HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 03/02/2021 (2)Approved 03-16-21
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Executive Session Minutes for Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Remote via ZOOM
The open meeting session was opened and called to order by Kiera O'Neil at 5:35 p.m.
Members Present: Administration Present:
Kiera O'Neil, Chair Teresa Murphy, Superintendent of Schools
Lynn Cavicchi, Vice Chair Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Linda Fernando Edward Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Tenn Walsh
Lauren Scher
Members Absent: None
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.
Superintendent reviewed the status of impact bargaining related to our kindergarten students
returning to school 5 days per week.
The actual return of students to school on both Monday and Tuesday went really well. We will
see if any issues arise tomorrow which is the first Wednesday that students are in the
buildings.
On February 17, 2021 The MEA sent a letter to administration and school committee
demanding that we impact bargain over the Robinson return to school plan for full time 5 day
per week kindergarten. As part of that impact bargaining, the district has offered to add a 1/2
day of staff time on Wednesday March 24th.
Union leadership then sent a letter to Superintendent Murphy indicating their disappointment
in the plan and have asked school committee to 1) demand staff to return all 5 days or 2)
apologize to parents and change the schedule to 41/2 days per week. Superintendent Murphy
responded by indicating we are moving with a 5 day per week plan. In response, the union
sent a statement to the newspaper.
The next negotiations will be held tomorrow afternoon. It was noted that local districts have
varying plans: Walpole - in on Wednesdays; Stoughton - 1/2 students in the building on
alternate Wednesdays; Norton will be starting 5 days per week; North Attleboro will start 4
days soon.
DESE announced plans to return elementary students back to school for grades K - 5 in April.
We are awaiting further direction and will see how this impacts our own back to school plans.
The committee discussed Covid Pool Testing. Our Fire Chief and Head School Nurse are not in
support of the program due to the cost, staffing needs and anticipated low volume of parent
Executive Session
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Approved 03-16-21
interest. Our schools do not have high rates of exposure so there is little benefit to us. Will
continue to discuss.
Kiera O'Neil called for a motion to leave executive session to return to open meeting.
Motion to adjourn at 6:03 p.m. by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher
Roll Call Vote:
Lynn Cavicchi
Yes
jean Walsh
Yes
Kiera O'Neil
Yes
Linda Fernando
Yes
Lauren Scher
Yes
Motion Carries 5 - 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Nugent
Administrative Assistant
Superintendent & School Committee
Executive Session