GARDNER SCHOOL COMMITTEE Regular Meeting June 11, 2019 City Council Chambers 95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts

Transcription

1 GARDNER SCHOOL COMMITTEE Regular Meeting June 11, 2019 City Council Chambers 95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts Members present: Member absent: Present: Absent: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; Robert Swartz, Vice Chairman; James Abare, John LaFreniere, Jennifer Pelavin, and Melody Phelps, Secretary pro tempore Anne Hurst, Secretary; Nora Coxall, Student Representative, Gardner High School Cameron Davis, Student Representative, Gardner High School Serina Nguyen, Student Representative, GALT School Personnel present: Mark J. Pellegrino, Superintendent; Ms. Terri Hillman, Recording Secretary; Dr. Catherine Goguen, Chief Academic Officer; Robert Detweiler, Business Administrator; Dr. Meredith Pugh, ELL Coordinator and Grants Administrator; Ms. Joyce West, Director of Pupil Personnel Services; and Ms. Chunlin April Yu, newly appointed Business Administrator Call to Order Mayor Hawke, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7 pm. The meeting opened with a roll call and the pledge of allegiance. The meeting was broadcast live on Channel 8 television. Open Time for the General Public No one from the general public spoke this evening. Appointment of Secretary pro tempore Mr. Swartz moved that due to the absence of Mrs. Anne Hurst, Mrs. Melody Phelps be appointed Secretary pro tempore. Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Recognition by Superintendent Superintendent Pellegrino recognized Luke Fenner. Luke placed 3 rd in the 38 th Annual Elizabeth Haskins Mathematics Competition. Hundreds of math students from area schools were challenged on a variety of math subjects. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Swartz moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented: Approval of minutes of regular meeting of May 14, Minutes of the Budget Hearing of May14, 2018.

2 Page 2 Approval of following Warrants as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee: Warrant #18-45 dated 05/10/18 in the amount of $67, Warrant #18-46 dated 05/17/18 in the amount of $39, Warrant #18-47 dated 05/24/18 in the amount of $340, Warrant #18-48 dated 05/31/18 in the amount of $403, Warrant #18-49 dated 06/07/18 in the amount of $57, Donation from Michael Lawrence 16 pairs of children's sneakers to Waterford School Seconded by Mrs. Pelavin. Executive Session Minutes The minutes of the executive session of May 14, 2018 were circulated at the table and three approvals and two not present were recorded. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Facilities Subcommittee Mr. Abare, Chairperson, said the Facilities Subcommittee met on May 15, Minutes of the meeting were presented. Mr. Anderson, Facilities Director, provided an update. Preparations for the NEASC accreditation visit took up much of the department's spare time. Mr. Detweiler reviewed the Subcommittee's discussion to date regarding the performance of the contracted janitorial service with S.J. Services. Mr. Shea, President, and Mr. Souza, Area Manager, of S.J. Services, were at the meeting to discuss the Subcommittee's concerns including insufficient staffing to meet the requirement of the cleaning contract, and the unfilled position of a Working Supervisor, to be employed on a full time shift crossing over between day and night shift employees. This position is stated in the contract and directly contributes to the poor cleaning record in the schools. The company was put on notice that penalties will be applied if the position is not filled. After Mr. Shea and Mr. Souza left the meeting, the Subcommittee discussed the overall review and moved to extend the contract with S.J. Services for another year.

