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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 02/11/2025Approved 04-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 11, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtually on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 in room 3AB-Town Hall. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Steve Schoonveld at 6:01 p.m. Members Present: Administration Present: Steve Schoonveld (Chair) Teresa Murphy, Superintendent Jenifer Sellon (Vice Chair) Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Lynn Cavicchi (@6:40 pm) Jessica Davis, Assistant Superintendent (Student Services) Jenn Walsh Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Vivian Webster Members Absent: None The chair asked for a motion to enter into Executive Session under Exception No. 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 regarding collective bargaining of office assistants/clerks; paraprofessionals; buildings and grounds w Motion by: Jenn Walsh /Jenifer Sellon ROLL CALL Vote: 1� 7 Jenifer Sellon aye —t Vivian Webster aye c - Jenn Walsh aye c> c a Steve Schoonveld aye Motion Carries 4-0 Return from Executive Session at 6:33 pm. UJ r't Public Speak None Administrative reports: Superintendent Murphy updated the committee about the resignations of Tim Tichacek who will be working directly for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Matt Jacques who will become the director of the DPW in Braintree. Following upon a recent newsletter, Teresa updated the committee on the concerns of families with recent news regarding the Department of Immigration. She emphasized that we never talk to anyone or release a student to anyone if they are not on the emergency contact form. If any person would ever come requesting contact with a student, schools are to immediately report to central office. Lastly, the Jordan/Jackson School building will be used by our local police on the Monday of February vacation for training. Assistant Superintendent Donoghue updated the committee on the use of our revolving funds. Steve Schoonveld was concerned that the ending balances were greater than incoming expenses. Lynn Cavicchi noted that in some cases these accounts are cyclical. Money does sometimes build up to be used at very specific times of year. Jenifer Sellon asked if the facilities revolving account would increase with our fee increases. Ed noted that is something that should be discussed at the next budget meeting. Approval of Minutes: Date 1st 2nd Discuss Vote comments 1-16-25 TriBoard Jenn Walsh Jenifer I Sellon N 5-0 Page I of 4 Approved 04-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 11, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar New Business: Consideration of May Center School Curriculum for new Mansfield site: Teresa Murphy and Jessica Davis introduced this agenda item by noting that the May Institute was licensed by DESE in 2005 and they are looking to expand their program in to Mansfield. Teresa noted that the school committee would be responsible for approving the curriculum. In this case it matches that of pre-existing May Institute schools (Norwood, Randolph, Wilmington, West Springfield and Chicopee.) Representatives from the May Institute including Matthew Riley and Pamela Raymond showed a video of their program and provided specifics for the committee. The May Institute is a nonprofit specializing in the needs of the autism community. The new day program is proposed for the Mansfield industrial park (Oxford Drive). The Mansfield site will be for 48 students with a 2:1 student to staff ratio. The new site which requires some construction work will help to house increasing demand. Lynn Cavicchi: Has the state approved yet? Yes, they have completed their onsite review and are currently doing regular building inspections. There will be a final site tour upon completion. Vivian Webster: From where do the students attend? There are 15 — 20 school districts all within an hour drive. Is there a tuition cost for Mansfield? Yes, the district does pay a tuition rate per student. Steve Schoonveld: How do these school districts support the May Institute? We work closely with these schools on the students' IEPS; there is full collaboration. Jessica Davis noted that districts review sites for outplacements on an annual basis and instruction is evaluated as to how it meets IEP needs. Lynn Cavicchi: What is the instructional program? Jessica Davis noted that the instruction is highly individualized based on the needs of the students, aligns with the IEPand is DESE approved. Jenn Walsh: Where do our Mansfield students currently attend? Can our transportation costs be reduced by sending students to Mansfield instead of other districts. Yes, that is possible. Steve Schoonveld: Will the services here differ from other locations? The curriculum will be very similar but tailored to the needs of the student enrollment. Motion to approve the instructional program of the May Center by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon. Motion amended to approve the instructional program for the Mansfield May Center as described to us tonight. Motion Passes 5 - 0 Update on Performing Arts Activities: Department Chair Sheila Newton offered an update on performing arts activities in the district including many in - district concerts (orchestra, band, chorus, etc), winter guard and percussion competitions, One Act play, CIMS and spring plays. Consideration of Performing Arts field trip to PPAC• Sheila has been offered free tickets to a Friday evening performance of "Chicago" at PPAC. The only cost will be the transportation cost. Students will have the opportunity to appreciate musical theater and given the opportunity to discuss