Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm Minutes 11/15/2011 (2)Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 15 2011 Town Hall. Room gB & C c�r1VE0 An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held at the Town Hall oTggda3,Y ^, November 15, 2011. After returning from Executive Session the Open Sessiop meetiniwag reopened and called to order by Vice - Chairman, Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz at 7:40 Pk 1 Motion U.C. 3 - 0 Members Present — roll call vote to re -open the Open Meeting; Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Chairman; Absent Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, Vice Chairman; yes Mrs. Kiera O'Neil yes Mr. Jim Perry yes Mrs. Jean Miller, Absent from this meeting Also Present: Mrs. Brenda Hodges, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Edward Vozzella, Director of Finance PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED Mrs. Losiewicz read aloud a letter received today from concerned parents that also included a few pages of signatures, regarding the class sizes in the schools ,especially at the Jordan /Jackson Elementary. The School Committee agreed that the enrollments, especially at the elementary level, are far too high and they will try and work with the budget to begin to lessen their sizes. Mrs. O'Neil and Mr. Perry noted that they would like to have the high school class sizes placed on the website. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Personnel Mrs. Hodges welcomed the Student Advisory Committee Spotlight on Students The MHS Robotics Team was represented by mentor & teacher, Mr. Jim Carver - Brown, who updated the School Committee on their current endeavors and growth over the past 13 years. Mr. Carver Brown introduced the president of the Robotics Team, senior Jeremy Breef -Pilz, noted that there are now two dozen students participating on the team, the largest team so far. His message of mentorship and community involvement echoed Mr. Carver Brown's message as he eloquently delivered their request to the community for anyone that would like to share their talent and knowledge and to mentor members of the team and bring a whole new dimension to the Robotics Team. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Executive Session Minutes of September 20, 2011 were approved. Motioned by Mr. Jim Perry, 2nd by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil. Motion U.C. 4 — 0 School Committee Minutes of September 20, 2011 were approved. Motioned by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil, 2nd by Mr. Jim Perry. Motion U.C. 4 — 0 Executive Session Minutes of October 18, 2011 were approved. Motioned by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil , 2nd by Mr. Jim Perry. Motion U.C. 4 — 0 School Committee Minutes of October 18, 2011 were approved as amended. Motioned by Mr. Jim Perry, 2nd by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil. Executive Session Minutes of November 1, 2011 were approved. Motioned by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil, 2nd by Mr. Jim Perry. Motion U.C. 4 — 0 School Committee Minutes of November 1, 2011 were approved. Motioned by Mr. Jim Perry, 2nd by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil. Motion U.C. 4 — 0 OLD BUSINESS FY'13 Budget: Mr. Vozzella said that this was going to be a tough budget year. We will not have stimulus money, we have a new bus contract which is more expensive, and the new contracts will kick in. We will be hard pressed to meet the town's number, which I have not seen yet. Mr. Vozzella asked the School Committee what they would like to do with enhancements, either putting them on a long range plan or put them in the FY13 budget and talk about them as part of the budget. Mr. Perry said he would like the priorities in the FY13 budget; especially class sizes at Jordan Jackson. If we are looking at it as an enhancement put them it in the budget, and anything we do not need and if we can leave out then leave them out. Mr. Trowbridge agreed with Mr. Perry. Mrs. Losiewicz would like to have the choice and prioritize as a Committee but knowing we won't be picking as many this year. Mrs. Miller told the Committee and Mr. Vozzella that she doesn't like the use of the term "enhancements." Mrs. Miller said some things are not really enhancements but priorities. Mr. Trowbridge asked the School Committhe if there is anything the Committee would like to see now other than what we just said. Mrs. Losiewicz said that a Librarian and a Curriculum Director are very important to her as well as a QMS Adjustment Counselor. Mrs. Hodges asked if we should just bring the personnel piece of the budget forward to the Committee, but enhancements could be addressed through the strategic plan. Mrs. O'Neil, Mr. Perry would like to see everything at once. Mr. Trowbridge would like to know in December what is on the enhancement list so they could whittle things off the list and we know right away what we are not going too approved and can get them off the budget right away. Mr. Perry said that we have to be realistic not