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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 09/30/2025Approved 10-14-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 30, 2025 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Jenn Walsh at 6:39 p.m. Members Present: Administration Present: Jenn Walsh, Chair Michelle McKeon, Superintendent Lynn Cavicchi Amy Bright, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Steve Schoonveld Jessica Davis, Assistant Superintendent Student Services O w Matthew Violette, Director of Finance and Operatioir w Z Members Absent: > o Jenifer Sellon, Vice Chair n cJ 7 w r— � r rn Diane Ready r, `fe �.-� �? -- Mn :x7 rn Public Speak: None r'I- CD co o —n Administrative Reports: --{ `-rf Superintendent Michelle McKeon expressed her gratitude to students, staff, family and commdAity meiierscfor a great start to the school year. She recognized two staff members Rayna Freedman who was awarded the 2059 MassCUE Pathfinder Award and Robert Smith -MacDonald who presented at the Fort Ticonderoga Seminar on the American Revolution. His topic was The Conference that Led to the Treaty of Watertown. Assistant Superintendent Amy Bright provided an update on our progress toward the Early College program. We have partnered with Quincy College. She is working closely with high school teachers who will be certified to teach the college credit courses. It was noted that the district is looking to support students who may need an alternate pathway toward secondary education. Steve Schoonveld asked how the grant money will be spent this year. It is mostly for planning but also establishing some classes this year. We have also expanded the Academic Learning Center. Over the course of the year, district administration along with MHS staff will fine-tune the early college program, identifying teachers who are or will be certified, identifying classes to be offered and processes to facilitate access for students. Since we have reached the status of "Mid -enrollment (91— 299 EL students)", we are required by law to create an ELPAC group. The first meeting will be held soon in order to get feedback from parents on the direction moving forward. Last week's professional development was strategically planned to support all our students by targeted staff training. Examples of classwork included Wonders Implementation, Special Education and Emerging Bilingual students, as well as math and ELA implementations. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Davis provided an updated on professional development with the emphasis on belonging. Workshops included supporting special education students in general education settings, understanding the new IEP format and best practices. Lynn Cavicchi asked about the status of the IEP rollout. Jessica reported that all student IEPs are now in the new format and parents have been very receptive to the change. Director of Finance and Operations Matthew Violette gave an update on the FY27 Budget Process. All budgets will be sent to principals and department heads this week. During the course of October, detailed budget meetings will be held with each school/department in order to review and prepare budget proposals to Matt Violette on October 31't. School Committee will seethe budget in early December. Matt also highlighted recent expenses for the move of Roland Green: $163,000 from capital, $127,000 from prior year encumbrances, and $54,000 from the FY26 Budget. These costs covered line painting, playground completion, fencing and tree removal. Total cost $344,000. Page 1 of 4 Approved 10-14-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 30, 2025 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar MHS Student Representative Report: Introductions of this year's students: Andrew Fleischmann, April Haddigan, Lily Roche, Amy Zajac and Eva Sarianides. They updated the committee on the start of school, Hornet Flex -block, new school policies as well as updates on fall sports and performing arts. New Business: Overview of New Superintendent Induction Program (NSIP): Cyndy Taymore will be Michelle McKeon's coach over the next three years. This grant -funded program is in its 16" year. Each new superintendent is required to create a District Entry Plan, District Findings and a Three-year Strategy for District Improvement. Steve Schoonveld asked if Ms. Taymore had an opinion on hiring an outside consultant for the strategic plan. She recommended taking advantage of the NSIP program rather than hiring a consultant. For a successful plan, the superintendent must involve everyone associated with the district, review all data and all materials. Presentation of Superintendent Entry Plan: Dr. McKeon presented her plan to the committee with the intent to send this plan out in a newsletter and then follow up in October with superintendent goals. Superintendent McKeon emphasized the existing Vision, Mission and Core Values of Mansfield as the core base of her entry plan. Her primary goals are to build relationships, learn the district's culture and systems, celebrate strengths and identify opportunities, and establish a foundation for shared vision and strategic planning. She recommended that the district hire an outside consultant to help build the strategic plan. She reviewed the guiding questions that she will ask throughout the year and