Holbrook Public Schools

Transcription

1 Holbrook Public Schools 245 South Franklin Street Holbrook, MA MINUTES OF THE HOLBROOK SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING H-CAM STUDIOS May 29, 2014 In Attendance: School Committee: Barbara P. Davis, Chairperson John Flanagan, Vice Chairperson Elizabeth Tolson Lou Pransky Arthur George Patricia Lally, Superintendent of Schools Bridget Baker, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm by Ms. Davis. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. American Scholastic Achievement League s Scholastic Challenge 2014 Ms. Golden and Mr. Hayward stated that this past February sixteen 8 th grade students participated in the American Scholastic Achievement League s Scholastic Challenge The challenge consisted of 100 questions in topics ranging from mathematics, pop culture, entertainment, sports, literature, geography, science and general knowledge. Students had one hour to complete this online challenge and their scores were entered into the general pool of participants around the country. Considering the degree of difficulty of the questions, a score of 60 is considered quite respectable. Here in Holbrook, the top six scorers all exceeded that mark. They are: 1. Rachel McBrine 77% 2. Christopher Greely 72% 3. Ariana Costa 71% 4. Veronica Chapel 64% 5. Patrice Haney 62% 6. Erin Young 61% Others that participated were Wayne Lounge, Tristen Koffink, Wyatt Sprague, Matthew Mullen, Mary Antonellis, Megan Callahan, Sandlie Joseph, Noah Hobart, Devon Signorine and Olivia Christiano. Page 1 of 5

2 Civics Club Presentation Students Rocking the Vote Changing Voting Trends in Holbrook Ms. Clougher and the Civics Club presented their Students Rocking the Vote Changing Voting Trends in Holbrook presentation that they will be presenting at Project Citizen in Boston tomorrow. This will be the civic clubs 6 th year attending Project Citizen. 47 students will be going from Holbrook, which is more than half of the 6 th grade. Their project was to identify a problem in their community and affect change. They chose to increase voter turnout by trying to influence people to do their civic duty. In researching they discovered that 40% of parents are not registered to vote. With Holbrook facing a huge vote for the building project they were granted permission from Superintendent Lally to add voter registration cards with all school forms. In addition they also plan to run voter registration drives. Mr. Flanagan commented that this is not the first time the civics club has come to the school committee with a good idea. He asked that they come back to give an update on the project. Citizens Concerns There were no Citizens Concerns. Student Advisory There were no members of the Student Advisory in attendance. Introduction of incoming John F. Kennedy Elementary School and South Elementary School Principals Sherry Biss, the incoming principal of John F. Kennedy Elementary School and Mallory Stevens, the incoming principal of South Elementary School introduced themselves to the School Committee and reviewed their backgrounds. Memorial Fund in the name of Phyllis Tanner Phyllis Tanner s brother recently passed and left and endowment of $100k for the Holbrook Public Schools. The lawyer would like some proposals on how the funds will be utilized. Ms. Tolson stated that she knew Phyllis Tanner. She had her as a teacher and then later knew her as a colleague. She stated that Ms. Tanner was a very skilled teacher who held students to a very high standard. Ms. Tolson suggested that the money should be used to do something with literacy. Mr. George stated that he also had Ms. Tanner as a teacher. He stated that she was very professional and her engagement with her students was her first priority. Ms. Davis also had her as a teacher. She suggested maybe a scholarship. Mr. Flanagan inquired about the process. Is it up to the School Committee to decide how this is used? Superintendent Lally suggested that a committee be established that includes two School Committee members to get a better idea of how to use the funds to reflect the community. Financial Update In light of Mr. Mahoney, School Business Manager, not being in attendance Mr. George made a motion to table the FY 15 Budget Financial Update until the next School Committee meeting giving the School Committee members time to draft specific questions for the business manager beforehand. Page 2 of 5

