HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 01/10/2018 a
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Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday,January 10, 2018
Cohasset Middle-High School
Community Use Room
143 Pond Street
Cohasset, MA
In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman
Katie Dugan
Ellen Maher
Jennifer Madden
Also in Attendance: Louise Demas, Superintendent
Patrick Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent
John Tuffy, Business Manager
Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked for a roll call vote; 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 18-12S,seconded by Mrs. Maher.
Roll Call Vote; Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Superintendents Report-Educator's Spotlight-Middle School teachers Donna Melia & Michael Stapleton
discussed the co-teaching model. Mr. Stapleton brought everyone up to date on the history of the co-
teaching model. They attended a 2-day workshop last year and a 1-day workshop this past summer.
They have used the book Co-teaching That Works as a reference tool. Ms. Melia stated the co-teaching
model has been wonderful. The students feel that there is no distinction between the two teachers,
only that they have two teacher in the classroom. Every student is learning the same thing together.
Ms. Melia does the content and Mr. Stapleton works on strategies so that everyone understands and
learns from the lesson. They discussed how technology is used in their classroom. All students have
access to UDL components such as standing desks, voice to text technology and soundproof
headphones. Ms. Melia stated they are currently co-teaching 25 students. She feels ideally a maximum
of 20 students would be better. Also, having adjoining classrooms instead of separate classrooms would
be better for co-teaching. The first year is great to work with each other and get comfortable. She
would recommend 3 years of co-teaching for teachers to work and grow together.
School Resource Officer-Officer Greg Taylor was introduced by Superintendent Demas as the new
School Resource Officer. Officer Taylor stated he has been with the CPD for 6 years. He grew up in
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Cohasset and attended the Cohasset Schools. He currently lives in Cohasset with his wife and two
children. He chose to become the SRO when the opportunity came up. He has been the SRO for two
weeks now. He has been meeting everyone and settling in. He spends time at every building daily. He
has set up weekly meetings with school principals. The interaction at the Middle/High School with
students has been great so far.
Gifts-Superintendent Demas discussed the 3 checks donated by the PSO. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to
accept the gift of$4668.70 from the PSO for Osgood Teacher Grants, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll
Call Vote; Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to accept the gift of$2610.20 from the PSO for Deer Hill Teacher Grants,
seconded by Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,
Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Motion by Mrs. Dugan to accept the gift of$4906.25 from the PSO for the Middle/High School Teacher
Grants, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-
Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Chairman Astino publically acknowledged the receipt of a check from the Town of Hull for the Cross
Country coach's stipend.
Fees Vote-Mrs. Demas stated they are looking to increase the fees for FY19 Kindergarten. They did
some benchmarking and are looking to increase from $3200 per year for full day to $3500. There was a
brief discussion. Motion by Mrs. Dugan to increase the FY19 Kindergarten fees to$3500 per year for
full day, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll Call Vote; Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-
Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
School Committee Comments&Communications-Review Updated School Budget FAQ-Chairman
Astino explained the budget document and how it helps residents understand the budget process.
FY18 School Committee Goal Review-Progress Report-The Committee reviewed the status of their
goals.
School Website-Mrs. Astino and Mrs. Stefan will meet to discuss this week.
Reading of Policy JECA-Enrollment of the Children of School Department Personnel-2"d Read-The
Committee will put on a future agenda.
Reading of Policy JF-R-Residential Requirement for School Membership-2"d Read-The Board discussed
the policy. There was some issues that need to be clarified about whether a student has to have
completed 111h grade or has to have begun 12th grade to stay in the district. Superintendent Demas will
speak with counsel.
Reading of Policy JFABB-Acceptance of International & Exchange Students-2"d Read-Motion by Mrs.
Dugan to approve Policy JFABB as presented, seconded by Mrs. Madden and the vote was unanimous.
Report from subcommittee of School Committee-Mrs. Maher attended the unveiling of the 2501h Logo
at the Sailing Club today which had a great turnout. Mrs. Dugan attended the Council on Aging meeting
on Monday. They asked about the Schools budget process which she explained. Mrs. Dugan stated
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Capital Budget is meeting on Monday 1/22 which is the same night as AEC. She suggested members
from SC go to both. Mrs. Astino will reach out to Sam Wakeman to discuss.
Mrs.Astino asked for a motion to go into executive session for exception#3 to discuss strategy
related to collective bargaining with Union personnel-CTA and custodial. The Committee will come
out of executive session and into public session to adjourn. Motion moved by Mrs. Maher and
seconded by Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,
Jennifer Madden-Aye.
The Committee went into executive session at 8:52 p.m.
The Committee exited executive session at 9:56 pm.
The public session was adjourned at 9:57 pm on a motion by Mrs. Dugan, seconded by Mrs. Madden, All
in favor-Aye.
Documents used at the Meeting
Gift E-1
Kindergarten Fees E-2
School Budget FAQ F-1
Policy JECA F-2
Policy JF-R F-3
Policy JFABB F-4
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