to take things off that are important for our children to have. Mrs. O'Neil asked if it is possible to have a part time Curriculum Director if we can't afford a full time Curriculum Director. Mr. Trowbridge asked if the Finance Committee could get a budget book, with enrollment, full equivalency, and breakdown of general budget. Mr. Trowbridge asked if Mr. Vozzella bad any idea of Chapter 70, and Mr. Vozzella said he did not and he will not hear until January. Mr. Vozzella explained the process in December. We will have a short meeting to go over assumptions like payroll and expenses, utilities, Special Education, give schedules and enrollments. We show how we come up with the numbers; we go through and look at cover page for the whole district. We do a reconciliation of payroll on a separate schedule, here's last year's payroll FY12 and here is FY13; and here is how we got from FY12 to FY13 this year would be SFS money and Job credit dollars, raises from contracts. We will walk you through all of that, so that's the payroll and expenses. After that we then go through the enhancements which I think you just said you really want to do. Then we give you the other schedules of enrollments projections for the next five years, class sizes currently etc. So that is what you are going to get in December. At the January meeting we go school by school look at detailed expenses line items and probably look at enhancements then. Mrs. Losiewicz asked if it was in January that you do the public hearing. Mr. Vozzella said they do it here and in the same room we do the School Committee Meetings. Mrs. Hodges confirmed that is an open meeting for the public where anyone can attend. So just to clarify what goes on in December we have to bring the budget number by the end of December. So when we meet in December we are going to look at enhancements then and reduce the number that we want to submit. Mr. Trowbridge added that is if there is something to reduce there may not be anything, we agree and we need to fight for all these things. Mr. Perry added that he would like "enhancements" to be called "additional priorities." Mr. Trowbridge asked Mr. Vozzella about free cash. Mr. Vozzella explained that schools gave back $168,000, there will be some money the town will take if an encumbrance is more than one year old it comes off the books, last year it was about $30,000 to $40,000 so call it about $200, 000 going back to the town from us. Mr. Vozzella told the Committee that he did see a memo last week that the town received extra money it was $loo,000, it was unexpected and will go into the free cash. Mr. Vozzella thinks the Finance Committee will take that free cash and give the schools back what they generated, so that helps us when we get the allocation. Mr. Trowbridge stated that we do have savings in health care when they do the 70/30 split and will be distributed. Mr. Trowbridge said the selectmen did vote to go ahead with the subcommittees, which will consist of School Committee, Finance Committee, Mrs. Hodges, Mr. Vozzella and Mr. Ross. E- Backpack Survek Mr. Trowbridge asked to have the Electronic Backpack survey on the agenda because he felt that r people walked away with a different interpretation that what we are doing. Some of us thought this was a communication survey some thought it was an Electronic Backpack survey. Mrs. Losiewicz told the Committee that she did think it was a communication survey especially when the conversation was going that way. Mrs. O'Neil said she thought the same thing. Mrs. Losiewicz is open to discussion; Mr. Trowbridge said he thought it was about the Electronic Backpack and believed that Mrs. Miller and Mr. Perry thought it the same thing. Mr. Perry said he thought it was a bigger picture, he thought it was about communication in general and the Electronic Backpack as a tool and maybe some feedback on that but there is a bigger issue here than just Electronic Backpack. Mr. Trowbridge said that he thought it was going to be a quick little survey regarding Electronic Backpack and Mrs. Hodges said this was her understanding as well, and is certainly willing to do what every kind of survey the Committee wants to encompass either Electronic Backpack or larger, to whatever direction you are willing to do. Mrs. Losiewicz said that at the last meeting when you mentioned the survey, I thought it was a good idea but I was surprised at the extent of the survey we have looked at and how big it is. I thought it was a mammoth project, so I think it is not a bad thing to do it, but taking your time and not rushing through it and I think it is a lot to ask in a short period of time. Mrs. Hodges asked if the Committee would like her to put together a brief survey on Electronic Backpack at this point just to get some feedback from that. Mrs. Losiewicz doesn't think that is necessary. Mrs. Hodges told the School Committee that Lori Letendre has some statistics she can provide us with for example, the number of people who are accessing the Electronic Backpack, the number of people who have asked for updates. Mr. Trowbridge said he thought that they had this conversation and that is why he walked away thinking it was just the Electronic Backpack survey, then when people were sending Mrs. Hodges difference questions it was clear there were different interpretations. Mrs. Losiewicz said she thinks the ongoing problem we have been having is communication, it continues to pop up so I am thinking we take our time do one survey, do it right, and encompass everything. We need to find out what the public is looking for and ask administration what we are actually capable of doing with the manpower and technology we have, and come up with an overall plan so that we have a goal rather than piece meal. Mrs. O'Neil agreed with Mrs. Losiewicz and said if we can't do something this year we can at least put it in our plan and we will know what the people want. Mr. Trowbridge thinks it can be done this year, Mrs. Losiewicz said she thought it was a pretty big survey that could possibly be done over the summer. Mrs. Losiewicz asked Mrs. Hodges to think about how long it would take to do a survey like this. Mrs. Hodges told Mrs. Losiewicz that when you look at a Central Office, it's composed of Mr. Vozzella and herself with no personnel director, no human resources, and no curriculum person, then you look at most schools our size or smaller that have a much larger staff. The very detailed reports that we put out there it is really done by Mr. Vozzella and myself. I would be happy to put this together for the Committee. Mrs. Hodges agreed that we do need a picture of what our parents want to be provided with. Mr. Perry said he thinks until this is done, communication is the key and we need to do everything we can to get things out to parents that are important. Mr. Perry asked Mrs. Hodges how a notice she sent out regarding Electronic Clickers went out, and Mrs. Hodges it was sent via email and newsletter at all the schools. Mr. Perry also asked how she sent out the flyer that the MEA said was critical to get to parents and Mrs. Hodges said it went via Electronic Backpack at all schools and was put on the website. Mrs. Hodges told the School Committee that she plans to do a demonstration of Electronic Clickers at a School Committee Meeting. Mr. Trowbridge said that we were looking at sometime this spring to have a game plan as to what we are going to do regarding a communication survey and Mrs. Hodges answered that she will do that. Strategic Plan Update: Mrs. Hodges told the School Committee that the Executive Committee met last week to review the people who volunteered to serve on the school and town strategic plan. We had 40 people in all and all 40 people were placed on 5 different committees. Those people will be receiving a date on when those committees will begin to meet. Mrs. Hodges told the committee that she met with Dr. Mullin to talk about the school portion and see what information he is looking for us to provide. At my nett Thursday morning meeting I will talk to my administrators and we will talk about putting some of that information together. Mr. Trowbridge mentioned there was an article in the Mansfield Patch where Dr. Mullin had recently gone to a selectmen's meeting and he said he has never seen such a population of students compared to a population of town and the amount of money we are spending and the success that we are having. We are clearly underfunded and I think that is what we have been saying for the last couple of years, as far as we don't have the amount of people to spend what we have been spending on the schools. Mrs. Hodges said one of the things Dr. Mullin did say when they met was that he really did not know how we accomplished what we did with the resources and limited moneys and the limited staff, he gave us accolades on the accomplishments and the performance of our students in the community. Mrs. Losiewicz said the students and staff deserve the accolades. Mrs. O'Neil asked if those of us who are not on the executive board, will we be invited to these session or participates at all. Mrs. Hodges responded to Mrs. O'Neil by saying she was not sure of Dr. Mullin's process exactly, he has not outlined that in my presence yet. I think that he will do that soon. Mrs. Hodges said what she plans on doing with her staff her administrators and directors , we will all meet and include people in the schools certainly our curriculum leaders , our key individuals at each of our schools we will come together and look at what we need for the next 5 years even maybe the next 5 -8 years. Mrs. Hodges said she would welcome any of the School Committee to attend any of the meetings. Mr. Trowbridge said that the School Committee can attend anything they want, Dr. Mullin really hasn't told them anything, he has just basically tells us things as we go along what he needs and we have provided it. MHS School Improvement Plan: Mansfield High School Principal, Mr. Michael Connolly presented the School Improvement Plan to the School Committee. MHS NEASC (Accreditation Process) Mr. Michael Connelly gave the School Committee a breakdown of the NEASC process and where they are in that