HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 01/23/2018Approved 2-6-18
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Town Hall, Room 3ab RECEIVED
TOWN CLERKS OFFICE
An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held iPjrVABIof0e1o" Hall on
Tuesday, January 23, 2018. The open meeting session was opene an called to or er by Kiera
O'Neil at 7:05 pm. MANSFIELD
MA ISACH+JSETTS
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
Lauren Scher
Members Absent: None
Video Recording: Dana Hourigan, 15 Evans Circle
Communications: None
Superintendent's Report:
Teresa Murphy announced the retirement of our Special Education Director, Bernadette Conroy as
of June 2018. Bernadette started in 1997 as a special education teacher. She left and then returned
in 2008 as the Assistant Director of Special Education; she was then promoted to director upon Pat
Cosgrove's retirement. Bernadette manages 25% of our annual budget in a fiscally responsible
manner keeping our student needs in mind. Teresa then read a portion of Bernadette's letter
commending the Mansfield Public Schools. Next steps: The job will be posted with a 2 week
window. A search committee will be formed to review the initial candidates. The committee will
move one or more candidates to Teresa for review. Finally, Teresa will bring a candidate to school
committee. The candidate will be interviewed in open session and the committee will vote.
Jocelyn LeMaire will lead the search committee. The school committee will assign a representative
to the search. Kiera noted Bernadette's service and showed her appreciation for Bernadette's
difficult role in the district.
Teresa introduced Steve Fortin who is our acting assistant principal for Jordan/Jackson. His role
will continue through the end of this year when a new candidate is hired permanently. Steve spoke
of his long term ties as a Mansfield resident, his years at a principal in Walpole, and his happiness
and excitement to be back in a school building.
Teresa made note of March 26th: The district, in conjunction with the fire and police departments,
and SAFE Coalition will present community information night on Opioids. The event will be
advertised once specifics are worked out.
Student spotlight noted Anabel Silva who won the MLK Elementary Essay contest and Wyatt Katon,
Brady MacWilliams and Kieran Hoff who recently won third place in a regional chess competition.
The students have been learning how to play chess after school in the CHAMPS program.
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Approved 2-6-18
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Town Hall, Room 3ab
Student Advisory Committee:
• The Quiz Show Team completed their WGBH taping which will air on February 3rd. One
hundred schools participated in the initial competition. Mansfield was one of 16 teams to
make the round of TV tapings. They were pared against Phillips Academy.
• Lily Barnes won the annual Poetry Out Loud competition. She will represent MHS at a
regional competition.
Other recent competitions include math team, mock trial, and basketball.
There is an initial fund raiser for the All Night Party on February 1st.
February 7th is College Planning Night.
Approval of Warrant:
Warrant dated 12-21-17
Warrants
Warrant #'s
Dates
Amount
Salary & Wages
2018-9
11/03/17
1,653,261.59
Goods & Services
2018-1014
11/07/17
696,454.66
Salary & Wages
2018-10
11/17/17
1,658,710.92
Goods & Services
2018-1016
11/21/17
562,067.24
Salary & Wages
2018-13
12/29/17
$ 4,570,494.41
Motion to approve the warrant dated 12-21-17 by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher
Motion Carries 5 - 0
Warrant dated 1-10-18
Warrants
Warrant #'s
Dates
Amount
Salary & Wages
2018-11
12/01/17
1,816,207.01
Goods & Services
2018-1018
12/05/17
560,527.81
Salary & Wages
2018-12
12/15/17
1,792,501.01
Goods & Services
2018-1019
12/19/17
492,440.12
Salary & Wages
2018-13
12/29/17
1,638,224.62
$ 6,299,900.57
Motion to approve the warrant dated 1-10-18 by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher
Motion Carries 5 - 0
Approval of Minutes:
Open Session Minutes of 12-19-17
Motion to approve the minutes by Linda Fernando / Lauren Scher
Motion Carries S - 0
Gifts: None
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Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Town Hall, Room 3ab
Old Business:
Subcommittees:
Approved 2-6-18
Audit: No update.
CIP: No update.
