Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting December 1, 2021 “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/83983884243 Meeting ID:839 8388 4243, 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 Colleen Flynn; Vice Chair Emily Graves-Harrison; Secretary Kathryn Peterson and Committee Members Jackie Watts and Alison Morgan Also Present: Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Director of Student Services/Early Childhood Center Suzanne Tetrault; Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Katherine Watts; Granite Valley School Principal Joe Trivisonno; Granite Valley School Assistant Principal Myriah Hudak; Monson High School Assistant Principal Matthew Sullivan; Early Childhood Center Dean of Students/Special Education Coordinator Colette Bidus; and Recording Secretary Karen Methe Note: This meeting was recorded using Zoom technology. Ms. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Morgan read the Mission & Vision Statements. Announcements: There is a Parent Student Teacher Association (PTSA) meeting tomorrow, December 2, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The Zoom link is available on Facebook or, if needed, contact Dr. Clarke. Monson High School will hold a Holiday Concert and Art Show on December 16, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Clarke thanked everyone that donated to the Movember fundraiser for men’s health at the high school. Collectively, Mr. Metzger, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Topham, Mr. Mooney, Mr. Sitnik, Mr. Hogan, Ms. Carneglia and Ms. Chambers, raised a total of $4,309. Dr. Clarke expressed her thanks to everyone who donated items for the Thanksgiving Food Drive, adding that it was very successful and turkeys were provided to families at every school. A Holiday Toy Drive is being held. The Central Business Office and J.P. McCarthy transportation staff have adopted families to purchase gifts for this year. Student Representative Report: Monson High School:
School Committee Minutes: Page 1 of 5
Regular Business Meeting-December 1, 2021
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-December 15, 2021
Mason Dumas stated that school is going great so far this year. Fall athletics have wrapped up and winter try-outs have begun. It was college application week and Mason added that Mrs. Sorel and Mr. Dearing have been a big help to students. There were 150 applications completed, 60 acceptances and scholarships have been rewarded.
The senior class is participating in the Toy Drive.
There will be a Winter Concert and Art Show on December 16, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Mason reported that overall the school year is going very well.
Granite Valley School:
Mr. Trivisonno said that Madigan Graves-Harrison and Sam Hudak have been chosen to represent GVS this year. They will have a report ready for the next meeting.
Superintendent’s Update:
Dr. Clarke provided the Town and School metrics and the current vaccination rates.
Pooled testing continues with 22 negative pools that were done last week.
The new School Committee Meeting Room is nearly done. Dr. Clarke thanked Bruce Henriques from M-Pact for his tireless work in creating the new space which will be ready to accommodate a hybrid meeting protocol
Dr. Clarke reported that all stakeholders, involved in assisting with snow day decisions, have been consulted and a new protocol for notification, plowing and clearing of vehicles was developed and is in place and ready to go.
The district is transitioning to PowerSchool from Rediker as the Student Information System. The new system has enhanced capabilities, learning management system to house the district curriculum and more efficient ways to communicate with parents, among other features. Multiple training days have been scheduled for the implementation of the new system.
Try-outs are concluding for cheerleading, basketball and swim as the winter athletic season gets set to begin.
Mr. Trivisonno gave an overview of the Whatever It Takes (WIT) Acceleration Academy at GVS, an after school program for students in grades 1-6. Programming includes math and reading support in a small group setting. There will be approximately 75 students enrolled in the program, once it is at full capacity. The program occurs on Monday and Wednesday from 3:20 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. . Approximately 15 educators, including Teachers, Instructional Aides and Counselors staff the program. Transportation is available for families and students are provided with a snack. He thanked Mrs. Watts and the transportation department for their help.
Ms. Graves-Harrison gave a shout-out to Mrs. Maloney for getting students involved in the community.
Public session:
Ms. Flynn opened Public Session at 7:12 p.m.
Ms. Flynn reminded everyone of the guidelines in speaking during Public Session.
No one came forward to address the Committee.
Ms. Flynn closed Public Session at 7:13 p.m.
