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Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Cohasset Middle-High School
Community Use Room
143 Pond Street
Cohasset, MA
In Attendance: Jeanne Astino, Chairman
Ellen Maher
Jennifer Madden
Barbara Stefan
Paul Kearney
Also, in Attendance: Louise Demas, Superintendent
Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent
Michael MacMillan, Director of Finance& Operations
Pledge-Recited.
Chairman Astino called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Present, Barbara
Stefan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Ellen Maher-Present,Jennifer Madden-Present.
Public Comment-Tracey Kearney-461 Chief Justice Cushing Highway asked for an update on the traffic
issues at the CMHS with drop off and pick up. Chairman Astino stated there is an article on the Warrant
for Annual Town Meeting requesting$30,000 for a school traffic study. Mrs. Kearney asked what is
being done in the interim. Superintendent Demas stated the building is open at 7:00 a.m. to allow for
earlier arrivals. There is now a crossing guard. There is not enough space to add another lane.They are
still looking into a better way. The current flow is what public safety recommended. Mr. Kearney stated
this is very dangerous. There are no crosswalks. It is unsafe, and he wants this on the record. There are
young children in danger.
Approval of Warrant-Motion by Ellen Maher to approve Warrant 19-14S,seconded by Barbara
Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,
Jennifer Madden-Aye. Mr. Kearney did not sign the warrant as he had questions on an invoice.
Superintendent Search Update-Mrs. Maher gave an update of the Superintendent search. The Collins
Center at UMass was retained on 2/14/19 to assist with the search. The SC feels confident a quality
candidate can be found and hired within the timeline of mid-May. The Collins Center doesn't hire
outside consultants. The internal candidates will be vetted first. If after vetting any internal candidates,
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the Committee feels that the candidates do not sufficiently match up to the Leadership Profile,the
Collins Center will publicly post the position and begin accepting applications. Ed Gotgart from the
Collins Center reviewed his strategy and timeline. They will be accepting applications for internal
candidates until 3/14/19 and they will bring the final candidates to the SC on 3/20/19.
Superintendent's Report-Gifts-Superintendent Demas reviewed the gifts with the Committee. Motion
by Mrs. Madden to accept the gift of$300 from Safe Harbor for the movie Angst, seconded by Mr.
Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,
Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to accept the check in the amount of$1014 from the PSO for grants as
presented,seconded by Mr. Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne
Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Motion by Mrs. Stefan to accept the check from the CEF for$750 for water testing kits,seconded by
Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-
Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Middle School Study Update-Middle School Associate Principal Kerry Agashe &the Middle School Team
were present. They discussed the ways they have developed effective teaching teams,their visit to
Norton Middle School, how they are increasing community development, how they are improving the
Middle School culture,the changes they are making for the transition from Grade 5 to Grade 6 and
Grade 8 to Grade 9 and how they are restructuring Utility/Advisory.
Treasurer of CEF Caitlin Appleton arrived to formally present the $750 to the School Committee for
water testing kits. The Committee thanked the CEF for their donation.
FY20 School Budget-Program/Building Detail-High School Assistant Principal Brian Scott reviewed the
enrollment and the Cohasset High School priorities. They are presenting a level services budget this
year. Mr. Scott reviewed what was deferred this year. Ms.Agashe reviewed the action plan and
changes for the 2020 school year. They are looking to restructure Wellness and adding a Chorus
teacher. Deer Hill School Principal Alexandra Sullivan reviewed the school's priorities. She reviewed
MCAS data from last year. They would like to shift attention to Math and to improve performance.
They are looking to add an adjustment counselor to share with the Osgood School. She reviewed
enrollment which is decreasing by 20. Principal of Osgood School Lisa Farrell reviewed the school's
priorities and projected enrollment. Grade Two will have one less teacher due to decrease in
enrollment. Director of Student Services Mary Buchanan gave an overview of the Student Services
budget. There are 250 Special Education students in district and 18 out of district. She reviewed the out
of district tuition,transportation and medical therapeutic services. They are looking to add 1.6 ESP at
Osgood. There are no increases as the Deer Hill or Cohasset Middle/High School. Chief Information
Officer Ron Menard reviewed his proposed budget. The staffing levels will remain the same and
expenditure budget is the same. He has added a few hours for administration work. There was a couple
of hurdles with the BYOD. They will be replacing Windows 7 with Windows 10. They are looking into
merging copiers and printers with the Town. The expectation for FY20 are the same great services,
expertise with training and great staff interaction. His staff is a great group that comes to work
everyday with a smile and happy to help others.
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MHS Principal Positions-Superintendent Demas advised the SC they are looking for one Principal and
Vice Principal at both the High School and the Middle School. There was a discussion about the middle
school administrative structure. Motion was made by Mrs. Maher to approve the establishment of a
Middle School Principal position and a High School Principal position, seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll
Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer
Madden-Aye.
Senator Patrick O'Connor& Representative Joan Meschino-Senator O'Connor& Representative
Meschino gave the SC an update on key legislation from 2017-2018 and key legislation introduced for
2019-2020 Legislative Session, Circuit Breaker spending and Chapter 70 spending. They discussed new
funding opportunities for the State.
SC Committee Comments and Communications-Policy JICH -Alcohol,Tobacco and Drug use by
Students Prohibited-2"d Read-The Committee reviewed the policy. Motion by Mrs. Stefan to approve
Policy JICH as presented,seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Policy ECAF-Security Cameras in Schools-2"d Read-The Committee reviewed the policy. Motion by Mrs.
Madden to approve Policy ECAF as presented, seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote was unanimous
(5-0).
School Committee Goals Update-The SC reviewed the goals and updated all of them. Mrs. Maher will
update and bring back to the SC at the next meeting.
Social Media Commentary-Chairman Astino stated there has been several posts on social media that
were not pleasant and disrespectful. She reminded everyone and read aloud suggestions from the
MASC re: social media use. She clarified that the Schools Committee's main functions is to maintain
policy to guide the district, approve and monitor the budget and to hire &evaluate the Superintendent.
Anything more is not the purview of the SC.
Reports from the Sub-Committee and Liaisons-Mrs. Maher gave an update and reviewed the timeline
of the Superintendent Search. The Collins Center will present a strategy and timeline to vet internal
candidates and the goal is to have the appointment made by mid-May. Mrs. Maher attended the Board
of Selectmen meeting and the 2501h Anniversary Committee gave a presentation. She reviewed where
the committee is with planning. They are happy to come and give a presentation to the SC at any time.
The Budget& Finance subcommittee met with Katie Dugan from the Master Plan Committee and
discussed the school part of the plan. They made some minor tweaks. Superintendent Demas stated
she received a request from Glenn Pratt of the 250th Anniversary Committee and they are looking to see
if all sport uniforms could have the 2501h logo. The SC had a brief discussion. The uniforms are not
replaced/recycled yearly. They will look into having the logo incorporated in other ways.
Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into Executive Session for Exemption #2-Strategy related to
non-union personnel contracts. The Committee will exit executive session and reconvene solely for the
purpose of adjourning. The Motion was moved by Mrs. Maher, 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 9:29 p.m.
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Motion by Mrs. Maher to come out of Executive Session at 9:50 p.m., seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll
Call Vote; Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,
Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to adjourn at 9:51 p.m., seconded by Mrs.Stefan. Roll Call Vote; Roll Call Vote;
Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Documents Used at the Meeting
Gifts F-1
Middle School Update F-2
Policy JICH H-1
Policy ECAF H-2
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