Carver Public Schools
Carver, Massachusetts
School Committee Meeting
Monday, December 4, 2006
Minutes
School Committee Members Present:
Kay Spencer, Chair
Mary Kaminski, Vice Chair
Al Spicer
Absent: Randy Webster
Present from School Administration:
Elizabeth Sorrell, Superintendent
Matthew Gillis, Director of Business & Finance
_______________________________________________________
Kay Spencer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
I. Comments from General Public
None
II. Comments from EAPC
Cathy Sharon-Matthews addressed the Committee about a memo received from Governor-Elect Deval Patrick regarding his transition website set up for the purpose of getting input from voters. She urged the community to submit their input regarding ideas that would benefit education and the Carver School system. Additionally, she expressed the EAPC’s appreciation of the Superintendent for her professional and respectful efforts in conducting informational meetings with each building to inform the teachers of revised and updated DOE regulations.
III. Updates from Student Advisory Council
Brittany Sherwood was present to report the following by class: Freshman: possibly conducting bake sale in December. Sophomores:
started sweatshirt sales, working on dance for after winter break, planning carwash for spring. Juniors: looking into Heifer Project for
community service, working on decoration details for Prom, completed Yankee candle fundraiser. Seniors: possible ski trip being
considered, Senior Show will be the second week in February to avoid other events, and will Adopt-a-Family for a holiday community
service. The Student Council had a successful Jolly Elf week concluding in a dinner. Staff appreciation was extended to custodians and
and lunch staff and next month will be Katrina fundraiser and stress free week.
III. Approval of Minutes
Mary Kaminski made a motion to accept both Nov. 13, 2006 regular and executive session minutes as written. Al Spicer second. All in
favor with one abstention. Mary Kaminski made a motion to accept the minutes from Nov. 28, 2006 joint meeting with Selectmen as
written. Al Spicer second. All in favor with one abstention.
IV. Communications
Kay Spencer read two letters, one from South Meadow Village Association regarding the dinner hosted by Freshman Class – the food was delicious but the hospitality of the students was so much more and a letter from Silver Maple Woodworking complimenting the junior class on their professional organization of the first annual craft fair. Liz Sorrell spoke about her conversation with Silver Lake Regional District relative to the possibility of students attending their vocational school if space allowed. They have a few additional programs over the Old Colony Vocational offerings and it could be an additional resource for our students who are interested in vocational education but are unable to attend Old Colony. The Executive Director from PCC forwarded a letter from our student, Lauren Hobbs regarding her experience at
PCC this past summer. Applications from Project Contemporary Competitiveness – Summer Enrichment Program 2007 are now available in the Middle and High School Guidance Offices. Liz Sorrell also extended the invitation to all to attend the School’s Holiday Concerts: High School 12/13, Elementary 12/14 and Middle School, 12/19.
IV. Reports from the Superintendent
A. Recognitions – Liz Sorrell recognized the outstanding efforts of Kathy Spencer, Dr. Grenier, Scott Knief and Maureen Gaughan for their work in bringing Carver’s drop out rate down from 7.6% to 3.9% -- 42 students to 21 students. Christine Cabral, Middle School Assistant Principal was recognized for her work organizing the Crusader Pride ceremony. The Junior Class was complimented on their successful spaghetti supper and kudos were extended to Mike Schultz, Phyllis Bowie and Kath Farrar and the cafeteria staff for the Thanksgiving Pre-Game Brunch for both the athletes and
the Carver and Middleboro communities.
B. Personnel – We are fully staffed with the exception of one opening for athletic trainer.
C. Professional Development – November 27 full day professional development continued focus on K-12 Literacy. The K-12 vertical teams are now starting to meet and their work on Benchmarks will be complete in April. Also, the Middle School teachers worked with a presenter from NELMS on using the STEPS program: Reading to Learn: a Content Teacher’s Guide.
D. Final Report of Space Needs from Kingscott & Associates – An extensive slide presentation was given of all Phase I information, a wrap up of the feasibility study. After the summary, Phase II –Problem Solving parameters were identified including estimates of probable construction cots, next steps: starting with MSBA process of submitting statement of
interest, working with MSBA to identify and follow their process and keeping the community informed of the needs and involved with the process and last to address the short term needs: HS roof, refinish auditorium stage floor, relocate MS nurse, two rooftop units at primary and decision on elementary grade level structure.
V. Recommendations from the Superintendent
A. Policy Actions: Fundraising (File JJE) and Parental Notification Relative to Sex Education (File IMBC) were presented for reading. No discussion or changes were made for Notification policy. Fund Raising Policy item #13 needs some additional clarification before presented for approval.
B. Field Trips: Five out of state field trips were presented for Committee Approval.
1. Senior Class trip to Newport Mansions, Rhode Island-12/8/06.
Motion to approve by Al Spicer, second Barry Struski. All in favor.
2. High School Band members to Providence College, Rhode Island–12/9/06.
Motion to approve, by Al Spicer, second Barry Struski. All in favor.
3. Grade 7 trip to Trinity Repertory Theater, Rhode Island–12/15/06.
Motion to approve, by Mary Kaminski, second Al Spicer. All in favor.
4. Grade 8 trip to Trinity Repertory Theater, Rhode Island–12/21/06.
Motion to approve, by Mary Kaminski, second Al Spicer. All in favor.
5. Grade 10 & 12 students for Marine Science Environmental Field trip to San Salvador Bahamas – 6/28 to 7/6/07.
Slide presentations given by Gloria Rice, Michelle Littleton and Michele Lanoue, High School Science Faculty,
regarding all details for this trip.
Motion to approve by Mary Kaminski, second by Barry Struski. All in favor.
C. Dental Survey – The Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine requested the district participate in an dental survey of kindergarten, grades 3 and 6. After a brief discussion the committee voted to decline this request because it was the feeling of the committee that these activities would be disruptive to the instructional process. Motion to decline by Mary Kaminski, second Barry Struski. All in favor.
D. Culinary Arts Revolving Fund – A request from Scott Knief, High School principal to create a revolving fund to support the student catering enterprise through the High School Culinary Arts program was presented. This is a self supporting and not for profit group. Motion to approve, by Barry Struski, second Al Spicer. All in favor. A new account number will be set up for this activity.
VI. Reports from the School Committee
Barry Struski thanked the community for their support and was pleased to accept the appointment through April at which time he plans to
“run” to continue in the position. Kay Spencer thanked Liz for all her efforts to date and the smooth transition within the schools and the
community since taking on her position as Superintendent on July 1st. Liz accepted the recognition and commented it “feels like home.”
VII. Executive Session
Kay Spencer requested motion to move to Executive Session not to return to Regular Session for purpose of discussing personnel
issues. Motion by Mary Kaminski, second by Al Spicer. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Annmarie G. Metrano, Recording Secretary
Approved unanimously by Committee 1-8-07
| 
