Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 09/25/2018Approved 10/16/18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in room 3AB of the Town Hall on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. The open meeting session was called to order by Kiera O'Neil at 7:05 p.m. 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) Lauren Scher Jenn Walsh Members Absent: None n 0j Video Recording: None Communications: None n cnM Superintendent Report: � c-:, _ Each year the VFW offers all students grades 6 - 12, the opportunity to enter one df two t ssayT? contests. The deadline is October 31, 2018. We have notified the principals at NfS and�MMS-ad have asked them to distribute the information to students. Information has also been placed on our Hornet electronic backpack. We encourage participation. This year's topics are: G 6 - 8: Patriot's Pen Essay "Why I honor the American Flag." 300 - 400 word essay National winners can win a $500 to $5000 prize There have been $SOO winners from Mansfield G 9 - 12: Voice of Democracy "Why My Vote Matters." 3 - 5 minute audio essay National winners can win scholarship money One of our students, Ian Reddish, was recently honored by the Town of Mansfield and State Department of Fire Services as a "Young Hero" for his actions in assisting an elderly man in distress during an extremely hot day. Ian was walking home from practice and notice someone had fallen on his driveway. He cared for the man, stayed with him until EMTs arrived and assisted the first responders in moving the gentleman inside where it was cool. Ian is a senior at Mansfield High School. We thank him for his efforts and congratulate him on his recent award. Lieutenant Justin Desrosiers was promoted to EMS Officer earlier this year after several years as the EMS Coordinator. His duties center on Managing the EMS System at Mansfield Fire which includes education, enhancement of policy and procedure, case study and review, and of course emergency response. He is also responsible for community outreach on a variety of levels that include our highest risk groups, the elderly and children. Part of the outreach is to interface with all of the schools to continue to improve communication between the Fire Department and the School Department including the Nursing Staff and the parents and caregivers of Children with special healthcare needs. The hope is to not only improve on our plan of prevention but to enhance the department's response to calls at the schools. Lynn Cavicchi asked if we could connect the liaison with SEPAC. Teresa will inform him of our parent night for EL students. Page 1 of 10 Approved 10/16/18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab Michael Sweet has been awarded the 2018 Massachusetts Foreign Language Association (MaFLA) New Teacher Award for Excellence in World Language Teaching. This award reflects his great work and effort here at Mansfield High School. He will receive a complimentary three-year membership to MaFLA, and is invited to join the MaFLA team at the Business and Awards Luncheon in October where he will be honored. Congratulations to Mr. Sweet. QMS PAC is sponsoring an evening for parents to discuss Vaping issues facing our youth today. The Truth about Vanina Wednesday, October 10, 6:30 pm, QMS Auditorium. Kiera O'Neil asked that we be sure to publicize this information so we get good attendance. This summer, Catalina DeMassi and Sethu Odayappan represented MHS at Girls and Boys state. Both were sworn in as officers of Girls and Boys State out of approximately 350 girls and 350 boys from across the Commonwealth. it is not common to have two elected officials from the same town - we are incredibly proud of how well they represented MHS. Additionally, Catalina had the privilege of being interviewed by the Committee for Girls Nationals in Washington DC, and was one of 12 girls selected from the entire congregation. Approval of Warrants: Warrant Memo dated 943-18 Motion to approve the warrant by lenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Motion Carries 3 - 0 - 2 (Lynn Cavicchi and Lauren Scher abstained due to family members on summer payroll.) Approval of Minutes: Open Session Minutes of 9-4-18 Motion to approve the minutes by Tenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Motion Carries 5 - 0 Gifts: Bruce Bouchs summer running and conditioning program. Money raised through donation enrollments are being donated to the MHS science department. Department Chair, Janet Hogan will determine the use of those funds. Thank you to Mr. Houck. Old Business: committee Updates: Audit: Next meeting is 10/3/18. On 10/10/18 will meet with Board of Selectmen to approve a new member. CIP: No update. Budeet: Lynn Cavicchi has asked Teresa and Ed to review and determine a timeline for this year's budget process. Facilities: Meeting to be held 10/9/18. Polic : Lynn and Lauren will meet with Teresa next week to discuss a plan for the upcoming year. Lauren and Lynn met with Ms Freedman's 5th grade class at their request to discuss the Responsible Use Policy and Homework Policy. It was very informative for the students and the committee members. Page 2 of 10 Approved 