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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES -5/12/2008
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Carver Public Schools

Carver, Massachusetts

School Committee Regular Meeting

Monday, May 12, 2008

Minutes

Members Present:        Kay Spencer, Chair
                        Mary Kaminski, Vice Chair
                        Al Spicer, Committee Member  

Barry Struski, Recording Secretary       

                        Paula Kibbe, Committee Member

Also Present:   Elizabeth Sorrell, Superintendent
                        Laura Tilton, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Technology
                        Matthew Gillis, Chief Operations & Financial Officer

Re-Organization

Meeting was called to order by Elizabeth Sorrell, Superintendent at 7p.m. for the purpose of re-organizing the School Committee for the 2008-2009 school year.  Mary Kaminski made a motion to nominate E. Kay Spencer as Chairperson.  Barry Struski second, All in favor.  Barry Struski made a motion to nominate Mary Kaminski to Vice Chair, Paula Kibbe second, All in favor.  Kay Spencer made a motion to nominate Paula Kibbe as Recording Secretary, Barry Struski second, All in favor.




Liz asked for a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Barry Struski made the motion and Paula Kibbe second. All in favor. 

Before the regular meeting was called to order, the Superintendent announced Kay Spencer has been named Carver’s Unsung Heroines of Massachusetts sponsored by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. The award recognizes women who use their time, talent, spirit and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others.  She will attend a ceremony at the State House on May 14th.  Kay was presented with a cake and flowers and was offered congratulations from her committee.



  1. Comments from General Public –  None





  • II.     Comments from EAPC - Connie Koffman and Mike Riordan attended.  Mr. Riordan congratulated Paula Kibbe for her election to the School Committee.  He reiterated the union’s concerns over class sizes as a result in reduction of force (staff).  Negotiations are continuing.





  • III.    Updates from Student Advisory Council & Captain’s Council – Cam Crehan and Kayla Morrison reported on the following events:  Student Council Banquet will be held on June 8th, the junior class will travel to New York, 50 freshmen participated in the Walk for Hunger, the students thanked the PTO for a wonderfully arranged Promenade and reported the Prom was a success.  The Senior Class of 2008 will start their graduation activities with a Dinner Dance on 5/22, Class Day on 5/27, Convocation on 5/28 and Graduation Ceremonies on Sunday, June, 1.

  • IV.     Approval of Minutes - Motion by Barry Struski to approve regular and executive session minutes of April 14, 2008. Second by Al Spicer.  All in favor with one abstention. 

  • V.      Communications:



A.      Mass ProStart Culinary Competition – Daniel Portelance, HS Culinary announced the results of the competition held on May 2, 2008.   High school students:  Matthew Myette, Ian Frazier, Ryan Toste and Sydney McClymonds entered both the restaurant management and culinary portion of the competition.  The students were judged by 16 members of the Mass Restaurant Association. Along with respected metals, each student was awarded over $20,000 in renewable scholarships.



B.      Grants– Shari Fedorowicz, HS Science Department Chair was recognized for her efforts in writing a Mass Biotechnology Education grant.  Carver Public Schools was awarded $7,800 in biotechnology equipment and $1200 in stipends for professional development for teachers. 

Lynn Bastoni was recognized for her efforts along with several parents for writing a grant through A.D. Makepeace Company for the Camp Bournedale Outdoor Environmental Education project for 2008-09 for $8125. Also a grant of $8092 was awarded for Implementation of Updated laboratories in Science.




  • C.  Parent letter: The Committee acknowledged receipt of a letter from Stephen Dewhurst, parent/community member.  The            Committee will follow up on his concerns and contact him directly.




  • VI.     Reports from the Superintendent

  1. Personnel:  The following personnel changes were noted:  Resignation of Patricia Halloran, HS Special Education; Karen Yung, HS English teacher; Patricia Sullivan, Gov. John Carver Elementary Principal; Donna McCarthy, Speech/Language Pathologist; Paula Hart, PS/ES Lunchroom Monitor.  Also Mary Ellen Pratt, MS Nurse and Mary Burleigh, Special Education teacher are retiring at the end of this school year.

  2. Enrollment/Class Size - Monthly enrollment report and comparison from previous year was distributed.  The loss of 70 students from same time previous year was noted. 




