Somerset Public Schools Somerset, Massachusetts

Transcription

1 Somerset Public Schools Somerset, Massachusetts Somerset School Committee Meeting Minutes Open Session March 31, 2011 School Committee Room North Elementary School The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Mrs. Ann M. Correira, Chair. Members present were: Mrs. Ann M. Correira, Chair Mr. Victor M. Machado, Jr., Vice Chair Mr. Donald J. Rebello Mr. Jamison D. Souza Ms. Elizabeth A. White Mr. Richard W. Medeiros, Superintendent of Schools Mr. James Kiely, Asst. Supt. For Business & Finance Dr. Bradford Smith, Director of Curriculum & Assessment Mrs. Michele Courcier, Recording Secretary The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The next meeting of the School Committee will be held on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the School Committee Room at North Elementary School located at 580 Whetstone Hill Road, Somerset, MA The School Committee will meet with the Advisory & Finance Board. Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, Mr. Rebello made a motion to accept the Secretary s Open Session Report of February 28, Ms. White seconded. The Committee voted in favor of the motion 5-0. Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, Mr. Machado made a motion to accept the Secretary s Executive Session Report of February 28, Mr. Souza seconded. The Committee voted in favor of the motion 5-0. Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, Mr. Souza made a motion to accept the Secretary s Open Session Reports #1 and #2 of March 3, Ms. White seconded. The Committee voted in favor of the motion 5-0. Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, Ms. White made a motion to accept the Secretary s Executive Session Report of March 3, Mr. Souza seconded. The Committee voted in favor of the motion 5-0.

2 March 31, 2011 Page 2 COMMUNICATIONS There was no Student Representative report. The Superintendent informed the Committee that a communication was received from the DESE notifying the District that all 32 elements of its bullying prevention and intervention plan were approved. OTHER MATTERS/PUBLIC INPUT Mr. Sanford Brown wanted to know the difference between what Berkley is paying currently and what will it be once they regionalize. Mr. Donald Rebello gave an update of the first meeting of the Technology Task Force. He was pleased with the turnout noting the good representation from staff. He noted that Mr. Raymond Nekrasz provided the group with an overview of the technology program within the District. Mr. Rebello informed the Committee that a very comprehensive survey is being developed for K-8 educators. Mr. Rebello asked the Director of Curriculum, Dr. Smith, to give a brief explanation regarding developing curriculum alignment as it relates to technology. Mr. Rebello concluded by noting funding is critical and the Task Force will be focusing on alternative funding/grant writing, etc. OLD BUSINESS 1. Somerset Berkley Regional School District Update: Ms. White informed the Committee that the Region is moving forward very quickly. She noted that the position of Superintendent is now in place and will be shared between Somerset and the Region. She explained that the focus now is on hiring someone to fill the Treasurer s position. The Region is working diligently on the proposed budget for FY 12. She also noted that the Region has almost finished its review of policies for the policy manual. She concluded by noting that the search for a high school principal and

3 March 31, 2011 Page 3 vice principal are almost done and site visits will be taking place at their respective schools. The Superintendent informed the Committee that he will be making a site visit to Dighton/Rehoboth Regional High School on Friday, April 1, 2011 and will visit Brattleboro, VT on Monday, April 4, 2011 for the position of High School Principal. 2. Building Committee Update: Mr. Sousa stated it is very exciting to see the building process moving forward very quickly as well. The Building Committee is in the process of hiring an OPM hopefully to have in place by early June. Then the committee can move forward with hiring a Designer. He noted that once those positions are in place, people will see a lot going on. He noted that the committee researched needs and square footage of classrooms, etc. He explained that a Cable Show will be set up to keep the communities of Somerset and Berkley informed as the building is being built. He also noted that forums will be set to get community members involved and encourage community members to visit other schools to see how those schools are running. The Superintendent noted that the Building Committee will be visiting Ashland and other schools shortly. 3. Budget for K-8 for FY 12 school year: Mrs. Correira distributed to the Committee members a memo she received from Town Administrator Dennis Luttrell. In the letter, Mr. Luttrell has asked the Somerset School Committee to include Fixed Expenses into its FY 12 budget. Fixed Expenses include Workman s Compensation, Other Non employee Insurance, Health Insurance, Maturing Debt, Contributory Retirement, FICA, and Unemployment. A lengthy discussion ensued. Mr. Kiely cautioned the Committee that they need to have some level of oversite in the incurring of these expenses. Mr. William Meehan, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen along with Mr. Patrick O Neil, member of the Board of Selectmen asked various questions regarding the proposed budget. Mr. Meehan upon leaving the meeting asked the School Committee to take into consideration as they continue to deliberate its budget that NRG power plant is for sale for $4,750,000 and is valued at 26 million dollars.

