Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 09/26/2023Approved 10- 4-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 26, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar RECEIVED TOWN CLERKS OFFICE An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person a?jiV"lWn� u�, % September 26, 2023. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair ynn Cavicchi at 6:31 p.m. ;,je°'NSFIE1_D W�SMCHUSETTS Members Present: Administration Present: Lynn Cavicchi (Chair) Teresa Murphy, Superintendent Jenn Walsh (Vice Chair) Steve Schoonveld Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Jenifer Sellon Vivian Webster Members Absent: None Public Speak: Greg Penesis, 12 Shannon Lane, Mansfield, MA 02048, Mr. Penesis addressed the topic of the recent MCAS results voicing concern about the district's progress. He noted that several grants are available and if we have not hired tutors with these grants then we should begin to do so. The district needs to identify measurable goals for student achievement and urged the committee to consider what is best for the students when voting on any agenda item. Approval of Warrants: Salary & Goods & Salary & Goods & Wages Services Wages Services 2024-3 24006S 2024-4 24008S 8-4.23 8-8-23 8-18.23 8-22-23 General Fund 330,712.62 Medicare 2,539.20 Capital - Revolving 98,350.96 Food Service 6,983.35 Gifts - Student Activity - Grants 33,697.04 Prior Year 1,085,805.98 8 1,568,089.14 260,650.99 318,952.45 232,363.25 - 2,539.20 - 343,784.74 - 25,633.15 17,120.37 36,020.67 3,763.63 - 6,983.35 25,309.02 28.28 - 4,128.24 3,385.56 47,075.89 18,398.17 76,141.00 1,090,041.78 43,300.75 L E S 701,010.94 1,501,613.34 362,896.21 Motion to approve the warrant memo dated 09-12-23 by Jenifer Sellon / Vivian Webster Motion Carries 5-0 Approval of Minutes: Date 1st 2nd Discuss Vote Roll Call /comments Y N Open Meeting 09-12-23 Jenn Jenifer N 4-0-1 Lynn Cavicchi was not Walsh Sellon present and abstained. Exec Session 09-12-23 Jenn - Jennifer N 4-0-1 Lynn Cavicchi was not Walsh Sellon present and abstained. Page 1 of 6 Approved 10-24-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 26, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Old Business: Budget Subcommittee: Met with the Town Budget Subcommittee to discuss the budget timeline which will be similar to last year. Tomorrow will be the first tri-board meeting. Policy Subcommittee: Met to discuss the many MASC changes announced in the spring and summer. Several policies will be brought forward this evening and at many upcoming meetings. Thank you to Jenifer Sellon for her work with Ed Donoghue to review the financial policies (section D.) Facilities Subcommittee: Met last week and discussed progress on the Robinson playground (Oil tank has been removed); the Robinson Teacher lounge has had a makeover with donations of a Pepsi machine and carpeting by MESA. The MHS front lobby looks fantastic with new seating areas for students. Facilities is still looking for a new HVAC person as the person we hired backed out before starting. Also discussed was the need for repairs on the high school gym and football stadium. New Business: introduction ofand update from StudentAdvisoa Committee: Principal Russ Booth met with the new committee last week comprised of two seniors (Brandon Jackman/Francesca Smith) and three sophomores (Andrew Fleischman, C.J. Mousette, Amy Zajak) Amy and C.J. were present at the school committee meeting and introduced themselves. Amy wanted to get involved as a way to have a say in what goes on in the high school by representing other students. C.J. felt that his role as a class officer was limited and was looking for new ways to push forward change. The committee thanked the students for their time and service. Then the students gave an update of the school year. Student use of lanyards was very difficult at first but everyone is getting used to it. In regards to the new phone policy, there was a lot of pushback at the beginning but then students realized teachers are not over -policing and there are only issues if students are blatantly breaking the rules. C.J. noted that in his own experience, the idea of a phone basket in class has been positive. In the past he would take his phone out as soon as he was done with an exam or assignment. Now he finds himself more focused in class, his academics have improved and he really doesn't miss it. Steve Schoonveld asked the students how they liked the school food. They agreed that there are some good days and some bad. Lynn asked if the first S.A.C. meeting has been set. Principal Booth is working on that. Steve asked the students to attend town meeting to vote on the new CIP projects. Update on Student Activities External Audit: Every three years there is an external audit on our student activities accounts. The most recent audit came back very favorable with no findings but a few recommendations such as providing training guides, using prenumbered forms and turning over receipts quicker, deactivating unused accounts and making sure individual accounts do not go into a deficit. In October, the district will provide the annual update on our student activities accounts. Consideration of Supplemental FY24 C/P Requests: There are four items that the school is requesting for the fall town meeting. Assistant Superintendent Donoghue provided a summary of each item. Page 2 of 6 Approved 10-24-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 26, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Robinson Playground: Phase II (final Construction) is estimated to be $600,000. Materials will be delivered shortly to MPS. The construction includes demo/site prep, installation of equipment, play surface, drainage and landscaping. QMS Boiler Replacement: This is a more complex installation than the high school due to the number of boilers and the difficult location of said boilers. This request is for the actual installation. This new hybrid system will be built at a cost of $400,000 with a MSBA rebate of 52.89% for a net cost of $1,884,400. MHS Gym Floor Replacement: The floor has reached its end of useful life. We can no longer sand down to refinish. This effort will include a new floor, ceiling and wall painting, ceiling repairs, new floor graphics and bleacher repairs. Useful life is 30 - 40 years at a cost of $942,395. MHS Turf Field/Track Renovations: In 2012, the district resurfaced the track. It now needs a complete replacement. The turf field looks like it is in good shape but underneath the turf lies the problem. We must meet cushioning regulations for impact testing. We still do but it is wearing thin. The turf and entire track will be replaced, new fencing will be added as well as new bleachers on the other side of the press box. These bleachers will help keep people off the track and allow our band program to hold competitions. There will be a new scoreboard, lights and electrical outlets. Total cost is $5,418,578. We hope to finish in August but it may go until September. Questions and Answers: Steve Schoonveld asked if there is a contingency plan if asbestos is found under the gym floor. Ed noted that we know there is some and the price includes the removal. Is the configuration of the floor the same? Ed noted that with the new floor we can paint several line schemes allowing for multiple sports. When will the boiler work start at QMS? It will begin as soon as we turn off the heat in May. As soon as we get approved from town meeting, we will move forward with the bid documents. Lynn Cavicchi: Noted that Steve Schoonveld and Jenn Walsh represent the committee in the CIP meetings and these requests will go to the committee prior to town meeting. Jenifer Sellon: Concerned about losing spots in the back of QMS as parents of special education students drop their kids off at the back door. Ed did not feel that this would have an impact on traffic flow. Can we start the turf field project earlier so that it doesn't impact fall sports? Ed noted the difficulty in scheduling as our fields are used all year round. We plan to start as soon as spring sports end. As a contingency, Athletic Director Tim Selmon is trying to schedule all of the fall sports as away games for the first few weeks. Teresa felt that parents will be so excited about this project that they will not be upset by some rescheduling in the fall. Lynn requested that Ed do community outreach to those organizations that my use our fields so the know ahead of time. She also noted that as a whole all of these projects represent improved safety features for our schools. Teresa thanked Ed Donoghue and Facilities Director Matt Jacques for all their hard work in preparing the CIP items. Page 3 of 6 Approved 10-24-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 26, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Steve asked if these are all of our priorities. No, there are other items but they will be brought to the Spring 2024 town meeting. Lynn asked if we would schedule a CIP review at an upcoming school committee meeting. Motion to approve the four CIP items for consideration of the CIP committee and Town Meeting by jenn Walsh and jenifer Sellon. Motion Carries S - 0 Consideration of Policy Revisions: Lynn Cavicchi led the discussion on policy changes by reviewing those items that require updates or deletion. jenifer Sellon addressed the three financial related policies for review noting that there are many other financial policies (section D) that will be brought forward in October. Steve noted that it was difficult to review and assess policy changes on short notice. He recommended a two phased approach where policies are brought forward at one meeting and at the next meeting those policies will be voted upon. To keep things moving there will be an initial review of the next round of policies at this meeting and this pattern of two agenda items will continue ongoing throughout the year. He asked if there was a policy for approving policies. Lynn indicated that yes, there is a policy. After policy subcommittee review, policies can be brought to the committee. jen Sellon agreed that members should take time to review the policies but this can be done when the packet received so that we can move forward with the number of changes needed this year. jenn Walsh noted that we tasked the policy subcommittee with the job of reviewing policy and making recommendations. We put our faith in them to do this. Going back and forth at each meeting, making revisions and then approving the final product at a later date will be difficult. Lynn noted that the policy subcommittee is valuable. She did understand that the financial policies were complex and may need further review but many of these other changes should be moved forward tonight. There was discussion on the different opinions on how much time the members had to review the policy prior to the meeting. After further discussion, Chair Cavicchi postponed a vote on the policy changes until the next meeting. She then asked the committee how they would like to manage policies with minor housekeeping changes that do not impact the intent of the policy. Vivian agreed with Steve that she would like to see all changes but did not need to vote. jenn Walsh was good with the subcommittee providing and update on these with no vote. Teresa asked how the process would work between the initial review meeting and the approval meeting. She noted that the policy subcommittee may not meet during that interval and there could be a further delay in approval. Steve didn't feel that most recommendations need to go back to the subcommittee. It was agreed that any member wanting to provide feedback on the policies would contact one member from the policy subcommittee. Update on Policies recently reviewed/no change or housekeeping: These policies can move forward with updates. Vote to rescind Superintendent Contract Vote from 9126/23: There was a clerical error with the calculation of the new salary for Teresa. The salary amount of $212,000 was correct but the percentage increase is 3.41% not. The actual contract is correct and