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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 08/11/2020Approved 09-22-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held virtually on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Kiera O'Neil at 6:06 p.m. Members Present: Administration Present: Kiera O'Neil Teresa Murphy, Superintendent of Schools Lynn Cavicchi Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Linda Fernando Lauren Scher Jenn Walsh arrived at 6:15 PM Members Absent: ***All votes taken by roll call vote Roll Call Vote: Kiera O'Neil aye �. y Lynn Cavicchi aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye — w rn 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: Kiera O'Neil Yes Lynn Cavicchi Yes Linda Fernando Yes Lauren Scher Yes Motion Carries 4 - 0 School Committee returned to Open Session Public Speak: Public Speak is open for 15 minutes for anyone who has registered via GoToWebinar. Lynn Gordon Penesis, 12 Shannon Lane, asked the committee to publicly explain why we are looking at remote. These kids need to get back to school. Gov Baker released a new COV1D model and Mansfield is listed as a Green community. The CDC, DESE and Governor all recommend in person school. Request that the School Committee amend their plan to go hybrid. K - 5 should be prioritized to go back to school. Michelle Farley, 18 Lincoln Road, is thankful that we are delaying the hybrid model. There seems to be a lot of logistical issues that should be finalized before opening our doors. She does advocate that Page 1 of 8 Approved 09-22-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar we reconsider the state virtual model and use Mansfield teachers in its place. Also, there is a childcare crisis. Pop up day cares are opening across the state. We need to think of the parents who need to go back to work. Is there anyway the town can provide a CHAMPS style learning area for essential workers. Alanna Morreale, 6 Marshall Avenue, is disappointed in the decision. She has students in 1 st, 9th and 12th. She feels that the hybrid plan is safe and doable. We need to get our kids established and be able to meet the teachers. Nicole Wright, 90 Gilbert Street, has a 1 st and 4th grader; thank you to staff, school committee and volunteers. It is impossible to please everyone. No option is ideal but the committee is keeping the health of our students and staff prioritized. She appreciates that. We all want our kids back in school but safety is most important. Rory Flynn, 5 Jewell Street, thanks the committee for their time. He is disappointed in last week's vote. The model should not apply to all grades. Please discuss the validity of starting elementary in the same manner as secondary students. Elementary students need to build relationships with their teachers. Take advantage of warm weather to get the kids in school. Administrative Reports: Superintendent: Superintendent Murphy provided some information on the Back to School Plan due to the State. It was originally due on August 10th but DESE extended the deadline to August 14th. The district is very close to completion. The Commissioner of Education today released metrics for starting school. We need to review these and incorporate them into our Return to School plan. It will be released to the public once it is submitted to DESE. Student Opportunity Act deadline for submission has also been delayed. We have submitted our plan but we do not know when we will hear anything. Kindergarten screening will take place the week of August 24th. Old Business: Committee Updates. Audit: The committee will meet on 8/20/20 to approve a community member. Policy: A batch of policies will be brought forward today for approval. We still need to review Title IX and COVID related policies. Budget: The committee hopes to meet soon with the town to discuss any updates to the FY21 budget. Facilities: Members are working individually with Facilities. New Business: Follow Up on Return to School Plan for DESE/ Next Steps Chair O'Neil read a statement on their position for a return to school. (Attached at the end of these minutes) Page 2 of 8 Approved 09-22-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Michael Connolly provided an update on the state learning cohort. The district planned for 3 models. 1) Full in person which is now off the table due to safety concerns. 2) Hybrid or 3) Completely Remote. With the hybrid model we were instructed to provide full virtual remote to those families who need it. This added a complexity to our staffing and scheduling. Per DESE recommendation, we began to look at the State offered virtual programs which include TEC Academy, Commonwealth Virtual School and Edgenuity. We have done research on these options and are recommending that we use the Virtual School at $1200 per student. We are actively contacting the vendor and working on training for our staff. Questions/answers: What is the sense on staffing? Our prior budget discussions meant a cut in staff. How many staff are asking for accommodations, leaves or resignations? Are we balanced with students and staff? The district is having a hard time making plans and evaluating the balance because everything is a moving part. Everything is based on what families choose; what staff decides to do and what plan the district moves forward with. Jocelyn can provide some guidance but it is to be noted that staffing requests are confidential at this time. What is the timeline for the online component? When must parents decide? We are working through that right now. We need more information about the program and our back to school plans before we force the decision on parents. Does the decision to go remote or hybrid stick for the year? We still need to determine this. We would like parents to have some flexibility but we have to consider teacher assignments and schedules. We don't believe it will be simple to flip between the two. Do we know if the teachers in