Budget: Next week a meeting is scheduled to introduce Brian Eagle as the new FINCOM rep to the
budget subcommittee.
Facilities: Met with Ed Donoghue and Teresa Murphy to work on a description and plan for the
subcommittee. The description will be voted on later this evening. Ed Donoghue spoke briefly
about the status of our water testing. The district has mapped all of the water sources. Actual
drawing of samples will be completed in February. Once results are in, they will be made public.
Policy: Lynn Cavicchi met with Michael Connolly to discuss homework. Jocelyn and Lauren Scher
met on personnel policies.
New Business:
Field Trip Approvals:
Motion to Approve MHS Study Skills Class to NE Institute of Technology in Warwick, RI by Jenn
Walsh / Linda Fernando
Motion Carries 5- 0.
Motion to Approve MHS World Travel Club to Japan (Summer 2010) by Jenn Walsh / Linda
Fernando
Discussion: Teresa introduced the trip by noting that Kevin McGovern put together a tremendous
amount of materials for everyone to review. Mary Watkins, Michael Connolly and Teresa Murphy
all give their approval to the trip. Kevin did note that there is significant travel time (20 hours) so
they added on two days in order to take advantage of the time in Japan. The cost is somewhat
higher than the trip to Australia was a few years ago. Itis approximately $1000 more than the
2018 trip to Italy. Lynn Cavicchi asked that Kevin keep costs in mind; noting that the cost will limit
the trip to a small subset of families. She asked that he consider a less expensive option next year.
Kevin anticipates 15 - 20 students to sign up. Kiera asked if he had any concerns getting the needed
numbers for the trip. Kevin will be announcing the trip in the next week; if he cannot get enough
interest he will pursue a different location. Linda Fernando asked if the travel time had a
significant impact on the students during the trip. Kevin noted that kids are more resilient than the
adults; the tiredness comes into play more when back in the U.S.
Motion Carries 5 - 0.
Policy Approvals:
IICFC Teen Dating Policy and Plan:
Christine Dooling reviewed the changes. The district is bringing this plan up to date and
reinforcing what we are already practicing here in Mansfield. She feels that the new QMS
curriculum provides a good baseline for our students. Jim Leonard spoke of the Gamechange Grant
that we received in the fall. The program has evolved from a sports program to a campus wide
effort. We are approaching the required midyear review and will be reporting our findings to the
State Attorney General's Office. Some highlights: Four student leaders attended a conference at
Gillette Stadium; Northeastern University will be providing training to a larger group of MHS
students; students meet monthly with an advisor; students will setup specific activities for the
spring. The committee commended Christine and Jim for their efforts on moving these programs
forward. Lauren Scher would like to see a vision and plan for the future of the Gamechange effort.
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Approved 2-6-18
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Town Hall, Room 3ab
Christine has setup a new webpage on our district with teen dating support information. Lynn
Cavicchi asked how students would be made aware of the new webpage. Christine will
brainstorm. Students do not consider teen dating violence as bullying so it important that we are
separating this out. Lynn Cavicchi is very happy that we are moving forward with state
recommendations. Kiera O'Neil emphasized the importance of ongoing staff training especially
since staff is a mandated reporter. The committee then discussed minor editing for the
documents.
IICFB Bullying Prevention/ Intervention Policy and Plan:
Teresa Murphy would like to put a lot of energy into the Bullying Subcommittee. They will meet at
the end of every Wellness Meeting. The group will consist of parents and staff. Action steps will be
determined. The goal is to create a safe and secure environment for all. Lauren Scher had some
concern regarding the statement on the 14 day investigation window. She felt it was too open
ended. Discussion on proper wording included Mary Watkins and Tina Karidoyanes. The
exception case will be reworded to "unless there are extenuating circumstances that prevent access
to the students who are involved."
Code
Title
Notes
Action
Motion
Motion
Vote
1
2
JICFC
Teen Dating/Violence
Annual review; updates to
Amend
LF
JW
5-0
match our practices
JICFC-R
Teen Dating/Violence
Annual review; updates to
Amend
LF
JW
5 - 0
Plan
match our practices and to add
updated reference material.