process. This presentation will be place on the website. Community Service for High School: Mr. Trowbridge told the committee that Mrs. O'Neil has asked to have Community Services for Mansfield High School on the agenda. Mrs. O'Neil told the committee she asked to have Community Service for the High School on the agenda after she attended the Tri County Health Advisory meeting. The Norton High School talked about how they have Community Service as part of their graduation requirements and as a result they see a positive effect. So I asked to have it on our agenda so we could have a discussion about it., Mrs. O'Neil wasn't sure if this is something Mansfield High School is already looking at, she did not want the topic lost because of the positive things it has done. Mrs. O'Neil said she has done a lot of research and there are a number of other High Schools doing this and obviously it fits right in with the civic expectations. Mrs. Hodges told the Committee she has spoken to Mrs. Connolly regarding this and asked him if he could reach out to the staff and give us a little overview of what our students are involved in, also we have a group of students here t61io are quite engaged in some of these community service opportunities. Mr. Connolly told the committee that he put an email out to his staff asking them to put a list together of any community services that the students help out in at any capacity. Mr. Connolly did not ask for specifics just a list and there is over 50 opportunities that students have taken part in. Over the last few years our students have taken part in big items like Relay for Life, Mansfield Food Pantry and some of the things that are often overlooked are that some of our students are CCD teachers, we have students in sports programs go to youth teams and help out, and we have students involved in Special Olympics and then going outside our community going to the gulf coast to help with Katrina victims. Mr. Connolly told the committee the name of the group that helps out is called Students Service Corp and their whole mission is community service. Mr. Connolly said the only thing he thinks is missing is they are working under different capacities and not one big umbrella, and who will oversee it is the biggest piece right now our coaches staff members are doing it out of their generosity. Mr. Trowbridge said he thinks there is a lot of going on that isn't being mandated. Brett told the committee the opportunities are definitely there looking at this list it probably isn't half of what we have done just this year. I know being president of Student Service Corp we have bi- monthly meetings that everyone is encourage to attend there is no requirement to attend the requirement we ask is that you actually volunteer if you come to the meeting. Pat is president of the National Honor Society and they ask for volunteers, being involved for the last four years more people are getting involved. Brett told the committee he doesn't see the necessity for a mandate because most of the student body is being actively involved. Italy Trip Approval The Superintendent brought forward a request from Mr. Scott Brigante to approve an overseas field trip to Italy during the February vacation week. The transportation plans would be by plane, train, & van, with the cost per student between $1,150 - $1,350. The trip will be financed by each individual. The School Committee agreed it would be a wonderful trip with Chairman, Mr. Trowbridge noting that as in the past, they should be purchasing travel insurance and that if there was to be any change in the U S State Departments travel warnings that the trip could be cancelled. Mr. Trowbridge called for a motion to approve the MHS Italy trip. Motioned ist by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, 2nd by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil. Motion U.C. a — o Mrs. Miller was absent from this meeting_ Field Trip Approval(if any The Superintendent explained that Ms. Debbie Fournier had informed her that she was able to find air fare much cheaper for April than for February. Ms. Fournier requested that the group travel to the Gulf Coast during the April vacation instead of February for this reason. All other aspects of the trip will remain the same. Mr. Trowbridge called for a motion to approve the change of the Gulf Coast trip from February to April. Motioned ist by Mrs. Lisa Losiewiez, 2nd by Mrs. Kiera O'Neil. Motion U.C. 4 — 0 Mrs. Miller was absent from this meeting CITIZENS COMMENTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE NEW BUSINESS OTHER Motion to adjourn: Chairman, Mr. Michael Trowbridge, called for a motion to adjourn the School Committee Meeting of November 15, 2011, 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. Yiera O'Neil. A Roll call vote to close: Mr. Michael Trowbridge, yes; Mr. Jim Perry, yes;; Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, yes; Mrs. Kiera O'Neil, yes. Mrs. Jean Miller was not present at this meeting. Motion U.C. 4- 0 Respectfully submitted, Mary O. Jackson Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee