Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting “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/93649855380 Meeting ID: 936 4985 5380, 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 Andy Dubois-White; Committee Members; Colleen Flynn and Kathryn Peterson Also Present: Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Student Services/Early Childhood Center Suzanne Tetrault; Business & Finance Officer Michelle Loglisci; Granite Valley School Principal Katherine Watts; Granite Valley School Assistant Principal Joe Trivisonno; Director of Guidance Robert Bardwell; Monson High School Principal William Metzger; Monson High School Assistant Principal Jill Foulis; Early Childhood Center Dean of Students/Special Education Coordinator Colette Bidus; and Recording Secretary Karen Methe Note: This meeting was recorded using Zoom technology. Mr. Lord called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Ms. Graves-Harrison read the Mission & Vision Statements. Announcements: An email and phone call went out to all families regarding the decision to close the school buildings and return to fully remote learning until December 7, 2020. Minutes: Motion by Ms. Flynn to approve the October 29, 2020 Regular Business Meeting minutes as presented. (Second by Ms. Graves-Harrison) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Subcommittee and Liaison Reports: Policy Subcommittee: Ms. Peterson stated the draft copies of Policies GBA and GBAA have been completed and will now be forwarded to the Committee for a first read approval. She added that she attended the Granite Valley School Council meeting stating that it has a great group of members. Ms. Peterson said that discussion was held on how to support parents and
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DRAFT COPY for distribution/approval at the Regular Business Meeting-December 16, 2020
families during this time. Finance Subcommittee Meeting: There is a remote meeting scheduled for November 19, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Clarke provided a summary of the recent Town Meeting. She stated that Capital Funds allocated $50,000 for a new server and approved an additional $30,000 for work to be done on the boilers at Monson High School. Dr. Clarke sent a reminder including the link to a survey that went out to families regarding next semester. To date, only 371 responses have been received and more replies are needed. Another survey will be going out next week for families to inform the Administration about what has worked, or not worked, for them during the first semester. Dr. Clarke attended the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) meeting. She noted that she will be follow up with families that had specific concerns and/or questions. The Administration Leadership Team (ALT) full day retreat scheduled for November 20, 2020 has been changed to 2 half-day Zoom meetings. Nurse Leader Mrs. Fedora contacted Dr. Clarke about the dramatic increase in COVID-19 positive cases. Dr. Clarke stated that there are potential close contacts to the school community and therefore; though extremely saddened, stated that the district will return to fully remote learning effective immediately until December 7, 2020. That date could change contingent on re-evaluation of COVID-19 statistics. Staff will be allowed into their classrooms, using a staggered schedule, to gather what they need for fully remote instruction. Dr. Clarke reported that the Grab & Go Program will be cancelled for November 23, 2020 but will be reassessed after that date. Old Business: Dr. Clarke will send an email to everyone if any new COVID-19 information is received after the report is made available tomorrow. Public session: Mr. Lord opened Public Session at 7:24 p.m. Town resident Scott Harris thanked Dr. Clarke and School Committee members for the actions taken today to keep students safe. Mr. Lord closed Public Session at 7:26 p.m. Action Items: Schedule a Working Meeting for December 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. to review the Superintendent Goals and Evaluation. Put first read for Policies GBA and GBAA on next Agenda. Motion by Mr. Dubois-White to adjourn Open Session and move into Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 30A, 21a, Purpose #3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and litigation, not to return to Open Session. (Second by Ms. Peterson) No discussion
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Roll Call: Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Mr. Dubois-White Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Mr. Lord Yes Motion carries 5-0 Open Session closed at 7:32 p.m. Documentation for this meeting: November 18, 2020-Regular Business Meeting Agenda October 29, 2020-Regular Business Meeting Minutes-DRAFT Distributed at meeting: N/A Approved by Committee: ________________________________________ Mr. Dubois-White, Secretary