  • C.      Migration – data from each school for students both enrolling and withdrawing for the month of May was distributed.  A total of 12 students withdrew or enrolled throughout the district in this month. 

  • D.      Day on the Hill – Liz Sorrell, Superintendent and Barry Struski, Committee Member attended the Day on the Hill event on April 29th at the State House.  This full day conference sponsored by MASC (Mass Association of School Committees) was an opportunity to meet legislators and school committee members and educators from across the Commonwealth.  Barry Struski recommended for next year to have a student attend and also as many members as possible. 

  • E.      Coordinated Program Review – Maureen Gaughan, Director of Special Education presented an overview of the Coordinated Program Review conducted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Special Education Department and Civil Rights methods. She indicated that we had an overall positive review and the few findings that required corrective action are already in the process of being revised.  Additionally, she shared the high points of the compliments given to our district from the D.O.E. for programs in place that exceed the department’s criteria.  Mrs. Gaughan offered her personal thanks to her staff and the teachers of the district for their hard work and attention to the requirements necessary to make our student’s successful.

  • F.      Warrant Articles – The cost of continuing the feasibility study of the renovation of the primary and elementary schools was initially estimated at $80,000.  After further review, the MSBA added new items to be included in the feasibility study including detailed architectural information as to types and costs of mechanical systems, specific building materials, etc.  The new warrant amount will be $250,000, 56% of which will be reimbursed to the town upon the completion of the study.  This will go to vote at the Town Meeting on June 16, 2008.

  •        
  • G.      Class Size – The Superintendent gave an overview of the average class size per grade level.  There will be 7 full day Kindergarten classes with an average of 20 students with a teacher and part-time paraprofessional.  Grade 1 and 2 will have 6 classes each with an average size of 22/23.  Grade 3, 4 and 5 will have 7 classes each with an average of 22/23; 23/24; and 24/25 respectively.  At the Middle School, grade 6 will have 2 teams of 80 students per team with 19/20 students per class.  For grades 7-8, there will be 3 teams with 110 students per team.  Each team will have all cores subject every day plus all allied arts on a rotating basis.  Both French and Spanish will be offered.  At the high school, class size is determined by student choice.  The average class will be 22/24.

  •  



VII.    Recommendations from the Superintendent

               

A.        Student Handbooks 2008-2009 – Mary Beth Rodman and Matthew MacCurtain presented the combined Primary and Elementary School Handbook.  Changes were highlighted.  No discussion.  Al Spicer made a motion to approve as presented.  Mary Kaminski second.  All I favor. 



Lynn Bastoni presented the MS handbook changes.  Motion to accept by Mary Kaminski, second by Al Spicer.  All in favor. The High School handbook presentation was given by Kevin Cyr and Scott Knief. Highlights such as dress code, late sign=ins, senior breakfast privileges were discussed.  Barry Struski made a motion to accept the handbook as presented.  Mary Kaminski second.  All in favor.



B.      School Choice Vote – The committee unanimously voted not to participate in School Choice for the 2008-2009 school year.  The motion was made by Al Spicer, second by Barry Struski.

C.      Student Activity Agency Account – Policy DG Revision – First reading and discussion of revisions to this policy were held.  Matthew Gillis, Chief Operations & Financial Officer recommended the revisions to insure cash flow for various student activities.  The maximum balance that may be on deposit for Middle School will be changed to $12,000 and for High School, $18,000. The policy will be brought before committee in June for a vote to accept the revisions as presented.

D.      School Committee Meeting Dates for 2008-2009 – Committee members reviewed dates for next school year.  The calendar was not approved because several members had a conflict with the opening (August) date.  Members will check their schedules and confirm the schedule at the June meeting.

E.      READS - In keeping with past practice, the school committee took the following:

1.       Elizabeth A. Sorrell, Superintendent is appointed to serve as the Carver School District representative on the Board of Directors of R.E.A.D.S. Inc. for the 2008-2009 school year. Action: Mary Kaminski made a motion to approve, Barry Struski,     second. All in favor.



2.      Elizabeth A. Sorrell, is appointed to serve as the Carver School District representative on the Board of Directors of READS Collaborative, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws , Chapter 40, Section 4E, for the 2008-2009 fiscal school year. Action: Barry Struski made a motion to approve, Al Spicer, second.  All in favor.

