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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - SC - 09/21/2016 T CQ%ASSET O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, September 21, 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 Also in Attendance: Louise Demas, Interim Superintendent John Tuffy, Interim Business Manager Call to order and Roll Call-Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Present, Katie Dugan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Ellen Maher-Present,Amanda Zani-Present. Pledge of Allegiance-Recited. Invitation to Speak-None. Approval of Warrant-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Warrant#17-05S, 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. Finance—Monthly Update-John Tuffy presented the SC with the Revolving& Grants Summary for FY17. He advised the SC it is very early in the year and they have just started receiving grants. They should have a better summary by the end of the month. Mr.Tuffy went over the budget summary report and expenditures. He stated everything is on track. The SC asked some questions about Kindergarten receipts and student transportation. Mr.Tuffy advised the SC that the water budget is something to keep an eye on as it may be underfunded. Bus Maintenance Update-Mr.Tuffy stated all buses have passed the required inspections and are on the road. All tires and glass on the buses are in good shape. Mr.Tuffy did some research and there is no mileage clause in the bus contracts. They are still trying to keep mileage on all buses equal. FY18 Budget Calendar-Mr.Tuffy gave a proposed budget calendar for FY18. The SC had a brief discussion. Superintendent Report-Technology"Try It"-High School Economics Teacher Mike Welch was present and showed the SC a quick overview of how he is using technology in his classes. He said it helps students to work at their own pace and allows everyone to get the instruction that they need. He showed an example of his class work using Near Pod. This technology allows for a student view and a teachers view. He said when a student does their homework they can find out immediately if their answer is correct and it gives the student another opportunity to try again and eventually master the skill. 1 9/21/16-TC CEF Presentation-Cindy Matheison, Carolyn Coffey and Carolyn Connolly were present. Ms. Matheison presented their proposal for the Cohasset Middle/High School Library. Their goal is to change the library into a "Learning Commons". They have been working on the plan since 2013. They are committing $250,000 to the project to be raised by the CEF. They will turn the funds over to the school district by June 2017 and the project will be completed by September 2017. Nate Redman-40 Forest Avenue asked how the external funds are handled within the school. Mr.Tuffy stated the funds are under the control of the Town Treasurer and are dispersed to the vendors for payment. Mr. Redman asked what the maintenance cost for the Town would be for the space. Ms. Matheison stated any maintenance would be a savings from what the cost is currently. Laura Soderberg-16 Black Horse Lane asked if parents could use the space for groups for afterschool activities. Jenny Milanoski-171 South Main Street stated the space sounds amazing and asked about filming opportunities. Special Education Update-Director of Student Services Mary Buchanan was present and gave the Committee an update. She discussed the staffing for Special Education. There are currently 195 students on IEP's In District and 20 students on IEP's in Out of District Placements. There are also 13 initial evaluations in progress currently. Ms. Buchanan also discussed professional development and student services focus areas for 2016-2017. The Board had a brief discussion. Technology Update-Deputy CIO Bart Riley was present and gave the Committee an update. All network switching gear has been replaced. They have installed all new access points. Chromebooks should be in by next week. All cameras are functioning. They installed 111 new phones since the phone system failed. User training will begin next week. All of the teachers seem very enthusiastic. Nate Redman-40 Forest Avenue asked where the money came from for the new phone system. Mrs. Demas stated they are going to Advisory Committee tomorrow to request money for the new system. Joseph Osgood Playground-Mrs. Demas advised the SC she has been following up on a complaint filed with the architectural board concerning the wood chips at the playground. She has had many conversations with Chris Senior, Brian Joyce, Bob Egan,Ted Carroll and Mark Kelly. She has received an extension of one year to fix. Deer Hill Playground-Mrs. Demas is waiting to hear back about her request for an extension. She expects to hear something any day now. She will keep the SC informed. She discussed some of the changes she would like to see. They may have to go to Capital for funding or possibly CPC. They are also considering fundraising. Grade 6 Digital Learning Survey-Mrs. Demas stated the Grade 6 survey is ongoing. Approximately 46% of parents responded so far and a large amount do have iPads. Some have Nooks or Kindles and about 14 students do not have anything. They are waiting on more surveys and hope to have by the end of the week. It does look like they will have to supply some type of device but not as many as they originally thought. Policy IJNDC-Internet Publication-2"d Read-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Policy IJNDC as amended,seconded by Mrs.Zani and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Policy UNDID-Use of Social Media Sites and Electronic Communication-2"d Read-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Policy IJNDD-Use of Social Media Sites and Electronic Communications with edits discussed tonight,seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Policy UND-15Y Read-The Committee discussed the policy and recommended changes. Mrs. Zani will make suggested edits and bring back for approval. Policy IJNDB-1st Read-The Committee discussed the policy and will vote on it at the next meeting. Report of sub committees from School Committee-Mrs. Zani attended the SEPAC meet and greet. The new President of SEPAC is Jenny Milanoski. The next meeting is 10/4 and Mary Buchanan will be the speaker. Mrs. Zani also met with Louise Demas,John Tuffy and Ellen Maher for security sub-committee. They are moving forward with the prioritized list suggested from the Police Dept. and move to bring to the Capital Budget process. There are also working with Brian Joyce and Mark Kelly. Mrs. Dugan attended Cohasset Education Foundation meeting and Council on Elder Affairs. Mrs. Dugan and Mrs. 2 9/21/16-TC Astino attended the Long Range Planning Group meeting. She distributed two handouts to the Committee. They discussed the Proposed Special Education Stabilization Fund Policy. They had a robust conversation. There were some changes made to the language for transfer in which is noted on the copies she distributed. She believes the Board of Selectmen are ready to move on this policy. The Advisory Committee will discuss at their next meeting. Chairman Astino stated she received an email from Senator O'Connor to come before the Committee at any time for updates. Minutes-8/24/16-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the minutes of 8/24/16 as amended,seconded by Mrs.Zani and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Minutes-9/7/16-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the minutes of 9/7/16 as amended, seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Follow-up and Updates-The Committee reviewed and updated Mrs. Maher's list. Mrs. Demas advised the Committee that she and Mrs.Astino met with Chris Senior and Kevin McCarthy and discussed the state of the schools. They will meet monthly to keep communications open. Topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours in advance of meeting-Chairman Astino stated the Committee will be going into executive session and will return to open session for the purpose of adjourning. The Committee went into executive session at 10:12 p.m. Documents use at the Meeting Monthly Update E-1 Bus Maintenance E-2 FY18 Budget Calendar E-3 Policy IJNDC G-1 Policy UNDID G-2 Policy IJND G-3 Policy IJNDB G-4 Minutes 8/24/16 H-1 Minutes 9/7/16 H-2 3 9/21/16-TC