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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 07/23/2025Approved 09.30-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, July 23, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar RECEIVED TOWN CLERICS OFFICE An Open Meeting/Workshop of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtual 1y onnn� WWWWa�7n ay, July 23, 2025 in the Town Hall room 2AB. The open meeting session was called to QQh5letWsh a 7:19 p.m. MAIdSFIELD Members Present: Administration Present: MASSACHUSETTS Jenn Walsh, Chair Dr. Michelle McKeon, Superintendent Jenifer Sellon, Vice Chair Amy Bright, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Lynn Cavicchi Jessica Davis, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Diane Ready Matthew Violette, Director of Finance & Operations Steve Schoonveld Members Absent: None Administrative Reports: Superintendent Michelle McKeon thanked everyone for the warm welcome she has received. She continues to visit schools and has setup open hours for staff to come in and meet her. Over the next month, Superintendent McKeon will work on her superintendent entry plan and then bring it forward to the school committee. She would like this year to focus on listening and learning. She attended the MASS and NISP conferences last week and found them to be very valuable. Personnel updates: • Amy Bright who brings a wealth of knowledge about curriculum has started. • Matt Violette who came to us from the Town of Mansfield. He is working closely with Ed on the transition. • Cailyn Pawslowski has been hired as the new Assistant Principal at Jordan/Jackson. She has previously been a Roland Green teacher and an instructional coach. • Lisa Guliano has been hired as the new Assistant Principal at MHS. She is leaving a similar position in North Attleboro. Assistant Superintendent Amy Bright has met with every principal and is reviewing the many procedures and protocols in Mansfield. Additionally, she has attended many of the summer institutes. She is excited about the many opportunities ahead. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Davis noted that July 7 —August 7 is the Extended Year Program for some of our special education students. The Integrated Program review is complete and the final report is available. She will work on any corrective action items that were identified. SEPAC has a new president, Michelle Sexton. The following hires were made: Eric Bruinooge (Assistant Director of Secondary Special Education) and Melissa Foster (Director of Elementary Special Education) who is transferring from her current position as school psychologist. We have hired a Board -Certified Behavioral Analyst which is a new position. Previously we contracted out for services but we feel that we are much better served by an in-house person. There are still some positions open for which we are interviewing now. One special education teacher position will be converted to a social worker/counselor. Lynn Cavicchi asked how the new social worker will be used. Superintendent McKeon discussed the plans for the new alternative program which will service students that were previously in the Bridge, Best or Evening School programs. There are a lot of factors to consider and we are taking a slow, thoughtful approach to create the most effective solution. Lynn asked if we anticipate any DESE reviews in the upcoming year. The district expects to have a year off. Steve asked what we were seeing for salaries; are we hiring new teachers or more experienced teachers at top step? Michelle felt we had a good balance, hiring a little of both. Assistant Superintendent Ed Donoghue provided an update on the Roland Green move. All contents have been emptied; the classroom preparations at Robinson are complete; The drop off loop and paving are close to Page 1 of 3 Approved 09-30-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, July 23, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar complete; playground equipment is here and will be installed this week. The committee asked how the school cafeteria projects are progressing. There are some delays so all changes will not be complete by the first day of school. The primary reason is delays in the supply chain. Jenn Walsh asked if Ed would obtain an update of HVAC upgrades. Ed also noted that there is an upcoming call with MSBA to review all of the Jordan/Jackson Roof Statements of Interest. A site visit is planned for August. We must factor in whether or not the town would vote to pay for the roof with the anticipated budget shortfall next year. The roof is 33 years old. Director of Finance and Operations Matt Violette noted that he is thrilled to be part of the Mansfield Public Schools and has received a great welcome from all. He provided an update on the 4`h quarter closing numbers. Lynn Asked if we have seen any savings with the new boilers at QMS and MHS. At the high school, yes. We are still working out a few issues at QMS so we will have a better idea as we enter the heating months. Steve noted that we may be impacted by increases in utility delivery charges. Regarding special education and prepaying tuition, Lynn noted that we will need to strategize on how to do this going forward being mindful of our tight budgets. Steve asked why we show a shortage of $400,000 in special education. We had 4 move -ins this year which added tuition costs to us immediately. There have also been some new placements for a few of our existing students. The biggest variable is tuition costs. We cannot predict the number of students or the tuition rates. Ed noted that in the past, the schools projected a very conservative amount for outplacements. However, now we have less flexibility in our budget proposals so we cannot pad for unexpected tuitions. It was noted that the school turnback amount (which is deposited in free cash) will be smaller this year. That will have future impact on available funds (free cash) for CIP efforts. New Business: Consideration to appoint Superintendent Michelle McKeon to the BICO Board: Motion to appoint Superintendent Michelle McKeon to the BICO Board of Directors by Jenifer Sellon / Steve Schoonveld. Documentation will be sent to BICO. Motion Carries 5 — 0. Consideration to Transfer the Roland Green School to the Town of Mansfield: This agenda item has been postponed to a later date. School Committee Business: Upcoming meeting dates and potential agenda items were discussed. Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: FY25 4th quarter financials BICO Appointment form At 8:25 pm, The chair asked for a motion to enter into executive session not to return to open session pursuant to MGL c. 30A section 21a under exception 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 for consideration of the Food Services MOU and discussion on the paraprofessional negotiations. Motion by Jenifer Sellon / Lynn Cavicchi Roll Call: Steve Schoonveld aye Diane Ready aye Jenn Walsh aye Page 2 of 3 Approved 09.30-25 Jenifer Sellon aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Motion carries 5- 0 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, July 23, 2025 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 3 of 3