Minutes of the
Monson School Committee
Regular Business Meeting
July 17, 2024
Members of the public were able to participate virtually in this meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85971850739 Meeting ID: 859 7185 0739
Present: Chair Alison Morgan; Vice-Chair Jamie Murphy; Secretary Karen Nothe-Valley; Committee Member Peter Wiggins; Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Early Childhood Center/Granite Valley School Principal Joseph Trivisonno and Monson High School Principal Chris Fontaine
Absent: Committee Member 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.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Ms. Nothe-Valley read the Mission & Vision Statements.
Announcements:
The 10th annual Summer Bus Tour is scheduled for August 20, 2024 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Location stops are to be determined.
Monson High School will be hosting a Barbeque on August 27, 2024.
There will be a Transportation Night, for new students and incoming kindergarten students on August 27, 2024. Students will have the opportunity to take a ride on a bus.
Superintendent’s Update:
Dr. Clarke noted that the new high school principal, Mr. Fontaine, official start date was July 1, 2024 though he has coordinated and hosted numerous staff and student events and meetings. All open positions have been filled and hiring is now finalized. Teacher and student schedules are completed as well. Dr. Clarke thanked Mr. Fontaine for all of his hard work.
The Summer Acceleration Academy and the Extended School Year summer programs have started and both have been very successful.
Summer Eats is a huge success. Ms. Blanchard and her Food Services staff have served 574 breakfasts and 837 lunches in the first 7 days of operation. They are utilizing new and local produce vendors offering only fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Quarry Hill staff handles the bundled weekend meals. Dr. Clarke commended Ms. Blanchard and the summer employees for their hard work and dedication to students and families.
The Administrative Summer Retreat was held last Monday and Tuesday. Discussion and work centered around staffing, educator evaluations, department updates, event planning, preparing for the start of the school year, professional development, new teacher training, and the 2024-2025 handbook. The Strategic Plan, which will expire in June 2025, was reviewed and discussed. Dr. Clarke noted that there was excellent collaboration throughout the retreat.
Dr. Clarke stated that one of her goals this year was to reinvigorate the Crisis Team. She asked Police Chief Kozloski, as part of her initiative, to do a table-top exercise including evacuation and active shooter protocol. Core members of the Administrative Team in addition to several police officers would participate in the exercise for a half-day as the district begins to shore-up emergency procedures.
Dr. Clarke told the Committee that Mr. DeMaio and the custodial staff have been working diligently to prepare the school buildings for school opening including maintenance of the grounds. The capital funding project of re-gasketing the boiler has begun. Quotes are being obtained, from appropriate companies, to pave the entryways at the high school and Quarry Hill Community School (QHCS). Pod 2 bathrooms at QHCS need replacement parts due to rust and corrosion. Tours of the buildings, for School Committee members, are scheduled for August 21, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Ms. Zippin is working on wrapping up the budget. She has provided the Town with the starting balances of all end of the years line items.
Dr. Clarke added that the 2024-2025 budget is very tight this year and that the Administrative Team is always looking at ways to save money. Ms. Morgan inquired about the possibility of Amazon wish lists for classrooms. Dr. Clarke will be meeting with PTSA President, Ms. Newland, and she will discuss the option with her.
Dr. Clarke asked that a Finance Subcommittee Meeting be scheduled.
Public Session:
Ms. Morgan opened Public Session at 7:10 p.m.
No one came forward to address the Committee.
Ms. Morgan closed Public Session at 7:11 p.m.
Subcommittee and Liaison Reports:
Human Resources and Negotiations Subcommittee:
A meeting was held on July 15, 2024. Dr. Clarke stated that the contract proposals for Units D and E have been sent and she is now waiting to hear back. Unit A and C contracts have been ratified. The Unit B contract is close to being ratified. The next meeting is scheduled for July 24, 2024.
Policy Subcommittee:
Ms. Murphy reviewed the changes to Policy KF-Community Use of School Facilities.
A discussion was held and several revisions were requested.
Motion by Ms. Murphy to approve Policy KF-Community Use of School Facilities with revisions as discussed. (Second by Ms. Nothe-Valley)
No further discussion
Motion carries 4-0
Motion by Ms. Murphy to approve Policy JICE-Student Publications (Second by Mr. Wiggins)
No discussion
Motion carries 4-0
Motion by Ms. Murphy to move the Public Involvement at School Events Policy to a second read. (Second by Mr. Wiggins)
Discussion and numerous questions to the reviewed revisions followed.
Motion carries 4-0
Motion by Ms. Murphy to approve Policy IMG-Therapy/Comfort Dog Policy for a third read. (Second by Mr. Wiggins)
There was a detailed discussion after Dr. Clarke read an email from the district’s lawyer with an explanation of the Policy. She will email the Committee the information from the lawyer. Mr. Fontaine addressed the Committee with knowledge, regarding the process, that he experienced in another district.
Motion carries 4-0
New Business:
The Administrative Team reviewed the 2024-2025 Handbook for Students and Families.
Mr. Trivisonno and Mr. Fontaine provided overviews of the changes that were made for their respective schools. A question and answer period followed; after which Dr. Clarke congratulated Mr. Trivisonno on earning his doctorate. The entire Committee offered their congratulations to Dr. Trivisonno.
Dr. Clarke noted that the handbook could not yet be voted on due to Title XI changes that are coming out, some optional, some mandatory. She added that she has been hearing that many unions are looking to bargain over optional language. Dr. Clarke added that the district’s lawyer is working on changes that are to be made by August 1, 2024 and will send the updated Handbook to Committee members to be voted on at the next meeting.
Dr. Clarke stated that all the hiring for the upcoming school year is now complete, including 12 new Unit A teaching positions.
Dr. Clarke spoke about the Dean of Schools/Director of Counseling position. She sent the job description to the union for approval. This position has been combined to also support the counselors district wide and encourage continuity throughout the Counseling program. She noted that regular monthly meetings will be held and there is no impact to the budget adding that the position will be part of the Unit B contract. Discussion followed, including questions and answers.
Motion by Ms. Nothe-Valley to approve the high school Dean of Students/Director of Counseling position as presented. (Second by Ms. Murphy)
No further discussion
Roll Call:
Mr. Wiggins Yes
Ms. Nothe-Valley Yes
Ms. Murphy Yes
Ms. Morgan Yes
Motion carries 4-0
Old Business:
Dr. Clarke stated that the school calendar was part of the Unit A & C negotiation process, for the first time ever, adding that it could not be released until it was approved by the union. She outlined the changes.
Motion by Ms. Murphy to approve the 2024-2025 district calendar. (Second by Ms. Nothe-Valley)
No discussion
Motion carries 4-0
Action Items:
Schedule Curriculum, Finance and Policy Subcommittee meetings.
Motion by Ms. Murphy to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Mr. Wiggins)
No discussion
Motion carries 4-0
Open Session closed at 8:49 p.m.
Documentation for this meeting:
July 17, 2024-Regular Business Meeting Agenda
Distributed/Presented at meeting:
Monson Public Schools 2024-2025 Calendar
Approved by Committee:
_________________________________________________
Karen Nothe-Valley, Secretary
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