Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting November 17, 2021 “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/86158132442 Meeting ID:861 5813 2442, 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 Colleen Flynn; Vice Chair Emily Graves-Harrison; Secretary Kathryn Peterson and Committee Members Jackie Watts and Alison Morgan Also Present: Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Director of Student Services/Early Childhood Center Suzanne Tetrault; Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Katherine Watts; Granite Valley School Principal Joe Trivisonno; Granite Valley School Assistant Principal Myriah Hudak; Monson High School Principal William Metzger; Monson High School Assistant Principal Matthew Sullivan; Early Childhood Center Dean of Students/Special Education Coordinator Colette Bidus; and Recording Secretary Karen Methe Note: This meeting was recorded using Zoom technology. Ms. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Flynn read the Mission & Vision Statements. Announcements: Dr. Clarke gave a reminder that Wednesday, November 24, 2021 is a half day and there is no school on Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26, 2021, for the Thanksgiving holiday break. There will be a free vaccine clinic for children on Sunday, November 28, 2021, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. at the Wilbraham Town Hall. Monson High School is holding a Movember Fundraiser to support men’s health. Together, Mr. Metzger, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Topham, Mr. Mooney, Mr. Sitnik, Mr. Hogan, Ms. Carneglia and Ms. Czarniecki have raised approximately $4,000 to date, with Mr. Topham as the top fundraiser at $2,206. The following students were awarded the Abigail Adams Scholarships: John Daley, Alana Ellis, Logan Fontaine, Scott Kustra, Matthew Laverty, Sydney Leighton and TJ MacPhail. Students are awarded free tuition at Massachusetts state colleges for scoring in the Advanced category on one of the 3 tests-Math, English Language Arts (ELA) or Science section of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test and score in the Proficient or
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Advanced category on the remaining 2 tests. Dr. Clarke offered her congratulations. The girls’ soccer team had an amazing season. At last night’s state semi-final game they lost, in a valiant effort, against Sutton 2-1. Dr. Clarke added that she is so proud of each and every one of them for their athleticism and sportsmanship. She thanked Coach Eric Degnan for inspiring and helping the girls to be the best they can be. Minutes: Motion by Ms. Morgan to approve the November 3, 2021 Regular Business Meeting Minutes as presented. (Second by Mr. Watts) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Student Representative Report: No report Superintendent’s Update: Dr. Clarke reviewed the Town and School Metrics and vaccination percentages. Dr. Clarke reported that the November 12, 2021 Professional Development Day was very successful. The morning session included Math PD, Dr. Clarke thanked Ms. Hurley and Mr. Sitnik for their collaboration on that, and data analysis, Vision of the Graduate and planning. Staff members choose one of 6 creative workshops to participate in for the afternoon session to bring back some joy and fun. New staff lounges have been created with new furniture, televisions, coffee makers and supplies. Dr. Clarke noted that now these designated areas are a place to chat with colleagues and truly unwind for a short period of time. The former lounges were also used as copy and work rooms. Dr. Clarke stated that she received a call from Police Chief Kozloski at 9:15 p.m. last evening to inform her that the department was investigating a threat made by a student. She gave a brief summary, careful not to divulge student information. A full investigation was conducted by the police and it was determined that there was no viable threat. Mr. Trivisonno met with a police officer this morning and in an effort to be transparent, after that meeting and updating Dr. Clarke, he sent an email to parents. The Crisis Management Manual procedures were followed for students who express homicidal ideation or threats and is containable. Public Session: Ms. Flynn opened Public Session at 7:15 p.m. Ms. Flynn reminded everyone about the guidelines for speaking during Public Session. Jessica Allen addressed the Committee by first thanking the Superintendent for the update. She asked for more transparency for a situation of this nature and questioned whether an email was appropriate for this situation. She would like a future Agenda item to be the development of a new communication plan. Jen Chretien told the Committee that she does not check her email at work at feels that a phone call would be more helpful. She was not pleased with the vagueness of the email and needed more reassurance and education about the protocols. Ms. Graves-Harrison suggested that both methods of communication are used going forward and requested that parents receive crisis management steps. Mr. Watts suggested that the Crisis Management Manual be included in the Parent/Student
