OPEN SESSION SHARON PUBLIC SCHOOLS School Committee Meeting Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Administration Building One School Street Sharon, MA 02067

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1 OPEN SESSION SHARON PUBLIC SCHOOLS School Committee Meeting Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Administration Building One School Street Sharon, MA Present: Glenn Allen, Mitchell Blaustein, Jeffrey Cruzan, Jon Hitter, Laura Salomons and Emily Smith-Lee Also Present: Dr. Barbara Dunham, Kevin O Rourke, Jose Libano and members of the community MOTION: (Salomons/Hitter) Moved to enter into Executive Session for discussion of redacted Executive Session minutes at 7:01 p.m. with the intent to return to Open Session. Yes Vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee G. Allen reconvened the Open Session meeting to order at 7:27 p.m. ADMINISTRATIVE/REGULAR ITEMS Correspondence E. Smith-Lee read verbatim a letter from Eric Blatte in which he outlined his opinion on subcommittees. Student Representative There was no student representative present at this evening s meeting. Announcements Dr. Dunham announced that the Sharon Public Schools was the recipient of two generous donations: 1) A Getzen trombone donated by Rawall Hodgkinson and Leslie Amper 2) A First Act clarinet donated by Ruth Barnert A thank you letter will be sent on behalf of the Committee and administration. SUPERINTENDENT S ITEMS Update: Web pages and Power School Dr. Dunham updated the Committee on the progress of the web pages being placed on line. Teachers are being trained/encouraged to use First Class for posting homework assignments and relative information. Leo Brehm, Director of Technology, or his staff has been attending staff meetings and department meetings in order to conduct training for departments. Future plans are to have grades and attendance for middle and high school accessible on line. Cottage Street School has active web pages. There are plans to improve participation at East and Heights.

2 Presentation of School Improvement Plans (SIPS) Sharon High School SIP Principal, Jose Libano, presented a brief overview of Sharon High Schools twoyear ( ) Improvement Plan, based on measurable achievements. Team members: Jose Libano, Erika Knipp, Erin Regan, Kathleen Turner, Kathy Hershfield, Richard Godmintz, Jeanne Perrin, Lois Zanbello, Allison Kozol, Leah Morrissey, Vineeta Nangia, Linda Dillon, Bonnie Klane. Area s of achievement: addition of 2 modular classrooms, instituting the Virtual High School, which will allow SHS students to take courses on-line, working to align assessments, Eagle Block, reinstitution of the Halloween Assembly and Senior Class Night, and examining the possibility of incorporating community service learning into the curriculum. Following J. Libano s presentation, there was a Q&A with the Committee. Middle School SIP Principal, Kevin O Rourke, presented a brief overview of this year s Sharon Middle School s School Improvement Plan. Team members: Kevin O Rourke, Gayle Logan, Elisa Reeves, Shawn Flaherty, Lauren McCluskey, Jill Dougherty, Kimberly Lurie, Felice Nierman, Jackie Mann. Areas of achievement: ground breaking has begun on the Middle School Renovation Project, a successful Advisory Program has been implemented, integration of technology into the classroom/curriculum continues, as well as training teaching staff to utilize teacher websites. Following K. O Rourke s presentation, there was a Q&A with the Committee. DECISION ITEMS Vote School Handbooks G. Allen stated that the handbooks were distributed for Committee review at the June 16 th meeting. There being no further questions/concerns regarding the handbookds, G. Allen asked for a motion to approve the Elementary, Middle and High School Handbooks. MOTION: ( Salomons/Hitter) Moved to approve the Elementary, Middle and High School Handbooks as discussed on June 16 th and with the revisions as presented on June 23 rd. Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee Vote Project Contracts Bids received June 23 rd Dr. Dunham briefly highlighted the June 23 rd memorandum, which outlined the recent bid openings/results for the following capital projects: High School Weight Room Five bid packets were picked up by interested contractors/bidders. Three bids were received from: Zander Corporation, 8 Elk Run Drive, Middleboro, MA Webster Construction, Co., Inc., 53 Clapp Street, Boston, MA 02125

