Minutes of the Monson School Committee-Regular Business Meeting Via Zoom May 27, 2020 “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/92892908085 Meeting ID: 9285 9290 8085, 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 Jeffrey Lord; Vice-Chair Emily Graves-Harrison; Secretary Andre Dubois-White, Committee Members Colleen Flynn and Jessy Shea Also Present: Superintendent Dr. Cheryl A. Clarke; Director of Curriculum Mary Cieplik; Director of Student Services/Early Childhood Center Suzanne Morneau; Director of Counseling Robert Bardwell; Monson High School Principal William Metzger; Granite Valley School Principal Katherine Watts and Recording Secretary Karen Methe Note: This meeting was recorded using Zoom technology. Mr. Lord called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Mr. Shea read the Mission and Vision Statements. Announcements: A Senior Parade will be held on Friday, June 5, 2020 beginning with students gathering at the high school at 5:30 p.m. and proceeding down Main Street. A social distance plan has been put into place for this event. Recognition: Dr. Clarke thanked Mrs. Watts, Mr. Trivisonno and the GVS Team Leaders for their hard work in clearing personal belongings from student desks and lockers. The items were bagged, labeled with the student’s name and available for pick-up at the designated dates/times. Mrs. Foulis and Ms. Morneau will implement the same procedure at the high school and the Early Childhood Center (ECC), respectively. Mr. Lord recognized all the parents and caregivers throughout the community thanking each for their effort and dedication to the remote/home education of their children, adding that he knows first-hand that it is not an easy task. Minutes: Motion by Mr. Shea to approve the May 13, 2020, Regular Business Meeting minutes as presented. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison) No discussion
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Motion carries 5-0 Motion by Mr. Dubois-White to approve the May 18, 2020, Regular Business Meeting minutes as presented. (Second by Ms. Flynn) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Subcommittee and Liaison Reports: Finance Subcommittee: No report Policy Subcommittee: No report Human Resources and Negotiations Subcommittee: No report Facilities and Long-Term Planning Subcommittee: No report Curriculum Subcommittee: Subcommittee members met earlier this evening. Director of Curriculum, Mrs. Cieplik, provided a summary of curriculum materials that have been purchased for the district. The Department of Elementary and Secondary (DESE) Power Standards were reviewed. Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Clarke talked about the DESE changes in the MCAS Science/Technology competency for students in grades 9,10 and 11 and noted that the Commissioner of Education has mentioned that updates, regarding returning to school in the fall and what that would look like, will be addressed in mid-June. Dr. Clarke held a staff update Zoom meeting earlier this afternoon to present the updated information she has received and her hopefulness that all staff/students will return to school on an everyday basis. Adding that if this does happen, classrooms will look very different in their layout. Several contingencies still need to be addressed (i.e. transportation, remote learning support, special education services, etc.). Policy guidelines for the requirement of vaccines will also need to be looked at, should the state issue that requirement. There was Committee discussion surrounding all the information Dr. Clarke provided and it was the consensus of members to support a 5 day a week return to school, if at all possible. Dr. Clarke stated that a return to school survey will be sent home to parents asking pertinent questions about their decisions/preferences in sending their child back to school, noting all options will be considered for the safe return of staff and students to the buildings. Dr. Clarke offered a reminder that the Central Business Office (CBO) staff is now located in POD 3 at QHCS. Her office is the last to be moved and will be completed this week. New entrance signage will be posted. She added that CBO employees will begin to work in the office on July 6, 2020. New Business: Ms. Morneau suggested that the proposed screening dates for ECC students take place from August 31-September 3, 2020 and respectfully requested, that for this purpose, the start date for Kindergarten students be delayed by a week, with an adjusted start date of September 8, 2020. Brief discussion
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followed. The ECC staff will participate in remote training for the Tools of the Mind program on August 27 and 28, 2020. Motion by Mr. Lord to approve the change of start date for Kindergarten students to September 8, 2020 as requested by Ms. Morneau. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 The ECC staff will participate in remote training for the Tools of the Mind program on August 27 and 28, 2020. Mrs. Watts spoke on behalf of the MHS Class of 1986 for approval from the School Committee to donate an amount in excess of $1000 to be used by Special Education, in honor of their classmate, Rob Brazas. Mrs. Watts spoke about Rob and read a letter from his mom. Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to accept the donation, in excess of $1000, from the MHS Class of 1986 to be used by Special Education. Mr. Lord requested a friendly amendment to the motion to include “as they see fit”. Motion amended to accept the donation, in excess of $1000, from the MHS Class of 1986 to be used by Special Education, as they see fit. (Second by Mr. Lord) No further discussion Motion carries 5-0 Mr. Metzger provided an update on graduation. He stated that the second recommended date of August 14, 2020 will be set as Senior Graduation. The ceremony will be brief, follow all state guidelines for social distancing and attendance will be kept to a minimum. Specific details will be provided as it gets closer to the date. Undergraduate awards will be held in the fall. All Book Award winners will be notified. Senior awards will be presented virtually at a live ceremony on June 3, 2020. Senior check out will be held on June 4 and 5, 2020. Ms. Morneau mentioned that there would be a special surprise for all Kindergarten students by the end of the school year. It was requested that the Mission and Vision Statements appear on every Agenda. Public Session: Mr. Lord opened Public Session at 8:00 p.m. No one came forward to address the Committee. Mr. Lord closed Public Session at 8:00 p.m. Action Items: Schedule a Finance Subcommittee meeting. Motion by Mr. Dubois-White to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Mr.
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Shea) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Mr. Lord adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m. Documentation for this meeting: May 27, 2020-Regular Business Meeting Agenda May 13, 2020-Regular Business Meeting Minutes-Draft May 18, 2020-Regular Business Meeting Minutes-Draft Approved by Committee: ______________________________________ Mr. Dubois-White, Secretary