the state virtual programs are licensed? Yes, all teachers are licensed. Do we pay by semester by student? We would pay $1200 per student per semester. No cost to parents. Have we considered different platforms for secondary vs elementary? We have looked at different options but feel that TEC provides the greatest consistency. Superintendent Murphy noted that she is working with other superintendents on virtual options. Does TEC provide guidance on the district staffing required to support the learning? Michael Connolly will pursue. Will a virtual student be able to participate in sports? Will need to research. How will we address those students with significant or complex needs? We don't want these students to digress. We are having discussions on the standards to use. We need to pay particular attention to these students. We also anticipate that there will be an increase in homeless students, free and reduced students. Can we get student representation on planning committees? We do have students on some of the return committees now. Page 3 of 8 Approved 09-22-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar How are we going to address the increased social / emotional needs of our students? This has to be a priority. There is a Summer Institute this month to discuss and plan for our reopening. Do we know what the bus capacity is? We are still awaiting final guidance from DESE. However, it will be reduced capacity; one per seat (except for siblings.) Does it make sense to survey families to see who will be using the bus? Ed feels that we can run the regular bus routes since in theory they will be at half capacity due to the cohort split. Will we clean Roland Green daily between the morning and afternoon sessions? Ed will look into this. Teresa noted that we had a reduction in staff due to budget cuts. She would like to discuss the possibility of bringing some of these staff members back as they would be needed for the new models. Do we have the staff needed to clean the buildings? Ed Donoghue reported that he is working on additional staffing. Sample of Next Steps: • Impact bargaining with unions • Identify cohorts by school • Plan virtual parent meetings • Connect with virtual vendors • Rethink how we run open houses, curriculum nights and parent conferences • Work on daily in school procedures under new models • Work on handbook updates • Develop strong communication systems • Identify and move excess furniture • Devise classroom setups • Alter schedules • Review how students will move within the building during the day • Modify busing • Review food services • Bolster daily sub pool to account for new schedules • How will specialists fit into the hybrid or remote model • How do we support new students • Determine how clubs and activities will work • Discuss intervention concerns during virtual learning • Review technology resources for all options Consideration of2020-2021 School Calendar Revisions DESE has allowed schools to start with 9 days of professional development. The schedule shows that school for students will start on 9/16. Kindergarten and Pre-school will start on 9/21. After discussion, it was decided that with the remote plan that all students can start on 9/16. Perhaps when the hybrid model starts we can delay kindergarten start so that there is a smooth transition. Perhaps even have kindergarten students start a day earlier. The district will discuss the transition Page 4 of 8 Approved 09-22-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar plan. Will it be everyone at once? A couple of grades at a time? One school at a time? It was noted by the committee that it is important to have orientations for new students and transition students. We need to work on ways to connect with families. Chair O'Neil also asked for the district to provide details on the 9 days of Professional Development. Assistant Superintendent Connolly will provide an update. Details of the calendar including curriculum nights; conference dates and professional dates will be added at a later date. Motion to approve the 2020-2021 School Calendar start and end dates by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Roll Call vote: Lauren Scher yes Linda Fernando yes Kiera O'Neil yes Jenn Walsh yes Lynn Cavicchi yes Motion Carries S - 0 Consideration ofPolicy Change, Code Title Notes Action Motion Motion Vote 1 2 Reviewed by Lynn ONEVOTEFORBLi POLICIES LF JW 5-0 Cavicchi Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera.JJ'Neil aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi Rye Motion Carries 5-0 JF School Admissions Update Per MASC Revise JFABD Homeless Students Update Per MASC Revise JFABE Military Students Update Per MASC Revise FABF Foster Care Update Per MASC Revise JHD Exclusions and Updated per MASC Revise Exemptions for School Attendance JICG-JICH Alcohol, Tobacco, Updated per MASC Revise Substance Possession 111 Student Com lain s Update per MASC Revise JLCB Immunizations Revise JLCC Communicable Update per MASC Revise Diseases JJA Student Update per MASC Revise Organizations IRA Student Records Update per MASC Revise FY21 Budget Update. Page 5 of 8 Approved 09-22-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Assistant Superintendent Ed Donoghue provided an update. Chapter 70 money will remain the same as last year. There initially was some concern that there would be cuts so this is good news. The committee wanted to know if this would change our budget at all. No, it would not. New School Committee Business: Chair O'Neil requested that the committee create a subcommittee to work with the district on the Hybrid Transition. She felt that this would be an oversight committee to track school goals, tasks and progress; identify key things that need to be done; detail the plans to get to hybrid; determine any missing steps and oversee all the back to school committees. Volunteers were requested. Lauren Scher and Linda Fernando will be on this subcommittee. Motion to