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Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday, May 1, 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 7:01 p.m. Roll-call was done earlier in the night
prior to the public hearing.
Pledge-Recited.
Public Comment-None.
Approval of Warrant-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve Warrant 19-19S,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-Educator Spotlight-Guidance Counselor Kevin McGowan was present. He
worked with Laura Struzziery on the guidance report. She was unable to be present tonight. Mr.
McGowan discussed their roles as a guidance counselors, how their role has evolved and their approach
to counseling. He discussed the college counseling highlights, the challenges students face and the
resources for students. Mr. McGowan discussed their increased caseload, increase in social emotional
needs and the needs of the guidance counselors. The Committee had a brief discussion and asked
questions. They thanked Mr. McGowan for the presentation and look forward to addressing needs
related to guidance.
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Cohasset Trek Middle School Grand Canyon Trip-Vote- Paula Jewell and some students that
participated in this year's trip gave a presentation with some of the highlights. It was a wonderful trip,
student participation numbers had increased from the previous year, and they are proposing the trip
again next year with TREK during April 2020 spring break. Mr. Erlandsen will be back chaperoning again
next year. He gave the details of the proposed trip. Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the Cohasset
TREK trip to Grand Canyon from April 18th-26th, 2020 for incoming 8th graders,seconded by Mr.
Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye,Jeanne Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,
Jennifer Madden-Aye.
Technology Update-Chief Information Officer Ron Menard gave an update of what the Information
Technology Department has been doing. The FY19 budget is where it should be, and they do not
anticipate any issues. Annual Town Meeting on Monday approved all school capital budget projects.
The IT Department received a Community Compact Grant for the new student information system. They
have already begun the implementation process. Windows 7 is at its end of life and they have the
funding to update to Windows 10. There are 450 devices that need to be updated or replaced. This will
allow for additional Chromebooks. They will be eliminating some of the existing language labs and
replace with ReLANpro which will help all the needs. The Deer Hill &Osgood labs will go to Windows 10.
The MCAS has inundated them with work. The amount of necessary testing is substantial. They have
received 2,010 help desk requests since September. Dr. Sullivan stated that the IT Department has been
amazing throughout the MCAS process. The collaboration with Ron Menard and Bart Riley has been
great.
Faculty Hiring Update-Superintendent Demas advised the Committee they received three retirements.
She also reviewed transfers they are making within the district. They already conducted interviews to
fill vacancies and are in good shape for next year. They have finalists for the Middle School Principal and
are ready to post the Assistant Superintendent position.
Bus Lease Contract-Mr. MacMillan advised the Committee the bus lease contract needs to be voted on.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the school bus lease between the Town of Cohasset and NET
Leasing Corp.from 5/15/19-6/30/22 as presented, seconded by Mrs. Stefan. Roll Call Vote;Jeanne
Astino-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye, Barbara Stefan-Aye, Paul Kearney-Nay. Mr.
Kearney stated he would not vote for the school buses since they do not have seatbelts. Mr. MacMillan
stated the buses are seat belt ready.
Approval of Facilities Usage-Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the Facilities Usage Application for
Cohasset Field Hockey Club from September 4th-October 315t, 2019 on Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m.,
seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the Facilities Usage Application for Cohasset Field Hockey Club on
October 20,2019 from 7:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m.,seconded by Mrs. Madden and the vote was unanimous
(5-0).
Mr. MacMillan will clarify dates of the third request by the Cohasset Field Hockey Club as it may be in
conflict with another application.
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School Committee Comments&Communications-Ratification of the Cafeteria Workers Contract-
Superintendent Demas stated there are a few changes. The SC did not receive a copy of the contract.
She will forward the contract to the Committee and put on the next agenda for a vote.
Reading of Policy KF-Community Use of School Facilities 2"d Read-Motion by Mrs. Madden to approve
Policy KF-Community Use of School Facilities as presented, seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
Reading of Policy KF-R-Community Use of Facilities-1st Read-The Committee discussed the policy. It
should be the called the KF-R-Regulations Governing Community Use of School Facilities. The
Committee will do another read and vote at the next meeting.
Reports from Sub-Committee & Liaisons-Mrs. Stefan stated SEPAC is having a Coffee Meeting next
week. Mrs. Madden stated the Policy Sub-Committee will be meeting this Friday and next Friday before
Mrs. Stefan is off the SC. Mrs. Maher stated Budget& Finance is meeting tomorrow at 2:15 p.m. Mrs.
Maher stated the Budget and Capital Budget projects were all approved at Annual Town Meeting. Mr.
Kearney stated the Earth Day volunteers did some great work over the weekend. It was amazing to
watch Superintendent Demas and the kids working together. The revealing of the Garden at Deer Hill is
this Friday. The Cohasset Education Foundation had its Annual Fundraiser last Friday, which was great.
Minutes-Motion by Mrs. Madden to approve the minutes of 3/20/19, seconded by Mr. Kearney and
the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Mrs. Stefan to approve the minutes of 4/3/19 as amended, seconded by Mr. Kearney and
the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Mrs. Stefan to approve the minutes of 4/24/19, seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the executive session minutes of 5/2/18, seconded by Mrs. Stefan
and the vote was 4-0. Mr. Kearney did not vote as he was not present at the meeting.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to approve the executive session minutes of 9/5/18,9/19/18,9/27/18,
10/3/18, 10/14/18, 10/24/18, 12/19/18, 1/8/19 and 3/6/19, seconded by Mrs. Stefan and the vote
was 3-0. Mr. Kearney and Mrs. Madden did not vote as they were not present at the meeting.
Motion by Mrs. Stefan to approve the executive session minutes of 5/23/18, 6/6/18, 6/20/18,
7/11/18, 11/28/18, 12/5/18, 1/9/19, 2/27/19,4/3/19 and 4/24/19,seconded by Mrs. Maher and the
vote was 4-0-1. Mrs. Madden abstained from the vote.
Chairman Astino reminded everyone that Annual Elections are on 5/11/19.
Mrs. Maher and Mrs. Madden thanked Mrs. Astino & Mrs. Stefan for their hard work on the SC and each
spoke some words of appreciation.
The next School Committee meeting is 5/15/19. There will be a reorganization that night.
Motion by Mrs. Maher to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m.
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Documents Used at the Meeting
TREK Grand Canyon Trip F-1
Bus Lease Contract F-2
Facilities Usage Applications F-3
Policy KF G-1
Policy KF-R G-2
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