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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 06/04/2024Approved 09/10/24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 04, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtually on Tuesday, June 04, 2024. The open meeting session was called to order by Vice Chair Jenifer Sellon at 6:00 p.m. Members Present: Administration Present: Steve Schoonveld (Chair) Teresa Murphy, Superintendent Jenifer Sellon (Vice Chair) Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Lynn Cavicchi Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Jenn Walsh Vivian Webster Members Absent: Steve Schoonveld participated remotely; roll call votes required until his departure from the meeting at 6:46 pm. The vice chair asked for a motion to enter into 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 relative to the Paraprofessional Bargaining Unit. Motion by: Jenn Walsh / Vivian Webster ROLL CALL Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Vivian Webster aye Steve Schoonveld aye Jenifer Sellon aye ,.cam Motion Carries 5 — 0 "'rrzz� s c) Return from Executive Session at 6:20 pm. " Public Speak: None r* Administrative Reports: Superintendent Teresa Murphy updated the committee on the senior events that occurred over the past week. Everything was flawless. The weather cooperated and students were great. The high school staff really stepped up and took care of all events; the cooperation of staff was amazing. At a district level a lot has been happening: field days, grade 7 expo day on ancient history, CHAMPS concert, QMS performing arts, J/J concert, undergrad awards night as examples. Upcoming are special olympics with our big logo reveal, move up days, 5d' grade celebration, QMS student of the month, grade 8 end -of -year celebration. Page 1 of 5 Approved 09/10/24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 04, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Lynn Cavicchi thanked all of the staff that make these events go off so smoothly. She also pointed out that 12 students graduated with the seal of biliteracy this year. Jenn Walsh and Vivian Webster noted there have been a lot of great events to complete the year. Steve Schoonveld thought that graduation was amazing especially the music. Jenifer Sellon remarked on how much work goes into setting up for graduation at Xfinity and is very appreciative. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the open minutes of 5-28-24 by Jenn Walsh and Vivian Webster. ROLL CALL Vote: Steve Schoonveld aye Vivian Webster aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenifer Sellon aye Motion carries 5 — 0. Committee Updates / Old Business: None New Business• Consideration of Handbooks: Assistant Superintendent Michael Connolly introduced the agenda item. Each of the principals have worked closely with the district to review policy changes and initiatives per school. He noted that in the future we may want to consider a year long project of digging deep into the handbooks for an overhaul. District Mr. Connolly reviewed needed changes based on policy changes or district initiatives. In summary these changes are: • Removal of language for deleted policies EBC-S, EBCB, EBCBB, EBDC • Modification of language due to changes in policy JICC, Vision and Mission statements, use of School Messenger. • Pending changes are: food services, technology/RUP and Title IX. • The district is reviewing language relative to students who leave on extended vacations from school. The district proposes that if a student is to be gone 10 or more days then they will be withdrawn from the district. Items such as chromebooks and textbooks will be collected. When the family returns they will notify the school and student registration will re -enroll the student. Teachers are not responsible for providing work. MHS Assistant Principal Matt McGuire reviewed MHS proposed changes. • Add language around academic integrity and streamline the cheating and plagiarism sections. • Update language to the attendance section to streamline, add a daily attendance procedure, and clarify credit reduction • Clarify language regarding students over 18 and signatory rights. • Modifications related to summer school credit • Senior final exam exemption language Page 2 of 5 Approved 09/10/24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 04, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Add vision of a graduate, mission, vision and core values Miscellaneous additions regarding the number of students allowed in a bathroom stall and food delivery to the school Questions and Comments: • TB testing information is not in the right place • Housekeeping changes regarding year of graduation • Are we replacing 21" century learner with the new vision of a graduate? Make changes accordingly. Regarding academic integrity, is there any level of teacher discretion? Matt noted that this probably happens already but staff wanted at least a baseline noted in the handbook. Michael Connolly noted that Julia Greenstine, Director of Instruction and Learning has been reviewing Artificial Intelligence models across the state and has developed a set of guidelines to be used. Staff can provide guidance to students and offer some flexibility based on the assignment. Lynn noted that All is their new reality. We need to teach students how to use Al, not just how they will be disciplined for unacceptable usage. Is there a student appeal process for academic integrity discipline? Per Matt McGuire, the high school