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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 04/11/2023Approved 04-25-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 11, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Motion to close the Public Hearing by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Motion Carries S - 0 Public Speak: None Communications: Letter from a group of citizens who have concerns and questions regarding the town budget. Items pertaining to the schools were addressed during the public hearing. Letter from a parent expressing extreme disappointment that the senior parade will no longer be held. This is a high school administration decision and will be directed to the staff at MHS. Superintendent Murphy noted that Principal Russ Booth is already scheduled to call the parent. Letter from a parent expressing concern about student behavior (received just prior to the start of the meeting.) She felt that it has become extremely poor and concerning. A group of parent volunteers would like to work with administration. This is not under School Committee purview; Kiera has asked that Teresa or Mike reach out to the parent. Administrative Reports: Teresa Murphy: This morning Teresa attended the MHS model senate program, now in its 54th year. Towns participating with Mansfield included Foxboro, Oliver Ames (Easton), and Attleboro. It was very refreshing to see these students who were well dressed; well spoken and enthusiastic about the senate process. The group broke up into sub committees to propose, document and present bill. Tomorrow these bills will be brought to the main "senate committee" to see which "bills" can be passed. Thank you to Ben Caisse who runs the model senate in Mansfield. Teresa took this time to discuss her decision to close school this past Friday due to low attendance. It was NOT what Teresa wanted to do. She monitored planned staff absences daily and by late Tuesday, the number of staff requesting time off was too much for the district to handle. In the past our office assistants and administrators worked extremely hard in the weeks leading up to this Friday in order to provide the best coverage possible. Those staff members who are in the building on this Friday work hard to cover for others. Unfortunately, this year we have had a lot of difficulty finding subs on ANY day. The number of staff expected to be out had grown beyond any prior school year (110 unfilled positions by Tuesday night) Teresa did emphasize that it is the employees' right to take the day off as a religious holiday due to Good Friday. Teresa understands the challenges of child care as well as the feelings and emotions regarding a religious holiday. This was not a religious decision. It was a deemed a day of low attendance (staff and projected for students.) Safety is her first priority. A few weeks ago, we had a hoax active shooter all. It would be unacceptable to our staff and students to try to manage an emergency of kind with an extremely low number of staff on campus. Teresa did receive several emails regarding her decision which were mixed with frustration and appreciation. Teresa would like the committee to reconsider this day going forward. Vivian Webster noted that Teresa did the best she could even though it was an unpopular decision. She suggested that we look at our district policies and contracts to avoid a notice only 48 hours ahead of time. She asked if having a half day would help. Teresa noted that we tried to go this Page 3 of 7 Approved 04-25-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 11, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar route in the past but it was not effective. Kiera noted that Teresa is never afraid of deciding on what is best for our students. In the past the district was able to "hold it together" on Good Friday. Lynn Cavicchi noted that student attendance on this day is always far worse at the high school and improves from QMS through Robinson. Parents typically make sure their younger children attend on this day. Regarding the Educational Space study, Teresa reported good progress at last weeks meeting. Overall, the initial comments from the draft study indicate we have well maintained buildings. Roland Green must be looked at which is no surprise. Teresa had hoped that we could move the preschool to Robinson but the study has proved we cannot do so. The modulars at QMS are in bad shape as we knew. The science labs at the high school need work as we expected but appears to be easier in scope than we thought. We will present a final report to the committee in May or June. Michael Connolly: In May, the district will administer the annual perception survey. We are required to complete this survey as an expectation of DESE, civil rights compliance, various grants and the Student Opportunities Act. Additionally, it provides us with information that is very beneficial to us. Families will be notified the week of May 8ch through school newsletters. Staff will be surveyed in May and June. Grade 6 -12 students will be surveyed in school on May 18th and 19th but are given the opportunity to opt out if they so choose. It has been a few years since we have done this survey. In 2020 and 2021 we were heavily surveying due to COVID. Last year, we administered the equity perception survey. We anticipate that it will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous. Vivian Webster noted that with surveys some students do not feel comfortable choosing a race as they may be a multi race family. Mike noted that we do have the option of multi -race and participants can also "check all that apply." Lauren asked if we question families on their access to district information. Do they feel that they get what they need? Mike had not included this question but is willing