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Home My WebLink AboutSchool Comm. 11/17/2020Approved 12-08-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar %,,)- F(CE An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held virtually on Tuesday, Noyerppler �7, n i 2020. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Kiera O'Neil at 6:02 p'rh. Members Present: Administration Present: Kiera O'Neil Teresa Murphy, Superintendent of Schools Lynn Cavicchi Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Lauren Scher Edward Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Jenn Walsh Linda Fernando (arrived 6:35 purl Members Absent: ***All votes taken by roll call vote *** Roll Call Vote: Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Lauren Scher aye Chair Kiera O'Neil opened the meeting with a brief statement regarding a situation last week: This is in regards to the hateful words spoken by an individual who accessed three MHS virtual classrooms without permission. The School Committee denounces those actions and the racist and offensive language that was used by the individual. Those actions and language have no place in the Mansfield Public Schools and we regret the upset and the hurt this incident has caused our students, our staff and our community at large. While we cannot speak to the specifics of the investigation, harassment of all forms is in violation of our school conduct code and district policy. Discipline and due process procedures for students and employees are followed as outlined in student handbooks, collective bargaining agreements and district policy. Such alleged conduct may constitute not only violation of student conduct and district policies but also criminal activity and will be referred to law enforcement and other agencies as appropriate under district policy. We thank our district, school administrators, Mansfield High School teachers Student Resource Officers, the Mansfield Police Department and the Bristol County DA's Office for their quick response in investigating this incident and their commitment to providing a safe learning environmentfor all our students. Public Speak: Public Speak is open for 15 minutes for anyone who has registered via GoToWebinar. Todd Borland, 579 Ware Street: Mr. Borland is concerned that we are doing our kids a disservice by limiting school access. Kids are not transmitters of the virus and they are making so many sacrifices. Childcare options are difficult. The district should prioritize getting our children back to school. Communications: Page 1 of 7 Approved 12-08-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar The committee received a couple of emails regarding the reopening of schools and one regarding the way in which MHS handled the person who accessed the Google Classroom. Administrative Reports: Superintendent Teresa Murphy recognized the frustration over the instability of the internet today. This is the first major issue we have had but we are not sure where the problem initiates. Our tech team is working on a swift resolution. Teachers have the option of working from home on Wednesday to better access Google. She also informed the committee of her ongoing playground efforts and will provide the committee with conceptual designs soon. Assistant Superintendent Ed Donoghue provided an update on the security entryways. The district is moving forward meeting with architects and developers. The goal is to complete this effort at one school during April vacation and then complete the renovations at the remaining schools over the summer of 2021. Approval of Warrant: Goods & Salary & Wages Services Salary & Wages Goods & Services Salary & Wages 2021-7 21015S 2021-8 21017S 2021-9 10-2-2020 10-13-2020 10-16-2020 10-27-2020 10-30-2020 General Fund 1,527,757.17 169,423.67 1,501,473.99 431,665.65 1,533,408.41 CARES 1,692.96 51,996.60 544.87 21,296.42 - Medicare 2,323.69 - 2,323.69 - 3,548.69 Capital - 20,374,96 - 39,715.90 - Revolving 67,479.52 7,787.08 71,012.32 12,225.49 75,779.45 Food Service 14,491.25 9,623.76 17,699.64 838.33 22.386.79 Gifts - 666.78 - 125.90 - Student Activity - - - - - Grants 73,476.85 34,422A0 78,979.39 15,282.52 84.484.52 Prior Year - 50,998.24 - 6,561.75 - $ 1,687,221.44 $ 346,293.19 $ 1,672,033.90 $ 627,711.96 $ 1,719,607.86 Motion to approve Warrant Memo dated 11-12-20 by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher. Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Passes: 4 - 0 Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve Open Meeting Minutes dated 11-10-20 by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher. Page 2 of 7 Approved 12-08-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar When are the make-up dates? All tests must be completed by the end of the DESE window. We are front loading our exams to leave room at the end for makeup days. Anyone who misses the exam completely or fails will have an opportunity in May to take MCAS. Do all Juniors take both sessions of math? Yes, and all three days of English How many teachers are needed? Normally we use approximately 25 staff members. This year we anticipate at least 15 additional staff members. Does the staff feel that they can prep the students in time? Both department chairs were comfortable. Some of the prep started last year and there is time to reinforce ideas between now and January. There is also a second chance for students in May. What is the plan for communicating to parents? First thing tomorrow, letters will be sent home with information. There will be additional communication via newsletters. Can we avoid the use of the word optional? Yes, we will make it clear that the tests are required. Are there any