HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 02/01/2017 a
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Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday, February 1, 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
Sue Skeiber, Interim Assistant Superintendent
Call to order and Roll Call-Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:06 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 17-15S,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-FY18 Budget Update-Mrs. Demas stated the leadership team has worked very hard on the
budget. It was a cooperative effort. No class sizes or delivery of student services have been affected.
They met again today and will continue to work on it but they are in good shape. Mr.Tuffy stated it was
a long process to get this far and they will still continue to work on it. The budget includes one
additional hire for technology support. The Committee had a lengthy discussion.
Superintendents Report-Gift-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the gift of$3500 from the Cohasset
Soccer Boosters Club for Fall 2016 for additional Varsity Assistant Coaching Staff, seconded by Mrs.
Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,
Amanda Zani-Aye.
Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the gift of$500 from the Cohasset Field Hockey Boosters for a Part-
time fill-in Assistant Coach for the Fall of 2016,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 accept the gift of$2500 from the Clark Chatterton Memorial Fund to the
Cohasset Athletic Hall of Fame account,seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye,
Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye.
Student Services Update-Director of Student Services Mary Buchanan was present and gave a summary
of student services. She discussed the district wide positions as well as the individual positions at each
school. She discussed the breakdown of the Special Education students, and the team meeting
summary, which includes the number of evaluations requested and the number of students found
eligible for services. The FY 18 budget includes the pilot of the Co-Teaching model in Math and English
in grades 6 and 9.
Middle School Programs of Studies-Principal of Cohasset Middle/High School Carolyn Connolly
discussed the proposed Program of Studies for 2017/18 for the students in Grades 6-8. The section
describing Special Education Programs and Services was enhanced with more complete information
regarding services available.
High School Program of Studies-Mrs. Connolly discussed the proposed Program of Studies for 2017/18
for the students in Grades 9-12. She reviewed the changes made, including the addition of Science
electives Genetics & Biotechnology and Biodiversity Ecology as well as new courses Advanced Guitar,
Advanced Stop Motion Animation and Website Design and Social Media. There were a few name
changes of existing courses. The same Special Education service updates as the MS POS were reflected
in the HS POS.
Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the Program of Studies for the Middle School Grades 6-8,seconded
by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Mrs. Dugan approve the Program of Studies for the High School Grades 9-12,seconded by
Mrs.Zani and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Cafeteria Contract-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the Agreement between the Cohasset School
Committee and MA Laborers' District Council on behalf of the Cohasset School Food Service
Employees Local 1139 of the Laborers' Int'I Union of N.A.,AFL-CIO, seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll Call
Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Amanda Zani-Aye.
School Committee Comments and Communication-FY18 Budget Message—FAQ Document-Mrs.Zani &
Mrs. Dugan have worked on the document for some time. There was one small correction to the
document. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the Cohasset Public Schools FAQ's Document as
amended,seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Warrant Process-Mr.Tuffy will get additional information on the Municipal Modernization Act regarding
the signing of warrants and update the Committee at the next meeting.
Report of Sub-Committees of SC-Mrs. Zani attended the PSO leadership meeting. She discussed the
Safe Harbor Committee with Deb Kenealy and Social & Emotional learning in Cohasset. Mrs. Zani
encouraged the SC to try and work with the Safe Harbor Committee. Mrs. Demas stated she spoke to
Deb Kenealy as well and advised her to visit the Osgood School to see what is happening with Social
Emotional Learning. Mrs. Zani stated she attended the SEPAC leadership meeting and there is an IEP
101 presentation scheduled for next week. Information is on their website. Mrs. Dugan attended the
Long Range Planning Group meeting last night. She gave an overview of the meeting and distributed the
FY18 MA Cherry Sheet for Cohasset. She advised the Committee of the 22% increase in the Norfolk
Pension Plan that the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen are looking into further. Mrs. Dugan met
with Senator O'Connor and discussed the Municipal Modernization Act and how he could be helpful.
Mrs. Dugan reminded the Committee of the upcoming committee/board training on 2/8/17. Mrs.
Maher attended the CMHS School Council meeting where they discussed the Library renovations, which
are on target for this summer. Chairman Astino stated there is an Osgood Council meeting tomorrow
that she plans on attending.
Minutes-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the minutes of 1/18/17 as amended, seconded by
Chairman Astino and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
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. Maher, 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 9:44 p.m.
The Committee adjourned Executive Session at 10:52 pm on a motion by Mrs. Maher, seconded Mrs.
Zani. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,
Amanda Zani-Aye.
The Committee adjourned Open Session at 10:53 pm on a motion by Mrs. Astino, seconded by Mrs.
Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,
Amanda Zani-Aye.
Documents used at the Meeting
Gifts G-1
Middle School Program of Studies G-2
High School Program of Studies G-3
Cafeteria Contract G-4
Minutes 1/18/17