Minutes of the
Monson School Committee
Regular Business Meeting
December 14, 2022
Hybrid Model
Members of the public were able to participate virtually in this meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83766132930 Meeting ID: 837 6613 2930
Present (In-person): Chair Colleen Flynn; Vice Chair Alison Morgan; Secretary Emily Graves-Harrison; Committee Member Kathryn Peterson; Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Director of Special Education Colette Bidus; Director of Curriculum and Instruction Katherine Watts; Granite Valley School Principal Joseph Trivisonno; Granite Valley School Assistant Principal Myriah Hudak (Via Zoom); Monson High School Principal Matthew Sullivan and Recording Secretary Karen Methe
Note: This meeting was recorded by M-Pact TV and Zoom.
Ms. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
Ms. Murphy read the Mission & Vision Statements.
Announcements:
Granite Valley School and Monson High School students will host a Holiday Concert on December 15, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in the GVS auditorium.
There is a Swim Meet scheduled for December 16, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. and a Girls Basketball game at home at 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Clarke gave a reminder that there is no school on December 23, 2022 which begins the holiday break. School will resume on January 3, 2023.
The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) will host a fundraiser at Main Street Tavern on January 5, 2023.
Minutes:
The approval of the November 9 and November 20, 2022 Regular Business Meeting minutes will be moved to the next School Committee Regular Business Meeting.
Student Representative Report:
The following report was given by Mia Hudak (via Zoom) and Elliott Greene (In-Person):
Grade 4 students were interviewed about what they like about Granite Valley School. All enjoyed ST Math with JiJi the penguin. There are themed prizes when their levels are complete.
The school has made it to 34% of their minute and puzzle goal, aiming to meet a 50% by February.
There is a December contest with the top 10 highest growth in each grade receiving JiJi/penguin merchandise.
The November PBIS incentive was successful with students getting to choose activities. Grade 4 enjoyed the drawing and basketball. For that incentive, students partnered with their buddy grades. Grades 1 and 4, 2 and 5 and 3 and 6 worked together. Everyone is looking forward to continuing to build those relationships in 2023. These options cost 10 rocks tickets that are earned by being Respectful, Showing Ownership, having good communication and being kind to classmates and being scholarly during class and in the halls.
Staff and students are looking forward to the Holiday Concert on December 15, 2022. The chorus will go to the Early Childhood Center to have a sing along with preschoolers and kindergarten students.
Everyone is also looking forward to Festive Sweater Day and the PBIS earning of a dance party or the quiet activities room and can’t wait to see what is accomplished next year.
Superintendent’s Update:
Dr. Clarke encouraged families to join the PTSA and also participate in the January 5, 2023 fundraiser to be held at the Main Street Tavern.
Dr. Clarke noted that the Holiday Shop went very well this year, adding that it is the first year and outside company ran the event.
The PTSA continues to bring back room representatives.
The 2024 budgetary work continues. Dr. Clarke and Ms. Zippin have been meeting with individual administrators and departments. The Administrative Leadership Team held an off-site, full day retreat at the East Longmeadow Public Library Administrators scoped out support services for students and information will be shared at the Finance Subcommittee meeting on December 19, 2022.
The Health and Wellness Committee met today and reviewed policies on Wellness and Physical Activity and will bring that information to the Policy Subcommittee meeting on December 19, 2023.
Ms. Zippin provided an update on the Food Services Department. There will be shared tables set up in the cafeterias at Granite Valley and Monson High Schools. Students will have the opportunity to return any unopened packages of food, unopened cartons of milk (that will be kept at the appropriate temperature) and whole fruit (that will be washed by staff), to allow others to enjoy at no cost. Finn McCool from the Board of Health was consulted and gave permission to allow the incentive.
Public Session:
Ms. Flynn opened Public Session at 7:16 p.m.
No one from the public came forward to address the Committee.
Ms. Flynn closed Public Session at 7:18 p.m.
Subcommittee and Liaison Reports:
Policy Subcommittee:
There was a brief discussion on the proposed wording of the Flag and Banner Policy. Consensus of the Committee was that Dr. Clarke will create a form to go with the current proposed Policy.
Motion by Ms. Flynn to accept the second read of Policies DBC, DBD, KCD and the Monson Flag and Banner Policy and move to third and final read. (Second by Ms. Morgan)
No discussion
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Murphy Yes
Ms. Peterson Yes
Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes
Ms. Morgan Yes
Ms. Flynn Yes
Motion carries 5-0
New Business:
Dr. Clarke and Ms. Zippin would like to restructure the Technology Department, adding an additional Data Systems Specialist position. Dr. Clarke distributed the Job Description to Committee members to review. She explained that it would now be a department of 4 that includes a contracted position from CMD, 2 Data Systems Specialists and 1 part-time Technology Assistant.
Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to approve the job description for a new Data Systems Specialist position as presented. (Second by Ms. Peterson)
No discussion
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Murphy Yes
Ms. Peterson Yes
Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes
Ms. Morgan Yes
Ms. Flynn Yes
Motion carries 5-0
Ms. Murphy spoke about a visiting basketball team player that was hurt at a recent game. A trainer was requested and Ms. Murphy noted that the district did not have one available. There was a discussion on how hard it is to find trainers in Massachusetts due to the position requiring a Masters Degree. Ms. Zippin noted that the actual requirement for this service will begin in 2024 adding that when she was the Athletic Director she would need to use a service that could provide an Emergency Medical Technician. She explained that coaches are trained in concussion protocol yearly and CPR training every 2 years.
Old Business:
None
Action Items:
Ms. Peterson requested that the Homework Policy be addressed.
Schedule a Curriculum Subcommittee meeting after the new year begins.
Dr. Clarke will create a form for Working Meetings.
Move Policies DBC, DBD, KCD and the Monson Flag and Banner Policy to a third read.
Schedule a Working Meeting for January 25, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Motion by Ms. Flynn to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison)
No discussion
Motion carries 5-0
Open Session closed at 7:49 p.m.
Documentation for this meeting:
December14, 2022-Regular Business Meeting Agenda
November 9, 2022-RegularMeeting Minutes-DRAFT
November 30, 2022- Regular Meeting Minutes-DRAFT
Distributed/Presented at meeting:
Data Systems Specialist-Job Description
Approved by Committee:
_________________________________________________
Emily Graves-Harrison, Secretary