10/16/18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab New Business: Introduction of MHS Student Advisory Committee: Mary Watkins introduced this year's MHS Student Advisory Committee. Here tonight is Lily Barnes, grade 11, who will be the representative to the school committee meetings. She is involved in theater. Peter Sullivan is a grade 12 student who is hoping to major in computer science. Logan Biedermann is a grade 11 student who is involved in many activities including GSA and student Council. The other members (not in attendance) are Erin Daniel and Austin Risotti. These students were elected by their peers in June. The students meet once per month and act as liaisons for their peers. Mary Watkins relies on their leadership skills and the ideas they bring to the table. Introduction of New Administrators., Teresa requested that this agenda item be combined with the opening of schools. Kiera agreed. Opening of Schools by Principals: MHS Mary Watkins): We had a great start to the opening of schools with normal ups and downs. Enrollment started at 1286 which is up 10 students from June. 48 of last year's 8Lh grade students left for private or vocational schools. Mary is currently working on detailed reports for average class size. This year, 94% of students received their primary or secondary class choices. On the positive side, we have added new advanced placement courses. A down side of new classes is that students cannot always get as many AP courses as they would like due to scheduling constraints. Some students had to choose one AP course over another. Mary will work with guidance to see if there are any solutions to this scheduling issue. The Facilities department has been extremely helpful in completing the following projects: A/C and sound system in the auditorium, new bleachers at Alumni Field, painting, parking lot sealing and painting, landscaping. The school is working on a new technology based hall pass pilot.. During common planning, staff is working on flex block options. Athletics is well on its way. Mary also thanked all those who helped with the Heroes Corner dedication. Mary introduced Abigail Barlis as the Interim Assistant Principal for 2018-19. Abby was a guidance counselor at the high school who specialized in curriculum development and summer school planning. Mary is very excited to have her as part of the administrative staff. OMS (Dave McGovernl: Teresa introduced Dave officially as the Interim Principal of QMS. Dave replaced Sue Ryan in July. Dave has been Assistant Principal since 2015 and had previously been curriculum coordinator in Franklin. Dave indicated that QMS had a very successful launch this year Enrollment is at 904 students which is up 20 from last year. Average academic class size for grades 6 and 7 are 20 students; for grade 8 is 22/23 and for specials is 24 for grades 6/7 and 29 for grade 8. The first couple of weeks were heavily focused on building relationships, establishing routines and stinger events. Facilities was responsible for the replacement of lockers in the purple, blue, white and president's hallway. Smartboards have been replaced in the order by age with newer LCD models, the handicap entrance was replaced, painting complete and the last of the old cafeteria tables replaced. Dave then introduced Michele Kitchen as the new Interim Assistant Principal at QMS. Previously, Michele was an 8 year 6th grade special education teacher who had taken on various leadership roles. He thanked Michele who spoke briefly of her first few weeks and her gratitude for the opportunity. Page 3 of 10 Approved 10/16/18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab r the lots and s. I/I (toh tlzO� John t thanked is done while multiple p ogramcilities fo s were runnrovements to the ing at the schoolallHe They did an amazing job getting is very excited about kicking off the new literacy model. The school year is starting with 79 students. Class size averages are 22 for grade 3; 23 for grade 4 and 23 for grade S. John is piloting increaseimproved communication with parents and the and improved student reward systems in place.Student Council was piloted last year and will new move forward this year. John introduced Jonathan Fass as the new Assistant Principal. Jon comes from Weymouth Middle School. He has previously been a guidance counselor and has a speecialal education background. Jon spoke regarding his excitement of being in Mansfield. Robinson fKerri Sankevl: We had a great turnout for curriculum night. Enrollment is at 705 students which is up 10 from August projections. Average class size in kindergarten is 20- 21; in grade 1: 21-22 and in grade 2: 22-23. This year's message to students emphasizes kindness. Robinson will place emphasis on the new Journeys literacy program and Envisions Math for grades K and 2 yar it as introduced grade 1.) Kerri is very excited about her new staff. She hanked(last facilities for their work on ins alling the new water fountains and water fill stations. Roland Green fKerri Sankey): Roland Green is opening the year with a full student load at 118 students (64 peer models and 54 special education students.) There were several students on a wait list. In order to alleviate