create the Return to Hybrid Subcommittee by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh. Lauren Scher yes Linda Fernando yes Kiera O'Neil yes Jenn Walsh yes Lynn Cavicchi yes Motion Carries 5 - 0 Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: none Motion to adjourn: At 10:10 p.m., Motion to adjourn the open meeting by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Roll Call vote: Lynn Cavicchi yes Jenn Walsh yes Kiera O'Neil yes Linda Fernando yes Lauren Scher yes Motion Carries 5 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee Page 6 of 8 Approved 09-22-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Opening Statement from Chair O'Neil August 11, 2020 School Committee Meeting Before we begin tonight's discussion, I would like to make a statement. This statement does not reflect the collective sentiments of the committee, but my personal thoughts. After last week's meeting the committee has received, as expected a large number of communications from the community. These opinions represented in these communications reflect wide variation of opinions throughout this community. We received considerable support from the community for the remote start, criticism for our decision, and concern over bringing young special education students back into in person learning. After reading these communications, I want to take this opportunity to clarify the decision that was voted on last week. The School Committee voted to begin the school on September 16ih in a fully remote format which will still allow for in person instruction designated special education populations with a transition to a hybrid methodology beginning October 12`h. We did not vote to consider transition, we voted to transition. I supported this plan for several reasons. 1. My vote represents my commitment to two key components of any return to school plan; health and safety of our students and school community and the best educational program. a. At this time on August 11`h, we do not know if it is safe to bring a few thousand students onto our campus. We have reviewed the recommendations, we have spaced out the desks, we have purchased the PPE, but at this time it is based on theory. Delaying in person instructions for one month gives our entire community the gift of time. We will have time to see how COVID 19 is spreading in states that have earlier returns than Massachusetts. b. Why not start with hybrid like other towns? We are committed to providing the best educational programming to our students. At this time, the fully remote program represents a superior educational program for our student. This program provides 4 full days of synchronous education. The hybrid model as it currently designed provides only 2 %. This is not the remote learning program that we all experienced this spring. This is a fully developed program with a focus on student / teacher interaction. I understand the concern in the community around remote education. The spring was not even remotely sufficient to educate our students. 2. 1 was also not comfortable with the Virtual Learning plan for families and students that are not prepared to physically return to the classroom. The current plan involves the utilization of the state program. There were minimal details provided by the state at the time of our meeting. We must have a solid plan for these students before we return to in person instruction. Page 7 of 8 Approved 09-22-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Our goal is to move forward with hybrid education starting October 12th, but there needs to be 3 things that must be accomplished before this can happen. 1. We need have solid metrics that indicate that it is safe to return to the classroom and we need to meet and maintain those standards. These are standards that must be set by our health and safety leaders (Christine Dooling, Amy Donovan -Palmer). This piece is critical because if the health and safety metrics are not met, than the plan cannot proceed. 2. We need to have a better developed hybrid education model and a curriculum that supports it. How are we supporting our students when we they are not physically in the classroom? 3. We need a clearly defined plan for our students that are not returning to the physical building. This should not be a one size fits all plan. The remote needs of a K student are dramatically different than a 12th A/P student. I would like to recommend that we create a subcommittee that is focused on these 3 items. We need a transition plan with milestones that is focused on these areas. I am addressing my next comments to the administration and our teachers. We are fully supporting this initial remote entrance plan, but my expectations and the expectations of our community are high. The plans that have been developed for remote learning are comprehensive and rigorous. The implementation of these plans must be successful. I recognize this plan does not work for everyone. This plan puts a much greater burden on our parents, but I still stand behind this decision. I have to advocate what is best for our community overall, not what is necessarily the most popular. My son found out last week that he would not be moving into his freshman dorm in a couple of weeks as planned. His university made the painstaking decision to close the dorms to all students except those few with in - person classes. Are we sad and disappointed? Absolutely, but I support it. It did not make the administration particularly popular with the parents (break out the torches and pitchforks), but it was made for a reason. In these trying times, leadership is called upon to make decisions in the best interest in the parties that they serve. It may not make me popular in the community, but it is a decision that I can live with knowing that I am protecting our most valuable commodity; our students. I look to our community to come together to make this work and support our schools with this decision. Page 8 of 8