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Home My WebLink AboutSchool Comm 04/07/2026Approved 04-28-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 07, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinarRECEIVED CE An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held on TueicQra�jmtb7;'202� i o oo Im 3AB of the Town Hall. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Jenn Walshat66:0 mp 2. 35 Members Present: Administration Present: Jenn Walsh, Chair Michelle McKeon, Superintendent r' Al J F IFLD ( Jenifer Sellon, Vice Chair Amy Bright, Assistant Superinten��iriDf"1�8calgciU.'elarning Lynn Cavicchi Jessica Davis, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Diane Ready Matthew Violette, Director of Finance & Operations 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: Lynn Cavicchi / Diane Ready ROLL CALL Vote: Lynn Cavicchi aye Diane Ready aye Tenn Walsh aye Jenifer Sellon aye Jamie Vitonis aye Motion Carries 5-0 Return from Executive Session at 6:36 pm. Public Speak: None Statement by Chair Jenn Walsh (An item not anticipated 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting): At last night's Budget Subcommittee meeting, Select Board Chair, Walter Wilk noted that he had attempted to reach out to Jenn Walsh to discuss the upcoming Budget and Override but never heard back from her. At that meeting, Chair Walsh disagreed with his comment. Tonight, she distributed a detailed timeframe and a copy of correspondences between herself and Mr. Wilk; both to be added to the minutes. Dec 12: Select Board Chair Wilk (Walter Wilk) emailed Chair Walsh (Jenn Walsh) for a phone call. Dec 12: School Committee Chair (Jenn Walsh) replied and a Dec 16`h date was set. Dec 16: Jenn Walsh called Walter Wilk and left a message. Dec 171enn Walsh and Walter Wilk had a 15-minute phone conversation Jan 19: Walter Wilk emailed Jenn Walsh Jan 21:1enn Walsh replied to Walter Wilk Jan 27: At a joint meeting to appoint a new School Committee member, Jenn Walsh asked Walter Wilk about the status of the meeting. Feb 6: Texts exchanged and a 5-minute phone call held Feb 16: Select Board requested that the Interim Town Manager set up a meeting Page 1 of 4 Approved 04-28-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 07, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar Feb 17: Email from Nancy Griffin asking for availability Feb 17:1enn Walsh responded Feb 20: Nancy Griffin sent an email thanking the school department's for its response and reminded all others to reply with availability Feb 25: Walter Wilk responded Feb 26: Select Board Vice Chair Michael Feck responded Feb 27 Meeting scheduled for Mar 3 In addition, Jenn Walsh made copies of the contract language that schools have regarding town -sponsored benefits and an MOU regarding the creation of mitigation funds. She requested that the complete packet of information be emailed to the Finance Committee, Budget Subcommittee, Select Board and Town Manager. Administrative Reports: Superintendent McKeon noted that we received a lot of feedback from the Strategic Plan focus groups and surveys. Last week the Strategic Planning Committee dug into the data and created subgroups to focus on three categories: Teaching & Learning, Facilities & Budgets, and Culture & Belonging. In light of the response volume, Superintendent McKeon will delay her District Entry Findings until April 281h so she can incorporate some of the feedback in her report. Michelle than provided some recent district highlights. MCAS testing is underway. Last week, MHS hosted three concerts (All Band, All Chorus and All Orchestra). She congratulated the students and thanked the staff for their efforts. MHS International night was also held last week. It was an incredible celebration of the many cultures represented in our community showcasing music, dance, exhibits and refreshments from around the world. MHS hosted the 8m grade Opportunities night for incoming grade 9 students. Upcoming performing arts events are QMS' Beauty and the Beast, Jordan/Jackson's Alice in Wonderland, and the high school's Jazz and Percussion concert. Elementary conferences and Preschool/Kindergarten screening events took place. Lastly, Bus Registration for next year has opened. Assistant Superintendent Amy Bright provided an update on this year's Summer School program which will run the week of June 29" and the next three weeks in July Mondays thru Thursdays. Two sessions will be run each day. