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Home My WebLink AboutSchool Comm 04/29/2025Approved 06.10-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 29, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtually on Tuesday; April 29, 2tl25"' in room 3AB of the Town Hall. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Steve Schoo(Lv��Id a(`¢:�q A 1 t �d LLUU IU b p.m. Members Present: Administration Present: Steve Schoonveld (Chair) Teresa Murphy, Superintendent Jenifer Sellon (Vice Chair) Jessica Davis, Assistant Superintendent (Student Services) Lynn Cavicchi Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Tenn Walsh Julia Greenstine, Interim Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Vivian Webster (at 6:10 pm) 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. Motion by: Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon ROLL CALL Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenn Walsh aye Jenifer Sellon aye Steve Schoonveld aye Motion Carries 4 — 0 Return from Executive Session at 6:37 pm. Update on Contract Negotiations: Chair Schoonveld provided an update. The committee voted 5 — 0 to accept the MOU for Buildings and Grounds Some of the key points: names will be removed from uniform shirts; staff must wear name badge at all times; clothing allowance increased from $350 to $450 annually; if members accept 80% or more of snow removal requests, they will earn a stipend. The longevity amount is increased. Salary increases over the next 3 years are 3%, 3% and 3%. There is a tentative agreement with office assistants; awaiting final ratification by bargaining unit. The food services unit has not yet rested to start negotiations. Paraprofessional negotiations are ongoing with a meeting scheduled for Thursday. Public Speak Alysso Maxwell, 149 Park Street: Concerned over the proposed move of Roland Green to the Robinson school including issues with the car line, adequate spacing, staggered schedules with Robinson. Asking for a one-year delay to start a collaborative approach to the move. Aly Bannie, 524 Fruit Street: Desires transparency; there has been a lack of stakeholder input. There should be the formation of a committee with staff, parents and administration. Concerned about the size of classrooms, the playground, instructions for drop off and pickup, naming convention and storage. She predicts that the number of interested peer models will decrease. Page t of 6 Approved 06-10-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 29, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Andrea Laylum, 101 North Main Street: Concerned with the closure of Roland Green. There has been no discussion with staff. The district is "silencing teacher voices." Concerned with storage, parking, car line, traffic and the playground. Tim Corpentier, MEA non-resident: Asked if the school committee asked enough questions; noted that school committee had no comments during prior meetings or during impact bargaining. Was there any desire to save the Little Hornet's program? MEA has found a workable solution; there is space to keep Little Hornets. School Committee Statement by Chair Schoonveld (summary): As part of the planning for 2025-26, the district's Roland Green Preschool will move to the Robinson School which will result in the closure of Little Hornet's. We recognize the important role Little Hornet's has played and the impact to staff and families. The decision was not made lightly and we recognize the effort and dedication of the Little Hornet's staff. Our focus must be on our Pre- K through Grade 12+ students and moving to Robinson provides significant benefit to our young students. Unlike the preschool, Little Hornet's is not state mandated and not completely self -funded. In addition, the district does not charge any overhead. The move of Roland Green supports our fiscally responsible solution to the FY26 budget. Moving the Roland Green increases Career Pathway opportunities to our high school students. The district has researched alternate locations for Little Hornet's but none meet the safety or space requirements needed. Suggestions to repurpose existing classroom space impacts our current K —12+ students. Administrative Reports: Teresa Murphy: NEASC was at MHS the week of April 9`^ conducting observations and interviews. There was a student showcase which received positive feedback from the committee. She thanked Gail Farrington and Ben Caisse for organizing the visit. A draft report highlighting strengths and areas of growth is expected in June. Teresa announced Julia Greenstine's resignation as she returns to her home state of North Carolina. John Nieratko will act as interim Director of Instruction and Assessment. Dan Harold will continue to assist at the 1/J. Superintendent Teresa Murphy highlighted some of our recent hires including Amy Bright, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning; Jayson Davis, Director of Facilities, Eric Bruinooge, Director of Secondary Special Education. We are currently preparing to post for The Assistant Superintendent of Finance/Operations and the Director of Instruction and Assessment. Ed Donoghue provided an update on the baseball field trip to Washington, D.C. The students toured the White House, National Archives, several memorials along with a Nationals' baseball game and tour of a local college. MHS Student Report: Andrew Fleischmann provided an update on senior activities, upcoming AP exams, International Night, prom, several performing arts events. The committee thanked Andrew for his participation in school committee meetings and agreed that the fall would be a good time to introduce the next group of students. Approval of Warrant: Salary & Salary & Goods & Services Wages Goods & Services Wages 25036S 2537PS 25038S 2539PS 3/4125 3/14125 3/18125 3/28125 General Fund 470,085.48 1,767,973.97 770,151.92 1,816,440.65 Medicare - 2,615.20 - 2,615.20 Capital 8,624.52 - - - Page 2 of 6 Approved 06-10-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 29, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Revolving 11,863.69 84,405.33 4,952.09 89,071.66 Food Service 37,768.32 38,511.83 23,226.72 42,087.77 Gifts 842.48 - - - Sludent Activity - 113.76 2,792.50 - Grants 1,497.87 35,502.38 11,966.04 28,010.45 630,682.36 1,929,122.47 $13,089.27 1,978,225.73 