top of page

January 6, 2022


Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting January 6, 2022 “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/85210385807 Meeting ID:852 1038 5807, 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; Monson High School Interim Principal Matthew Sullivan; Granite Valley School Principal Joe Trivisonno; Granite Valley School Assistant Principal Myriah Hudak; Monson High School Interim Assistant Principal Kate Czarniecki; 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. Mr. Watts read the Mission & Vision Statements. Announcements/Recognition: Dr. Clarke thanked Mr. Topham, Mrs. Gianfriddo and Mr. Batch for an awesome Winter Concert and Art Show on December 16, 2022, adding that the event was very well attended. School has been canceled for tomorrow due to snow. Dr. Clarke reminded everyone that it will be an actual Snow Day on the school calendar and there is no remote learning. Dr. Clarke gave a huge shout-out and thank you to the bus and van transportation department drivers. She said they did an amazing job getting all the students to school safely the morning of a very fast onset of icy conditions, adding her gratitude to them as well. Dr. Clarke formally introduced Matthew Sullivan and Kate Czarniecki to their new roles as Interim Principal and Interim Assistant Principal, respectively, effective January 3, 2022. They both provided information about themselves including time in the district so far and noted that they were excited to continue moving the high school forward, and recognized Mr. Metzger for all he has done for the staff and students of Monson High School. Minutes:

School Committee Minutes: Page 1 of 4 Regular Business Meeting-January 6, 2022


DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-January 20, 2022

Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to approve the December 15, 2021 Working Meeting Minutes and the December 15, 2021 Regular Business Meeting Minutes as presented. (Second by Ms. Peterson) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Student Representative Report: Monson High School: No report. Mr. Sullivan noted that the student representative was unable to attend the meeting this evening. Dr. Clarke stated that the high school and Granite Valley will begin to take turns presenting at the meetings. Granite Valley School student representatives will present at the January 20, 2022 meeting. Superintendent’s Update: Dr. Clarke reviewed the Town and School COVID metrics and vaccination percentages, giving specific data information on the numbers. She provided an update on the remote learning student status. Dr. Clarke stated that the Administrative Leadership Team met this week and recommended altering some of the ways that large group events are conducted. (i.e.: faculty meetings, larger group events). She added that the after-school Whatever It Takes and Art Programs at Granite Valley have been put on hold until further notice due to the impact of COVID contact tracing. Both programs will be reassessed at a later date. Last weekend COVID test kits and KN95 masks were distributed. Dr. Clarke sent an informational email to the staff including dates and times for pick-up. Though the district was not provided enough test kits and priority was given to those staff members having direct contact with students, the Central Business Office staff was given the option to be tested and will be provided with a 5 pack of KN95 masks each week. Dr. Clarke thanked Mr. Trivisonno, Mrs. Watts and Mrs. Zippin for volunteering their time to help with the distribution and expressed her thanks to the maintenance staff for setting up the tent to keep everyone out of the rain. Dr. Clarke noted that the recent call from the Commissioner of Education provided no substantive information, or update to the mask mandate scheduled to expire on January 15, 2022. She added that some members of the Administrative Leadership Team will begin meeting weekly with the district nurses for ongoing updates. Ms. Flynn thanked Dr. Clarke and everyone else that gave up their New Year’s weekend to distribute test kits and masks. Public session: Ms. Flynn opened Public Session at 7:16 p.m. Ms. Flynn reminded everyone of the guidelines in speaking during Public Session. Shannon Chaffee questioned if cloth masks were still allowed to be worn by students or were disposable masks mandatory. Dr. Clarke responded that cloth masks were absolutely acceptable. School nurse, Mrs. Haley, stated that if a student comes to her office with COVID like symptoms she needs to switch out a cloth mask for a child size surgical mask. Ms. Flynn closed Public Session at 7:20 p.m.

School Committee Minutes: Page 2 of 4 Regular Business Meeting-January 6, 2022


DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-January 20, 2022

Subcommittee and Liaison Reports: No reports Dr. Clarke requested that the scheduling of a Finance Subcommittee Meeting be prioritized. She will reach out to the Subcommittee Chair Ms. Graves-Harrison when the 2023 draft budget is available. A request was made to schedule a Policy Subcommittee Meeting in early February 2022. Old Business: The plan is to move forward with the hybrid meeting model on January 20, 2022. Ms. Graves-Harrison stated that she felt the overflow space could be appropriately utilized and be set up for social distancing. New Business: Mr. Sullivan requested that this year’s graduation date be set as June 3, 2022. Motion by Ms. Flynn to accept Friday, June 3, 2022 as graduation date. (Second by Ms. Peterson) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Mr. Sullivan thanked the Committee members. For those that had not yet met or heard about him, Dr. Clarke introduced Alan Hogan, the new Food Services Director. She noted that he was attending tonight’s meeting to request an hourly rate increase for substitute cafeteria workers, which is currently $11.00. Mr. Hogan stated that he did research of the surrounding districts and provided that information to the Committee. A brief discussion was held. Motion by Ms. Flynn to increase the hourly rate for Substitute Cafeteria Workers to $14.25 effective immediately. (Second by Mr. Watts) No further discussion Motion carries 5-0 Action Items: Schedule a walk-through of the overflow meeting space for Committee members to look at the set-up. Motion by Mr. Watts to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Open Session closed at 7:33 p.m. Documentation for this meeting:

School Committee Minutes: Page 3 of 4 Regular Business Meeting-January 6, 2022


DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-January 20, 2022

January 6, 2022-Regular Business Meeting Agenda December 15, 2021-Working Meeting-Draft Minutes for Approval December 15, 2021-Regular Business Meeting-Draft Minutes for Approval Distributed at meeting: N/A Approved by Committee: ________________________________________ Kathryn Peterson, Secretary

SC Minutes 1-6-22
.pdf
Download PDF • 252KB

Recent Posts

See All

January 17, 2024

Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting January 17, 2024 Members of the public were able to participate virtually in this meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j85716019172  Meeti

December 20, 2023

Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting December 20, 2023 Members of the public were able to participate virtually in this meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j85326420104  Meet

December 11, 2023

Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting December 11, 2023 Members of the public were able to participate virtually in this meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j81441676764  Meet

bottom of page