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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Committee 05/16/2017Approved 6-6-17 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 16, 2017 Town Hall, Room 3A&B An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held at the Town,-P)IP Tuesday, May 16, 2017. The open meeting session was opened and called to ordenby ZefilAo 0 a e�kAt 7:01 pm. OFFICE Members Present: Also Present: Kiera O'Neil Zeffro Gianetti, Superintendent�'htl,HNolsp- p 2-- 19 Lynn Cavicchi Teresa Murphy, Assistant Superintendenpf Schools Linda Fernando lC Tenn Walsh .>C.I `; Lauren Scher Members Absent: None Video Taping: Dana Hourigan 15 Evans Circle BOARD REORGANIZATION: On May 9, 2017, Kiera O'Neil and Lauren Scher were re-elected to the School Committee; Superintendent Gianetti asked for nominations for a new Chair. Linda Fernando nominated Kiera O'Neil with a second from Jenn Walsh. Motion U.C. 5 - 0 Gavel turned over to Kiera O'Neil, chair. Kiera O'Neil asked for nominations for a new Vice Chair. Linda Fernando nominated Lynn Cavicchi with a second from Jenn Walsh. Lynn Cavicchi appointed as Vice Chair. Motion U.C. 5 - 0 Sub Committees were assigned as follow: Audit - Kiera O'Neil CIP - Kiera O'Neil, Jenn Walsh Budget * - Lynn Cavicchi, Jenn Walsh Policy - Lynn Cavicchi, Lauren Scher Sick Bank - Linda Fernando, Lauren Scher 488, 706.81 (Zeff Gianetti, Kathy Bliss, Kelly Warriner) Wellness - Linda Fernando (appointment by 5 - 0 vote on 5/16/17) *Although the Town Budget subcommittee was disbanded by the Board of Selectmen, the school is going to maintain their own subcommittee to discuss budget issues. When it is time to meet with the town, then the entire school committee will be in attendance. APPROVAL OF WARRANT: Warrants Warrant Vs Dates Amount Salary & Wages 2017-21 04/07/17 1,617,232.86 Goods & Services 2017-1037 04/11/17 488, 706.81 Salary &Wages 2017-22 04/21/17 1,600,175.85 Goods & Services 2017-1039 04/25/17 669,062.46 $ 4,375,177.98 Motion to approve the warrant by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Motion Carries 5-0 Page 1 of 4 Approved 6-6-17 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 16, 2017 Town Hall, Room 3A&B APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Open Session Meeting Minutes of 4-25-17 Motion to approve the minutes by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Motion Carries 5-0 Executive Session Minutes of 4-25-17 Motion to approve the minutes by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Motion Carries 5-0 NEW BUSINESS: Field Trips. MHS Marching Band to NJ for Competition 11-2017 Presentation by Matt Maguire, Band Director: The program has grown from 30 students to 90. Last year the Marching band started competing in the local New England Circuit finishing 2nd at the New England Championships. On this trip, the band will travel on Friday; practice and perform on Saturday at the Meadowlands. On Sunday there will be a stop in NYC before heading back Discussion was held regarding the current competition level as well as future plans. The band parents will fund registration fees for NJ as well as some of the bus cost. The remaining bus cost will come out of the band budget. Student cost should be minimal due to fund raising. Events for fundraising include Gillette, mattress sale and candle sale. A question was asked regarding whether or not the trips are mandatory. Matt indicated that the town events and football games are mandatory but if students were to miss this competition it would not impact a grade. Motion to approve the MHS Band field trip to NJ/NY by Jenn Walsh / Linda Fernando Motion Carries 5-0 MHS World Travel Club to Italy 7-2018 Presentation by Kevin McGovern, Club Advisor: Kevin explained that the trip has been modified since there was little interest in the Scandinavian capitals. Italy has been a very popular trip in the past so he would like to try this again. The cost would be similar to that proposed for the Scandinavian trip. Any motion would be contingent upon world issues. Motion to approve the minutes by Jenn Walsh / Linda Fernando Motion Carries 5-0 Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning; Teresa Murphy would like to introduce Michael Connolly as her choice for the new assistant superintendent. She reviewed the process that took place. The district received approximately 70 applications that were reviewed by Zeffro Gianetti, Teresa Murphy and Bernadette Conroy. Thirteen were brought forward for the first round of interviews. The choice was narrowed down to two candidates at which point Mike was chosen. Teresa thanked the entire search committee for their assistance with the search: Lauren Scher, School Committee (and parent); Tracy Mazer, Elementary Parent; Lee Neary, Secondary Parent (and a para professional) ; John Nieratko, Elementary Principal; Sue