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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 12/04/2019 r 1_ • COFiASSST Cohasset School Committee Meeting School Committee Minutes Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street Cohasset, MA In Attendance: Ellen Maher, Chairman Jennifer Madden Paul Kearney Craig MacLellan Also in Attendance: Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Superintendent Michael MacMillan, Director of Finance& Operations Madeline Grudinskas, Student Advisory Member Dr. Leslie Scollins,Assistant Superintendent Absent Ashley Colleary Call to Order and Roll Call-Chairman Maher called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Paul Kearney-Present; Ellen Maher-Present,Jennifer Madden-Present, Craig MacLellan-Present. Pledge-Recited. Public Comment-None. Superintendent's Report-Student Advisory Member, Ms. Grudinskas, updated the Committee members on various school activities. Ms. Grudinskas stated the Deer Hill Circus was a success. The Deer Hill students have been working with the Circus Kid Productions for a week preparing them and working on positive teamwork skills. She stated the St"graders ended the week with a celebratory circus performance. Ms. Grudinskas stated the Circus is a curriculum enrichment program funded by a grant from the South Shore Music Circus, Massachusetts Cultural Council and funds from the Cohasset PSO. Ms. Grudinskas stated the Girls Lacrosse team was honored on November 261h by Senator O'Connor and 1 Representative Meschino at the State House. The team's visit included a tour of the State House. Ms. Grudinskas thanked everyone who contributed to Coach A's food drive for the food pantry and congratulated the CHS football team for their Thanksgiving Day win over Hull High School. Ms. Grudinskas discussed Challenge Day which was an all-day event for CHS seniors. The day focused on goals and tools used to achieve the goals which included stepping out of your comfort zone; evaluating your habits; practicing mindfulness; practicing vulnerability and active listening; offering apologies and developing self-confidence. Ms. Grudinskas stated there was a lot of nervousness by her and her peers as to what was to be expected of them. As the day went on everyone stepped out of their comfort zones and were amazed at how much better they knew each other by end of day. One of the suggestions that came from the day was to carry out what they learned to the entire school and spread to the underclassmen. She believes the program had a very positive impact and that the program should be continued. Mrs. Madden asked if the teachers learned more about students than they already knew about them. Supt. Dr. Sullivan stated the teachers absolutely learned more about the students. He also stated the program focused on the building blocks of empathy and what is was like to walk in someone else's shoes. Supt. Dr. Sullivan also stated it was challenge by choice and the students didn't have to participate. Mr. Kearney stated he loved the idea of the seniors wanting to pay it forward to the underclassmen. Coach Ford stated it was one of the most powerful events he has attended at CHS. Boys Cross Country Team-2019 Division 6 State Champions-Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan recognized and congratulated the Cohasset High School Boys Cross Country team on winning the Division 6 State Championship. Coach Ford talked about the season and the team winning the Division 6 State Championship. Coach Ford introduced some members of the Cohasset High School Boys Cross Country team and the members discussed their season highlights. French Exchange-Jeff Kotter presented the proposal for the FY21 French Exchange Program. Mr. Kotter stated this will be CHS's 7th trip and discussed the expectations of the students. In October 2020 CHS will be hosting 40 students from Sucy-en-Brie. The program is run in conjunction with Scituate High School and in past trips CHS has been represented by 18-24 students. Mr. MacLellan questioned the supervision of the students. Mr. Kotter stated the students are expected to follow all CPS rules once they leave campus and if any issues arise the student is faced with the appropriate consequences stated as stated in the CHS handbook. Motion by Mr. MacLellan to approve the FY21 French Exchange Program April 9-22, 2021,seconded by Mr. Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Ellen Maher- Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye, Craig Maclellan-Aye. Student Services Update-Mary Buchanan, Director of Student Services presented an update from the Office of Student Services. Ms. Buchanan gave an overview of her role to the Committee members and discussed the areas she provides oversight to. She discussed the Office of Student Services' role in Special Education. She stated Student Services oversees all facets of Special Education for identified students between the ages of 3 and 22. Ms. Buchanan discussed the evaluation process; potential evaluation areas; IEP implementation; progress monitoring and re-evaluation; early intervention and transition planning; placement from least restrictive to most restrictive setting; social emotional learning; and skills addressed. She stated the bulk of work done by the Office of Student Services is special education. Chairman Maher asked if a student's IEP travels with them if they move in or out of 2 district. Ms. Buchanan stated if the move is within Massachusetts the IEP does but if the student is coming from another state an initial evaluation of the student would be conducted. Ms. Buchanan stated research shows children learn best with their peers. Chairman Maher asked if it would be possible to look at the progress of students on IEPs who are in co-teaching classroom. Ms. Buchanan stated she could get the data for Chairman Maher but knows it is working. Chairman Maher stated it would be interesting to see the data and it could further validate co-teaching. Ms. Buchanan discussed Social Emotional Learning and discussed the role of the School Adjustment Counselor and stated a school adjustment counselor position was added in FY20. Mr. Kearney thanked Ms. Buchanan and asked her if she sees the district working together to design an inclusive classroom. Ms. Buchanan stated the district is doing a good job looking at teaching practices and focusing on skill strategies so teaching practices are good for