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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 02/15/2022Approved 03-08--22 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 15, 2022 RECEIVED In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoTntN0biO4r(-t` K5 OFFICE M2 MuT 23 A 8: 35 An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtually on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. The open meeting session was called to order by Ch4jljtje I at 6:02p.m. Y'(V�� ,J�.� 0-arc Members Present: Administration Present: Kiera O'Neil,Chair Teresa Murphy, Superintendent of Schools Lynn Cavicchi, Vice Chair Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Lauren Scher Ed 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 -- arrived at 6:04 pm Kiera O'Neil aye Lauren Scher aye (attended remotely) Motion to Enter Executive Session: 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. At 6:03 p.m., Motion to leave the open meeting; enter into executive session and return to open meeting by Lynn Cavicchi / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Lauren Scher aye Kiera O'Neil aye Motion Carries 3 - 0 Return to Open Meeting at 6:33 p.m. Administrative Reports: Superintendent Teresa Murphy provided information on the Listening Session she held last week regarding COVID protocols. Masks were the primary topic of the evening, with parents from both viewpoints offering their opinions. It was a good opportunity for Teresa to hear from the community. Those that could not attend sent her and the committee emails with their thoughts. February is Black History month and each of our schools are taking the opportunity to reflect, honor and celebrate. Page 1 of 7 Approved 03-08-22 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 15, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Today is National School Resource Officer Day. Teresa gave a shout out to Ken Wright (in the audience) and Derek McCune who work with us on a daily basis. A round of appreciative applause was given for their efforts. Last week was School Counselor week. We are very appreciative of our adjustment counselors, psychologists, guidance counselors and social workers who provide tremendous support to our students. Finally, a shout out to Lee Tighe and her class. Recently they dissected owl pellets as part of their science program. DESE saw our photographs and included them in their social media pages. It was nice to see our students recognized for their work and to see us getting back to pre-COVID hands-on activities. New Busin Consideration of Policy EBCFA Face Coverings: Superintendent Teresa Murphy and Director of Health Services Christine Dooling presented updated information on COVID, vaccinations and masking in our schools. Effective 2/28/22 DESE is lifting the statewide mask mandate based on information regarding high vaccination rates and widespread availability of testing for students and staff. It should be noted that per Federal Order, masks are still required on school buses. Health personnel will continue to wear masks and have masks available to students when symptoms warrant. MIAA has also joined DESE and will drop the mask mandate on 2/28/22. Of course, any individual who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so. The district will fully support those choices. DESE recommendations recommend the following: • Mask wearing for 5 days after any isolation/quarantine period. • Individuals who experience COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and test. • Unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks in school settings. Ms. Dooling reviewed student vaccination rates and current COVID cases. Both Lauren Scher and Lynn Cavicchi noted they had hoped that DESE would delay the removal of masking until a week after February vacation. Christine noted that she is less concerned with Feb vacation return than she was in December. Numbers are trending in the right direction and there are fewer large family gatherings. She is comfortable in this decision but recognizes there will be anxiety with some and we are here to help as needed. Lauren noted that masking is just one tool in our toolkit and we need to continue to be diligent in other tools when warranted. She asked that the district beef up our messaging. Lynn noted that messaging is important. Everyone needs to show empathy and respect to others. The ultimate goal is to keep schools open. Chair Kiera O'Neil noted that we have talked about reaching this point for a long time. We thought it would be in September but surges prevented us from stopping masks. This brings us one step closer to where we would like to be. Page 2 of 7 Approved 03-08-22 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 15, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Motion to rescind Policy EBCFA Face Coverings and align with DESE guidelines by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call: Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Lauren Scher aye Jenn Walsh aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Consideration of Field Trips:Dance & Choir to Providence Brains Note that this is for MHS students only (QMS students were originally planning to participate but that has been taken off the table.) MHS teacher Laura Brophy discussed the opportunity, COVID safety protocols and costs. There is no vaccination requirement by the venue. The event coordinator will work with us to reschedule if the need arises. The group will be singing from their assigned seats as no one is currently allowed on the ice. The students are very excited to get back to performing off site. Motion to approve the MHS Dance/Choir field trip to Providence Bruins on 4/4/22 by Jenn Walsh/Lauren Scher Roll Call: Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Lauren Scher aye Jenn Walsh aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Consideration of QMS Program of Studies 2022-2023 Principal David McGovern presented the proposed changes for next year. Changes made to description of Literacy 8; General Music 8/Chorus 8; Science 8 (due to final year of new curriculum change). Changes to math placement process changed to allow more flexibility for student progression. Minor changes made to ensembles, the addition of the STAR reading assessment for grade 7. QMS is also ending the practice of listing ELA reading material in the program of studies as they can change. All reading selections are provided to families at the beginning of the year. Lynn Cavicchi appreciated the work done to broaden the math access pathways. It is something the committee has wanted for a long time. She asked how students are faring in MHS foreign language due the drop in the program last year due to COVID. Mr. McGovern noted that Department Chair Carolina DiBiassi has worked extremely hard with teachers to help students move ahead. It is going to be a 2 year process but the district feels confident on where students will be by graduation. Lauren Scher asked that we assess the new literacy program at the end of the year. She also is very appreciative of our work on the math pathways. Are we supporting our economically challenged Page 3 of 7 App wed 03-08-22 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 15, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar students? Dave and his administrative team are working hard on these supports including some possible scheduling changes to allow for more in -school homework support time. Motion to approve the 2022-2023 QMS Program of Studies by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call: Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Lauren Scher aye Jenn Walsh aye Motion Carries 4. 