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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm Minutes 4/13/2010MANSFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Jean Miller, Chairman Lisa Losiewicz, vice Chairman Frank DelTVecckio An Perry Michael Trowbririne TUESDAY, April 13, 2010 7:00 PM Open Session Adjourn to EXECUTIVE SESSION - 7:01 PM - Superintendent's Office Adjourn to OPEN SESSION - 7:30 PM - Room 3 A & B 7:01 PM EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA 1.) Personnel Negotiations 7:30 PM OPEN SESSION AGENDA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT 1.) Presentation of Plaque to Mr. Steve Greenberg 2.) Personnel: • Retiree's • Leaves of Absences APPROVAL OF WARRANTS APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.) Executive Session Minutes of March 23, 2010 Enc. 2.) School Committee Minutes of March 23, 2010 Enc. OLD BUSINESS 1.) Warrant to adopt Bullying Policy — Enc. • ISt Reading 2.) Athletic Director Finalist announced 3.) All day kindergarten update 4.) Update on Gulf Coast Relief Field Trip Enc. 5.) FY ` 11 Budget Update Enc. NEW BUSINESS 1.) Presentation of School Calendar 2010 — 2011 Enc. 2.) Senior Graduation & Last Day of School OTHER Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Town Hall, Room 3B & C An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. The meeting was called to order and opened by Mrs. Miller, 2 "a by Mrs. Losiewicz, entered into Executive Session and now is re opening The Open Meeting. Members Present — roll call vote to open meeting: Mrs. Jean Miller, Chairman - yes Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, Vice Chairman - yes W. Frank DelVecchio - yes Mr. Michael Trowbridge - yes Mr. Jim Perry - yes as amended Also Present: Mrs. Brenda Hodges, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Edward Vozzella, Director of Finance Correspondence: School Committee Vice Chairman, Lisa Losiewicz read correspondence from Representative Jay Barrows. Representative Barrows extended his congratulations to the high school boys and girl's basketball teams for being named Hockomock League Champions this year and playing in the state finals. Representative Barrow then invited both teams and their coaches to join him at the State House for an official tour and lunch in recognition of their achievement and hard work. Superintendent's Report: School Committee Chairman, Mrs. Jean Miller, presented former committee member Dr. Steven Greenberg a plaque with thanks and appreciation for his years of volunteer service as a School Committee member. Approval of Warrants None Annroval of Minutes: The Executive Minutes of April 13, 2010 were approved as amended. Motioned to approve by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, 2" by Mr. Frank DelVecchio. Motion U.C. 5 — 0 The School Committee Minutes of April 13, 2010 were approved. Motioned to approve by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, 2 "d by Mr. Frank DelVecchio Motion U.C. 5 — 0 S. C. Minutes Pave 2 OLD BUSINESS Warrant to Adopt Bullying Policy: The School Committee has chosen to hold back from voting on the new Bullying Policy for the district until the Legislature's latest dialogue and vote has gone forward. The state's final vote should take place sometime in May, at which time the Committee will revisit the policy. Athletic Director Finalist Announced: The Superintendent announced that Mr. Joseph Russo had been chosen as the permanent Athletic Director for the Mansfield Public Schools. Mr. Russo has been with the system for 24 years and stepped into the position last year as interim Athletic Director, transitioning seamlessly into the position. The Superintendent and the School Committee commended MHS Principal, Dr. Joseph Maruszczak and his search committee for their tireless efforts in finding the best qualified applicant for the Mansfield Public Schools. Congratulations to Mr. Joseph Russo. All Day Kindergarten: The Superintendent updated the Committee on the prospects of entertaining all day kindergarten. Norton and Foxboro Public Schools received a grant for all day kindergarten but it was found ( that this was more of a service to the parents than a money making proposition. It has been decided to revisit this idea a year from September. Currently we do not have room at the Robinson Elementary for such a program. Update on Gulf Coast Relief Field Trip: The School Committee was given an update on the upcoming Gulf Coast Relief Trip. The Committee was given a list of students participating in this program from April 14 °i to April 20, 2010, along with their advisors, Mrs. Deborah Fournier, Ms. Leslie Gildersleeve and Mrs. Elizabeth Olson. FY ° 11 Budget Update: The School Committee voted to close the $1.8M budget deficit by eliminating personnel, most of which were teaching positions, and eliminating sports. This was done after months of meetings to review options for closing the deficit, During this time, discussions and meetings occurred between the Board of Selectmen, School Committee and the Finance Committee. These discussions continued to bring no resolution to the huge budget deficit for the school department and always culminated with the directive of bringing health care and union contracts into line with the revenue growth and "do what you have to do" to close the gap. Given that the school department continued to explain that negotiations for health insurance and union contracts were a process that would not be finalized prior to Town Meeting, the only option available was to "do what you have to do" to close the budget deficit. S. C. Minutes Pnee 3 The School Committee and Superintendent were not willing to continue to lay off school department personnel to close the final gap. Hence, the reason for the vote on April 13, 2010, by the School Committee to eliminate sports and reduce the overall personnel by 23 staff members. This action was met with a great deal of emotion. Motion to approve by Mr. Frank DelVecchio and 2nd by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz. M.C. 4 —1 with Mr. Michael Trowbridge against. New Business: Presentation of School Calendar: The School Committee approved the 2010 — 2011 School Calendar. Motion to approve by Mr. Michael Trowbridge and 2 "d by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz. M.C. 5 -0 Senior Graduation & Last Day of School: The last day of school for seniors must be no more that 12 days from the last day of the regular school year. This year seniors must stay an additional time until May 28, 2010. The 2010 — 2011 School Calendar will have a starting date of Wednesday, September 8, 2010 and the last day of school will be Wednesday, June 29, 2011 with tire 5 snow days included. Other: The Superintendent informed the Committee that the plaques for the Eagle Scout Project would be of Mansfield residents only. The Superintendent recommended that the Jordan Jackson and the Robinson Elementaiy School Activity Fund be increased M by $10,000. (as amended) Motion to approve by Mr. Michael Trowbridge and 2 "d by Mr. Frank DelVecchio. M.C. 5 — 0 S. C. Minutes Page 4 Motion to adjourn The motion was made to adjourn the School Committee Meeting of April 13, 2010 at 9:05 PM for the sole purpose of adjourning. Motion to close by Mr. Frank DelVecchio, 2 "d by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz. Roll call vote to close: Jean Miller, yes: Michael Trowbridge, yes: Frank DelVecchio, yes: Lisa Losiewicz, yes; Mr. Jim Perry, yes. Motion U.C. 5 - 0 Respectfully submitted, Mary O. Jackson Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee