DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-May 25, 2022
Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting May 12, 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/85175405119 Meeting ID:851 7540 5119, 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 (In-person): Chair Colleen Flynn; Vice Chair Emily Graves-Harrison and Committee Members Jackie Watts, Alison Morgan; Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Granite Valley School Principal Joseph Trivisonno; Granite Valley School Assistant Principal Myriah Hudak; Monson High School Interim Principal Matthew Sullivan; Early Childhood Center Dean of Students/Special Education Coordinator Colette Bidus and Recording Secretary Karen Methe Also Present (Virtual): Monson Teachers’ Association (MTA) President Lynn Hope Note: This meeting was recorded by M-Pact TV and Zoom. Ms. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Graves-Harrison read the Mission & Vision Statements. Announcements/Recognition: Grades 7 and 8 are having a semi-formal this Friday. The Whatever It Takes (WIT) Program is holding a cookout on May 16, 2022, at Granite Valley School (GVS). GVS will host Open House on May 19, 2022. Senior Signing Day will be held at the high school on May 20, 2022. Prom is scheduled for May 21, 2022, at the Sturbridge Host Hotel. Teacher & Staff Appreciation was celebrated last week. Dr. Clarke and the administrative staff made sure everyone received some token of recognition each day. Dr. Clarke thanked the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) for providing a delicious Frigo’s box lunch to staff at all 3 schools. National Food Service Day was this week and Dr. Clarke offered her thanks and gratitude for such a dedicated group of employees. Nurse’s Week was May 6-12, 2002. Dr. Clarke recognized the excellent job that each school nurse does and continues to do. Minutes:
School Committee Minutes: Page 1 of 4
Regular Business Meeting-May 12, 2022
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-May 25, 2022
Approval of the February 28, 2022 Regular Business Meeting minutes was tabled to the next meeting. Student Representative Report: Mr. Sullivan noted that the high school representative did plan to attend the meeting. Ms. Flynn will move forward with the Agenda and when the student arrives the report can be given. Superintendent’s Update: Dr. Clarke reported that the Pre-K Program had a very successful Open House. Dr. Clarke thanked Mr. Topham and his students for a great concert, adding that it was the best one yet. The MTA hosted a retirement dinner that Dr. Clarke attended. Honoring many retirees and staff for their years of service, Dr. Clarke added there was a great crowd including families, friends and past retirees. She expressed her appreciation to the MTA officers for such a wonderful event. Dr. Clarke thanked the Town for approving the FY23 budget. She and Mrs. Zippin attended the recent Select Board meeting. Interviews for the Special Education Administrator were conducted last evening. In addition to the formal interviews parent and staff forums were held. Job postings for next year are being rolled out. Dr. Clarke noted that the Strategic Plan would be ready to present at the next meeting. The MTA will vote Monday on the proposed high school schedule for next year. Dr. Clarke attended the Town American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) meeting where funding for extensive repairs to the GVS track was discussed. Dr. Clarke spoke about the 4 baby chicks that will soon be placed in a chicken coop, located outside Quarry Hill that was built by the high school Home Repair class. Students in the VIP Program will oversee their feeding and care and the preschool/kindergarten students will have the opportunity to collect their eggs. She thanked the DiPasquale family for their generosity in donating the chicks. Public Session: Ms. Flynn opened Public Session at 7:06 p.m. No one came forward to address the Committee. Ms. Flynn closed Public Session at 7:07 p.m. Subcommittee and Liaison Reports: Policy Subcommittee: Ms. Peterson stated that the Subcommittee members met earlier this evening and are prepared to push quite a few Policies, which she read and reviewed, to a first read at the next meeting. The Finance Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on May 25, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Watts, Liaison to the Athletic Boosters, reported that the Awards Banquet will be held on May 26, 2022, and the Scholarship Banquet is scheduled for May 31, 2022. He added that senior signs and banners would be available for pick up on Saturday and volunteers are needed if anyone is
School Committee Minutes: Page 2 of 4
Regular Business Meeting-May 12, 2022
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-May 25, 2022
interested. New Business: Dr. Clarke proposed a timeline for her evaluation steps stating that her evaluation binder will be ready for Committee members to pick up on Friday, May 20, 2022. Individual member summaries will be due on June 1, 2022, followed by the compilation by June 7, 2022. After brief discussion it was decided that a Working Meeting would be scheduled on June 9, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. The originally scheduled June 8, 2022 Regular Business Meeting will be moved to June 9, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Garces, Spanish teacher at the high school, addressed the Committee seeking permission for a student field trip to Costa Rica in April 2023. She provided an overview of the proposed trip adding that it aligns with Curriculum standards. The trip will be offered to students in grades 9-12 and there will be 1 chaperone per 6 students. Approximate cost of this trip will be $2,165 and fundraising activities will be planned to help with the cost. Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to approve the fundraising related to the Costa Rica trip and the preliminary planning for the April 2023 trip with Ms. Garces. (Second by Ms. Flynn) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Mrs. Zippin informed the Committee that she received notification that Zoom meetings were returning to the 40-minute maximum meeting timeframe after June 30, 2022. There was a brief discussion. Ms. Morgan questioned the possibility of Google Meet and Ms. Graves-Harrison requested that someone reach out to Zoom for possible program variations. Dr. Clarke and Mrs. Zippin will investigate options and report back to the Committee. Action Items: Dr. Clarke will send the evaluation timeline to Committee members. Schedule Finance Subcommittee Meeting for May 25, 2022. Motion by Ms. Morgan to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Ms. Peterson) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Open Session closed at 7:30 p.m. Documentation for this meeting: May 12, 2022-Regular Business Meeting Agenda Presented at meeting:
School Committee Minutes: Page 3 of 4
Regular Business Meeting-May 12, 2022
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-May 25, 2022
Approved by Committee:
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Kathryn Peterson, Secretary