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Home My WebLink AboutSchool Comm Minutes 4/8/2008MANSFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Jean: Miller, Chairman CMichael Trowbridge, Vice Chairman Frank Del Vecchio Steven Greenberg Lisa Losiewicz TUESDAY, April8, 2008 7:00 PM Open Session - Adjourn to EXECUTIVE SESSION - 7:00 PM - MBC Office OPEN SESSION - 7:30 PM - Town Hall Rooms 3B & C - 7:00 PM EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA 1.) Personnel Negotiations 2.) Legal Updates 7:30 PM OPEN SESSION AGENDA 7:30 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 7:35 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED 7:40 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT 1.) Plaque presentation for Al DeSimone 2.) Snot light on Students — Ms. Mary McCue, 2" Grade teacher at Robinson with students to present Literacy & Social Studies Project 7:45 -7:55 CITIZENS COMMENTS Ene. Enc. Enc. 8:00 APPROVAL OF WARRANTS Enc. 8:05 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.) Executive Session Minutes of March 18, 2008 Enc. 2.) School Committee Minutes of March 18, 2008 Enc. 3.) Executive Session Minutes of March 11, 2008 Enc. 8:10 OLD BUSINESS 1.) Budget - Enc. 2.) High School Schedule change Enc. 3.) Area Preschool Tuition Enc. 4.) Modulars 8:30 NEW BUSINESS 1.) NEASC - MHS Librarian Enc. 2.) 5 Year Plan (vote to accept it) Enc. 3.) High School Parent Forum / Enc. Breath analysis devices 9:00 OTHER Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Town Hall - Rooms 3B & C '" t �Ji ECE KU3 I'1 I P 1: 5 0 A meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held at the Town Hall, . Room 3B & C on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 The meeting was opened with', a inotion, . -- by Mrs. Jean Miller, 2nd by Mr. Michael Trowbridge; a motion was made by the School Committee to go into Executive Session, 2nd by Mrs. Miller. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jean Miller at 7:40 PM. Members Present: Mrs. Jean Miller, Chairman Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Vice Chairman Mr. Frank DelVecchio Mr. Steven Greenberg Mrs. Lisa Losiewicz Also Present: Mrs. Brenda Hodges, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Edward Vozzella, Director of Finance Correspondence: The School Committee received a petition and letter of concern from some of the students at the high school regarding the upcoming schedule change. The Committee listened and thanked them for coming and giving them their insights on the upcoming change. Superintendent's Report: A Plaque was presented to Mr. Al DeSimone by Vice Chairman, Michael Trowbridge. Michael thanked At for the many contributions and years of service he has given to the youth of Mansfield and most especially for the young men & woman associated with the Football Program. Al was recognized and honored with beginning and sustaining the Gridiron Club over many years. Spotlight on Students: Mrs. Mary McCue's 2" d Grade class presented a Literacy & Social Studies Project done by their class about Flat Stanley — the character that travels everywhere by being flat, tagging along with other people as they travel the world. The class sent their own Flat Stanley's to relatives around the country and then added them to their stories. It was a wonderful presentation of stories read ( aloud for the School Community. A wonderful time was had by all. S. C. Minutes Page 2 Approval of Warrants: The following warrants were presented and accepted by the School Committee on April 8, 2008. Goods & Services, #2008 -33 dated 3/18/2008 , in the amount of $225,826.85; Salary & Wages, # 2008 -34 dated 03/20/2008, in the amount of $1,271,424.83; Good & Services, #2008 -35, dated 04/01/2008, in the amount of $470,440.21; Salary & Wages, #2008 -36, dated 04/04/2008, in the amount of $1,262,098.15. Motion to accept by Mr. Michael Trowbridge, 2 "d by Mrs. Jean Miller. Motion U.C. 5 — 0 Approval of Minutes: The Executive Minutes of March 18, 2008 were approved. Motioned by Mr. Trowbridge, 2 "d by Mr. DelVecchio Motion U.C. 4 — 0 The School Committee Minutes of March 18, 2008 were approved. Motioned by Mr. Trowbridge, 2 "d by Mrs. Losiewicz. Motioned U.C. 4— 0 The Executive Minutes of March 11, 2008 were approved. Motioned by Mr. Trowbridge, 2 "d by Mrs. Losiewicz. Motion U.C. 5 — 0 Old Business: Budget: The Superintendent presented a budget update outlining the current budget deficit of $1,536,523. A list of recommended line items was presented to the School Committee for their consideration. The Superintendent stated that she could not recommend a number of line items included in the proposal. All School Committee members agreed that they also could not entertain the reduction of these line items form the FY'09 budget. The School Committee members reviewed the following proposed reductions to the budget. Activity fees — tabled - Robinson Principal Yes— 5 - 0 Savings on teacher retirement - Yes— 5 - 0 Reorganization of high school schedule — Yes - 4- 1 Director of Curriculum No— 5-0 This resulted in a $480,00 reduction to the FY'09 Budget. Motioned by Mr. Trowbridge; 2 "d by Mr. Greenberg Motion U.C. 5 — 0 S. C. Minutes Page 3 High School Schedule change: The proposed schedule change for the high school prompted approximately 5 students to voice their thoughts and concerns regarding the impact of the proposed schedule change for high school students. Their concerns centered around more homework and the heavy backpacks. School Committee members asked numerous questions of the Superintendent and the High School Assistant Principal, Dave Farinella. Following a lengthily dialogue the School Committee voted 4 —1 to endorse the schedule change for the high school. A vote to institute a new academic schedule at the high school motioned by Mr. Trowbridge, 2" d by Mrs. Losiewicz Motion M. C. 4 —1 Area Preschool Tuition: The School Committee previously requested and received a report from Joanne Jordan, Principal of the Roland Green Preschool. The report reflected that among 12 preschools in the Mansfield area, including the Roland Green, that the Roland Green's tuition is significantly below that of the tuition of other preschools. These same area schools have also felt that their enrollments have been down in the past few years, which seems to follow what we are experiencing as well. Modular Classrooms: The Committee received an update from Mr. Vozzella that the Modular Building Project is moving forward in keeping with the projected timeline for occupancy on the first day of school, September '08. New Business NEASC — MHS Librarian: The School Committee received a copy of a letter from the Commissioner of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges indicating that the association had become aware that Mansfield High School did not have a certified Librarian employed at the present time. In order to meet the NEASC accreditation criteria, it is necessary that Mansfield High School employ a full time certified Librarian. The School Committee voted unanimously to add this position to the FY'09 Budget. 5 Year Plan: Tabled S. C. Minutes Page 4 High School Parent Forum: Mr. William Farrington, Jr., Interim Principal of Mansfield High School, made a presentation regarding the need to utilize breath analysis devices for the up coming prom and future high school dances. He provided information regarding the Parent Forum schedule for May ls` at the high school auditorium. This Forum will include a presentation by the Mansfield Police Department demonstrating the use of breath analysis devices. Parents will have an opportunity for questions at that time. Committee member Michael Trowbridge commented that the decision regarding the use of breath analysis devices is one that should be made by the school administration rather than the School Committee. Motion to adjourn Motion was made to adjourn the School Committee Meeting of April 8, 2008 at 10:45 PM for the sole purpose of adjourning. Motion by Lisa Losiewicz, 2nd by Frank Delvecchio. Roll call: Jean Miller, yes; Mike Trowbridge, yes, Steve Greenberg, yes; Frank Delvecchio, yes; Lisa Losiewicz, yes. Motion U.C. 5 - 0 Respectfully submitted, Mary O. Jackson Secretary to the Superintendent