“Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Town of Monson School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town of Monson website, at www.monson-ma.gov. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen to the meeting may do so in the following manner: https://zoom.us/j/91282117521 Meeting ID:912 8211 7521, no in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the Town of Monson’s website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. Present: Chair Jeffrey Lord; Vice Chair Emily-Graves-Harrison; Secretary Kathryn Peterson; Committee Members; Colleen Flynn and Jackie Watts Also Present: Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Business and Finance Officer Michelle Loglisci; Director of Student Services/Early Childhood Center Suzanne Tetrault; Granite Valley School Principal Katherine Watts; Granite Valley School Assistant Principal Joe Trivisonno; Director of Guidance Robert Bardwell; Director of Food Services Melody Gustafson; Monson High School Principal William Metzger; Monson High School Assistant Principal Jill Foulis; Early Childhood Center Dean of Students/Special Education Coordinator Colette Bidus; and Recording Secretary Karen Methe Note: This meeting was recorded using Zoom technology. Mr. Lord called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Ms. Graves-Harrison read the Mission & Vision Statements. Announcements: Pre-K and Kindergarten registration has begun at the Early Childhood Center. Mrs. Maloney and Ms. Clifford from the Counseling Department will be hosting upcoming events for families. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) testing will begin on May 11, 2021 at the high school and Grade 5 on May 12, 2021. Informational sessions for grades 3-6 will be held on May 5, 2021. National Teacher’s Appreciation Week is next week. Annually, the PTSA provides a luncheon in honor of the staff and though it will look different this year, they will continue this tradition. Minutes: Motion by Ms. Peterson to approve the April 7, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. (Second by Mr. Watts) No discussion
School Committee Minutes: Page 1 of 5
Regular Business Meeting-April 28, 2021
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-May 12, 2021
Motion carries 5-0 Subcommittee and Liaison Reports: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee: Mr. Watts reported that the initial meeting had great collaboration. He noted that there was so much already happening within the schools adding that there will be a free training on May 13, 2021. Mr. Watts read the newly created Subcommittee mandate. Mrs. Methe was asked to incorporate the Subcommittee and its mandate into the current list. Mr. Watts said future plans include meeting with counselors, staff and students. Mr. Lord reported that the United Food and Commercial Workers contract has been successfully negotiated. Superintendent’s Report: The spring athletic season has begun. Athletes are very happy to be participating in their favorite sport. Dr. Clarke reviewed the current job postings for the 2021-2022 school year. The COVID town update information from Mrs. Fedora was presented by Dr. Clarke. There are currently 5 positive cases in the past 2 weeks, and the numbers are declining at this time. There was a joint meeting held between the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen where Dr. Clarke did her annual presentation of the school budget. The Commissioner of Education issued a press release regarding new parameters for close contact and the necessity to quarantine with a positive COVID test result. Individuals within 3 feet of someone that has tested positive for the virus must quarantine. If someone has been in contact with a positive person but were socially distanced 3-6 feet, quarantine is no longer mandated, but all families must be notified in this case. The graduation guidelines have been released and the high school graduation ceremony is in line with those guidelines. Dr. Clarke and members of the School Committee, along with representatives from Siemen’s Energy, attended the Town Finance Committee meeting to provide further information and answer questions regarding the Energy Savings Company (ESCO) school project. There are no Junior Varsity teams for the spring athletic season. Registrations have decreased by 35-40 athletes since last spring. Mrs. Zippin tried to pull together with other districts to create a co-op but did not receive any interest in doing so. Public session: Mr. Lord opened Public Session at 7:15 p.m. Town resident Jennifer Silva questioned New Business Agenda items 7 b & c, requesting specific details on the hiring process and procedure for the new Director of Business position and also the reasoning behind the request to delegate authority to the Superintendent allowing full autonomy in hiring for that position. Town resident Trish Kustra asked question on MCAS testing for grade 10. Mr. Lord closed Public Session at 7:23 p.m.
School Committee Minutes: Page 2 of 5
Regular Business Meeting-April 28, 2021
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-May 12, 2021
New Business:
The FY22 budget number is ready to be voted on by the Committee.
Motion by Ms. Flynn to approve the 2021-2022 school budget of $10,770,00. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison)
No discussion
Roll Call:
Mr. Watts Yes
Ms. Peterson Yes
Ms. Flynn Yes
Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes
Mr. Lord Yes
Motion carries 5-0
Motion by Ms. Peterson to approve the proposed 2021-2022 transportation budget. (Second by Mr. Watts)
There was a friendly amendment made to break out the amounts by bus and special education van transportation, $709,286 and $399,846, respectively.
The amendment was accepted.
Roll Call:
Mr. Watts Yes
Ms. Peterson Yes
Ms. Flynn Yes
Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes
Mr. Lord Yes
No further discussion
Motion carries 5-0
Motion by Mr. Watts to approve the previously presented job descriptions for Director of Curriculum and Instruction/Student and Family Engagement Coordinator and Director of Business and Operations. (Second by Ms. Peterson)
No discussion
Motion carries 5-0
A brief discussion was held on the formality of the procedural wording for the hiring of the Director of Business position.
Motion by Ms. Flynn to delegate the authority to hire, for the position of Director of Business and Operations, to the Superintendent. (Second by Ms. Peterson)
No discussion
Motion carries 5-0
School Committee Minutes: Page 3 of 5
Regular Business Meeting-April 28, 2021
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-May 12, 2021
Mrs. Tetrault presented a Student Services update. She began by thanking her Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Bingle, and Dean of Students, Mrs. Bidus for their unwavering ability to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic. She reviewed the current Special Education student count, talked about the COVID-19 adjustments that were made to learning plans, compensatory services, remote team meetings and the Docusign feature for Individualized Education Plans (IEP). The district’s specialized programs were explained. Mrs. Tetrault went over the Professional Development that the staff had participated in. Kudos were given to the Special Olympics-Unified Sports athletes who participated in Strength and Conditioning and Unified Basketball. Mrs. Tetrault was excited and happy to announce that the Special Olympics-Unified Games will return in 2021 and the district, based on implementation of inclusive sports, inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement through the Unified Games, has qualified as a Champion School. Dr. Clarke reviewed the changes to the proposed 2021-2022 school calendar, adding that it has been endorsed by the Monson Teacher’s Association. Motion by Mr. Watts to approve the Monson Public Schools 2021-2022 school calendar as presented. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Action Items: Mr. Lord requested that all Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) nomination information be resent to the Committee for review and discussion at the next Regular Business Meeting. Remind Committee members of the May 10, 2021 Annual Town Meeting. Mrs. Methe will schedule a Working Meeting, re: Superintendent Goals Update, for May 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee Meeting for May 26, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Methe will schedule a Facilities and Long-Term Planning Subcommittee Meeting, inviting all Committee members, for a Facilities Tour on June 2, 2021. Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to adjourn to Executive Session M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Purpose #3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and litigation, not to return to Open Session. (Second by Mr. Watts) No discussion Roll Call: Mr. Watts Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Mr. Lord Yes Motion carries 5-0 Open Session closed at p.m.
School Committee Minutes: Page 4 of 5
Regular Business Meeting-April 28, 2021
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-May 12, 2021
Documentation for this meeting: April 28, 2021-Regular Business Meeting Agenda Monson Public Schools Student Services Update 2021-2022 School Calendar (Draft) Distributed at meeting: N/A Approved by Committee: ________________________________________ Kathryn Peterson, Secretary