Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 10/05/2016 T CQ%ASSET O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, October 5, 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 p.m. 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 17-065,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. Superintendents Report MASS Achievement Award-Mrs. Demas stated the recipient was not available to be present tonight and asked that the Committee reschedule on an agenda in November. Enrollment Update-Mrs. Demas reviewed the enrollment with the Committee. Mrs. Zani asked for information on class sizes for grades 6-12. The Committee had a brief discussion on class sizes. Mrs. Stefan stated they are trying to make sure there isn't overcrowding in classes. Mrs. Dugan added that is has been a community concern that the SC does not discuss class size. Mrs. Demas will provide more information at the next enrollment update. Faculty Hiring Update-Mrs. Demas stated all hires are in place. The most recent hire was David Delamatta as a high school Language teacher. They have sent out an announcement on Blackboard Connect notifying parents of the hire. Grade 6 Digital Device Survey-Mrs. Demas stated the surveys went out and the goal was to get as close to 100%of the surveys back. This isn't an easy task. As of now,they would need about 40-60 Chromebooks. They are trying to figure out what type of survey will get the most accurate results. She will continue to work with Susan Skeiber. 2017-18 School Calendar-Mrs. Demas reviewed the proposed calendar with the Committee. The CTA agreed with Mrs. Demas to have 4 additional half days for professional development. The Committee had a discussion on the additional days. Mrs. Dugan recommended they try this as a pilot for the year. Mrs. Demas will put the calendar on the next agenda with the SC meeting dates for a vote. School Committee Comments and Communications-Safety and Security Update-Mrs. Maher read aloud an executive summary of the Security Assessment conducted by the Cohasset Police Department for each of the school buildings. The overall assessment indicated that the District has taken proactive measures to enhance the safety of school buildings and grounds and the security policies and protocols are comprehensive. There were recommendations presented by the CPD to further enhance and improve the safety and security of each campus for our students,faculty and staff. The three areas of improvement include; physical improvements including access control, alignment of CPS Emergency Plans into single comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and ongoing training of faculty and staff. All parties agreed to make these recommendations a goal. Mrs. Maher added that it was great working experience with all involved. Ratification of Secretary's Contract-Mrs. Astino stated the contract has been signed by all parties and needs the Committee's vote to ratify. Motion by Mrs. Maher to ratify the Secretary's MOA from 7/1/15 through 6/30/18,seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan- Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye. Review of Kindergarten Registration 2016-17-Mrs. Demas stated the process for Kindergarten registration worked out very well this year. The SC discussed the continuing efforts to make sure everyone is enrolled early. They agreed to continue to communicate to residents that they are accelerating the process. Laurie Tabacznski-12 Old Pasture Road asked if the SC can communicate to residents that are not on Blackboard Connect. Review of Policy-IJND-Access to Digital Resources-2"d Read-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Policy IJND-Access to Digital Resources, seconded by Mrs.Zani and the vote was unanimous. Review of Policy IJNDB-Empowered Digital Use Policy-2"d Read-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Policy IJNDB-Empowered Digital Use Policy, seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous(5- 0). Mrs. Dugan asked if there should be a policy for students who are allowed to bring home devices. Mrs. Demas will look into. Report from sub-committees of school committee-Mrs. Dugan attended the Youth Health Connection Conference last week. There was a presentation on opioid addiction. It was very interesting and it gave a good sense of what programs the coalitions are involved in. The Cohasset Safe Harbor Coalition recently had a fundraiser that raised $100,000. Mrs.Astino stated the Advisory Committee is meeting tomorrow night and will discuss warrant articles. Capital Budget is meeting on 10/17. Mrs. Dugan stated the Board of Selectmen are meeting on Tuesday, October 11th to discuss the Special Education Reserve Fund Policy. Mrs.Astino stated the Long Range Planning Group is meeting on 10/13. She will also have the monthly meeting with Chris Senior, Louise Demas and John Tuffy and will report back to the Committee. Minutes-9/21/16-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the minutes of 9/21/16 as amended,seconded by Mrs.Zani and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Follow-up and Updates-The Committee reviewed and updated their list. Mrs. Demas advised the Committee they have been granted a one-year extension for the renovations to Deer Hill playground. The SC discussed handbooks that were approved in July and have been updated. Mrs. Demas will send a digital copy of the updated handbooks to the Committee. Mrs. Maher asked if the SC can get a bi- annual update on Buildings/Facilities. Mrs. Astino stated the Committee will be going into executive session for Exemption#3-Strategy related to collective bargaining as discussion in public could be detrimental to the bargaining process and will return to open session to adjourn. The Committee went into executive session at 8:28 p.m. Documents used at the Meeting Enrollment Update E-1 Faculty Hiring Update E-2 2017-18 School Calendar E-3 Policy IJND F-1 Policy IJNDB F-2 Minutes9/21/16 G-1