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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 10/04/2017 T CQ%ASSET O Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, October 4, 2017 Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street Cohasset, MA In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman Katie Dugan Barbara Stefan Ellen Maher 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 7:02 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 18-06S,seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Superintendent's Report-Superintendent Demas stated there is currently a gas leak at the Deer Hill School. National Grid is on sight and is working on the issue. They hope to have completed before tonight. THRAC-Discussion postponed. School Resource Officer Update-Sergeant Michael Lopes was present on behalf of SRO Jay St. Ives to update the Committee. He stated SRO St. Ives has been spending the last few weeks getting re- acquainted with all three schools again. Officer St. Ives works with 1-2 students per term on Independent Study projects.This term he has been working with Jack Buckley and a couple of students on videos and presentations to use at the Osgood and Deer Hill Schools for safety presentations. Officer St. Ives and Sgt. Lopes participated in the safety drill last week. They held evacuation drills at all three schools. They assisted, monitored and debriefed after the drill. There were some good questions and recommendations. Officer St. Ives attended the homecoming game and dance. Mrs. Maher asked if they have spoken with the students about the results of the youth risk behavior survey. Sgt. Lopes stated they have been talking about forming a venue to talk about things that were prevalent in the survey and digesting the results. Mrs. Dugan asked what the pressing issues are among the Cohasset Police Department in terms of the town's youth. Sgt. Lopes said from a police perspective it was a quiet summer with the youth which was good. They are seeing more marijuana use as opposed to alcohol. There are misconceptions out there about being under 18 and marijuana laws. The kids need to be educated. The CPD is working on making sure that there is someone the kids are comfortable talking to. The Town has the same issues that other communities are dealing with right now and they just need to stay vigilant. Mrs. Maher asked how the new entry points at the Deer Hill and Osgood schools are. Sgt. Lopes stated the entrances look great and are a good improvement. It helps mitigate the number of people that access the school. Visitors are further vetted as they should be. It is a step in the right direction. Mrs. Demas added that Sgt. Lopes attended the parent meeting and helped to explain the general procedures and process for incidents at the schools. Mrs. Astino requested that the ADA revisit the high school at perhaps the Spring Sports night, as it is a good way to address a majority of parents in one night. Special Education Update-Director of Student Services Mary Buchanan discussed the district wide special education numbers. She spoke about the STARS program. It is a good program and there is a need for it in the district. She stated during this upcoming budget planning she is forecasting the need to move the STARS from .8 to 1.0 as well as the need for additional ESP support.They will need more support at the Osgood. She discussed possibly needing some space at Osgood for a calming room, which she has already discussed with Mr.Vinton. Ms. Buchanan reported that Co-teaching is going well at the Middle/High School. She discussed professional development programs that will be coming up on de-escalation strategies. She is still waiting for confirmation of two grants to support PD. She discussed ELL students. Ms. Buchanan talked about her goal of helping general education teachers learn some tools to help diverse learners. Enrollment Update-Mrs. Demas discussed the enrollment numbers which are the exact same numbers as last year. There are now 47 Boston students. The maximum is 50 students. Gift-Mrs. Demas stated they received a $300 gift from the PSO for Deer Hill School new playground supplies. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the$300 grant from PSO for the Deer Hill School playground supplies,seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye, Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. SC Comments&Communication-Draft Warrant Article-Mrs. Dugan stated she worked on the article with town counsel. She reviewed the article with the Committee. The purpose of the article is for the SC to establish a revolving account to accept tuition payments for nonresident students and state reimbursements for students who are in foster care. Any monies paid to the Town, will be held in a separate revolving account with the treasurer of the Town and may be expended by the SC without further appropriation for expenses incurred in providing education for such nonresident or foster care children attending Cohasset schools. Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the article as stated for Special Town Meeting, seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. FY18 SC Goals-Assignments/Responsibilities-The Committee reviewed their goals and discussed which member/members will ensure they are met. Report from sub committees of SC-Mrs.Astino stated she spoke with Representative Joan Meschino today. Representative Meschino commented that she and Senator O'Connor enjoyed coming to the SC meeting and appreciated all the questions. They are available to come back at any time. Mrs.Astino stated she and Mrs. Demas met yesterday with Chris Senior and Paul Schubert. It was a great meeting and they will meet again next month. The AEC will be meeting on 10/23. The Collective Bargaining Subcommittee is beginning to prepare strategies for collective bargaining with teachers union. Mrs. Dugan stated the budget&finance subcommittee will meet tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. They will be discussing capital budget items to keep the process moving along. Mrs. Stefan attended SEPAC yesterday. Mary Buchanan's presentation was great. Kelley McGhee has done a great job bringing people in. She brought in the founders of SEPAC and it was an interesting meeting. Some of the parents spoke of their experiences from years ago and wrote a book about it. The policy subcommittee has a couple of policies that are being reviewed. They will bring back to the SC at an upcoming meeting. Mrs. Maher attended the Town Hall Renovation Advisory Committee last night. Their committee tour continues around town. The Design Review Committee and Cohasset Historical District Commission seem good with the proposal. Mrs. Madden attended the Safe Harbor Event which was a documentary produced by parents of a 19 year-old child that died when mixing prescription drugs and alcohol. It was an important message and great event. Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into executive session for Exception#3 strategy related to collective bargaining with union personnel and Exception#4 for security. Motion moved by Mrs. Dugan and seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. The Committee will come out of executive session for the purpose of adjourning. The Committee went into executive session at 9:50 p.m. The Committee came out of executive session at 10:26 p.m. and into open session. The Committee adjourned from open session at 10:27 p.m. Documents used at the Meeting Special Education Info E-1 Enrollment Update E-2 Gift E-3 Draft Warrant Article F-1