Town of Carver, MA - SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 9-18-06

Cathy Sharon-Matthews, Middle School Social Studies teacher, and EAPC VP elect addressed the committee. On behalf of the association, she officially welcomed Liz Sorrell as our new superintendent. She complimented the superintendent on her quick action to offer a solution to a recent issue and indicated how the association appreciated her efforts and are looking forward to a positive, congenial working relationship for the betterment of teachers and students alike.

Brittany Sherwood gave the following updates by class for 2006-07 school year. Freshman have class officer elections on October 3^rd. Sophomores have their first meeting on Sept. 19^th. Juniors had a raffle during summer and participated in family fun day. Prom is May 11^th at Indian Pond Country Club, Kingston. On October 28^th a Craft Fair will be held in CHS cafeteria from 9-3. Senior Class will be the host of the Home Coming on October 21^st.

Discussion will be held at next Senior class meeting regarding interest in attending Grad Night at Disney, Orlando. Based on sufficient interest, a fund raiser will be held; the cost is $1,000. Jeans Day for Breast Cancer fund raiser will be October 6^th. Senior pictures and candids for yearbook are due October 15^th. Student Council painted a mural with flag in the High School office during the summer. On opening day the Student Council welcomed students back with signs, balloons and stars with all students name on it. Coming up in October there will be a cookie dough fund raiser and Trick or Treat for canned goods, and Homecoming pep rally. The Class of 2006 gave a mascot costume to the Class of 2007, so there will be tryouts for the mascot. Appreciation for this month is bus drivers, special education and alternative education.

New correspondent for Carver Reporter Newspaper, Justin Marks was introduced. Kristen De’Oliveira has been transferred to Wareham area. Committee publicly thanked Kristen for all her efforts and outstanding reporting.

The Administrative Leadership Team worked together to provide a very smooth opening for all four schools. Thank you to the students, parents, bus drivers, transportation department, custodial staff, secretaries, teachers, and administrators for a great kick-off for the 2006-2007 school year.

Mike Schultz is to be commended for his careful scheduling and rescheduling of Fall Sports activities to accommodate the ban of all outdoor activities between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Thanks also to Rob Tinkham of the Carver Health Department for the consultation and information that led to the decision to limit outdoor activities due to the elevated risk of infection of EEE/WNV.

C.H.I.P. sponsored the annual golf tournament to support the Carver/Sacred Heart Hockey Team. Thanks to C.H.I.P. organization and to all the golfers for their support of the team.

Thank you to Carver Music Boosters for their continued support of the K-12 Music Program. At the first meeting the Boosters celebrated the success of the Summer Concert Series

B. Personnel Updates- Kevin Cyr was introduced by Scott Knief, High School Principal and welcomed officially as the new Carver High School Assistant Principal. Kevin is a South Shore native that began his career in North Reading, MA.

C. Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative School Grant Project -Carver Public Schools received notification from the Mass Cultural Council that they will fund an Art, Science and Literacy Professional Development project over the next two years. We will receive $25,200 for year one. Based on the evaluation of year one, we will receive at least that amount for year two. This grant will target teachers and students in grades 4 and 4 at the Governor John Carver Elementary School. This is a competitive grant. Motion to accept the funds made by Susan Drew, second by Mary Kaminski. Approved - All in favor.

D. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) - This data represents the progress that the Carver Public Schools are making to meet the No Child Left Behind milestone: All children will be proficient in English/Language Arts and Mathematics by 2014. The AYP formula is designed to measure incremental targeted improvement over time. The time span is divided into two year cycles. In 2006, the end of Cycle IV is marked by the AYP report. Carver Public Schools met the AYP targets in many areas but still have the challenge of meeting the target for all students.

With ALT - Administrative Leadership Team members regarding how much material is reasonable to be kept/stored by teaching staff. The Gov John Carver elementary has a basement, but there is about 60 years of records stored there. Most of the information can be disposed and it is being investigated along with the possibility of microfiche for maintaining future files.

F. Professional Development – The early literacy skills test (DIBELS) and GRADE upper level assessment for grades K-5 will be utilized by Primary and Elementary. The Middle School will use Strategies for Teaching Reading in Content area presented by NELMS and the High School will be presented with strategies for teaching reading in the content area (9-12) facilitated by Teachers 21. October 10^th and November 27^th will focus on literacy initiatives across all grade levels.