that list, Joanne Jordan created a new time slot M,W,F 8:30 - 1:00. A new initiative this year is to integrate social and emotional learning into both play and learning. Teresa summarized the week by indicating the district had a very smooth start over the first 15 days. The weather was especially hot which made it a challenge for students and staff. She commended both for bearing through the heat. Jocelyn LeMaire, Human Resources Director, reviewed the hiring that took place over the summer. In total we hired 53 people to replace staff due to attrition, retirement or transfers. The district has implemented a new time and attendance system for CHAMPS and Little Hornets staff. Once the pilot is complete, it will roll out to others. Teresa thanked Jocelyn for taking the time to meet all new staff. Michael Connolly introduced Julia Greens tine who is our new Director of Digital Learning. Julia comes to Mansfield from Foxboro. She is very skilled in working through technology and learning; d technical gration. Mike has policy and student agreements; professional development thanked he ommitteeeand expressed her begun work with Julia on the technology plan. excitement about moving the technology plan forward. Capital improvement Plan submission for FYI and beyond: that Matthew Jacques started the presentation by highlighting some of the improvemeandntsRobinson place over the summer. In pictures, Matt showed the changes to the bleachers, J parking lots and QMS lockers. [n addition he spoke of the upgraded wheelchair ramp at QMS, the electrical upgrades at MHS, the new generator to be installed at J/J in October. He noted that J/J is the town's emergency shelter. He mentioned seal coating at Robinson, QMS and MHS. The new chair lift is being installed at QMS this week. Page 4 of 10 Approved 10/16/18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab Teresa described to the committee that Kevin Dumas has modified the CIP preparation process this year. He has created a common format for all Mansfield departments. The school is putting forward school security (items 1 - 5) as its top priority. The school's list is due to Kevin on October 2. Then, Teresa Murphy will meet with Kevin Dumas to discuss. Next, the requests by department will be reviewed and prioritized. Some items may go before town meeting in November. Matt then reviewed each CIP request for the committee: Urgent Priority Door Security Electronic Entry: Currently MHS uses an antiquated FOB system. We cannot add or delete users. By installing systems across the district we can start the security upgrade process. We can easily add and delete staff and lock access to doors at certain days and times. Camera Installation: Mansfield would like to increase the use of security cameras including adding cameras on loading docks. The new system will allow us to get text alerts when there is unusual door activity. Replacement of Public Address System: The current PA system at the high school is over 50 years old. There are many areas of the building that cannot hear announcements which would be critical during an emergency or lock down. Visitor Management System: Currently, visitors are tracked by a handwritten login and visitor stickers. The new system will standardize the labels worn across the district; we can easily identify those visitors who have properly checked in. We could also do immediate background checks as needed. Lynn Cavicchi would like to see parameters set on what is being checked and how "bad checks" would be handled by office staff. A minor offense by a parent could cause an unpleasant situation if they were not allowed to enter the building. She also asks who would view that data and how is it being stored. Linda Fernando lilted the idea of standardized badges. Architecture Consultation for Security: Mansfield would like to bring in a security expert to evaluate our building structure. Specifically to review entrances and office locations. How can we improve access and monitoring? Currently some offices are not near the front doors and it can be difficult to watch where people go once entering the building. Ed Donoghue coordinated one brief meeting with an architect who gave us some high level thoughts on moving forward. The outcome of this review would be a report of findings. Priority 1Of Paving and Concrete Jordan/Jaccksonand Mansfield High school. Pa t of T Tighe and Bond recommendaof paving would concenrate on tionlon o Replacement of Plow Truck: The district hopes to replace a 2004 aging plow truck. Special Ed minibus: The district hopes to replace a 2008 aging school bus. Overall we are looking to make regular replacement of vehicles as they age so that costs are spaced out. To do: Create a district list of all vehicles in order to plan long term maintenance and replacement. Page 5 of 10 Approved 10/(6/18 Mansfield School committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab Playgrounds: Per recommendation of a prior playground safety report, the district would like to continue modifications and improvements. Part of these improvements would be to make the playgrounds ADA compliant. Priority 2 Boiler Controller Improvements J/J and Robinson: The district would