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Home My WebLink AboutSchool Comm. 04/27/2021approved 06-22-21 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar RECEIVED MINN CI FR;(S OFFICE An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held virtually o1#Nu$[4Pa2,2SpP1212N1. The open meeting session was called to order by Vice Chair Lynn Cavicchi at 5:32 pm. MANSFIELD Members Present: Administration Present: MASS,i't[;I-IIiSFTTC Kiera O'Neil, Chair Teresa Murphy, Superintendent of Schools Lynn Cavicchi, Vice Chair Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Lauren Scher Edward Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Jenn Walsh Members Absent: Linda Fernando ***All votes taken by roll call vote *** Roll Call: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Lauren Scher aye Kiera O'Neil arrived SAO Lynn Cavicchi 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 Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Carries 3 - 0 School Committee returned to Open Session at 6:01 pm Kiera O'Neil arrived during Executive Session Public Hearing on FY22 School Budget: Chair O'Neil asked for a motion to enter the public hearing. Motion to open the Public Hearing on the FY22 School Budget by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote: Lauren Scher aye Kiera O'Neil aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Page 1 of 9 approved 06-22-21 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Superintendent Teresa Murphy and Assistant Superintendent reviewed the slides on the budget highlighting areas that changed since the December School Committee Approval. The new FY22 Budget figure is $54,814,117 which is an increase of 4.07% over FY21. This budget reflects a reduction of $2,593,442 since the original proposal in December 2020. The reduction is supported by reducing COVID related expenses and increased federal financial support. $900,000 of COVID expenses will be covered by ESSER grants. $754,975 of the ESSER funds will be available to be used in FY22 or FY23. Teresa Murphy reviewed the staffing requests: • District wide Instructional Technology coach which will increase our capacity to assist teachers • Robinson Physical therapist .2 which will bring a 4 day per week person to 5 days • Roland Green Psychologist A: This position is currently shared with Robinson Additionally we would like to restore the following positions that had been cut in prior years. We have found that we cannot support student need at the current level of staffing. • MHS Science MHS World Language QMS World Language Finally, we are looking for the following staff to assist with COVID related intervention. These will be funded via federal COVID funds. • J/J Math interventionist • QMS Math interventionist • QMS Reading Specialist • MHS Bridge Program paraprofessional COVID funding will also be used to support: • Special Education compensatory services and additional testing • Summer Achievement academy Moving Expense (items in and out of storage, rearranging of furniture in offices and classrooms) Additional PPE supplies Questions / Answers: Jenn Walsh: None Lynn Cavicchi: Given the staffing to be funded by grants, how do we move forward after FY22? Ed reported that the funds are valid through the end of the 2022-23 school year. We hope to catch up on remediation over the next 2 years. The schools have worked closely with the town leaders who have been very supportive of our schools; we are comfortable that we can maintain staffing levels. Teresa Murphy reported that we consistently review enrollment data to determine impact. It is very difficult this year to project where our enrollment will be in 2 years due the pandemic. However we are projecting out very conservatively. Page 2 of 9 approved 06-22-21 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar How are projections for next year's revolving accounts? CHAMPS and Roland Green have waiting lists. Current requests for Little Hornets remain strong. Facilities are a challenge since we have not been renting space so income is down. We hope to resume rentals next year. Food services are also a challenge. All this year breakfasts and lunch were free. It was just announced that meals will be free again all next year. We are reviewing this impact and alternate delivery methods if we need to continue with individually wrapped items. Lynn noted it would be helpful to add additional information on the 3rd slide highlighting the reasons behind large increases from the previous year. She also requested that we add projected enrollments. Lauren Scher: Are enrollment projections based on this past year or the prior year. Teresa noted that they are based on last year with known returns for the upcoming year. The district isn't comfortable finalizing enrollment projections right now because of the uncertainty and the odd year that we have had. Last year many students left the district for homeschooling, private or online classes. We are starting to see many of these students re -enroll for next year. We also have not heard from DESE what