Minutes of the
Monson School Committee
Regular Meeting
October 10, 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; Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke 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.
Dr. Clarke announcements and updates
-Mrs. Morgan and Dr. Clarke welcomed the new school committee secretary
-Dr. Clarke spoke about events happening in the district
-October 14th No school
-October 17th Parent teacher conferences
-October 23rd Family fun night @ ECC
-October 17th Amplify night / zoom assessment - Mrs. Watts will be facilitating sessions.
-Oct 22nd ELA night via Zoom followed by Title 1 meeting
-October 26th Trunk or treat @ MHS
Mrs. Murphy asked why the NHS ceremony date was changed - Dr. Clarke said that Mrs. Walker made that decision to move it up earlier in the year so that the students can really enjoy being a part of NHS.
Student Representative report:
Julia Royce - ECC
-Friday October 4th young athletes day; huge thank you to the VIP program
-The ECC presented students with RCC star students of the month
-ECC has kicked off the guest reading day - that will be happening once a month
Sophia Galarneau - GV
-amazing results for open house
-4th Annual PBIS carnival was a great hit
-PBIS incentive for future dress up day
-GV guest readers are happening once a month - This month they invited members from the PTSA/ TA / Administration
-12 GV rock stars were nominated by their classroom teacher. Each rockstar had a sign delivered for their yard!
-October 25th Halloween dance
-Annual Veterans day assembly on November 8th
Mya Bridges - MHS
-Spirit week 10/28-11/1
-MCAS reviews coming up
-Under the lights soccer night was on Oct 4th for girls & boys varsity soccer - great turn out
-Field trip for the student council WMASC fall conference at Minnechaug
-Krispy Kreme fundraiser will be starting back up for the student council.
-Numerous college visits are happening
⅞ grade update - MHS
-Classes are going well
-The parent teacher conference links will be going out
-Butter braid fundraisers will be starting soon for both 7 & 8th grades.
-October 25th Halloween Dance
-upcoming 7th grade field trip to CT Science center
-8th grade field trip Western New England College tour
-Quarter 1 closes November 1st
Policy Subcommittee:
-Mrs. Murphy said the third read is based on the attorney feedback, that anonymous complaints will not be accepted. Dr. Clarke gave school committee members copies of the clean version by Attorney Kim Roche.
Morgan took a motion to approve the public involvement (Second by Ms. Flynn)
Roll Call vote
Mr. Wiggins - Yes
Ms. Nothe-Valley - Yes
Ms. Flynn - Yes
Mrs. Murphy - Yes
Mrs. Morgan - Yes
Motion Carries 5-0
Policy: BHE - First read - Use of electronic messaging by school committee members. Mrs. Murphy read off the old language vs new language in policy.
The new language states that the School committee should utilize emails, texts, etc. with housekeeping items only such as; meeting times & dates, agendas, minutes, etc. - and should not be used to discuss in a public forum. Under the public record law - messages amongst the committee can be used as public record, therefore in order to ensure compliance the district will provide each member with their own emails.
Alison takes motion to second read (Ms. Nothe-Valley takes second)
All in favor 5-0
EHAA - District Security relating to technology - first read.
Mrs. Murphy read off the policy.
Brian McKenzie from the tech department talked about the different procedures in terms of any student data in the network. Brian stated that we have a sonicwall firewall to protect students from malicious activity, multiple web filters that block any ill intent or anything trying to get in the system. He also said that we don’t really host much student activity that clever and PowerSchool are encrypted. There is not much in house we have to maintain but we do use all of the standard techniques.
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to carry EHAA to second read - (Ms. Flynn seconds)
All in favor 5-0
Policy EHB data and records retention - First read
It is presumed that every record in the district is to be public unless it is withheld under a specific relation. The district is responsible for giving out district emails to school committee members (and employees) to utilize communication within the committee. Each email should be treated as a public document.
Mrs. Murphy also stated that everything is in a google vault / so that if anything is removed or deleted we can access the vault to check out.
Mrs. Morgan makes motion to carry EHB policy to second read - (Ms. Nothe-Valley seconds)
All in favor 5-0
Policy KDCP district website and social media - First read
The MPS will maintain a district website along with school social media pages as authorized by the superintendent. All online platforms will be maintained by district staff - details regarding comments will be turned off to ensure accurate delivery of information, all websites will display the policy, frequently updated, etc.
Mrs. Morgan takes motion to carry KDCP policy to second read (Ms. Flynn seconds)
Ms. Flynn had a question regarding social media pages- (Per the student rep report previously)
Ms. Flynn asked if there is a system in order to start up a school club social media page. Is there some sort of policy or application that has been created by the district, that the students have to fill out to start up a social media page for approval? Dr. Clarke said that district staff have to be part of the page as an administrator on the account.
