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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 05/26/2026Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Approved 08-11-26 t" uF In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar „. L- r An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 in room 3AB of thei.. C Town Hall. The open meeting session was called to order by Superintendent Michelle McKeon gti6:02 p,mi , 11 Members Present: Administration Present: Jenn Walsh, Chair Michelle McKeon, Superintendent Jenifer Sellon, Vice Chair Amy Bright, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Diane Ready Jessica Davis, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Jamie Vitonis Matthew Violette, Director of Finance & Operations Members Absent: Lynn Cavicchi Superintendent McKeon opened for a reorganization of the committee by asking for nominations for a Chair. Jen Sellon nominated Jenn Walsh for Chair and Diane Ready nominated Lynn Cavicchi for Chair. ROLL CALL Vote: Jamie Vitonis Jenn Walsh Jenifer Sellon Jenn Walsh Jenn Walsh Jenn Walsh Diane Ready Lynn Cavicchi Jenn Walsh elected Chair by a vote of 3 —1. Chair Jenn Walsh asked for nominations for Vice Chair. Diane Ready nominated Lynn Cavicchi for Vice Chair. Jenifer Sellon nominated herself for Vice Chair. ROLL CALL Vote: Jamie Vitonis Jen Sellon Jenifer Sellon Jen Sellon Jenn Walsh Jen Sellon Diane Ready Lynn Cavicchi Jenifer Sellon elected Chair by a vote of 3 —1. Jenn Walsh 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: Jenn Sellon / Jamie Vitonis ROLL CALL Vote: Jamie Vitonis aye Jenifer Sellon aye Jenn Walsh aye Diane Ready aye Motion Carries 4-0 Page 1 of 5 Approved 08-11-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 26, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar Return from Executive Session at 6:55 pm. Public Speak: None Administrative Reports: Superintendent McKeon began by recognizing Andrew Fleischman as the student representative from the Student Advisory Committee and commended him for the great work he did to represent the student voice at Mansfield High School. She went on to announce that Mansfield has been welcomed into the 2026-27 Planning Phase for an Initial Early College designation. Through the hard work of Teacher Nicole Redding, Principal Russ Booth and Assistant Superintendent Amy Bright, Mansfield's Early College partnership has been selected for the inaugural cohort. Over the next ten months our team will engage in the development of a comprehensive program design plan. Our selection reflects a strong commitment to expanding equitable access to high -quality early college experiences for students across the Commonwealth. We are excited to work with DESE and Quincy College on this important effort. Assistant Superintendent Amy Bright provided an update on the English Language Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC.) The last meeting of the year was held on May 13tb. The first meeting of next year will be held on 11/26/26. The board has been selected and the new handbook is in progress. The district has completed welcome bags for all of our EL students which will be distributed in the coming weeks. The bags contain important information about our school and the town of Mansfield all which is translated in their native language. Additionally, each student will receive a welcome book which is in their native language and is appropriate for their grade level. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Davis provided an update on the annual Local Education Agency review of our Special Education services. The report showed that we met the requirements 80%of the time. She noted that the matrix did change somewhat this year which altered the standards. There are three categories (Performance, Compliance, Other.) We scored 10 out of 16 for performance which includes for students with disabilities: graduation, dropout rate, MCAS scores and educational placement. Compliance measures discrepancies between race and ethnicity in discipline practices, our child find processes and early childhood transitions to kindergarten. Mansfield received a score of 15 out of 16. Other pertains to fiscal responsibility and timely data reporting. We scored 3 out of 3. Diane Ready asked what we need to improve upon. Jessica indicated that the most work will go into our inclusion practices. Michelle McKeon noted that we are building this into our School Improvement Plans. Director of Finance and Operations Matthew Violette updated the committee on the FY26 third quarter financials. The trends are stable and consistent with prior years. There has been some salary savings due to positions that were not filled. Our technology account is over primarily because we accelerated the purchase of several Chromebooks in order to take advantage of lower prices. We still hope to prepay some special education tuitions at the end of June. We received the results from our FY25 End of Year Financial Audit which was clean with no recommendations. This is due to our strong financial oversight and controls. Our FY25 Student Activities Audit noted some areas of improvement. 1) There were some checking account balances that went above the approved limit set by the School Committee. This is mostly a timing issue as there are times we reload the checking account after checks are written but before they are cashed. 