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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 01/18/2017 T CQ%ASSET O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday,January 18, 2017 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, Superintendent John Tuffy, Interim Business Manager Susan Skeiber, Interim Assistant Superintendent 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 17-145,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-Jane Cavanaro reported that the students are currently planning the Semi- Formal which is scheduled for February 101". The students are gearing up for the playoffs. Access to The Spinnaker is now available free online. Ms. Cavanaro will be attending the Model UN next weekend. The debate team has had a lot of success this year. The final debates are scheduled for February 15`& 15`". Students are preparing for mid-term exams next week. The senior class is finishing up on college applications. There is approximately 80 acceptance letters on the wall already. The winter sports are in full swing. Ms. Cavanaro reported that two of her current classes are using Google Classroom and it is going great. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to move the Kindergarten Watch presentation, seconded by Mrs. Zani and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Kindergarten Watch This-Kindergarten teacher Mrs. DeWaal was present and gave a demonstration of the Bots that are used in the Osgood School. The Bots were purchased with a grant from the CEF. She showed how they are used in the classroom across the curriculum. Finance Monthly Update-Mr.Tuffy discussed the Revolving&Grants Summary and stated that there is nothing remarkable happening. Some of the tuition for Kindergarten and Athletics have started to come in. The money in the budget for the School Resource Officer has been taken out since the grant from the Governor has been deleted. The second circuit breaker payment has come in but isn't reflected since they received on January 4t". They will start to apply for grant money again next month. There are no concerns right now. The Summary Budget to Actual Expenditure reports also have nothing remarkable happening. It is currently tracking the same as last year. Transportation so far this year is good. Mr.Tuffy stated that over the Holiday break the buses were sent to have brakes adjusted and regular maintenance and those will be billed in January. It is also time for inspections to be scheduled for the buses and that will be billed in January as well. Declare Surplus Property-Mr.Tuffy advised the Committee there are three vehicles that he is looking to have declared as surplus that the school no longer use. He has offered to the town and if there is no interest he will solicit bids in accordance with MGL Chapter 30B, Section 15. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to declare the requested three vehicles submitted for surplus and allow Mr.Tuffy to dispose of, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye. FY18 Budget Process Updated-Mr.Tuffy stated he and Mrs. Demas had given all the building principals instructions to submit their budget requests.The requests have been submitted and put into the budget. They did ask the principals to try to keep the requests modest and in line with the goals of the School Committee. They have started meeting with individuals involved in the process. They are waiting on final numbers from Ron Menard for IT. At this point the budget is reasonably close to the target the Town Manager has set. They hope to present a draft budget soon. Superintendent's Report-Kindergarten Registration Update-Mrs. Demas reported that the registration went extremely well. There are 82 full day students registered. They have reserved an additional 4 slots for METCO and 5 for IEP's. There is no need for a lottery at this point. As of now,there are 6 students registered for half day kindergarten. Kindergarten Tuition-Mrs. Demas stated there will be no change to the tuition. Enrollment Update- Enrollment is the same as last month with the exception of one more Pre-K enrollment. The Committee had a brief discussion about enrollment and population trends. ESP Contract-Mrs. Demas advised the Committee the reason for the Letter of Agreement is that the teacher's contract includes home instruction for students but the ESP's does not. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the Letter of Agreement between the CTA&Cohasset School Committee for the ESP's as presented, seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye,Amanda Zani- Aye. Mrs. Maher abstained from the vote. School Committee Comments&Communications-Discussion of Special Education Stabilization v. Municipal Modernization Act-Mrs. Dugan gave an overview of the recently approved Municipal Modernization Act. One of the advantages is the ability to funds in real time and also it doesn't require town meeting approval. This act does not change the Reserve Policy. Mrs. Dugan stated the number is capped at 2%. The Special Education Stabilization fund allows for up to $500,000. After some discussion the Committee agreed to do more research on the Modern Municipal Act however,they agreed to submit a notice of intent to the Town Manager for a potential article (deadline is 1/20/17). This will allow the Committee until February 281"to discuss the language of the article. Mrs. Dugan agreed to type up the Notice of Intent and submit to Chris Senior. She will send a copy to Mrs. Demas and Mr. Tuffy. Minutes-12/21/16-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the minutes of 12/21/16 as amended,seconded by Mrs.Stefan and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The Committee went into executive session at 9:01 p.m. Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into executive session for Exception#3-Strategy related to negotiation with union personnel; bus drivers and Exception#2-Strategy related to negotiations with non-union personnel; Superintendent. The Committee will return to public session to adjourn. Motion moved by Mrs. Dugan, seconded by Mrs. Zani. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye, Amanda Zani-Aye. Documents used at the Meeting Monthly Update F-1 Bus Maintenance F-2 Surplus List F-3 Enrollment Update G-1 ESP Contract G-2