0 Consideration of new MHS Student Activity Account Motion to Rename the Concert Choir/Drama student activity account to Drama and create a new account named Choir. Then to move $495.90 from the existing account to the choir account. By Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call: Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Lauren Scher aye Jenn Walsh aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Consideration of Statement of Interest for QMS Boilers Motion by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher: Resolved: Having convened in an open meeting on February 15, 2022, the School Committee of the Town of Mansfield, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated February 10, 2022, for the Qualters Middle School located at 240 East Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future. Submitted Statement of Interest— Priority 5- the Qualters Middle School was constructed in 1953, the building boilers are over 30 years old & in poor condition, they do not operate effectively & efficiently. This situation and the environment it creates presents many challenges in delivering the best education possible for the students of Mansfield; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the Town to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Assistant Superintendent Ed Donoghue reviewed the SOI and the overall project plan. Ed Donoghue noted that there have been some delays with our supply chain so we are not yet sure when the MHS boilers will be replaced. Lauren asked if it might be possible for both to occur at the same time. Ed thought that it would not happen at the same time. Roll Call: Page 4 of 7 Approved 03-08-22 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 15, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Lauren Scher aye Jenn Walsh aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Consideration of Town Meeting WarrantArticle Placeholders: Motion to move the noted articles forward to the Town of Mansfield for inclusion in the Town Warrant by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher The warrants will be reviewed and the articles prepared by the town in March. In late April, the committee will vote their support for the final articles. Roll Call: Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Lauren Scher aye Jenn Walsh aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Consideration of School Choiee for 2022-23 Superintendent Murphy presented some final information on school choice. A previous presentation was given by Dr. Rayna Freedman in December. Teresa provided a refresher on what school choice is in MA. She spoke of our declining enrollment and difficulty in fielding some of our athletic teams. Those districts who accept school choice students receive $5000 per student in state funding which is paid by the sending district. In Mansfield we currently pay out for 17 students who attend other districts. Teresa and Ed recognize that $5000 is a very low amount and districts have been hoping that the state will raise this amount as it has stood for a very long time. Districts identify the grades and spots available. This information is provided to the state and then advertised. We hope by bringing in high school students we can continue to offer the programming that the community has enjoyed over the years. Next year we will expand to other grades. Motion to participate in School Choice starting in September of 2022 with 50 openings in grade 09 and 50 openings in grade 10 by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Discussion: Lynn Cavicchi noted that it allows us to sustain freshman programming. For example we are losing our ability to have a freshman football team due to enrollment declines. Although is is possible for school choice students to take resident spots on teams, ultimately if we have to cut teams without school choice, even fewer residents can participate. She asked Teresa to clarify special education costs. Teresa noted that special education costs are covered by the sending district. Ultimately the sending district can still make decisions on special education. Lauren Scher asked if the staff at central office and the high school have the capacity to take this on. Teresa assured the committee that we are committed to supporting this effort. Page 5 of 7 Approved 03-08-22 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 15, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Kiera O'Neil noted that administration needs to be ready to answer difficult questions if they arise from resident families. There could be conflicts that we need to prepare for. One example is if a school choice student is a better candidate for an athletic position. We need to educate the community that once enrolled school choice students are part of our Mansfield School Community. We will not identify a student as a choice student. Roll Call Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Lauren Scher aye Jenn Walsh aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 First Reading of 2022-23 School Calendar Assistant Superintendent Michael Connolly reviewed the proposed calendar. Highlights are: • Staff start on 9-1-22 (prior to Labor Day) • G1 - 12 Students start on Tuesday 9/6; Kindergarten on Thursday 9/8 and Preschool on Monday 9/12. • Curriculum nights built around available days in September and October. • Professional development days added after consideration for holidays and conferences. • Proposed end date is Friday June 16 pending weather cancellations The Committee was happy with the calendar and will vote on March 801. Public Speak: None (several people signed up but left the meeting at the end of the mask discussion.) Communications: Several letters were received regarding masks. All were reviewed by School Committee and Superintendent Teresa Murphy. School Committee Business: The committee discussed May and June meeting dates. May 03 and May 315t are set for May. A brief reorganization meeting will be scheduled an hour prior to town meeting on May 17th. June meetings are set for June 07, 14 and 21st. The 21st may be a workshop with Dorothy Presser. Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting_ Documents Referenced: Masking Presentation QMS Program of Studies MHS Student Activity Account request QMS Boiler Statement of interest Articles for Town Meeting School Choice Presentation 2022-23 School calendar Motion to adiourn: Page 6 of 7 Approved 03-08-22 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 15, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar At 8:36 p.m., Motion to adjourn by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call: Kiera O'Neil aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Lauren Scher aye Jenn Walsh aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 7 of 7