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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 08/10/2016 T CQ%ASSET O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday,August 10, 2016 Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street Cohasset, MA In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman Katie Dugan Ellen Maher Barbara Stefan Amanda Zani-Absent Also in Attendance: Louise Demas, Interim Superintendent Marge Foster, Interim Business Manager Call to order and Roll Call-Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:20 pm. Roll Call Vote; Katie Dugan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Ellen Maher-Present-Barbara Stefan-Present. Pledge of Allegiance-Recited. Invitation to speak-Nathan Redman-40 Forest Avenue stated he is a member of Capital Budget Committee and the new liaison to the School Committee. He asked what the timeline is for the Superintendent search. Chairman Astino advised Mr. Redman that the SC had a workshop with the Mass Association of School Committees on the hiring a Superintendent. They will likely start the search before November. They are currently contacting other schools to see how they handled their hiring. The process is ongoing at this time. Finance-Approval of Warrant—Chairman Astino has reviewed the warrant. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Warrant 17-02S,seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino- Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye. Ellen Maher abstained from the vote. FY16 Final Financial Report-Interim Business Manager Marge Foster reviewed with the Committee the FY16 final report. The final surplus is$145,129. Mrs. Maher asked what year the lump sum salaries that teachers are paid over the summer are from. Mrs. Foster stated the money comes from the FY16 budget. The SC discussed the new report format. Mrs. Demas stated that today is Mrs. Foster's last day with the Town and thanked her for her great work. FY16 Athletics Report-Athletic Director Ron Ford was present. He gave an overview of the operating budget, revolving account, revenue and expenses. He advised the SC that they no longer are charging for Lacrosse games since other districts do not charge. The ending balance is$43,614. Mrs. Dugan asked why the vendor rentals are over by$72,000. Mr. Ford said it was for facility rentals. Mr. Ford stated that participation in girls' softball and boy's golf is going down. He also stated that the girl's hockey participation is growing. Mrs. Dugan asked if John Tuffy can give a report for FY17 cost center budget to compare with the line item budget. Mrs. Demas complimented Mr. Ford on his communication with the coaches and working with the arts on scheduling so that there is a good balance. Superintendent's Report-Enrollment Update-Interim Superintendent Louise Demas advised the SC she received two resignations from the Osgood School. Alexandra Sullivan will be changing from 1st Grade teacher to reading specialist. They have a new hire to replace her with a long time substitute teacher. They also received a resignation from the Osgood Art teacher. They have posted the position and sent out a blast to other districts. They have received many applications for the position. They are in good shape. The High School also need Spanish and French teachers. Enrollment as of today for Pre- Kindergarten is 22, Full day Kindergarten is 96 and Half Day Kindergarten is 10. They will have a more precise number in September. FY18 School Calendar Discussion-Mrs. Demas is proposing to add an additional 3 half days for professional development. They would focus on safety&training as well as curriculum building. She has spoken to the bus coordinator about the scheduling of the buses. She would like to do the additional half days in November and March. She stated she wanted to start the discussion for the SC to consider. Mrs. Demas advised the SC that Director of Student Services Mary Buchanan would like the option of possibly changing legal counsel for special education. The SC had a brief discussion. Motion by Mrs. Maher to give Mary Buchanan authority to change legal counsel as discussed should the opportunity want to be taken,seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye. SC Comments and Communications-Relabeling of Policy IHAM-1 to IHAMA-Mrs.Stefan stated they have checked with MASC and the policy hasn't changed just relabeled. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to relabel Policy IHAM-1 to IHAMA as recommended, seconded by Mrs.Stefan and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Draft Special Education Stabilization Policy-Mrs. Dugan stated the conversation started in June and she and Mrs. Stefan have been researching along with Chris Senior and Louise Demas. She gave the SC a draft Special Education Stabilization Fund Reserve Policy that serves to start the conversation. Mrs. Dugan discussed two districts that they used as examples were Rockport and North Andover. Both districts have policies and have started funding. After some discussion Mrs. Demas suggested having Mary Buchanan review the policy and Mrs. Maher suggested having Chris Senior review as well. Mrs. Dugan stated the next steps would be to continue the discussion in a meeting with Chris Senior, Louise Demas, Mary Buchanan and Barbara Stefan. Reading of Policy GCF-Professional Staff Hiring-1st Read-Mrs. Stefan stated this is a brand new policy. The Committee discussed and made an edit. Reading of Policy JJ-Co-Curricular& Extracurricular Activities-1st Read- Mrs. Stefan stated this policy replaces JJE. The Committee had some edits. Mrs. Stefan will have Mrs. Zani review again. Reading of Policy JB-Equal Educational Opportunites-1st Read-The Committee reviewed and agreed the policy looked good as written. Reading of Policy AC-Nondiscrimination-1st Read-The Committee reviewed and had a minor change. Mrs. Maher asked if the title should be Equal Employment. Mrs.Stefan will look into. Reading of Policy DN-Disposal of Equipment and Materials-1st Read-The Committee reviewed and agreed the policy looked good as written. Reading of Policy JJF-Student Activity Accounts-1st Read-The Committee reviewed and agreed the policy looked good as written. Report from Subcommittees of School Committee-Mrs. Dugan stated she was unable to attend the SEPAC meeting but Mrs. Zani attended and reported that Helane Childs has resigned. Jenny Milanoski is now the President. Mrs. Maher will be attending the Advisory Committee meeting tomorrow night and report back to the SC. Mrs. Maher attended the Athletic Hall of Fame meeting. There will be 9 individuals and 2 teams at the induction ceremony. She will update the SC with more info as she receives it. Mrs. Maher stated they had a security sub-committee meeting and are ready to present an update on 8/24/16. Approval of Minutes-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the minutes of 6/7/16, seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the minutes of 7/13/16 as amended, seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the minutes of 7/20/16, seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Motion by Mrs. Maher to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous (4-0). The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.