Ryan, Secondary Principal; Paula Boylan, Elementary OT; Aimee Conroy, Elementary Teacher; Matt Maguire, Secondary Teacher; Tina Karidoyanes, Secondary Guidance Counselor. Teresa reviewed many of Michael's credentials and accomplishments including his secondary education background which will complement her elementary school background, his ability to build teams, his efforts with the NEASC accreditation, his strong working knowledge of all the schools; his close work with town officials as well as his strong character, respect, loyalty and ability to get along well others at all levels. Page 2 of 4 Approved 6-6-17 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 16, 2017 Town Hall, Room 3A&B Opening statement by Michael Connolly: Michael thanked the search committee for bringing him forward as well as the school committee for taking the time to interview. He presented his core values and beliefs: • Learning is beyond the 4 walls of a classroom • Remove obstacles to learning • Strength in numbers • Learn the perspective of others • Assume positive intent • Understand the norms of town and community • Direct communication / open and transparent • Decisions should be in the best interest of students • Schools are more about the students than the programs. Summary of Interview questions and answers: Lauren Scher: What do you see as the district's biggest challenge over the next few years and what steps do you need to take to meet these challenges? Mike: Quantify our core values; develop a common language of instruction and look for high yield instructional strategies since we can't do everything. In addition, the social emotional aspect of learning is becoming more complicated, and we will need to allocate resources as needed. Linda Fernando: Provide an example of when people have disagreed with your approach. What have you done to obtain a consensus? Mike: working hard at all the little things; allowing dissenting ideas to be brought forward and working it out around the table. An example given was the new schedule at the high school. Some staff members were insistent on the use of an outside consultant. Mike was able to work with the committee to research and then come to a decision without the need of an outside consultant. He also feels he has built a culture at the high school where students and staff can come in with their ideas. Jenn Walsh: How would you develop a plan to identify where technology can be used to enhance instruction and improve student learning? Mike: Need to look at current technology plan and continuously revisit and revise. Research what technology can do for us; look into organizations that focus on technology integration. Need to start teaching differently with technology. Eventually, he would like to see one to one student to device usage. Lynn Cavicchi: No additional questions. She has seen Mike grow as a leader and is excited to have him consider this new position. Kiera O'Neil: No additional questions Motion to appoint Michael Connolly to the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning pending contract negotiations by Jenn Walsh / Linda Fernando Motion Carries 5-0 Citizens Comments: None School Committee New Business: Kiera opened this up for brief comments from the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent. Zeff Gianetti noted that Brian Riordan has resigned as the assistant principal of QMS. The job has been posted and the search committee will begin. Page 3 of 4 Approved 6-6.17 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, May 16, 2017 Town Hall, Room 3A&B Teresa Murphy asked John Nieratko to approach the podium regarding the JJ Gardens. On Monday the MA department of Agriculture came to JJ to present a proclamation from Governor Baker stating that Monday, May 15th is "Plant Something Day." By coming to Mansfield, the state recognized the work done by the Jordan/Jackson staff and students on the community garden which yielded 150 lbs of produce last year for the food pantry. John recognized the staff and students who play such a key role in the garden effort. Other (Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting): None Documents Referenced: Michael Connolly Resume packet Band field trip documentation World travel club documentation Motion to adjourn: At 8:00 p.m., Kiera O'Neil asked for a motion to enter into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21 for the Following Purpose: Under Exception No. 2, To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel. 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 not to reconvene in open session and the chair so declares; Motion to adjourn into executive session by Jenn Walsh / Linda Fernando Role Call Vote: Lynn Cavicchi Yes Jenn Walsh Yes Kiera O'Neil Yes Linda Fernando Yes Lauren Scher Yes Motion U.C. 5-0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee Page 4 of 4