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Home My WebLink AboutSchool Comm 01/14/2025Approved 03-25-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, January 14, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtually on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in room 3AB of the Town Hall. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Steve Schoonveld at 6:32 p.m. Members Present: Administration Present: Steve Schoonveld (Chair) Teresa Murphy, Superintendent Jenifer Sellon (Vice Chair) Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) - Lynn Cavicchi Jessica Davis, Assistant Superintendent (Student Services) Jenn Walsh Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operationsr Vivian Webster ,? Members Absent: N None New Business: CD CD Presentation of Detailed FY26 Budget Proposal with FinCom in attendance School Principals (Russ Booth, Matt McGuire, Denise daGraca, Ryan Gentili and Kris Delaplain) joined Ed M Donoghue, Jessica Davis and Teresa Murphy to present next year's budget. Information included budget assumptions, budget comparison FY24 — FY26, enrollment projections, expenses by major category and cost center and a summary of funding. It was noted that the budget is fairly flat across the district in keeping with direction of the town. Our special education budget is up due to an increase in student need, contractual nursing, teaching supplies and assessments and home consultations. As each principal began their presentation they thanked everyone who assisted with the development of the data. At the high school, the biggest increase is in the text books since, in the prior year, these were in capital. On deck for replacement next year are the geometry and algebra 2 books, noting that we are purchasing high quality instructional material per DESE requirements. The athletics budget has no increase over last year. At the middle school, textbooks show a significant increase over last year due to the prior placement in capital. The purchase of math textbooks is in the FY26 budget. Jordan / Jackson as a slight increase again with the largest increment being textbooks. This year it is for ELA textbooks. The overall increase for Robinson is high, also due to the purchase of ELA textbooks. Both elementary schools are adopting a new program. The Roland Green budget is relatively flat. The overall budget is $62,668, 461 which is a 4.7%/ $2,811,318 increase over the FY 25 budget. Consideration of town -wide financial policies Members of FinCom were in attendance. Chair Schoonveld suggested that these policies get put on a TriBoard meeting for discussion and asked if anyone had any questions this evening. FinCom Chair Sara Walsh noted that some changes are still pending from town legal counsel. Lynn Cavicchi noted each policy should include the review cycle time frame for future reference. Public Speak None Administrative Reports: Superintendent Teresa Murphy announced that Representative Michael Chaisson visited with Ms. Murphy as an introduction and promise of continued support. Representative Adam Scanlon came in to a J/1 classroom to read to students and talk about MLK Day, the inauguration and the state house. Mansfield High held their annual open house for incoming grade 8 students and their parents. The annual J/1 winter concert was held. This is a collection of 75 students who opted out of recess to practice. Only toward the end did all groups come together to rehearse as one. Also, MHS held the Active Minds presentation for families at night and students during the day. It was a powerful event. Page 1 of 3 Approved 03-25.25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, January 14, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Assistant Superintendent Michael Connolly noted that over the next several weeks other districts will be visiting the elementary schools to see how we implemented our new math program. The vendor recommended us as an example of an exemplary implementation. Assistant Superintendent Ed Donoghue announced that citizens approved all of our capital projects at town meeting. The district will start immediately at moving these items forward. A new mini bus will be ordered very soon; lighting changes to common areas can start at any time. The purchase order for the QMS generator has been signed though there is along lead time for delivery. Paving will continue over the summer starting with the west lot at QMS or the bus loop at Robinson. Bids for the 1/J chiller are in. The hope is to start work this spring with a mid -August deadline. Aooroval of Warrant: Salary & Goods & Salary & Goods & Wages Services Wages Services 2025.10 25020S 2025-11 25022S 11 / 8124 11/12/24 11 /22124 11126124 General Fund 1,785,311.37 383,788.45 1,765,752.54 609,212.40 Medicare 3,940.20 - 2,615.20 - Capital - 194,872.17 - 29,776.30 Revolving 86,771.80 41,032.21 86,048.47 1,287.63 Food Service 41,108.31 83,716.22 38,397.24 19,821.44 Gifts - 3,708.67 - 7,587.59 Student Activity - 9,619.96 - 15,967.00 Grants 77,183.26 26,927.91 88,622.02 4,066.00 Prior Year - - - 6,591.52 1,994,314.94 743,665.59 1,981,435.47 694,308.88 Motion to approve the warrant memo dated 12-3-24 by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon. Motion Passes 5 - 0 Approval of Minutes: Date 1st 2nd Discuss Vote Roll Call order/ Y/N Comments 12-03-24 Open Jenn Jenifer N 5-0 Walsh Sellon 12-10-24 Open Jenn Jenifer N 5-0 Walsh Sellon 12-19-24TriBoard Jenn Jenifer N 5-0 Walsh Sellon Committee Updates / Old Business: Space Needs: No update but a meeting should be scheduled soon. Page 2 of 3 Approved 03-25-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, January 14, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Superintendent Search: Chair Schoonveld felt that we have made significant progress having completed the focus groups, survey, receipt of applicants and the development of interview questions. On Wednesday the search committee will meet to finalize the list of questions and identify the candidates to be interviewed in the first round. There were 22 applicants whom, as a reminder, will remain confidential until the final round. School Committee Business: None School Committee Questions and Comments: None Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meetine: None Documents Referenced: FY26 Proposed Budget Presentation Motion to adjourn: At 8:20 p.m., Chair Schoonveld called for a motion to adjourn into Executive Session not to return to open 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 regarding the Mansfield Educators Association. Motion to adjourn to executive session by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon ROLL CALL Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Jenifer Sellon aye Vivian Webster aye Steve Schoonveld aye Motion Passes 5 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 3 of 3