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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 01/11/2017 G� ' k1� 'T cohasser Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, January 11, 2017 Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street Cohasset, MA In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman Katie Dugan Ellen Maher Amanda Zani Barbara Stefan Also in Attendance: Louise Demas, Superintendent John Tuffy, Business Manager Sue Skeiber, Interim Assistant Superintendent Call to Order and Roll Call Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:OOp.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 17-135, 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 Gifts—Superintendent Demas introduced Aaron Cutler and Asif Abid. Mr. Cutler owns the Mobil gas station on the corner of Sohier Street. Mr. Abid is the operator of the property. Mr. Cutler stated that Exxon/Mobil runs a program that donates to local schools to support STEM programs. The Committee thanked them for the gift. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept a gift in the amount of$500.00 from Exxon/Mobile to support STEM programs,seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll call Vote; Barbara Stefan- Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye. Page 1 of 4 CEF Gift- Representatives Cindy Mathieson and Caitlin Appleton announced the CEF was providing the funding for a 3D printer in the amount of$11,050. The printer will help enrich the children at Deer Hill on the basics of 3D printing. They also updated the Committee on the fundraising efforts for the Learning Commons. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the funding for a 3D printer in the amount of $11,050,seconded by Mrs. Zani. Roll call vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino- Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye. PSO Teacher Grant—Chairman Astino stated that the PSO teacher grants do tremendous things for the school district. This grant is in the amount of$1,894.98 and provides quizlet subscriptions etc.to the Deer Hill School. Mrs. Dugan moved to accept the PSO Teacher Grant in the amount of$1,894.98 for the Deer Hill School, Mrs. Zani seconded the motion. Roll call vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan- Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye. Mrs. Demas asked the Committee to accept a gift of exercise equipment donated by the Black Rock Fitness Center. Four pieces of equipment are being donated; each worth approximately$1,500-$2,000 each.The donated equipment is about 10 years old and they were inspected by Mr. Ford. Mrs. Maher moved to accept the donated equipment, Mrs.Zani seconded the motion. Roll call vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye. FY18 Budget Process Update- Mr.Tuffy updated the Committee stating they have met with Administrators for a second time. They have also looked at salaries and they are now looking at items such as technology, phone charges and consumables. Chairman Astino asked when he thought they would have a first draft. Mrs. Demas said they would have it by the following week. Mr.Tuffy stated that it would not be perfect as they have had to make assumptions with some utilities etc. Mrs. Demas added that additional salary conversations will need to occur as some contracts are up. Kindergarten Tuition -The Committee discussed if there was a need to continue a sliding scale for Kindergarten tuition costs for families in need. They could continue to offer it or they could go to one flat fee. There was discussion that the sliding scales were a requirement of the grant that is no longer in place but Cohasset has continued the practice. Mrs. Demas stated that registration for Kindergarten had begun, so they would need to make a decision soon. Mrs. Dugan asked approximately how many families have utilized the sliding scale in the past. Mrs. Demas said 6-12. Mrs. Dugan stated that it would be the right thing to do to offer it. The Committee agreed to bring it to the Budget and Finance meeting and bring back a recommendation at the Committee's next meeting. Athletic Financial Update—Fall Sports—High School Athletic Director, Ron Ford addressed the Committee. He reviewed the report he provided to the Committee in their packet. He has changed the format to show the Revenues and Expenses as an ongoing tally and not specific to the season. Mr. Ford then reviewed revenues, expenses and donations. The participation in the sports is incredible;the numbers go up year to year. Mr. Ford reviewed the many improvements that have been made to the facilities and equipment, including new lights at Alumni Field, painting of the Locker Room, new baseball equipment and field improvements, as well as a video cataloging system. Mrs. Maher noted that the revolving account has an average monthly balance of