all students. Chairman Maher asked Ms. Grudinskas if she has seen a change in methods of teaching. Ms. Grudinskas stated she has seen the benefits of having a second teacher available and in general co-teaching has allowed a lot more inclusion. Mrs. Madden asked whose purview home school students fall under. Supt. Dr. Sullivan stated the supervision falls under his office. Ms. Buchanan stated the district is responsible for evaluating all student who are home schooled or attending private schools. The Committee members discussed the process of assessment tests. Mrs. Madden asked Ms. Buchanan if she has received any guidance from the state on dyslexia screening. Ms. Buchanan stated the team completed the assessment and the dyslexia assessment recommendation is with the Superintendent for his review. Supt. Dr. Sullivan suggested that Ms. Buchanan update the Committee members on the recommendations at the first School Committee meeting in January 2020. Mrs. Madden requested to include in the discussion how RTI data is being used and how the data is being coordinated from RTI for eligibility. Ms. Buchanan stated in the team recommendations all of this information and all of the data coordinates would be tracked through Aspen and be progressed monitored. Ms. Buchanan discussed the district's approach to an inclusive classroom which includes integrating SEL into the general education classrooms with intentionality. Mr. MacLellan asked Ms. Buchanan if she feels there is a counseling void from a school psychologist perspective. Ms. Buchanan stated she feels there is a need for a school adjustment counselor at the Middle School level. Mr. MacLellan asked Ms. Grudinskas if she felt there was adequate counseling from a school representative perspective. Ms. Grudinskas stated she can't speak on a personal level but knows there is an open-door policy for the students to utilize the school counselors. Chairman Maher asked if students who are home schooled are included in their enrollment. Supt. Dr. Sullivan stated they are not included in the enrollment numbers. Ms. Buchanan stated they are not enrolled but they are reported as receiving services. Ms. Buchanan stated the numbers are reported to the State annually. Chairman Maher suggested including the request for additional resources in the district's proposal for the Student Opportunity Act. Vape Detectors-Supt. Dr. Sullivan discussed the general epidemic of vaping. Supt. Dr. Sullivan stated as a potential deterrent,the District has been offered 5 vape detectors through a grant and a gift. The donation is from Safe Harbors via the Norfolk District Attorney. Two detectors would be installed in the middle school and three in the high school. The detectors measure the vaping mist and alert administration through an app on their phone. He stated the detectors can also detect elevated decibel levels to alert of a potential bullying or violent incident. Supt. Dr. Sullivan stated the District would only be using the vape deterrent at this time. Supt. Dr. Sullivan stated there may be an additional gift in the future from Safe Harbors for the activation fee associated with the vape detectors. Mr. Kearney stated 3 there needs to be messages around school about vaping. Supt. Dr. Sullivan stated the restorative measure about vaping is very important. Chairman Maher stated she found research that Cape Cod Regional received 10-20 alerts per day. Supt. Dr. Sullivan stated he was honored to be at the screening of"Dawnland." He stated there was a packed house and the film was riveting and very powerful. Approval of Warrant-Motion by Mr. MacLellan to approve Warrant 20-10S, seconded by Mr. Kearney. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye; Craig MacLellan-Aye. Finance-Monthly Update-Mr. MacMillan stated 35.87%of the budget has been expended which is very close to last year. He stated the salaries are a bit higher than last year. Chairman Maher stated she is pleased to see we are on track to last year. Mr. MacMillan reviewed the grants and revolving accounts. He explained that the revolving accounts are funds received from student fees such as kindergarten and athletics and the funds go in and out of the account. Mrs. Madden asked what the Title I funds are being used for. Mr. MacMillan stated the funds are primarily being used to pay for the reading specialist at the elementary school. Chairman Maher asked if it's possible to offer need-based scholarships from the AP revolving funds. Mr. MacMillan stated they would need to determine a process and put it in place. Mr. MacMillan stated the circuit breaker formula is changing next year. Bus Maintenance Update-Mr. MacMillan stated there is no significant changes from last month. He stated the expenses are still a little higher than he would like to be. Gift-Mr. MacMillan stated they received a gift from Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition/Norfolk County DA five vape detectors. The vape detectors were offered to Cohasset High School by the Norfolk County District Attorney. Motion by Mr. MacLellan to approve the gift of five vape detectors from the Norfolk County DA via Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition,seconded by Mrs. Madden. Roll Call Vote; Paul Kearney-Aye, Ellen Maher-Aye,Jennifer Madden-Aye, Craig MacLellan-Aye. School Committee Comments&Communications-FY20 School Committee Goals Progress Report-The Committee members reviewed their goals progress report and update the status of each goal. Reports from Sub-Committee& Liaisons-Mrs. Madden stated the Deer Hill Circus was wonderful. Mr. Kearney stated the Bch grade girls won the Marshfield basketball tournament. Mr. Kearney also stated the Middle School concert is December 51h at 6:30p.m. Approval of Minutes-None Follow-up and Updates- Motion by Mr. MacLellan to go into Executive Session for Exemption#3-Strategy related to negotiations with union personnel, seconded by Mr. Kearney. The School Committee went into Executive Session at 10:14p.m. 4 The School Committee exited Executive Session at 10:44p.m. The School Committee adjourned the regular meeting at 10:45p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Madden. , seconded by Mr. MacLellan,All -Aye. Documents Used at the Meeting FY20 French Exchange Proposal D-1 Vape Detectors D-3 Monthly Finance Update F-1 Bus Maintenance Update F-2 Gift F-3 FY20 School Committee Goal Progress Report G-1 School Committee Goal Review G-2 5