Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting August 19, 2020 “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/j94163543633 Meeting ID: 945 6236 2401, 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 Andy Dubois-White; Committee Members; Colleen Flynn and Kathryn Peterson Also Present: Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Student Services/Early Childhood Center Suzanne Morneau; Director of Facilities Paul DeMaio; Business anf Finance Officer Michelle Loglisci; Granite Valley School Principal Katherine Watts; Granite Valley School Assistant Principal Joe Trivisonno; 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: Thursday (8/20/20) and Friday (8/21/20) notifications will be sent home via email and United States Postal Service mail with homeroom assignments and supply lists. Staff return to work next week. New teachers begin on August 24, 2020 and everyone else on August 25, 2020. The first day of school is September 9, 2020. The 10 days prior to the start of school, tours will be held, there will be opportunities for students to meet teachers, parent information services and other activities. Minutes: Motion by Mr. Dubois-White to approve the July 22, 2020, Regular Business Meeting minutes as presented. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Mr. Lord requested that approval for the July 29, 2020 and August 7, 2020 Regular Business Meeting minutes be tabled until the next meeting because they were not received in a timely manner for
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Regular Business Meeting-August 19, 2020
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting- September 16, 2020
review. Subcommittee & Liaison Reports: Dr. Clarke recommended that a Policy Subcommittee meeting be scheduled. She also asked that a Facilities and Long-Term Planning Subcommittee meeting be scheduled, prior to the arrival of the students for Committee members and Principals to look at the social distanced classroom set-up and various areas that will be used during the school day. Mr. DeMaio will facilitate the tours. Finance and Curriculum Subcommittee meetings will be scheduled for mid to end of September. Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Clarke reviewed the continued updates from the Commissioner of Education. Health and safety clarification was presented in addition to guidance for Athletics. Team leaders are meeting and fully engaged in the work to be done. Dr. Clarke outlined the finalized models of education for each school. The Early Childhood Center will have 4 day in-person learning, Granite Valley and Monson High School will implement the hybrid model (2 day in-person, 2 day remote). Special Education students, in a sub-separate setting with a 1:1 Aide, may attend in person 4 days a week. There is the option of fully remote for every student. Dr. Clarke noted that Fridays are half-day remote learning for everyone. Dr. Clarke stated that staff, with students attending school in the district, may have them attend all 4 days in person. The 19 staff requests to work fully remoted were honored. Ms. Graves-Harrison inquired about only one nurse per building and the possibility of cross contamination if that person has to assess possible COVID-19 symptoms in students, in addition to their everyday duties which include administering medications, treating injuries, monitoring other students, etc. Discussion followed. Mr. Lord charged Dr. Clarke to address the concern. The online learning platform Go Guardian has been fully upgraded to support remote learning students. Mr. DeMaio provided an update on the unit ventilators, stating that maintenance is also working hard setting up classrooms, cleaning and sanitizing. He noted that heating, cooling and ventilation remains top priority. Ms. Peterson asked if the buildings would be safe when the staff return. Mr. DeMaio said that that was their goal and it should be all set for the students’ return. Mrs. Loglisci said that the Transportation Department was getting ready for the return to school. She spoke about hand sanitizer being added to the busses, stating that this has never been allowed. The bus inspector worked with district mechanic Mr. Whitcomb and did a trial of hand sanitizer and how it burns. Mrs. Loglisci stated emphatically that she is not comfortable with having dispensers installed on busses, adding that the registry will only allow the dispenser to be located at the top of the bus stairs, which would cause safety issues with getting on and off the bus. Further discussion followed regarding students carrying hand sanitizer in backpacks and Ms. Flynn asked that communication be sent to parents. Motion by Mr. Lord to disregard the suggestion to have hand sanitizers installed on busses and vans. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Guidance and information for upcoming Parent Information Nights is being drafted.
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Mrs. Gustafson and her staff continue their hard work in devising a plan to feed fully remote students.
Individual learning kits are being made. There will be 2 kits per student, 1 for home and 1 for school.
Ten days of professional development for staff will begin on August 25, 2020. Dr. Clarke thanked the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS) team at Granite Valley for this year’s theme “It starts with us”. Tee shirts are being made for each staff member.
Ms. Graves-Harrison discussed her concerns about School Choice students coming in from high risk areas.
Ms. Peterson noted that going forward we need to be cautious.
Ms. Flynn expressed her disappointment that the 4 day in person learning option couldn’t be offered at Granite Valley due to the high number of families choosing in-person learning.
Ms. Graves-Harrison asked that if a student tests positive of COVID-19, under new regulations, is a letter sent to all students. A short discussion followed.
New Business:
Dr. Clarke requested that approval of the Monson Public Schools’ Handbook be deferred to the next meeting due to a COVID-19 addendum that is currently being reviewed by school counsel.
Athletics will be discussed at the next meeting.
There will be another Regular Business Meeting scheduled for August 26, 2020.
Mr. Metzger gave an update on graduation stating that two-thirds of the graduating class attended the drive through event. Diplomas will be mailed for those not attending.
Ms. Flynn commended Mr. Metzger for a wonderful job handling the adversity that came with the change in graduation procedure due to the Governor’s revised ruling for participation at an outdoor event. Mr. Lord thanked Mr. Metzger as well.
Ms. Peterson stated that the Professional Development line-up for staff is stellar and she feels much more comfortable with staff and students return to the buildings.
Public session:
Mr. Lord opened Public Session at 8:21 p.m.
No one came forward to address the Committee.
Mr. Lord closed Public Session at 8:22 p.m.
Review of Action Items:
Dr. Clarke will look into Ms. Graves-Harrison’s concern on nursing staff.
Mrs. Methe will schedule Subcommittee meetings as requested.
Mrs. Methe will send Mr. Lord the July 29, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes-Draft
Add approval of Regular Business Meeting minutes for July 29, 2020 and August 7, 2020 to next meeting Agenda.
Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Ms. Peterson)
No discussion
Motion carries 5-0
Open Session closed at 8:24 p.m.
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Documentation for this meeting: August 19, 2020-Regular Business Meeting Agenda July 22, 2020 – Regular Business Meeting Draft Minutes for Approval July 29, 2020 – Regular Business Meeting Draft Minutes for Approval August 7, 2020 – Regular Business Meeting Draft Minutes for Approval Distributed at meeting: N/A Approved by Committee: ________________________________________ Mr. Dubois-White, Secretary