their direction will be on remote learning next year. When will we know the impact of special education costs? Special Education Director Jim Leonard pointed to the fact that there are a lot of unknowns. This past year we had 70 more initial evaluation requests over prior year averages. So far only a small fraction of those requests are being found eligible. Therefore we are currently predicting level staffing. When will we know about outplacements? The special education department works closely with schools to identify potential candidates. Additionally we get new student registrations that may require outplacement. So we have an idea who is on the radar but can't predict all. Keira O'Neil: None The Boor was then opened to the public for questions and comments via Go To Webinar. Seeing no comments, Chair O'Neil asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Motion to close the Public Hearing on the FY22 School Budget by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Public Speak: Public Speak is open for 15 minutes for anyone who has registered via GoToWebinar. This is for items not related to the public hearing. None Page 3 of 9 approved 06-22-21 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Communications: None Administrative Reports: Assistant Superintendent Michael Connolly updated the committee on our back to school efforts. Our health metrics continue to look good. The town has gone from a RED designation to YELLOW. Mr. Connolly expressed his gratitude to all those who helped this transition take place including food services, nurses, lunch and recess monitors, custodians and facilities, office staff, paraprofessionals and teaching staff, the Superintendent and School Committee. Tomorrow, the high school will return to in -person 5 day per week learning. The administrative team put together a fantastic welcome back video. Thank you to the staff and to Mansfield Police for their assistance. As we prepare for the migration,18 in -person students requested information about going 100% remote. However, only 7 made the change. Three students made the switch from remote to in -person. Spring sports have started. At Robinson, everything is going well; everyone is excited to be in the building. Staff indicates that cohorts are blending well in the classroom. Jordan/Jackson has seen positive energy by students and staff. They have had to make some minor tweaks to lunch room and recess procedures but all looks good. The addition of gym space for lunches has been beneficial. As much as possible, J/J is using outdoor space for gym classes. At QMS, it was noted that it is great to have everyone back. Routines are going well. It is a great benefit to our students to use technology to enhance education rather than use technology as the only source of education. The staff is making good use of outdoor space. Chair O'Neil noted that we will not abandon technology. We will start using it as an enhanced tool rather than the sole source of education delivery. Michael Connolly noted, this will bring us back to our original technology goals for the year. We will review each grade level to see what we have learned and what adjustments may need to be made. Vice Chair Cavicchi asked how the students who transitioned from remote to in -person or visa versa are handling the change. We have not had any reports of issues or concerns. Principal Kerri Sankey reported that all students are adapting very well including those that had to change teachers. John Nieratko reported that the staff worked with students leading up to the change to ease any transition concerns. Page 4 of 9 approved 06-22-21 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Chair O'Neil commended the district stating that part of the reason the transition went smoothly was that we had three strong return to school plans back in August. We were able to move from one plan to another because each plan was well thought out. Lauren Scher asked if there were any transportation concerns. Assistant Superintendent noted that so far capacities were o.k. We will monitor the start of school for the high school to see if any issues arise. It was noted that we are ahead of the DESE deadline for a May 17 high school return. Superintendent praised the high school staff for moving forward with plans. Even tonight they are re -arranging desks after the SATs today. Superintendent Murphy addressed changes to the state guidelines on quarantining. Christine Cooling and Amy Donovan -Palmer attended statewide meetings to discuss. A person within 6 feet of someone who is positive is still a close contact. However, how we manage those close contacts changes. Between 0 and 3 feet, a quarantine is required. Between 3 and 6 feet, close contacts are notified and monitored. However no quarantine is needed. This applies to classrooms and buses when masks are in use. The method of notifying parents will also change to a more automated approach. A newsletter will be sent home to parents explaining the new guidance. There has NOT been a high rate of transmission at 3 - 6 