various elements of the production. This is for MHS performing arts students only. Motion to the performing arts field trip to PPAC by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Consideration of reverse half days at MHS for MCAS Testing: Superintendent Murphy noted that at the high school, it is much easier to facilitate MCAS testing when non -testing students arrive later in the day. MCAS testing will occur for grade 10 students which is untimed. The arrival time for grade 9, 11 and 12 students will be 10:30 with an extra bus run. Assistant Principal Julie Israel is working with department chairs on scheduling. For the biology MCAS (grade 9) reverse half days are not needed as seniors will have already graduated so there are fewer students in the building. This is a modification to the district calendar. Leslie Green (transportation) and Dawn Langtry (food services) have already been consulted. Page 2 of 4 Approved 04-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 11, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Motion to approve the reverse half days at the high school for MCAS testing days in March and May by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Consideration to add Northeastern University to Policy LDA: Policy states that the school committee must approve the addition of any new schools to our list of institutions from where we can obtain student teachers. Typically, a new request comes in when the program is not an education major. In this case, we are looking at a behavioral therapist intern. Motion to approve the addition of Northeastern University to policy LDA by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Superintendent Murphy mid -year formative assessment update: Ms. Murphy updated the committee on the progress of her 2024-25 superintendent goals as established in the fall. Student Learning Goal- supporting the transition of new school leaders: Weekly meetings with administrators continues and allows Teresa the opportunity to provide constructive feedback. Administrators provide Teresa updates on professional development days as well as key staff meetings. Regular meetings are held with the district leadership team. District Improvement Goal- supporting the recruitment, hiring and transition of a new superintendent and assistant superintendent: Teresa has informed the committee of her retirement to give ample time for a search, sat in on some preparatory meetings and facilitated communication as needed. Next steps are to work with the incoming superintendent on a transition plan. Professional Practice Goal — complete doctoral dissertation: Progress has been made and a very aggressive schedule set. In order to graduate in May, the dissertation defense must take place by March 15th. If the May target is unattainable then the next date will be August. Question/Answer: Lynn Cavicchi: Are we including interim administrators in training? Yes, we have received valuable assistance from those in temporary roles. Their guidance to coworkers has been overwhelmingly positive. Can we get a copy of your transition plan so that the committee can provide input? Yes. Can we get an update on progress for the District/School improvement plans? An update will be provided. Teresa made note that for the next improvement plan, she considered hiring a consultant to assist the new superintendent. It would be nice to have someone take a holistic review of our plans including the following plans: Technology, DEI, Space Study, DESE reviews. This is something the committee can consider. Consideration of changes to the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Lob description Several changes have been made to accommodate the items that Michael Connolly took on in addition to the original job description as well as acknowledging some of the items that were moved to the newly created Assistant Superintendent of Student Services. The committee noted that there were extensive edits and needed additional time to review the changes. Consideration of changes to the Director of Facilities lob description: The committee opted to postpone this item as well as they felt further edits were needed. Upcoming Searches: Three searches need to kick off as soon as possible. Jessica Davis will lead the search for the Assistant Director of Special Education (secondary.) The vacancy has been posted. in the interim we have a retired Special Education Director who will facilitate the transition. Jocelyn LeMaire will lead the search for the new Assistant Page 3 of 4 Approved 04-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 11, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Superintendent and Ed Donoghue will lead the search for a new Facilities Director. Teresa requested one school committee person per search. Lynn asked for student involvement in the Assistant Superintendent search. School Committee Business: A press release will go out in the morning announcing the new Superintendent. For the budget, textbooks most definitely will move to capital. We are awaiting final approval. Need to look ahead to a possible hearing date. School Committee Questions and Comments: Assistant Superintendent Michael Connolly thanked everyone on the committee and in district for supporting him during his tenure at Mansfield Public Schools. Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: Performing Arts schedule update Performing Arts field trip request Job descriptions (Facilities Director and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching/learning) May Institute overview Revolving Funds overview Minutes School Calendar Superintendent mid -year assessment Motion to adjourn: At 8:18 p.m., Chair Schoonveld called for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 4 of 4