Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 07/12/2017 Z 14 jN OCOhtA55CT Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday,July 12,2017 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 Patrick Sullivan,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,Jennifer Madden-Present. Pledge Recited Invitation to Speak`-None Approval of Warrant-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Warrant 17-27S,seconded by Mrs.Stefan. Barbara Stefan-Aye,Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Ellen Maher abstained from the vote. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Warrant 17-18S,seconded by Mrs.Stefan. Barbara Stefan-Aye..Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye,Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Finance-Year End Financial-John Tuffy stated the year end numbers are not final yet. There will be an adjustment for Medicaid when the figure from Finance Director Mary Gallagher is available. They are waiting for final numbers for.circuit breaker but everything should be in good shape. The grants are currently in the negative but that will change dramatically by the next meeting when all of them are received and accounted for. Transportation Log-Mr.Tuffy stated all vehicles are running great. They continue to send out buses for regular maintenance and so far there haven't been any issues. Superintendent's Report-Joseph Osgood School Handbook-Principal Lisa Farrell gave the SC an overview of the updated handbook. She discussed the changes made to the school rules&student expectations in school and on the bus. She also discussed discipline and possible consequences. The Committee recommended some edits to the handbook. It was suggested that perhaps the PSO AGENDA ITEM: AUG 0 q 2017 volunteer monitors at the beginning of the school year have some basic goals for behavior on the buses and that they reinforce those positive behaviors with the kids. Joseph Osgood School Improvement Plan-Mrs. Farrell discussed the goals and action steps.She discussed the strengths and challenges for the goals. The Committee had a lengthy discussion about the goals,the support resources that will be needed and the timeline for completion of the SIP. After some discussion it was agreed that some of the end dates may need to be adjusted. Gift-Superintendent Demas advised the Committee they have received a gift from the PSO for a grant to the Deer Hill School to support a new sound system in the amount of$24,999.00. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the gift of$24,999 from the PSO for a grant to the Deer Hill School to support a new sound system,seconded by Mrs.Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye,Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. School Committee Comments and Communications-Sandy Beach Association Request-Mrs. Maher advised the Committee that the Sandy Beach Association has requested to use the high school parking lot to shuttle people back and forth to Sandy Beach for their 100t"Anniversary Event on July 22"d. They will provide their own buses. Superintendent Demas advised the Committee she',has checked to see that there weren't any events at the school and gave the Sandy Beach Assoc. permission to use the parking lot. Benchmarkina-Mrs. Maher explained the benchmarking report card for Cohasset including AP Subject Testing Results.The Committee had a discussion about how other benchmarking districts have higher SAT scores and were curious about what they are doing differently to achieve those results. The committee discussed if they could do some research or:survey on this year's students and their experience with the process of college searches. Superintendent Demas agreed to have a conversation with Carolyn Connolly and guidance. Reading of Policy JECA-Enrollment of the Children of School Department Personnel 3rd Read-Mrs. Stefan reviewed the changes that were made with the Committee. Motion by Mrs.Madden to accept the JECA Policy as presented,seconded,by Mrs.Stefan and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Report of sub committees of School Committee-Mrs. Maher attended the Town Hall Renovation Advisory Committee meeting last night. After sending out surveys and multiple meetings the plan is to keep town hall at its'current location. They are finalizing space needs. They discussed parking concerns and the next steps. They will be presenting to other boards/committees and host other public forums before Special Town Meeting on October 16,2017. Mrs. Dugan stated Master Plan Committee continues to meet monthly and are in the process of hiring a consultant to help complete the report. She spoke with Town Manager Chris Senior and the TROIKA will be meeting at the end of the month. There are 3 seats up on the Advisory Committee. She also discussed with Mr.Senior the AEC grant for $177,000. They have a spreadsheet of the projects that are proposed for the town and school. Mrs. Dugan asked that Superintendent Demas reach out to the Town Manager for details. Mrs. Dugan distributed the most recent cherry sheet from the State. The Governor will be reviewing the budget over the next week or so. Senator O'Connor sent an email to the Committee with a fact sheet that the State is looking at the education foundation budget. There is a public hearing next week. Minutes-Motion by Mrs.Maher to approve the minutes of 6/21/17 as amended,seconded by Mrs. Madden and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into Executive Session for Exception#3-Strategy in preparation for collective bargaining with union personnel. The Committee will come out of executive session for the purpose of adjourning. Motion moved by Mrs. Dugan,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 10:38 p.m. Motion by Mrs. Maher to come out of executive session at 11:48 p.m.,seconded by Mrs.Stefan. Roll Call Vote;Barbara Stefan-Aye,Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye,Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Motion by Mrs.Astino to adjourn at 11:49 p.m.,seconded by Mrs.Madden. Roll Call Vote;Barbara Stefan-Aye,Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye,;Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Documents used at the Meeting Year End Financial E-1 Joseph Osgood Handbook F-1 Joseph Osgood Improvement Plan F-2 Gift F-3 Policy JECA G-1: