Minutes of the
Monson School Committee
Regular Meeting
November 13, 2024
Present: Chair Alison Morgan; Vice-Chair Jamie Murphy; Secretary Karen Nothe-Valley; Committee Member Colleen Flynn; Committee Member Peter Wiggins; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Acting Superintendent Katherine Watts and Recording Secretary Haley Ketterman
Note: This meeting was video recorded.
Mrs. Morgan called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Mrs. Murphy read off the MPS mission statement.
Mrs. Morgan thanked Mrs. Watts for stepping into the Acting Superintendent position and taking on the responsibilities.
Mrs. Watts announcements and updates
-Professional development day was on Nov 5th, staff worked on reveal math and curriculum mapping. Collaborate Edge Services were also in attendance regarding artificial intelligence, staff also attended classroom based meetings.
-Class of 2025 Bingo fundraiser at the Polish Club in Monson on 11/16
-Travel Club is holding a Texas Roadhouse gift card fundraiser for their Galapagos Island trip
-Half day on 11/27 - followed by Thanksgiving recess
-Mrs. Watts asked that students attend school on the half day before the holiday - stated stats for the 3 separate buildings for attendance from last year's half day before Thanksgiving.
-ECC guest readers came to read last week
-The ECC also held its first fall fun day PBIS incentive
-School council meeting on Nov 21st @ GV
-Dec 12th holiday concert @ ECC 9:30-10:30
-GV guest readers came on the 6th - community readers
-GV Veterans day assembly was a huge success
-Girls on the run have an open pantry @ GV
-GV Holiday concert grades 1-3 on Dec 12th @ 1:00-2:15
-Band & Chorus concert for grades 4-6 on Dec 18th @ 6:00-7:30
-MHS college application week / 89% of the class participated in college week
-Fall sports are coming to a close - congrats to all athletes
-Emily Provost and Hannah Murphy have recently been named to the class c all state team in soccer
-Unified basketball team will be participating in the jamboree at Chicopee comp on Friday at 3:15
-MHS school council 5pm @ Wed, Nov. 20th
Student Representative report:
Julia Royce - ECC
-Nov 1st students received superstar of the month
-Nov 6th the ECC welcomed guest readers
-Nov 6th PBIS Fall Incentive
-First trimester comes to a close on 11/22
-Nov 27th is PJ day
Mya Bridges - GV
-12 new rockstars of the month
-Nov 6th guest readers came to read to classes
-Nov 8th was the annual Veterans Assembly at GV with over 50 Veterans in attendance
-Trimester 1 grades close on 11/22
Mya Bridges - MHS
-Spirit week @ MHS was a huge hit - looking forward to winter carnival spirit week
-Pumpkin carving went well, it was great to bring the activity back
-Grade 10 just wrapped up their candy gram fundraiser
-⅞ grade Fall Ball Halloween dance was a success
-Report cards have been sent out for qtr 1
-Congrats to the XC runners who recently competed in state qualifiers this past Saturday
-Winter sport sign ups will be open on Monday (swim, basketball & cheer) / wrestling coop w/ pathfinder grades 9-12
-Congratulations to all seniors recognized for college application week
Minutes approval
October 23, 2024 minutes approval
Mrs. Morgan modifies the motion to change line #127 to Monson rather than X
Ms. Flynn seconds
Roll call was placed:
Mr. Wiggins - Yes
Ms. Nothe-Valley - Yes
Ms. Flynn - Yes
Mrs. Murphy - Yes
Mrs. Morgan - Yes
Public session opened @ 7:12 PM
Caitlin Walker - Talked on behalf of the MTA
Bob Lamb - Town resident read off personal statement
Jessica Allen - Town resident and parent/guardian of a MPS child read off personal statement
Closed public session @ 7:27PM
New Business
-PTSA update w/ Denise Newland:
-Trunk or Treat was a huge hit - thanks to all helped make this community event happen
-Thunderbird tickets fundraiser on Nov 16th @ 7:00 - close to 60 kids turned in reading logs and earned free tickets to the game. Additional tickets for the section can be purchased as well.
-Palmer Big Y selected the PTSA as their nonprofit of the month for their community bag program. So anytime you purchase a reusable bag a dollar goes to the PTSA from those purchases.
-Annual Holiday shop @ ECC Dec 3-6 / & the following week @ GV
-Main St Tavern fundraiser on Thursday Jan 30th
-Boosterthon will be at GV & ECC will be apart of it- will be happening around February
Mr. Fontaine presented the School Committee with a graduation date of, Friday May 30th @ 6PM with a rain date of Saturday, May 31st at 10:00AM.
Discussion was held regarding Graduation date.
Ms. Flynn makes a motion to approve the proposed graduation date
Mrs. Morgan seconds
Mr. Wiggins - Yes
Ms. Nothe-Valley - Yes
Ms. Flynn - Yes
Mrs. Murphy - Yes
Mrs. Morgan - Yes
Acting / Superintendent discussion
The current staff members that have the qualifications to be interim superintendent (4 staff members) have declined the offer to apply and take on the role of interim superintendent.
There will be an outside search with the help from MASC for a part time superintendent to hold the position temporarily until June 30, 2024.
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to approve interim superintendent outside search
Ms. Flynn seconds
Mr. Wiggins - Yes
Ms. Nothe-Valley - Yes
Ms. Flynn - Yes
Mrs. Murphy - Yes
Mrs. Morgan - Yes
Current superintendent job description - The school committee went through each item on the superintendent's current job description to see what they definitely would expect from the interim superintendent.
-Discussed attending Regular business meetings & Subcommittee meetings (SC - yes)
-Informs & advises the school committee about programs, practices and problems of the schools as well as activities operating under the authority of the school committee (SC - yes)
-Implementing school policies (SC agreed that if the interim superintendent just attended the policy subcommittee meetings just to check in would be great)
-Submits recommendations to the school committee relative to matters requiring committee actions. Supported by data and information as necessary to make informed decisions. (SC - yes)
-Works with the school committee to develop a vision for the district in a comprehensive long range plan. (SC -NO, not looking for development)
-Being part of the 25/26 FY budget (SC - yes)
-Education leadership & curriculum (Mrs. Watts will take over all leadership in this)
-Hiring/firing personnel (will remain to be overseen by the superintendent)
-Performance evaluations - consists of building principals, administrators, Mrs. Watts, etc.
-Building based issues will remain with the superintendent - will have to work with facilities
-Safety & welfare (SC - yes)
-Remain records for the schools (SC - yes)
Ms. Flynn asked regarding the secretary of the superintendent - discussed with Mrs. Zippin regarding Stephanie Flowers possibly helping out. They will look at the numbers to see for a secretary.
-Communication and Public relations: a priority for maintaining those open lines of communication and working cooperatively with the town gov, school system, etc. (SC - yes)
-Mrs. Morgan asked the school committee for their thoughts on a part time position for the interim superintendent. Mrs. Morgan will be reaching out to Tracy, from MASC - to facilitate a meeting and incorporate their help with the search for an interim superintendent and to see if a PT would be possible.
Scheduled Meetings
-Finance subcommittee meeting, November 21st @ 5pm
-Schedule working meeting to review information from MASC regarding superintendent search, November 21st @ 6PM.
-December regular business meetings 4th & 19th
-Triboard meeting, January 13th
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:07PM (Second by Mrs. Murphy seconds)
Motion Carries 5-0
Documentation for this meeting:
Agenda November 13, 2024
Distributed at meeting:
Meeting minutes for approval: October 23, 2024
Approved by Committee:
________________________________________
Ms. Nothe-Valley, Secretary
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