Monson School Committee

Quarry Hill Community School

Music Room

April 16, 2003

 

OPEN MINUTES MEETING

 

School Committee Members Present:  Chairman Robert Beauchemin, Vice Chairman Mark Hebert, Secretary Norma Germain, and Mary Ellen Baron.

Regrets:  Donna Hall Adams

 

Others present:  Interim Superintendent Carol Woodbury, Business Manager Daniel Tassinari, Special Education Director Judith Dion, High School  Principal James Peters, Middle School Principal Patricia Clem, Elementary Principal Mary Lou Callahan, and Recording Secretary Joan Majka.

 

1.  Mr. Beauchemin called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

 

2.  Approve Minutes

 

A motion was made to approve the minutes from the April 9, 2003 meeting

Mrs. Germain 1st – Mrs. Baron 2nd

 

Mr. Hebert noted that a motion to appoint the School Committee secretary was omitted and would like to hold off on approving the minutes until a corrected version could be presented.

 

Mrs. Germain also noted that she had watched the selectmen’s meeting instead of attending it as noted in the minutes and this should also be corrected.

 

A roll call was taken to support the motion

Mrs. Baron-no, Mrs. Germain-no, Mr. Hebert-no, and Mr. Beauchemin-no

The motion failed to pass with none for and four against

 

3.  Public Session

 

No one came forward at this time.

 

4.  Correspondence/Announcements/Requests  

 

Mr. Beauchemin commented that Mrs. Woodbury had given a great presentation of the school budget at the recent Finance Committee meeting with Mr. Hebert agreeing.

 

Mrs. Baron asked if they would be going over the school improvement plans that had been included in their packets with Mrs. Woodbury answering she would go over them at the May 15, 2003 meeting.

 

5.  Reports

 

High School Assessment Sub-Committee:  Curriculum Mapping and March Professional Development Days

 

Jessica Bethoney, Ronie Webster, Rich Renaud and Andy Kozikowski formed a sub-committee to work on curriculum mapping for the high school.  They came before the committee this evening to present an overview of the work they have done so far.  Research was done along with surveying the staff to develop a tool to start with.  During the two March professional development days they worked with teachers both in small groups and as a whole to fine tune their work.  They demonstrated materials used and the outcomes arrived at.  They saw excitement in the staff noting the tremendous value the tool will have.  This group will be attending a presentation at the end of June to learn more about where they want to take this project.

 

Mrs. Woodbury commented that projects like this show the responsibility that staff is taking toward student achievement.  Teachers with different strategies can help more students learn.  She thanked the members of the sub-committee for the work they had done and the informative presentation given.

 

Scantic Valley YMCA:  Nicole Nadeau

 

Packets of information were distributed that included promotional materials, program schedule and camp brochures.  Ms. Nadeau noted that the YMCA had sent surveys out in the town to evaluate what services might be needed in Monson.  She said 50% of the respondents requested before and after school care.  The philosophy and goals of the group were highlighted along with the structure used.  She also noted qualifications and experience staff are required to have.  Committee members would review materials and information to make a decision about using this program in Monson.

 

6.  Old Business

 

Reorganization

 

Mr. Beauchemin announced that the reorganization would be put off until the next regular meeting so the full board could be in attendance.

 

7.  New Business

 

School Choice

 

Mrs. Woodbury noted that with the uncertainty of the budget at this time she recommended that school choice not be offered next year.  She explained the committee would need to make a motion to not participate in school choice if that is their decision.  If they did nothing they would automatically be listed as a school choice school.

 

A motion was made to not participate in school choice for the 2003-2004 school year

Mr. Hebert 1st – Mrs. Baron 2nd with the motion carrying unanimously

 

8.  Bill Schedules

 

There were no bill schedules to be signed this evening.

 

9.  Adjournment

 

A roll call was taken at 8:30 P.M. to adjourn to executive session for collective bargaining and not to return to open session.

Mrs. Baron–yes, Mrs. Germain–yes, Mr. Hebert–yes, and Mr. Beauchemin-yes