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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm Minutes 2/28/2012Mansfield School Committee Meetine Minutes for Tuesday. February 28, 2012 To -.vn Hall, Room RB & C An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. After returning from Executive Session the Open Session meeting was reopened and called to order by Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge at 7:37 PM. Motion U.C. s - o Members Present — roll call vote to re -open the Open Meeting; Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Chairman; yes Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, Vice Chairman; yes Mrs. Jean Miller, yes Mrs. Kiera O'Neil yes Mr. Jim Perry yes Also Present: Mrs. Brenda Hodges, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Edward Vozzella, Director of Finance CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED None School Committee Chairman reply: School Committee Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge, read a statement in reply to clarify a statement made by Board of Selectman, Mr. Doug Annino, regarding the Robinson School Window project. Chairman Trowbridge's reads as follows: There was a quote in the Mansfield News Feb. 24th edition, regarding two school projects attributed to Selectman Doug Annino. It is unfortunate that a system has been put in place, that if a Selectman has a question regarding a school issue, that they have contact numbers, as well as there is a liaison between the boards. Selectman Doug Annino cited the money approved for the school track and window projects. The funds ran out after covering engineering and design costs. "How can Town Meeting vote to appropriate funds that were not real? You can't go to Town Meeting and mislead (voters)," he said. "This to me is an embarrassment." What to me is embarrassing is, that a statement of that magnitude, that is totally false and misleading comes out at a public meeting. I then have to respond and clarify misinformation. — 1 — The facts are this. Town meeting approved the new field at the Mansfield HS. An engineer has been hired at a cost of $22,400. They have yet to bill us. The total appropriation from town meeting was $31o,000, and another $1oo,000 coming from the facilities use revolving account. Town meeting approved replacement windows for the Robinson School. Due to potential hazmat conditions, and other design constraints it was the collective wisdom, of members of the Capital Improvement, which is made up of MBC, Selectman and School Committee members, to hire a qualified professional who deals with these type of windows. This project is being done in conjunction with the MBC, which is made up of several competent, hardworking and qualified individuals. We are awaiting bids from the firms and will have a number within the next few days. I am assuming that the cost could be between $3ok -$4ok. The amount of money approved for the project was $375k. So as you can see, the quote from Mr. Annino was totally incorrect. In the future, I ask, that if you have a question, please contact us. Confirm your facts, before publicly trying to embarrass another committee. Do not rely upon what you might have heard third hand. I will ask once again, that if the Mansfield News has an article they want to write in regards to the schools, that they take the time to contact the schools , to get the facts correct. Being a reporter is a responsible job. Reporting on just what you heard or someone told you is irresponsible. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT ( Personnel The Superintendent regretfully informed the School Committee of the retirements of Mrs. Nancy DeGirolamo, Ms Diane Mobley, Mr. Al Thurber and Mrs. Eleanor Vaughn at the end of the school year, they are going to be missed. Mr. Trowbridge noted that there was a lot of experience in these four people. Mrs. Hodges then announced that on Friday she had been notified that we had been awarded the Full Day Kindergarten Grant. Mrs. Miller was concerned if we would have enough time to institute this program in the fall. Mrs. Hodges assured the Committee that we would be ready. Mrs. Miller also requested a copy of the grant proposal. Mr. Perry asked if they could email some questions they might have for the March 13th meeting. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS The following warrants were presented and accepted by the School Committee on February 28, 2012: Salary & Wages, # 2012 -14 dated o1 -o6 -2012, in the amount of $1,378,791.59 Good & Services # 2012 -1021 dated 01 -10 -2012, in the amount of $337,873.51 Salary & Wages, #2012 -15 dated 01 -20 -2012, in the amount of $1,372,635.27 Goods & Services #2012 -1024 dated or — 24 -2012 in the amount of $264,068.75. Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to approve the warrants. A motion was made to approve the warrants ist by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, 2nd by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil. Motion U.C. 5 — 0 —2— APPROVAL OF MINUTES Executive Session Minutes of December 1% 2011. Chairman, Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to approve the Executive Session Minutes of December 13, 2011. Motioned made I" Mr. Jim Perry by, 2nd by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz. Motion U.C. 5 - 0 Executive Session Minutes of January 4, 2012. Chairman, Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to approve the Executive Session Minutes of January 24, 2012. Motioned made 1St by Mrs. Jean Miller, 2nd by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz. Motion U.C. 4 - 0 - 9 Mr. Michael Trowbridge was not present for this meeting, School Committee Minutes of JanuaLT 24, 2012. Chairman, Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to approve the Open Session Minutes of January 24, 2012. Motioned made 1St by Mrs. Jean Miller, 2nd by Mr. Jim Perry Motion U.C. 4 - 0 - 1 Mr. Michael Trowbridge was not present for this meeting. OLD BUSINESS Budget FP'1a The subcommittee is scheduled to meet this Thursday to address the budget deficit. We have a recent budget adjustment due to Special Education changes. We did have a change in placement of four students and so at this time our budget deficit has increased by several hundred dollars based on that. We will continue to adjust the variances in the budget and do everything we canto address the recent Special Education increase as well as other variances. Once the subcommittee meets on Thursday morning Mrs. Hodges will update everyone. Mrs. O'Neil asked if at the March 13th meeting we would be looking at voting on some of our additions or are we holding off. Mr. Trowbridge noted ( that would be a good time to bring up the $433,000 in enhancements. Mrs. Hodges agreed. 