Minutes of the
Minutes of the
Monson School Committee
Regular Business Meeting
June 5, 2024
Present: Chair Emily-Graves-Harrison; Vice-Chair Alison Morgan; Secretary Jamie Murphy Peterson; Committee Member Colleen Flynn; Committee Member Karen Nothe-Valley; Director of Curriculum Katherine Watts; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke and Recording Secretary Karen Methe
Note: This meeting was not video-recorded.
Ms. Graves-Harrison called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
Ms. Watts provided information on Summer Reading and Math. She distributed a packet of suggested summer work including reading choices for Grades 2-12 , which is voluntary, but will be highly incentivized. Students taking Advanced Placement courses in the fall have mandatory summer work to be completed. All materials are available on the school website. Ms. Watts noted that parents of elementary students can opt for an unplugged version for JiJi Math as an alternative to screen time. Questions were asked about the Bingo Board, which is used as an incentive to encourage summer reading. Ms. Watts will take requested information back to the teachers for suggestions and email updates to the Committee for approval.
Dr. Clarke thanked Committee members for their thoughtful feedback on her evaluation. She reviewed all the comments and analysis for the standards that had been assigned and offered her feedback to the Committee. The standards were as follows:
Standard I–Instructional Leadership
Standard II–Management and Operations
Standard III-Family and Community Engagement
Standard IV-Professional Culture
Discussion followed.
Ms. Nothe-Valley thanked Ms. Flynn for her time creating the Summative Evaluation.
Dr. Clarke left the meeting at 6:15 p.m. for the Committee to discuss compensation for the 2024-2025 year.
Ms. Zippin left the meeting to obtain a copy of Dr. Clarke’s current contract which stated that there is a 0 to 5% merit increase.
Motion by Ms. Flynn to approve a 3% salary increase, in the form of an addendum, for the 2024-2025 school year. (Second by Ms. Murphy)
Discussion followed
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Nothe-Valley Yes
Ms. Flynn Yes
Ms. Murphy Yes
Ms. Morgan Yes
Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes
Motion carries 5-0
Ms. Flynn opened discussion regarding a stipend for Dr. Clarke assuming the additional role of Acting Principal due to the Administrative leave and subsequent resignation of Principal Murphy in March. Ms. Flynn cited that though this occurred with another principal in March of 2023, this year was a different circumstance.
Motion by Ms. Flynn to approve a one-time stipend of $5,000 to compensate Dr. Clarke for assuming the role of Acting Principal. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison)
A lengthy discussion was held.
Motion to amend the original motion to revise stipend amount to $4,000.
No further discussion
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Nothe-Valley No
Ms. Flynn Yes
Ms. Murphy Yes
Ms. Morgan Yes
Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes
Motion carries 4-1
Dr. Clarke returned to the meeting at 7:01 p.m. and was offered a 3% salary increase for the 2024-2025 school year and a one-time stipend amount of $4,000.
Dr. Clarke accepted and thanked Committee members for their offer.
Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to adjourn the Working Meeting. (Second by Ms. Flynn)
No discussion
Motion carries 5-0
The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Documentation for this meeting:
June 5, 2024-Working Meeting Agenda
Distributed at meeting:
End of Cycle Summative Evaluation Report: Superintendent
Summer Reading and Math Informational Packet
Approved by Committee:
________________________________________
Ms. Jamie Murphy, Secretary
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