Motion to approve the warrant memo dated 4-10-25 by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon. Motion Passes 5 - 0 Approval of Minutes: Date 1st 2nd Discuss Y/N Vote 01-28-25 Open JW VW 5-0 01-30-25 Open JW 15 5-0 02-11-25 Open JW is 5-0 03-25-25 Open JW 1S One edit 5-0 Strike one phrase on 3`d page 03-26-25 TriBoard JW JS 5-0 02-11-25 Exec JW 1S 5-0 03-25-25 Exec JW 1S 5-0 04-09-25 Public Forum JW is 5-0 04-10-25 Public Forum 1W 1S 5-0 04-12-25 Public Forum JW JS 5-0 01-29-25 Search Committee - Final Postpone. Split into 2 sets of minutes New Business: Consideration of new math curriculum for grades 6 - 8: Jaime Mintz, Julia Greenstine and Matt McGuire gave an update on the process of identifying our need, evaluating solutions and arriving at the final recommendation of Reveal Math. The next steps are to purchase materials and digital licenses, secure professional development and develop a family communication plan. Questions/Answers: Steve Schoonveld asked if Reveal Math was chosen only because that is what we are using at Jordan Jackson? No, this was an additional benefit. It really was the best solution with a lot of material also available for staff. How does the material tie in with MHS which uses an older version of McGraw Hill? McGraw is better suited for the high school age group. Will Reveal Math give QMS the tools needed to identify the appropriate placement for grade 9 math? Yes, we expect to have the information we need which will go hand in hand with teacher input. Who voted for this product? All teachers had access to the material for review, discussion and input. In the end, the committee made the final decision. Page 3 of 6 Approved 06-10-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 29, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Jenifer Sellon: How does this product work with special education students? That is one of the reasons we chose this product. Imbedded in this program is a separate program which is student led. This will allow us to work with students at their own pace. Jenn Walsh is concerned that our math pathways are too rigid so she likes the flexibility that this program offers. Matt McGuire did note that our staff does not lock students into one path today. The teachers help students get to where the students want to be. Motion to approve the new middle school Reveal Math program by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Consideration of 2025-2026 QMS Program of Studies: Principal Matt McGuire reviewed all of the proposed changes Question/Answers: Steve Schoonveld noted that the program of studies is difficult to follow. It would be helpful to have better samples of schedules. Lynn Cavicchi asked how QMS defines "Good Academic Policy"; how would parents know what this is? Matt noted that the information is in the handbook. Lynn requested that the information also be added to the program of studies. Similarly, how does QMS define good attendance; QMS needs more explanation especially for the grade 6 parents regarding 'Mixed Use.' Motion to approve the QMS 2025-26 Program of Studies by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Consideration of School Choice Openings for FY26: The district recommends the same openings as last year: Grade 6: five, Grade 9: ten, Grade 10: ten. Steve asked for some information on the school choice revolving account and how the money is used. Per Ed, we used it to fund two high school teachers last year. Lynn asked when we get the funds. Ed noted twice per year. Motion to approve the School Choice Openings for grades 6, 9 and 10 for 2025-26 by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Consideration of changes to Job Descriptions: Motion to approve the Director of Facilities job description by Jenn Walsh /Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Motion to approve the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning job description by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Discussion: Lynn noted that there are inconsistencies in formatting. Teresa agreed and indicated that HR will need to work on a standard layout but does expect that there will be some variances based on the job. Motion Passes 5 - 0 Chair Schoonveld requested that the committee postpones review of the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operation until May. It needs a very detailed review. Motion to approve the Director of Instruction and Assessment job description with identified edits by Jenn Walsh / Vivian Webster Discussion: None Page 4 of 6 Approved 06-10-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 29, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Motion Passes 4 - 0 (J. Sellon stepped out of the room for a moment) Consideration of warrant article motions for town meeting: April 30, 2025 Town Meeting Warrant Consideration Article Motion Consider Y/N Motion Made By Whom Vote 1 1 Y Motion to support Article 1 Motion 1 with respect to benefits for District School employees. Walsh / Sellon 5-0 1 2 N 1 3 Y Motion to support Article 1 Motion 3 with respect to District School employees. Walsh / Sellon 5-0 2 Y Motion to support Article 2 Walsh / Sellon 5-0 3 Y Motion to support Article 3 Walsh Sellon 5-0 4 N 5 1 N 5 2 N 5 3 N 5 4 N 6 1 Y Motion to support Article 6 Motion 1 Walsh / Sellon 5-0 6 2 Y Motion to support Article 6 Motion 2 Walsh / Sellon 5-0 6 3 N 7 N 8 N 9 N 10 N 11 N 12 N 13 N Page 5 of 6 Approved 06-10.25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 29, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Consideration of policies for deletion: These items (JIHA and 1LDAA) were postponed to May 6. Consideration of policy revisions: The following items (ADDA, JICFC, JICFC-R and JIH) were postponed to May 6. Motion to approve the revisions to JICFB-R Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Discussion: Teresa noted that the change reflected actual procedures already in place. Motion Passes 5 - 0 School Committee Business: None School Committee Questions and Comments: None Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: Warrant Minutes Policies QMS Program of Studies QMS Reveal Math presentation School Choice information School Committee Statement on Little Hornets and Roland Green Motion to adjourn: At 9:40 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 6 of 6