DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-June 14, 2023
Minutes of the
Monson School Committee
Regular Business Meeting
May 24, 2023
Hybrid Model
Members of the public were able to participate virtually in this meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87905351518 Meeting ID:879 0535 1518
Present (In-person): Chair Colleen Flynn; Vice Chair Alison Morgan; Secretary Emily Graves-Harrison; Committee Member Kathryn Peterson; Committee Member Jamie Murphy; Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Director of Special Education Colette Bidus; Director of Curriculum and Instruction Katherine Watts; Director of Facilities Paul DeMaio; Granite Valley School/Early Childhood Center Principal Joseph Trivisonno; Granite Valley School Assistant Principal Myriah Hudak; Early Childhood Center Dean of Students Lauren Brin and Recording Secretary Karen Methe
Note: This meeting was recorded by M-Pact TV and Zoom.
Ms. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Ms. Peterson read the Mission & Vision Statements.
Announcements:
May 25, 2023 is Grade 6 transition to the high school. Students will participate in a scavenger hunt and have an opportunity to meet the teachers.
The Athletic Banquet will be held at the high school tomorrow, May 25, 2023, pizza served at 6:00 p.m. followed by the program at 6:30 p.m.
The Early Childhood Center is having a Farm Day on May 26, 2023.
June 1, 2023 is Kindergarten transition.
This is the last full week of school for the high school seniors. They will be participating in the following activities next week:
Senior Banquet – May 30, 2023
Senior Trip to Boston – May 31, 2023
Senior Bonfire – June 1, 2023
Senior Parade at 9:00 a.m. and Graduation at 6:00 p.m. - June 2, 2023 (rain date June 3, 2023)
June 6, 2023 is Field Day at the Early Childhood Center.
June 8, 2023 is Field Day for Granite Valley School.
Underclassmen Awards will be distributed on June 12, 2023.
June 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. is the last Parent Teacher Student Association meeting of the year.
Recognitions:
Teacher/Staff/Nurse Appreciation Week was May 8, 2023. Dr. Clarke thanked the Parent Teacher Student Association for providing a wonderful luncheon at each school.
School Committee Minutes: Page 1 of 7
Regular Business Meeting-May 24, 2023
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-June 14, 2023
Upon Committee consensus, Agenda Item 7a, Requests for Waiver of Kindergarten Entrance Age, under New Business was moved to this point of the meeting. The mother of Madelynn Brown came forward to address the Committee with her reasoning for why she feels Madelynn is ready to attend Kindergarten this fall. Ms. Brin shared the screening results and added that the school recommendation was that Madelynn would be a great fit for Kindergarten. Motion by Ms. Flynn to waive the Kindergarten Entrance Age requirement for Madelynn Brown to attend Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison) No discussion Roll Call Vote: Ms. Murphy Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Ms. Morgan Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Motion carries 5-0 The mother of Lincoln Young came forward to address the Committee with her reasoning for why she feels he is ready to attend Kindergarten this fall. Mom stated that she’d like Lincoln to move on to Kindergarten to be with his friends and also noted that they transferred into the district from Connecticut where the cut-off age was December 31. Ms. Brin shared the screening results and added Lincoln’s overall skills are developing right on track but there was some concern that his social/emotional skills may be immature for Kindergarten. Motion by Ms. Flynn to waive the Kindergarten Entrance Age requirement for Lincoln Young to attend Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison) Discussion followed Roll Call Vote: Ms. Murphy No Ms. Peterson No Ms. Graves-Harrison No Ms. Morgan No Ms. Flynn Abstain Motion carries 4-1 The mother of Kaylee Fernandes came forward to address the Committee with her reasoning for why she feels Kaylee is ready to attend Kindergarten this fall. Ms. Brin shared the screening results and added that the school recommendation was that Kaylee would be a great fit for Kindergarten. Motion by Ms. Flynn to waive the Kindergarten Entrance Age requirement for Kaylee Fernandes to attend Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year. (Second by Ms. Morgan)
School Committee Minutes: Page 2 of 7
Regular Business Meeting-May 24, 2023
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-June 14, 2023
No discussion Roll Call Vote: Ms. Murphy Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Ms. Morgan Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Motion carries 5-0 The mother of Addilyn Hemm came forward to address the Committee with her reasoning for why she feels Addilynn is ready to attend Kindergarten this fall. Ms. Brin shared the screening results and added that the school recommendation was unsure but then it was discovered that her DOB was in September not November, as noted on information given to the Committee. Ms. Brin apologized for the error and stated that given the screening results of well above average she supports the request. Motion by Ms. Flynn to waive the Kindergarten Entrance Age requirement for Addilynn Hemm to attend Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year. (Second by Ms. Murphy) No discussion Roll Call Vote: Ms. Murphy Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Ms. Morgan Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Motion carries 5-0 Minutes: Motion by Ms. Morgan to approve the April 4, 2023 Working Meeting, April 12, 2023, Public Budget Meeting and April 12, 2023 Regular Business Meeting as presented. (Second by Ms. Peterson) Roll Call Vote: No discussion Ms. Murphy Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Ms. Morgan Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Motion carries 5-0 Following the motion Ms. Morgan noted that the April 4, 2023 Working Meeting Minutes needed a revision and the May 8, 2023 Working Meeting Minutes were inadvertently left out of the original motion. The revision was presented and tasked to Ms. Methe to complete. Motion by Ms. Morgan to approve the April 4, 2023 Working Meeting, (with revision) and May 8, 2023 Working Meeting Minutes.
