HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Committee 6/8/2016Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Joint Meeting with Board of Selectmen
Minutes for Monday, June 8, 2016
Town Hall, Room 3A&B
Approved 6-21-16
An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee AND Board of Selects §Q 44s beid ahliP 4 W
Town Hall on Monday, June 8, 2016. The open meeting session was opened and called to oFder by
Kiera O'Neil at 7:00 pm. Jess Aptowitz opened the Board of Selectmen Meeting at 7:00 p� ?.
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Members Present:
Kiera O'Neil, Chair
Lynn Cavicchi, Vice Chair
Linda Fernando
Jenn Walsh (Arrived at 7:11 pm)
Open Position
Members Absent: None
Also Present:
Zeffro Gianetti, Superintendent of Schools
Teresa Murphy, Assistant Superintendent of School
William Ross, Town Manager
Board of Selectmen
Candidates for School Committee Vacancy
Kiera O'Neil came to the podium to thank Michael Trowbridge for his 20+ years of service with the
School Committee. On behalf of the School Committee she presented him with a plaque of
appreciation.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER:
Jess Aptowitz opened the discussion by explaining the process by which a new member will be
appointed.
Town Charter and Town counsel involved in documenting the process.
Joint appointment will be by both boards (9 members.)
Chair of School Committee will ask questions of all candidates.
Vote will be achieved via a roll call vote.
Candidate must earn 5 votes.
If 5 votes not achieved on first attempt the vote will start again and continue until a candidate earns
5 votes.
George Dentino requested that the Board of Selectmen be offered the opportunity to ask questions.
The five candidates are: Brian Eagle, Aaron Roth, Lauren Scher, Wayne Smith, Jamie Vitonis.
The process was held until Jenn Walsh arrived at the meeting. During that absence the Board of
Selectmen carried on with their meeting.
Joint meeting resumed with Kiera O'Neil thanking the candidates and moving forward with her
questioning.
Page 1 of 4
Question 1:
What do you feel
Budget, creating a 5
year plan, financially
meeting
expectations of
town, balancing
goals
Question 2:
What do you feel is
Administrative role,
set policies, set
budget, establish 5
year plans
Approved 6-21-16
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Joint Meeting with Board of Selectmen
Minutes for Monday, June 8, 2016
Town Hall, Room 3A&B
Aaron Roth
Education
Assessment, time to
develop proper
assessments,
preparing our
students for the
Aaron Roth
Act as a strategic
entity, allocate
resources, and
provide a link to
community and
town
Lauren Scher
Financial
constraints,
changing
demographics,
continuing strong
work with tight
Lauren Scher
Work with the
school, finance
committee and
board of selectmen,
support schools, set
policies, staffing,
Budget and
providing the best
education possible
to the students
Choose and support
a strong
superintendant, set
policies, balance the
budget
Jamie Vitonis
Budget, educator
evaluation system,
struggles with
testing, state
mandates and how
the budget Fits with
Jamie Vitonis
Set policy, provide
feedback to
superintendent,
voice of the
community, think
globally
Question 3: As a board member you will need to put aside your family and friend needs to do what is best
for the schools. What does this mean to you?
I Rrian Faale I Aaron Roth I Lauren Scher I Wayne Smith I Jamie Vitonis I
Compromise is not a
bad word. I would
like to push forward
full time
kindergarten. At the
same time, I
understand it may
not be in the best
interest of the
district and would
be willing to set
aside my oninion.
It is a great
responsibility to put
the needs of the
district in front of
personal needs. My
experience as an
administrator in
making decisions in
this manner is
helpful.
1 have always had an
urge for public
service. I have a
strong interest in
public education and
research. I have a
vested interest in the
needs of my child
but find that to be an
advantage. I will still
look at the broader
As a former member
of the school
committee, I know
the expectations. I
offer a different view
point as I no longer
have students in the
schools.
Having been an
educator for 17
years, I understand
the greater needs of
a school.
Question 4:
Identify a recent board decision? How would you approach that issue using community, state and
administrative resources?
Happy that the
school and town
worked together to
keep technology
integration as a
priority
Aaron Roth
Need for full day
kindergarten and
would work toward
that goal
Lauren Scher
Decisions of the
schools must be
based on budgets.
All boards
acknowledge the
budget issues and
work closely
together to make the
necessary cuts. The
collaboration is
Wayne had to dismiss
himselffrom the
interview due to a
work issue and
withdrewfrom the
appointment process.
Vitonis
Technology is a big
priority
Chromebooks for all
students
Page 2 of 4
Approved 6-21-16
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Joint Meeting with Board of Selectmen
Minutes for Monday, June 8, 2016
Town Hall, Room 3A&B
Question 5: What would you like to accom lish while on the Board?
Brian Eagle
Aaron Roth
Lauren Scher
Wayne Smith
famie Vitonis
In this for the long
Phenomenal schools
Really easy to get
n/a
Make a positive
run. Look ahead to
here. Consistently
lost in the mandates
impact on the
our future and make
impressed including
handed down by the
community. My
sure that Mansfield
Mansfield's early
state. How can we
experience in
is the best education
intervention
take advantage of
education is a plus.
around.
program. We need
these mandates?
Would like to create
to serve the
What is it that we
a vision for the
changing
want our kids to
school district.
demographics.
learn?
Question 6: If you ar appointed will you run again in May?
Brian Eagle
Aaron Roth
Lauren Scher
Wayne Smith
famie Vitonis
Yes, pending impact
Definitely plan to
This is a great
n/a
Yes, pending impact
on family.
run in May.
opportunity to
on family.
explore this for a
year. My intent is to
run as I have been
thinking about this
for some time.
Board ofSeieclnen
comments
From Michael Trowbridge: Are you aware of the depth of work involved; that it goes beyond the meeting
nights?
Brian Ea le
Aaron Roth
Lauren Scher
Wayne Smith
amie Vitonis
Yes
I Yes
Yes
n/a
Yes
From Frank DelVecchio: Very encouraged at the number of candidates. Elaborate on your community
involvement.
Brian Eagle
Aaron Roth
Lauren Scher
Wa ne Smith
Jamie Vitonis
Involved through
Turkey Trot, Keep
School councils at
n/a
Brief time in Keep
wife who is
Mansfield Beautiful,
Robinson, J], QMS,
Mansfield Beautiful
president of Mom's
Soccer Tournaments
Girl Scout leader
Club and kids in
townsports
From George Dentino to Brian Eagle: Based on your candidate application, how do you feel free full day
kindergarten would enhance Mansfield?
Brian Eagle
Free kindergarten allows families to not make financial sacrifices; it serves as an economic resource to get people to
move to Mansfield. Not a financial burden to community since it would be a tax benefit.
From George Dentino to Aaron Roth: What educational experience in your background would help you with
the school committee?
Aaron Roth
Education in the classroom, managing academic programs, budget planning curriculum planning, staffing issues.
From George Dentino to Jamie Vitonis: Expand on your experience in budgeting and financial decisions.
Aaron Roth
As Gr 7 -12 ELA Coordinator for Silver Lake, made budget recommendations; As assistant principal at KP, sat in on
district wide budget committee.
Page 3 of 4
Approved 6-21-16
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Joint Meeting with Board of Selectmen
Minutes for Monday, June 8, 2016
Town Hall, Room 3A&B
From Steve Schoonveld: What would be a potential conflict of interest and how would you manage this
while on the board?
Brian Eagle
Aaron Roth
Lauren Scher
Wayne Smith
famie Vitonis
My children but I
My children. Need
My daughter and
n/a
Children in school so
recognize the need
to focus on making
my friends in town.
it is impossible not
for compromise.
the schools better
Need to step back
to think of them
not the needs of my
and focus on what is
when making a
family.
needed for the
decision butwould
district.
be able to see
beyond that for the
greater good of
district.
From Steve Schoonveld: In light of issues in our neighboring towns, what is the role of the school committee
in budget issues?
Brian Ea le
Aaron Roth
Lauren Scher
Wayne Smith
Jamie Vitonis
School committee
Open and honest
Things are
n/a
Think creatively
doing a good job in
communication;
unforeseen; key is
all the towns but
transparency
long term planning
cash is limited. The
and act
board is doing the
conservatively
best job possible.
From Jess Aptowitz: Thanked everyone for applying and was pleased with the strong candidates. We can
only ick one so we encourage you to think about running again at the next election.
From Michael Trowbridge to Lauren Scher: Are you aware that if you win, you must resign from school
council?
Lauren Scher
Yes
From lenn Walsh: If ou do not win tonight will ou run in May?
Brian Ea le AnRoth
Lauren Scher
Wayne Smith
famie Vitonis
Yes Yes
Yes
n/a
Yes
Roll Call vote taken. Results are attached. Lauren Scher earned 5 votes in the first round of voting.
Bill Ross directed the group on the next steps. Jess Aptowitz thanked all the candidates.
Linda Fernando motioned to adjourn the open meeting. Lynn Cavicchi seconded the motion.
Motion U.C. 4 — 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Nugent
Secretary to the
Superintendent &
School Committee
Page 4 of 4
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