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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 03/10/2026Approved 03-24-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 10,2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held on Tuesday, March 10 206 in room 3AB of the, Town Hall. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Jenn Walsh at 6:02 p m p Members Present: Administration Present: Jenn Walsh, Chair 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 Jamie Vitonis Members Absent: None 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 the Mansfield Educators Association Negotiations and updates Motion by: Jenifer Sellon / Diane Ready ROLL CALL Vote: Jenifer Sellon aye Jenn Walsh aye Diane Ready aye Jamie Vitonis aye Motion Carries 4— 0 Return from Executive Session at 6:36 pm. Public Speak: None Administrative Reports: Superintendent McKeon announced the kickoff of the Strategic Planning process with Teaching and Learning Alliance Consultants. Building the strategic plan aligns with Michelle's McKeon's Listening and Learning Goal. The goal is to identify our strengths and opportunities for growth. There will be several focus groups requesting input from staff, students, administrators, parents and community members. A group of approximately 30 stakeholders will then come together to analyze the information and along with TLA, create a draft strategic plan which will go to the School Committee for review and approval. TLA will take the final draft and create a publication that will be ready for the start of the 2026-27 school year. This information will be the feeder to our District and School Improvement Plans. Ms. McKeon also announced that Mansfield was awarded a $6400 grant from the State Treasurer's Financial Education Innovation Fund to support a financial education fair. This will be brought to the next meeting for school committee acceptance. Assistant Superintendent Amy Bright provided an update on the March 4" professional development afternoon. Highlights at each school were bridging cultural differences in early education at Roland Green; District wide ASPEN training for office assistants; curriculum work and small group instruction at the elementary schools; curriculum work at QMS; and Special Education at MHS. The nurses participated in a book study on "The Anxious Child." Pagel of 5 Approved 03-24-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 10,2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar Ms. Bright then provided some historical information on AP exams at MHS. Lynn Cavicchi had follow-up questions regarding the graphs. Are there more tests taken because the same group of students are each taking more AP courses or have we broadened the opportunity to more students? Are there any gaps between male and female students and the course accessibility especially in STEM? As we work to broaden the scope, what does the district need to support additional students? Are we targeting first generation college students? Assistant Superintendent Bright noted that the district is taking many steps to provide access across all students regardless of gender, economic background, academic ability. Increasing AP opportunities is just one of many solutions. We are getting closer to understanding gaps and adjusting practices along the way. It could be that the same students are taking additional courses. We need to evaluate if there are additional students who may be a good fit for AP courses. As a district, we understand that we area changing dynamic and will plan wraparound services when needed. Diane Ready emphasized the importance of staff / student relationships. We need staff that will encourage students to challenge themselves to take an AP course even if they may not score high on the exam. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Davis highlighted the recent SEPAC fair held in conjunction with the Foxboro SEPAC group. Over 30 organizations participated providing important information on a variety of supports for families. Ms. Davis noted that the Mansfield Police obtained $10,000 in grant funding to provide free locative tracking devices to Mansfield families caring for loved ones with autism, dementia, Alzheimer's, intellectual disabilities, or other conditions that may lead to wandering. The police department is partnering with Mansfield Public Schools and the Council on Aging. Individuals can apply for this service. Director of Finance and Operations Matthew Violette was absent; no report. High School Representative Report Andrew Fleischman provided the following update: Winter sports have ended and spring season will start next week. Our performing arts' students are preparing for upcoming concerts, spring plays and percussion competitions. Theater students competed in the one -act play festival; Mansfield was one of the few plays directed by students. March is "Music in our Schools' month and there are many activities and fun events planned. The Student Voice Summit is wrapping up the year putting many things in place including the return of Stinger Events and the Powderpuff game. Tickets sales are in progress for the prom; International Night will be held on March 3& and the Future Planning Fair will occur on Thursday. As of this point of time 60 seniors have already committed to their colleges. Approval of Warrant: Salary & Goods & Salary & Goods & Salary & Wages Services Wages Services _ Wages 2627PS 2629S 2631S 2631 PS 1/2/26 1113/26 _2629PS 1/16/26 1127126 1130/26 General Fund 1,788,140.20 493,072,60 1,773,527.92 610,043.86 1,840,234.15 Medicare Ca ital 2,800.00 2,800.00 - 121,606.50 2,800.00 - Revolving _ 65,987.05 3,620.30 _ 46,183.84 9,765.20 54,71127 Food Service 38,801.65 47,603.76 29,576.64 89,424.12 _ 43,020.57 Gifts 27.96 _ 251.82 Student Activity 10,772.37 11,750.00 Page 2 of 5 Approved 03-24-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 10,2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar Grants 93,350.93 56,204.68 82,179.15 8,422.52 85,599.53 Prior Year _ - 1' 19.41 _ $ 1 989,079.83_ $ 611,201.59 $ 1,934,267.55 $ 852,583.43 $ 2,026,365.52 Motion to approve the warrant memo dated 01-12-26 by Jen Sellon / Lynn Cavicchi Motion carries 5 - 0 Approval of Minutes: Date 1st 2nd Discuss Y/N Vote 01-27-26 JS LC N 5-0 01-27-26Exec JS LC N 5-0 02-26-26 1S LC Y* 5-0 *For 2-26 modify the length of debt exclusion to state: 'from 8 —18 years'. Gifts: None Committee Updates: Policy: The subcommittee has been focusing on section J (Students) and policies directly related to handbooks. In addition, they have started to look at advertising and the process of accepting grants and gifts. Budget: The subcommittee looked at revolving accounts, gift accounts, second quarter financials as well as the ongoing budget process including the impact of free cash and CIP, insurance rates and the Governor's budget. CIP: The subcommittee has heard from all but the airport regarding requests for the upcoming year. The town has overspent on snow removal which impacts CIP funds. The committee did recommend moving forward with the J/J roof repair and any items that can be funded out of Enterprise Accounts. The committee is building a rubric that can facilitate the prioritization of requests going forward. New Business: Update of FY27 Budget Progression: Superintendent McKeon noted that the district is making progress with the proposed budgets and will work with the Budget Subcommittee tomorrow. The district will propose two budgets. The first will assume that an override or debt exclusion will pass and our cuts will amount to approximately $1 million. The second will assume a "no" vote and our cuts will rise to approximately $2.3 million. Next week the Town Budget Subcommittee will meet to establish dates for outreach sessions. Superintendent McKeon mid -year formative assessment - A mid -year update is part of the annual superintendent evaluation plan. Superintendent McKeon provided updates on her three goals. Professional Practice Goal (Conduct a comprehensive entry process) is on target. Highlights include: Entry Plan completion, consistent communication, meetings with stakeholders, start of strategic plan; progress toward completion of the New Superintendent Induction Program. Student Learning Goal (Reduce chronic absenteeism) is also on target. Michelle has worked closely with administrators to make sure students want to come to school. Three out of four schools have had improved attendance and appear to be on target to meet state goals by the end of the year. District Improvement Goal (Develop and maintain a budget): A draft budget was presented in December; multiple budget meetings have been held with principals; attended and presented at many budget meetings; collaborated with Matt Violette to develop multiple budgets and slide decks. Page 3 of 5 Approved 03-24-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 10, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar Questions and Comments for Michelle McKeon: Jenn Sellon asked if chronic absenteeism includes vacationing families. Yes, we count all absences as we want to encourage students to attend school but understand that there are things beyond a student's control. Diane Ready is very impressed with the communication that Superintendent McKeon has had with both the school committee and families. Her presence in the district is great. Lynn Cavicchi asked when Superintendent McKeon will present her entry plan findings and will this be incorporated into the Strategic Plan. The findings will be presented in April and yes, these will be incorporated in the plan. Are there any goals that Ms. McKeon would like to adjust based on how the year has progressed? No, Michelle feels confident where we sit today. Are there any groups identified on the Entry Plan that you have not yet met with? Michelle felt that she has met with almost every group but is offering one on one meetings with town officials. She still is and always be open to feedback. Jenn Walsh noted that Michelle has accomplished quite a bit in 8 months and appreciates the effort she has made to build strong teams which is important for our administrators and all staff. Finalize Superintendent Evaluation Timeline Chair Walsh proposed that it would be difficult to complete the evaluation prior to the May elections. She suggested we complete the evaluation in June. Prior to that, the committee will agree on participation of members based on the results of the election. Consideration of School Choice seats for 2026-2027: Assistant Superintendent Amy Bright provided current school choice enrollments and past enrollments compared to open positions. Our revenue from school choice for 2026-27 will range anywhere between $155,000 and $280,000 depending on the number of applications. She recommended that the district open up the same spots as last year. Lynn Cavicchi asked how the money is used. Finance Supervisor Debbie Scott noted that we funded two teachers this year and will fund three teachers next year. Motion to approve School Choice spots of five for grade 6, and ten for both grades 9 and 10 by Jen Sellon / Lynn Cavicchi Motion carries 5-0. Review policies with no chance needed: Policy JK Student Conduct was reviewed; no change needed. Consideration of Policy Revisions: Revise/ Code Title Notes Motion 1 To approve revisions Motion 2 Vote JL Student Welfare 1S LC 5-0 JL-E Fire Reporting State Form JLC Student Health Services JLCC Communicable Diseases Page 4 of 5 Approved 03-24-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 10, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar 1Q Student Fees, Fines and Charges KCD Public Gifts to Schools Lynn Cavicchi will follow JS LC 5-0 up on operational procedures for accepting both gifts and grants. LDA Student Teaching and Internships LDA-E Student Teaching and Internship List of Institutions School Committee Business: None School Committee Questions and Comments: None Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: Warrant Minutes Superintendent McKeon's Formative Assessment Superintendent Evaluation proposed timeline School Choice backup detail Policies Motion to adjourn: At 7:48 p.m., Chair Walsh called for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by lenifer Sellon / Lynn Cavicchi Motion Passes 5 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 5 of 5