JICFB
Bullying Prevention /
Annual review; updates to
Amend
LF
JW
5-0
Intervention
match our practices
JICFB-R
Bullying
Annual review; updates to
Amend
LF
JW
5-0
Prevention/Intervention
match our practices. Extensive
Plan
edits in formatting.
MHS Program of Studies.-
Mary
tudies.Mary Watkins and Tina Karidoyanes presented changes to the 2018-19 Program of Studies.
Mary proposed that the changes are part of a multi-year plan. This year her goal was to
provide clarity and transparency. One of the key aspects of this year's program is including
the Progression of Studies by subject so students and parents can clearly see what options
are available.
Tina spoke of additions to the program. The course offerings represent what is in the best
interest of students. Sequencing grids from grade 6 - 12 in World Language, History,
Science, ELA, and Math were added. Note that the grid shows "typical course
progressions." It was impossible to map every unique roadmap. Parents and students
should know that other options may be available and should be discussed with their
guidance officer. Second, the program will now identify and describe each student level
(ie AP; honors; CP). This provides a growth mindset allowing students to see where they
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Approved 2-6-18
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Town Hall, Room 3ab
fall in course leveling. Third, the MHS Rubrics (new this year) have been added so
students gain a clear understanding of what is expected of them in class. Other changes
include course descriptions for sub -separate groups and a shift in some course titles.
Mary Watkins reviewed expanded course offerings including: AP Psychology, AP Computer
Science, Function Analysis/Intro to Calculus, Marine Science, Botany, History of Rock 2,
Intro to Guitar 2, Geometry CP will now be open to grade 9, AP guidelines will now include
options for grade 10 students.
Tina spoke of items removed: Half year intro to Calculus replaced by the full year Function
Analysis/Intro to Calculus; courses removed due to low interest include Problem Solving
with Technology, Environmental Issues, Portuguese Culture, Project Band, Music
Experience.
Questions/comments from School Committee: Kiera felt that the changes were great; the
course progression charts will be very helpful to parents. Lynn appreciated all the work
done; the guide now reflects the good work of the district. Flow charts for courses will be
extremely beneficial. Linda asked if each grid could be noted with "Other track options are
available" so that everyone is aware of unique situations. Lynn asked if a grid could be
added for Visual Arts to show the path required for the Senior Portfolio.
Motion to approve the 2018-19 MHS Program of Studies as amended for grids by Linda
Fernando/Jenn Walsh.
Motion Carries 5 - 0.
Upcoming Agenda Items: No discussion
New School Committee Business:
New Protocols: The committee discussed the protocols established earlier this year.
Motion to approve the new school committee protocols (BA -R) by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh.
Motion carries 5 - 0.
Policy BIA: Orientation of new board members revised to include above protocols.
Motion to approve the revisions to policy BIA by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh.
Motion carries 5 - 0.
Facilities Subcommittee: Develop description for new subcommittee.
Motion to approve the description of the Facilities Subcommittee by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh.
Motion carries 5 - 0.
OTHER:
Michael Connolly has started working on a Mansfield Technology Plan. In December, he pulled a
small working group together and they have started a draft. Members of the group are Michael
Connolly, Lori Letendre, David McGovern, Rayna Freedman, and Joshua Raposa. The group will
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Approved 2-6-18
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Town Hall, Room 3ab
move forward following a timeline to prepare a plan. There are three main phases to the project:
Learning (What is possible); Vision/Mission Building (Who we are / what we do; what image of the
future do we want to create); Goal Creating (What are the next steps.) Information will be
provided to the school committee as the team progresses.
Michael also reminded viewers that Friday, January 26, 2018 is an early release / professional
development day. Activities planned are: PBIS, assessment data; technology, anti defamation, art
show planning, social emotional needs. The committee asked that we email reminders to parents
and also place a reminder on the webpage.
Documents Referenced:
Mansfield High School Program of Studies
Plan to create a Technology Plan
Policies
Protocols
Facilities Description
Motion to adjourn: At 9:02 p.m., Motion to adjourn by Linda Fernando / Jean Walsh
Motion U.C. 5-0
Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Nugent, Secretary to the
Superintendent & School Committee
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