HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 08/08/2018 T CQ%ASSET O
Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday,August 8, 2018
Cohasset Middle-High School
Community Use Room
143 Pond Street
Cohasset, MA
In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman
Ellen Maher
Barbara Stefan
Jennifer Madden
Paul Kearney
Also in Attendance: Louise Demas, Superintendent
Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent
Michael MacMillan, Director of Finance& Operations
Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call: Paul Kearney-Present, Barbara
Stefan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Ellen Maher-Present,Jennifer Madden-Present.
Pledge-Recited.
Public Comments-None.
Approval of Warrant-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve Warrant 19-15, seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll
Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer
Madden-Aye.
Superintendent's Report-Summer Work/Hiring Update-Superintendent Demas stated summer work at
the schools is well under way. The track is complete and work on the gym floor is scheduled for next
week. She met with Assistant Facilities Director Nick Berardi and he has worked on a schedule for
painting of all classrooms. The DPW will be mowing and cleaning up over the next couple of weeks. The
last day of recreation camp is this Friday, so they will finish up the summer cleaning. Things are looking
good. Mrs. Demas stated the Pond Street paving project will begin next week. Superintendent Demas
stated they received a last-minute resignation at the high school and they are currently interviewing. All
other hires are complete. She reviewed the list of new hires for each school this year. She stated they
have a great group and are looking forward to the school year. Mrs. Madden asked if they are planning
a "Meet and Greet" with the new Associate Principal at the Middle School. Dr. Sullivan stated he
ra
believes they are planning for August 23
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Finance-Gift-Mrs. Demas stated they received a gift of$2000 from the Friends of Cohasset Football for
the Summer Fitness Program. Motion by Mrs. Maher to accept the gift of$2000 from the Friends of
Cohasset Football to fund the Cohasset Middle High School Fitness Center, seconded by Mrs. Stefan.
Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer
Madden-Aye.
FY18 Final Year End Financials-Mr. MacMillan reviewed the FY18 financials with the Committee. He
stated there are no surprises with the overall budget. There were some small changes made to finalize
the year. At this point there will be $54,938.12 returned to the Town. He will be making adjustments
over the next week as the last invoices come in. Chairman Astino introduced Mr. Michael MacMillan to
those viewing at home as the new Director of Finance & Operations.
School Committee Comments&Communications-Mrs. Maher attended the Hall of Fame meeting.
They are finalizing the inductees. There will be 8 or 9 individuals being honored this year. She also
attended the Safe Harbor Coalition meeting yesterday. It was very well done and organized. There are
a slate of events coming up over the next couple of months. She will forward schedule to the
Committee. Mrs. Demas also attended the meeting and she stated they are a very active and impressive
group. Mrs. Madden attended Alternative Energy Committee meeting on Monday. Mary Jo Larson
stepped down as Chairman and Steve Girardi was voted as the new Chairman. Mrs. Madden also
attended the Project Based Learning Summit on July 26th. She stated is was a great day with many
different groups of people. Dr. Sullivan stated the Summit was run by the Cohasset Center for Student
Coastal Research in collaboration with WASS Boston and Mass IDEAS. Jack Buckley did an amazing job.
It was great to see so many different groups exchanging ideas. Dr. Sullivan stated they will follow-up in
the fall with teachers to discuss the day and what can be taken from it.
Follow-up and Updates-Chairman Astino asked Mrs. Demas if the Committee could get a copy of the
Superintendent's Review.
Topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours in advance of meeting-Mrs. Madden
asked if the Committee could get an update on the Cohasset Recreation's RISE program which she has
been told is being cancelled. Mrs. Demas stated that the RISE program is run through the Recreation
Department. She realizes this is a dilemma for some Cohasset families, but it is not a school program.
She did speak with Recreation Director Ted Carroll today. Recreation is out of compliance with the state
and the program has been shut down. They are looking into a program called the Champions Program,
however,the vetting process takes a few months. Mrs. Demas is trying to help and has offered to have
a bus shuttle students to and from the Recreation building at no charge. There are a lot of details that
would have to be worked out. She will keep the Committee updated.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to go into Executive Session#3-To discuss strategy related to collective
bargaining-Secretaries. The Committee will come out of Executive Session to adjourn. Motion
seconded by Mr. Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye,
Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
The Committee went into Executive Session at 7:35 p.m.
The Committee adjourned from Executive Session at 7:58 p.m. on a motion made by Mrs. Stefan and
seconded by Mr. Kearney (Roll-call vote, 5-0) and adjourned from Regular Session at 7:59 p.m. on a
motion made by Mrs. Maher and seconded by Mrs. Stefan. The vote was unanimous (5-0).
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Documents used at the Meeting
Hiring Update E-1
Gift F-1
FY18 Final Year End F-2
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