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Home My WebLink AboutSchool Comm 06/03/2025Approved 07-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 03, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar RECEIVED An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtually on Tuesday, June 6a','V& 1-i iR WS OFF IC in room 3AB of the Town Hall. The open meeting session was called to order by Superintendent Teresa Mur by at 6:03 p.m. 209 JUL 30 A II: Ob Members Present: Jenn Walsh, Chair Jenifer Sellon, Vice Chair Lynn Cavicchi Diane Ready Steve Schoonveld Members Absent: None Administration Present: ri j ��:, �, Teresa Murphy, Superintendent hilt S,_Is,url l)SE ITI Tc J Jessica Davis, Assistant Superintendent (Student Services) Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Superintendent Murphy opened the meeting by asking for nominations for Chair. Steve Schoonveld nominated both Jenn Walsh and Jenifer Sellon. No second required. Both Jenn and Jenifer are willing to take on the position but would also accept the other candidate. ROLL CALL Vote: Jenifer Sellon Jenifer Sellon Diane Ready Jenn Walsh Steve Schoonveld Jenifer Sellon Jenn Walsh Jenn Walsh Lynn Cavicchi Jenn Walsh Jenn Walsh elected 3 - 2 Chair Jenn Walsh asked for nominations for Vice Chair. Steve Schoonveld nominated Jenifer Sellon. ROLL CALL Vote: Jenifer Sellon Jenifer Sellon Diane Ready Jenifer Seilon Steve Schoonveld Jenifer Sellon Jenn Walsh Jenifer Sellon Lynn Cavicchi Jenifer Sellon Jenifer Sellon elected 5-0 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 paraprofessionals; buildings and grounds; food services as well as a level III grievance. Motion by: Steve Schoonveld / Jenifer Sellon ROLL CALL Vote: Jenifer Sellon aye Diane Ready aye Steve Schoonveld aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Carries 5— 0 Return from Executive Session at 6:40 pm. Page 1 of 5 Approved 07-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 03, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Administrative Reports: Superintendent Teresa Murphy gave a personnel update. Abigail Barlas is leaving Mansfield after 15 years. She will become the Director of Guidance at Canton High School. Most recently, she was the Director of Elementary Special Education. Kevin Smith has announced his retirement to coach a women's college soccer team. After review of his role, the district has determined that this position will be converted to the high school for someone to oversee the new alternative school program. The high school is currently working on how this program will look. Lynn Cavicchi asked if we will we reinstate the building tech assistants with stipends? Yes, we are looking at this. We have interviewed for a replacement for Julia Greenstine (Director of Instruction and Assessment) and have had great candidates. The District will make an announcement soon. Assistant Superintendent Ed Donoghue announced that he is not moving forward with his retirement as the incoming Superintendent has requested that he stay on throughout the summer. He will oversee the summer capital projects including the move from Roland Green to Robinson. Regarding that move, all is going well. With help from the town engineers, we have completed the final plan for the drop off loop. The Planning Board will meet next week to approve. After reviewing the playground, we have determined the swing sets are not moveable. We have estimated the cost for a new play structure and swing set. The design was done through a state contract bid and installation will occur in July or August. Moving boxes have been delivered to the Roland Green; staff will receive stipends for their moving efforts. Painting of the new Roland Green location will take place in July. Ed is confident that all will be ready by September. Jenifer Sellon asked if the painting will interfere with our extended year program. It will not. What playground will the preschool use during the summer? They can use the Wonder Works playground. Steve Schoonveld asked when the Roland Green will be vacated. The goal is the end of July. Once vacated the committee will vote to hand it over to the town for their future plans. MHS Student Report: Andrew Fleischmann gave an update to the committee. Biology MICAS is complete; finals are approaching for our students. Most of the sports programs have ended but baseball is still in the playoffs. Seniors had their boat cruise, breakfast, senior stroll and awards. On Monday the students will graduate at the Xfinity Center. Step up day for grades 5 and 8 will happen next week. The World Travel Club is getting ready for their summer trip. Andrew ended by thanking the committee for this opportunity and wished Superintendent Murphy well in her retirement. Approval of Warrant: Motion to approve the warrant dated 05-13-25 by Steve Schoonveld and Jenifer Sellon Salary & Salary & Goods & Services Wages Goods & Services Wages 25040S 2541 PS 25042S 2543PS General Fund Medicare Capital Revolving Food Service Gifts 4.1-25 4-11-25 559,751.11 1,792,781.34 - 2,615.20 32,998.25 - 1,538.22 83,104.45 192,316.24 41,465.89 4-15-25 4-25-25 483,382.39 1,821,591.16 - 2,615.20 13,813.05 104,211.01 74,694.12 30.63 77,637-32 41,495.46 Goods & Services 25044S 4-29-25 632,946.77 5,567.86 23,561.42 44,451.53 76.00 Page 2 of 5 Student Activity Grants Prior Year Motion approved 5 —0 Approval of Minutes: Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 03, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar 4,915.00 200.00 40,099.29 1,000.00 12,178.75 803,697.67 35,996.49 1,956,163.37 15,974.54 732,205.03 37,379.73 1,981,718.86 Approved 07-29-25 6,631.84 3,957.92 717,093.34 Date 1st 2nd Discuss Y/N Vote 01-29-25 Search Committee Open SS 1S N 4-0-1 Diane Ready abstained. 01-29-25 Search Committee Exec - release SS JS Y 4-0-1 She was not a member. 