3 M. O Connor Contracting, Inc., 19 Ledge Hill Road, West Roxbury, MA Zander, Webster and M. O Connor met all bid criteria requirements. Bid Breakdown: Zander Corporation $477,900 Webster Construction $257,000 M. O Connor $367,500 MOTION: (Hitter/Salomons) Moved that the School Committee award the contract for all related services, supplies, materials and labor in order to perform all necessary work on the Sharon High School weight room to: Webster Construction, Co., Inc., 53 Clapp Street, Boston, MA in the amount of $257,000. Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee East Elementary School Corridor Wall finish Five bid packets were picked up by interested contractors/bidders. One bid was received from Kneeland Construction Corporation, 407 Mystic Avenue, Suite 34B, Medford, MA Kneeland Bid breakdown: Kneeland Corporation met all bid criteria requirements and their pricing was $84,670 MOTION: (Hitter/Cruzan) Moved that the School Committee award the contract for all related services, supplies, materials and labor in order to perform all necessary repairs and installation of corridor wall covering at the East Elementary School to: Kneeland Construction Corporation, 407R Mystic Avenue, Medford, MA in the amount of $84,670. Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee High School Tennis Court Four bids were received from: East Coast Sealcoating, Inc. 766 Adams Street, Abington, MA Vermont Recreational, P.O. Box 147, Barnet VT Cape and Island Tennis & Track, P.O. Box 1100, Pocasset, MA East Coast, Vermont Recreational and Cape & Island met all bid criteria requirements. The fourth bid: New England Sealcoating Co., Inc. was disqualified due to not following required bidding procedures. East Coast Sealcoating and Cape & Islands met all bid criteria requirements. Bid breakdown: East Coast Sealcoating $18,378 Vermont Recreational $16,000* Cape & Islands $18,700 * Vermont Recreational bid price did not include the manufacturer recommended coat of binder. MOTION: (Hitter/Salomons) Moved that the School Committee award the contract for all related services, supplies, materials and labor in order to perform all necessary repairs and resurfacing of the Sharon High School exterior tennis courts to: East Coast Sealcoating, Inc., 766 Adams Street, Abington, MA in

4 the amount of $18,378. Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee High School Track Resurfacing Two bids were received from: Cape and Island Tennis & Track, P.O. Box 1100, Pocasset, MA All American Sports Group, 5 Fulton Street, Unit 100, Canton, MA Cape & Islands and All American met all bid criteria requirements. Bid Breakdown: Cape & Islands $63,250 All American Sports $85,500 MOTION: (Hitter/Salomons) Moved that the School Committee award the contract for all related services, supplies, materials and labor in order to perform all necessary repairs and resurfacing of the Sharon High School track to: Cape and Island Tennis & Track, P.O. Box 1100, Pocasset, MA in the amount of $63,250. Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee Vote Assistant Football Coach Mr. Sondheim, Athletic Director, presented his request to add an additional assistant football coach for the upcoming school year. The ratio of students to coaches from surrounding communities was reviewed/discussed. There was a discussion on the possibility of Sharon s athletic program actively seeking parental volunteers. Mr. Sondheim stated that the request for the additional coach would be contingent upon the number of student sign-ups and the receipt of athletic fees, which would pay the salary of the coach and not impact the operating budget. There was a brief discussion on the current deficit balance in the athletic revolving fund. There being no further discussion, G. Allen asked for a motion. MOTION: (Blaustein/Cruzan) Moved that the School Committee approve the addition of an assistant football coach contingent on enrollment. Yes vote: Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Smith-Lee. No vote: Allen, Salomons. The motion carried. Vote Subcommittee Assignments G. Allen reviewed the proposed School Committee assignments (subcommittees, town committees, liaisons, task force). There was a discussion on the scope/responsibilities of subcommittees. G. Allen explained that the full Committee would vote on the scope of subcommittees. G. Allen asked for a motion to approve the town committee assignments. MOTION: (Salomons/Hitter) Moved to approve the town committee assignments as follows: Audit Hitter alternate Salomons Capital Outlay Cruzan, Smith-Lee alternate Hitter Priorities Salomons (chair), Hitter alternate Blaustein Standing Building Allen - alternate Cruzan

5 Stand.Bldg. Nominating Blaustein alternate Smith-Lee Yes vote: Allen, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee. No vote: Blaustein Prior to the vote, M. Blaustein expressed his reservations with the Priorities assignments. He felt someone with more budget experience, such as G. Allen, should serve on Priorities. He did not have the same concern with the capital outlay assignments because the Superintendent presents the School Department s capital outlay request and provides detail on each of the requests. G. Allen noted M. Blaustein s concern. He stated that careful consideration was given to the assignments and that every School Committee member will have a leadership role. G. Allen asked for a motion to approve the subcommittee assignments. MOTION: (Salomons/Hitter) Moved to approve the subcommittee assignments as follows: Budget Hitter (chair), Allen, Salomons Community Relations Smith-Lee (chair), Cruzan Health & Safety Blaustein Policy Cruzan (chair), Allen, Salomons Motion was withdrawn. New motion: MOTION: (Salomons/Hitter) Moved to approve the budget subcommittee as follows: Hitter (chair), Allen, Salomons. Yes vote: Allen, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons. No vote: Blaustein, Smith-Lee. The motion carried. MOTION: (Salomons/Hitter) Moved to approve the community relations subcommittee as follows: Smith-Lee (chair), Cruzan. Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee MOTION: (Salomons/Hitter) Moved to approve the health & safety subcommittee as follows: Blaustein. Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee MOTION: (Salomons/Hitter) Moved to approve the policy subcommittee as follows: Cruzan (chair), Allen, Salomons. Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee MOTION: (Salomons/Hitter) Moved to approve the liaison representatives as follows: Cottage Blaustein Early Childhood Hitter East Hitter Heights Salomons High School Allen Middle School Cruzan SSEPAC Smith-Lee Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee

6 MOTION: (Salomons/Hitter) Moved to approve the task force representatives as follows: Bullying Salomons Redistricting Cruzan Start time Smith-Lee Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee G. Allen reminded members that they must be sworn in by the Town Clerk for the town committee assignments. L. Salmons informed the Committee that she is the MASC representative to the Attorney General s Commission on Bullying established by the recently passed anti-bullying law. Vote Policy on Condom Distribution Dr. Dunham reviewed the proposed condom policy that was in the School Committee packets. Condoms have been distributed free to high school students since Yearly notices go to parents/guardians outlining the policy. Parents/guardians have the option to opt-out. This draft proposal formalizes the policy and limits distribution to students 16 years or older. There being no further discussion on the proposed policy, G. Allen asked for a motion. MOTION: (Salomons/Hitter) Moved that the School Committee approve the condom policy and exhibit that was presented at the June 23 rd meeting. Yes vote: Allen, Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee Vote Policy School Committee Correspondence Dr. Dunham reviewed File BHDA School Committee Procedure for Responding to Correspondence. Areas highlighted in red were changes recommended by legal counsel. This is the same policy that was distributed and discussed at the June 16 th meeting. There was a discussion on the distribution of materials to the public who may be attending meetings as well as the cost in reproduction, waste of paper and resources in replicating materials. Dr. Dunham suggested in order to save paper that those who want a packet of materials should request them by the day before the meeting. There being no further discussion, G. Allen asked for a motion. MOTION: (Hitter/Salomons) Moved that the School Committee approve the policy BHDA School Committee Procedure for Responding to Correspondence as presented at the June 23 rd meeting. Yes vote: Allen, Balustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee G. Allen left the meeting at 9:08 p.m. M. Blaustein, Vice-Chair, assumed the Chair position.

7 DISCUSSION/VOTE ITEMS Non-STA Coaches Stipends Dr. Dunham referred to a letter that was received by the School Committee from coaches who are not members of the Sharon Teachers Association in response to a recent decision by the School Committee to freeze their coaching salary and that they would not receive the same percentage increase of STA coaches. In reviewing the impact to the budget ($5,000) and in effort to be fair and equitable, Dr. Dunham has determined that the budget would be able to sustain percentage increases for STA and non-sta coaches until the negotiations with the STA have been resolved. There being no further discussion, M. Blaustein asked for a motion. MOTION: (Hitter/Salomons) Moved that non-sta coaching staff be paid the same amount as STA members until negotiations with the STA have been completed. Yes vote: Blaustein, Cruzan, Hitter, Salomons, Smith-Lee Set Dates for School Committee Meetings The following dates have been tentatively set as meeting dates for the school year: September 1, 15, 29 October 13, 27 November 10, 17 December 8, 15 January 5, 12, 19, 26 February 2, 16 March 2, 16, 30 April 6, 27 May 4, 11, 18 June 1, 8, 15, 22 Executive Session Procedures E. Smith-Lee reviewed her proposal for procedures for reviewing and releasing of executive session minutes. Executive minutes would be reviewed every six months and would then be voted on for release. Legal counsel, prior to the School Committee voting their release, would review minutes from Open Meeting Laws Committee members were reminded that the MASC will provide guidance on compliance with Open Meeting Laws at their conference entitled Charting the Course, which will be held on November 3, 4, 5 6. Update on Sharon Middle School Project J. Cruzan updated the members on the recent Standing Building Committee meeting relative to the work commencing on the renovation project. The Standing Building Committee is seeking clarification from the School Committee on the request for installing a LED sign, specifically the additional funding for the LED sign. Other Business There being no further business, M. Blaustein asked for a motion to adjourn.

8 MOTION: (Hitter/Salomons) Moved to adjourn the Open Session meeting. Open Session was adjourned at 9:39 p.m. Submitted on behalf of the School Committee by: Helen Campanario, Recording Secretary to the School Committee

9 Back-up Materials for the June 23, 2010 School Committee meeting: Correspondence letter from community member re: subcommittees SUPERINTENDENT S ITEMS from Technology Director re: upgrading web pages for classrooms School Improvement Plans copy of Middle School and High School SIPS DECISION ITEMS Handbooks copies of elementary, middle and high school handbooks Capital Outlay Projects copy of the bid results of the capital outlay projects (H.S. weight room, tennis court, track, and East walls) Assistant Football Coach copy of memorandum from Athletic Director in support of an additional coach Subcommittee Assignments copy of the proposed assignments Condom Policy copy of the proposed policy Correspondence Policy copy of the proposal DISCUSSION/VOTE ITEMS Executive Session Procedures copy of the proposed procedures Open Meeting Law copy of the regulations taking effect July 1st