3.      Pursuant to Massachusetts General laws, Chapter 268A , Section 19(b)(1), Elizabeth A. Sorrell is hereby exempt from the provisions of Section 19(b) and may participate as a member of the Board of Directors of READS  Collaborative in the following transactions between the Collaborative and R.E.A.D.S. Inc:

  • The Collaborative paying rent to the Corporation for facilities.
  • The collaborative purchasing occupational therapy, physical therapy, and adaptive physical education services from the Corporation.
  • The Collaborative transferring interest earned to the Corporation to reduce the cost of a clinic evaluation.
  • The allocation of a portion of the administrative budget to the Corporation.

       
                Action: Mary Kaminski made a motion to approve, Paula Kibbe, second.    All in favor.  



F.       Accept Grants - totaling $18, 592.00 for High school science and  
         $ 8,125.00  for Middle School!     Grand total:  $26,717.00



Accept the grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institute for $500 plus $1000 Stipend for professional development for teachers.



                         
         Accept the grant $7,800 in biotechnology equipment and $1200 in stipends for professional development for teachers.  



Accept the Makepeace Grant for technology equipment for high school science for $8,092.00.

          
                Accept the Makepeace Grant for scholarships to Camp Bournedale for Carver Middle School for $8,125.00.



                Action:  Al Spicer made motion to approve all grants as awarded,  
                Paula Kibbe second. All in favor.  




G.            Old Colony Vocational Technical School Member – A letter of request for re-appointment to the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical School Committee was received from Thomas Emord of 24 Jowett Street.  This appointment, for a 3 year term, must be made in conjunction with the Selectmen and the Town Administrator.  Prior to the town meeting on May 20th, the School Committee, Select Board and Town Administrator will meet to vote this appointment.  Unanimous support from school committee to re-appoint Mr. Emord.




H.           Ben Ellis School – Town Counsel informed the School Committee they would have to take a vote on Article 18 for Annual Town meeting to transfer the Ben Ellis School to the selectmen prior to town meeting on May 20th.   Mary Kaminski expressed her surprise and disappointment that it was placed as a warrant article without prior discussion.  Barry Struski asked what the benefit would be to the town, the motivation to make the transfer.  As a historic building, he would not like to see it torn down.  Paula Kibbe asked for the pros and cons of ownership of the building.   The superintendent will contact the Board of Selectmen to ask for clarification on the stewardship of Ben Ellis prior to the Town Meeting.

I.      Out of Country Field Trip –

        1.  San Salvador Island, Bahamas.  Gloria Rice and Michelle Littleton, HS Science teachers have requested permission for this field trip for Grade 9-11 science students.  The trip would be June 25-July 2, 2009.  Permission was requested early I order to promote the trip to the students.  Mary Kaminski made a motion to approve, Paula Kibbe second.  All in favor.

        2. Trip to EUROPE.  Jeanne Deanne, H.S. Foreign Language department chair made  a request to approve the annual Europe trip for April 2009.  The request is being made early in order to promote the trip to the students before the close of this school year in order to “lock-in” current trip rates.  Al Spicer made a motion to approve, Mary Kaminski second.  All in favor.




VII.    Reports from the School Committee – Kay Spencer read a letter received from a parent regarding the car incident on our high/middle school fields.  The parent expressed her concern about the safety of our children.  She indicated that although she is aware of the budget problems facing the schools, she asked if the committee could place fencing or stop poles around the athletic fields.  The Superintendent indicated that options are being investigated from a fence to a simple barrier.  Mary Kaminski indicated she felt the elementary school near the playground/parking lot held the same potential for a similar incident.  Al Spicer asked for an estimate of damages. 



The committee asked Jeanne Deane, HS Foreign Language Chair, to comment on the trip to Europe. 35 students traveled to Paris, Florence and Rome. The students had a wonderful time and were exemplary travelers and ambassadors for our school. 



IX              Executive Session



          

  •         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, Al Spicer second.  All in favor by role call.



Meeting adjourned: 9:42p.m.
               
Next regular meeting: Monday, June 9, 2008

Respectfully submitted by:  Annmarie G. Metrano, Secretary