HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 08/22/2018 T CQ%ASSET O
Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday,August 22, 2018
Cohasset Middle-High School
Community Use Room
143 Pond Street
Cohasset, MA
In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman
Ellen Maher
Jennifer Madden
Paul Kearney
Absent: Barbara Stefan
Also in Attendance: Louise Demas, Superintendent
Patrick Sullivan,Assistant Superintendent
Michael MacMillan, Director of Finance& Operations
Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Roll Call-Paul Kearney-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 19-025,seconded by Mrs. Madden.
Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Superintendent's Report-End of Year Sports Update-Ron Ford reviewed the past year's program
highlights. He stated is was an amazing year and possibly one of Cohasset's best years in sports. Mr.
Ford reviewed the revenues and expenses for each sport for the entire year. He thanked Mrs. Maher
and Donna Donahue for all their help and hard work. He mentioned that transportation was up a little
this year because they went far into tournaments during the spring in the season. They had to rent
more buses and juggle things around with other towns. He has advised the new athletic director Steve
Rotondi to keep an eye on this line item. Every town is going through this because there is a shortage of
drivers at every bus company. Superintendent Demas added that they have been brainstorming on how
to attract more bus drivers for these events. Mr. MacMillan stated they are trying to recruit and
encourage drivers to get their licenses updated. Mr. Ford reviewed the 2017-18 donations from Friends
of Cohasset Football, Clark Chatterton Fund, South Shore Playhouse and Dr.Aaron Chenette. He
reviewed the coaching position donations from Cohasset Soccer Boosters, Hull Athletic Dept., Cohasset
Basketball Boosters, Cohasset Lacrosse Boosters and Cohasset Baseball Boosters/Mahoney Charitable
Fidelity Account. Mr. Ford also reviewed the 2018-19 pending donations from Friends of Cohasset
Football,South Shore Playhouse, Paul Farren and Clark Chatterton Fund. The Committee had a brief
discussion about the recording of donations.
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Motion by Mrs. Maher to accept the donation of 12 Riddell Speed-Flex Helmets to the Cohasset High
School Football team,seconded by Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Jeanne Astino-
Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to accept the donation of$4000 from the Clark Chatterton Fund, seconded by
Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer
Madden-Aye.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to accept the donation of$1000 from South Shore Playhouse Association for
the summer fitness program, seconded by Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Jeanne
Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Mr. Ford briefly spoke about volleyball coming on board and indoor track in the future. Mrs. Demas
asked about the new sound system in the gym. Mr. Ford advised the Committee that the floor must be
cured before they can put the lift on it. It should be ready within a week. Mr. Ford stated they redid the
track this summer and it is amazing. The gym floor was also done, and it came out great. He thanked
the SC for their support over the years and looks forward to being a teacher again.
Summer Curriculum Work-Assistant Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan advised the Committee that it
has been a very exciting summer with all the curriculum work going on. He reviewed the list of work that
has been completed and stated it is just a taste of what they have accomplished.
Strategic Plan Update-Superintendent Demas reviewed the third revision of the 2016-2021 Cohasset
Public Schools Strategic Plan with the Committee. She stated they have worked hard and are way ahead
of where they thought they would be. They are committed to the plan.
School and Community Relationship Update-Superintendent Demas stated they had a very busy
summer. They received an invite from CSCR to apply for a different grant through Mass IDEAS. The
facilities department has done a great deal of work in all the schools this summer. They have added five
handicapped parking spaces at the High School. The ramp is done and part of the sidewalk. Mrs.
Demas stated after walking the front of the Middle High School building for safety and security reasons
they have changed the traffic pattern. They worked with the town's engineer,Jason Federico on the
schematics. The lanes will be painted in the parking lot shortly. The athletics buses will have to come in
early before the regular buses. Mrs. Demas stated they are waiting on assurance from the company
that will be installing 2 hydration stations. They want a guarantee that the installation will be at no cost
to the school. They have been working with Safe Harbor Coalition and put together a calendar of
activities for the year. They have set up monthly meetings with Sgt. Mike Lopes and SRO Greg Taylor.
Cassie O'Brien has been working on syncing all the school calendars with the PSO and SEPAC calendar to
help parents access information easier.
Specialist Schedule-Superintendent Demas stated Deer Hill Principal Alexandra Sullivan has looked at
the schedule and found a way to possibly reschedule band for Grade 4 during the day.
SC Comments and Communications-Mrs. Madden advised the Committee that she read an article
recently that Senator O'Connor is now on the Education Committee, which is great for the district.
Executive Session-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.
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Motion seconded by Mr. Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-
Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
The Committee went into Executive Session at 8:41 p.m. and exited Executive Session at 8:48 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Maher to exit open session at 8:49 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Kearney. The
vote was unanimous, 4-0.
Documents used at the Meeting
End of Year Sports Update E-1
Summer Curriculum Work E-2
Strategic Plan Update E-3
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