Regular Business Meeting Minutes 4.2.25
- kettermanh
- 2 days ago
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Minutes of the
Monson School Committee
Regular Meeting
April 2, 2025
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; Interim Superintendent Roland Joyal and Recording Secretary Haley Ketterman
Note: This meeting was video recorded.
Mrs. Morgan called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Mrs. Morgan read off the MPS mission statement.
Superintendent announcements and updates :
-Spring sports have started and games are underway, you can find all of the sports schedules and information located on our Monson Public Schools website.
-Mr. Joyal highlighted Monson's Night Out that will be taking place on Thursday, April 3rd from 4:00-8:00. A percentage of sales will go towards the Special Olympics that will be on May 2nd.
-Saturday, April 12th the class of 2028, will be hosting an Easter Pancake Breakfast at Monson High School.
-Teacher appreciation week is approaching us, May 5th-9th. The PTSA will be hosting their annual teacher and staff luncheon.
-The food service department is looking to hire cafeteria staff, please reach out to Tracy Blanchard for more information.
Minutes approval
February 4, 2025 working meeting minutes for approval.
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to approve the February 4, 2025 working meeting minutes.
Mrs. Murphy seconds
No comments/discussion
Roll call was placed
All in favor 5-0
February 26, 2025 regular business meeting minutes for approval.
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to approve the February 26, 2025 regular business meeting minutes.
#38 - Jessica Corwin add: co-chair of MASC’s rural schools committee.
#150 - add: mass general law citation.
Mrs. Morgan amends her motion to approve with the two corrections.
-Ms. Nothe-Valley seconds.
Roll call was placed
All in favor 5-0
February 27 2025 working meeting minutes for approval.
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to approve the February 27, 2025 working meeting mins
Mrs. Murphy seconds
Ms. Flynn noticed a typo on the last line - correct Monsoon to Monson.
Mrs. Morgan amends motion with typographical error fixed.
Mrs. Murphy
roll call was placed
All in favor 5-0
March 19th regular business meeting minutes for approval.
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to approve the March 19, 2025 regular business meeting minutes.
Mrs. Flynn seconds
Finance subcommittee update: reworded paragraph from Mrs. Morgan.
line #224 - add in emotional/behavioral support
line #299 - edit MOU to MOA (memorandum of agreement)
Mrs. Morgan amends motion with the given edits.
roll call was placed
All in favor 5-0
Public session opened @ 7:14 PM
Closed public session @ 7:15PM
Subcommittee and Liaison reports
Policy Subcommittee
-IMGB - Therapy/comfort dog policy going into second read on this updated policy. This will include the waiver form for the parent/guardian of the student and also a staff waiver form. Mrs. Murphy asked the committee to please review the policy and waiver forms to be voted on at the next meeting.
-Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to move Policy IMGB to third read.
-Ms. Nothe-Valley seconds
-Roll call was placed
-all in favor 5-0
-Ms Flynn followed up with questions regarding attaching the forms to the handbook, and the timeline of when the therapy/comfort dog would return to the schools? Mrs. Murphy confirmed the documents would be attached to the handbook, and we will not have the dog return to school this year, that she will return with us next year after the waiver forms have been signed. Mrs. Morgan confirmed with Mrs. Murphy that the participant release waiver of liability is what the town insurance company recommended? Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Joyal confirmed that it is.
-Roll call was placed
-all in favor 5-0
-JICA - Student dress code currently in second read.
Ms. Flynn asked if there were any changes? No changes made confirmed by Mrs. Murphy. Ms. Nothe-Valley stated that this is the policy that goes into more detail in the handbook.
Ms. Flynn makes a motion to move policy JICA student dress code from second to third read.
Ms. Nothe-Valley seconds.
-Roll call was placed
-all in favor 5-0
-IKF - Graduation requirements - currently in second read
There will be one change to this policy and that will be the location on which it says to reference the Monson Public Schools handbook 4.2.4 under the requirements of graduation. Mrs. Murphy confirmed that the numbers do change, so she will remove the 4.2.4.
Ms. Flynn makes a motion to move IKF to third read.
Mrs. Morgan seconds.
Roll call was placed
5-0
-GBEBD - Crowdfunding:
-Mrs. Murphy stated that she and Ms. Nothe-Valley met with Mr. Joyal and they discussed the policy. The one thing that will be added to this policy is to reference the request and approval form.
Mrs. Morgan asked if this will allow for teachers to create a wishlist? Mrs. Murphy stated that this is different from a wish list - this is above and beyond tissues, wipes, etc.
The school committee discussed how the policy is written and the difference between crowdfunding and creating an amazon wish list. Mrs. Morgan would like for it to clearly state that teachers can have an amazon wish list - or a wish list concept.
Ms. Flynn recommended that maybe this should be two separate policies? One just for crowdfunding and then another one for wishlist wants?
