Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting September 30, 2020 “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/99093880295 Meeting ID: 990 9388 70295, 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 Morneau; Business and Finance Officer Michelle Loglisci; Director of Food Services Melody Gustafson; 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 7:00 p.m. Ms. Peterson read the Mission & Vision Statements. Announcements: Dr. Clarke was pleased to report that the town has been designated a grey/unshaded COVID-19 Zone this week. The administration and counseling staff at Granite Valley School will host Parent Information Sessions via Zoom on October 6, 2020 in the evening and October 7, 2020 in the morning. Specific information will be sent to parents. Monson High School will also host Zoom Parent Information Sessions on October 5, 6, and 7, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The golf team will play an away match against South Hadley tomorrow. Boys’ soccer has a game versus Ware on Friday. Minutes: Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to approve the September 16, 2020 Regular Business Meeting minutes as presented. (Second by Mr. Dubois-White) No discussion
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Motion carries 5-0 Subcommittee & Liaison Reports: Policy Subcommittee: Ms. Peterson reported that she hasn’t received any concerns or questions on Policy ACAB. Motion by Ms. Peterson to accept the second read of Policy ACAB - Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment Policy and Grievance Procedure and move to a third read. (Second by Ms. Flynn) No discussion Roll Call: Ms. Peterson Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Mr. Dubois-White Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Mr. Lord Yes Motion carries 5-0 Ms. Peterson attended the first Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) meeting. As always, membership is encouraged. A coupon book will be given to everyone that becomes a member this year. She noted that there was discussion on Room Representatives, the Reflections Program and a Booster-a-thon that is being planned. The Finance Subcommittee is scheduled to meet remotely on October 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Clarke stated that everyone is busy preparing for the return of the students in substantially separate programs and Pre-K on October 5, 2020. Staff will be in the buildings on October 2, 2020 to do any work necessary to prepare their classrooms. The remainder of the staff will return to the buildings on October 9, 2020 to prepare for the return of hybrid students on October 19, 2020. Dr. Clarke added that she hopes the district will continue to be designated as a COVID-19 Unshaded Zone. A recent college graduate has been hired to supervise the remote learning students of staff members returning to work in the buildings. Old Business: The district has been designated as a COVID-19 Unshaded Zone, with less than 4 positive cases, which is excellent news for the district and town. Mr. Lord thanked all members of the community for their part in helping the town move out of the COVID-19 Red Zone designation. Mrs. Zippin noted that practices started Friday and all safety protocols and requirements are being adhered to. Athletes have been very respectful of wearing masks and social distancing. Boys soccer has an away game against Ware on Friday. Mrs. Zippin stated that fans are not allowed at away games but she is working on a way to live stream them. All students will be given 2 laminated passes with lanyards for attendance at the home games/meets. The passes must be visible so those monitoring the crowd will have an easier time. Parents or anyone attending the event must wear lanyards to acknowledge that they are allowed into and around
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the field or course. Dr. Clarke and members of the Committee thanked Mrs. Zippin for all she has done for the athletes and families of the district. Public session: Mr. Lord opened Public Session at 7:21 p.m. No one came forward to address the Committee. Mr. Lord closed Public Session at 7:22 p.m. Review of Action Items: Move Policy ACAB to a third read. Post Finance Subcommittee Meeting Agenda. Dr. Clarke stated that there was no need for Executive Session this evening. Motion by Mr. Dubois-White to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Mr. Lord ) No discussion 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 7:25 p.m. Documentation for this meeting: September 30, 2020-Regular Business Meeting Agenda September 16, 2020-Regular Business Meeting Draft Minutes Distributed at meeting: N/A Approved by Committee: ________________________________________ Mr. Dubois-White, Secretary