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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 07/28/2020V/ Approved 11-10.20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, July 28, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held virtually on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Kiera O'Neil at 6:03 p.m. Members Present: Administration Present: Kiera O'Neil Teresa Murphy, Superintendent of Schools Lynn Cavicchi Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent(Teaching/Learning) Linda Fernando Edward Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Jenn Walsh (6:06 pm) Lauren Scher Members Absent: None ***All votes taken by roll call vote*** Roll Call Vote: Kiera O'Neil aye �' -i Lynn Cavicchi aye w Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye Kiera O'Neil asked for a motion to enter into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21 for the Following Purpose: Under Exception No. 3. To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. Motion to enter into executive session by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote Lynn Cavicchi Yes Kiera O'Neil Yes Linda Fernando Yes Lauren Scher Yes Motion Carries 4 - 0 Return to Open Meeting Public Speak: Public Speak is open for 15 minutes for anyone who has registered via GoToWebinar. NONE Communications: NONE New Business: MOU for Buildings and Grounds Retirement Incentive: Assistant Superintendent Donoghue reviewed the highlights of this plan which will allow employees to retire by August 31st of this year. Employees must have at least 5 years of service Page 1 of 5 Approved 11-10-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, July 28, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar and submit a letter in writing by August 15. There will be a one-time payment of $10,000 for each employee. Motion to Approve the MOU for the Buildings and Grounds Retirement Incentive by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote: Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes: 5 - 0 Feasibility Study / Return to School Plan for DESE: Assistant Superintendent Connolly presented a slide show regarding our preliminary reopening plans. Reviewed the DESE timeline: • June 25th DESE guidance provided high level guidelines (guidance is updated regularly) • July 9th Received Special Education guidance • July 15th DESE outlined a 2 phased approach to a return to school plan Only 31 preliminary summary and August 10 final comprehensive plan) • July 17 DESE outlined COVID-19 protocols • July 22 DESE provided facilities, transportation and operational guidelines Reopening models (Fully Remote / Full In -Person / Hybrid) were identified, defined and discussed in detail by each school. The initial weekly schedule by school was also highlighted. Note that this is the first pass and subject to change. We are still trying to balance out the amount of time on asynchronous and synchronous learning. The idea of cohorts was also identified. Superintendent Murphy opened the meeting up to questions by asking the public to submit their questions in writing. These will not be answered now but will be reviewed prior to completing the final presentation. She then summarized where we stand. With every model there will be major modifications to learning, adjustments in staffing, schedules and day to day activity, as well as additional cost to the district. All models require flexibility, adaptability and compromise from students, staff and parents. Our biggest considerations are safety and the well-being of our students and staff. It is not feasible to bring everyone back given the current environment and our physical building size. Fully remote allows us to provide a consistent method of education each day. However, there are many families who want or need their students to return to the building. Regardless of our return to school plan, we will offer a remote option to families. Note, however that a fully remote option for a small group of parents will look different than if we offered full remote for the entire district. Page 2 of 5 Approved 1140-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, July 28, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar The district is recommending that, where feasible, we start the year in hybrid at 6 feet apart. There will be both staff and students who cannot return due to health issues. We will be reaching out to both families and staff. Next steps: Submit our preliminary proposal to the state; submit the comprehensive plan to the state and release to the community; negotiate reopening plans with the Mansfield Educators Association. Questions/Answers: Lynn Cavicchi: There seems to be major changes to the QMS Schedule? How will team structures be impacted? Dave McGovern reported that in the current model there would be 18 - 21 students in a general education class and 24+ students in specials. The school repurposed staff members with multiple licenses or areas of expertise. There will be an additional team in both grade 7 and 8. Grade 6 will use a two team model similar to an elementary school. This is a common model across the country for grade 6. There will be a reduction in specials offered. In the new model,we can get class sizes down to 16 students. How will removing the ALC impact our students? Dave noted that this is a concern. We had to move these teachers to classroom settings. We are working diligently to come up with a new plan to support our neediest students. Can we support Band and Orchestra? We are waiting for DESE guidance on this. In grade 6 we will probably see a general music class with no ensemble. In grade 7 and 8 we are hoping to get small group classes. We are currently working with Department Chair Matt McGuire on options. How do our numbers look at Robinson? Kerry Sankey reported that the numbers look good. In a hybrid model we will probably have 9 - 10 students per class in Kindergarten, 10 - 11 students in grade 1 and 11-12 students in grade 2. We are getting some new enrollments while many families are opting out of kindergarten. Kiera O'Neil: Will the new model identify full return to school and hybrid? This plan recommends the hybrid model. We cannot return fully to school at a 6 feet distance. The remote model does not help our families. However, the remote model is highlighted for those who need it or in the event we have to close schools at some point. Linda Fernando: How are we going to keep kids on track? We know how hard it is for some students to return after a weekend or a week vacation. How do we support them? How do we track these students who may be struggling on their return after several days at home? Michael Connolly indicated that this is an important issue and we need to devise a plan to help these students. We acknowledge that the hybrid model is not ideal but may be our best option. Fully in person would be the ideal choice, but not feasible. Fully remote can be improved upon from last year and provide a strong education. We have spent our entire career teaching in person. We are attempting to build a brand new model in a short period of time. Lauren Scher: Page 3 of 5 Approved 11-10-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, July 28, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar "Where feasible, hybrid would seem to be the best option". Are there certain scenarios where you see the hybrid model not working? Michael Connolly said yes, we are looking at everything very closely. For example, we are still reviewing every individual classroom for capacity or other issues. The class size is difficult to measure. Mary Watkins noted that there are some classrooms where 6 feet is not possible. We do think we can classes in place at a 4 feet distance. It would be beneficial to go back at 3 feet but we recognize the risk. Full in person will be nearly impossible at the high school. The hybrid model is set as alternating days (A B remote A B). Why did you choose this model? Mr. Connolly noted that we reviewed many options and felt that this provided the best learning for our students. It became clear as we dug deeper into plans that any other option would be confusing and difficult to manage. This option also provides the smallest gap of time away from the building. Mr. Connolly also noted that the preference of models varies from school to school and parent to parent. We will not be able to create a model that works for everyone. Lynn Cavicchi: Given the DESE guidance yesterday do we have the hours necessary to meet minimum time on learning requirements? Mr. Connolly indicated the district will look into this. Linda Fernando: How easy will it be to switch from hybrid to remote if needed in an emergency? Mr. Connolly has worked with the subcommittees to develop a plan where we could switch models. We don't know how quickly and easily it will be but we are hoping that by setting fixed schedules for our students these could be managed at home as well. This is something that is still being researched. Lauren Scher: How will we support our students who are not engaging especially with the loss of ALC at the middle school? We are still working through this. We don't have a sense yet on how students will be impacted. Motion to Approve the Preliminary District Plan to start school in the Hybrid Model when feasible at 6 feet apart by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Passes: 5 - 0 New School Committee Business: At next meeting: • Proposed Calendar Changes • DESE Return to School Plan • Communication Plan by District / Schools Page 4 of 5 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Approved 11-10-20 Minutes for Tuesday, July 28, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: Mansfield Reopening Plan - Preliminary Proposal Motion to adjourn: At 8:44 p.m., Motion to adjourn the open meeting by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Roll Call vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Carries 5 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee Page 5 of 5