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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 06/07/2017 a \ T CQ%ASSET� Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday,June 7, 2017 Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street Cohasset, MA In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman Katie Dugan Ellen Maher Barbara Stefan Jennifer Madden 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 7:04 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Present, Katie Dugan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Ellen Maher-Present,Jennifer Madden-Present. Pledge-Recited Invitation to Speak-None Approval of Warrant-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Warrant 17-255,seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Ellen Maher abstained from the vote. Superintendents Report-Superintendent Demas stated the weekend graduation went well thanks to Carolyn Connolly, Brian Scott and Kerri Sandler. Acceptance of CEF Grant for the Learning Commons-CEF President Cindy Matheison and member Caitlin Appleton were present. They presented the 2nd disbursement check in the amount of$50,000 for the Learning Commons. Ms. Matheison stated everything is going well and on schedule for the opening in September. The final disbursement will be after June 30t". She stated the entire group has worked very hard. Chairman Astino thanked the CEF for such a great effort. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the generous gift of$50,000 from the CEF, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan- Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. AEC Update & Request-Chairman Astino gave a background of the projects that the Alternative Energy Committee has been working on for years. She updated everyone that a video monitor was part of the original contract with for the solar arrays and encouraged Supt. Demas and Principal Connolly to think about what would serve the students in terms of education. AEC Chairman Mary Jo Larson was present and stated the AEC would like to explore ways to coordinate guest speakers to come to the schools and discuss projects that have been done in Cohasset and other places in the world. She asked if the school committee would be interested in doing something like this. Principal Connolly believes students and teachers would welcome speakers. Mrs. Larson recently gave a presentation to a class of 81h graders and was pleasantly surprised at the level of interest. High School Principal Carolyn Connolly discussed ways the schools are currently learning about energy conservation and renewable resources through Independent Studies,the Environmental Studies class and field trips such as the one to Holly Hill Farms. Mrs. Connolly was pleased to advise that she has already recruited a student representative for AEC for September. Mrs. Maher to follow up with the details of the AEC Phase II grant as well as follow up with Mr. Mark Kelly on the status of repair/reconditioning of the CMHS roof. Faculty Children Attending-Mrs. Demas stated the deadline for applications is June 15th. They have currently received 15 applications and she doesn't expect many more. School Committee Comments and Communication-Reading of Special Education Reserve Fund Policy- 2"d read-Mrs. Dugan reviewed the changes with the Committee. The Committee had a brief discussion. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the Special Education Reserve Fund Policy,seconded by Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye, Jennifer Madden-Aye. Reading of Policy JECA-Enrollment of the Children of School Department Personnel-1st read-The Committee had a brief discussion about some changes that should be made and to discuss further at sub-committee meeting. Reports of sub committees of School Committee-Mrs. Stefan stated that the policy committee met recently and will continue to. Mrs. Maher attended the Town Hall Renovation Advisory Committee meeting. Capital Budget was present and had great interest. They had 400 people respond to the survey. The majority would like to see Town Hall stay on the common and be renovated. They may be able to use CPC money for the older side of the building. Mrs. Maher also attended Safe Harbor meeting. They discussed social emotional health. They discussed Students Against Drunk Driving. Mrs. Demas was not aware that they have a chapter in SADD. Safe Harbor thinks this program is a viable one and they anxious to support it. Mrs. Demas will look into. Mrs. Maher stated Safe Harbor is also working with Recreation this summer. Mrs. Maher reported that there is a perception among some parents that Cohasset is not necessarily holding some students responsible for their actions according to MIAA guidelines. Mrs. Dugan agreed this is a perception that parents are talking about. She believes someone should just clarify that all student actions are held to the same standards. Mrs. Dugan stated budget and finance met on 5/31/17 and the year-end forecast is progressing. There is one issue that was raised about two dormant school accounts. She spoke with Finance Director Mary Gallagher. There was an option in the past on the tax bills for donations to schools but the town never adopted the Mass General Law that allows disbursement of those donations. There is an educational fund account in addition to the scholarship fund account. Mrs. Dugan will circulate the details of the funds to the Committee. Mrs. Dugan circulated Long Range Planning Group materials that were discussed at the meeting last night. She will be presenting along with Tanya Bodell to the Board of Selectman on June 27. Mrs. Dugan suggested that the Committee brainstorm around goals individually before their July retreat. Minutes-5/24/17-Motion to approve the minutes of 5/24/17 for the public hearing as amended, seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the minutes of 5/24/17,seconded by Mrs.Stefan and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Ass't Supt. Sue Skeiber advised that the 6 pilot teachers and some students will be holding a technology parent night on June 13.This will afford parents the opportunity to ask questions about BYOD and how technology is being used in the classroom. Also, Mrs. Skeiber and the 6 pilot teachers will be visiting Scituate to see Scituate's classrooms in action. Mrs. Skeiber stated the the license agreement for the 275 Chromebooks came in. They will be receiving them after July 15t. Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into executive session for Exemption#1 for a personnel matter. The Committee will return to open session to adjourn. Motion moved by Mrs. Maher and seconded by Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. The Committee went into executive session at 8:51 pm on a motion by Mrs. Maher, seconded by Mrs. Madden, Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye, Jennifer Madden-Aye. The Committee adjourned executive session at 9:10 pm on a motion by Mrs.Astino, seconded by Mrs. Stefan, Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye, Jennifer Madden-Aye. The Committee re-entered open session for the purpose of adjournment and at 9:11 pm,the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Mrs. Dugan, seconded by Mrs. Stefan All-Aye Documents used at the Meeting Special Education Reserve Fund Policy G-1 Enrollment of the Children of School Dept. Personnel G-2 Minutes 5/24/17