Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting Quarry Hill Community School – School Committee Meeting Room February 12, 2020 Present: Chair Jeffrey Lord; Vice Chair Emily Graves-Harrison; Secretary Andre Dubois-White and Committee Members Colleen Flynn and Jessy Shea Also Present: Superintendent Cheryl Clarke; Director of Curriculum Mary Cieplik; Director of Student Services/Early Childhood Center Suzanne Morneau; Business and Finance Officer Michelle Loglisci; Director of Counseling Robert Bardwell; Director of Facilities Paul DeMaio; GVS Principal Katherine Watts; MHS Principal William Metzger and Recording Secretary Karen Methe Note: This meeting was video-recorded. Mr. Lord called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Mr. Lord read the Mission and Vision Statements. Announcements: Noting that it was with overflowing pride, Mr. Lord spoke about the recent accomplishment of Mrs. Clarke attaining the degree of Doctor of Education. Following numerous accolades for Mrs. Clarke’s achievement, Mr. Lord, on behalf of the entire School Committee, congratulated her and introduced Dr. Cheryl Clarke. She received applause and a standing ovation for which she expressed her overwhelming thanks. Dr. Clarke spoke briefly about her journey through the entire doctorate process adding that she is so excited to bring what she has learned into the district. The Reflections Awards Program celebration will be held tomorrow at Granite Valley School at 5:15 p.m. followed by a Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) meeting at 6:00 p.m. A reminder that there is no school next week due to Winter Recess. Dr. Clarke noted that the District Attorney’s Office will offer a parent presentation on social media on March 11, 2020, 5:30 p.m. in the Granite Valley School auditorium. Recognition: Dr. Clarke congratulated Logan Gerry on scoring his 1000th point during a recent basketball game that she attended. Minutes: Motion by Mr. Shea to accept the December 8, 2019, Regular Business Meeting minutes as presented. (Second by Mr. Dubois-White) Mr. Lord asked to strike the initial motion due to incorrect date stated. New motion by Mr. Shea to accept the December 18, 2019, Regular Business Meeting minutes as presented. (Second by Mr. Dubois-White)
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Regular Business Meeting: February 12, 2020
Draft copy for e-mail distribution/approval, as part of the School Committee packet, - prior to the February 26, 2020 - Regular Business Meeting
No further discussion Motion carries 4-0 (Ms. Graves-Harrison abstained from the vote.) Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to accept the January 15, 2020, Regular Business Meeting minutes as presented. (Second by Ms. Flynn) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Motion by Mr. Shea to accept the January 22, 2020, Regular Business Meeting minutes as presented. (Second by Ms. Flynn) No discussion Motion carries 4-0 (Mr. Dubois-White abstained from the vote.) Subcommittee and Liaison Reports: Policy Subcommittee: Motion by Ms. Flynn to accept file number GBEBD-Crowdfunding, approve that Policy and move it to third read. (Second by Mr. Shea) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Motion by Mr. Shea to approve the third read of Policy JICG-Tobacco Use, Vaping and/or Possession and institute it into the Monson School Committee’s Policy Manual. (Second by Mr. Dubois-White) Discussion followed in regard to revising Policy language to meet the needs of events, such as Summerfest, given School Committee authorization to use school grounds. Citing that the current Policy would be difficult to implement at non-school sponsored events. Ms. Graves-Harrison suggested revised wording for those types of events. It was noted that state law prohibits smoking on school grounds. The Summerfest Committee will receive a copy of this Policy. Mr. Shea recommended a well-placed No Smoking sign be visible as a reminder to Summerfest attendees, adding that it is not about implementation at that point, it is about enforcement which is not the role of the School Committee. No further discussion Roll Call Mr. Shea Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Mr. Dubois-White Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Mr. Lord Yes Motion carries 5-0 Facilities and Long-Term Planning Subcommittee:
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Ms. Graves-Harrison noted that the Subcommittee met with Dr. Clarke and Mr. DeMaio and reviewed upcoming plans for the next few years in regard to placement of classes and expansion of programs for students. Mr. Shea added that a wonderful color-coded map was provided to give a clear vision of the room/program changes stating it is was a well thought out plan and good briefing of information. Finance Subcommittee: Mr. Lord stated that the Subcommittee met earlier in the week and the main topic of discussion was the FY2021 budget which will be outlined in detail later in tonight’s meeting. Curriculum Subcommittee: Mr. Dubois-White said that the Subcommittee met this evening at 5:30 p.m. and added that Mrs. Cieplik offered a good update regarding some new curriculum, including new modules for Project Lead the Way (PLTW), expansion of the PLTW program to additional grades, math interventions, expansion of course offerings such as Home Repair, Grade 7 and 8 grade Robotics Club that, if all goes well, may develop into a drone curriculum that could offer a certification. Mr. Lord thanked all the Subcommittee members for taking time from their busy schedules to meet. Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Clarke talked about all the work that continued around the FY21 budget since the last meeting that will be presented later in the meeting. The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) team, including the engineers, were at Quarry Hill Community School (QHCS) obtaining core samples of the roof and making sure the school was compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA). Updates will be provided as the project moves forward. The Energy Services Company’s (ESCO) Request for Quotation (RFQ) was returned for minor revisions that were corrected by Dr. Clarke and Mrs. Loglisci and sent back today. New Business: Dr. Clarke reviewed the FY21 budget and told the Committee that the process was such a wonderfully collaborative effort and she was proud to present the proposal created by the Administrative Leadership Team (ALT) adding that Mrs. Loglisci was crucial to the process and provided her with a good grasp of all the numbers this year. Ms. Morneau provided specific information about the Early Childhood Center at QHCS and outlined the current curriculum and additional offerings for the 2020-2021 school year. Mrs. Watts reported the new offerings at Granite Valley School to include additional specials, Chromebooks grades 1-6, Spanish for grades 4, 5 and 6, implementation of home visits and expansion of PLTW. Mr. Metzger gave an overview of the potential expansion of course offerings for grades 7 and 8: Foods and Nutrition, Music Production, New PLTW modules and the Robotics Club. He reported that grades 9-12 new course offerings will include Certified Nursing Assistant, Home Repair, Multimedia Technology and Work Based Learning 2. An athletic trainer has been added. Mrs. Cieplik spoke about the volume of in house Professional Development (PD) which has
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Regular Business Meeting: February 12, 2020
Draft copy for e-mail distribution/approval, as part of the School Committee packet, - prior to the February 26, 2020 - Regular Business Meeting
great cost savings to the district, noting that the budget for Curriculum and Instruction is approximately $20,000, of which $10,000 is set aside in a general fund and $11,000 has been earmarked for Tools of the Mind PD for Kindergarten teachers
Ms. Morneau provided an overview of the Special Education budget stating there were no increases to out of district tuitions, except for students who have moved into district. An upper grades Therapeutic Learning Center was created to support students and have them remain in district. The Vocational Independence Program (VIP) students will establish their own Bistro to add to their soup business.
Mr. DeMaio gave an overview of the Operation and Maintenance of Plant budget. Noting that FY20 experienced a savings of $150,000 due to the new structure pilot of in house maintenance. He reports decreases in contracted services and a reduction of quick fixes and “band-aids” noting that things are being serviced and repaired correctly thanks to the skill set of his maintenance team. There will be an increase in custodial salaries due to the expansion of QHCS and continued catch-up. Mr. DeMaio told Committee members that he plans to maintain the high
standards of building maintenance that have been established.
Dr. Clarke thanked everyone that addressed the Committee and presented a PowerPoint of the entire FY21 budget, answering specific questions when posed.
Public Session:
Mr. Lord opened Public Session at 8:06 p.m.
No one from the public came forward to address the Committee.
Mr. Lord closed Public Session at 8:06 p.m.
Review of Action Items:
Schedule a meeting with the Town Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen.
March 25, 2020 meeting schedule:
6:00 p.m. – Public Budget Hearing
6:30 p.m. – Meeting with State Legislators
8:00 p.m. – Regular Business Meeting
Publish Public Budget Hearing in the Journal Register.
Send Policy JICG to the Summerfest Committee.
Reminder to include- Vote on FY2021 Budget- as an Agenda item for April 8, 2020.
Motion by Mr. Shea to adjourn to Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 30A, §21a, Purpose #3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and litigation, not to return to Open Session. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison)
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Shea Yes
Ms. Flynn Yes
Mr. Dubois-White Yes
Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes
Mr. Lord Yes
Motion carries 5-0
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Regular Business Meeting: February 12, 2020
Draft copy for e-mail distribution/approval, as part of the School Committee packet, - prior to the February 26, 2020 - Regular Business Meeting
Open session closed at 8:15 p.m. Documentation for this meeting: Agenda-February 12, 2020 - Regular Business Meeting Regular Business Meeting Draft Minutes – December 18, 2019 Regular Business Meeting Draft Minutes – January 15, 2020 Regular Business Meeting Draft Minutes – January 22, 2020 Policy GBEBD Policy JICG Distributed at meeting: FY2021 Proposed Budget Approved by Committee: ___________________________________ Mr. Dubois-White, Secretary