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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnimal Welfare 02/19/2026Carol Kosel Sharon Baker Chan•nran Vice-Chah-nnan Shannon Dempsey Alternate Minutes for February 19, 2026. ri kfayAndreivs, , r,Ana Ublina-"011111a-'� Amy Talton Clerk r' 'a ' hlentber Member Present: AWC: Carol Kosel, Mary Andrews, Ana Villella A.C.O. Francesca Politsopoulos (virtual), Assistant to A.C.O.: Jada Lebron The Animal Welfare Committee meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at Mansfield Airport. Approve Minutes Motion: To approve the minutes from January, 2025. Passes. A.C.O. Report • The puppies on hold for the neglect case will go to foster homes with vet techs from Wags Animal Hospital. Neffy will have surgery for a luxating patella. After surgery she will recuperate either in a crate at the shelter, or Francesca might take him to her home. At the corner of Rte. 140 and School Street there is a panhandling woman, who has an aggressive Malinois with her. The panhandling is a possible scam. Francesca advises avoiding the dog, and she will work to have the woman moved to a different location. Stephanie and Carol discussed reinstating the shift checklist for dogs so that volunteers know what they are expected to do. Miscellaneous Ana and Carol suggested updating the volunteer manual. • Francesca and Carol suggested finding a way to let all volunteers know they are appreciated. Adjournment Adjourned at 6:35 pm Mary Andrews Signature of Clerk Date: 2/19/2026 Approved 04-07-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 24, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held on Tuesday, March ?4;,3026'in, ocim 3Ag of tba, Town Hall. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Jenn Walsh at 6:02 p.m. Members Present: Jenn Walsh, Chair Jenifer Sellon, Vice Chair (remote) Lynn Cavicchi Diane Ready Jamie Vitonis Members Absent: None Administration Present: Michelle McKeon, Superintendent Amy Bright, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching &'Learning Jessica Davis, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Matthew Violette, Director of Finance & Operations 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: Lynn Cavicchi / Diane Ready ROLL CALL Vote: Jenn Walsh aye Diane Ready aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Jamie Vitonis aye Motion Carries 4-0 Return from Executive Session at 6:30 pm. All votes this evening will be by roll call. Public Hearing on the FY27 Budget Chair Walsh asked for a motion to enter into a public hearing on the FY27 school budget. Motion to open the legislative public hearing by: Lynn Cavicchi / Diane Ready ROLL CALL Vote: Jamie Vitonis aye Jenn Walsh aye Diane Ready aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenifer Sellon aye Motion Carries 5 — 0 Director of Finance and Operations Matt Violette presented slides on two budget proposals for town meeting. The first budget (Scenario A) is $61,959,069 (2.37% increase over FY26) assuming a $2M approved override. The second budget (Scenario B) is $60,863,231 (.56% increase) and assumes that an override is not requested or fails. This is also referred to as the balanced budget. Mr. Violette started by explaining our guiding principles (student - focused, maintaining priorities, and aligns with fiscal realities. He then reviewed the events / timeline leading up to these budget options. Page 1 of 9 Approved 04-07-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 24, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar question are new ones. There is not a big need in the next few year but in FY31 there will be a big spike as we need to replace the first wave of leases purchased. She also asked for further detail on the reductions made (ie staff vs administrators) and class sizes. Perhaps our budget cuts have been moderate over the years targeting programs rather than enrollment. Superintendent McKeon spoke briefly of class size as we are aiming for class sizes to increase slightly but hopefully not exceed 25 students at the elementary level. Diane Ready noted that it is not just class size that is concerning; it is also the ratio of staff to students in classes where paraprofessionals are needed or where learning is done via small group instruction. Jamie Vitonis noted that the consistent cutting each year is resulting in fewer young teachers. Our staff is very experienced which is wonderful but there will be a point in time where this expertise leaves through attrition. It has long been beneficial for new and experienced teachers to learn and grow from each other's expertise. Jenn Walsh noted that it is disappointing to see these cuts get deeper each year. After years of implementing very important programming, it will take a long time to recover from these cuts and reestablish programming. Motion to close the public hearing by Lynn Cavicchi / Diane Ready at 7:19 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Jamie Vitonis aye Jenn Walsh aye Diane Ready aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenifer Sellon aye Motion Carries 5 — 0 Consideration of Approval of a FY27 Balanced Budget (No Override): Chair Walsh noted that the town has requested we present two different budgets. Once will include the benefit of an override while the second will be a smaller budget without a town override. Motion to support the Balanced FY27 Budget (Option B $60,863,231) presented tonight by Diane Ready / Lynn Cavicchi. Lynn inquired where we stood on a contract with Connolly bus. Matt noted that we have one more year on the contract and will have to go out to bid in 2027. There was discussion on how to move forward with the motion and it was amended as follows: Motion to approve the Balanced FY27 Budget (Option B $60,863,231) presented tonight by Diane Ready / Lynn Cavicchi. Roll Call Vote: Jamie Vitonis aye Jenn Walsh aye Diane Ready aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenifer Sellon aye Motion Carries 5-0 We need to present a balanced budget to town meeting. Matt Violette noted that this would be warrant article number 1. Approve a balanced town budget of $x. The second article will be a request to provide additional funding through a specific override amount. Page 3 of 9 Approved 04-07-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 24, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar requirements. The district is also investing in WIDA MODEL Online Assessments for progress monitoring. o Students with Disabilities (SWDs): Secondary staff completed a multi -part