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Home My WebLink AboutSchool Comm. 11/13/2018Approved 11-27-18 R f' C L[ V F d Mansfield School Committee Meeting �(J r� t s for Tuesday, November 13, 2018 n fi1'gh School, Principal's Conference Room 10(8 NOV 28 A 9: 4S �i ';Ji'' _.1_!_9 q k _ 7- An Open Meeting ottlid-Mansfield School Committee was held at MHS on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. The open meeting session was called to order by Kiera O'Neil at 6:00 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 Video Recording: None New Business: Field Trips: MHS Percussion to competition in Trumbull. CT Matt McGuire started by summarizing the band trip this past weekend to MetLife Stadium in NJ. The marching band competed and came in 8th place in this challenging national championship. The next day the students were able to see Wicked on Broadway. The upcoming Trumbull trip is a Regional competition that is a pre -qualifier for the Dayton trip. For all local competitions, students travel by Connolly bus. However, for out of state trips, itis more appropriate to take a coach bus. This transportation is primarily funded by the band parents but also by some student fees. Financial aid is available for all trips. For example, for Met Life, a few families requested assistance. Students and their families also have options to fund raise. Some choose to participate fully while others choose to skip the fund raising and payout of pocket. Lynn asked about the confidentiality of the scholarships. Matt works directly with parents and based on family requests will inform just the band parent board or will keep the records himself. Motion to approve MHS Percussion to competition in Trumbull, CT by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh Discussion: Lynn Cavicchi noted that there is a high cost associated with band and percussion participation every year. She inquired about the $60 user participation fee that is charged annually per student. Mary and Matt were unclear how those funds applied and would research. Motion Carries S - 0 MHS Percussion to competition in Dayton. OH Mansfield Percussion has participated in the Dayton competition 11 out of the last 12 years. Most years it falls during April vacation but every few years, we are forced to miss some school days. This year students will miss Toe - Fri prior to vacation. Mary researched other groups and noted that others do miss school. For example students in basketball championships, football trips, model senate, mock trial will miss a few days per year. How do we help with missed homework? The committee asked Matt to reach out to teachers now to prepare them and give them time to help the students. Matt also works with students to keep up on their academics as part of normal participation in the band. Kiera O'Neil asked if the students know how many days they will miss. Page 1 of 3 Approved 11-27-18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 13, 2018 Mansfield High School, Principal's Conference Room Matt said nothing formal has been discussed yet but they all have an idea. He will make sure everyone fully understands prior to signing a permission slip. Lynn asked what the impact would be to the program if the students do not go. Matt said it would be very disappointing to our students especially the seniors who have worked hard over the years. He suspects there may be a slight fall off of numbers if the trip no longer occurred. Teresa asked if Matt looked into flying. He has but it would end up being approximately $200 more per person. It is also difficult to travel to and from practice and competition once there without our own bus. Kiera asked if students could back out near the end. Yes, they can and would not be penalized but it may add cost to the other students. Motion to approve MHS Percussion to competition in Dayton, OH by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh Discussion: Kiera re-emphasized the need to work with staff and students to keep them from falling behind. Motion Carries S - 0 MHS Varsity Football to Cincinnati OH and Notre Dame University Mike Redding was unavailable due to a Hockomock Coaches meeting last night. It is an important meeting as coaches review and vote on league awards for our students. Joe Russo provided an overview of the trip. Every year local football teams choose opponents for the first 2 weeks of the season prior to league play. It is common for teams to travel. In this case Ohio provided a good opponent and offered to pay some of the transportation costs. By playing "up", Mansfield gains exposure with college recruits. It creates more opportunities for our students. Jenn Walsh and Linda Fernando asked about injuries. How would serious injuries be handled especially if a student had to attend a hospital? Per Joe, a lot of care is taken in reviewing and choosing opponents. MHS would not put students at unnecessary risk. The game itself has risks and injuries would be managed by attending coaches and trainers. As in all games, hospital trips would be managed if required. Lynn asked about the number of coaches on staff vs. the number noted in contract. These positions are paid stipends from the Gridiron Club. She also inquired who was providing the free Notre Dame tickets. Joe believes that Notre Dame University is offering the free tickets but will research. Linda Fernando asked how the roster would be managed in relation to airline tickets. Mike Redding is purchasing a group package then can assign names as the trip gets closer. Motion to approve MHS Varsity Football to Cincinnati, OH and Notre Dame University by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh Discussion: Lynn asked if scholarships are available. Per Joe Russo, yes scholarships are available. There are also many fundraising opportunities. She also inquired about cancellation policies. A student would not be charged if there was a last minute cancellation. Motion Carries 4 - 1 (Lynn Cavicchi) Motion to JV Hockey to a game in North Smithfield, RI by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh Discussion: None Motion Carries S - 0 Page 2 of 3 Approved 11-27-18 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, November 13, 2018 Mansfield High School, Principal's Conference Room Student Activity Accounts: MHS Future Leaders of America Student Activity Account Mary Watkins reviewed this group's charter and activities. They are part of the Business Club but this subset of students competes with groups in the area. They would like fundraise for bus transportation. There was some confusion as to whether this was synonymous with the current business club or a separate student activity account. Mary Watkins will research and will bring this back to committee. Lynn noted that if the Future Business Leaders of America is a national chartered group, the school should fund a portion of the fees similar to that of National Honor Society. Tabled until 11-27-18 Science Olympiad Student Activity Account The students are looking to raise funds so that they may cover transportation costs of competitions. Motion to approve Science Olympiad Student Activity Account by Linda Fernando/Jenn Walsh Discussion: None Motion Carries S - 0 Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours Drior to this meetine: None Documents Referenced: Field trip planning forms Student Activity planning forms Motion to adjourn: At 6:50 p.m., Kiera called for a motion to enter into Executive Session 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. So Moved by Jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher Roll Call Vote: Lauren Scher Yes Lynn Cavicchi Yes Jenn Walsh Yes Linda Fernando Yes Kiera O'Neil Yes Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Secretary to the Superintendent & School Committee Page 3 of 3