HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 10/30/2019 �.COFiASSST O
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Cohasset School Committee Meeting
School Committee Minutes
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Cohasset Middle-High School
Community Use Room
143 Pond Street
Cohasset, MA
In Attendance: Ellen Maher, Chairman
Jennifer Madden
Paul Kearney
Craig MacLellan
Ashley Colleary
Also in Attendance: Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Superintendent
Michael MacMillan, Director of Finance & Operations
Dr. Leslie Scollins, Assistant Superintendent
Chairman Maher called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Present,Ashley
Colleary-Present, Ellen Maher-Present,Jennifer Madden-Present,
Mrs. Maher requested a motion to amend Executive Session for Exemption#1 to#2 as posting of
Exemption#1 was an error. Motion made by Mrs. Madden, seconded by Mrs. Colleary,All-Aye at 6:05
pm. Mrs. Madden made the motion to enter Executive Session for Exemptions#2 and#3 at 6:06 pm.
Mrs. Colleary seconded the motion. Roll call Aye-Paul Kearney,Aye-Ashley Colleary,Aye-Ellen Maher,
Aye-Jennifer Madden. The Committee adjourned to the conference room.
Open session reconvened at 7:05 pm.
Pledge-Recited.
Public Comment- Meg Whorisky, 11 Sankey Road inquired about the Math Curriculum at the
elementary level. Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Scollins advised that we are in process of a Math Curriculum
review and two programs are being piloted for adoption next year; Investigations and Bridges.
Superintendent's Report
Spotlight on Learning-Mrs. Suzi Corkhum, along with 51h grade students Nicholas Askjaer, Hadley Berns,
Jay Naples, and Thomas Weissensee presented the Deer Hill Lego League Team.The group, due to a
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grant from the CEF, competes in a Lego League using robotics and coding.The students explained their
activities and advised they are competing in a competition on December 8.
Technology Update-Town CIO Ron Menard presented an update on Technology in Cohasset Public
Schools. He outlined his staffing and updated the Committee on major projects and initiatives.The
Windows 10 migration will be complete by Jan. Aspen is rolling out. Pixellot is also rolling out.The CPS
paging project allows the Police to hear calls right away.The network video recorder(which houses
committee meetings) is at end of life and there needs to be a new platform for video. Mr. Menard
outlined the type of helpdesk requests and who amongst his staff responds. Mrs. Madden advised she
is pleased so far with Aspen. Mr. Menard advised that staff training is ongoing. Mr. Kearney inquired if
Mr. Menard was aware of an APP that advises immediate location of emergency to Fire/Police. Mr.
Menard advised that at present our nurses and administrators have instantaneous access to Cohasset
Police & Fire. LobbyGuard also sends alerts if a visitor login is flagged. Laurie Bronstein, 12 Old Pasture
Road, inquired as why we have LobbyGuard and Raptor. It was advised they are essentially the same
thing and perform the same function.
Private School Enrollment-Superintendent Dr. Sullivan presented present private school enrollment. 55
Cohasset children are presently enrolled in private school from Grade 5 and above. Julie Blanchard, 110
Pleasant St asked how many are enrolled below 5th grade.That data is not readily available. Mrs.
Colleary asked if students are interviewed upon the decision to depart Cohasset Public Schools as to why
they are leaving. Supt. Dr Sullivan advised that we do inquire, some responses are legacy,family
tradition, academics and some don't respond as they are not obligated to do so.The district is required
to report to the state students leaving and why, if that information is available. Alethea Harney,
Beachwood St, advised she attended a MSBA meeting and indicated the conditions of the schools may
require her to look at private placement for her children. Mr. Kearney said he does not think our
facilities are up to par.
ACT/SAT Data Presentation-Dr. Leslie Scollins reviewed data with the Committee. The results were
great. Both the ACT and SAT are tests designed to determine college readiness. On the ACT tests,the
district delivered the second highest total store over the last 5 years of 51 (highest 2016 of 56, 2018 was
38). SAT results showed Cohasset with the highest Reading/Writing score of the DART comparison
(Duxbury, Georgetown, Hingham, Manchester Essex, Norwell, Scituate) and in the top 3 in Math. Both
mean scores for Cohasset are the highest they have been in 5 years. Mrs. Colleary inquired if we stay in
touch with graduates and their families to see if their college placement is working out. Supt. Dr.
Sullivan advised that the district tries to, but it is challenging.
School Start Time-Superintendent Dr. Sullivan provided a summary of events and actions he has taken
regarding School Start Times. He reminded everyone that the Aug 21 vote came with caveats, namely
further research into HS Athletics and the Metco bus was needed and slight changes may occur to the
voted upon schedule. He summarized what he learned as parental concerns; 1. Impact on sleep on
elementary aged children, 2. 90 minute gap between Osgood and Deer Hill, 3. Efficiency of bus routes. 4.