like to improve the monitoring of boilers. Currently, we cannot monitor all classrooms. Additionally, staff must enter the buildings over the weekend to verify proper running of the boilers on below freezing days. Boiler Controller Improvements MHS and QMS: The district would like to improve the monitoring of boilers. Currently, we cannot monitor all classrooms. Additionally, staff must enter the buildings over the weekend to verify proper running of the boilers on below freezing days. Underground Oil Tank: There is no urgency with this but an environmental cleanup effort would be to remove this tank from the back of QMS. The district no longer uses oil in the boilers. Replacement Unit ventilators: Continue with scheduled replacements per the Tighe and Bond Report. Sewer Ejector Pump: The district has done some preventative maintenance but would like to look at long term solutions. Track surface replacement: Last replaced in 2013 with a latex (5 year life span) patch fix. New solution will have a 10 year life span. District would like to alternate repairs with track. Bathroom renovations: General upkeep to fixtures, floors and walls. Auditorium painting and carpet: This is phase 11 of the auditorium improvements. Phase I (A/C and sound system) was primarily funded through a generous anonymous donation. Priority 3 Replace turf field: The turf was last replaced in 2013 with a 10 year life span. We would like It on the schedule for 2023. Replace Aging Boilers: Tighe and Bond recommended replacement of the aging boilers. We would like this on the long term plan for 2023. Discussion /Questions: Lynn Cavicchi: 1f the curtain wall at MHS is to be tackled in 2019, how many other projects can we manage? The curtain wall is an extremely large project. Response by Matt Jacques: The security projects if approved at town meeting in November can get done during the school year. The curtain wall is not starting until June. Kiera O'Neil: Does the district have any concerns that there were other items recommended by the Tighe and Bond study that we have not been able to address? What is the next MSBA project? Reponse by Matt Jacques: A review of the proposed items did not cause the district any immediate concern. Key items are already on this list. Kiera then asked about boilers. It was agreed to add the Page 6 of 10 Approved 10/16/18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab boilers as a priority 3 (longterm) request (will seek MSBA funding.) It is important for the town to see what we are considering in the future. Can we establish an understanding with the town that our capital needs could vary year to year and that what we project longterm is only part of the story. Teresa will be sure to discuss this with Kevin. Motion to approve The CIP plan amended with the boiler line item by Linda Fernando /Jenn Walsh. Discussion: Linda Fernando liked the format and the details of the plan. Lynn noted that technology is missing and in the past we used capital to help offset some of our technology costs. Teresa noted that our priority is security. We have flexibility with technology items and are looking to have it part of our operating budget. Motion Carries 5 - 0 Student Activity Accounts: student activity accounts and to approve 2018-19 accounts, As part of a general effort to streamline n MHS student activities. To begin, Ed Donoghue Mary Watkins brought forth information o discussed the reviews that tools place over the srocedureHe worked t He went t all thenCavicchi on ugh schools to review reviews and started the process of identifying p their accounts and make recommendations. Close and disburse funds from inactive accounts: Mary Watkins and Cathy Horowitz did a thorough review of accounts to determine what still as active and what is inactive (to be dissolved.) They identified anything not touched since 2011 robotics,l rights, athletics, rocketry Accounts deemed ub, ski club, SOS, weight room totaling $97774.84. rThis pamount has been reallocated a follows: New student activity starter funds: $2300 ($400 per activity) Freshman Class starting funds: $2300 ($575 per class) Distribution to classes of 2019, 2020 and 2021 ($575 per class) Need based Scholarships for yearend activities ($3,450) Motion to approve the reallocation of student activities at MHS by Linda Fernando / Jean Walsh. Discussion: The yearend scholarship money would require some policy to identify how to distribute and how to identify need. If the school committee does not approve, then Mary will reallocate that money elsewhere. Lynn Cavicchi reviewed what student activity accounts should be. They are student driven accounts where student led fundraisers deposit funds. We hold these funds in trust for students. Lynn is comfortable with the proposed reallocations. Lauren Scher asked if there are any existing funds that are struggling that could use funds. Mary did not believe so but would check. Kiera O'Neil addressed the scholarship. She agreed a procedure would be required to dictate how scholarship need would be identified. She asked what would happen to that scholarship once the money ran out. Would it be refunded or would the scholarship end? Mary Page 7 of 10 Approved 