3 Page 3 Finance Subcommittee Mrs. Pelavin, Chairperson, said that the Finance Subcommittee met on May 6, Minutes of the meetings were presented. Mr. Detweiler provided an update on the FY2018 Budget year to date. The Subcommittee reviewed the Expense Report and the Transfer Report. Several line items were discussed to members' satisfaction. He reviewed the Special Education Out-of- District Tuition Expense Report. Mr. Detweiler reviewed the FY2019 funding available to support the Level Services Budget. All told, there is a funding gap of $146,940. The Subcommittee voted to recommend to the School Committee as a whole to vote a FY2019 Budget of $23,795,544. Mrs. Pelavin moved that the full School Committee vote to accept the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and approve the FY2019 Budget in the amount of $23,795,544. Seconded by Mr. Swartz. Student Advisory Boards Cameron Davis, new Student Representative to the School Committee, read the report prepared by Nora Coxall, retiring Student Representative. Reports on sports activity. Science MCAS for grade 9 was held. The select choir and band performed at the Relay for Life. The Wildcat 5k Race sponsored by the track booster club will be held on June 16. Finals will take place from June and the last day of school will be June 22. Youth Venture Lauren Mountain, Director of Youth Venture, distributed the 2017 Annual Report for the United Way Youth Venture of North Central Massachusetts. NEW BUSINESS Item #2948 Superintendent's Evaluation Mr. Swartz moved that based on the evaluations of School Committee members the Superintendent be rated as Highly Proficient. Seconded by Mrs. Pelavin.

4 Page 4 Mr. Swartz moved that the School Committee approve a 5% salary increase for the Superintendent effective for FY2019. Seconded by Mrs. Pelavin. Superintendent Pellegrino stated that he would not take more than a 2% increase the same as the teachers will receive. Mrs. Pelavin moved to amend the motion to a 2% raise for the Superintendent. Seconded by Mr. Abare. Vote on motion as amended with a 2% salary increase - so voted. Item #2949 Ratification of GEA Contract Mr. Swartz moved that the School Committee vote to ratify the Gardner Education Association contract for the school years as presented. Seconded by Mrs. Phelps. Item #2950 Appointment to FLLAC Collaborative Board of Directors Mrs. Pelavin moved that the School Committee appoint Superintendent Pellegrino as the Gardner representative to the FLLAC Collaborative Board of Directors. Seconded by Mr. Abare. Item #2951 Appointment to CAPS Collaborative Board of Directors Mrs. Pelavin moved that the School Committee appoint Superintendent Pellegrino as the Gardner representative to the CAPS Collaborative Board of Directors. Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Item #2952 Gardner High School Program of Studies Mrs. Pelavin moved that the School Committee approve the Gardner High School Program of Studies as presented. Seconded by Mr. Swartz. Item #2953 Make-up Half Day Mr. LaFreniere moved that the School Committee vote to approve a make-up half day for the teachers for June 15, 2018 as recommended by the G.E.A. Seconded by Mrs. Phelps.

5 Page 5 Item #2954 Curriculum Coordinator Update The Curriculum Coordinator Update was included in the packet. Dr. Goguen was present to answer questions. Item #2955 Special Education Update The Special Education Update was included in the packet. Ms. West was present to answer questions. Item #2956 Grants Administrator's Update The Grants Administrator's Update was included in the packet. Dr. Meredith Pugh was present to answer questions. Item #2957 MSBA New Building Project No report at this time. Communications Superintendent Pellegrino thanked Nora Coxall for her monthly reports on student activity at GHS. He acknowledged the work of Mr. Detweiler as Business Manager especially changing the accounting system to a more secure system. Final Comments of the School Committee Mr. Abare congratulated the softball team. He thanked Mr. Detweiler and Nora and wished everyone a happy summer. Mrs. Pelavin congratulated the GHS graduates and the GALT graduates. She encouraged everyone to attend the many upcoming school year end events. Mrs. Phelps thanked Mr. Detweiler and Nora and welcomed Cameron Davis. Mr. LaFreniere thanked Nora for her reports. He welcomed Cameron to the Committee. He thanked Mr. Detweiler for making the budgets much more understandable. He wished everyone a great summer. Mr. Swartz thanked Mr. Detweiler for his work. Mr. Swartz attended the GHS and GALT graduations. They were both great ceremonies. He welcomed Cameron and said goodbye to Nora and wished everyone a great summer. Mayor Hawke thanked Mr. Detweiler and Nora. He will attend the Library Kick-Off for Summer Reading.

6 Page 6 ADJOURNMENT Mr. Phelps moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Abare. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm. Melody Phelps Secretary pro tempore Terri Hillman, Recording Secretary