seniors in danger of not graduating because they failed MCAS? Yes, there are a couple of seniors in this situation. However, DESE has allowed a waiver for these students to prove their progress through classwork. Our guidance department has been working with these students and will send these waiver applications to DESE now. Use of Snow days during the 2020-2021 School Year: DESE is allowing districts to use remote days in place of snow days for this school year. Superintendent Murphy considered this option; spoke with staff and families. She took into consideration power outages, the value of in person learning, the staffs ability to switch gears to a remote learning day and the special value of snow days for our students. Snow days are good for our kids. For now, snow days will be true at home days with no learning. She will revisit as needed. Chair O'Neil asked that schools put this information in newsletters. Student Activities External Audit Results: Assistant Superintendent Donoghue provided a high level summary of the audit. As a result we have an updated procedural manual; monthly reconciliation of bank statements, and will setup internal audits on the years when there is not an external audit. Consideration of Student Activities Audit Guidelines: Ed Donoghue discussed a new internal audit review form. The committee had a few suggestions and asked that the form get added to the procedural manual for approval. Vote on the form not required. Consideration ofIfF Student Activities Policy: Lynn Cavicchi reviewed the modifications to the policy. Motion to approve the changes to JJF by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh. Page 4 of 7 Approved 12-08-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Passes: 5-0 Consideration Student Activitv Accounts bvSchool. Max Checking Acct Balance 1st 2nd Discuss Y N Vote Order - one vote for all schools - LF JW N 5-0 Lauren Scher aye MHS $75,000 Linda Fernando aye QMS $32,000 Kiera O'Neil aye JJ $20,000 Jenn Walsh aye Rob $17,000 Lynn Cavicchi aye RG $10,000 Deletion / disbursement of 1st 2nd Discuss Vote Order Accounts* Y N - one vote per deletion - MHS Class of 2018 LF JW N 4-0-1 Lynn Cavicchi abstain ($2,637.41) Lynn's Jean Walsh aye Money to go to other classes DaughterKiera O'Neil aye activity funds. is a class officer Linda Fernando aye y Lauren Scher aye MHS Class of 2019 ($0) * LF JW N 5-0 Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Jenn Walsh aye L no Cavicchi aye MHS Health Dept ($46) * LF JW N 5-0 Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Jean Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye MHS The Scoop ($166) * LF JW N 5-0 Lynn Cavicchi aye Jean Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye * Money to be disbursed to the student activity startup fund. Page 5 of 7 Approved 12-08-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar New Accounts 1st 2nd Discuss Y N Vote Order - one vote per new account - MHS All Night Party 2023 LF JW N 5-0 Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Jenn Walsh aye L nn Cavicchi a e Stipends Paid from S.A. 1st 2nd Discuss Vote Order Y N - one vote per stipend - MHS PSAT - based on hours and LF JW N 5-0 Lynn Cavicchi aye students Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye JJ Sth grade musical ($2,550) LF JW N 5-0 Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Jenn Walsh aye L nn Cavicchi a e Current Student Activity 1st 2nd Discuss Vote Order Account List Y/N - one vote for all schools - LF JW N 5 - 0 Lynn Cavicchi aye See attached list Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye DISCUSSIONS NOTED BELOW. None Consideration Superintendent Goals for 2020-2021. Motion to approve Superintendent Teresa Murphy's goals for 2020-21 by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher Discussion: Lynn Cavicchi asked if Teresa would clarify the expected outcome of the student learning goal. Will Teresa seek feedback from staff and then what will Teresa do with the information? Can the Committee get a summary of the results or a plan of next steps? Superintendent Murphy was comfortable with these questions and would provide this information as part of the feedback and Page 6 of 7 Approved 12-08-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar next steps. Linda Fernando emphasized the importance of these goals being a first step. Ultimately, the district needs to have an equity plan in place to ensure that we will continue to move forward in the right direction. Roll Call Vote: Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes: 5 - 0 New School Committee Business: School Committee Goals were discussed by the committee. The goals are intended to guide how the committee operates; the responsibilities of the committee including policy, budget, hiring and evaluating.the superintendent and collective bargaining. Vice Chair Cavicchi created a draft proposal. The committee discussed options. It was noted that the goals are important as these goals then trickle down to the district. Therefore it is important to consider equity and diversity along with leadership and financial implications. Chair O'Neil asked the committee to email suggestions and then a vote will occur on 12-08-20. It was also noted that District Goals will be done in the spring of 2021 for implementation starting in September of 2021. Goals are set for 3 years. Other- Items not anticinated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meetine: None Documents Referenced: Administering MCAS at MHS Presentation Student Activity Accounts External Audit Student Activity Accounts 2020-2021 List Motion to adjourn: At 7:59 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 7 of 7