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Davis provided information on the Special Education Extended Year Program which will run July 61h — August 6". This program provides services to students on IEPs who demonstrate regression during school breaks, need critical thinking development or require ongoing educational services based on the nature of their disability. She also noted that SEPAC will be hosting a presentation on Anxious Students on April 151h. All are welcome to attend. Director of Finance and Operations Matthew Violette provided an update on the second quarter financial reports. As of December 31", our finances were tracking well as compared to prior years. We will continue to monitor. Several of the revolving accounts are trending below target balances. These are conservative estimates as there are some accounts which carry money needed for higher end -of -the year expenditures. For those accounts above target, Lynn Cavicchi asked if we focus on one-time purchases like small capital. Matt indicated that yes, that would be the case. Ms. Cavicchi asked for regular reports on these purchases. Mr. Violette then presented a Gift Account report which provides YTD activity and gifts received. In some cases, the gifts are specified for a particular use; other times we have some discretion. Since this is a new repoft for the committee, Lynn asked committee members to provide input on any other information they would like added. The FY27 budget has been set as the Select Board will not add an override to Town Meeting. We will be moving forward with approximately $2.4 million in reductions by cutting approximately 22 FTEs, reducing Goods & Services and scaling back on bus expenditures. The budget sent for approval is $60,863,231 which is a .5% increase over FY26. Lynn requested that all of these reports are forwarded to Sara Walsh, Chair of the Finance Committee. Approval of Minutes: Page 2 of 4 Approved 04-28-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 07, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar Date 1st 2nd Discuss Y/N Vote 03-24-26 Open JS DR N 5-0 03-24-26 Exec not to be released JS LC N 5-0 Acceptance of Gifts and Grants: Mansfield Women of Today donated $350 to SEPAC to be used toward family events and programming. Jenifer Sellon asked how the money is held. Jessica Davis noted that we deposit this into the gift account until it is needed. This school -year we used the money to run a family hay ride. Briggs Nursery and Flint Farm donated materials to the MHS Garden Club's plans to build raised garden beds with wild flowers. Jenifer Sellon and Diane Ready asked about ongoing maintenance. How will the labor and financing be covered? Superintendent McKeon noted that students have worked on a plan with their advisor for ongoing care. We are also looking to bring back the 1/J Garden Club possibly in partnership with the Council on Aging. The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security awarded Mansfield with a grant to assist with Cyber Security Training. This grant will provide us with 700 licenses to training modules. Lynn Cavicchi asked about the length of the grant. Michelle noted that this is a one-year extension of an existing grant. Motion to accept the three gifts brought forward tonight by Jenifer Sellon / Lynn Cavicchi Motion carries 5 - 0 New Business: Consideration of Policy Revisions: Revise/ Title Notes Motion 1 Motion Vote Code To approve 2 revisions JICF Gang Activity & Secret Modified Title for Secret JS LC 5-0 Societies Societies and minor housekeeping JICFA Prohibition of Hazing Removed one sentence JICFA-E Hazing Reworded to reflect current statute. Consideration of New Policy: Revise/ Title Notes Motion 1 Motion Vote Code To approve 2 revisions JICA Student Dress Code Establishes high level guidance JS LC 5-0 that will be used to develop handbook language. ACE Student Publications Encourages responsible journalism and distinguishes student voice from district voice Page 3 of 4 Approved 04-28-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 07, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar School Committee Business: None School Committee Questions and Comments: Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meetine: Documents Referenced: FY26 Q2 Financial Reports FY26 Q2 Revolving Account Report FY26 Q2 Gift Report Gifts Policies Correspondence record between Select Board Chair Walter Wilk and School Committee Chair Jenn Walsh. Motion to adjourn: At 7:11 p.m., Chair Walsh called for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Jenifer Sellon / Lynn Cavicchi Motion Passes 5 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 4 of 4