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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 06/24/2025Approved 07.29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 24,2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar RECEIVED " < C(_E F1(S OFFICE An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtually on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 in room 3AB of the Town Hall. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Jenn Walsh atM55,l%.30 A 11: 01 Members Present troll calll: Jenn Walsh, Chair Jenifer Sellon, Vice Chair Lynn Cavicchi Diane Ready Steve Schoonveld (remote / entered in Exec Session) Members Absent: None Administration Present: Teresa Murphy, Superintendent Cl`) ISFUS 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. Motion by: Jenifer Sellon / Lynn Cavicchi ROLL CALL Vote: Jenifer Sellon aye Diane Ready aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Carries 4— 0 Return from Executive Session New Business: Consideration of a donation to the Mansfield Historical Society: Superintendent Murphy informed the committee of various items that were presented to her over the years as superintendent. She would like to turn these over to the Mansfield Historical Society for all to enjoy. Included are a portrait of George Washington, Mansfield's first Superintendent of Schools, various class photos, athletic awards and a shovel used for the groundbreaking of the Robinson School and MHS. There are additional items in the attic of 2 Park Row that will be reviewed by the town manager before donating. Motion to donate the selected historical items to the Mansfield Historical Society by Jenifer Sellon / Lynn Cavicchi ROLL CALL Vote: Steve Schoonveld aye Jenifer Sellon aye Diane Ready aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes 5 - 0 Consideration of a donation of Little Hornets supplies to the Hockomock Area YMCA: Page 1 of 3 Approved 07.29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 24, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Superintendent Murphy explained that The Hockomock Area YMCA is attempting to open up a daycare at the Balcom Street site in Mansfield. If they get enough interest from our current Little Hornet's parents or other Mansfield Public School employees they will move forward with the move. The YMCA reached out to me and asked if they could have the equipment and furnishings that are in the Little Hornet's classrooms. She consulted with our attorneys about proper disposal of surplus equipment. Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30B, Section 15(g), allows the school committee, by majority vote, to give the items away to a public charity. The YMCA is a non-profit so we could move forward with that. The items do belong to Mansfield Public Schools so we are entitled to keep anything of need. Roland Green Preschool Director, Kris Delaplain reviewed the supplies and pulled out some items that she would need when the Roland Green moves into the Robinson School. Items to be donated include changing tables, cubbies, chairs, tables, a play kitchen, file cabinets, mats, cribs and children's books and toys. We would work with MHTL on side letter of agreement that would include the list of items that will be donated if the YMCA moves forward and opens the child care center. We would also put a date by which the Y would need to move the furnishings out of the Robinson School into either their storage or facility so we can continue preparing for the preschool. Questions / Answers: Is there an estimated value? Likely a couple of thousand dollars. When will the YMCA decide if they are moving forward? We expect to hear in mid -July. They opened up the registration for 2'/: weeks to see what kind of response they would get. Motion to donate selected surplus materials to the Hockomock Area YMCA by Jenifer Sellon / Diane Ready ROLL CALL Vote: Steve Schoonveld aye Jenifer Sellon aye Diane Ready aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes 5 - 0 Discussion regarding the Director of Finance and Operations Position: Superintendent Murphy announced the hire of Matt Violette as the new Director of Finance and Operations. Matt is currently the Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Mansfield. Matt will shadow Ed Donoghue during the summer and start of school before Ed's retirement. Matt is working toward the DESE license needed to become the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations. The work is basically the same but the license is key to the position title. At the last Select Board meeting, a board member introduced the idea of Matt supporting both the town and the schools as a shared position. This evening Ms. Murphy and the committee discussed how that would impact the school department. Superintendent Murphy noted that the school and town positions are more than full time jobs and it would not be beneficial to have one person split their time. Sharing this position would require that we add additional staff to help support Matt. Teresa understands the "One Town -One Budget" working relationship. Matt's role will involve much more than just budgeting. Members of the committee provided their input regarding the importance of this role and their thoughts on combining the town and school position. Jenn Walsh noted that each of those positions are more than a full-time job. There are so many aspects to the role than just the budget. For that reason, she would not support a split function. Steve is very excited to bring Matt on board indicating the district will benefit greatly from his knowledge and experience. With already several new administrators, now is not the time to change how our structure works. Jenn Sellon asked if the district should take a deep look the position and determine if it is still functioning in the best way for our district. We know that there is a desperate need for an override and both the town and school will need to make significant cuts. Perhaps down the road a combined position could make sense. She also asked if the budget could support both Ed and Matt from July —September. Lynn Cavicchi noted that through efforts in Ed Reform, there has been a push to protect schools and to keep the finances of municipalities and schools separate. Education represents a big portion Page 2 of 3 Approved 07-29-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 24,2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar of many municipality budgets and there is increasing push to make large cuts that are not in the best interest of students. If we combine the position, the superintendent loses the ability to manage the education resources. Diane Ready noted that there could be a risk of compromising the quality of work if Matt is spread too thin between two entities. Overall, the committee is enthusiastic about Matt becoming a school employee and agreed that a split arrangement would not be favorable for the schools. School Committee Questions and Comments: Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: Superintendent Murphy announced that after working with staff and families, the decision has been made to call our preschool "The Roland Green Preschool at The Robinson School." There was a significant push to keep the Roland Green name. Documents Referenced: Motion to adjourn: At 7:52 p.m., Jenn Walsh called for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Jenifer Sellon / Diane Ready ROLL CALL Vote: Steve Schoonveld aye Jenifer Sellon aye Diane Ready aye Jenn Walsh aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion Passes 5 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 3 of 3