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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm Minutes 3/27/2012Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Town Hall, Room 3B & C An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, March 27, 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. r - 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 We received a number of emails regarding the issue of Rosh Hashanah SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Personnel We had 18 bidders for the Track & Field Project. The prices will be due on Apri14, 2012 at 10:00 AM, and on the Robinson Window Project, Ed has been working with Walter and the town and several bidders and it has been awarded to Gale Inc. for the Design stage of the project and will be due on May 21st and the bids opening will be on June 13, 2012. We have advertised for a House Doctor, which is an architect that will work with the town and the schools and will be on retainer to go over projects as they come along. Both the town & schools will be paying for this. Payment will be determined by who actually is using this person at the time. The person hired will be qualified to handle most any project that comes along. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES The School Committee Chairman tabled the minutes below until the next meeting. Executive Session Minutes of March 13, 2012 School Committee Minutes of March 13, 2012 11— OLD BUSINESS Calendar Reconsideration: The Chairman noted that there was a representative of the Temple that wanted to speak on behalf of the calendar reconsideration. Mrs. Jen Faber was accompanied by Rabbi Jodi Smith to speak on the issue on behalf of the 115 Jewish families and 140 children that attend their Temple and of the importance of having both Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah off as holidays. Mrs. Faber stated that she had encouraged people to email the School Committee regarding the last vote on the calendar showing only Yom Kippur off as a holy day. Mrs. Faber explained why it was important to have both of the holy days of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah and how she will continue and hopes it won't be necessary to continue to explain this. Mrs. Faber felt it would be a statement of diversity and celebrate the differences of this town. Four years ago the Rabbi came before you and noted that both days would not happen again until 2012, and here we are and it won't be an issue again until 2015. Mrs. Faber was asking the Committee to reconsider the calendar and make the first day of both holy days as no school days. She did ask that once this comes up again in 2015 and beyond that the calendar would be set to reflect diversity and inclusion. Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge asked for a motion to reconsider the calendar with Mr. Perry making a motion and Mrs. O'Neil making a second. The board voted 5- 0 to reconsider the Calendar. Mr. Jim Perry stated that he was embarrassed that he voted not to have Rosh Hashanah as a holiday. Once he left and thought about it again and received the first email he felt a lack of sensitivity and a bit of arrogance and for that he apologized. Mr. Perry said that he was embarrassed that you had to come here tonight, It should not have happened. Mrs. Miller thanked everyone for coming and appreciated all the concern and ( shares those feelings as well. The issue we have is the constrictors of the school calendar. We can't start before September first, and thank you teachers for giving us that day, and we can't end after June 30th, given that other holidays and the extra no school day for the presidential election is included. Mrs. Miller is concerned about adding an extra day to the end of the school year. Where we had issues with snow days last year and many other things to deal with, recognizing the diversity and given there is so much concern expressed about it, I don't want to upset people. Mrs. Miller wanted to propose that we have a survey and utilize the electronic backpack and find out from parents and staff how they feel about adding another day to the end of the year. Mrs. Losiewicz asked noted that there was already a survey about the end of the year and Mrs. Miller said that she did not want to create another problem by adding another day to the end of the year. If it's ok with everyone else then it's ok with me. Mrs. O'Neil stated that the calendar had only been published for two weeks and it's a year and four months away. Mrs. Losiewicz thanked everyone for coming and that she appreciated the emails but stated that she would like everyone to understand that by being on this side of the table, there are many people that come to us with all kinds of concerns. The Saturday school was a disaster. I am concerned that if we do another survey, let it be in the hands of the community so that if we did have to go to another Saturday it would be, you voted for this, you had a voice. Mrs. O'Neil felt uncomfortable with another survey for that because we are doing a lot of surveys. Right away we are put in a situation because there are not many Jewish families in Mansfield, so right away you are setting the survey up to fail because people look a at it as it's not my day, I don't care. I think we are setting up everyone for failure by asking what the majority want; it's not fair to the people in town. Mr. Perry said that he had thought about Mrs. Miller's concerns and felt that anyone who makes plans for the end of the school year after what happened last year, shame on them that was silly to make plans and as far as another survey, I agree with Kiera, it's not protecting the rights of anybody. Mrs. Losiewicz said that the assumption that the people that are not Jewish, is incorrect. Mrs. O'Neil said that she did think that we had made a practice and that it was a big issue and we gave the days off a few years ago. We started the practice and we don't have a good reason for not doing it. The discussion continued and after long deliberation by all members it was decided to take a vote. Mrs. O'Neil made a motion to reinstate Rosh Hashanah as a holiday for this year, .2nd by Mr. Perry. 12- Motioned made 1st by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil, 2nd by Mr. Jim Perry Chairman Trowbridge called for a vote. Motion U.C. 4 - 1 - 0 — Mr. Michael Trowbridge was opposed Mr. Trowbridge explained that after what he went through last year with the calendar, he would not. He noted that he believed that it was him who caught a lot of heat when he said to eliminate Good Friday and other days and they pretty much wanted to tar and feather him. I'll stick by that. Mrs. Losiewicz said she totally understands where Mr. Trowbridge is coming from and it was a mess last year and we really lucked out. Budget Wia Chairman, Michael Trowbridge began by saying that they were trying to get the big picture on the budget. Mr. Trowbridge said that he has asked for a copy of the model and he has been waiting about 5 -6 weeks and keeps receiving emails that say I'll give it to you on Thursday or Monday, it's been going on for 5 or 6 weeks. I had just received the budget information that was below the line — that doesn't help me understand what's being charged above the line for the 70 /3o after expenses are written off — I did receive an email from Andy Gazzolo and he said he would get that to him this week— ED — We haven't had the opportunity to look at any detail — it's frustrating MT without seeing above the line you don't know what's being charged off that has been determined what the set amount is that they go by for the 70/30 JP — so if you get that you will share that — MT — yes, actually when they did send me what they considered a model of the 70/30 — I think I sent that right out. Ed- That is what we should be going over in a subcommittee meeting so we can get down into more detail — but we just haven't done that - MT — I did meet with Mr. Aptowitz last week and hopefully we can try to get a subcommittee meeting together with in the next week. JM — Jess do you have a copy of that ? What Ed is talking about - Have the Selectman seen that ? NO? KO — On 4/10 — when we start talking about what our next steps are - I want to see a deeper dive — I know we have 433 additions — a big gap — and obviously we can say we can't cut ourselves out of our gap - — but I want to see a deeper dive — go over the budget again — I know we have done this before — going over what smaller pieces we can cut out - JP — Like a line item - maybe we can have Brenda put in $45,0oo first a 5th grade teacher — I'm sure that money can be found somewhere in the budget MT — we don't know if there are going to be any more retirements we are waiting for the Special Education finalization because that date has not come yet — LL — So what you are saying is that the 400,000 something we will look at again — and then start to look at where else we can make cuts and prioritize it ? JP — without cutting personnel — 13- BH we have doing that as far as working with our building principals looking at line items and we have a pretty good estimate of what that looks like JP - so we have not gotten an update on that then BH — No you have not gotten an update but you will receive an update — I know when you said hopefully we can find 45,000 — so we have been working with our building principals on that — LL — and while you're at it — if we're going to that exercise what about, well we're about 2 M in the hole — roughly give or take - what is going to look like if we cut all of that and prioritize 7 MT — I'm assuming that's what you're doing — starting to go through that exercise BH — We are doing that — I know people think we are alarmist when we do that and when you look at 2.2M and if we cut the 400,000 we are down to 1.8 M — when you look at 1.8 M most of where we will have to go is to staff at some level because that is 82% of the budget — we're looking at a number of teachers and the unemployment costs, some will be offset by Health Insurance sots. That doesn't necessarily mean a wash — we're talking staff in the 40's. JP- without cutting personnel. MT - the layoff is 2 for r BH — Unemployment costs is 1/3 of the cost of the salary JM — Do you mean 40 staff — BH — We could be talking about 45 staff members LL — so if we look at it honestly, people think we're are alarmists — but we have to do our job in terms of what's best so we can certainly look at it all so if we have to look at 40 teachers we have to look at athletics — we have to at least look at it — BH — there are a lot of costs that are fixed, transportation, utilities, although we had a better winter that last year — the discretionary line items we can go to make up about 6 -7% of the budget — it's a very small ( 250,000 MT) that's really what we have to play with JP — we can look at textbook accounts — maybe everybody doesn't need to get textbooks — some of those budgets over the years have been pretty large & add up year after year — and I was a teacher for 33 years and I don't see any need to get new text books every year. I certainly didn't. LL — I don't think we get new text books every year — JP — You look at the budget and you'll see some accounts are pretty substantial year after year after year. MT — maybe they're rotating them JP — No — Look again, Look again. KO — I would like to use a fresh set of eyes — if we are going look at it where we can't cut anymore I would like to know that I know we can't cut anymore. I feel confident in saying that it's like the role of aboard of directors, they are looking at it differently. LL — Absolutely, I think we should do that - looking at that - having looked at it closely already, I do think that there are cuts we can still do but I think they are minimal — until we hit the staff. JP — I think that we will hit the staff no question, but I agree with Kiera, I want to feel comfortable that we have