identified key activities and methods to be used to gather and review information from key school stakeholders, community members and existing data points. In the fall of 2025, Dr. McKeon will focus on engagement; in the winter: analysis and in the spring: planning. The next steps are to launch meeting schedules and begin to identify common themes; establish regular superintendent updates to communicate progress and to listen, learn and engage with curiosity and respect. Discussion: Mr. Schoonveld suggested a change to the introduction noting that it will be more than just a listening and learning year as Dr. McKeon will still need to manage the day to day operation of the district. Lynn Cavicchi noted that a survey will be an important tool to get broad and detailed feedback from stakeholders. Ms. Cavicchi also noted that she would like to see improved reporting on School Improvement Plans and progress made throughout the year. Mr. Schoonveld would like to see an update on the MHS NEASC report. Consideration of 5-year Capital Improvement Plan for FY26-FY30: Director of Finance and Operations Matthew Violette reviewed the plan asking the committee to keep in mind projected budget concerns. A few revisions were discussed. First, add textbooks, technology and SmartBoard leases to each year to avoid any confusion or the risk of forgetting. MHS and QMS science labs are noted for spring of 2030. The district should revisit this as the aging science labs were established as a priority item by the committee in the past. Mr. Violette noted that the only item moving to this year's town meeting is to update aging PA systems across the district. The CIP process and role of the CIP committee was discussed. Often the town is requesting input for CIP items before the school committee has had a chance to review and approve. It would be helpful have regular discussions on CIP so we can meet town deadlines. Motion to approve the 5-year CIP plan for FY26-FY30 dated as written with the direction to continue to evaluate by Steve Schoonveld/Lynn Cavicchi. Motion carries 3 - 0 Consideration of policy revisions: Assistant Superintendent of Student Services provided an update on the corrective actions needed including a modification to policy 1KAA Physical Restraint. Discussion held on corresponding handbook language and training. Page 2 of 4 Approved 10-14.25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 30, 2025 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Motion to approve modifications to policy JKAA by Steve Schoonveld / Lynn Cavicchi Motion Passes 3 - 0 Update on student handbook revisions: Two minor administrative changes were made to reflect the changes to policy JKAA Physical Restraint and ILD Educational Surveys. Review of Revolving Accounts: Mr. Violette reviewed each revolving account for the committee and responded to any questions about the balances and activity. Matt noted that he is beginning a year long review of these accounts and there will be adjustments made along the way. The committee asked Matt if he could add capital items to the report if the revolving accounts are being used for that in any way. (examples- student parking and food services) (note order of agenda items was modified for this meeting) Aooroval of Warrant: Salary Goods & Salary Goods & Salary & & Wages Services & Wages Services Wages 2601 PS 2603S 2603PS 2605S 2603PS 8-1.25 8-12-25 8-15-25 8-26-25 8-29-26 General Fund 375,596.85 278,617.55 379,731.85 150,572.23 340,156.62 Medicare 2,800.00 - 2,800.00 - 2,800.00 Capital - 40,609.27 - 40,850.00 - Revolving 81,359.96 4,480.01 54,847.33 40,822.05 24,739.59 Food Service 7,459.30 54,505.32 7,445.92 3,270.50 8,402.06 Gifts 38.25 - - - - Student Activity - - - - 342.00 Grants 11,866.12 4,637.87 16,356.12 207.56 31,856.12 Prior Year 1,152,723.74 127,180.06 1,152,723.74 192,749.36 1,148,623.74 1,631,834.22 510,030.08 1,613,904.96 428,471.69 1,556,920.13 Motion to approve the warrant memo dated 09-12-25 by Steve Schoonveld/Lynn Cavicchi Motion Passes 3 - 0 e.,....,.,�t of Minufuc• Date 1st Y/N Vote06-17-25 Open SS N 3-0 All open meetings together 07-23-25 Open 07-29-25 Open r2nddDiscuss 09-02-25 Open 06-10-25 ExecSS No release 3-0 All exec minutes together 07-23-25 Exec 09-02-25 Exec Page 3 of 4 Approved 10-14-25 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 30, 2025 Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Old Business/Subcommittee updates: Facilities met and discussed the possible need to upgrade the facilities rental software; looking at options. Discussed the Roland Green move. Budget met to discuss revolving accounts, student activity accounts, wage transparency and the budget planning calendar. Policy meeting was cancelled but some planning took place and priorities are Competency Determination and Middle School Career Pathways. CIP met to discuss capital needs. The only thing moving forward is the PA system. School Committee Business: Upcoming agenda items were discussed School Committee Questions and Comments: None Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: Warrant Minutes CIP Plan District Entry Plan Revolving Accounts Report Motion to adjourn: At 9:02 p.m., Chair Walsh called for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Steve Schoonveld / Lynn Cavicchi Motion Passes 3- 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 4 of 4