on approving and post for the position to see if there is interest. They will continue the discussion on June 1" School Committee Comments&Communications-The Committee reorganized the liaison assignments. 2016-2017 School Committee Meeting Dates-The Committee scheduled meeting dates for the year. Reading of Policy ADDA-R DCJIS Model Cori Policy-15t Read-Mrs. Zani and Mrs. Stefan will review and edit and the Committee will discuss at the June 1st meeting. Reading of Policy ADDA Background Checks-15t Read-Mrs. Zani and Mrs. Stefan will review and edit and the Committee will discuss at the June 1st meeting, removing fingerprint requirement for chaperones. Report from sub committees of school committee-Mrs. Maher attended the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame Meeting and they are proceeding with gathering nominations for teams and individuals.Team inductees should be announced by the end of May and individual inductees will be announced in June Mrs. Maher spoke with Sgt. Lopes who has been charged by Chief Quigley to take over security for Det. Lennon. Sgt. Lopes expects to finish by mid-June. Chairman Astino stated the Board of Selectmen will be discussing the Long Range Planning function at their meeting on Tuesday, May 241". She asked Mrs. Cataldo to add the item to the Committees agenda for June 1st. Regarding Supt. Evaluation Subcommittee, Mrs.Astino noted that per special counsel if the Interim Supt. Chooses to have an evaluation it must be in public. Minutes-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the minutes of 4/6/16 as amended,seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the minutes of 4/27/16 as amended, seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Mrs. Maher to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was unanimous (5-0). The meeting adjourned at 11:54 p.m. Documents used at the Meeting South Shore Educational Collaborative Board Seat D-1 Strategic Plan Update D-2 Kindergarten Update D-3 Request for Reduction in hours D-4 Monthly Update E-1 Sub Committee Assignments F-1 2016-2017 SC Meeting Dates F-2 Policy ADDA-R DCJIS Model Cori Policy F-3 Policy ADDA Background Checks F-4 Minutes 4/6/16 G-1 Minutes 4/27/16 G-2