School Committee Minutes: Page 3 of 7
Regular Business Meeting-May 24, 2023
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-June 14, 2023
No further discussion
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Murphy Yes
Ms. Peterson Yes
Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes
Ms. Morgan Yes
Ms. Flynn Yes
Motion carries 5-0
Superintendent’s Update:
Dr. Clarke attended the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony at the high school. She thanked Ms. Fountain and Ms. Walker for a wonderful event.
Dr. Clarke spoke about the Special Olympics that were held at the end of April. She added that the event was well attended by surrounding districts, with their athletes, and numerous spectators and local dignitaries.
Dr. Clarke also attended the Excellence in Teaching-Harold Grinspoon Award Banquet and congratulated this year’s recipient, Amanda Nobbs, who has been with the district long term and currently teaches Grade 5 at Granite Valley School.
Dr. Clarke noted that the prom was excellent.
Monson High School performed a concert and included an Art Show as well. Granite Valley School also held a concert and Art Show. Dr. Clarke attended both events stating how enjoyable each one was.
Main Street Tavern sponsored a recent fundraiser for the Parent Teacher Student Association which was very well attended.
Dr. Clarke talked about the current process of hiring a new high school principal. She stated that many stakeholders have participated in the process, including students. Dr. Clarke noted that the field has been narrowed down to 2 finalists and the team will reconvene this Friday to choose which person will be offered the position. She added that both finalists were given a rigorous Agenda for the day they recently spent interacting with administration, staff and students at the high school.
Dr. Clarke reviewed questions regarding the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) accountability that had been asked once again. She presented a PowerPoint of the 2022 Accountability Percentile for Monson High School. She stated that an accountability percentile between 1 and 99 is reported for most schools. This number is an indication of the school’s overall performance relative to other schools that serve similar grades, and is calculated using multiple years of data for all accountability indicators. School percentiles are not calculated for districts. Monson High School’s percentile was 47 for 2022. She showed the surrounding school percentiles as follows: Ware-22, Palmer-30, Quabbin-43, Quaboag-36 and Spencer-East Brookfield-14. She provided information regarding a Level 3 status, explaining that when one school in the district receives that status, even though the other schools had higher scores, the district as a whole receives that status. She added that each school continues to strive for improvement.
Public Session:
Ms. Flynn opened Public Session at 7:35 p.m.
No one from the public came forward to address the Committee.
Ms. Flynn closed Public Session at 7:36 p.m.
School Committee Minutes: Page 4 of 7
Regular Business Meeting-May 24, 2023
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-June 14, 2023
Subcommittee and Liaison Reports: Policy Subcommittee: The Subcommittee met recently to discuss revision of the district flag policy. The only change to be made is stating that the American, State and Municipal flags will be allowed. No other flags will be allowed to be displayed or flown. Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to accept the revision to the Flag Policy as presented Meeting. (Second by Ms. Murphy) No discussion Roll Call Vote: Ms. Murphy Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Ms. Morgan Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Motion carries 5-0 New Business: Ms. Garceau and Mr. Tremblay, teachers at the high school, presented a proposal to the Committee for a student trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2025. Information was distributed including an itinerary. There was an in-depth discussion including questions and answers. Ms. Garceau noted that the previous trip to Costa Rica was an amazing success. There will be a meeting for parents on May 28, 2023. A monthly payment plan will be arranged which will be $190 per month/22 months. There will be several opportunities for fundraising as well. Motion by Ms. Flynn to grant initial approval to move forward with planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2025 as presented at the meeting. (Second by Ms. Peterson) No discussion Roll Call Vote: Ms. Murphy Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Ms. Morgan Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Motion carries 5-0 Ms. Zippin distributed an information packet that outlined the specifications and timeframe for vendors to submit bids for Student Van Transportation. All bids must be sealed and delivered, marked to her attention at the Central Business Office (CBO), by Friday, June 30, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. All bids will be publicly read at the CBO at that time. The goal of this bid process is to determine whether there would be a cost savings adequate enough to pursue. The request was a directive from Town Administration. Dr. Clarke stated that the safety of the students was of utmost importance and added that current Monson Public School drivers will get first the opportunity for employment. Specifications for bidders may be obtained on or after May 26, 2023, 9:00 a.m. EST at 43 Margaret Street or by email to zippinl@monsonschools.com. Monson Public Schools reserves the right to
School Committee Minutes: Page 5 of 7
Regular Business Meeting-May 24, 2023
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-June 14, 2023
reject any or all bids, or to accept any parts thereof which it considers most advantageous to the Town of Monson. Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to approve the intent to bid for Student Van Transportation. (Second by Ms. Murph) No discussion Roll Call Vote: Ms. Murphy Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Ms. Morgan Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Motion carries 5-0 Old Business: None Action Items: Ms. Methe will e-mail each Committee member the End-of-Cycle Summative Evaluation Report for completion by May 31, 2023. Ms. Peterson will compile the Summative Evaluation from the individual evaluations received. Schedule a Working Meeting re: Superintendent’s Evaluation for June 6, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. Ms. Flynn spoke about a community member’s request to say the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of School Committee meetings. She stated that this will be put on a future Agenda for discussion. Motion by Ms. Flynn to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Open Session closed at 8:17 p.m. Documentation for this meeting: May 24, 2023-Regular Business Meeting Agenda April 4, 2023- Working Meeting Minutes-DRAFT April 12, 2023 – Public Budget Meeting Minutes-DRAFT April 12, 2023-Regular Business Meeting Minutes-DRAFT May 8, 2023-Working Meeting Minutes-DRAFT Distributed/Presented at meeting: Advertisement for Bids-Student Van Transportation EF/Educational Tours-Charting the Galapagos Islands Approved by Committee: _________________________________________________
School Committee Minutes: Page 6 of 7
Regular Business Meeting-May 24, 2023
DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-June 14, 2023
Emily Graves-Harrison, Secretary