-Mrs. Morgan expressed even adding a line within the crowdfunding policy stating that this excludes a classroom amazon wish list to a certain amount of money?
The school committee read over the policy language and made edits - removal of adjustments in paragraph six. They discussed the usage of the forms - should staff have to fill it out each time? And also, who will be monitoring the wishlists itself? - Mrs. Morgan suggested that maybe the classroom teacher could share the link of their wishlist with the principal?
Ms. Flynn suggested that with the interest of time, could the policy subcommittee make the adjustments that have been discussed and bring it back to the table for second read?
Ms. Flynn would like to move forward with the amendments that they have agreed on.
The committee will send Mrs. Murphy and Ms. Nothe-Valley examples of how other districts are utilizing their wish lists.
The school committee will send the policy back for review.
New Business
-Surplus of unusable items from shop class years ago at Monson High School.
The engineering class will be utilizing the old shop room so these items will have to be moved. Mr. Fontaine asked if we could use these items as surplus?
Ms. Flynn asked what will happen after that? - Mrs. Zippin stated that the money from the surplus items goes back to the general fund because those items were purchased from the budget.
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to deem the items on the list as surplus.
Ms. Flynn seconds.
Mrs. Morgan asked how quickly do these items need to be moved? - Mr. Fontaine stated that they are using the classroom next year, so as soon as possible.
Once these items are deemed surplus they are no longer our responsibility.
Ms. Flynn seconds
Roll called was placed
5-0
Review of the FY 26 Budget
Mrs. Morgan stated that with the approval to move forward with the number that was agreed upon at the tri board meeting, the committee still has to decide what to do within the parameters of that number.
Mr. Joyal went on to discuss the different scenarios that have been previously presented at past meetings, and the changes within these scenarios regarding potential position cuts.
The following positions will no longer be eliminated and are in no other scenarios to be eliminated; the technology specialist at GV who also doubles as a math intervention support, unit A counselor at the high school, ECC .5 counselor, music teacher and a unit A high school math teacher.
-Mr. Joyal discussed the first scenario of building consolidation with a savings of roughly $317,000. With that, Mr. Joyal also discussed what would be needed to bring the building up to speed such as; replacing carpet, bathroom partitions, thresholds, faucets, classroom shape, painting, etc. The rough estimate for repairs is around $154,600 and you’ll also have to factor in the moving fee.
Additional unemployment costs were also factored into the scenario.
With this scenario we would be about $3,000 over the target number.
-Second scenario - no consolidation of buildings.
The main difference in this scenario is the curriculum director is cut.
Superintendent secretary is not included in this scenario.
-Third scenario - no consolidation of buildings
Half time curriculum director
School committee secretary - in this scenario the superintendent secretary is included so they would assume responsibilities for the school committee side of things / ML building usage stipend would be consolidated and given to the superintendent secretary.
-Mrs. Morgan asked, with the PreK tuition line increased at $45,000 what does that mean? Mrs. Zippin stated that it would be due to the cost increase for tuition if the school committee decided to go in that direction.
-Mr. Joyal thinks that in the future it would be nice for the school committee to think about eliminating sports fees as Monson is one of the highest districts around.
Mrs. Morgan asked about the ECC building principal and if that position is still eliminated in the two other scenarios? - Mr. Trivisonno stated that the position would not be eliminated; there would be an administrator in the building.
Mrs. Morgan asked Mr. Joyal that with being about $36,000 off in the first scenario without consolidation - do we know where that money could come from? Mr. Joyal reiterated that with this tight of a budget we don’t really have a rainy day fund at this time - “we have no slush”. Mr. Joyal stated that yes he will be able to find the $36,000 but at the expense of something.
Mrs. Morgan discussed the list of repairs if they were to proceed with the consolidation option with the school committee and the concerns for the timeline and to possibly look at this for next year?
Mrs. Morgan asked Mr. Joyal regarding the size of the Granite Valley building - would they be able to house grades PreK - 6? - Mr. Tirvisonno stated that there is no way they could house PreK - 6 at Granite Valley. Quarry Hill also has way more bathrooms for the students. Mr. Wiggins likes the idea of postponing the consideration for another date - if the savings aren’t as drastic as we thought, we should keep everyone as is for now. Ms. Nothe-Valley expressed some concerns about the timeline but believes this is something worth taking another look at come FY 2027.
-Mrs. Morgan reiterated that they want to do this consolidation the correct way and considering it’s already April this isn’t an appropriate amount of time for the repairs and all of the moving parts.
Mrs. Murphy asked Mr. DeMaio if he could give a little more detail regarding the consolidation and the list of repairs on the list?
-Mr. DeMaio stated it really depends on what you want to get done to the building? As of right now you are looking at the carpets that will all need to get replaced with tile, bathroom partitions replaced - then trigger ADA rules (toilets to be moved - up to code), paint, ceiling tiles, plumbing.