G. EEE/West Nile Virus – Updates - Mike Schultz, Director of Athletics and Comprehensive Health, school nurses and the Superintendent met with Bob Tinkham, Carver Health Agent on August 31, 2006. As a result of the early detection of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in both bird and human biting mosquitoes, health officials are concerned for potential risk to residents in many of the South Shore communities. It was agreed to ban all outdoor activities between dusk and dawn until further notice. This has been widely publicized.

At the request of the Curriculum Leadership Team, two task force appointments were designated to study the current and future needs of Foreign Language and Music. Christine Cabral, Middle School Assistant Principal will take charge of the K-12 Music Task Force and Jeanne Deanne, Foreign Language Department Chair will study Foreign Language needs. They will report to the school committee, probably in January.

A. Policy Readings –The following three policies were submitted for first reading by the School Committee: McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Policy, School Properties Disposition, and Wellness Policy.

Wellness Policy – This policy is a revision from last June including committee’s suggestions and an evaluation piece in the last section. Randy suggested including Board of Health and other town officials to be part of the yearly review of the policy. Mary Kaminski asked about the policy relative to food as a fund raiser, specifically the Senior Class donut sales for Senior Class Breakfast and bake sales. Liz Sorrell will speak with Mike Schultz relative to the intent of the policy vis-à-vis the possibility of interpreting the language in order for the Senior Class Breakfast and other “fund-raisers to continue. Action: School Committee Review, Vote Adoption on October 16, 2006.

School Property Disposition – After reviewing several MASC policies, Al Spicer and the Superintendent worked on changes to reflect the usual practice of Carver Public Schools for property disposal. This was the first reading. Action, School Committee Review, Vote Adoption on October 16, 2006. Discussion: Randy Webster would like to have information included in language relative to disposal of items in an environmentally friendly.

Homeless Education Assistance Policy – follows the required format and the law. This was the first reading. Action, School Committee Review, Vote Adoption on October 16, 2006.

B. Appointment to Recreation Commission – Scott Alexander, Jr. was introduced to the committee as a candidate for appointment to the Recreation Committee. He answered questions regarding his background and his motivation for working with the Recreation Commission. Randy Webster moved to appoint Mr., Alexander to Recreation Commission. Sue Drew second. Approved unanimously.

C. Accept Gift of Concession Stand from Boosters Club – Motion by Randy Webster to accept the concession stand, seconded by Mary Kaminski. Role call of membership - all in favor to accept with gratitude from the Athletic Booster Club with approved occupancy certificate from the Carver Building Inspector.

D. Food Service Bid – Costa, Inc. – Mary Kaminski motion to accept bid from Costa Foods. Al Spicer seconded. No discussion. All in favor to accept Costa Foods for cooperative bid with Wareham, Carver and Middleboro.

E. Virtual Town Hall – Information received from John Q. Adam, Town Accountant regarding virtual town hall was reviewed. School Department has been invited to participate in this virtual posting opportunity for the purpose of sharing meeting information, agendas and approved school committee minutes with the community. Posted information can be accessed via Carver Public Schools website (www.carver.org) and selecting School Committee Link. Mary Kaminski questioned how the minutes would be posted, it was explained they would only be posted after committee reviewed and approved. Randy Webster moved the motion to approve. Mary Kaminski seconded. All in favor.

F. Joint Meeting with Selectman - For Statement of Interest to be submitted to School Building Authority, it must be a joint vote with Select Board and School Committee. In order to accomplish this, we will have combined meeting with selectmen at 6:30 on October 16^th and Kingscott & Associates will provide a presentation on Space Needs Study to date. School Committee regular agenda will start at 7:30 p.m. on that evening. On October 24^th the school committee will join the selectmen’s meeting in Town Hall at 6:30 to vote on statement of interest.

G. MASC Delegate – for 2006-07 school year and November 8^th conference attendance. Randy Webster made a motion to nominate Kay Spencer as School Committee delegate and Mary Kaminski as alternate. Al Spicer seconded. Voted unanimously.

High School Cross Country participated in a fund raising opportunity. Al Spicer complimented the athletes and the coaches Mike Hanley and Justin Caldarone. Dave Wechter, Middle School student government advisor, was acknowledged for the efforts coordinating fund raiser with donations to Athena’s Hope. Mary Kaminksi said it was a wonderful opening for school, attended the first football game and was great to see excitement and energy and kudos to our new band director.

Randy Webster made a motion to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of employee working condition/benefit discussion not to return to regular session. Mary Kaminski seconded. All in favor.