Before and after school childcare. He advised that community had provided suggestions to raise bus
fees,to relook at the consistency and frequency of bus stops (not all streets/neighborhoods treated
equally). Supt. Dr. Sullivan shared his data from observing dropoff and pick up at Osgood and Deer Hill
for 3 days and modified his concern about safety on the combined campuses. There were not as many
cars as he had anticipated. He shared that Police Chief Quigley and Fire Chief Silvia had no immediate
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concerns about starting DH and OS at the same time. April Silvia, 40 Fairoaks Lane presented a petition
with 200 parent signatures requesting the times be relooked at. Mr. MacLellan noted that many of the
signatures were of the same household (ie father/mother signatures). Tom Baker, 18 Black Rock Road
inquired about the absolute data informing the decision. Does this decision achieve our goal? Have any
studies taken into account the effect of Daylight Savings Time on adolescent circadium rythems? Where
in the analysis is the delta in behavior versus academics? Lydia St. Onge,401 Beechwood said some
adolescents start puberty at age 10, 5th grade, why would they start so much earlier than 6th grade?
Chad D'Adamo, 67 Forest Ave inquired as to how these later times will impact activities and will we
monitor tardy and behavior issues at Deer Hill to see if there is a negative impact. Supt. Dr. Sullivan
advised that we already are monitoring those issues. Megan Whorisky, 11 Sankey Road asked if not the
whole day for all schools could move later? Has anyone studied that? Melissa McDonough, Fairoaks
Lane asked if the issue is transportation?Tom Baker asked if there was consideration to start the High
School at 9 am. Laurie Bronstein, 12 Old Pasture Road, commented the impact on family budgets for
childcare.
Mrs. Colleary commented that we must figure out how to get the community involved and educated
when decisions are being made.
Mrs. Maher wrapped up the conversation indicating to the parents that the plan as voted on August 21
remains in place. She advised that the committee may instruct Supt. Dr. Sullivan to re-look at options
and at the end of the day,the original plan may remain in place.
Mrs. Maher asked for a motion to instruct Superintendent Dr. Sullivan to look at options for the School
Start/ End times.The motion was moved by Mr. MacLellan, seconded by Mrs. Colleary, all in favor-Aye
(5-0 unanimious)
Motion by Mr. MacLellan to move approval of the warrant until after the Finance report,seconded by
Mr. Kearney,All-the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Finance- Director of Finance & Operations Michael MacMillan reviewed the September month end
financial statements. We are over last year's%spent due to encumbrances which we did not have last
year.The deficit in Special Education is due to the timing of receipt of Circuit Breaker funding. Mr.
Kearney asked if we have looked at free full day kindergarten. He also indicated our School Lunch
revenue could improve if the offerings were better.
Mr. MacMillan indicated the district has received a gift from the PSO for$850 for 7th grade field trips.
A motion to accept the gift was made by Mr. MacLellan, seconded by Mr. Kearney, roll call:Aye-Paul
Kearney, Aye-Ashley Colleary, Aye-Ellen Maher,Aye-Jennifer Madden,Aye-Craig MacLellan.
Approval of Warrant-Motion by Mr. MacLellan to approve Warrant 20-7S,seconded by Mr. Kearney.
Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye,Ashley Colleary-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye,Craig
MacLellan-Aye.
School Committee Comments and Communications-
Reading of Policy JKAA-Physical Restraint-The SC was advised that the previously approved policy
neglected, as required,the procedures for Physical Restraint.The committee reviewed the policy.
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Motion by Mrs. Madden to approve Policy JKAA Physical Restraint as presented, seconded by Mr.
MacLellan and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Reports from Sub-Committee and Liaisons- Mrs. Colleary advised that the Unity Council is having a
screening of the movie "Dawnland" at 6 pm on November 25 at the CMHS Auditorium.
Mrs. Maher reminded the Committee that Special Town Meeting was on the upcoming Monday night at
7 pm in the CHS gymnasium and that the Committee sits in the front row on the left side. She advised
the Committee to save December 3 for a FY 21 Budget workshop with the Leadership team. She
acknowledged the efforts of Superintendent Dr. Sullivan and Mr. MacMillan who attended 6 meetings
between the Board of Selectmen, Advisory Committee and Capital budgets for our items on the warrant
for STM.
Approval of Minutes-Motion by Mr. MacLellan to approve the minutes of 7/17/19,seconded by Mr.
Kearney and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Mrs. Colleary to approve the minutes of 7/13/19, seconded by Mr. Kearny and the vote
was unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Mr. MacLellan to approve the minutes of 9/18/19, seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote
was unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Mrs. Madden to approve the minutes of 10/10/19,seconded by Mr. Kearney and the vote
was unanimous (5-0).
The School Committee adjourned the regular meeting at 10:22 pm on a motion by Mr.
MacLellan,seconded by Mrs. Madden, All -Aye.
Documents Used at the Meeting
Lego League E-1
Enrollement/Private School E-2
ACT/SAT Data Presentation E-3
Monthly Update G-1
Bus Maintainence G-2
Gift G-3
Policy JKAA H-1
Approval of Minutes 1-1
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