2) There were times across the district when pre -numbered receipts were not used. 3) School Committee policies do not address how to handle the reimbursement of funds when personal credit cards are used for student travel nor does it require a final accountability statement upon completion of the student trip. The district feels we can correct these concerns and will work on related policy. MHS Student Representative Update: Andrew Fleischmann spoke about events at MHS. MCAS is now complete for the year. In athletics, the track team is in the divisional championships, the tennis team was Hockomock Champions and the boys Lacrosse team is Page 2 of 5 Approved 08-11-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 26, 2026 In Person room 3A8 and Virtually using GoToWebinar currently in the playoffs. Our Performing Arts Tri-M organization will hold its annual coffee house tomorrow evening. Seniors have completed their last day of school; this Friday is the boat cruise and graduation will be soon after. Andrew noted that the Student Voice Summit voted to re-establish the Powder Puff game. Students are looking forward to this event. Lastly, Andrew thanked the district for restoring the orchestra program that was scaled back due to budget cuts. This shows that the School Committee values the student voice. Approval of Warrant: Goods & Salary & Goods & Salary & Services Wages Services Wages 2641S 2641 PS 2643S 2643PS 4/7126 4110/26 4/21/26 4124/26 General 297,860.63 962,981.17 Fund 1,844,182.74 1,846,946.25 Medicare 700.00 2,800.00 Capital 8,893.86 71,165.31 - Revolving 2,574.49 2,642.39 41,332.82 40,459.22 Food 49,060.75 46,092.58 Service 42,129.40 39,123.61 Gifts - - Student 2,810.13 - 5,570.87 Activity 288.12 Grants 77,138.33 21,353.14 44,138.31 21,440.30 Prior Year - 1,000.00 $ 438,338.09 $1,972,483.27 $ 1,110,805.46 $1,950,067.50 Motion to approve Warrant memo dated 5-12-26 by Jenn Sellon / Diane Ready Motion Carries 4— 0. Approval of Minutes: Date 1st 2nd Discuss Y/N Vote 04-28-26 Open JS DR Y — correct the 4-0 expense amount for the Active Minds 5K. 04-28-26 Exec not to JS DR N 4-0 be released Page 3 of 5 Approved 08-11-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 26, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar Acceptance of Gifts and Grants: Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grant for the Jordan/Jackson Community Garden Revitalization Jordan/Jackson Elementary School staff and students have been actively working to continue improving the school garden. One of the goals identified in the Jordan/Jackson School Improvement Plan was to make the garden more accessible and inclusive for all students. To support this initiative, J/J has formed a garden working group comprised of staff members, community members, and parents/guardians who are collaborating to enhance and sustain the space. In addition, students have demonstrated great enthusiasm through the formation of the 11 Garden Club, a recess enrichment opportunity that allows students to participate in the care, maintenance, and ongoing development of the garden. We are also excited to share that one of our working group members, who is actively involved with Keep Mansfield Beautiful, has collaborated with Home Depot regarding a potential grant opportunity. Jordan/Jackson has been identified as a candidate for The Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grant. If awarded, the funds would be used to repair decaying fence posts, till and refresh the soil, and construct new garden boxes to further improve the accessibility and functionality of the garden space for all students and staff. Each classroom will start plants from seedlings in the classroom providing learning access to all. There will also be a sensory garden for touch, sight and smell. Motion to accept the $3500 Home Depot grant for the 1/J garden upgrades by Jenifer Sellon / Diane Ready Motion carries 4 - 0 Old Business / Committee Updates: The Facilities Subcommittee met to discuss the new facilities software that will be implemented by July 1'r. This system will be less expensive than the old system; reduce administrative oversight, improve the public facing presentation for facilities rentals and improve the internal work flow process. This summer there are no excessively large projects. Facilities will concentrate on paving, door replacements, general maintenance, upgrades to the PA systems as well as typical back to school cleaning and floor maintenance. The Budget Subcommittee met to review the quarter 3 financial updates. New Business: Consideration of the QMS 2025-27 Program of Studies: Principal Matt McGuire presented the changes for next year. In addition to general housekeeping items, the major changes include: • Modification to the Hive block to be called Mixed -Use period. Classes have been made uniform by grade and will be detailed in the program of studies for students to review. • Modification to ELA grade 6 description. These changes were slightly edited by the committee. • Modification to Science grade 6, and 8 descriptions as we move to align closer with MCAS exams. • Removal of grade 6—8literacy programs • Addition of MYCAP work which will encourage career exploration paths in middle school. • Updated math sequence grid Questions and Answers: Jamie Vitonis is concerned about the removal of literacy courses as it did much to encourage students to enjoy reading. Principal McGuire noted that literacy is now embedded into every core class. In addition, many students use the Mixed -Use period to read independently. Diane Ready valued the work that QMS did on the program of studies; however general edits and corrections should be made before it goes out the public. She will work with Matt on these edits. Page 4 of 5 Approved 08-11-26 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 26, 2026 In Person room 3AB and Virtually using GoToWebinar Motion to approve the 2026-27 QMS Program of Studies with discussed edits by Jen Sellon / Diane Ready Motion Carries 4 — 0 School Committee Business: Chair Jenn Walsh announced the need to reorganize subcommittees. For tonight, there will be a high-level conversation to gage interest in each committee and final assignments will be made at the next meeting. Each member is to email Chair Walsh with interest. School Committee Questions and Comments: Members requested detailed information on Special Olympics to be held on Friday. Jessica will get a time schedule to the committee. Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: Documents Referenced: Warrant Minutes QMS Program of Studies School Committee Subcommittee listing Q3 Financial Documents FY25 Student Activity Audit FY25 End of Year Financial Audit Motion to adjourn: At 8:01 p.m., Chair Walsh called for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Jenifer Sellon / Diane Ready Motion Passes 4 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee Page 5 of 5