02-04-25Workshop SS 1S N 4-0-1 " 02-08-25 Superintendent Interviews SS JS N 4-0-1 " 1-29-25 Fix error in Glenn Koocher's name. New Business: Consideration of policy revisions: 1KAA Physical Restraint of Students Assistant Superintendent Jessica Davis made changes to the policy to reflect the changes DESE requested during their Coordinated Program Review. Notably the teacher will request permission from the principals if an extended period of restraint is needed. The practice already takes place but was not noted in policy. Handbooks and the Special Education Manual will also be updated. Motion to approve the revisions to policy JKAA by Steve Schoonveld / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Consideration of MHS handbook changes: Principal Booth proposed the changes for Mansfield High School. The committee had several questions which MHS administrators will address and then return on June 10" for final approval. With graduation, Principal Booth will get the final changes to the committee on Tuesday. Questions included: Will language be added for the new alternative school program? Yes, when ready. Why are we limiting the number of A.P. classes that a student can take while other districts allow unlimited? We are actually expanding from prior years. District by district vary widely. Having some limits is the right thing to do so our students do not get overloaded and we can manage class enrollment. Medically exempt language is confusing; why does it say a teacher has the final say? Will review and change for clarity. If a Junior is enrolled in a class with Seniors, can they be exempt from a final as well? No, this privilege is just for Seniors. Some clarification is needed for dress codes. There is ambiguity regarding what is acceptable dress. Language regarding hoods is confusing. The language regarding illegal substances might need to be expanded to include other items. It was suggested to go back to school council and work with all schools for consistency. Language regarding At needs to be expanded. It would be a good idea to work with the new administration on language. Assistant Principal Schliefke presented the proposed changes for the middle school. Lynn Cavicchi asked for clarity on the dress code. She would like to ensure that all handbooks are consistent and expectations are clear and equitable. Steve asked that QMS work with MHS when developing language regarding Al. Motion to approve the QMS handbook changes for 2025-26 by Steve Schoonveld / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Assistant Principal Perreault presented the proposed changes for Jordan/Jackson. Going forward 1/J and Robinson will have separate handbooks. Lynn referred to At and smartphone language as something to keep an eye on. Page 3 of 5 Approved 07-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 03, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Motion to approve the J/J handbook changes for 2025-26 by Steve Schoonveld / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Assistant Principal Felicia Frank and Roland Green Director Kris Deleplain presented the proposed changes for Robinson/Roland Green. J/J items were removed and Roland Green items were added. The committee asked for some rewording of pickup and drop off for the Roland Green students. Are we maintaining the name of Roland Green? This is up for discussion; no decision yet. If Roland Green is part of the Robinson building should they be represented in School Council? This is something that can be reviewed. Lynn noted that there is technology/chromebook information on the website but not in handbooks. Is that something that can be looked at? Motion to approve the Robinson/Roland Green handbook changes for 2025-26 by Steve Schoonveld / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Consideration of exercising a 4f1 year option on the Connolly Bus contract: Ed has been working with Connolly Bus Company to negotiate a reduced rate or number of buses. It was agreed to have a slight rate reduction. Steve asked if there has been any resolution to the bus parking issue. We are still working on a location. Currently the buses are parked at Gillette on Foxboro which is not ideal; however, options in Mansfield are limited. Motion to exercise a 4" year option on the Connolly Bus Contract by Steve Schoonveld / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5 - 0 Update an Quarter financials: Ed Donoghue provided an update. We are tracking well with no anticipated concerns for the final quarter. Ed recommends that we continue our practice of pre -paying special education tuitions for approximately $1 million. Are there any concerns with the Roland Green move? We are working with the town on some of the paving as it can be incorporated into some of the planned East Street work. The 4" quarter cost for the playground and tree removal will come out of our paving account. Consideration to create new homework and test return policies. Steve Schoonveld noted that he has been approached by several parents who are frustrated with teachers who are not returning homework and tests for students to review and learn from mistakes. He indicated that this must be addressed and asked that the policy subcommittee take this up over the summer. Lynn noted that summer policy changes are difficult as we need to include teachers who are not working. Additionally, we should give time for the new district leadership to review. Diane Ready recognizes his concern but thinks a slow approach is needed to make sure there are not unintended consequences such as a teacher having to make up several versions of a test or concerns of unfair testing if a student making up an exam takes one with different content than other students. School Committee Business: 2025-26 subcommittees were established as follows: • Budget: Jenn Walsh and Lynn Cavicchi • Facilities: Jenifer Sellon and Jenn Walsh • Policy: Lynn Cavicchi and Jenifer Sellon • School Needs Assessment: Steve Schoonveld and Diane Ready • Audit: Steve Schoonveld • CIP: Diane Ready and Jenifer Sellon • DEI: Diane Ready (if the committee remains intact) • Town Insurance Ad hoc: Steve Schoonveld (not an official committee) Page 4 of 5 Approved 07-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 03, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar • Health & Wellness: Diane Ready School Committee Questions and Comments: Steve noted that a parent was upset that they were not notified of two QMS surveys and were not given an opportunity to opt out. Discussion held on the process of notification. It appeared that families were notified of the surveys. Need to identify which survey was questioned to see why that parent was not notified. Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: Warrant Minutes Policies District handbooks Q3 Financials Connolly bus contract Motion to adiourn: At 9:00 p.m., Jenn Walsh called for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Steve Schoonveld / Jenifer Sellon Motion Passes 5- 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 5 of 5