HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 09/06/2017 T CQ%ASSET O
Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday, September 6, 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
Patrick Sullivan,Assistant Superintendent
John Tuffy, Business Manager
Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:03 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. Maher to approve Warrant 18-04S,seconded by Mrs. Dugan.
Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer
Madden-Aye.
Opening Day for all Schools-Principal Carolyn Connolly stated they had an exciting opening day at the
Cohasset Middle/High School. Enrollment is basically the same as last year. They have a full building.
They have BYOD in the entire building. Dan Kelly& Kyle Hannon from the IT department have been
tremendous to work with. They had opening day assemblies that went well. Mrs. Dugan asked for a
copy of the back to school letters that went out. Mrs. Connolly will email letters (there are different
letters for each grade level). They expect to have a great year. Principal Jennifer deChiara of Deer Hill
reported a smooth opening of Deer Hill. They have the same enrollment as they expected in August.
The teachers and staff were busy over the summer. Two of the projects for this year are Integrating
Concepts of Social Emotional Learning and Integrating Concepts of Global Citizenship into the existing
curriculum. On the first day of school there were inspirational messages for the students in chalk along
the sidewalks. The kids were excited to be back at school. Technology at the school is working very
well. They are off to a good start. Principal Lisa Farrell of Osgood School reported the last two days
have been very exciting. There is a lot of positive energy that came out of the professional days for the
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staff. There have been changes in the drop off and pick up of students and it seems to be working out.
The preschool students have a meet and greet tomorrow. They have added a second recess to the
schedule at the end of the day for 15 minutes. Mrs. Farrell reported she is now tweeting to parents.
The Osgood open house is scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 2017. The PSO will meet on Tuesday,
September 12, 2017. The whole school assembly will take place next week after all the students are in
the building.
SEPAC-President of SEPAC Kelly McGhee and Vice President Amanda Zani were present. Mrs. McGhee
reported that they worked this summer on revamping communication tools. They updated their
brochure with information and all the events for the year. The updated website has mission
explanation, contact information and other info. They will host a welcome coffee on Tuesday at 10:00
a.m. They have scheduled two parent-to-parent coffees at the Lightkeepers House.
Spring Sports Update-Ron Ford reviewed with the Committee the FY17 Totals for all sports. The
Committee had a lengthy discussion. Mr. Ford is looking at programs that other athletic directors use
for better tracking at the suggestion of Mrs. Maher. Mr. Ford agreed to add a narrative for better
understanding of the report.
New Teachers-Superintendent Demas advised the Committee there are 10 new teachers this year. She
gave an overview of each one's experience. All new teachers are very skilled and enthusiastic.
FY18 Professional Development Schedule-Mrs. Demas stated Assistant Superintendent Sullivan did an
assessment for Professional Development on the first day. Mr. Sullivan reviewed the FY18 proposed
Professional Development Calendar. He is currently working on a Professional Development
Committee. He discussed the goals of the committee and the Professional Development Plan.
Update on Leadership Team FY18 Goals-Mrs. Demas distributed and reviewed the FY18 Leadership
Goals. The goals align with the Strategic Plan. Goal#1-The Leadership Team will become more
knowledgeable about the role diversity plays in our student learning and school culture as well as
address the evaluation indicator for understanding and assessing Standard II B "Culturally Proficient
Communication". Goal#2-Collaborate with The Cohasset Safe Harbor Coalition and partnership with
Dr. Barbara Green to organize a social emotional format and initiative for the district. Goal #3-Following
the Strategic Plan focus, concentrate on the implementation of Universal Design for Learning. Mrs.
Demas discussed their action steps and benchmarks.
Enrollment Update-Mrs. Demas stated it is still early for exact numbers. There are not many changes.
They are still under 100 for Kindergarten. She will keep the Committee updated.
School Committee Comments and Communication-Finalize FY18 SC Goals-Mrs. Dugan distributed the
goals with edits. The Committee reviewed. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve the FY18 School
Committee Goals as amended, seconded by Mrs. Maher and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Mrs. Demas advised the Committee they have a student with an F1 Visa. The Town needs to set up a
revolving fund for non-resident tuition per Mass General Law-Title 12 for Education, Chapter 71, Section
71F. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to request the addition of a warrant article for Special Town Meeting to
accept Chapter 71, Section 71F in order to set up a school accessible revolving fund for non-resident
tuition,seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-
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Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Chairman Astino will reach out to Chairman of
Selectmen Paul Schubert and Town Manager Chris Senior for placement of the article on the warrant
for STM.
Reports from Sub-Committee of SC-Mrs. Maher attended the Selectmen's meeting last night. They
collectively reviewed the draft Special Town Meeting Warrant with Capital Budget&Advisory
Committee.
Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into executive session for Exemption#3-to discuss strategy
with respect to collective bargaining and Exemption#4 Security Devices. The motion was moved by
Mrs. Maher and seconded by Mrs. Dugan. 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 9:29 p.m.
The Committee exited executive session at 11:22 pm and Mrs. Maher made a motion to adjourn open
session at 11:26 pm, seconded by Mrs. Stefan. All-Aye
Documents used at the Meeting
SEPAC Info E-1
Spring Sports E-2
Opening Day Info E-3
Leadership FY18 E-4
FY18 School Committee Goals F-1
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