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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 11/10/202061 approved 11-17 20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 10, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held virtually on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Kiera O'Neil at 5:33 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) Lauren Scher Members Absent: Jenn Walsh All votes taken by roll call vote ** Roll Call Vote: Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi ayes Linda Fernando aye i Lauren Scher aye n� 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 aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Return to Open Meeting at 6:00 pm. Public Spealc: Public Speak is open for 15 minutes for anyone who has registered via GoToWebinar. NONE Communications: Chair O'Neil noted that the committee had received an email asking the committee to respond to Governor Baker's return to school request. Kiera will respond to the parent. Administrative Reports: Superintendent Teresa Murphy commented on Governor Baker's Press Conference by first reading a statement released by the Mass Association of School Superintendents. In Page 1 of 7 approved 11-17-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 10, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar summary, districts are strong advocates of in -person learning but seek out advice from Governor Balser in 3 key areas: 1. We would like to see convincing evidence that less than 6' feet of distance is safe. 2. School Bus transportation must allow for significantly larger student capacity. Currently busing is limited in cost and availability. 3. We need help with collective bargaining since there is no way to make changes based on already agreed upon MOUS. Superintendent Murphy reiterated that her ultimate goal is definitely to get students in the building but there must be a plan to consider safety protocols and dialogs with unions to determine best practices. Assistant Superintendent Connolly reviewed three key points. First, the district is in the process of building perception surveys which will go to students and families. Mr. Connolly has sought input from other districts that have completed such surveys. Second, parent/teacher conferences will be virtual for this fall and winter. The district is piloting a Google Add on which allows staff to send out appointment slots and automatic meet links. We are excited about this software but note that it is a pilot and we need to measure its success. Finally, MCAS testing is still going forward. The class of 2022 (Juniors) are required to pass MCAS in order to graduate. (This is clarification on prior DESE guidance.) Next week the high school will present a plan on administering the MCAS. High School Representative Report was given by our new member -at -large, Ethan Bruce. He was introduced to the committee and provided the following update: • Athletics are going well. The Golf Team won their division. • Best Buddies won a chapter award. • National Honor Society applications are underway. • Students are doing a great job rolling with the changes in learning including the most recent shift to all remote learning for the current week. One highlight of remote learning is the Directed Study Block, where students have the opportunity for one-on-one time with a teacher. • Seniors are in the middle of college applications. • Lunches have had mixed reviews. Students really enjoy the option of going outside for lunch. In the cafeteria, the rows of desks facing one way are difficult. Students have asked if there is any way to move the desks so that there can be some socially distanced contact with others. • Many students are concerned with the quarantine policy. Specifically those students who work hard to stay safe but then must quarantine just because they sat next to someone who tested positive. Even though students are doing all the right things they still may be forced to stay at home. Can the School Committee do a better job at communicating to families the importance of following guidelines? Kiera O'Neil recognized his concerns but also cautioned that we do not want to create a "Scarlet Letter" type of environment where students/staff are "blamed" for having COVID. From what we have seen so far, the positive cases are not due to irresponsible behaviors. She understands his frustration; and yes, we do need people to be careful. Lauren Scher Page 2 of 7 approved 11-17-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 10, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar encouraged Ethan to discuss this with other student leaders. Engage other students and get the message out. Students sometimes listen to their peers more than to adults. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve Open Meeting Minutes dated 07-07-20 by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher. Roll Call Vote: Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes: 4 - 0 Motion to approve Open Meeting Minutes dated 07-21-20 by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher. Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Passes: 4-0 Motion to approve Open Meeting Minutes dated 07-28-20 by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher. Roll Call Vote: Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes: 4-0 Motion to approve Open Meeting Minutes dated 10-27-20 by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher. Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Passes: 4-0 Motion to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 07-07-20 by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher. Roll Call Vote: Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes: 4-0 Motion to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 07-21-20 by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher. Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Page 3 of 7 approved 11-17-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 10, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Passes: 4-0 Motion to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 07-28-20 by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote: Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes: 4 - 0 Old Business: Committee Updates: Audit: Upcoming meeting to review audits. CIP: No update Budget: Met on Thursday 11-5-20 and reviewed policy, FY21 COVID expenses, student activities, and the budget calendar. Facilities: Met on Thursday 11-5-20 and reviewed the additional cleaning that occurs on Wednesdays, the extensive use of MHS cafeteria for classes and lunch, the usage of wipes which is high, new custodial hires and policies. Next meeting is scheduled for 12-10-20. Folic : A few policies will be brought tonight. Next policy meeting is next Thursday. Returning and Learning: A meeting was held this morning where they discussed the status of hybrid learning. A key concern is the lack of available subs. The High School easily pivoted to remote learning this week which was a good test for the district in the event we need to change quickly. They also discussed potential changes at Robinson, the importance of open communication and surveys as well as the social/emotional impact on our students. The subcommittee will meet monthly going forward. New Business: Technology and Digital Learning Update: Technology Director Lori Letendre provided an update for the committee. She is very happy on our current status. Google confirmed some issues on their end and upgrades were made. The district completed a rebuild of our firewall. Between the two changes, we have seen great improvement in the ability to access Google Meets and Tools. During the month of October, the help desk received 1020 tickets. The average initial response time was 5 minutes while the average completion of service time was 8 hours. Typically the help desk receives 63 tickets per day from families, staff and students. The Hot Spot program is going well; we are meeting the needs of our students. Typically we receive requests from administrators, counselors or nurses. The Technology Department is currently focusing efforts on cyber security. Five schools in MA were recently hit with ransom ware and had to shutdown all systems for days. DESE has recently created a cyber security taskforce. Within the district, we are providing training and improving our system protections. Page 4 of 7 approved 11-17-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 10, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Digital Technology Director Julia Greenstine announced that the following teachers have been named as Building Tech Assistants: Caitlyn Pawlowski (RG), Paula Boylan (Rob), Marie DeGirolamo (J/J), Eric Schultz and Rachel Powers (QMS), and Julie Jarvis (MHS). These individuals will be extremely helpful in getting information and assistance out to staff. Julia sent out a survey to staff to seek out information on professional development. Most prefer small group and individual coaching to large groups. Based on the information, the team has switched gears toward more small group learning. Large group classes will still be provided but are optional. January professional development plans have been completed. Weekly Google sessions are available to staff as well as a regular newsletter. Consideration of Attendance Policy Changes for COVID Handbook Addendum: This has been brought forward after changes proposed by the School Committee at the last meeting. Mary Watkins and Dave McGovern worked closely with Teresa to revise. The key change is that a new attendance code has been created for those times that a student should be in person but for a variety of reasons attends virtually instead: "In Person Absent / Virtual Present." An email will go out to parents that the child was supposed to be in school but dialed in remotely. The students who choose not to attend either in person or remote will be marked absent. It should also be noted that families cannot choose to travel out of state and have students log in remotely. The intent of the remote flexibility is to accommodate illness and quarantine. The plan was reviewed and edited during the meeting. It was agreed that the revised changes were clear and fair. It was also noted that the high school was going to excuse all absences as related to credit reduction during the first quarter based on the uncertain climate, anxiety and parent concerns. Motion to approve the attendance changes to the COVID addendum by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher. Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Passes: 4-0 Consideration of College list for student teaching opportunities: Mansfield regularly accepts requests from college students to do their observation and student teaching hours in Mansfield. School Committee will now approve the list of colleges with whom we will work. The list was brought forward tonight for approval. Motion to the list of Colleges and Universities for student observation and teaching by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher. Roll Call Vote: Lauren Scher aye Linda Fernando aye Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes: 4 - 0 Consideration Superintendent Goals for 2020-2021: Page 5 of 7 approved 11-17-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 10, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar 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 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 Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes: 4 - 0 Consideration ofPolicv., Code Title Notes Action Motion Motion Disc Vote Order 1 2 Y N JA STUDENT POLICY GOALS Delete Review LF LS N 4-0 Lynn C. Kiera 0. Linda F. Lauren S. JA-E STUDENT POLICY PROCUDRES Delete Review JLC Health services Revise Review LF LS N 4-0 Lauren S. Linda F. Kiera 0. Lynn C. JLCD ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO Minor Review STUDENTS Revise JLCD-R ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO Minor Review STUDENTS Revise New School Committee Business: Next meeting will be a discussion on School Committee Goals and Student Activity Accounts. Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: M.A.S.S. statement on returning to school Student Attendance COVID addendum List of Colleges and Universities allowed for student observation and teaching Page 6 of 7 approved I1-17-20 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 10, 2020 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Motion to adjourn: At 8:25 p.m., Motion to adjourn the open meeting by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher Roll Call vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Kiera O'Neil aye Linda Fernando aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee Page 7 of 7