HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 06/15/2016 A
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Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday,June 15, 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
Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Present, Katie
Dugan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Ellen Maher-Present,Amanda Zani-Present
Pledge—Recited
Invitation to Speak-None
Finance-Warrant 16-26S-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Warrant 16-26S,seconded by Mrs.Zani.
Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye. Ellen
Maher abstained from the vote.
Superintendents Report
Massachusetts Teachers Association-Robert Erlandsen-The Committee will reschedule on a future
agenda.
Sports Update-Athletic Director Ron Ford was present and reviewed the winter sports report. The
Committee discussed the report. Mrs. Maher asked that a goal for next year would be to get the
athletics reporting closer to the end of the season. Mr. Ford agreed to try and get the information to
the Committee sooner. He distributed a uniform replacement schedule and advised the Committee that
the uniforms are holding up well. Mr. Ford advised the Committee that 95%of the user fees are
collected to date.
Cohasset Middle High School Improvement Plan-CHMS Principal Carolyn Connolly and Assistant
Principals Kerri Sandler and Brian Scott were present to discuss the CMHS School Improvement Plan.
They discussed their three goals. Ms. Connolly stated the 1s'goal is to improve social emotional learning
programs and delivery of services to students. Verbal Screening, as mandated will be focused on 7th
and 101n grades. Mrs. Dugan asked if the legislation allowed the district to choose the grade levels and
also she thought this goal was for 2017/18. Ms. Connolly stated she believed those were the grades
they recommended focusing on. Mr. Scott stated based on his experience he also believes those grades
would be the appropriate levels. PBIS will be introduced at the middle school with training on the 20tn
22"e and 24tn
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Ms. Connolly discussed the 2nd goal, which is to use the Digital Learning Committee and Cohasset Public
Schools Strategic Plans to guide the use of instructional technology. She discussed the teacher's
involvement. Ms. Connolly said the V goal is to increase the school/home communication through the
online grading portal, websites and social media. She discussed the (PASS training with Deputy CIO Bart
Riley. It was a great program that wowed the teachers. They plan to offer back to school night training
sessions for parents. Ms. Connolly stated ideally both students and parents would have separate access
and passwords. Further discussion about the need for deeper development on teacher pages on
website,what is the next level of content, what are the district expectations for content. Can % day of
PD be devoted to it? Mrs. Dugan also asked Mrs. Demas if the staff that uses Weebly understands the
district subscription expires at the end of June and that teachers, if they want to use it, must pay for it.
Mrs. Sandler advised that there are a few Middle School teachers who use Weebly.
Cohasset School Handbook-Mr. Scott discussed the executive summary for the High School and the
changes that were made. The Committee had a brief discussion and suggested some edits. They
discussed including the JKKA policy. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the School Improvement Plan
and Handbook as amended, seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Deer Hill School Improvement Plan-Principal Jennifer deChiara was present to discuss the Improvement
Plan. The Plan was modeled after the CMHS Plan. She discussed the 3 goals. The 1"goal is to promote
the social and emotional well-being of students. The 2nd goal is to ensure that all students are able to
achieve their potential.The 3rd goal is to implement district-wide technology and strategic plan with a
focus on building-level goals. Dr. deChiara discussed the action steps, parties responsible and the
timeline for the goals. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the Student Handbook and School
Improvement Plan as amended at this meeting pending updated policies,seconded by Mrs. Zani and
the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Mrs. Maher to adjust the agenda to discuss the AEC-Electric Car,seconded by Mrs. Zani and
the vote was unanimous(5-0).
AEC Electric Car-Fire Chief Robert Silvia was present. He gave the Committee an overview of the
proposed program. He discussed the 3 year leases available for the Nissan Leaf. The Town can submit
an application and they would have 180 days to get it approved and decide if they choose to go with it.
They are currently looking at how many cars they would need and who would use them. They are also
responsible for charging stations. The Town would have to provide one public charging station. Chief
Silvia stated there is no commitment at this point, it is just a place in line.
Kindergarten Enrollment-Superintendent Cataldo advised the Committee as of today there are 107
students registered for Kindergarten. The Committee will continue to keep an eye on enrollment
throughout the summer. Supt. Cataldo advised that in July 2015,there were 17 new 1st grade
enrollments; 7 from Montessori, 5 from Inley and the rest move ins. Also in July 2015 there were 5 new
2nd grade registrations.
School Committee Comments and Communications
Ratification of Secretaries Contract-The Committee will reschedule on a future agenda.
Long Range Planning Status/Update-Mrs. Maher attended the Board of Selectmen meeting and gave an
update to the Committee. The BOS asked Chris Senior for a more concrete, specific plan. They asked
the Town Manager who would Chair the group, how many members there would be and what the
length of the terms would be. The Board discussed having elected or appointed members of
boards/committees and not community members. They discussed kick starting the group with the FY18
budget process. The agreed on the name of the group to be the Long Range Planning Group. They also
discussed whether the committee would be a voting group or advisory. The Board will continue to
discuss at their next meeting.
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MASC/MASS Joint Conference-Chairman Astino advised the Committee they need to register before
July 15th to receive a discount. She asked the Committee to check their schedules and see who can
attend.
Reading of Policies-The School committee reviewed the following policies, discussed and made edits;
Reading of Policy GBEC- Drug Free Workplace Policy-1st Read, Reading of Policy IHAMB-Teaching about
Alcohol,Tobacco and Drugs-1st Read, Reading of Policy JICH-Alcohol,Tobacco and Drug use by Students
Prohibited-1ST Read, Reading of Policy JLCD-Administering Medicines to Students-1st Read, Reading of
Policy J BA-Student-to-Stu dent Harrassment-1st Read, Reading of Policy GBA-Notice of Equal
Opportunity-l" Read, Reading of Policy ACA-Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex-1st Read, Reading of
Policy EDCA-Home use of Laptop Computers and Other School-Owned Technology-1st Read, Reading of
Policy EDCA-B-Faculty/Administrator use of Laptop Computers and Other School-Owned Technology
Regulations-1st Read, Reading of Policy EDCA-C-Technology Network Access&Acceptable Use Policy-1st
Read. Mrs. Stefan and Mrs. Zani will make edits and bring back to the Committee.
Report from subcommittees of School Committee-Mrs. Dugan attended the final SEPAC meeting on
Monday. They are ending the year at a good place. They will have an end of year meeting and elect
new officers on Thursday night. She also attend Elder Affairs this week. They discussed the electric cars.
She will be attending the Technology sub-committee meeting Friday with Mrs. Maher. Chairman Astino
stated AEC will be meeting on Monday night and she will attend. Mrs. Zani stated she attended the
Regional SEPAC meeting which was very productive. She attended the PSO leadership meeting. They
are wrapping up for the year. She stated they were asking about the repairs to the Osgood playground.
Chairman Astino stated there is a meeting coming up to discuss it and she will report back to the
Committee.
Approval of Minutes-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the minutes of 5/18/16 as amended,
seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Mrs. Zani to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
Documents used at the Meeting
Mass Teachers Association-Robert Erlandsen E-1
Sport Update E-2
Middle High School Improvement Plan E-3
Middle School Handbook E-4
High School Handbook E-5
Deer Hill School Improvement Plan E-6
Deer Hill Handbook E-7
MASC/MASS Conference F-1
Policy GBEC F-2
Policy IHAMB F-3
Policy JICH F-4
Policy JLCD F-5
Policy JBA F-6
Policy GBA F-7
Policy ACA F-8
Policy EDCA F-9
Policy EDCA-B F-10
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Policy EDCA-C F-11
Minutes5/18/16 G-1
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