feet; we need to do our best to keep students in school. Questions/Comments: Kiera O'Neil agreed that our reality needs to be based on our past quarantines and low exposure rates. Lauren Scher appreciates the need for the automated call but worries about the anxiety it may cause parents. She asked that we be sensitive to the wording used. Teresa noted that we are using DESE sample language. Christine indicated we also follow up with individualized emails with contact information. Parents can reach out at any time. Lauren Scher asked if students should report when they are vaccinated. Christine indicated that yes, we will provide instructions on that. Lynn Cavicchi asked if there were any changes to spring sports. Not yet; we are still waiting for DESE guidance. High School Representative Report: Unable to attend. Approval of Warrant: Page 5 of 9 approved 06-22-21 General Fund CARES Medicare Capital Revolving Food Service Gifts Student A t"t Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Goods & Salary & Services Wages 21035S 2021-18 3-2-21 3-5-21 540, 556.89 1, 568, 943.42 834.78 14,163.80 2,323.69 34,210.89 13,816.81 Goods & Services 21037S 3-16-21 411, 814.34 51, 532.46 884.58 19,995.47 1,608.72 Salary & Wages 2021-20 3-19-21 1,597,362.84 2,323.69 44, 521.28 20,489.53 c ivi y Grants 10,423.85 54,202.11 40,250.03 38,824.61 Prior Year 155.00 - 579.07 - 666,134.32 1,673,496.92 526,664.67 1,703,521.95 Motion to approve the Warrant Memo dated 04-05-21 by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Approval of Minutes: Goods & Services 21040S 3-30-21 503,661.93 14, 981.77 5,139.73 25,749.87 3,604.08 553,137.38 Date 1st 2nd Discuss Vote Roll call Order Y N Open Meeting 04-06-21 JW LS N 4-0 Lauren S. Kiera 0. Jenn W. Lynn C. Open Meeting 04-13-21 JW LS N 4-0 Lauren S. Kiera 0. Jenn W. Lynn C. Executive Session Minutes Postponed Page 6 of 9 approved 06-22-21 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar New Business: Consideration of Revised FY22 Budget: Vote based on presentation during Public Hearing. Motion to approve the revised FY22 Budget of $54,814,117 by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Consideration ofBuildings and Grounds MOIJ: This MOU was created with the return of students in the building. It had previously been negotiated with our attorney, MEA and the bargaining unit. Motion to approve the Buildings and Grounds MOU for returning to school in person 5 days per week by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote: Lauren Scher aye Kiera O'Neil aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Consideration Of Policy: Code Title Notes Action Motion Motion Disc Vote Order 1 2 Y N General Review or Minor AA School District Legal Review 1W LS N 4-0 Lauren S. Status Kiera 0. Jenn W. Lynn C. AB The People and their Review School District AE Commitment to Minor Accomplishment Change EBCFA Face Covering Review iW LS N 4-0 Lynn C. Jenn W. Kiera 0. Page 7 of 9 approved 06-22-21 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Lauren S. IC/ICA School Year/ School Minor JW LS N 4-0 Lauren S. Calendar Change Kiera 0. Jenn W. Lynn C. IE Organization of MASC New JW LS Y- 1 4-0 Lynn C. Instruction Jenn W. Kiera 0. Lauren S. JIC Student Discipline Revise per Revise JW LS N 4-0 Lauren S. Felicia V. Kiera 0. Jenn W. Lynn C. KI Visitors to Schools Visitor Revise POSTPONED mgmt system change Transportation EEA Student Review JW LS Y - 2 4-0 Lauren S. Transportation only; no Kiera o. Services change Jenn W, Lynn C. EEAA Pupil Transportation Title Services change? Significant changes EEAEA Bus Driver Minor JW LS N 4-0 LynnC. Examination/Training changes Jenn W. Kiera 0. Lauren S. EEAEA-1 Drug & Alcohol Review; no Testing for Bus and change Van drivers EEAEC/JJIC Student Conduct on Review; no JW LS Y-3 4-0 Lauren S. Bus change Kiera 0. Jenn W. Lynn C. EEAED Bus Conduct Delete / Management combine with EEAEC Non Discrim GBA Equal Employment Change for Revise JW LS 4 - 0 Lauren S. Opportunity updated Kiera 0. non -disc Jenn W. clause Lynn C. GCF Professional Staff change for Revise Hiring updated non -disc clause Page 8 of 9 approved 06-22-21 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar JB Equal Education Change for Revise Opportunities updated non -disc clause JFBB School Choice Change for Revise updated non -disc clause Discussion Items: 1: Should Extended year IEPs (grades 12+) be mentioned? After discussion everyone agreed that this would not be needed. 2: Modify language for within 2 miles since it is not clear. Will make change. Approved with noted modification. 3: Lauren noted that there seemed to be some redundancy in language. However, the committee moved forward with approval. School Committee Business: End of Year Evaluations of Teresa Murphy are due to Kiera as soon as possible. Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting• Documents Referenced: MPS FY22 Budget Presentation Local Health Metrics Policy summary Motion to adjourn: At 8:13 p.m., Motion to adjourn the open meeting by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 9 of 9