HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Committee 3/22/2016Approved 4-25-16
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Town Hall, Room 3A&B
An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, March
22, 2016. The open meeting session was opened and called to order by Chairman Michael
Trowbridge at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Also Present:
Michael Trowbridge, Chair Zeffro Gianetti, Superintendent of Schools
Kiera O'Neil Teresa Murphy, Assistant Superintendent of Scleral
Lynn Cavicchi Edward Vozzella, Director of Finance a
Linda Fernando
Jenn Walsh
Members Absent: None
Video Taping: Dana Hourigan, 15 Evans Circle
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A moment of silence was held in honor of Mary Beth Jackson, who died earlier in the week. Mary
Beth worked for the Mansfield Public Schools for 21 years as both a secretary to the superintendent
and to the school committee.
Michael Trowbridge moved to change the order of the meeting and have Lee Azinheira present Safe
Routes and The High School Advisory Council to present their update.
NEW BUSINESS: SAFE ROUTES:
Lee Azinheira presentation- The Safe Routes Project is from the intersection of East Street, Park
Street and Hope Street down past past the far end of Jordan/Jackson. It will include road widening,
new parking, and new crosswalks. We are very fortunate to have this project which was initiated
through a grant. As a town we are paying for only a portion of the project.
A schedule for the preliminary work has been released. Project will start March 281h and continue
through October 2016. A majority of the work will be done over the summer but there is no way to
avoid the time needed during the school year. This is a state controlled project so they dictate the
dates but they have been very supportive of our needs as a school district. Most of the initial prep
work will be off the road such as trees, signage. As a school district we will post on our website,
notify all staff, parents and driving age students. As new schedules are updated we will continue
with the notifications.
HIGH SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL:
The High School Advisory Council is composed of seniors Derek Lynch, Megha Koul, Dan Laffin,
Amanda Xifaras, and Kristen Ferlisi. Michael Connolly started the presentation by introducing the
group and briefly speaking about the organization. The group is new with the goal of expanding it
and including more students in the future. The participating students have learned a great deal
about leadership and the decision making process that occurs at the high school. Each student in
attendance (Derek, Megha and Dan) presented an update on various items that they are discussing
including handbook change proposals, expanded leadership opportunities for all high school
students and a proposed town leadership panel that could work closely with the students.
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Approved 4-25-16
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Town Hall, Room 3A&B
The total number of retirements stands at 11 as of tonight. Most of the retirements are in June but
there are a few that will not occur until the fall due to staff birthday obligations. Currently the
positions are posted internally but will be posted to the public once the budget is approved.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT:
Mansfield Public Schools Special Education and the Mansfield Fire Department teamed up to
expand fire safety training to all students making it accessible for those with special needs. They
did so by writing a new book. The Mansfield Fire Department offered their photographs for the
book illustrations. We received a $1500 grant from FMGlobal for our efforts. These funds will be
used to purchase copies of these books for the schools. Thank you to Joanne Roderick, Erica Ford
and Fire Chief Neil Boldrighini.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
School Committee Open Session Meeting Minutes of 3-8-16.
A motion to approve the minutes was made 1st by Linda Fernando, 2nd by Jenn Walsh.
Motion Carries 4 - 0 -1 (Kiera O'Neil abstained; was absent at meeting).
Finance & Operations Report:
FY16 Actuals:
Edward Vozzella reported that we continue to see favorable savings in utilities (both rates and
usage) resulting in approximately $150,000 in savings.
FY17 Budget:
Edward Vozzella and Zeffro Gianetti updated the board on the budget process. Changes made since
last meeting include:
• The integration specialist position was added back in. This is an important position
if we are to move forward with our technology plan initiatives. We have already
invested a lot of money into Smartboards, WiFi and Chromebooks and we would like
to take advantage of their use.
• Special Education Circuit Breaker: It is possible for us to take out approximately
$300,000 out of this account and still maintain a comfortable balance based on
potential reimbursements the following year.
• Pay -N -Ride: It is possible to withdraw some money from this revolver while still
keeping a comfortable balance. As an FYI we will be rebidding the bus contract as
2016-17 is the last year on the current contract.
• After continued review of enrollment levels the following staff reduction proposals
were made: reduction of 2 more paras, 1 elementary special education position, 1
Robinson reading position and 1 MHS speech teacher (retirement not being
replaced.)
• We will not receive any kindergarten grant money next year.
• Additional retirements have been incorporated into the updated budget
Zeff Gianetti feels that we have gone as deep as we can with cuts without impacting current
curriculum and services.
A motion to accept the budget revisions as presented including adding back in the integration
specialist was first made by Jenn Walsh and seconded by Linda Fernando.
Motion U.C. 5 - 0.
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Approved 4-25-16
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Town Hall, Room 3A&B
OLD BUSINESS:
Sub Committee Updates:
1. Audit: No update
2. CIP: Meeting next Wednesday
3. Budget: Meetingtomorrow
4. Policy: No update
NEW BUSINESS:
Field Trips:
JJ Grade 3 trip to Providence Museum of Natural History:
a. A motion to approve the JJ trip was made by Kiera O'Neil and 2nd by Linda Fernando.
b. Motion U.C. 5-0
MHS Freshman baseball to North Providence for a game:
a. A motion to approve the MHS trip was made by Kiera O'Neil and 2nd by Linda Fernando.
b. Motion U.C.5-0
QMS Grade 6 Navy Team to URI Oceanography/Space Center:
a. A motion to approve the QMS trip was made by Kiera O'Neil and 2nd by Linda Fernando.
b. Motion U.C.5-0
Citizens Comments: None
School Committee New Business:
MHS Career fair was very well done and was a great opportunity for our students.
9th Grade incoming parent night was very informative and well done.
MHS Percussion/Guard competition was great and extremely well attended.
School Committee Other Business: None
Motion to adjourn: At 7:49 p.m., Michael Trowbridge asked for a motion to Enter into Executive
Session pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21 for the Following Purposes: Under Exception
No. 3, To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have
a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares;
Role Call Vote:
Lynn Cavicchi Yes
Jenn Walsh Yes
Kiera O'Neil Yes
Linda Fernando Yes
Michael Trowbridge Yes
Motion U.C. 5-0
Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Nugent
Secretary to the
Superintendent &
School Committee
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