HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 02/07/2018 T CQ%ASSET O
Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
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 7:02 p.m. and asked for a 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 18-15S,seconded by Mrs. Maher.
Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer
Madden-Aye.
Middle School Steering Committee-Assistant Superintendent Patrick Sullivan reviewed the NELMS
Middle School Study. Mr. Sullivan discussed the process, last year's findings, and areas of strength,
areas of challenge and the areas of immediate needs. Assistant Principal Kerri Sandler discussed the
changes that have been put into place this year. She explained that the PBIS team put together the
Skipper Creed which includes three expectations; being safe, being respectful and being responsible.
They have had celebration days with breakfast and a recognition assembly. Mrs. Sandler spoke about a
Middle School teacher book club, school spirit days and office hours at the Middle School. Mr. Sullivan
talked about the New England League of Middle Schools and why they were chosen. He said NELMS
tailors their work around the individual school needs. He discussed the Strengths & Recommendations
from the Middle School Assessment Report. He stated while the NELMS was in town for three days they
facilitated surveys for grades 6-9,faculty&staff and parents. They toured the school,visited all
classrooms, interviewed students,faculty, school committee and parents. They prepared an assessment
and shared with the Steering Committee. Principal Carolyn Connolly discussed some of the next steps.
They plan to develop a larger Action Planning Team including parents, School Committee members and
faculty members. They will work with the planning team and create a middle school mission and vision.
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Mrs. Demas added that the energy of the Steering Committee is contagious. They are completely
involved, dedicated and invested. The SC asked questions and discussed getting the word of the study
out there as a kind of road show. Mrs. Demas discussed putting more money in the budget for
professional development for 6`"grade. The SC discussed the expectations and how/when things will
happen. They would like to see things in an achievable timeline with a series of action plans, not just a
single plan.
Finance FY19-Budget Discussion-Superintendent Demas stated she and Mr.Tuffy continue to work on
the FY19 Budget with all of the administrators. They are looking at staffing and have met again with the
principals today. They have asked everyone to be a little more frugal. All three administrators have
been working hard and keeping priorities in mind. Mr.Tuffy stated they are still committed to deliver
the number the Town Manager has allocated for the budget. They will continue to work on cutting back
to hit the targeted goal. They still need to deal with the number of buses, column changes for teachers
and the middle school priorities. They will continue to have budget meetings over the next couple of
weeks.
FY19 Capital Budget Update-Mr. Tuffy, Superintendent Demas, Mrs. Maher and Mrs. Dugan attended
the Capital Budget meeting. Most of their questions were answered. They discussed leasing 9 buses.
They will meet again next week with Capital Budget and continue the conversation. The Committee
reviewed the Capital Budget spreadsheet. The Committee discussed track repairs and replacement,
safety and ADA requirements. They discussed hot water heaters that are at the end of their life.
Superintendents Reports-Mrs. Demas stated they received a notice of retirement from the Principal of
Deer Hill Jennifer de-Chiara as of 8/17/18. Assistant Superintendent Patrick Sullivan will chair the
committee to search for another Principal. The plan is to have parents and staff be involved in a very
transparent process for the replacement.
Donation-Mrs. Demas stated they received a check from Cohasset Soccer Boosters for$2480.00 for the
Assistant Coach. Motion by Mrs. Maher to accept the$2480.00 check from Cohasset Soccer Boosters
for the Assistant Coach, seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-
Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Enrollment for Kindergarten-Mrs. Demas reported there are 94 students enrolled in full day
kindergarten. Laurie Tabaczynski of 12 Old Pasture Road asked if the schools could send out
confirmation to parents that officially notifies them that they have a spot.
SC Comments and Communications-Mid-Cycle Review of Superintendent-Mrs. Maher discussed the
Superintendent Goals document and noted the progress of each goal. Mrs. Demas reviewed her 4 goals
for FY18 with progress points. Mrs. Demas stated it has been a very rewarding collaborative effort with
everyone involved this year.
Report from sub-committees of SC-Chairman Astino stated they have received a request from the
Advisory Committee to meet on 3/13/18 with the Board of Selectmen to discuss their budget. Mrs.
Dugan distributed a flyer for a SEPAC event on 2/13/18. Mrs. Maher stated there was a Town Hall
Building Committee meeting tonight. Mrs. Maher stated she and Mrs. Madden met with SRO Greg
Taylor.
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Minutes-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the minutes of 1/24/18 as amended, seconded by Mrs.
Dugan and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Follow-ups and Updates-The Committee reviewed the list of follow ups and updated the list.
Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into Executive Session#3 for strategy related to
negotiations with union personal-CTA. Motion moved by Mrs. Dugan, seconded by Mrs. Maher. Roll
Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer
Madden-Aye.
The Board went into executive session at 9:16 p.m.
The Board came out of executive session and into open session at 10:25 p.m.
Motion by Mrs. Dugan to adjourn, seconded by Mrs.Astino and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
The meeting was adjourned at 10:26 p.m.
Documents used at the Meeting
Donation-Cohasset Boosters F-1
Middle School-NELMS F-2
Mid-Cycle Review of Superintendent G-1
Follow-up & Updates 1-1
Minutes 1/24/18
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