10/16/18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab would need to work through a policy and then see if there was a way to keep it funded through things such as staff fund raisers. Mary would love to keep the account going. Linda Fernando asked if there were any other accounts that would be inactive next year. Yes, it looks like there may be others as well. Motion Carries 4 - 0 - 1 (Lynn Cavicchi abstained. Her daughter is a class officer of one of the proposed recipients.) Merge French Language Club and S anish Language Club to new World Language Club Motion to merge the two language funds into one World Language fund by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh Motion carries 5 - 0. Pay advanced placement stipend of $1500 of AP student activity account. Motion to approve stipend out of AP student activity account by Jenn Walsh / Linda Fernando Motion carries 5 - 0. All Night Party 2018: m All Night Party 2018 to All Night Party for classes Motion to disburse and reallocate funds fro 2019, 2020 and 2021 as well as to fund class gift. Discussion: Lynn Cavicchi did not believe that putting funds toward a class gift was an approved usage of the student activity accounts per audit guidelines. Motion Fails 0 - S. New Motion to disburse and reallocate funds from All Night Party 18 to All Night Party classes of 2019, 2020 and 2021 (No allocation for class gift.) by Lynn Cavicchi/Linda Fernando Motion Carries 5 - 0. Miscellaneous Account: This is an account that has accumulated over the years with funds from things like the Pepsi fund, pay phone money, etc. Mary recommends moving the money to the gift account. Motion to disburse funds from Miscellaneous to the gift account (approximately $9000) by Jenn Walsh / Linda Fernando Motion carries 5 - 0. Uncategorized Account: Mary is still reviewing the source of this account. She believes it is not "real" money but an account that is used for in/out funding. This will likely be an accounting entry only. Mock Trial and National History Day: The students have requested to fundraise. However, these activities are curriculum related and are al studies department. Mary would like to see these types of primarily sponsored by the soci activities continue to be sourced by the department. As such she would prefer not to create student activity accounts. The department would budget for the activities much like the math department budgets for the math team. Kiera asked if there was a difference between these activities and the Model UN which 1S a student activity fund. Mary agrees they are similar but still feels the social Page 8 of 10 Approved 10/16/18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab studies should be responsible and perhaps they should take on the Model UN as well. Lynn Cavicchi noted that schools need to consider their budgets carefully in these cases. They must plan for the y for travel. [f they are not potential of students reaching national levels and requiring mone student activity accounts, the students are unable to fund raise. For now Mock Trial and National History Day will remain in the social studies department. No vote needed. MS & MHS Student Activitv account listing for 2018-19: These will be tabled until next meeting. We will ask each school to bring a list of all student activity accounts. The committee will also vote on account limits. Field Trips: 1. MHS Band trip to Cranston, RI: a. A motion to approve the band trip to RI was made by Linda Fernando / Jean Walsh. b. Discussion: None c. Motion U.C. 5-0 Policies: 1. JFAB E- Educational Opportunities for military children a. A motion to approve the new policy JFABE by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh. b. Discussion: New based on recommendations by MASC. C. Motion U.C.5-0 2. JFABF- Educational Opportunities for children in foster care a. A motion to approve the new policy JFABF by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh. b. Discussion: New based on recommendations by MASC. c. Motion U.C. 5-0 3. JIE- Pregnant Students a. A motion to approve the changes to JIE by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh. b. Discussion: Per MASC recommendations c. Motion U.C. 5-0 Uoco_�_ming Agenda Items: Social Studies New Curriculum Standards Budget Process (priorities and timelines) Organizational Chart Technology Plan (On 10/30 agenda) October 1 Enrollment Numbers (On 10/16 agenda) MCAS Review On 10/16 and 11/13 agendas) School Committee Goals Approval of Student Activity Funds for FY19 (10/16 agenda) 10/10 Board of Selectmen (approve audit candidate) 10/24 Board of Selectmen (Discuss CIP) Citizens Comments: None New School Committee Business: School Committee goals postponed to 10/16/18 Page 9 of 10 Approved 10/16/18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 2S, 2018 Town Hall, Room 3ab Other Items not anticipated by Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: Documents Referenced: CIP summary sheet CIP detailed pages MHS student activities Motion to adjourn: At 10:10 p.m., Motion to adjourn the open meeting by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Motion Carries 5 - 0. Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee Page 10 of 10