NEWBURYPORT SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUSINESS MEETING Monday August 3, 2015 Newburyport High School Room 118

Transcription

1 NEWBURYPORT SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUSINESS MEETING Monday August 3, 2015 Newburyport High School Room 118 Meeting Convened at 6:30 PM Cheryl Sweeney Presided Present: Absent: Nick dekanter, Steve Cole (arrived at 6:38 PM), Cheryl Sweeney, Audrey McCarthy, Bruce Menin Mayor Holaday, Jay Iannini CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice-Chairman Cheryl Sweeney called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Roll call found all members present except Mayor/Chair Donna Holaday and member Jay Iannini. Steve Cole arrived at 6:38 PM. All those present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT: Judith Kennedy, 15 Kent St. commented that there were many comments at the Yankee Homecoming Parade on Sunday about the noticeable absence of the NHS Band and Cheerleading Squad. CONSENT AGENDA: Warrants: On a motion by Bruce Menin and seconded by Audrey McCarthy it was VOTED: To approve, receive and forward to the City Auditor for payment the following warrant. $375, Mayor Donna Holaday, Jay Iannini absent for vote On a motion by Bruce Menin and seconded by Audrey McCarthy it was VOTED: To approve, receive and forward to the City Auditor for payment the following warrant. $323, Mayor Donna Holaday, Jay Iannini absent for vote Minutes: On a motion by Audrey McCarthy and seconded by Nick dekanter it was VOTED: To approve, receive and file the School Committee, Business Meeting minutes of Monday, July 13, Mayor Holaday, Jay Iannini absent for vote FY16 BUDGET UPDATE:

2 Superintendent Viccaro explained the tiers and stated that nothing has changed. Superintendent Viccaro and Cheryl Sweeney explained the custodial position need. Superintendent Viccaro explained that the custodians have been working short-staffed; some have been working seven days a week. This will help with that and also help with cleanliness. Bruce Menin asked a question regarding the third tier - is that mostly supplies. Answer Cheryl Sweeney stated that we have heard nothing from the state. Superintendent Viccaro explained the veto/override at the state. Cheryl Sweeney stated asked if that impacted full time kindergarten. Answer - No, only those districts that do not have full time kindergarten. BROWN SCHOOL ISSUES - MAYOR HOLADAY DISCUSSION: Superintendent Viccaro introduced Heather Rowe, Chief Administrative Officer for the City, and Mike Bartlett, Department of Public Services Maintenance Supervisor. It was explained that graffiti has become an issue - there have been three instances in June. Bruce Menin asked if the graffiti was tagging or vandalism. Mike Bartlett said yes the police were involved and it was more of a vandalism issue. He said there have been 15 broken windows on all floors and trespassing on three sub-roofs. People are using the fenced in area as a dog park and not cleaning up after their dogs. Cheryl Sweeney inquired regarding the graffiti - are these long standing issues or new issues. Bruce Menin explained that this is a long standing issue and he asked how the neighborhood could get involved. Mike Bartlett said this was a great idea - surveillance would help. Bruce Menin said that the police have cameras - could we use them. Heather Rowe said they were not that kind of camera. Cheryl Sweeney asked if there were lights. Mike Bartlett said yes there were lights, but they go out/come on. Bruce Menin asked if there were surveillance cameras, who would monitor them. Superintendent Viccaro asked if Mr. Bartlett had any idea how many cameras we would need. He stated 4. Bruce Menin recommended a fifth one for use to monitor dogs. Cheryl Sweeney asked if the police have been fully informed. Heather Rowe said yes they have, but she and Mr. Bartlett came here for School Committee input. Bruce Menin suggested locking the gates and that he would help. Mike Bartlett said that we need discussion on this. Bruce Menin said he would be happy to volunteer. Nick dekanter asked who should be at that meeting. Bruce Menin asked how many activities are taking place in the building. Mike Bartlett explained - mostly activities happen during the day. Cheryl Sweeney asked for an explanation of the impact of Youth Services. Mike Bartlett said not much, but they help just by being in the building. Bruce Menin asked if signage would help - it lets people know what they can and cannot do. Mike Bartlett said it wouldn t hurt. Cheryl Sweeney asked if the gates were locked at all. Answer - no

3 Heather Rowe said she would be happy to pull together a meeting. Cheryl Sweeney asked her if she would pull together a meeting this week. Audrey McCarthy said the security cameras on Inn Street were from a grant. Mike Bartlett explained that yes they were, but grants take time. Ms. McCarthy asked if some could be relocated for now. Bruce Menin said lets take a look at what is available. Heather Rowe said she would be in touch with the Committee. She asked what point the Reuse Committee was at. Bruce Menin said they haven t met. Cheryl Sweeney asked about the Committee that the mayor is heading - she asked Ms. Rowe to gather information on that. Bruce Menin said he would ask the South End Committee to cooperate. The Mayor is concerned with kids getting up on the roof. SUPERINTENDENT S EVALUATION: Cheryl Sweeney gave an update on how this evaluation takes place; each Committee member filled out an evaluation and forwarded it to Nick dekanter who collated them (Jay Iannini was not involved in this as he is too new. Cheryl Sweeney read the following: Smart Goal - Web Site 3 - met goal 2 - significant progress 1 - some progress Ms. Sweeney read the strengths. Bruce Menin said he was pleased with web site - we need a staff person to monitor, keep this up to date. This is a good investment. Nick dekanter said look at where we were and where we are now. We have made huge progress, but the vision that was laid down for the web site has not been accomplished. Superintendent Viccaro said the initiative has been put out to teachers already. Cheryl Sweeney said some teachers had difficulty with anonomity of Let s Talk but the Superintendent has addressed this. Smart Goal - Math 1 - met goal 2 - significant progress 3 - some progress Ms. Sweeney read the strengths Cheryl Sweeney asked the Superintendent to explain and elaborate. Bruce Menin said the roll out with the community was not handled very well at first. Then it was addressed very successfully. Steve Cole said that in 2005 the School Committee had influence in bringing Algebra to the Nock School - a survey was done - people wanted it - it was a good thing. Smart Goal - Strategic Planning 1 - not met 2 - significant progress 3 - some progress Steve Cole commented on his evaluation.

