HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 03/06/2019 �.COFiASSST O
O�v ly y7
Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday, March 6, 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
Chairman Astino called the meeting back to order at 7:20 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Present,
Barbara Stefan-Present,Jeanne Astino-Present, Ellen Maher-Present,Jennifer Madden-Present.
Pledge-Recited.
Public Comment-None.
Approval of Warrant-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve Warrant 19-15S,seconded by Mrs. Stefan.
Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer
Madden-Aye.
Finance-Budget FY20 Vote-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the FY20 Budget of$20,337,135,
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-Enrollment Quarterly Update-Superintendent Demas reviewed the changes to
the quarterly enrollment. The list is accurate and there is a reduction of 4 students total.
Use of Facilities Approval-Mr. MacMillan reviewed the facility use application from Water First
International with the SC. They had a brief discussion on whether they need to hire custodians. The SC
agreed they would need a police detail for the number of people they are expecting. They would need
1
additional parking. After further discussion, Mr. MacMillan will reach out to the applicant and get more
information and potentially invite the group to the next meeting.
School Climate (ICIA)Survey-Superintendent Demas thanked Brian Scott for his work on the survey. For
context, this survey was given in February 2017 which was just after the Parkland incident.
Superintendent Demas discussed the findings of the survey including students' reactions to how they
feel at school and in the buildings, how students feel about teachers & instruction, peer interaction,
classroom climate, extracurricular activities, harassment & bullying, inclusion and intercultural
education. Superintendent Demas reviewed the recommendations. The survey results and
recommendations will be forwarded to all staff to review.
Mr. Kearney asked for what was going on with the Start School Later committee. Superintendent
Demas gave an update. They have been issuing a survey to seniors, looking at traffic study and changes
to teachers' contracts. The group has been working hard and there has been a lot of research.
Superintendent Search Update-Mrs. Maher stated the focus groups started yesterday. The survey will
be sent out via Survey Monkey next week in order to create a leadership profile. On March 201"the SC
will prepare for a public interview with candidate(s). The SC should come up with questions ahead of
the meeting.
Reports of Sub-Committees & Liaisons-Mrs. Stefan stated there is a SEPAC member meeting on Friday.
Mrs. Stefan contacted MASC regarding the old policy on security cameras. Jim Hardy advised her to
eliminate the old version. Motion by Mrs. Maher to eliminate Policy ECA-2, seconded by Mrs.
Madden and the vote was unanimous (5-0). The SC agreed that the new policy ECAF should have a
notation that the policy was updated in February 2019.
Mrs. Maher will be attending the Capital Budget meeting on Monday. On Tuesday the Board of
Selectmen are having a joint meeting with Advisory Committee and the School Committee to review the
School Budget.
Chairman Astino asked for a motion to go into Executive Session for Exemption#2-To conduct
strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel or to conduct collective
bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel and Exemption#3-To discuss
strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental
effect on the bargaining or litigation position of the public body. Motion moved by Mrs. Maher and
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 8:32 p.m.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to come out of Executive Session, 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 adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,
Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye.
2
Documents Used at the Meeting
FY20 Budget E-1
Enrollment Update F-1
Use of Facilities Application F-2
School Climate (ICIA) Survey F-3
3