Minutes of the
Monson School Committee
Regular Business Meeting
August 24, 2022
Hybrid Model
Members of the public who wish to participate virtually in this meeting may do so in the following manner: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81713357509 Meeting ID: 817 1335 7509
Present (In-person): Vice Chair Alison Morgan; Secretary Emily Graves-Harrison; Committee Member Kathryn Peterson; Committee Member Jamie Murphy; Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Director of Student Services Colette Bidus; Director of Curriculum and Instruction Katherine Watts; Granite Valley School Principal Joseph Trivisonno; Monson High School Principal Matthew Sullivan; and Recording Secretary Karen Methe
Present (Remote): Monson High School Assistant Principal Katie Czarniecki
Absent: Chair Colleen Flynn
Note: This meeting was recorded by M-Pact TV and Zoom.
Ms. Morgan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Ms. Murphy read the Mission & Vision Statements.
Announcements/Recognition:
Events scheduled for August 25, 2022 are as follows:
Granite Valley School Tours
Monson High School New Student Barbeque
Transportation Night
The first day of school for students in grades 1-12 is Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
September 1, 2022 is the first day of school for students in Pre-K and Kindergarten.
Dr. Clarke expressed her thanks to Todd Schubach, Lori St. Marie, Paul DeMaio and the Technology and Maintenance Department employees for their hard work in preparing for the opening of school.
Minutes:
Motion by Ms. Peterson to approve the August 10, 2022 Regular Business Meeting Minutes as presented. (Second by Ms. Murphy)
No discussion
Motion carries 4-0
Superintendent’s Update:
Dr. Clarke stated that the Summer Bus Tour was wonderful, adding her thanks to the 40 staff members and administration who volunteered their time to make the evening such a huge success. The format was changed due to heavy rain but the turnout was incredible. She noted that 250 student supply bags were assembled and only a few were left over. Dr. Clarke thanked Mrs. Zippin for ordering all the supplies. She also thanked the students and families that joined in all the fun under the overhang at Granite Valley School.
Granite Valley School held building tours last night and over 50 families attended.
New Teacher Orientation day was held today. Dr. Clarke told the Committee that the enthusiasm from this group was palpable when she met with them and their mentors.
Dr. Clarke stated that the Extend Program, before and after school care, is full and registrations are closed. She said however that all students that were on a waiting list were accepted into the program.
The chickens at Quarry Hill Community School are being featured in an upcoming edition of the Reminder. She reminded everyone walking dogs at the school to be sure they are leashed as there was an unfortunate incident involving a goose that was in close proximity to the coop.
It was decided to postpone the Policy/Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee meeting, scheduled for earlier this evening, to wait for a response from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on the need for a new Policy. Counsel for the district, Kimberly Roche, let Dr. Clarke know that a Policy is not needed but would also like to see what DESE’s guidance will be. That meeting will be rescheduled. She also reached out to the insurance company and read the information she received back from them.
Police Chief Kozloski walked all 3 school buildings with Mr. DeMaio and Mr. Schubach and thought there were minor issues to address but he was overall very pleased with the security and technology that is in place in the district.
Dr. Clarke will welcome back staff tomorrow. She distributed the Opening Day and Professional Days schedules to Committee members, noting that she is very excited to begin the new year with everyone in person.
Public Session:
Ms. Morgan opened Public Session at 7:12 p.m.
Mary Hull asked if there would be a regular mental health evaluation for the School Security Officer position. Dr. Clarke responded that the Committee will be creating the trainings and evaluations, and felt that would be important to have in place.
Ms. Morgan closed Public Session at 7:13 p.m.
Subcommittee and Liaison Reports:
Policy/Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee:
Tonight’s meeting was postponed pending a response from DESE regarding a Policy for the new School Security Officer position. It will be rescheduled.
A Curriculum Subcommittee meeting will be scheduled in the near future.
Dr. Clarke, Ms. Graves-Harrison and Ms. Flynn attended the Select Board’s meeting last evening where Dr. Clarke provided an overview of the security measures in place in the school district.
There was discussion regarding Tri-Board meetings,that will be held in the future, for everyone to have the same information at the same time. Dr. Clarke thanked Ms. Wolowicz and Ms. Farnum for making that happen.
Ms. Morgan, Liaison for the Monson Athletic Boosters, attended a meeting on August 21, 2022 and provided the following report:
Huge thank you to:
Scott Walker for all his work with the Moriarty sign
Jared Pignone for his electrical work so that we could hang the Moriarty sign
Steve Slozak for making the boards that hang in the hallway entering Mike Kane gymnasium. Picture plaques are hung on the board.
The Boosters recently received donations through memorial funds and are using this money towards completing the Lacrosse scoreboard. Mr. Dreyer, Athletic Director, is submitting his $700, the Boosters are submitting $950 from the memorial funds and adding in the additional $550.
There will be a lot of various fundraising ideas coming soon
A Night Game will be played on Monday, October 3, 2022. Volunteers are being sought to work the game, help is needed for concessions, front gate, ect. Everyone is encouraged to help out.
Discussed bathroom/changing rooms at Flynt Park for girls’ soccer and will be looking into a grant through the Community Preservation Committee.
Plans are in the works for a Pep Rally/Bonfire Event - Possible date in November. Need to determine location/time/events to be planned.
Looking for parents of younger athletes to volunteer and be part of the Boosters’ Club so they can participate and take over once the current board no longer has students in our schools.
The next meeting scheduled for Sunday September 18th at 12:00 Westview Creamery
New Business:
Ms. Bidus, Director of Student Services, stated that the school year is off to a great start. She added that the Administrative Team has been having discussions regarding a name change for the department and her title. Ms. Bidus noted that the department exists primarily to provide special education services to students and their families through and asked that the name of the department be changed from Students Services to Special Education. She also requested that her title be revised to Special Education Director. A brief discussion followed.
Motion by Ms. Graves Harrison to change the Student Services Director title to Special Education Director and the department title to Special Education Department. (Second by Ms. Peterson)
Motion amended to change title to Director of Special Education not Special Education Director as stated in original motion.
No further discussion
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Murphy Yes
Ms. Peterson Yes
Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes
Ms. Morgan Yes
Motion carries 4-0
Old Business:
Dr. Clarke informed the Committee that all changes to the 2022-2023 Monson Public Schools Handbook for Students and Families requested at the previous meeting were made and asked the Committee to accept the changes, including the language voted on this evening for the Special Education Department as presented.
Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to approve the Monson Public Schools 2022-2023 Handbook for Students and Families, with the updated department name changes of Special Education Department and Director of Special Education revisions, as presented. (Second by Ms. Murphy)
No discussion
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Murphy Yes
Ms. Peterson Yes
Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes
Ms. Morgan Yes
Motion carries 5-0
Action Items:
Revise Special Education information in handbook and distribute.
Continue working on School Security Officer position.
Ms. Methe will reach out to Ms. Flynn for permission to change the September 7, 2022 Regular Business Meeting date to September 8, 2022.
Further Thursday meeting dates will be discussed at the next meeting.
Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Ms. Morgan)
No discussion
Motion carries 4-0
Open Session closed at 7:32 p.m.
Documentation for this meeting:
August 24, 2022-Regular Business Meeting Agenda
August 10, 2022-Regular Business Meeting Minutes-DRAFT
2022-2023 Monson Public Schools Handbook for Students and Families
Distributed/Presented at meeting:
Monson Public Schools Opening Schedule
Approved by Committee:
_________________________________________________
Ms. Graves-Harrison, Secretary