Town of Carver, MA - SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES

Carver Public Schools

Carver, Massachusetts

School Committee Meeting

Monday, May 14, 2007

Committee Members Present:

E. Kay Spencer, Chair

Mary Kaminski, Vice Chair

Barry Struski, Secretary

School Administration Present:

Elizabeth Sorrell, Superintendent

Matthew Gillis, Director of Business & Finance

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Kay Spencer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Re-organization of School Committee for 2007-2008 school year:

Appointment of Chair: Randy Webster made a motion to appoint E. Kay Spencer, Barry Struski seconded. All in favor.

Appointment of Vice Chair: Randy Webster made a motion to appoint Mary Kaminski, Barry Struski seconded. All in favor.

Appointment of Recording Secretary: Randy Webster made a motion to appoint Annmarie Metrano, Barry Struski seconded. All in favor.

Appointment of Sub-Committees:

Policy: Mary Kaminski and Al Spicer

Superintendent Evaluation: Kay Spencer/Mary Kaminski

District-Wide School Council Liaison Randy Webster

Capital Outlay Committee Randy Webster

Space Needs Committee Randy Webster

Teacher Mary Kaminski/Kay Spencer

Custodians Al Spicer/Barry Struski

Secretaries Randy Webster

Bus Drivers Barry Struski/Al Spicer

Appointing Authority Old Colony Reg. Voc. Kay Spencer, Mary Kaminski, and

Mary Kaminski made motion to move all appointments as indicated, Barry Struski second. All in favor.

I. Weight Room Report

Michael Schultz, Director of Comprehensive Health and Athletics presented an overview of the Weight/Fitness Room for the high school students and use by the community. The Athletic Boosters Club hired Paul Blanchard, Architect to support this project. The time line is May-Sept. 2007. Demolition of existing area in June, construction in July and August and open in September for the start of the 2007-2008 school year. The existing weight room facility would expand from 28x29 to 35x29 with an estimated cost of $20,000 which includes labor. The labor portion of the expense is anticipated to be covered with volunteer efforts. For funding, the Boosters club has committed $2500, the Lions Club, $5000 so additional money needs to be raised for the completion of the project. We will use the current weight/fitness training equipment we have, but eventually we would need to purchase bikes and elliptical machines for cardio. Mary Kaminski gave kudos to Athletic Boosters for taking on the support of this project after having just completed the concession stand.

II. Introductions of New Staff

Laura Tilton, .5 Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Technology was introduced. This is a new position for the district and she will coordinate the math instruction iniatives for next year. Lynn Bastoni, was introduced as the new Middle School. She will start in July and replace the retiring Daniel Daly. Lynn comes to us from Gates Intermediate School in Scituate as Assistant Principal and science teacher experience. Matthew MacCurtain will be the new Assistant Principal at the Governor John Carver Elementary School replacing Janet O’Connor who has retired. Matt comes to us from West Bridgewater schools with teaching and extensive technology experience. Danielle Miller was introduced as the Middle School Choral teacher. This is a new position at the Middle School to provide equal access to all students to allied arts.

III. Comments from EAPC

EAPC extended a warm welcome to the new staff. Cathy Sharon-Matthews attended the annual MTA meeting of delegates and shared the concern across the state of dire regarding financial situations and Chapter 70 funding. Also the MTA is concerned about state mandates for assessments. The electives that many students have looked forward to are being sacrificed in many districts to put in more math and English courses.

IV. Update by Student Advisory & Captains’ Council

None. Both Student Advisory and Captains Council representatives were at away athletic games. Scott Knief, Principal of CHS, took the opportunity to commend the junior class, their advisor and the PTO promenade committee for the wonderful promenade event and prom.

V. Comments from the General Public

Several members from the community expressed their concern and disappointment for the changes happening to the multi age K-2 program. As of next year, kindergarten will not be offered through the multi-age program. Many shared their experiences of their children’s success in this program and their fear that the entire multi-age program will disappear. The school committee indicated the change was only for the kindergarten level and not grades 2-5.

Stephen Dewhurst addressed the committee relative to the middle school music program. He proposed an increase in performance music to full time and wants to give parents the option of dropping out of art and health to implement this. He also commented that the schools facilities would need to be properly set up to accommodate general music.

VI. Approval of Minutes

Mary Kaminski made a motion to accept the regular session minutes of April 9, 2007 as written. Barry Struski second. Approved, all in favor.

VII. Communications

A. Memorandum of Understanding for Ben Ellis was submitted for reading. The redevelopment authority proposes entering into a joint agreement as to the marketing, potential sale and/or lease of the Ben Ellis school building. Their memorandum of agreement had 9 items, however, the superintendent and business manager added a final item indicating in the event of a sale/lease the School Dept. will receive the rental fees or the monies from the sale minus the expenses incurred through the marketing process by the RDA. Action was tabled until the June school committee meeting.

B. Professional Development brochures have been distributed to staff in our district for summer 2007 opportunities. This information is also available through the school website. Any members of the community are also invited to participate. The superintendent

C. Chapter 70 allocations – an updated chart of FY08 Local Aid was distributed to members.

VIII. Reports from Superintendent

A. Recognitions – the Superintendent congratulated the middle school music students and Mr. Teunis for the wonderful performances at the SEMSBA Music Festival. Also thank you to the art and music teachers (Deb Giokas, Gil Barakat, Sue Modica, and Candy Stansfield) at the Governor John Carver for the wonderful Art Show and the third grade recorder concert.

B. Also kudos to the high school students in Mary Willett’s class and the National Honor Society for their assistance in collating the Crisis Manuals for the district. These manuals have been revised for distribution in the fall. This is a first start for additional revisions as required.

Thank you to teachers, Clare Brady, Jeanne Deane, Sue Spillane and Carole Caldarone who chaperoned the student trip to Europe. Thank you to principal, Dan Daly for requesting the Fox 25 traffic helicopter visit to Carver Middle School….the students and staff wore red shirts to spell out FOX 25! on the football field. This was a real community building experience.

C. Personnel – we are on our way to being fully staffed for the 07-08.

D. Enrollment reports were distributed. The lowest numbers of the year were on October 1 and this is how the funding is determined for the year. Many states average the previous year for funding rather than taking the October 1 snapshot. The superintendent would like to the Senate President about changing this formula.

E. Day on the Hill – The superintendent attended and heard from the House Ways and Means Committee, Representatives and Senators. The stress of the unknown funding on a town was discussed.

F. District Improvement Plan – End of Year Report – the principals from each school gave highlights of the accomplishments to their goals from the district improvement plans. In June, the schools will submit their goals for the next year through their school improvement plans. The Director of Business and Superintendent also reported on goals from their areas.

G. Bus Bid and Award – the purchase of four new 71 passenger school buses will be placed on Town Warrant Article #8. The bids were opened on April 25, 2007 and the recommendation is to award the contract to O’Connor GMC. Delivery is scheduled for late June. Randy Webster made a motion to accept the bid, Mary Kaminski second. All in favor.

IX. Recommendations from the Superintendent

A. School Choice Vote –Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 76, Section 12B states that schools must accept or reject school choice for the next fiscal year before June 1 each year. Randy Webster made a motion, Al Spicer second that Carver Public Schools will NOT participate in School Choice for the 2007-2008 school year. By role call and unanimous vote.

B. READS Collaborative Annual vote - Barry Struski made a motion to recommended the appointment of the Carver Superintendent of Schools, Liz Sorrell, as the district representative to the Board of Directors of READS Collaborative for the 2007-2008 school year. Mary Kaminski second. All in favor.

C. The school committee unanimously approved the disposal of computers and parts so inventoried that are beyond their useful life of service.

D. A.D. Makepeace Grants. Two grants were awarded: Reading Rocks for $9352.000 for a summer school program for students K-5 and $5000 for the purchase of six lap top computers for use in the Ramsey Library. The fitness grant proposal was not awarded because it did not quite fit the academic purpose of their program. Barry Struski made a motion to accept the grant awards, Al Spicer second. All in favor.

X. Reports from School Committee

Committee encouraged parents/community to attend Annual Town meeting on May 21, 2007 at 7p.m. – no money articles will be voted at this meeting. There will be a second meeting for money articles.

Kay Spencer and Mary Kaminski met with the superintendent to review her annual evaluation. The committee thanked her for all her hard work this year and look forward to her continued leadership.

XI. Executive Session

Chairperson asked for motion to adjourn, made by Barry Struski, second by Al Spicer.

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Next regular meeting: June 11, 2007

Respectfully submitted:

Annmarie G. Metrano, Recording Secretary