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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm Minutes 1/10/2012Mansfield School Committee Meeting Mansfield School Committee BUDGET Meetine Minutes for Tuesday. January 10, 2012 Town Hall, Room 3B & C An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. After returning from Executive Session the Open Session meeting was reopened and called to order by Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge at 7:35 PM. Motion U.C. 5 - 0 Members Present — roll call vote to open the Budget Meetim Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Chairman; yes Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, Vice Chairman; yes Mrs. Jean Miller, yes Mrs. Kiera O'Neil yes Mr. Jim Pent' yes Also Present: Mrs. Brenda Hodges, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Edward Vozzella, Director of Finance Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge, opened the meeting with a statement that tonight would be the formal presentation of the fiscal year 2012 -2013 Budget to the School Committee in accordance with MGL Chapter 71 Section 38N. This hearing has been advertised in the Sun Chronicle. What we are going to do is have each school come up and give their presentation and if there are questions from the School Committee then we will open it up to the public for questions. Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. Brenda Hodges, began the meeting by informing everyone that there were handouts available on the back table. We are here tonight to review the budget request that was submitted to you in December. At that time, we brought forward a budget request totaling $41,419,361, which you approved to go forward to the town. Of that $41,419,361, only $433,280 was money above a level funded budget. As we have begun the joint long range strategic planning process for the schools and the town, the executive committee has met with the consultant, Dr. John Mullins on several occasions in preparation of the committee work to begin soon. During these meetings, it has been good to hear that Dr. Mullins preliminary research has found that the schools are a real strength and asset for the town of Mansfield. Dr. Mullins has shared that the preliminary research has shown that the Mansfield Public Schools are a high performing school district working with a very limited budget, when compared to the state and other selected districts to which the schools and town of Mansfield are being compared. This is evidenced by our standardized test scores, MCAS, SAT and college acceptances of our students. It is important, as we engage in the budget process, that we recognize the cost that is associated with providing this outstanding educational program for all Mansfield students. As we begin the process and review the budget ,please note that only $433,280 represents additional money above the level service budget of fyl2. These dollars represent a top 10 priority list that the building principals, district directors and I compiled for the December meeting to support the district and building goals and vision, as outlined in the school improvement plans and the district goals. Tonight, I have asked the building principals to speak to the relationship of the budget requests and the other immediate needs that are identified which support the budget request. You have already received and approved the overall budget, and nothing has changed since the December meeting and your approval of the budget number of $41,419,361. The building principals and directors are prepared to discuss their building and program needs and vision as identified in their school improvement plans. At the end of their presentation just a Michael said, if you have questions or comments regarding the presentation or specific questions on the budget numbers or line items, please bring those questions or comments to us. We welcome your questions and comments. Roland Green: Principal, Ms. Joanne Jordan, presented the budget for the Roland Green Preschool and explained how they strive to provide quality early childhood educational experiences for all of our students. They currently have 7 special education classrooms supported by therapists and paraprofessionals. This year to date we have 115 students enrolled. Half of the students are special education students and half are peer models. The number of classrooms has been consistent over the last few years. ( Currently, approximately 55% of our students are in full -time programs and 45% are in part —time programs. Last year these numbers were reversed -45% were in full -time programs and 55% were in part- time programs. The intensity of the needs of students entering the preschool continues to increase as more students require full -day, full year services. Approximately 30% of our students are diagnosed with Autism. The preschool is the beginning of a long relationship between families and the Mansfield Public Schools. We have been effective due to the dedication and expertise of our staff earned the parents trust. Over the past few years all of our students have successfully transitioned to the Robinson special education programs. This year's budget supports the provision of quality