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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 05/15/2019 �.COFiASSST O O�v ly y7 Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, May 15, 2019 Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street Cohasset, MA In Attendance: Ellen Maher Jennifer Madden Paul Kearney Ashley Colleary Craig MacLellan Also in Attendance: Louise Demas, Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent Superintendent Demas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Present, Craig MacLellan-Present,Ashley Colleary-Present, Craig MacLellan-Present. Superintendent Demas stated Mr. Kearney asked that she show a slide presentation on the Role of the Chairman of the School Committee and Effective Strategies from MASC. There was a brief presentation. School Committee Reorganization-Superintendent Demas asked for a motion to entertain nominations for Chairman. Motion moved by Mrs. Madden, seconded by Mr. MacLellan. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Craig MacLellan-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Motion by Mrs. Madden to nominate Ellen Maher as Chairman. There were no other nominations. Roll Call Vote; Craig MacLellan-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Paul Kearney abstained from the vote. Pledge-Recited. Public Comment-None. Approval of Warrant-Chairman Maher explained the warrant process to the new members. The warrant is available for any member to review before the meeting. Motion by Mr. MacLellan to approve Warrant 19-205,seconded by Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Craig MacLellan-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. 1 Superintendent's Report—Thailand Elephant Conservation Trip April 2020& Fiji Service& Exploration Trip April 2021-High School Mathematics Teacher Laura Humphrey and Serina from Rustic Pathways Group Travel were present. Ms. Humphrey reviewed the itinerary for the trip to Thailand. They chose Rustic Pathways as they have been in business for over 35 years and have a great reputation. The trip will take place over April vacation and will require students to miss the Friday before vacation. Ms. Humphrey discussed the experience and educational aspects the students will benefit from. Serina discussed their relationship with local companies that they have sustained for many years. They have a controlled safe environment for the students. She also discussed Rustic Pathways 24-hour emergency support program. The Board had a brief discussion. Ms. Humphrey reviewed the itinerary for the April 2021 trip to Fiji. She considers this one of the most amazing places to visit. She will offer the trip to Seniors first and then open to all high schoolers. The expect the trip to fill up. She discussed the number of chaperones. They also have a representative from Rustic Pathways 24/7 during the trip. Motion by Mrs. Madden to approve the April 2020 trip to Thailand as presented,seconded by Mr. MacLellan. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Craig MacLellan-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher- Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Motion by Mrs. Madden to approve the April 2021 trip to Fiji as presented,seconded by Mr. Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Craig MacLellan-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Patty Gillis-492 Jerusalem Road asked if there has been any movement on a trip to Washington DC for the kids in middle school. Superintendent Demas stated the curriculum has changed and the trip didn't fit before. They also didn't have any teachers interested in promoting it. There have been ongoing discussions and with the new middle school administration coming on board it should be discussed again. Chairman Maher recommended that Ms. Gillis make an appointment with the new administration over the summer. Mrs. Madden added that the eighth graders will be focusing on Civics next year. Chairman Maher stated she neglected to have nominations for Vice Chairman and Secretary earlier. She explained the roles of both. Chairman Maher nominated Jennifer Madden as Vice Chairman, seconded by Mr. MacLellan. She asked if there were any other nominations. There were none. Roll Call Vote; Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Craig MacLellan-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Chairman Maher asked for nominations for Secretary. Mr. MacLellan stated where he is new he would like to understand the Committee before jumping into that role. Mrs. Colleary stated she was not interested. Mr. Kearney offer to take on the role of Secretary. Motion by Mr. MacLellan to nominate Paul Kearney as Secretary, seconded by Mrs. Colleary. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Craig MacLellan-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Athletic Update-Athletic Director Steve Rotondi gave an overview of the Winter sports highlights. Several athletes were awarded Patriot Ledger& Boston Globe All-Scholastics, South Shore League All- Stars and League MVP's. Mr. Kearney asked how they are promoting wellness. Mr. Rotondi stated this summer he and the SRO will be volunteering a couple of days a week for the summer workout program. He is also working on Middle School intramural sports. Mr. Rotondi reviewed the Cohasset Winter Athletics FY19 budget. They reviewed the gate receipts, user fees and Booster donations. Superintendent Demas stated Brian Scott has accepted the position of High School Principal. They are working on his replacement and Dr. Sullivan's replacement. 