There is no current account management process regarding social media sites, but they will talk about it with their administrator team. Mr. Fontaine followed up and said that he would like to have some consistency with the online accounts to move on to the next group.
Mrs. Morgan takes motion to carry KDCP policy to second read
All in favor 5-0
Finance Subcommittee
-Ms. Nothe-Valley stated that the subcommittee met on September 30th and discussed communication that was received by the superintendent and school committee, by Jamie Farnum from the town offices that was dated Sept 20th. Subject line stated: prior years budget concerns, and the nature of the concern of unpaid FY24 electric and gas bills. The finance subcommittee looked over the info and bills, etc, for the fiscal year calendar. The town finance committee invited the school finance subcommittee to their meeting on Oct 21st to “dig” a little deeper into the letter. Mrs. Morgan, Ms. Nothe-Valley, Mrs. Zippin and Dr. Clarke will be in attendance. Mrs. Morgan asked if more school committee members could make it that would be great.
June 5th working mins.
Mrs. Morgan called a motion to approve minutes. (Ms. Flynn seconds)
-Ms. Nothe-Valley stated that she had several items she’d like to discuss regarding the June 5th meeting - the meeting was not recorded and would like to bring some things public. Ms. Nothe-Valley said that she brought some things up at the meeting but did not see them incorporated in the minutes.
The first one was that she reminded the school committee of the importance of the superintendents evaluations ratings and comments and associated salary determination and our ability to hire and fire a superintendent as our only means of accountability. - This was not included in the minutes and would like to add that comment after her remarks to Ms. Flynn about creative summative evaluation.
Ms. Flynn asked if she was making an amendment and Ms. Nothe-Valley stated that she was making multiples.
Ms. Flynn suggests that moving forward working meetings should be recorded so we have no issues with transparency. Ms. Flynn reiterated that this was not a closed door meeting and was posted to the public. Mrs. Morgan reminded the committee that there is also a financial impact with utilizing M-Pact for working meetings and need to be mindful when moving forward with substance to the discussion for the notes.
Amendment 1: Mrs. Morgan asked the school committee how they felt about adding a general statement of the purpose of the superintendent's evaluation? (line #35)
Amendment 2: The stipend discussion (line #65) Ms. Nothe-Valley stated that she made some points and comments and nothing was captured in the reasoning why she casted a no vote. There was no context or information given to the public. Mrs. Morgan is questioning how we represent the meeting entirety, she hears what she’s saying she wants the public to know why she voted no. Ms. Flynn stated there should be a pros/cons of the proposed stipend resulting in conversation for job expectation, presentence and performance. Ms. Flynn stated that there were a lot of back and forths - nothing was clear cut and states I dont think we’ll get specifics in here now. Mrs. Murphy stated that the evaluation is posted and the public can go and look at it.
Ms. Flynn makes a motion to amend minute approval for the June 5th 2024 working meeting minutes as presented with amendment #1 - “The purpose of a general statement regarding the purpose of the superintendent's evaluation.” (Mrs. Morgan seconds)
Roll call was placed
Mr. Wiggins
Ms. Nothe-Valley
Ms. Flynn
Mrs. Murphy
Mrs. Morgan
Motion carries 5-0
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to amend minute approval for the June 5th 2024 working meeting. Add on line #65 that the school committee discussed the pros/cons of job performance, job responsibilities, financial impacts to the district persistence of the insinuating circumstances of the district calendar for the 23/24 school year. Ms. Flynn seconds
Roll call was placed
Mr. Wiggins
Ms. Nothe-Valley
Ms. Flynn
Mrs. Murphy
Mrs. Morgan
Motion carries 5-0
June 12th 2024 meeting minutes
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to approve the June 12th regular school committee meeting minutes - Ms. Nothe-Valley seconds.
Roll call was placed
Mr. Wiggins
Ms. Nothe-Valley
Ms. Flynn
Mrs. Murphy
Mrs. Morgan
Motion carries 5-0
July 17th 2024 meeting minutes
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to approve the July 17th regular school committee meeting minutes - Ms. Flynn seconds.
Roll call was placed
Mr. Wiggins
Ms. Nothe-Valley
Ms. Flynn
Mrs. Murphy
Mrs. Morgan
Motion carries 5-0
Superintendent update:
-The student rep reports talked about the events happening over the last month
-Great attendance at GV & MHS open house.
-Community soccer night - hundreds of people came out to enjoy soccer under the lights. Mrs. Zippin and Dr. Clarke worked at the hot cocoa and cookie station.
-Attended the first PTSA meeting of the year
-Working with Mary Watson and Karen Davis on the upcoming toy drive coming up Nov. 1st
-Artificial intelligence is coming- Mrs. Watts met with Collaborative in North Hampton to start rolling out an AI PD day. They will be meeting with the district team leaders coming up to prep for roll out on in service day on Nov 5th.
-MCAS scores - teachers and teams are currently reviewing the scores and creating action plans for the next steps. Score results will go out next week
-There are some exciting things happening at MHS - Mrs. Watts and Mr. Fontaine are looking to expand the curriculum to include stem course pathways in a partnership with PLTW. Mr. Fontaine sent out videos and surveys to families today.
-Excited to announce a partnership with Education Alliance - met with the team to expand college partnerships at MHS.There will be some vocational scholarships and the goal is to have the Monson Vocational Prep Activity that will be a part of MHS and can invite fellow towns to attend. This is very exciting and a great opportunity that really speaks to rural schools and how we can step outside of the box, etc. This would enable students to earn college credits on classes without having to leave MHS. Mrs. Morgan asked would it only be the MHS teachers who teach those programs? Dr. Clarke said it would be a certain criteria, etc. a variety of MHS teachers and reps met with the school.
-Drama club will be happening at MHS and are hopeful to have a performance soon
Mrs. Morgan opened public session at 7:55 PM
Mrs. Morgan closed public session at 7:56 PM
New Business
MCAS results - Dr. Clarke said this will be the first night to talk about accountability, improvement and growth. The next meeting Dr. Clarke will present the vocal results and the gaps as well as the strategic plans. Dr. Clarke asked each principal to come up and talk about their respected schools in MCAS.
Mr. Fontaine- MHS discussed the scaling of the Criterion-referenced target percentage calculation: 0 @ declined - 4 @ excellent
-7th & 8th grade students are coded differently with MCAS / HS vs Elementary (7&8)
Achievement
ELA
⅞ (earned 74% of all possible points) / ELA exceeded
The HS achievement did ok at (55% of possible points) / grade 10 ELA improved
Math
grade ⅞ no change
grade 10 improved
Science
grade ⅞ (grade 8 only takes the test) - exceeded target
grade 10 Improved
Growth
ELA
grade ⅞ met target
grade 10 - exceeded
Math
grade ⅞ improved
grade 10 exceeded
four year cohort graduation rate - declined
extended engagement rate - exceeded target
annual dropout rate - declined
Chronic absenteeism (missing more than 18 days or 10%)
grades ⅞ exceeded target
grade 10 - declined (one kid is roughly 3% of the score) -Mrs. Morgan makes a note that the state is no longer allowing us to count excused absences - as excused, they will count as absences no matter what.
Advanced coursework completion
HS- exceeded target
MHS accountability percentile is at 67%
last year was 43%
22’ was 47%
MHS is not requiring assistance or intervention substantial progress towards targets.
Dr. Trivisonno - GV
Dr. Trivisonno acknowledged that the data was hard to see - the achievement they scored a 4 out of 12 but the growth was a 6 out of 8 - the students are making progress.
Achievement
Math 2 out of 4
Ela 2 out of 4
Science 0 out of 4
Growth
Math 3 out of 4
ELA 3 out of 4
Really focusing on the growth for those students who were at lower meeting expectations and are now meeting expectations. When you look at the scoreboard data it doesn't initially look high, but when you look at the bigger picture you see how much they have increased.
Chronic absenteeism 22/23 chronic absenteeism was at about 20%, last year was under 10%.
Growth:
ELA met target
math met target
Percentile for accountability is 35%. In 2023 it was at 26%
GV is not requiring any assistance and making moderate progress.
Mr. Fontaine and Dr. Trivisonno - reported how students did on MCAS from grades 7- 9.
65% of those students met and succeeded MCAS Scores - compared to 40% of the rest of the state.
Partial meets and not meeting are both significantly below than the state average.
Old Business
-Dr. Clarke state that she doesn’t have any
-Mrs. Watts said that she is ready to meet with Mrs. Morgan whenever they are ready. Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Murphy will email Haley Ketterman to coordinate a meeting.
-Meeting with Tracy Novak from MASC, on Oct 30th @ 6 pm - workshop meeting
-October 23 regular school committee meeting
-Policy meeting Oct 23rd @ 6
-Special town meeting October 28th
Action Items
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to Adjourn to Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 30A, 21a, Purpose #1, to discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual; and Purpose #3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. (Ms. Nothe-Valley seconds)
All in favor 5-0
Mrs. Morgan takes a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:59PM (Second by Ms. Flynn)
Motion Carries 5-0
Documentation for this meeting:
October 10, 2024-Working Meeting Agenda
Distributed at meeting:
Approved by Committee:
________________________________________
Ms. Nothe-Valley, Secretary
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