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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 08/07/2019 � r y.COFiASS�T� �k'7y - 17 Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday,August 7, 2019 Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street Cohasset, MA In Attendance: Ellen Maher, Chairman Paul Kearney Ashley Colleary Craig MacLellan Also in Attendance: Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Superintendent Dr. Leslie Scollins,Assistant Superintendent Michael MacMillan, Director of Finance& Operations Absent Jennifer Madden The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm. Roll call: Present- Paul Kearney, Present-Ashley Colleary, Present-Ellen Maher, Present—Craig MacLellan Mrs. Maher asked for a motion to enter Executive Session for exemption#2, strategy related to negotiations with non-union personnel and exemption#3, strategy related to negotiations with union personnel. The motion was made by Mr. MacLellan, seconded by Mrs. Colleary. The committee entered Executive Session at 6:03 pm. Chairman Maher called the meeting back to order at 7:18 p.m. Pledge-Recited. Public Comment-None. Superintendent's Report-CHS Girls Lacrosse Team—State Champs—Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan recognized and congratulated the Cohasset High School Girls Lacrosse team on winning the Division 2 State Title. Some members of the Cohasset High School Girls Lacrosse team were present along with 1 Athletic Director Steve Rotondi. Superintendent Dr. Sullivan stated Senator Patrick O'Connor invited the team to the State House in the Fall. Laura Keating Outdoor Classroom-Superintendent Dr. Sullivan introduced members of the Joseph Osgood Team and the Laura Keating Outdoor Classroom Committee including Jennifer McPhillips, Colleen Gibson, Gina Steele and Sarah Cucinatto. The committee members would like to memorialize Laura Keating, a former Osgood teacher, and honor her love of nature by creating an outdoor classroom. The committee presented the benefits of an outdoor classroom;the work they have done so far including fundraising in the amount of$20,000; and the continued fundraising and work they will do to help complete the project. Chris Kennedy of Kennedy Gardens was also in attendance and has worked with the committee members to create their vision of the outdoor classroom. Mr. MacLellan asked the committee members if they have specific budgets for the materials needed for the different phases of the project. Mr. Kennedy confirmed that based on the proposed materials the committee is within budget for Phase I. Mrs. Colleary asked what the timetable for Phase I is. Mr. Kennedy stated it could be done in a week and they would like to have it completed before school starts. Chairman Maher requested the committee set aside funds for ongoing maintenance. Mr. MacMillan discussed the bidding process. Chairman Maher recognized community member Chris Kennedy as a silent warrior in the community and thanked him for all he has done for the community. The members of the Laura Keating Outdoor Classroom committee requested approval to move forward with Phase I as quickly as possible. Lisa Farrell, principal of the Joseph Osgood School,thanked everyone for their hard work on the project. Motion by Mr. MacLellan to accept going forward with the Laura Keating Outdoor Classroom, seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Faculty Hiring Update-Superintendent Dr. Sullivan reviewed the list of new hires for each school. Superintendent Dr. Sullivan updated the Committee on the remainder of positions and feels the district is in good shape on hiring. Superintendent Dr. Sullivan informed the Committee that Judy Figueredo retired. He recognized and thanked Judy Figueredo for her 36 years of service as Secretary at the Joseph Osgood School. Chairman Maher asked about the status of the hiring of the 0.5 Middle School nurse. Superintendent Dr. Sullivan informed the Committee they are engaging in interviews with candidates. Mr. Kearney asked about the status of the 1.0 Custodian. Superintendent Dr. Sullivan stated they would start the hiring process once they get approval to post it pending financial consideration. Chairman Maher stated the finances would be reviewed in the next Facilities and Finance meeting which will be scheduled with Michael MacMillan, Director of Finance and Operations, next week. Update on Facilities/Building Maintenance-Superintendent Dr. Sullivan stated there is great work happening at the Middle School including moving staff to identify as a unique school. Mr. MacMillan informed the Committee that although they have not hired the 1.0 custodian,the custodians have been proceeding ahead of schedule with the help of the student and substitute custodians over the summer. Mr. MacMillan updated the Committee on the status of the painting at the Joseph Osgood and Deer Hill schools,the repairs to the Middle School walkway and spot repairs around the High School. Mr. Kearney commented that Cohasset Middle High School ranked#71 in Massachusetts schools based on the Niche report and stated the schools are obviously in need of help for resources and facilities. Mr. MacLellan asked about the status of the Lobby Guard at the new Middle School entrance. 