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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 05/06/2025Approved 07-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 06, 2025 In Person& Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar RECEIVED +ii 3 CL RS OFFICE An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtually on Tuesday, May 06, 2025 in room 3AB of the Town Hall. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair SteNicial6aQ atA:3": 03 p.m. ri. ?S!eIEL0 Members Present: Administration Present: f'!!.o--ia.CHI .)3ETTS Steve Schoonveld (Chair) Teresa Murphy, Superintendent Jenifer Sellon (Vice Chair) Jessica Davis, Assistant Superintendent (Student Services) Lynn Cavicchi Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Jenn Walsh Julia Greenstine, Interim Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Vivian Webster Members Absent: None Chair Schoonveld announced that tonight would be Vivian Webster's last meeting as she has decided not to seek re-election. Representative Adam Scanlon spoke on Vivian's approach and partnership and presented her with a proclamation from the House of Representatives. Steve spoke of Vivian's contributions to the district and presented her with a certificate. The remaining members of the committee thanked Vivian for all of her work. Vivian briefly addressed the audience. 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 Vivian Webster aye Motion Carries 5— 0 Return from Executive Session at 8:33 pm. Update on Contract Negotiations: Chair Schoonveld provided an update. The district and Office Assistants have agreed on an MOU. Highlights include clarification on holiday pay, the removal of religious holidays replaced by one floating holiday, modifications for bereavement, vacation accrual for school year employees set to 1 day, the ability to return unused sick time to the district sick bank. Wage increases of 3%, 3% and 3%. Public Speak Scott Cohen, MEA, non-resident: Disappointed that no school committee members attended impact bargaining. He referred to the statement that Vivian Webster made earlier in the evening, indicating that it was a cryptic message telling the MEA who to contact if there are questions on Little Hornets. The School Committee is the head of the district and the MEA came to ask about the benefits that were stripped from our staff. However, no committee members have shown any concern. Page 1 of 3 Approved 07-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 06, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Bridgit Brown, teacher Roland Green: Very concerned that we have not heard much from The School Committee. It is the committee's job to advocate for students. It has been 10 weeks since the move of Roland Green was announced and there still has been no transparency or consultation with staff / parents. Why has the staff been kept out of the planning committee? Old Business: Chair Schoonveld announced that the 2025-26 Budget was passed at town meeting though the override spending was not approved. He noted that the upcoming ballot is important. The Town Meeting vote was how to spend an override. The May 13th ballot question will be whether or not to move forward with an override. If the override is approved on the ballot then the town can revisit the spending of this additional money. A nay vote kills the override for FY26 Business within 48 Hours: Met with Town Counsel last night to discuss the override. The School Committee can take a position on the ballot question while the town employees cannot. Chair Schoonveld asked the committee how they would like to move forward. Lynn Cavicchi noted that the committee had already voted to support article 3 so no further vote was needed. Steve clarified a misconception that the committee approved the school budget in January. It was not approved until the public hearing on March 25t". Teresa Murphy noted that our capital requests were approved (1/J water main repair, textbooks and technology.) Lynn noted that there may be another budget forum prior to the election on the 13t". New Business: Consideration of change to pre-school calendar: Given the move to Robinson, the staff at Roland Green requested extra time to set up their classrooms. A proposal was made to hold orientation on Thursday September 11t" and Friday September 12t". The first day of school for students would be on Monday September 15th. Motion to approve revised orientation and start dates for the Roland Green Preschool by Tenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Update on MEA proposed Robinson re -mapping: Jenn Walsh read a statement summarizing that the committee has reviewed the MEA space proposal and visited the Robinson and high schools to view spacing availability. The committee stands by their support of moving the preschool to Robinson and closing Little Hornets. Steve Schoonveld noted that the committee was limited on any public comment due to impact bargaining rules. Consideration of policies for deletion: Motion to approve the deletion of 1IHA Locker Policy by Jenn Walsh / Jenifer Sellon Discussion: Can the district still search a locker if needed? Yes, and that information now falls under policy JIH. This change was proposed by MASC and was reviewed by our legal counsel. Motion Passes 5 - 0 Consideration of policy revisions: Revise/ Code Title Notes Motion 1 Motion 2 Vote ADDA Background Checks (CORI) *1 JICFC Teen Dating Violence *2 Page 2 of 3 Approved 07.29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 06, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar 11CFC-R I Teen Dating Violence Jenn lenifer 5-0 Protocols for Responding Walsh Sellon JIH IInterrogation and Arrest of Students 1. ADDA: For all CORI checks, licenses must now be shown in person. Minor changes were reviewed by both HR Director Jocelyn LeMaire and Legal counsel. 2. 11CFC: Changes revert back to our previous version (January revisions removed.) School Committee Business: Steve Schoonveld noted that he is still waiting to see a policy on revolving accounts. Lynn Cavicchi noted that it was discussed in the policy subcommittee meetings and this is something that should be discussed in a budget subcommittee meeting, specifically how should the revolving funds be used. Steve emphasized the need for a policy so that the use of funds is defined. lenifer Sellon noted that this isn't policy but practices that should be put in place. Steve mentioned that there was a group of parents concerned about the return of tests and homework. It doesn't seem to make sense to create a policy to prescribe when a teacher returns work. However, that might be necessary as tests are not always returned. Superintendent Murphy thanked Vivian Webster for her service. 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 Hornet's and Roland Green Motion to adjourn: At 9:35 p.m., Vivian Webster 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 3 of 3