professional learning series on inclusive practices, while elementary staff received targeted training on WonderWorks and began using Amplify DIBELS for data -informed interventions. • Early Evidence of Change: Progress monitoring showed positive shifts in K-5 early literacy instruction, including a 25% increase in lessons rated positively for assessment and differentiation and a 47% increase in opportunities for students to practice foundational skills (MOY vs. BOY). The district exceeded the state target for placing SWDs aged 3-5 in inclusive early childhood programs (62.96% vs. 51.7% state target). • Progress in Closing Disparities: Early data shows mixed math outcomes, but promising trends for specific groups and grades. Notable gains include a 60% increase in Kindergarten ML students performing at or above benchmark and a 16% increase in Grade 3 SWDs identified as Low Risk or On Track. • Family Engagement and Workforce Development: Family perception surveys showed a slight improvement in the percentage of families who feel included, welcome, accepted, and safe (87%in 2025, up from 84% in 2024). The report also detailed barriers to hiring a diverse workforce (e.g., housing costs, lower starting salary compared to Boston) and outlined strategies like targeted outreach through the Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education (MPDE). Key Changes and Next Steps: • Budget Adjustments: Reductions in the operating budget and potential grant decreases require the district to adjust the delivery of professional development and tiered intervention supports, prioritizing high -impact and cost-efficient strategies while maintaining core SOA plan elements that align to the new strategic plan. • Future Focus: Plans for 2025-2026 include continuing the implementation of the new K-5 ELA and 6-8 Math programs and strengthening inclusive practices across all content areas and levels. Ms. Cavicchi asked if Ms. Bright would send a copy of the SOA to the committee. Amy noted that working toward meeting these expectations is another impact to our budget. It was noted that the SOA funds are proportioned into the Chapter 70 money so it is difficult to get a clear identification of the total dollars; however, it is believed to be just around $100,000 for FY26. Diane Ready asked for clarification on "Recover Path" and "Path Forward." Amy noted that these are indicators created by DESE. Schools are identified as "Recovery Path' if the MCAS scores are still behind where they were pre COVID. A decline in this score notes that we fell further behind. "Path Forward" is indicated if the MICAS scores have returned to or are high than pre COVID scores. The districts are tasked with moving ahead with continued improvements. Ms. Ready also asked about the timing of WIDA scores that seem to get passed to teachers very late in the school year. Ms. Bright noted that ACCESS surveys are given in January and February with results given to staff as soon as they become available. WIDA exams are given in late spring or early fall and show continual growth. Staff are given access to these scores as well. Although some scores are provided late in the year, there should be enough cumulative information to make informed decisions. 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. Page 5 of 9 Approved 04-07-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 24,2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar Diane Ready aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenifer Sellon aye 5-0 *For 3-10, correct the name of the superintendent. Acceptance of Gifts and Grants: Mansfield High School was awarded a $6400 grant from the State Treasurer's Financial Education Innovation Fund to support a financial education fair. MHS plans to host a Credit for Life Fair in the fall of 2026. Lynn Cavicchi requested that as we move forward and finalize the process for documenting and accepting gifts and grants. Motion to accept the Innovation Fund state grant of $6400 by Lynn Cavicchi / Diane Ready Roll Call Vote: Jamie Vitonis aye Jenn Walsh aye Diane Ready aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenifer Sellon aye Motion carries 5 - 0 Committee Updates: Budget: The subcommittee reviewed the different budget scenarios, processes for accepting gifts and grants, summer fees, revolving accounts, and the public outreach sessions. It was also noted that the Select Board will be voting April 1" on whether or not to add the override to the Town Meeting. It was decided that the Town and School Space Needs Committee should regroup to start creating longterm plans. Lastly, after the town meeting is complete, the budget subcommittee will request 5-year projections from the district administration. New Business: Consideration of Job Description for Teacher of Visuafiy Impaired Students: Currently, the district pays a consulting group to provide services to our visually impaired students. We have a great relationship with this organization but our need is increasing (and therefore the consulting cost) and the district would like to bring this position in-house. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Davis highlighted the components of the proposed job description which was reviewed and approved by Human Resources Director Jocelyn LeMaire. There were several questions on the details of the description including the identity of required vs preferred qualification and clarification of a minimum of five years' experience. After discussion, it was agreed to leave that as preferred hoping to expand the pool of candidates. Also questioned was the need for a licensing or certification, other standard description Items as well as salary placement. The committee was willing to approve the job description pending edits made per the discussion. Motion to approve the Teacher of Visually Impaired Job Description with noted edits by Lynn Cavicchi / Diane Ready Roll Call Vote: Jamie Vitonis aye Jenn Walsh aye Diane Ready aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenifer Sellon aye Page 7 of 9 Approved 04-07-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 24,2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar Minutes Student Opportunity Progress Report TVI Job Description Policies Motion to adjourn: At 8:18 p.m., Chair Walsh called for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Lynn Cavicchi / Diane Ready Roll Call Vote: Jamie Vitonis aye Jenn Walsh aye Diane Ready aye Lynn Cavicchi aye Jenifer Sellon aye Motion Passes 5 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 9 of 9