2 Superintendent Dr. Sullivan informed the Committee the Lobby Guard is in the works but would not be ready for the start of school; the Middle School office will exist and function but will not be used as an entrance or exit for students. Chairman Maher stated there is significant construction needed and the Budget and Finance Committee is working to identify funding. Mr. MacMillan informed the Committee that he walked each of the school buildings last week with the principals and Nick Berardi,Assistant Director of Facilities,to develop a comprehensive list of capital improvement needs. Finance-Gift-Superintendent Dr. Sullivan stated they received a gift of$250 from Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition Youth Ambassador's Program to fight the use of tobacco. Motion by Mr. MacLellan to accept the gift of$250 from Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition to fund vaping education,seconded by Mr. Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Ashely Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye, Craig MacLellan- Aye. FY19 Final Year End Financials-Mr. MacMillan reviewed the FY19 financials with the Committee. He is requesting approval of the transfers made between cost centers to finalize the year. At this point there will be $59,765.64 returned to the Town. Mr. MacMillan stated the some of the grants ended in deficit because some of the revenues were not received at the time of the report. Motion by Mr. MacLellan to approve the transfers as outlined resulting in a surplus of$59,765.64 seconded by Mrs. Colleary. Roll Call Vote;Ashely Colleary-Aye, Paul Kearney-Nay, Ellen Maher-Aye, Craig MacLellan-Aye. Approval of Warrant-Motion by Mr. MacLellan to approve Warrant 20-02S, seconded by Mrs. Colleary. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye, Craig MacLellan-Aye. School Committee Comments&Communications-Chairman Maher presented the draft annual School Committee agenda. Superintendent Dr. Sullivan stated that he has done quite a bit of work on the Start School Later proposal and it will be added to the August 21, 2019 agenda. School Committee Goals Review-Chairman Maher presented the revised draft of the School Committee goals. An additional workshop was scheduled for August 14, 2019 to finalize the School Committee goals. Reports from Sub-Committee& Liaisons-Mrs. Colleary stated that she and Mrs. Madden will be meeting on August 15, 2019 for a Policies Sub Committee meeting. Chairman Maher requested that Mrs. Colleary speak with Mr. MacMillan regarding language for delegating a School Committee member as a warrant officer to approve the payroll warrant as the current policy does not account for that. Chairman Maher informed Mr. Kearney and Mr. MacLellan that the she received a MASC alert that the Superintendent rubric has been updated. Superintendent Dr. Sullivan circulated the new form to Mr. Kearney and Mr. MacLellan. Mr. MacLellan stated they are working with Superintendent Dr. Sullivan on his goals. Chairman Maher stated the Committee received the Nashoba Regional District School Committee Manual and Mr. MacLellan prepared a first draft redline to incorporate sections to the Committee's manual. 3 Chairman Maher read a letter received by the Committee from Norfolk County Sheriff Jerome P. MacDermott. Sheriff MacDermott is convening a Juvenile Task Force for Substance Abuse and Mental Health this fall which will meet quarterly at his office to discuss issues affecting youths. He is looking for a School Committee member to represent Cohasset. Mrs. Colleary volunteered to represent the Committee. Chairman Maher stated she received a letter from Judy Figueredo announcing her retirement. Mrs. Colleary informed the Committee that Safe Harbors is holding a one-day leadership training for grades 7-12 at Second Congregational Church on Friday, August 16, 2019, 9am-2pm. The program will focus on public speaking, advocacy, and communicating with the media and local government. Chairman Maher encouraged the Committee members to get their mindset around when various groups such as CEF, PSO,School Councils will be meeting so Committee members can liaison with their respective groups. Chairman Maher stated she is meeting with Post Employment Benefit (PEB) next week. Mr. Kearney reminded Chairman Maher to follow up with the cable company regarding re-running of the School Committee meetings. Motion by Mr. MacLellan to adjourn at 8:55pm,seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote was unanimous(4-0). The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Documents Used at the Meeting Girls Lacrosse Team State Championship D-1 Laura Keating Outdoor Classroom D-2 Hiring Update D-3 Gift E-1 FY19 Final Year End E-2 Draft Annual School Committee Agenda G-1 School Committee Goal Review G-2 4