to add it. Vivian stated that parents don't always open emails from school because they are too busy so other alternatives are needed. Lauren thought the question could be posed as "Do I know who to reach out to if I need information? What is the best communication method to reach me?" Ed Donoghue: Although CIP has been approved and moved forward to the town, he has been in constant touch with Kevin Dumas and Barry LaCasse to prioritize based on the most recent information on funding. Right now it does not make sense to bring the full playground project forward. However, we will work this summer to remove the oil tank and purchase all of the playground equipment. We will go out to bid and then place the completion of the project on the fall town meeting. The district recommends the following for this spring: keep the special education mini bus, put paving on hold, focus only on the MHS elevator rather than all district elevators, complete an architectural study on the gym floor with plans to move ahead with the full gym project at another time. Lynn asked for this information be put in writing. Kiera and Vivian are not available for Thursday's CIP meeting so jenn and Lauren will go in their place. Page 4 of 7 Approved 04-25-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 11, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Approval o_f Minutes: Date 1st 2nd Discuss Vote Roll Call /comments Y/N Open Meeting 03-28-23 Jenn Lauren None 4-0-1 Lynn was absent and Walsh Scher abstained. Executive Session 03-28-23 Jenn Lauren correct 4-0-1 Lynn abstained Walsh Scher motion which erroneously includes Lynn Tri-Board Meeting 03-29-23 Jenn Lauren None S-0 Walsh Scher Old Business: None New Business: Consideration of QMS Field Trip to Canobie Lake Park: Principal David McGovern presented the details of this trip. He is very happy to see its return after several years without it. This is a big middle school trip which has evolved from a science/physics trip to a social/emotional skill development opportunity. The 7th grade teachers have worked very hard at building the trip as an important skill development. It should be noted that Canobie has since changed the date on us so the new date is June 21st with no rain date. Dave intends to use the gift fund to pay for the bus cost with hopes to bring the total cost down to approximately $30 per student. Scholarship money is also available as needed. It is a big volunteer effort on our staff as they plan for this then stay late on the day of the trip as we do not get back to Mansfield until dinner time. Kiera is very excited to see the return of this trip. Motion to approve the June 21th trip to Salem, NH by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Motion Carries 5-0 Consideration of the revised FY24 School Budget: This vote will reflect the recent changes that were presented and discussed during the public hearing. Motion to approve the revised FY24 School Budget of $57,601,994 by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Motion Carries 4-0-1 with Vivian Webster abstaining. Consideration of School Choice Spots for 2023-24. Superintendent Murphy discussed the proposed numbers of 10 spots for grade 6, 20 spots for grade 9 and 10 spots for grade 10. At the last meeting, the committee asked us to consider kindergarten and elementary. Teresa and Ed feel that the classroom sizes are well balanced now and we do not want to add. With the kindergarten projected enrollment for next year we are looking at cutting one classroom. In order to keep that position we would need at least 20-25 new enrollments with school choice and we do not anticipate that happening. Teresa is open to this request for the future. Page 5 of 7 Approved 04-25-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 11, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar A question was also posed regarding the behaviors at QMS and whether or not new students should be added. We do not see a concern with the behavior component and feel that the extra students will benefit the enrollment numbers as there is a big drop from this year's grade 6 (268) to next year's class (241.) Vivian is comfortable with our proposal, adding that it will improve equity and the feeling of belonging for our students. It will help to fill empty seats. Lauren asked if we typically see a big drop from grade 5 to grade 6 (perhaps students attending private school?) No, this is not usually the case. Lynn asked about the timing for scheduling classes so Teresa reviewed the timeline. Applications are due by May 12th, Completion of paperwork due by June 9. High School meetings with guidance counselors will occur the week of August 21st. Middle school scheduling will occur in late August. Lynn asked that we make sure to include information on JumpStart 6th grade when we register those students. Motion to approve school choice openings for 2023-24 as follows: Grade 6: 10; Grade 9: 20; Grade 10: 10 by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Motion Carries 5-0 The applications will be opened and the website will be updated tomorrow. School Committee Business: Discussion on upcoming meeting dates. Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: FY24 Revised Budget Field Trip documents School Choice / Enrollment numbers Motion to adjourn: At 8:02 p.m., Kiera O'Neil asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session 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 and not return to open session by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher at 8:02 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Kiera O'Neil aye Vivian Webster aye Lauren Scher aye Motion Carries 5 - 0 Page 6 of 7 Approved 04-25-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 11, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 7 of 7