HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 11/01/2016 a
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Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Tuesday, November 1, 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 7:05 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 17-08S,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.
Middle-High School News-Update-High School Student Representative Jane Cavanaro stated the high
school recently had the Homecoming Dance and game. Powder Puff is starting for Junior and Senior
girls. Student Council will be having a clothing drive and food pantry drive is being planned by Coach A.
The Middle School had the Halloween dance on Friday which was a success.
Superintendent's Report-MASSUPT Superintendent's Award-Mrs. Demas introduced and congratulated
Emma Humphrey on receiving the Superintendent's Certificate of Academic Excellence. Ms. Humphrey
was presented the award and the SC congratulated her.
Camp Wing Report-Mrs. Demas stated Carolyn Connolly had a family issue come up and she couldn't be
present tonight. The Committee will put on a future agenda.
Private School Enrollment Report-Mrs. Demas reviewed the enrollment chart with the Committee.
Mrs. Dugan suggested that it would be helpful for the Committee if next year they could get a report to
show year over year.
SSEC News-Mrs. Demas advised the Committee that the State has approved the South Shore Education
Collaborative to include Milton Public Schools in their membership. Motion by Mrs. Dugan that
Cohasset School Committee acknowledges that the State approved Milton Public Schools into SSEC,
seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
MCAS Accountability-Mrs. Demas advised the Committee that she has been notified that the appeal
filed with DESE for 2016 accountability determination for Cohasset Middle/High School was approved
and they are now classified as a Level 1 school.
New Hires-Mrs. Demas advised the Committee Alyson Doyle has been hired replacing Joe Chimienti as
school psychologist and will start at the beginning of December. Kate Whiting has been hired replacing
Mary Dugan as speech therapist and will begin 12/12/16. She will overlap with Ms. Dugan. Mrs. Demas
also advised the Committee that they have been notified of 2 new preschool students. They will need to
extend a 0.4 staff member to a 0.8 and also hire an additional staff for 0.4. She will need the Committee
to vote to approve the increase in personnel budget. The increase would be starting mid-November and
the budget impact would be approximately$20,000. Mr.Tuffy added that they were notified by the
parents in September that they needed IEP's. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to allow the hiring of two 0.4 aids
for Special Education Services for Preschool, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-
Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye.
Superintendents Entry Plan&Goals-Mrs. Demas explained the purpose of the Entry Plan is to
summarize meetings and activities that have guided her toward identifying her goals for the district
based on its current strengths and identified needs. Mrs. Demas reviewed her six S.M.A.R.T goals with
the Committee. The Committee had a discussed the Superintendent's goals and agreed they would
schedule updates. Mrs. Demas will share information with the Leadership, Board of Selectmen and
Capital Budget Committee. Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the Superintendent's FY17 Goals,
seconded by Mrs.Zani and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
School Committee Comments and Communications-Reading of Policy EBC-Emergency Plans-2nd Read-
Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Policy EBC-Emergency Plans,seconded by Chairman Astino. Roll
Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Amanda Zani-
Aye.
Report from sub-committees of SC-Chairman Astino asked Mrs. Demas if the School Committee page on
the school website can be modified so that each member doesn't have their own page. She would like
everyone on one page. Chairman Astino stated Glenn Pratt reached out to her as a member of the 2501h
Anniversary Committee. They are looking to engage the schools and would like a liaison to the
Committee. She asked the SC to think about it and let her know if anyone is interested. Mr. Pratt will
send out some info about the Committee. Chairman Astino was also contacted by Jen Oram from the
Town Manager's office and they would like a member of the SC to take part in a STM Forum on
November 15th to discuss the STM Warrant Articles. Mrs. Dugan agreed to attend and discuss the SPED
Stabilization Reserve Fund article. Chairman Astino stated she has a personal conflict with the 11/16 SC
meeting and asked if the SC would agree to start at 7:30 p.m. The SC agreed. Mrs. Dugan stated that
SEPAC is hosting a program on 11/9/16 "Homework Battles" at 7 p.m. in the Community Use Room. The
Cohasset Safe Harbor is hosting 2 events. On 11/10 at 7 p.m. at Willcutt Commons Dr. Ruth Potee will
host "The Effects of Substances on the Adolescent Teen". On November 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the 2nd
Congregation Church Safe Harbor will have guest speaker Andrew Stephens-Duxbury Principal. Mrs.
Dugan stated she and Mrs. Astino attended the Long Range Planning Group last week and they
discussed 5 year forecast model and historical trends. They are meeting again on 11/10/16. Mrs. Dugan
offered to try and start to develop a table of contents for a central location/Google Docs one drive. Mrs.
Maher stated the Cohasset Middle/High School council met for the first time this year. Carolyn Connolly
leads the group. They discussed the School Improvement Plan and heard from a student and his
experience with Middle School anxiety. Chairman Astino stated the next AEC meeting is 11/14/16. She
asked Mrs. Demas if she would check with Carolyn Connolly and see if there are any students interested
in being a Student Representative to AEC. Mrs. Zani stated this coming weekend there is a Holiday
Market at Deer Hill School from 11 a.m.—4 p.m. They are looking for volunteers for the bake sale.
Information can be found on the PSO Facebook website.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Dugan and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
Documents Used at the Meeting
Private School Enrollment Report F-1
MCAS Accountability F-2
Superintendent's Entry Plan & Goals F-3
EBC Policy G-1