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Handbook. Dr. Clarke replied that the manual is 75 pages long and suggested that perhaps only the general emergency protocol be provided. There was discussion on how putting specific information out to the public could be unsafe. Ms. Morgan asked that if in the event of a viable threat, would steps be taken to divert students to another location. A brief discussion was held. Ms. Flynn closed Public Session at 7:28 p.m. Subcommittee and Liaison Reports: Human Resources and Negotiations Subcommittee: Unit negotiation meetings continue. Old Business: Mrs. Zippin reported that the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) has not put out any changes to their guidelines for winter sports. The mask requirement will remain in place. Ms. Graves-Harrison noted that meetings should be held both virtually and in-person as soon as the new School Committee Room is ready. Ms. Flynn stated that she would attend another district’s School Committee Meeting to check out their hybrid process, put notes together to help figure out how to conduct a hybrid meeting. Ms. Graves-Harrison added that it was the Committee’s responsibility to offer both an in-person and hybrid meeting model. Dr. Clarke questioned whether a policy needed to be created or just a procedure. Discussion followed. Mr. Metzger spoke to the Committee regarding the newly proposed schedule for the high school. He stated that there was no plan to eliminate Advanced Placement courses and added that at this time the plan will be tabled with more information to follow. There will be no changes to the high school schedule at this time. New Business: Dr. Clarke gave the required annual report, per bullet # 3, on Policy GBAA-Diversity. Ms. Peterson suggested reaching out to local colleges for recruitment of staff. Ms. Graves-Harrison noted that it is very important to think outside the box to try and attract a diverse population of job candidates. Mr. Watts said he feels that the Administration Leadership Team was doing the best they can and gave them all kudos for their efforts. Ms. Morgan added that the job market is so difficult right now and feels that the Administration is taking great steps to look for qualified staff. Ms. Flynn thanked Dr. Clarke for the report and her continued work on this Policy. Dr. Clarke reviewed the Town of Monson’s Code of Conduct created by the Select Board. She will be sure to have it posted on the website. Mrs. Watts presented a PowerPoint on Assessment Data and Instructional Response. She provided the statistics for English Language Arts (ELA) MCAS achievement for the Spring 2021, ELA 3 year proficiency scatterplot, DIBELS percentages goal template, composite scores for the Fall of 2021 for grades K-6. Spring 2021 Mathematics MCAS scores for grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 were presented along with Math MCAS achievement for the Spring of 2021 and a 3 year proficiency scatterplot. Mrs. Watts reviewed the urgent issues in ranking order of importance. She presented and gave specifics on focus areas that included action steps, rationale/number of staff and timeline/status.
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A question and answer period followed. Committee members thanked Mrs. Watts for her presentation. Ms. Morgan requested an update on remote learning for Granite Valley students at the next meeting. Action Items: Schedule Policy Subcommittee meeting for December 1, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Post the Town Code of Conduct on the website. Schedule a Working Meeting - Re: Superintendent Goals on December 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Flynn would like to look at scheduling Charting the Course for the entire Committee after January 1, 2022. She would like everyone to have additional knowledge in understanding the role of the Committee in the community. Keep discussion of hybrid meetings on the Agenda until further notice. Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to close Open Session at 8:54 p.m. and move to the break-out room for Executive Session to return to Open Session. (Second by Mr. Watts) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Executive Session opened at 8:55 p.m. Executive Session closed at 9:18 p.m. and immediately returned to Open Session. Motion by Ms. Flynn to ratify the Unit B Settlement Agreement as presented in Executive Session. (Second by Mr. Watts) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Motion by Ms. Flynn to ratify the Unit D Settlement Agreement as presented in Executive Session. (Second by Ms. Morgan) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Ms. Flynn thanked everyone involved in Unit B and D negotiations. Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Ms. Flynn) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Open Session closed at 9:22 p.m. Documentation for this meeting: November 17, 2021-Regular Business Meeting Agenda November 3, 2021 –Regular Meeting Draft Minutes (For Approval)
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Policy GBAA – Diversity Town of Monson Code of Conduct Assessment Data and Instructional Response PowerPoint- Mrs. Watts Distributed at meeting: N/A Approved by Committee: ________________________________________ Kathryn Peterson, Secretary