13— Strategic Plan Update The Strategic Plan will conclude with a Charrette to be held on March 31, 2012 at the MHS Auditorium from 9:00 - 12:OOPM. The notice will be put in each of the E Backpacks and on our website. Senior Projects MHS Principal, Mr. Michael Connolly and teachers Bill Deasy and Benjamin Caisse made a presentation describing what senior projects are and gave examples of some of this year's senior project to the School Committee. The range of projects were from special education, nursing, environmental conservation to weather, all very interesting with 54 students participating. The final presentation will be held on May 23, 2012. All are invited to attend. Communication Survey Results Superintendent Hodges, presented the results of the Communication Survey to the Superintendent and School Committee. The survey was done beginning on January 25th through February 15th . There was 38% parent participation with 85% of the entire survey showing that parents were satisfied and pleased with how the schools communicated with parents. Mrs. Losiewicz thought it was a great survey and Mrs. O'Neil felt it was a tremendous response. Mrs. Miller felt thought that 35% was not a good return for a survey as she was hopping. Mr. Perry said it was a valid survey. Superintendent dodges thanked Lori Letendre for her support in the design and analysis of the survey. Poligy Handbook Update Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge, noted that we are waiting to hear back from Mr. Jim Hardy of MASC to set up a meeting with Mr. Perry and Mrs. O'Neil to update the Policy Handbook. NEW BUSINESS Distractology/ Arbella Insurance / Cavallo & Signoriello Cavallo & Signoriello Insurance Agency, represented by Mr. Ben Cavallo and Keith Signoriello, presented a program being offered by the Arbella Insurance that would allow about 80 Mansfield high school students, who are new drivers, to participate in a simulated distracted driving experience. The program is called Distractology and if approved would take place the week of March 26th. This program is to make students aware of the distractions in driving when texting, cell phone use and not paying attention to the road. There is no cost to the district. Teaching, Empowering, Leading & Learning ( TELL) Massachusetts Survey The Superintendent included information regarding the TELL Survey that is being distributed by DESE. This survey is mandatory for all school districts in Massachusetts and covers the following categories: 14— • Time • Facilities and Resources • Community Support and Development • Managing Student Conduct • Teacher Leadership • School Leadership • Professional Development and Instructional Practice & Support (Curriculum & Instruction) The results of the survey will be made available to districts in May 2012. It is my understanding that districts will be asked to submit a plan to DESE addressing the results of the survey. Although it is not clearly stated in this document, Mansfield did not receive information to request a waiver to exempt us from the survey. This may be due to not being an RTTT district. Mrs. O'Neil was wondering if this was an electronic survey, it was not, and also wanted to know if it was a long survey, which it is. QMS Sign: The Superintendent was happy to report that a new sign would soon be replacing the old one sign at QMS. Principal Zeff Gianetti and Walter Parker are working together and hope to have the sign ordered by the end of the week. They will be using the existing posts. The proposed Timeline for having this in place is within the next three weeks. The cost will be approximately $3,100. World Travel Club Trip to Ireland & Scotland 2013 The School Committee approved the trip to Scotland and Ireland with the caveat that they purchase travel insurance and will abide by the warning s of the Federal Governments travel alerts. Chairman, Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to approve the request for the MHS World Travel Club to travel to Ireland & Scotland in the summer of 2013. Motioned made lst by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, 2nd by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil. Motion U.C. 5 — 0 QMS — Field Trip to Canobie Lake Park — Salem, NH The School Committee approved the 61h grade field trip to Canobie Lake Park. Chairman, Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to approve the QMS Filed Trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH. Motioned made 1" by Mr. Jim Perry, 2nd by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz. —s- Motion U.C. 5 — 0 QMS — Field Trip to I MAX Theater — Providence, RI Chairman, Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to approve the QMS Field Trip to the I MAX Theater in Providence, RI. Motioned made I"by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, 2nd by Mr. Jim Perry. Motion U.C. 5 — 0 Field Trip Approvals (if any) CM IM CITIZENS COMMENTS None SCHOOL COMMIITL+E NEW BUSINESS MHS student representative Brett Fortin updated the School Committee on the events going on at the high school. MBC Chairman, Mrs. Maureen Doherty, came by to give an update on the Robinson Elementary School window replacement project. School Committee Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to place an Article on the Warrant for the repair of the wall in the MHS gym. The 1st motion was made by Lisa Losiewicz, 2nd by Mr. Jim Perry. Motion U.C. 5-0 OTHER Motion to adjourn: Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to adjourn the School Committee Meeting of February 28, 2012 at 9:10 PM for the sole purpose of adjourning. A Motion was made to close the meeting by Mr. Jim Perry, 2nd by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil. 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. s - o —6— Respectfully submitted, Mary O. Jackson Secretary to the Superintendent &School Committee