Subcommittee and Liaison Reports:
School Committee Minutes: Page 2 of 5
Regular Business Meeting-December 1, 2021
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-December 15, 2021
Policy Subcommittee: Ms. Peterson noted that there was a meeting this evening at 6:00 p.m. Discussion on guidelines for a hybrid meeting protocol was held. The hybrid model is scheduled to begin after January 1, 2022. Training for Committee members and staff will be held prior to the first Regular Business Meeting. Ms. Flynn asked that Policy BEDH-Public Participation at School Committee Meetings be posted with a meeting Agenda along with the guidelines for a remote/in-person meeting. She also requested that the Mission and Vision Statement be on every Agenda going forward. There was discussion about where to house the overflow of meeting attendees as the School Committee Room has a maximum capacity of 49. Ms. Graves-Harrison wants a concrete overflow plan in place and put out to the public. Mr. Watts stated that he feels all angles have been covered to begin hybrid meetings. Ms. Morgan noted that she is excited to begin in-person meetings and offer a hybrid meeting option to the community. It was decided that there is not a need for a Policy for hybrid meetings, just very clear guidelines. As of January 2022, School Committee meetings will be moved to Thursdays. Ms. Flynn asked Dr. Clarke to be sure that information got out to everyone. Human Resources and Negotiations Subcommittee: Unit negotiation meetings continue, but are getting closer to completion. Old Business: In-person/hybrid School Committee Meetings were already discussed as part of the Policy Subcommittee Meeting. New Business: Mrs. Tetrault asked the Committee to consider approving the donation of a stander to a special education student who is aging out of the district’s program to another program. The student currently requires the use of the stander and Mrs. Tetrault, when questioned, said that the district did not have a need to keep the stander but if the need arose to purchase another there is funding available. Motion by Ms. Flynn to approve the donation of a stander to the student mentioned. (Second by Mr. Watts) No discussion Roll Call Vote: Ms. Morgan Yes Mr. Watts Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Motion carries 5-0 Mrs. Tetrault thanked the Committee on behalf of the student and family. Mr. DeMaio reported that the roof project is wrapping up and expected to be completed by December 15, 2021. There are still some grounds issues that will be addressed in the spring of 2022. The 2
School Committee Minutes: Page 3 of 5
Regular Business Meeting-December 1, 2021
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-December 15, 2021
nd phase of the Energy Service Company (ESCO) projects are on schedule to be completed by the end of this year, if materials are available. The only project on hold until February 2022 is the refit of lighting in the GVS auditorium. Grounds are in good shape and the maintenance staff is ready for snow removal. The high school gym floor has been repainted and refinished. The gym at GVS has had a quick refinish and looks great. The pool is now completed but one last step is the replacement of the original heat exchanger to provide even constant heating scheduled for completion by December 10, 2021. Next projects are to install the bottle keepers, donated by the PTSA, at the high school and Quarry Hill Community School (QHCS) and, upon completion of work by the contractors, the obsolete playground at QHCS will be removed and the north side playground will be restored. Prior to Mrs. Hudak’s presentation on the Remote Learning Update at GVS, Mr. Trivisonno thanked the remote teacher, office and teaching staff for all their hard work in coordinating this program. Mrs. Hudak then reviewed the specific remote learning procedures for grades 1-6 along with a sample of the informational sheet used to arrange a student’s remote learning work. Mrs. Hudak added that 116 students have been eligible for test and stay, and 95% of students have participated (110/116). Committee members thanked Mrs. Hudak for her informative update. Action Items: Ms. Flynn would like to create goals for the Committee and said this will be discussed further when in-person meetings return. Be sure to get the information that School Committee Meetings will be changing to Thursdays effective January 6, 2022 on the website and put In the Loop. Ms. Morgan questioned whether the district has had any training on an active shooter in the building, given the recent tragedy that occurred in Michigan. Dr. Clarke replied that staff and students have been educated and have participated in Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate (A.L.I.C.E.) drills, adding that Monson Public Schools was one of the first districts to do so. Ms. Peterson would like the Committee to reconsider the decision not to allow food or beverages at athletic games. She stated that this is the Athletic Boosters main fundraising activity. Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Mr. Watts) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Open Session closed at 8:52 p.m. Documentation for this meeting: December 1, 2021-Regular Business Meeting Agenda Remote Learning Update –GVS 21-22 Distributed at meeting: N/A
School Committee Minutes: Page 4 of 5
Regular Business Meeting-December 1, 2021
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-December 15, 2021
Approved by Committee: ________________________________________ Kathryn Peterson, Secretary