early intervention services that are critical to the growth and development of our students. New initiatives: • Teachers and parents have formed a committee to support the preschool by providing community involvement activities, cultural enrichment for the students and fundraising to support the purchase of Smartboards for all classrooms. • Investigation of new programming opportunities to increase the number of peer models. Mrs. O'Neil asked if the tuition has remained the same and how long has it had been this way. Mrs. Jordan noted that the tuition has been the same for a while now. Mr. Trowbridge mentioned that the reason we haven't raised the tuition is because of the peer models and having more openings it is critical that we have these students. Mrs. Jordan noted that it is the afternoon that they have trouble filling. We are looking to start a lunch hour so that the peer models can stay that much longer, which works better for parents. A full day peer model program would attract more peer models. Mr. Trowbridge felt we should be letting these parents know so if we could do a survey and have it ready for the next meeting that would be great. Mrs. Losiewicz remarked that Mrs. Jordan had said that there were 30% of the children diagnosed with Autism, and asked if it was increasing. Mrs. Jordan stated that in Mansfield, there is a high rate of Autism. They come in with the diagnosis, but as they progress through the school they lose that diagnosis. Many times they are given the diagnosis to insure that they can receive the intensive resources. Early intervention is still key. Robinson Elementary: Mrs. Kate Kristenson, Principal of the Robinson School presented the budget for the " NEASC Accredited" Robinson Elementary School. Our five year review was great. We emphasize teaching our K — 2 students how to read, comprehend, explore & investigate and develop strong number sense. This budget supports the goals & objectives of our current school improvement plan as we strive to create a learning environment to achieve high academic performance of students with world class instruction and materials, while efficiently foster 21 Century skills. Through student collaboration and enrichment. We continuously use our data to drive our instruction for improvement. As you heard, when our literacy consultants and teachers reviewed the- dibels testing results and we are beginning to use that for our math as well. We have asked for another Special Education teacher to support our intervention model at the Robinson School. The personnel increases we have asked for would be the number 1 need. We must support our students as they go to third grade to be ready to read and learn. In K — 2 they learn to read and comprehend so that they can go on and effectively comprehend what they read in third grade. We also have asked for an ELL teacher to share with the Jordan Jackson . Mrs. O'Neil asked if the request for science kits, was this also for one time or was it an annual thing. Mrs. Kristenson stated that annually we ask for dirt, rocks, guppies and things like that. Mrs. O'Neill asked about the ELL, currently there is a part time position and JJ is asking for a part time Ell, so is that so we would have 1.5 total ? Mrs. Hodges stated that it would be 1.5 and just a little bit more, she works about 3 days a week. The state has said that we need 3 to really meet their requirement and we are nowhere near that right now. Mrs. Miller asked what would happen if we did not meet the requirements? They could penalize us by saying some our Federal Funds are in jeopardy, many schools are not in compliance, they too are struggling. Mrs. Miller asked if with this 1.5, do you feel it meets your needs? Mrs. Kristenson said that yes it brings us much closer. Mr. O'Neil asked about bumping this person up to a 1.0 and the response was yes it would. Mrs. O'Neil so with the Special Education teacher does this bring us up a number ? Mrs. Kristenson said yes, this could bring us up to close to what we have had. We would like to have one person for every 125 children. Currently we have 4 and with this addition would be 5 Wayne Smith was curious what the NI Math Program was? Mrs. Kristenson answered that this math program was an online program that helps children with their math and practice their math skills. Mr. Smith asked that if this had anything to do with the math that we just bought. Jordan / Jackson Elementary: The J/J budget was presented by co- principals, Ms. Teresa Murphy and Ms. Kathy Podesky. On behalf of Nancy Beier, Heather Smith, our School Council members who are in attendance this evening, Joanna Mutchler, Rayna Freedman, and Jen Memoli... Kathy and I thank you for this opportunity to speak to our budget needs. The J/J School Improvement plan that was presented to you earlier this year represents the cooperative venture of both the School Council, comprised of parents, community members and teachers, as well as the faculty at large. The FY '13 budget that we prepared will help us to achieve the goals of our School's Improvement Plan. This year, we continue to focus on implementing the new math program that is aligned to the common core standards; consistent assessment at all grade levels in