4 Superintendent Viccaro explained full implementation - not a one year process - 1 to 5 year process. Nick dekanter said tell us what your results were. Bruce Menin commented on his evaluation - he found this goal very useful 4 - goals were met 6 - significant progress 7 - some progress Standards 1. Instructional Leadership 6 - Proficient 2. Management & Operations 4 - Proficient 2 - exceeded the expectations Bruce Menin said we have a way to go yet/harassment. Thrilled with the advisor/advisee program. 3. Family & Community Engagement 6 - Proficient Bruce Menin commented on social media - a reality of our times - must master it - can t ignore it - must be diligent - we must learn how to deal with it. 4. Professional Culture 2 - Needs Improvement 4 - Proficient 2 - Needs Improvement 20 - Proficient 2 - Exceeds Expectations Nick dekanter said he was struck by the nature of needs improvement - he is looking forward and taking it to the next level - this was not derogatory. He thanked Superintendent Viccaro for a fabulous year. Cheryl Sweeney said clarity is there for moving forward. She thanked Superintendent Viccaro for this year - a great job. Audrey McCarthy commented on one of the comments - needs improvement - she said Superintendent Viccaro is perfect for this district - a perfect match - resource issues. Bruce Menin said he was pleased with the depth and breadth of the comments. Steve Cole said it was very positive to look at the progress the district has made - he congratulated Superintendent Viccaro on a great evaluation. Superintendent Viccaro said as she moved into her third year that it takes three years to hit your stride. We will achieve some things that people will be glad to see. Cheryl Sweeney thanked Superintendent Viccaro. CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION: Changes/Pilots for Wait for next meeting New classes at the High School AP Chemistry, Agroponics, Financial Math Part 1, Part 2, Marketing, Intro to Business

5 Cheryl Sweeney asked how many sections of Intro to Business; was it full, why those classes. Answer 1; overenrolled - all of them Superintendent Viccaro said they started with four business classes - what students need to have - we can expand on them. AP Chemistry was needed and Agroponics is a cool class. Bruce Menin said the Science Department has done some Agroponics. Cheryl Sweeney asked if we did a survey of students on what classes they wanted. POLICIES - SECOND READING & VOTE: Motions: On a motion by Bruce Menin and seconded by Steve Cole it was VOTED: To approve Non-Discrimination Policy and McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. Mayor Holaday, Jay Iannini absent for vote On a motion by Audrey McCarthy and seconded by Bruce Menin it was VOTED: To approve the School Choice - Admission of Non-Resident Students as amended. Mayor Holaday, Jay Iannini absent for vote The Policy on Harassment will be rewritten by the Policy Subcommittee. SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT: Superintendent Viccaro reported on the following: Higher Education Partnerships Endicott/Salem State Partnership agreement: 6 Student Teachers coming to the Elementary/High School level - teaching a course at Newburyport High School for dual enrollment Meetings with Merrimac She stated we would like to have more of a presence in Community College Cheryl Sweeney asked what were the opportunities for dual enrollment. Answer - 6 students at Northern Essex Bruce Menin explained dual enrollment - History/English - Jr., Sr. year Cheryl Sweeney asked how do you enroll - are there qualifications? Audrey McCarthy asked can you enroll at any time? Answer - no, there are timelines. Superintendent Viccaro said she will get clarification on if you can enroll as a senior - she will get details of the program. College Acceptances She distributed a list to the Committee of where the graduates were going to a college or university. Superintendent Conference

6 This was an amazing conference on educating the whole child - emotional health for students - very positive conference - worthwhile. Nick dekanter inquired as to the stadium project - what is happening? Superintendent Viccaro explained that this has been pushed way back - we will not have use of the stadium until Thanksgiving. She will share with the Committee any changes that will take place. Cheryl Sweeney said the teachers will be back on September 1st. Students will start on September 2nd, She asked the Committee to let her know which school open house events they will be attending. ADJOURNMENT - EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion On a motion by Bruce Menin and seconded by Audrey McCarthy it was VOTED: To adjourn to Executive Session for discussion on administrative contracts and for strategy as it relates to negotiations with union and non-union employees. ROLL CALL VOTE: Cheryl Sweeney Steve Cole Nick dekanter Audrey McCarthy Bruce Menin, Mayor Holaday, Jay Iannini Absent