4 March 31, 2011 Page 4 The Committee continued to discuss the proposed K-8 budget. The Committee discussed priorities for the budget. Although it was noted how difficult it would be to cut items like textbooks, field trips, supplies, etc., the consensus was to keep technology, two enrichment teachers and a Math teacher at the middle school level as priorities. Ms. White suggested that professional development as it relates to technology be part of the priority list noting that teachers need to be trained to use the updated technology. Mr. Machado requested that the elementary principals identify how they would utilize the two enrichment teachers. Mr. Machado also noted that if alternative funding is acquired for technology, he would like to see some of the money saved to be put toward field trips. After a very lengthy discussion, Mr. Souza made a motion to reduce the proposed budget for FY 12 to $17,841,517. Mr. Rebello seconded. On a roll call, the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion. Mrs. Correira, aye; Mr. Machado, aye; Mr. Souza, aye; Ms. White, aye; Mr. Rebello, aye. A copy of the adjusted budget will be forwarded to Chairperson of the Advisory & Finance Committee, Mary Jean Stone. OTHER MATTERS/PUBLIC INPUT JoAnn Pelletier, parent and Technology Task Force member commented that $300,000 for technology sounds like a lot of money but it is not when you are building from the ground up. She noted that the Task Force is discussing infrastructure problems within the District NEW BUSINESS 1. The Committee was presented with three policies to review from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Service Animals Students Transferring From Commonwealth Charter Schools Concussions/Head Injuries These policies will be placed on the next agenda for a second reading. One committee member asked for a summary report on concussions within the School District.

5 March 31, 2011 Page 5 2. Mr. Kiely gave a report on transportation routes 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 26, and 27. Mr. Kiely recommended that the contract be awarded to Fisher Bus Company. Mr. Rebello made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented. Mr. Souza seconded. On a roll call, the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion. Mr. Rebello, aye; Mr. Souza, aye; Mrs. Correira, aye; Mr. Machado, aye; Ms. White, aye. Note: Mr. Machado asked that the next time these routes are presented, he would like to see the breakdown for Somerset and for the Region. 3. Mr. Kiely gave a report on transportation routes 21, 24, and 25. Mr. Kiely recommended that the contract be awarded to Fisher Bus Company. Mr. Rebello made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented. Mr. Souza seconded. On a roll call, the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion. Mr. Rebello, aye; Mr. Souza, aye; Mr. Machado, aye; Mrs. Correira, aye, Ms. White, aye. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Mrs. Correira recognized and congratulated the following students as Students of the Month for February at Somerset High School: Emily Ulrich Art Department Emily Ulrich Business Department Brenda Goncalves English Department Samantha Roderigues Engineering & Tech Department Mitchell Weeks Engineering & Tech Department Corinne Machado Mathematics Department Logan Amaral Music Department Kendra Hoesterey Science Department Annalyn Watkinson Social Studies Department Kelsea Swidey Wellness Department Kyle Souza - World Language Department

6 March 31, 2011 Page 6 OTHER MATTERS/PUBLIC INPUT Gail Darmody, parent and Technology Task Force member gave a report on how the Portsmouth Public Schools handle their technology needs. Staffing: Superintendent Medeiros informed the Committee that currently two notices for vacancies have been posted. A Long Range Substitute position at Chace Street School for a temporary leave. Also a posting for the Director of Business and Finance position for the Somerset Public Schools and the Somerset Berkley Regional School District. The ad will appear in the Providence Sunday Journal, on the school s web site and at MASBO. April 20, 2011 is the deadline. Mr. Machado made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Souza seconded. On a roll call, the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion. Mrs. Correira, aye; Mr. Machado, aye; Mr. Souza, aye; Ms. White, aye; Mr. Rebello, aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michele Courcier Recording Secretary Accepted by: Richard W. Medeiros, Superintendent of Schools Date