3 (George/Tolson) made a motion to table the FY 15 Budget Financial Update until the next School Committee meeting giving the School Committee members time to draft specific questions for the business manager beforehand. It was decided that all questions will be forwarded to Ms. Davis by June 13, 2014 and she will compile all questions and send one list to Mr. Mahoney with the entire school committee cc d, only eliminating duplicate questions. Permanent Standing Subcommittees and Representatives to Other Town Committees (George/Tolson) made a motion to approve the Permanent Standing Subcommittees and Representatives to Other Town Committees assignments. Mr. George made a suggestion that Subcommittee Reports be added to the school committee agendas after School Committee reports. Mr. George also mentioned that he is in favor or more than one school committee meeting per month. Mr. George sugguested that some of the meetings be used as retreats or spend time on a particular topic. Mr. Flanagan responded that about four years ago they had two meetings a month and more often than not the second meeting was cancelled. Mr. Flanagan s opinion is that one meeting has made them more efficient. He also noted that the Board of Selectmen has gone to bi-monthly meetings. Mr. Flanagan did state that as they are preparing to present the budget each year there should be two meetings. He also agreed that a retreat would be a good idea. Mr. Pransky suggested putting together a subcommittee calendar and use as appropriate. (Pransky/Flanagan) made a motion to accept the School Committee calendar as is with the option to add secondary meetings Ms. Tolson and Mr. George opposed. It was agreed by all to add a subcommittee agenda to the next meeting with suggestions for professional development. Amendment for School Year Calendar (George/Tolson) made a motion to approve the Amended School Year Calendar Minutes from April 17, 2014 School Committee meeting (Flanagan/Pransky) made a motion to approve the Minutes from April 17, 2014 School Committee meeting. Page 3 of 5

4 4-1-0 Mr. George opposed Minutes from May 6, 2014 School Committee meeting (Flanagan/Tolson) made a motion to approve the Minutes from May 6, 2014 School Committee meeting Mr. George opposed and Mr. Pransky abstained. Minutes from May 7, 2014 School Committee meeting (George/Tolson) made a motion to approve the Minutes from May 7, 2014 School Committee meeting Mr. George opposed and Mr. Pransky abstained. Resignations Shannon Leary, South School Food Services worker resigned effective 04/24/14. Retirements Three upcoming retirements include Gail Laffer, Elementary Teacher, John F. Kennedy Elementary School, effective June 30, 2014, Carol McKenna, Special Education Teacher, South School, effective June 30, 2014 and Nancy Nicastro, Foreign Language Teacher, Junior-Senior High School, effective June 30, Postings Postings for a Food Services Manager and Food Services Worker have been posted on SchoolSpring. Use of Facilities (Flanagan/George) made a motion to approve the Use of Facilities for the Old Colony Women s Soccer League, Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 3, 2014 through July 24, 2014 from 6:15pm- 8:15pm on the Soccer Fields in the back of the Junior-Senior High School for Soccer. (Pransky/Tolson) made a motion to approve the Use of Facilities for BizarBots on Friday, June 13, 2014 from 12:00pm-6:00pm in the Holbrook Junior-Senior High School gymnasium for a Basketball Tournament Fundraiser. School Committee Members report Ms. Davis reminded everyone of upcoming activities which include: Saturday, May 31, 2014 the Boys Baseball team will be playing at 2:00 at Sumner Field Page 4 of 5

5 June 4 th is class night at the Shaw Center at 6:00pm South School Art Show is from 5:00-7:00pm on June 5, 2014 Graduation is at 11:00am on June 7, 2014 Music Banquet is June 10, 2014 at 6:00pm in the Junior-Senior High School Cafeteria Sports Banquet is June 11, 2014 at 6:00pm at the Randolph Elks Gail Laffer s retirement party is June 14, 2014 at 5:00pm at the Knights of Columbus Ms. Davis stated that she attended the prom. A good time was had by all. Mr. Flanagan stated he attended the spring concert. He thanked Ms. Sordillo for a great concert. Mr. George attended Memorial Day events at Union Cemetery and Mary Wales Park. MSBA Update Superintendent Lally announced that the reimbursement rate for the building project is 69.12%. MSBA is continuing to fine tune the plans that the public will be seeing in the near future. Superintendent Lally also reminded everyone that the next Permanent School Building Committee meeting is Thursday, June 5, 2014 where she expects that they will approve the schematic design. ADJOURN or VOTE TO CONTINUE (Flanagan/Pransky) The School Committee made a motion to adjourn regular School Committee Meeting of May 29, 2014 at 8:14 pm. On a roll call vote, the Committee moved to go into Executive Session for the purpose of reviewing the Executive Session minutes of the last meeting, negotiations and personnel matters and not to conduct any further business in open session. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Flanagan Ms. Pransky Mr. Tolson Ms. Davis Mr. George Respectfully submitted, Bridget Baker Bridget Baker School Committee Secretary Page 5 of 5