will remain unchanged. Motion to rescind the Superintendent contract vote from 9/12/23 by jenn Walsh and jenifer Sellon. Motion Carries 5 - 0 Page 4 of 6 Approved 10-24-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 26, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Consideration of corrected superintendent contract motion: Motion to approve Superintendent Murphy's new contract with a salary of $212,000 for the FY24 school year and a contract length is July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2027 by Jenn Walsh and Jenifer Sellon. Motion Carries 5 - 0 Consideration of District Improvement Plan for 2023-25: Superintendent Murphy noted that the District Improvement Plan incorporates the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan, The Educational Space Study and the School Improvement Plans. We intended to use these plans as our district improvement plan but have decided to roll these up into one plan so that the school committee can vote and we can submit to DESE as needed. Steve asked why this looks familiar and Teresa noted that we already had seen the presentations on each of the plans that are now rolled up to this plan. Jenn commended the district on the growth of our District Plans over the time that she has been in office. Steve emphasized the need for measurable goals for student achievement as referenced by the caller at the beginning of the meeting. Jeri Sellon recommended a bit of rewording to specify some measurable targets. Lynn noted that perhaps some reformatting of the tables will help to highlight the measurable points. She also emphasized that these are multi year goals and should be noted as such. Lynn asked Teresa to organize a workshop to review the educational space study and start planning for a new ad -hoc committee. Teresa agreed. Motion to approve the District Improvement Plan for 2023-2025 by Jenn Walsh and Jenifer Sellon. Motion Carries 5 - 0 Initial Discussion on Draft Superintendent Goals for 2023-24: Superintendent identified her three goals for next year. Student Learning Goal: Assure that the initiatives of the five focus areas of the MPS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Strategic Plan are undertaken and will progress monitor the actions and activities. District Improvement Goal: By September 2024 1 will ensure that a committee of School and Town Officials prioritize the recommendations made to the MPS by TBA Architects in the final report of the Facilities Assessment and Educational Visioning Study. Professional Practice Goal: For the upcoming school year I will serve on a state -level committee to support the new arrivals to the U.S.A. The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents in collaboration with DESE, is launching a Shelter Task Force composed of Superintendents in response to the rapid influx of newly arrived students to Massachusetts. This is certainly an all - hands -on -deck situation and M.A.S.S, and DESE are working together collaboratively to best serve superintendents, districts, and students across the state. I was identified as a key representative for the taskforce by Anne Marie Stronach, Senior Administrator for DESE. Questions/Comments: Jenn Walsh is impressed with the scope of these goals and how the fit with the District Improvement Plan. Vivian highlighted focus area 5 as she is pleased with family engagement goals. She recommended that Teresa create community liaisons to create a bridge between the district and families. Steve lilted the student learning goal but was concerned about the other goals as it would make Teresa too dependent on the actions of others. For example she did not meet one of Page 5 of 6 Approved 10-24-23 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 26, 2023 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar her goals last year because the Town did not move forward as planned with their DEI committee. He would like to seethe ability to adjust these goals at the midterm review. Teresa noted that everything she does relies on the work of others and it is her job to make sure these tasks are completed. She wants her teachers to strive for high goals and she will do the same. Steve referred back to the District Improvement Plan and questioned the yellow areas. How do we make these measurable so that we can hold accountable from the classroom all the way up to the school committee? Teresa discussed how each individual goal, task or activity builds up to the district goals and student achievement. It is many working parts. Chair Cavicchi noted that perhaps it would be helpful to restate the second goal to make it more specific. Jen Sellon requested that Teresa define what we are measuring. Her expectation would be that she can measure Teresa's performance by being able to easily see that specific targets were met. Regarding the educational study, Teresa explained that her role is to support student learning and achievement while being fiscally responsible to the community. Her vision may not be that of the Committee or the Community. Steve wants to set guidelines for the first year of the Education Study Plan with an eye toward student success. Vivian noted we are working hard to keep up maintaining the district. In addition to student achievement and cost, we should also consider quality. We want a quality building product that will last for years without a lot of maintenance issues. Lynn asked Teresa to consider the suggestions, make revisions and bring her goals back during one of the October meetings. School Committee Business: Reviewed upcoming meetings. Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: Meeting Minutes Warrant Memos Student Activities External Audit and Summary Supplemental CIP requests Policies Superintendent Murphy's Contract District Improvement Plan Draft Superintendent Goals Motion to adjourn: At 8:32 p.m., Lynn Cavicchi asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion made by by Jenn Walsh and Jenifer Sellon. Motion carries 5 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 6 of 6