HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 04/25/2018 T CQ%ASSET O
Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday,April 25, 2018
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.
Public Comment-None.
Approval of Warrant-Motion by Mrs. Dugan to approve Warrant 18-18S,seconded by Mrs. Stefan.
Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Jeanne
Astino abstained from the vote.
Superintendent's Report-Athletic Update-Athletic Director Ron ford presented the budget update to
the Committee. He thanked Mrs. Maher for her help. Mr. Ford reviewed the Fall/Winter budget details.
He discussed new cameras for the field and gym to get better filming, downloading and to live stream
games. He is working details out with Don Roine. He will come to SC and present when a proposal is
complete. Mr. Ford reviewed each individual sport with the SC.
Hiring Update-Superintendent Demas stated they had a custodian leave recently and have hired a new
one which will start on Monday. They have hired the Deer Hill School Principal. Mrs.Alex Sullivan,
Reading Specialist at the Osgood School is the new Principal. They have received 25 applications for the
Middle School Associate Principal. The posting closes on 5/9/18. Carolyn Connolly will be meeting with
the PSO to go over the Middle School Steering Committee Plan. Mrs. Demas stated last night Safe
Harbor, Cohasset Police and Cohasset Public Schools hosted Cory's Cause. It was a great event and the
girls Lacrosse team attended. The Deer Hill playground will be shut down within a month for
renovation, which should take a couple of weeks to complete. The Osgood School staff finished
Responsive Classroom Training. Mrs. Demas stated the 3 d graders finished up MCAS testing. Assistant
Superintendent Patrick Sullivan commented that Professional Development is continuing with focus on
Social Emotional Learning.
Finance-Monthly Update-Mr.Tuffy stated the revolving funds are in good shape. There is a negative
balance in the grants which was the result of the timing of a grant payment. They have since received
it. He discussed Special Education and the fact that there will be no aging out in the next few years and
they have not had any change in out of district Special Education. Mr.Tuffy stated expenditures are up
by about% percent from last year. They are not worried about any accounts. They have budgeted
conservatively.
Bus Maintenance-Mr.Tuffy reported all buses and the food van are running great.
Gift-The school received a $2000 Fidelity Charitable grant made possible by Joe and Shelly Mahoney for
the athletic department. Motion by Mrs. Maher to accept the$2000 check from the Mahoney Family,
seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye,
Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
School Committee Comments and Communication-Report from sub-committees of SC-Mrs. Maher
attended the Middle/High School Council meeting. They discussed the Middle School action plan. It
was an exciting and enthusiastic discussion. Mrs. Maher circulated info on the Marijuana Articles for
Annual Town Meeting from Safe Harbor Coalition. Chris Murphy asked if the SC would be interested in
speaking at ATM. After a brief discussion the SC decided to draft a statement and ask the Moderator if
they can present at ATM. Chairman Astino will work on the letter. Mrs. Madden attended the Osgood
School Council meeting where they discussed professional development days. The drop-off is going
smoothly. Principal Lisa Farrell will be working with Superintendent Demas on the School Improvement
Plan. Superintendent Demas reported to the Committee that the music teacher is teaching the students
how to read music and has a wonderful 10 foot yellow chalk display at the back of the building. The
students wet a tennis ball and have to say the note that it hits. Mrs. Madden attended the Alternative
Energy meeting. They discussed the possibility of geothermal heat for the new town hall that they will
explore as an option. There is a committee that will explore the solar panel at the schools. The
Committee had a brief discussion about the roof and putting solar panels on it since it will need to be
replaced. Superintendent Demas will speak with the Town Manager. Mrs. Dugan met with Long Range
Planning group. They will meet again 6/18/18. All members will need to be reappointed. Mrs. Dugan
reminded the SC that they should appoint a new liaison to the PEB Committee. Mrs. Dugan will circulate
an article from the MASC in April about the superintendent evaluation that is worth reading.
Approval of Minutes-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the minutes of 3/26/18,seconded by Mrs.
Stefan and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the minutes of 4/4/18 as amended,seconded by Mrs. Stefan and
the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Follow-up-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 personnel-CTA and#1 to discuss the reputation or character or complaints
against an individual. The Committee will come out of Executive Session for the purpose of
adjourning. Motion 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 SC went into Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.
The SC exited Executive Session at 9:45 pm on a motion by Mrs. Maher, seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll
Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer
Madden-Aye.
The SC reconvened in Public Session. Cohasset Town Manager Mr. Chris Senior joined the SC for the
purposes of voting the Cohasset Teachers Association successor agreement.
Mrs. Maher motioned to approve the Cohasset Teachers Association successor agreement for FY 19, FY
20 and FY 21. Motion seconded by Mrs. Dugan. Roll Call Vote; Barbara Stefan-Aye, Katie Dugan-Aye,
Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye, Christopher Senior-Aye.
Motion to adjourn the Cohasset School Committee meeting of April 25, 2018 by Mrs. Maher, seconded
by Mrs. Dugan at 10:04 pm, All -Aye.
Documents used at the Meeting
Athletic Update E-1
Monthly Update F-1
Bus Maintenance F-2
Gift F-3
Follow-up and Updates 1-1