done everything we can do possible before we do that. LL — I just want it to be known that I AM NOT CUTTING STAFF — I will not be voting to cut staff unless after Town Meeting — if the public tells us we have to cut staff then I'll do it — other than that I'm not doing it. 14- Strategic Plan Update Just a reminder that the Charrette will be held at 9:00 AM on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the MHS Cafeteria. There will also be a Budget Forum tomorrow night at the MHS Auditorium. All are welcome to come and get the answers to your budget questions. Policy Handbook Update Mrs. O'Neil updated the rest of the School Committee on the progress of the District Policy Handbook update. Mr. Jim Hardy of M.A.S.S. went through our policy and found about 36 items that we needed to update, so we are in the process of getting copies of policies from him. Some of the policies are new policies and some are little changes. Mr. Perry noted that some of the changes are to the General Laws. Mrs. O'Neil said that she would have their first round of changes for the next School Committee meeting. Chairman Michael Trowbridge asked if they wanted to approve the changes in piece meal or all together, with Mr. Perry noting that he felt it made sense to do it as they went along. Mrs. O'Neil stated that after this round of changes, she and Mr. Perry will need to go into the Students Section and compare it to the school handbook to make sure that everything lines up. Mr. Trowbridge then explained that as a Committee they would have to make a warrant to adopt the new changes at one meeting and then approve them at another meeting. Once the Policy Manual is finished, we would then do the same process with making a warrant to adopt the manual at one meeting then the final approval of the finished District Policy Manual at the next meeting. Teacher /Administrator Evaluation Update: The Superintendent updated the School Committee on the Teacher / Administrator Evaluation Committee of eight that is made up of teachers and administration that has continued to meet regularly to review the DESE Teacher / Administrator Evaluation Model. Members of the Committee have attended workshops and participated in webinars in order to prepare for implementation of the evaluation model in September 2013 and believe we can make our timeline in May. Mr. Perry asked if the state model had been finalized with the Superintendent stating it was not and that the state keeps tweaking it. Mrs. Miller asked Mrs. Hodges if this would require union negotiation with a resounding yes from Mrs. Hodges, and that would begin next year — All that language has to be put in place then. Mr. Perry asked if there was union representations on the committee board to which Mrs. Hodges said yes and that they would probably add a few more people next year when they go through the process. Mr. Pprry asked that if we decide to go with the state model it would then just be a matter of tweaking the language as it applies to Mansfield? Mrs. Hodges said that if we go with the state model then we just go with it. You would just accept it all. Then if we just adapt then we have to take the pieces we want locally then we ask the state to accept our adaptation. -5- Bullving Prevention Presentation: Mrs. Hodges informed the Committee that we have to update our Bully Policy every year and Heather has been good enough to take the lead on that for the district and works with all the schools to bring that together. The Superintendent thanked Ms. Smith for her hard work in making the changes to the policy and in pulling this all together. The Bullying Presentation was given by Ms. Heather Smith, Assistant Principal of the Jordan Jackson School, along with Ms. Kerri Sankey, Assistant Principal of QMS and Ms. Dawn Stockwell, Assistant Principal of the MHS, Head Nurse, Pat Harrison and head of the Health Advisory Council and Christina Symington, of the Community. QMS - Field jdp to Canobie Lake Park - Salem. NH The School Committee approved the 8th 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 I" by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz , 2nd by Mrs. Jean Miller. Motion U.C. 5 - 0 QMS - Field Trip to o Roger Williams Zoo - Providence, RI The School Committee approved the 8« grade field trip to Roger Williams's zoo. Chairman, Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to approve the QMS Field Trip to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI. Motioned made I" by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, 2nd by Mrs. Jean Miller. Motion U.C. 5 - 0 Field Trip Approvals (if any) Molly Miller has a 61h grader and hopes that he is able to see the Ryan's Story. It's a great program. Ms. Miller also thanked the Committee for approving Rosh Hashanah. Jeri Faber also told the Committee that she had sent out the email to everyone and never intended for the School Committee to receive any mean emails and it was only our intent to raise awareness of the holiday and thank you. We understand it will be year by year and we will be here. Wayne Smith asked about Mrs. Hodges' stipend as Curriculum Director. The board clarified that it was �6� added to her contract for this year. It will be discussed each year. Mr. Smith also asked what the ramifications are for adding that $15,000 to Mrs. Hodges' salaty. Mrs. Hodges answered Mr. Smith saying that she gets to pay 11% to the State of Massachusetts for having the added monies and it does not impact the town in anyway. Rabbi Josef Kievman thanked the Committee for all that they do and that he appreciates all the time and effort they put in and thanked them for the holiday. SCHOOL COMMITTEE NEW BUSINESS OTHER Motion to adjourn: Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to adjourn the School Committee Meeting of March 27, 2012 at 9:20 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 - 0 Respectfully submitted, Mary O. Jackson Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee 17—