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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 05/07/2024Approved 05-28-24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 07, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtually on Tuesday, May 07, 2024. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Lynn Cavicchi at 6:38 p.m. Members Present: Administration Present: Lynn Cavicchi (Chair) Teresa Murphy, Superintendent Jenn Walsh (Vice Chair) Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Steve Schoonveld Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Vivian Webster P, ' Members Absent:, enifer Sellon J " Public Speak: None Administrative Reports: c_ o Superintendent Teresa Murphy updated the committee on the following: Last wd, Tkend.MH"eld their spring play,'Kodachrome.' Teresa thought the show was tremendous. Thid upcoming F) weekend QMS will stage'42nd Street' for which 15 students have learned how to tap dance. m Thursday is the District Art Show. Also upcoming are, the JJ/staff basketball game, spring concerts and of course senior week. Enrollment continues for school choice with the deadline being May 10rh at noon. Grades 6 and 9 will require a lottery. Students are coming from many different towns, some with a significant commute which attests to the success of our district. Steve Schoonveld noted that our approach is to top off classrooms rather than over burden them. No new hires will be needed like in other districts. Teresa agreed that we are adding spots with thoughtful intent. Principals have been hard at work on three-year School Improvement Plans, the first year which will be presented to school committee on June 4rh. Both Superintendent Murphy, Assistant Superintendent Connolly and Director of Instruction and Assessment Julia Greenstine have worked closely with the principals on this effort. Lastly, news within 48 hours of the meeting is the announcement that Matt McGuire has been hired as the new QMS Principal following Dave McGovern's departure. Matt has been with the Mansfield Schools for quite some time having started as a middle school music teacher. He moved to the high school where he was band director, department chair and then assistant principal. Matt came to the podium to thank Ms. Murphy and the school committee for this opportunity for which he feels very fortunate. New Business (taken out of order): Presentation of Special Education Parent AdvisorvCouncil (SEPAQ: Co -Chairs Christine Gaze and Corren Collura updated the committee on activities and challenges. This year the council held several meetings over the year with topics such as special education update, presentation on adaptive PE and soccer program, new IEP process, Student Opportunity Act, Resource fair, Bullying and a parent support meeting. Our SEPAL coordinates with like councils all across the state. In addition, our members attended each of the curriculum nights to raise awareness. Page 1 of 6 Approved 05-28-24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 07, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Christine Gaze mentioned some of their challenges, most significantly trying to increase family engagement as attendance is very low at these meetings. She emphasized that all are welcome to come to these meetings not just families with students on IEPs. Steve Schoonveld suggested that we change the name of the group as we have created a new Assistant Superintendent of Student Services in place of the Director of Special Education. Jim Leonard pointed out that we are required by state law to support this council. We can support all families but the title must remain the same. On that subject members of SEPAC have expressed concern over the title change. Teresa noted that no one affiliated with special education should feel slighted. We still maintain a high priority to our special education students. Christine suggested that we communicate out to families who may be confused. Discussion on methods of communicating included hard copy fliers in first day packets, ask SEPAC to attend MESA and PAC meetings, attend family fun night. Funding is also a concern. Money is available but many parent volunteers must shell out money up front to prepare for various events and it is very difficult to request reimbursement. Looking for an easier way for us to get our money from the district. Jim noted that funding is part of the state law, so yes, we should be providing reimbursements. Jim and/or Ed will look into the reimbursement process and see if we can assist members with this concern. Lastly, the chairs congratulated Jim on his retirement and thanked him for his years of service. Jim noted that special Olympics will run on June Th this year and has been moved to the field hockey field due to construction of the turf, Also, there has always been some concern over transitions of students between schools especially when students move from grade 5 to 6. On May 21st, QMS/Special Education will hold an open house for students who may need a little extra support on the transition. Lynn Cavicchi commented on the change in title for Jini s replacement. This will allow the district to focus well on both IEPs and 504 plans. This is a good thing for families. Christine Gaze asked if we could improve communication to families so they understand. Teresa will try to go to the next parent SEPAL night if her schedule allows. She also noted that generally speaking, communication is poor. For example, many families heard about Jessica Davis through the newspaper article. Consideration of Robinson Field Trip to Roger Williams Zoo: Ryan Gentili presented the details of the trip for several 2nd grade classes. Students will visit exhibits and attend a program called "Wild Adaptations' which aligns with curriculum. Other 2nd grade classes plan to visit the EcoTarium in Worcester. This field trip will not come before the committee because it is in MA. Motion to approve the 2nd grade field trip to Roger Williams by Jenn Walsh / Vivian Webster Motion Carries 4 - 0 Page 2 of 6 Approved 05-28-24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 07, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Administrative Reports (continued): Assistant Superintendent Michael Connolly presented information on an "Early College" program that will start at MHS. The rigors of college courses allow students to earn credits (at least 12), expand learning opportunities and ease the transition to college. This aligns with our DEI plan to create multiple opportunity structures for our students. In 2016 DESE started to look at early college strategies, promising a model that would help to narrow opportunity gaps. Studies show that the college continuation rate is 20% higher for these students than those in a standard high school model. Currently there are 61 students, 21 colleges participating statewide. Our next steps are to meet with state support staff to help us through setup and procedures. A meeting is planned with the Southshore Early College Consortium who will help us build the program and seek grant funding on our behalf. We will also establish metrics which will eventually include the success rate in college. Lynn Cavicchi asked if we would continue with the dual enrollment program at Bridgewater State University. Teresa noted that we have stopped that partnership. We had once looked at it with our grade 12+ students. What we are looking for now is for our more independent learners. Jenn Walsh noted that the Southshore website explains the differences between dual enrollment and early college. Steve Schoonveld asked if the courses are free. We are seeking grants to cover costs. Steve loves that we offering alternatives and asked if we will be also offering Career Technical Education, Career Connections and Innovation Career Pathways as noted on the provided handout. Mike Connolly indicated we would start with Early College and then see where the success takes us. Assistant Superintendent Ed Donoghue provided the committee with the FY24 third quarter update. He noted in particular that transportation over budget right now. The district will continue to monitor. Our Bristol County assessment is also over budget mostly due to the increase in the number of students attending this year. Technology is over budget due to unplanned but important steps to improve network security. Ed still foresees some cash being returned to the town in July for their free cash reserves. Steve Schoonveld asked for clarification on the Pay-N-Ride offset. Ed noted that there is some availability but we need to keep in mind that the contract with Connolly Bus increases each year and we must maintain funds to help offset those increases. $100,000 has been used already to offset the contract and another $50,000 will be used this year. There is still some money in the facilities budget; the district is currently looking at some end of school year projects such as adding an A/C unit in the Robinson library. Something like this is small and would not go as a capital request. Lynn asked for clarification on the business office line item. Was some of this shortage unanticipated? No, it is primarily for the transportation contract. Ed then provided an update on various facilities projects. The track and turf is well underway with the turf and track having been broken apart. All old material will be trucked away. Next week, when we turn off the heat, our vendors will begin overnight work to remove the existing boiler in QMS. The gym Floor renovations will begin on June 10th or 11dh as soon as Senior activities are complete. The Robinson playground work will start on June 21st after school ends. Other end of year projects include the replacement of the MHS walk in freezer and modifications needed increase the number of serving lines next year (using revolving funds.) Page 3 of 6 Approved 05-28-24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 07, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar High School Student Representative Report: Andrew Fleischman and C.J. Moussette represented the high school. Andrew made note of the first ever international night which was a huge success. Everyone enjoyed the fun activities and the great food. The morning news group released their first morning announcement video. The plan is to run these once a week on Fridays. It was a lot of fun to participate and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The spring play was this weekend and was a huge success. The district wide art show is this coming Thursday along with several upcoming performing arts performances. Athletics are well under way. Lastly, senior events are picking up. C.J. reported that there were 10 - 20 students whose accommodations were not met by college board for the AP exams. Steve asked how this worked; does college board approve these accommodations? CJ felt that it was a miscommunication by the high school. Vivian asked if there are different accommodations for those students on an IEP vs those who have anxiety. Principal Booth noted that they will take a closer look. Superintendent Murphy noted that she had just heard about this late last night. Chair Cavicchi noted that college board has had a poor track record of providing accommodations to students though they are hying to streamline the process. She also noted that not every high school accommodation is accepted by college board. roval of Minutes: Date 1st end Discuss YN Vote Roll Call o -23-24 Open JW VW 4-0 04-23-24 Exec Session JW -VW- Not to be released 4-0 a -01-24 Select Board JW VW 4-0 Committee Updates / Old Business: Budget: The budget sub met with the district to discuss the third quarter financials for FY24 and then discuss the food services revolving accounts. They met as part of the h•i-board on May 1st and will attend a town budget sub on May 8th. Chair Cavicchi asked if there is any possibility of adding back in the Assistant Principal at the Robinson school. Having one Assistant at the school has been a challenge. Teresa agrees but does not see any possibility of adding it back in for FY25. New Business: Update on District Core Values: Rayna Freedman and two high school students who were part of this team presented the steps that they have taken, their final recommendation on core values and a draft of a potential webpage. The two high school students were Reese Nason (grade 12) and Taylor Palinski (grade 11.) The core values will be: Mansfield Public Schools: Where students learn to love learning Belonging - We build a supportive and understanding community through kindness, respect, and empathy. Collaboration - We work together, share ideas, respect each other, and celebrate our achievements as a community. Curiosity - We question, explore, and discover in order to foster a love of learning, not just for school but for life. Integrity - We are honest and do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Page 4 of 6 Approved 05-28-24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 07, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Resilience - We adapt and grow in the face of adversity, always persevering and continuing to try. Questions/Answers: jenn Walsh was blown away by the work that was completed. Vivian Webster noted phenomenal progress in a short period of time. Steve Schoonveld really likes where they landed and that it connects to the vision of the graduate. Lynn Cavicchi was able to sit in on some of the meetings and noted the amazing work. She appreciates the effort of students and staff. Superintendent Murphy commended Taylor and Reese for their incredible work. Taylor noted that it was a very cool experience and has learned so much. No vote of approval required. Consideration of WarrantArticles for Town Meeting: Final drafts are not yet available so this agenda item will be postponed. Other Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None School Committee Business: The committee reviewed the timeline for Superintendent Murphy's upcoming review which will be held on June 1101. Final assessment and evaluation templates will be sent to school committee on May 22nd. Documents Referenced: Grade 2 Field trip request Early College Reference Handouts Minutes Core Values presentation Proposed timeline for Superintendent Evaluation. Motion to adjourn: Chair Lynn Cavicchi called for a motion to adjourn to executive session under exception 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 relative to the Mansfield Educators Association. Motion to adjourn and return to open session by Jenn Walsh / Steve Schoonveld Roll Call Vote: Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Vivian Webster aye Steve Schoonveld aye Motion Carries 4 - 0 Page 5 of 6 Approved 05-28-24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 07, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Upon returning to open session, Superintendent Murphy announced that the school committee has voted unanimously to approve the Memorandum of Agreement for the MEA to start using a flex block at MHS in 24-25. The high school staff voted by a large margin to support the flex block which will be a time for students to meet with teachers, counselors, to make up work, or get extra help. It can also be used for assemblies and homeroom activities. We are very excited to move forward with this as it will be of great benefit to our students as was recommended by our NEASC review. Additional information will follow for our families. At 8:55 p.m., Chair Cavicchi asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by jenn Walsh / Vivian Webster Motion Carries 4 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 6 of 6