about$40,000. She suggested this possibly be Page 2 of 4 discussed at a future meeting. Mr. Ford stated he likes to keep a balance for emergencies,for example, damage from a bad winter. Superintendent's Report • Mrs. Demas thanked everyone for all of the work everyone put in to clean up the capital requests. FY17 Safety items (doors, bollards and entrance) are on the report but are already funded. Coming up for FY18 is the bus lease,technology lease and they are requesting$100,000 for safety film on all of the first floor windows of the schools. Mrs. Maher said they expect that cost to go down where it is based on square footage. Mrs. Demas is also requesting High School faculty desks, but there are some questions still if those would be considered individual items. Other items include the Osgood Playground; the CPC has been working with the administration. The PSO has already raised $30,000.They are not sure where the funds will come from the Deer Hill playground. Mrs. Dugan stated they are trying to resolve the Deer Hill Play Ground with Chris Senior,the Town Manager, and hope to have it be a placeholder on the FY18 budget. There was then a discussion regarding the Chromebook Lease and the amount budgeted. Mrs. Dugan would like to meet with the Ron Menard, CIO,to discuss the costs as she is having trouble getting to the number of$63,000. Mrs. Dugan asked Mr.Tuffy what he expected the cost to be for the bus lease. Mr.Tuffy expects it to be the same as last year. School Committee Comments and Communication • Chairman Astino attended the Community Preservation Committee meeting where funds were discussed for the Osgood Playground. • Mrs. Zani attended the Alternative Energy Committee meeting where the electric cars were discussed. She explained that on cold days the charge can run down quickly and that the cars are best for around Town. • Mrs. Dugan announced that the Master Plan Committee is now up and running.The first meeting is January 19tn • Mrs. Dugan announced the next Safe Harbor Event"The Other Talk"for parents of high school students to take place on Jan 24. • Mrs. Dugan would also like to set up a folder system up on google docs. The Committee agreed. • Mrs. Maher met with Ms.Joy Pratt Schiffman and members of the Cohasset 250t"Anniversary Committee. They are very interested in having the schools participate in the planning of the celebration.The 2501"anniversary is in 2020. They discussed many ideas of student participation including having the students participate in a contest to submit art for the 250t" anniversary logo. The deadline for this contest would be March 15t". Mrs. Maher explained to Ms. Schiffman that this type of request had to be vetted through the district leadership for approval. Mrs. Demas asked if the deadline date is flexible. Mrs. Maher said she thought it was. They will get the information to the schools and they will follow up on this at a future meeting. • Mrs. Astino announced that the Long Range Planning Committee meeting is scheduled for January 261". Mrs. Dugan said she is trying to get it pushed to February; she will keep the Committee posted. Page 3 of 4 • Mrs. Zani reported on the Security Subcommittee meeting with Cohasset PD. One issue that was addressed was the configuration of the driveways at the Deer Hill and Osgood Schools. To change them is a large project and may be something that the Long Range Planning Committee could look at. Traffic flow is also an issue at all schools. Mrs. Demas said that where this issue touches so many departments, this may be something that the entire Town needs to look at. Follow-up and Updates The Committee reviewed and updated Mrs. Maher's list. Executive Session Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into executive session for Exemption#2 strategy related to negotiations with nonunion personnel:Superintendent,#3 strategy related to negotiations with union personnel: bus drivers. The Committee will return to open session for the purpose of adjourning. The motion was moved by Mrs. Dugan and seconded by Mrs. Zani. Roll call vote: Barbara Stefan— Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino—Aye, Ellen Maher—Aye,Amanda Zani—Aye. The Committee went into executive session at 9:0113M. Motion by Mrs. Maher to adjourn the executive session at 9:26 p.m., seconded by Mrs. Zani. Roll call vote: Barbara Stefan—Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino—Aye, Ellen Maher—Aye,Amanda Zani— Aye. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to adjourn the open meeting,seconded by Mrs.Astino. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan—Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino—Aye, Ellen Maher—Aye,Amanda Zani—Aye. The meeting adjourned at 9:27 pm Documents: F-1— Gifts Documentation F-2— Athletic Update Spreadsheet—Fall Sport (Ron Ford) G-1— Capital Improvement Plan Spreadsheet Page 4 of 4