Town of Carver, MA - SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES 3/10/08

The Superintendent and the Chief Operations and Financial Officer co-presented the FY-09 School Department budget to the committee and the public. The budget request is $21,002,541 less Chapter 70 Aid of $10,319,108 with a net to Carver tax payers of 410,683.433. This is a $41,201 reduction in request from taxpayers for education from the previous year. In presenting this budget, however, many reductions had to be made including the reduction in force of 11 teaching positions and eliminating over $40,000 in non-salary items.

Barry Struski asked how the elimination of teachers with this budget will affect class sizes. The superintendent indicated class size would be approximately 20-21 students with a high end of 26-28. Mary Kaminski asked if we had any prospects for renting the Ben Ellis School for possible additional revenue. There is a local collaborative school showing some interest but nothing definite at this time. Scott McCaig, from the Finance Committee, commended the committee and administrators for working together to present this budget and acknowledged the hardships the school will face as a result of having to present a budget with so many financial cuts. He told the committee the FInCom would have no problem supporting this budget at the Annual Town Meeting.

I. Comments from General Public - Lisa Roe, Den Mother for Webelos Cub Scout Pack 63, brought her scouts to complete requirements for a badge. Each scout introduced themselves and gave a brief comment regarding what they have learned about the school system.

II. Comments from EAPC - Connie Koffman and Mike Riordan attended. Mike spoke to the budget and even though he commended the committee and administration for their work he also expressed the concern about losing staff members and the difficulty it presents in returning the positions to the teaching unit. Also, the EAPC in conjunction with the MTA are working together to offer a workshop on electronic messaging (i.e., e-mail, texting, facebook, etc.) and the appropriate boundaries for staff.

On Valentine’s Day, a Heart Awareness presentation was done throughout the school hallways, for spirit week there will be a semi- formal dance during end of March, Senior Class had a successful Lock-In and are planning their Senior Show and Dinner Dance, Juniors are finalizing Prom plans, hosted a Hypnotist Show and will also host a faculty/student basketball game. The Sophomores are planning a New York trip and are hosting a St. Patrick’s dinner for South Meadow Village residents. Approximately 50 freshman attended a Freshmen Summit through the Athletic Department. The summit was various workshops on leadership, time management, etc.

A. Resignation/Retirements – Retirement of Helen Robinson, Middle School Guidance was announced. Also, resignations were accepted from Cara Yahrling, High School art teacher and Christopher Pratt, technology assistant. The Committee expressed their gratitude to all these staff members for their years of service and commitment to the students of Carver Public Schools.

B. Destination Imagination Tournament–Connie Koffman, Regional DI advisor reported that Carver sent 6 teams to the regional competition held this year at Whitman-Hanson High School. Two high school teams are advancing to state competition level. She encouraged more involvement from students as this year Carver had more coaching volunteers than they had students to participate on teams. At the beginning of every school year, information is always available to join Destination Imagination.

B. Migration – data from each school for students both enrolling and withdrawing for the month of January was distributed. A total of 29 students withdrew or enrolled throughout the district in this month.

C. Music Accomplishments: This year we had six Carver High School students audition for Senior SEMSBA and four were selected. They will all be attending the SEMSBA festival which will be held this year at Sharon High School on April 11 and 12. Seventeen students were selected from Carver Middle and High School students were for the Junior SEMSBA ensembles for both vocal and instrumental.

This report was presented by Candace Weiler, Principal and Mary Beth Rodman, Assistant Principal of the E.K. Washburn Primary School. A Task Force was formed to review, research and present results of the possibility of offering a full day kindergarten program starting next school year. This was prompted by the opportunity to receive a grant of $105,000 for FY’08 and FY’09 for start up costs, including training teachers, and buying one time purchases including curriculum materials, furniture and computer technology.

In January 2008, Carver was one of 35 districts to receive this transitional grant. The task force was charged to make recommendations to the School Committee at this meeting. The Committee drafted a questionnaire for parents asking what their questions and concerns were for the potential of a full-day kindergarten program. South Shore towns were also surveyed to find out who had full day programs.

Due to the restructuring of the Primary School staff, 3 teachers will be reassigned to the kindergarten faculty, making 7 kindergarten classrooms. No additional teachers will be hired. The average class size will be approximately 20 students to 1 teacher and 1 paraprofessional. If approved, the Task Force will continue to help the transition from half-day to full-day. Kindergarten teachers will visit other full day programs in the area. Summer training for teachers and paraprofessionals will take place. A kindergarten parent orientation will be presented on Thursday, May 15^th. The creation of a full day kindergarten program will not have any impact on the school budget and will not increase taxes. The revenues from Chapter 70 aid will increase and state aid will increase $232,000. Studies show that children who participated in full-day kindergarten made statistically significant gains in both reading and mathematics when compared to children who participated in half-day programs.

At the conclusion of the research process, the Task Force voted unanimously to recommend the full-day kindergarten program to the School Committee. The committee commended the task force for their thorough work. Randy Webster asked if we would be hiring additional paraprofessionals. The answer was yes and the cost will be covered for one year by the grant. Also the question of transportation was addressed. Kindergarteners would ride on buses with 1^st through 5^th graders. Mary Kaminski asked how rest time would be handled for the younger children as we increase to a six hour day. The state does regulate rest time and the staff would incorporate it into the day. Barry Struski commented with the extended day, the offerings are given over a more paced time-line. Randy Webster made a motion to approve the full day kindergarten program. Al Spicer second. All in favor.

A. Full Day Kindergarten grant. – A grant for the amount of $105,000 has been received for start up costs, materials, etc. from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Randy Webster made a motion to accept the grant to fund full day kindergarten. Barry Struski, second. All in favor.

B. Out of State Field Trip – Senior Class has requested to go overnight to New York on May 22^nd. The committee wanted a structured agenda and agreed in concept that they were inclined to approve the trip; however, the superintendent will request more details before an action vote can be taken.

C. Out of State Field Trip – Sophomore Class was represented by student Andrew Clinton who wrote the proposed agenda for a one day trip to New York on 6/7/08. This class was scheduled to travel to New York as 8^th graders but was unable to do so because of the tragedy of 9-11. Randy Webster made a motion to approve, Mary Kaminski, second.

D. Out of State Field Trip – Junior Class was represented by their advisor, Roger Tait. They have proposed a 4 day/3 night trip in October 2009 to Williamsburg, VA. The cost will include flights, hotels, tours, and food. Fundraising will take place to assist in per person cost. Mary Kaminski made a motion to approve, Al Spicer second. All in favor.

E. Request to Recycle Computer Equipment – a list of obsolete computers and/or related materials was submitted by the technology department for permission to dispose of these items. Barry Struski made a motion to approve request, Randy Webster, second. All in favor.

Reported negotiations with EAPC are on-going. Randy Webster gave kudos to Liz and Matt for the work done with the Capital Outlay committee on Saturday, 3/18/08 and reiterated the collaborative efforts of the school department with all other town departments working together on a fiscally sound budget.

Liz announced to the committee and public that the approved 2008-2009 calendar had been distributed to teachers/staff and was available to the generally public via the homepage of the school website, www.carver.org.

Kay Spencer asked for a motion to go into Executive Session, not to return to Regular Session for the purpose of discussing personnel issues. Mary Kaminksi made the motion, Randy Webster second. All in favor by role call.