-Mrs. Murphy asked Mr. DeMaio with the timeline and the projected repairs that need to be completed, is this could be done before the next school year? Mr. DeMaio does not believe that we have enough time between finding the contracted individuals, the moving of everything out of the building and storage, etc.
-Mrs. Morgan asked Mr. DeMaio to explain the different positions that are under him, craftsmen and custodians? The two craftsmen and Paul handle everything that they can - Hvac, snow removal, lawn maintenance, set up events, etc. Custodians: handle the day to day cleaning, trash, cafeteria clean up, etc.
-The town said that they would help with the one time moving fee at the tri board meeting, but the school committee wondered would they help out with any of the repairs listed above? Would they consider this a one time ask with these other expenses?
Ms. Flynn and the school committee all collectively agree that the consolidation scenario is not the best fit scenario at this time for the next school year.
-Ms. Flynn and Mrs. Morgan both agree that a superintendent secretary is a necessity for the superintendent, so they’d like for this position to be added
-The School committee discussed the loop and it becoming part of the superintendent secretary duties or the possibility of the building principals each doing their own.
-Mrs. Murphy asked about some curriculum subscriptions such as; newsela, wonders, and studies weekly and if they are still set to be cut? Mrs. Morgan confirmed they are set to be eliminated - the teachers have other resources that they can utilize.
-Ms. Flynn asked Mr. Joyal and Mrs. Zippin if the projected number of PreK tuition is updated to their most recent projection? They confirmed that it is.
-Ms. Flynn asked Mrs. Zippin to please add in the superintendent secretary in both scenarios - as of right now the superintendent secretary is only included in one.
Administration structure - what next year looks like thus far.
-MHS Principal.
-MHS Dean of students / athletic director (would allow the current athletic director to focus on math classes).
-Counseling structure at the high school remains the same (2 counselors).
-Granite Valley - Principal.
-Granite Valley - Assistant Principal.
-Granite Valley - Counseling structure remains the same (2 counselors).
-Quarry Hill - Principal (recommendation) / No dean or assistant principal.
-Quarry Hill - structure remains the same with .5 counselor.
-Both scenarios there is an elimination of a custodian - doesn’t say if it would be day or night time staffed.
-Mrs. Morgan expressed her concerns for replacing a full time curriculum director with a part time director, and what the chances are that someone with an administrator license would want to work part time?
-On April 30th the town is holding a budget explanation presentation, so the school committee has some time to decide on what scenario / changes they would be moving forward with. Mr. Joyal informed the school committee that the town administrator and finance director reached out to him regarding the presentation to see if the school committee would like to attend?
-Mrs. Morgan asked about the librarian salary at Granite Valley - Mr. Trivisonno confirmed that she is an ESP and runs the library special for students.
-Indirect unemployment line - Mrs. Zippin asked if that could be our “one ask” for the town to help with this line number?
-Mrs. Morgan and the committee decided that they will keep the public budget hearing meeting for the 16th. Mr. Joyal and Mrs. Zippin will go back and see what else can be done with the budget.
-The school committee will meet next Wednesday, 4/9/25 @ 5PM to discuss the FY 26 budget updates in further detail.
MHS schedule option ideas 25/26 - 2:34
-Mr. Fontaine discussed the 4x4 schedule model that was presented to the school committee a while back. Mr. Fontaine discussed the pros and cons of a 4x4 and that classes Monday-Friday would be 87 minutes. On Friday’s they would be shortened for advisory / emotional, social learning, team activities, etc. On the shorter weeks Friday would run as a regular day.
This also allows us to incorporate 7th / 8th grade team time without pulling all ESP’s to cover classrooms. At the 9-12th grade level, staff would be utilizing that 30 mins to build their curriculum.
Ms. Flynn asked what SAP was? Student advisory program.
Ms. Flynn asked about the bell schedule? Mr. Fontaine stated that they would be shortening about 8 mins a period.
Mr. Fontaine stated that both the union and attorneys have both seen the changes for the proposed 4x4 schedule.
-Ms. Flynn makes a motion to approve the unit A high school schedule for the school year, 25/26 with the revisions in letter H, regarding director of counseling, and the bell time correction.
Mrs. Morgan seconds
roll call was placed
5-0
Scheduled Meetings:
-April 9th - Regular business meeting @ 5PM
-April 14th Policy subcommittee meeting @ 5:30
-April 16th Public Budget meeting @ 5PM
-April 16th Search Report with Tracy from MASC @ 6PM
-April 16th Regular business meeting @ 7pm
-May 7th Regular business meeting @ 7PM
-May 7th Policy Subcommittee meeting @ 6PM
Mrs. Morgan makes a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:51PM (Ms. Nothey-Valley seconds)
Motion Carries 5-0
Documentation for this meeting:
Agenda April 2, 2025
Approved by Committee:
________________________________________
Ms. Nothe-Valley, Secretary
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