reading, writing and math; the integration of technology within the curriculum; continued development of the Response to Intervention efforts; and promoting a positive peaceful school culture. We thank you for your consideration of the immediate educational needs for the Jordan/Jackson School. Goal for 2011 - 2012: Promote greater access, use and integration of technology to improve learning and communication. • Provide all learning spaces with Smartboards. • Increase number of document cameras. • Explore equipping each computer pod with a printer. • Explore wireless connection. • Continue to explore laptop purchases. • Implement teacher use of technology for report cards with collectable data. • Increase electronic communication to further reduce paper consumption. • Continue professional development for Smartboards as new units are added to classrooms. • Utilize technology for timely feedback to teachers for Math and Reading data including analysis of student growth across grade levels. • Work toward full utilization of what the web has to offer by releasing restrictions to access. • Integration of STEM including robotics. • Continue to take advantage of publishers' technology components in all curriculum areas through Smartboard use. • Train all staff in the technology components of the new math program. Goal 2011— 2012: Provide support and education to students and staff members in order to foster 21s` century skills. • Reintroduce "Twenty Days to Independent Reading" in order to develop skills to become lifelong learners. • Implement new Common Core aligned math program. • Provide ongoing professional development to support staff in implementing new math program. • Continue to refine RTI process through a Response to hntervention Steering Committee. • Evaluate alternatives in classroom teaching structures ( i.e. departmentalization) • Increase reading staff. • Continue to utilize AIMS and implement DIBELS across grade levels in order to provide data to inform instruction. • Continue to Increase participation in ELL training. • Total student access to IXL math for home and school use with teacher ability to monitor progress. • Continue to provide ELL training. • Continue Math, Reading, and Science Family Learning Nights. • Expand the implementation of the X2 program for other uses. • Provide Professional Development and encourage multi -media use in class projects. • Create Grade Level Team Leaders to help staff with the implementation of the new Math Program. • Establish building level Data Teams. • Modify the report card to align with the common core standards. Goal 2011 — 2012: Continue to improve all aspects of school safetv. • Continue educating children about bullying. • Continue relationship with the Mansfield Police and the Bristol County Sheriff's office. • Continue use of Incident Report form.. Goal for 2011— 2012: To improve a strong sense of community among all students to create a peaceful and positive environment. Action Plan: • Continue with the school culture survey to measure students' responses to school and bus situations. • Refine the social /emotional /curriculum component at the Jordan/Jackson. • Continue to train new staff in Open Circle. • Provide guest speakers to address bullying and awareness of differences • Continue with kick -off assembly encouraging respect and friendship. • Examine other social /emotional curricula such as PBIS, and Peace Builders. • Continue mentor program with the High School Students. QMS: Mr. Gianetti presented his FYI budget for QMS. He identified the needs for QMS as during the presentation it was recognized that QMS received an increase in staffing for the FY'!@ Budget. Mr. Gianetti discussed his FY 13 Budget in relation to how the budget reflects the QMS imitative and needs , identified in the School Improvement Plan that was presented to the School Committee and is also posted on the website. The main request was for an intervention specialist to help out with the MCAS support. MHS: Mr. Michael Connolly spoke to the ongoing preparation for the NEASC Accreditation next spring 2013. All is going well and we are working very hard to be fully prepared. Mr. Connolly wanted to thank the community for their support last year and in adding the necessary teachers. He has identified the needs of the high school and was looking to add most importantly, a Guidance Counselor / Adjustment Counselor. The mandates He discussed his FY13 Budget in relation to what the need is and what has been identified in the School Improvement Plan he presented to the School Committee. Some additional items were a business teacher, a SPED teacher, a hall monitor, and another Assistant Principal. Motion to adiourn: Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to adjourn the School Committee Meeting of January 10, 2012 at 9:05 PM for the sole purpose of adjourning. A Motion was made to close the meeting by Mr. Jim Perry, 2nd by Mrs. Jean Miller. A Roll call vote to close: Mr. Michael Trowbridge, yes; Mr. Jim Perry, yes; Mrs. Jean Miller, yes; Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, yes; Mrs. Kiera O'Neil, yes. Motion U.C. 5 -0 Respectfully submitted, Mary O. Jackson Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee