Carver Public Schools
Carver, Massachusetts
School Committee Regular Meeting
Monday, November 5, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Kay Spencer, Chair
Mary Kaminski, Vice Chair
Al Spicer
Barry Struck
Randy Webster
Also Present: Elizabeth Sorrell, Superintendent
Matthew Gillis, Director of Business & Finance
Laura Tilton, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Technology
Kay Spencer called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
I. Comments from General Public
Helen Bradbury, Director of the Christopher Donovan Center introduced herself and indicated her willingness to answer questions relative to the school for the committee to approve private school policy.
II. Comments from EAPC
None.
III. Updates from Student Advisory Council and Captain’s Council
Erica Kierstead and Kayla Morrison, Student Advisors reported the following: The freshman made about $400 selling snacks at Homecoming. They are hosting a free dinner for Senior Citizens on December 5th. The sophomores are having a bake sale at Shaw’s on November 17th. The Juniors had a craft fair on November 3rd, for the second year the weather was not cooperative but they it was still a worthwhile fundraiser. The Seniors made $5000 for treasury from Homecoming Dance. Blood drive will be held for Acacia Rizzo on November 19th from 2-7 p.m.
Student Council: Elderly dinner/pie social was held for South Meadow Village. Cookie dough sales were successful (about $2000). A Rock-a-thon is planned for November 15th. Teams of 5 students will Rock for 5 hours with teams, the money will be given to Veterans returning from Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. The Student Council Executive Board will go to New York City on December 1st for a team bonding experience. At this point, the school committee voted on field trip to approve as noted in section VII – B.
Lacey Olson, Captain’s Council representative reported the following: The fall season has just about finished and we had South Shore League All Stars: 3 field hockey, 2 girls soccer, boys and girls cross country had 2 each, and boys soccer had 5 with an undefeated season and they are in quarter finals. Of special note, Kayla Littig has earned a place in the 100 Point Club for Field Hockey. Winter sports will start for the high school the Monday after thanksgiving (11/26) and Middle sports start December 7th. More details are on website.
IV. Custodial Grievance Hearing
Walter Cole, Carver Public Schools custodian and Cara Winslow, AFSCME, Local 93 union representative came before the committee regarding a grievance which had been filed through initial steps. By mutual agreement, steps 1 and 2 were waived because these individuals did not have the authority to make a decision. The grievance was most recently denied by the Superintendent. The position of groundskeeper was posted internally and externally. However, the due to an advertising problem with the local newspaper, the initial deadline to apply needed to be extended. The union feels in the past there was a courtesy of internal bidding. They feel the extension and outside posting created an inequality and they wish to challenge this change of process because they believe strongly the current employees should have a
first choice. Mark LeBarnes, union steward, also commented since the retirement of the previous groundskeeper, the job responsibilities have been covered by the custodial department.
The chair thanked Ms. Winslow and Mr. Cole for their time and comments. The committee will make a decision regarding this matter during executive session and will correspond as soon as possible with the parties involved.
V. Approval of Minutes
Motion by Barry Struck to approve regular and executive session meeting minutes of October 15, 2007. Second by Randy Webster, all in favor. Motion by Mary Kaminski to approved executive session minutes from October 30, 2007. Second by Al Spicer, approved with one abstention (B. Struck).
VI. Reports from the Superintendent
A. Enrollment – Monthly enrollment report and also a comparison from last year to this year was distributed. The loss from last year is 27 students. Next month, a class size report will be provided.
B. Migration – data from each school for students both enrolling and withdrawing for the month of October was distributed.
C. MCAS Score Results –Laura Tilton, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology presented a power-point overview on the district MCAS scores, in the aggregate, in sub-groups, by grade levels, etc. Information by cohort is the same group over time, by grade level is a snapshot of the same group. The Department of Education uses grade level data for our AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress). Of note, the grade 10 ELA and Math scores are higher than the state level.
D. Staph/MRSA Infections – Michael Schultz, Director of Athletics and Comprehensive Health and Lindsey Spencer, senior student intern, presented an information/reference overview of Staph and MRSA infections and what our district is doing about this situation. The power point presented at this meeting will be placed on the district web site. Also, a presentation will be given to the Middle/High School students to stay proactive in our education to avoid this infection. Currently, all gym lockers have been cleaned out, floors, surfaces and mats have been cleaned/disinfected. Mary Kaminski suggested giving the presentation to sports groups. The superintendent replied the Board of Health and school nurses are taping a community service piece to be shown on CCAT/cable.
VII. Recommendations from the Superintendent
A. Private School Policy – The superintendent contacted the Department of Education at the request of the school committee and it is our district’s responsibility to approve any private schools. Our proposed policy has not yet been reviewed by council. Mary Kaminksi indicated she was still uncomfortable with the role of approving the school and wanted to make sure the check list of appropriate and comprehensive rational was current. The most recently revised check list available from the DOE is as of 2006. Helen Bradbury, indicated
she employees certified teachers, who will be CORI approved. She will be adopting Carver’s curriculum/benchmarks and currently has 11 students at her school. The final decision to accept the private school policy in order to move forward with the schools acceptance was tabled to December meeting.
B. Out of State Field Trip – High School Student Council Executive Board to travel to New York City on December 1, 2007. Motion to approve by Randy Webster, second by Al Spicer. All in favor. Grade 7 Trailblazers request to travel to Providence, Rhode Island to Trinity Theater on December 18, 2007. Motion to approve by Al Spicer, Barry Struck, second. All in favor.
C. Thanksgiving Brunch – a letter was shared with committee from Middleboro’s superintendent, Dr. Robert Sullivan, regarding the annual Thanksgiving brunch. It has been the tradition for Carver and Middleboro to take turns providing a brunch before the Thanksgiving football game. This year, Middleboro has announced they will be unable to continue this tradition due to severe budget cuts. The superintendent and committee supported this decision.
VIII. Reports from the School Committee
Mary Kaminski commented on the National Honor Society induction. The students were wonderful and teachers did an outstanding job as their sponsors.
The initial meetings with FinCom have started for the FY’09 year and it is not looking promising for the budget. On a proactive note, the School Committee is meeting with the town department heads in order to work together on the budget that will be brought before the town in May.
XI. Executive Session
The Chair asked for a motion and role call to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel issues, not to return to regular session. Mary Kaminski made the motion, Al Spicer second. Roll call to approve.
Meeting adjourned:8:25 PM.
Next regular meeting: Monday, December 10, 2007
Respectfully submitted by: Annmarie G. Metrano, Recording Secretary
Minutes approved December 10, 2007.
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