HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm Minutes 11/18/2008Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Town Hall, Room 3B & C
An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held at the Mansfield High School Library
on Tuesday, November 18, 2008. The meeting was called to order and opened by Mr. Trowbridge, 2" d
by Mrs. Miller. A motion was made by Mr. Greenberg, 2" d Mrs. Losiewicz; to have the School
Committee go into Executive Session. Once the Committee returned a motion was made by Mr.
Greenberg and 2" d by Mrs. Losiewicz to go into Open Session at 6:15 PM.
Members Present — roll call vote to open meeting:
Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Chairman - yes
Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz, Vice Chairman - yes
Mr. Steven Greenberg - yes
Mrs. Jean Miller yes
Not present - Mr. Frank DelVecchio — arrived late
Also Present:
Mrs. Brenda Hodges, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Edward Vozzella, Director of Finance
Motion U.C. 4 — 0
Correspondence:
There was no correspondence.
Superintendent's Report:
Superintendent Brenda Hodges thanked Mr. John Alleruzzo for the generous donation he made of office
supplies and furnishings. The Special Education Department at the Qualter's Middle School was able to
divide several classrooms with the partitions expanding the space which was greatly needed. These
classrooms were also furnished with the donations we received.
Citizens Comments:
The Concerned Citizens of Mansfield thanked Mrs. Hodges and Mr. Vozzella for meeting with them a
few weeks ago. The citizen's group asked if there was a way for the Superintendent to share some of
the financial information regarding the status of the FY '09 fiscal year. They asked for information
regarding any areas of concern and an explanation of ways that these concerns were addressed.
S. C. Minutes
Page 2
Approval of Warrants
The following warrants were presented and accepted by the School Committee on
November 18, 2008_, Salary & Wages, # 2009 -12 dated 10 -03 -2008, in the amount of $1,324,581.50;
Good & Services, #2009 -13 dated 10 -14 -08 in the amount of $916,881.11; Salary & Wages, #2009 -14
dated 10 -17 -08 , in the amount of $1,299,383.55; Good & Services, #2009 -15 dated 10 -28 -08 in the
amount of $393,672.32; Salary & Wages, #2009 -16 dated 10 -31 -08 in the amount of $1,301,950.54;
Motion to accept by Mrs. Jean Miller, 2 "d by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz
Motion U.C. 4 - 0
Approval of Minutes:
The Executive Minutes of October 21,2008 were approved.
Motioned by Mr. Steven Greenberg, 2 "d by Mrs. Jean Miller.
Motion U.C. 4 — 0
The School Committee Minutes of October 21,2008 were approved.
Motioned by Mr. Steven Greenberg, 2 "d by Mrs. Jean Miller.
Motion U.C. 4 — 0
OLD BUSINESS
FY '08 - 09
The positions of School Psychologist and HVAC are still vacant. These two positions have already been
approved for this year's budget, and if left unfilled, pose a serious problem for the system. The School
Psychologist position, if left unfilled, will leave us out of compliance and unable to meet student testing
timelines. The HVAC position is important not only for basic maintenance of the HVAC systems, but
savings may be as much as $25,000 if we hire someone that has general maintenance experience, as well
as HVAC expertise. Originally this position was cut due to budget constraints, but has shown to be a
sorely needed addition to be brought back into the system.
Motion was made to accept by Mr. Steven Greenberg and 2nd by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz.
M.C. 4 — 0 with Mr. DelVecchio not present.
SPED Bus Drivers Contract:
The SPED Bus Drivers Contract has been successfully negotiated. This contract be will be retroactive to
July 1, 2008. Negotiations for this unit of six people began in the Spring of '08. They have accepted a
2% raise per year for the next 3 years.
Motion to accept made by Mr. Greenberg, 2" d by Mrs. Losiewicz.
Motion U.C. 4 - 0
S. C. Minutes
Page 3
2" d Reading of the Electronic Sign Policy:
The second reading of the Electronic Sign Policy will be brought forward to the December 16, 2008
School Committee Meeting and a vote will be taken at that meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Finance Committee Chairman, Andy Gazzolo:
Mr. Andy Gazzolo, Chairman of the Finance Committee, along with three other members of the Fin
Com, addressed the School Committee regarding the upcoming budget season. The current status of the
town budget is tight at best. Mr. Gazzolo has suggested that there be a town wide hiring and spending
freeze beginning now. We should have a better idea regarding the amount of money we will be getting
from the state in February. Currently we are looking toward layoffs and back filling positions for the
future. We are trying to prepare for a potential 5 - 6% cut in operational funds for the FY `10 Budget.
Much of the deficit would be made through personnel layoffs and cuts.
Cops — Secure Our Schools Grant ( SOS ) :
Secure Our Schools Grant, is a joint Grant between the Police, and the School Department prepared by
Lt. Walter Crickard. This grant will place camera's and security monitors within the high school
building and around the exterior, including Memorial Park. This system will be monitored by staff at
the high school, as well as the Police Department. The system will also permit monitoring at the
building and grounds on the weekends by police personnel. After discussion regarding the justification
for a security system, the School Committee voted to approve the acceptance of the grant.
Motion to accept made by Mrs. Jean Miller, 2" d by Mr. Frank DelVecchio.
Motion U.C. 5- 0
Approval of Crisis Manual:
The District Crisis Manual was presented to the School Committee for approval. This manual was
created by representatives from the school, Police, Fire and Health Departments. These representatives
met throughout the FY ` 07 — 08 school year to develop the manual which is required for all districts to
provide for all staff members.
Motion to accept made by Mrs. Losiewicz, 2" d by. Mr. Greenberg.
Motion U.C. 5 - 0
S. C. Minutes
Page 4
Report Card Alignment:
Mrs. Hodges explained the rationale for adjusting the Robinson Report Card. The previous Guided
Reading Program and the Scott Foresman Literacy Program have differences that are not accurately
Reflected in the bullets of the report card. The change is minor, but provides more accurate assessment
of student abilities.
Motion was made by Mr. Steven Greenberg, 2nd by Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz.
Motion U.C. 5 - 0
2009 — Massachusetts Youth Health Survey (MYHS )
Mrs. Hodges provided information regarding the MYHS and expressed her concerns with some
questions contained in the survey. After discussion, Mrs. Hodges stated that the high school principal
would continue to work with the selection of an appropriate survey to be administered. This information
is needed for the Safe & Drug Free Grant and is also beneficial to our local coalition for Drug and
Alcohol abuse that is being formed within the Tri County of Foxboro, Norton and Mansfield.
Other:
Motion to adjourn
Motion was made to adjourn the School Committee Meeting of November 18, 2008 at 7:25 PM for the
sole purpose of adjourning. Motion by Steve Greenberg; 2 "d by Mrs. Jean Miller. Roll call to close:
Jean Miller, yes: Michael Trowbridge, yes: Frank DelVecchio, yes: Lisa Losiewicz, yes; Mr. Greenberg,
yes.
Motion U.C. 5 - 0
Respectfully submitted,
Mary O. Jackson
Secretary to the Superintendent