is exploring some alternatives. • Clarification needed regarding nurse dismissals. Superintendent Murphy noted that there have been several conversations with administrators and school nurses; what we proposed was the best language noting that it varies a bit between secondary and elementary. The district will go back and review with Christine Dooling on how to move forward. • Clarification on applying for senior final exemption • Questions regarding the impact of vendor food delivery to our students. Matt indicated that students attempt it quite often. Since the student is unable to meet the driver it creates a backup at the welcome window or the driver drops it off outside near the track for the student to pick up. It is disruptive to classrooms. • Clarification regarding excused absences for student leadership activities or other events that students may attend outside of school. With no doctor note are these excused? Matt McGuire noted that there is an appeal process at the end of the term should any of those absences become an issue. QMs Principal Dave McGovern reviewed QMS proposed changes. • Modify language regarding parent/guardian notifications for student absences • Modify language regarding usage of earbuds and headphones • Remove language regarding the use of the computer lab. With individual chromebooks there is no need to use the lab. The room is now a classroom. Questions and Comments: • How will proposed changes to vacationing students impact the absence language and notification process. Dave noted that state laws, DESE do not always mesh. It can be very confusing for families and for the district. However, we should tie in as much as possible and will review the language once a final decision is made on how to handle vacationing students. Page 3 of 5 Approved 09/10/24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 04, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar • There needs to be better consistency across the district. For example, PBIS was removed from the elementary handbooks so QMS should review their handbook. Dave noted that we might not be fully away from PBIS as we move toward MTSS but once complete, changes will be made. • What is the status of the Aspen Parent Portal. Superintendent Murphy noted we have not set that project in motion yet. Several administrators have advocated for this but we haven't quite worked out how to manage parent/guardian concerns that may occur if there are custody restrictions. How will Al proposals will impact the QMS handbook. Dave noted that he recently attended a DESE summit and DESE was very emphatic that districts wait for DESE guidance. Lynn noted that we should still address academic integrity. Elementary: Assistant Principals Felicia Frank and Denise daGraca reviewed Robinson and Jordan/Jackson proposed changes. • Modify language regarding parent/guardian notifications for student absences • Modify language regarding usage of earbuds and headphones • Modify language regarding ten day absences for extended vacations A lot of discussion regarding the 10 day absences. It was decided to hold off on this change until further conversations occur. Questions and Comments: • A reset/refresh of handbooks is needed in 24-25. • Double check all language for student pronoun use • Should earbud/headphone language be added to this school as well? Will add. Steve Schoonveld left the meeting at 6:46 pm. Members now all in person. Motion to approve the MHS, QMS and elementary handbooks with the exception of language regarding day two of an absence due to a nurse dismissal by Jenn Walsh and Vivian Webster. Motion carries 4 — 0. Presentation and Discussion of School Improvement Plans: District and School administrators presented details of the School Improvement Plans. These will be placed on our website soon. Questions / Comments: • There were several questions regarding the early college program. Is it similar to dual enrollment? No, the district attempted dual enrollment prior to COVID. Since that time there has been little student interest. We are moving forward with the early college consortium and a consultant to develop a new program. DESE is very interested in early college options. Will this have any impact on AP course enrollment? We do not expect that to happen. The student groups are different. Early college is geared to those students who are still unsure whether college is right for them. AP for credit is for those students already looking ahead to colleges and course thoughts. Page 4 of 5 Approved 09/10/24 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 04, 2024 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar • The budget column is helpful. • Very interested to hear more about the new Roland Green report card. This will come to the committee for a detailed review and approval over the summer. • Be sure to include MESA, PAC and SEPAC along with school councils as the district moves forward with plans. • Removing barriers to access must be a top priority. • How is Building Curriculum Accommodation Plans being rolled out to parents. This varies by school as some information will be shared at curriculum nights or in student specific parent meetings. Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None School Committee Business: None Documents Referenced: Minutes Handbooks School Improvement Plans Motion to adiourn: At 9:21 p.m., Vice Chair Sellon called for a motion to adjourn Motion to adjourn by Jenn Walsh / Vivian Webster Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 5 of 5