2 Middle School Vote-Superintendent Demas stated they have been interviewing candidates for the Middle School Principal. They will then focus on the Assistant Principal position. The SC needs to vote for the creation of the position of Assistant Principal at the Middle School. The position is budget neutral. Motion by Mrs. Madden to vote to approve the Middle School Assistant Principal Position, seconded by Mr. MacLellan. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Craig MacLellan-Aye,Ashley Colleary- Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan-Superintendent Demas said the plan before the Committee is close to final but still is in draft form. It is based on recommendations from the State. Mrs. Madden stated she has some concerns with the document, but she doesn't want to go into another year without it on the website and in the handbook. She reviewed her concerns and would like more detail added. She suggested they add in things they are doing at this point and not things they plan to do. It is important to let people know what is being done. Mr. MacLellan also reviewed his concerns with the document and suggested some edits. He agreed that something (even in a draft form) should be on the website. After a lengthy discussion,the Committee asked the Superintendent to add in the suggested edits and put on the website. Gift-Superintendent Demas stated the High School received a gift of an Art Table from the Thomas Family. Motion by Mr. MacLellan to approve the gift of the Art Table as presented, seconded by Mr. Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Craig MacLellan-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher- Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. Mr. MacLellan asked for more information about the warrant the approved earlier. He is not sure he should sign it. He has questions about some high legal service invoices. Chairman Maher explained the process of the warrant again and reminded the Committee that the warrant is available to review before the meeting. She suggested that the warrant approval be later in the agenda to give the members time to look at. SC Comments&Communications-Sub-Committee/Liaison Assignments-Mr. Kearney asked that they put together a Facilities Sub-Committee as they have done in the past. The Committee reviewed the sub-committees/liaisons assignments. The Committee discussed promoting the good things that happen here in the schools and how to get people interested in coming to the SC meetings on a regular basis instead of when there is a crisis. Dr. Sullivan suggested having the SC meetings at different buildings to highlight what is going on at that school. Review Balance FY 19 SC Meeting Dates-The Committee reviewed the schedule of the balance of FY19 meeting dates. The committee will review the FY 20 schedule at the next meeting. Reading of Policy KF-R- Regulations Governing the Use of School Facilities-2"d Read-The Committee reviewed and made a few edits. Motion by Mr. Kearney to approve Policy KF-R as amended, seconded by Mrs.Colleary and the vote was 4-0. Mr. MacLellan was not present for the vote. Reports from Sub-Committee& Liaisons-Chairman Maher stated the last Master Plan Public Forum will be held on Saturday, May 181"at 10 a.m. at the Willcutt Commons. Mrs. Madden attended the Osgood School Council meeting. They reviewed the school plan. Mrs. Colleary attended as well, and they discussed responsive classroom training. Dr. Sullivan stated that 6 staff members were trained over the 3 summer. The program is expensive, and they only train full days and they have restrictions on how many people they will train. There isn't a Train the Trainer model. It will take a few years to have everyone trained. Minutes-5/1/19-Motion by Mr. Kearney to approve the Public Hearing minutes for 5/1/19, seconded by Mrs. Madden and the vote was 3-0-2. Members Colleary& MacLellan abstained. Motion by Mrs. Madden to approve the minutes of 5/1/19, seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote was 3-0-2. Members Colleary& MacLellan abstained. Chairman Maher asked for a motion to go into Executive Session for Exemption#3-To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining-CTA and Exemption #2-Negotiations with nonunion personnel and Exemption#4-To discuss Security. Motion moved by Mr. Kearney and seconded by Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Craig MacLellan-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye. The Committee went into Executive Session at 10:21 p.m. The Committee exited Executive Session at 11:01 pm and re-entered open session. Motion by Mr. MacLellan to adjourn at 11:02 pm, seconded by Mr. Kearney-All Aye Documents Used at the Meeting Thailand & Fiji Trips F-1 Athletic Update F-2 Bullying Prevention & Intervention Plan F-3 Gift F-4 Sub-Committee/Liaison Assignments G-1 SC Meeting Calendar G-2 Policy KF-R G-3 4