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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 01/09/2018Approved 2-6-18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, January 9, 2018 RECEIVE Town Hall, Room 3ab T0VYIIN CLERKS OFFICE An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in JON8 fa of YhepToAn 141 on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. The open meeting session was opened and ca},ftTy�by Kiera O'Neil at 7:03 pm. � i � SS A CHUSE TTS Members Present: Administration Present: Kiera O'Neil Teresa Murphy, Superintendent of Schools Lynn Cavicchi Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Linda Fernando Edward Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Jenn Walsh Members Absent: Lauren Scher Video Recording: Dana Hourigan, 15 Evans Circle Communications: None QMS Health Curriculum: Teresa Murphy provided background as to why the district was making changes. It has been a long time since we have had any form of sex education in our middle school curriculum. Our research indicates that parents are eager to see this back. The district is adopting an existing program by Advocates for Youth. In this prepared program each lesson is already planned out. Ms. Murphy reviewed the breakdown of lessons with a brief description of each. There are seven lessons for grade 7 and eight lessons for grade 8. On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, QMS will hold a parent information night to discuss the proposed curriculum. Sue Ryan and Teresa Murphy will be present to answer any parent questions or concerns. The committee had several questions / comments regarding the program including: Will all Th graders participate in these classes? Yes, unless a parent or student request to opt out. Is each lesson one class period? Yes. Why does the document refer to the grade 7 lesson as grade 6? Per the state frameworks, these are 6m grade curriculum. Since this is new to us, we are going to initiate the program in grade 7 and eventually roll it down to grade 6. Is this a K - 12 program? Yes, there are lessons available for all grades. Over time the district will look into expansion of other grades if deemed appropriate. Linda Fernando was very pleased with the content of the curriculum. She felt it was detailed and age appropriate. Lynn Cavicchi was very grateful of the time put into this effort. It is a very comprehensive program. Jenn Walsh thinks the program is great and long overdue. Kiera likes the detail of the lesson plans that are available to the teachers; everything is right there for them. All agreed it was important that the parents can review the material ahead of the class presentation. Kiera hoped that counselors would be available as needed. Teresa indicated that counselors would be made available and would also attend some of the classes. Motion to Approve the New Sex Education Health Curriculum for grades 7 and 8 by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh Motion Approved 4-0. Pagel of 3 Approved 2-6-18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab MHS Field Trip: Mansfield High School has requested a field trip for approximately 150 Honors and AP English seniors. They will attend the Trinity Rep in March of 2018. There will be 8 chaperones and a school nurse. Students will bring a bagged lunch. Motion to Approve the MHS field trip to Trinity Rep in Providence by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh Motion Approved 4-0. FY19 Budget Presentation: Ed Donoghue thanked all involved in assisting him with the budget presentation. The purpose of tonight's presentation is to review the details behind the FY19 budget of $50,707,599. This budget is an increase of $1,639,648 (3.3%) over last year. Budget Assumptions: Ed noted that the special education budget may be going up due to recent registrations. A more definitive number will be available in April. He is reviewing with Matt Jacques several options for the utilities budget. Ed also noted that one of the key assumptions with the budget assumes that $280,052 will be incorporated into capital requests for technology. If that does not get approved then the district would need to go back and revisit the budget numbers. Mr. Donoghue reviewed expenses by major cost center noting the following: School Committee services are down 25% determined by decrease legal expenses (not a negotiation year.) Curriculum and Professional development increased to include contract changes for increased tuition reimbursement. Bernadette Conroy spoke of the special education budget. She noted that out -of -district tuition and transportation has increased due to move -ins. Kerri spoke for Roland Green which is level funded for next year. Robinson's biggest budget increases are due to the new reading program. At Jordan/Jackson (John Nieratko) increases are tied to the reading program and ELL student needs. Sue Ryan presented the QMS budget. The textbook account has increased due to the need to update grade 7 math books which now include online license requirements. Other increases are needed to support the new schedule and expanded offerings. Maintenance Equipment charges have increased. It has been determined that it is more economical in the long run to purchase equipment rather than constantly rent. At Mansfield High School (Mary Watkins), there is a much greater demand for tutoring and translation services. The high school would like to purchase new Spanish 4 textbooks so that it aligns with the Spanish 1- 3 curriculums. Instructional Technology increases are due to the replenishment of library books and new online courses. Equipment maintenance is down since we Page 2 of 3 Approved 2-6-18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab build a new weight room and replaced most of the equipment. Equipment purchase are also down as there is a reduced need for table, desk and chair replacements. Athletics increases are up primarily with the addition of 8 new AED (defibrillators) per state mandate to have on hand at each athletic event. Kiera asked for the cost of the AEDs and it was agreed that if any could be purchased under this year's budget, then Ed was given approval to move forward with that purchase. Michael Connolly spoke to FY19 Staffing and Educational Requests. It should be noted that these request are NOT part of the budget. They are noted in the event that extra money becomes available. Otherwise these will likely be part of next year's requests. The total request for these positions is $220,000. 1. Instructional Technology Specialist who will guide, coach and facilitate the use of district technology resources. 2. Academic Learning Center Teachers: Both QMS and MHS have requested an additional tutor with a math focused background. 3. Full Year Office Assistant Main Office: The high school is very short handed in the office. They are seeking a staff member who will work a full year schedule. Questions from the committee include: 1. Lynn Cavicchi noted that everyone was disappointed in the loss of grant money this year. Did we reflect a decrease for next year as well? At this time the budget projects grant money to be level with this year. 2. Lynn has reviewed a preliminary list of fees. Does the budget incorporate projected fees in the budget? Yes, but we should review the impact of these fees in a separate budget meeting. Upcoming Agenda Items: January 31: School Committee will attend the Board of Selectmen meeting and present the FY19 school budget. February 13: School Committee will hold a workshop to discuss finance items and superintendent goals. January 11 (second budget meeting) should be canceled. Documents Referenced: MA Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework Grade 7 & 8 Summary of Health Lessons Complete Curriculum (available on our web page.) FY19 Budget Presentation Motion to adjourn: At 8:29 p.m., Motion to adjourn by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Motion U.C. 4-0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee Page 3 of 3