Seekonk School Department Regular Session of the School Committee Monday, June 7, 2010 Seekonk High School Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. School Committee members present included, Mr. Vieira,, and. Others in Attendance Others in attendance were Ms. Meyer, Ms. Hamel, Athletes, Students, Administrators, Staff members, Coaches, and members of the press. Approval of Minutes A motion was made to approve Regular Session minutes of May 10, 2010, Work Session minutes of May 17, 2010, and Regular Session minutes of May 24, 2010 as submitted was approved. III. Superintendent s Report A. Martin Math League Mr. Madden Mr. Madden presented Tyler Moreira, Austin Amaral, Morgan Drywa, and Perry Joubert, students who participated in an after school math league. The students used math functions such as multiplications, division, fractions, area parameter and geometry in a fun way to plan a party. B. Michael Braga 2010 U.S. Census School Poster Contest Winner Michael Braga, Martin School 3rd grade student, was recognized for winning the 2010 U.S. Census School Poster Contest. Michael was also recognized as a regional winner at a luncheon and award ceremony at the Boston State House. C. Athletics Mr. Grant Mr. Grant along with the Coach Whalen, Coach Mello and Coach Reddington recognized the following All Star Athletes: Football Boy s Basketball Ice Hockey Boy s Indoor Track Matt Lockwood Rick Silva Adam Ferreira Cody Archambault Jake Lyman John Gregorek Kevin Pomerleau Nathan Larrimer Joe Teixeira Casey O Brien Jacob Teixeira Girl s Indoor Track Boy s Swimming Baseball Boy s Outdoor Track Victoria Belcher Edward Olean Andrew Killian David Anderson Krista Chauvin Cody Archambault Janelle Clarkson John Gregorek Vanessa Noelte Nathan Robitaille Jen Salit Jacob Teixeira Joe Teixeira Girl s Outdoor Track Boy s Tennis School Record Holders
Victoria Belcher Josh Bell Janelle Clarkson Krista Chauvin Stephen Gadbois Krista Chauvin Janelle Clarkson Rick Silva John Gregorek Vanessa Noelte Jen Salit Casey O Brien Kevin Pomerleau Jacob Teixeira Joe Teixeira D. Teacher of the Year Mrs. Linda Limperis Ms. Meyer presented Mrs. Linda Limperis, high school math teacher, who was recognized as Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. E. Retirees Ms. Meyer recognized the following retirees and presented them with a crystal paper weight: Mrs. Gertrude Austin, Mrs. Denise DeCaporale, Mrs. Carolyn Fay, Mrs. Barbara Lans, Mrs. Pamela Nelson, Mrs. Jane Pacheco, Mrs. Joanne Rochefort and Mrs. Patricia Shea. F. $1015 Donation to Purchase Bench in Memory of Alan Thivierge Ms. Cloutier requested the School Committee approval to accept a donation in the amount of $1,015 from family and friends of Alan Thivierge to purchase a bench, plaque and garden materials in memory of Mr. Alan Thivierge. Ms. Vieira made a motion, seconded by, to accept the donation of $1,015 for the purchase of a bench in memory of Mr. Alan Thivierge and to be expended by the direction of the Superintendent was approved by a unanimous vote. New Business A. New York Field Trip Ms. McGovern requested the School Committee s approval of Mrs. Wilbert and Mrs. Salisbury to sponsor a high school educational field trip to New York City on March 10, 11, and 12, 2011. asked Ms, Meyer if this trip has the support of the administration. Ms. Meyer stated it is a wonderful idea for students who may not have had the opportunity. made a motion, seconded by, to approve the New York City trip for art and history, Seekonk High School, on March 10 12, 2011 as presented was approved by a unanimous vote. B. School Improvement Plans Ms. McGovern presented the objectives and goals of the High School Improvement Plan to improve MCAS, PSAT SAT, Mid-term and final exam scores, local, state and national assessments and to be in compliance with NEASC recommendations. made a motion, seconded by, to accept the 2010-2013 Seekonk High School Improvement Plan and was approved by a unanimous vote. Dr. Fargnoli presented the Hurley Middle School Improvement Plan goals and objectives to be aligned with the high school, to improve student achievement, improve MCAS prep time to meet AYP, develop bench mark assessments, address team time for MCAS needs, communication with the community and to integrate technology to improve instruction.
made a motion, seconded by, to approve the Middle School Improvement Plan for 2010-11 as presented and was approved by a unanimous vote. Mrs. Gagliardi informed the School Committee that the following goals are a result of a survey: restore positions, increase art music to full year programs, update the system s anti bullying policy implementing changes at Aitken School, develop a list of organizational and study skills for grades l 5, develop a recess walking path, and the use of school newsletter to distribute information. A motion by, seconded by, to accept the School Improvement Plan 2010-2011 for the Aitken Elementary School and was approved by unanimous vote. Mr. Madden informed the School Committee that goals will address achievement gaps in student performance, students need skill development, academic performance, community relations, integration of technology into classrooms and continue to focus on bullying policy. A motion by, seconded by, to accept the Martin Elementary School Improvement Plan 2010-2011 was approved by unanimous vote. C. Acceptance of Student Handbooks stated that the advisory program was a one year pilot at the High School and has not been approved for the 2010-11 school year. Ms. Meyer suggested to conditionally approve the High School Student handbook subject to decision on the advisories program. made a motion, seconded by, to conditionally approve the High School Student Handbook 2010-11 pending the final vote of the School Committee on the advisories program. A motion by, seconded by, to accept the Kevin Hurley Middle School, Aitken Elementary School and Martin Elementary School Student Handbooks as presented. The motion was approved. D. Track Bid Ms. Hamel requested the School Committee s approval to resurface the high school track in the amount of $42,555. with two alternates in the amount of $1,530 to repair long/jump pole vault area and $6,244. to repair the practice rectangle. The entire project cost is $50,329. Ms. Hamel also stated that $49,000 was approved from the capital stabilization fund leaving $1,329 short to do the entire project. She informed the Committee the difference of $1,329 is available in the general fund under grounds maintenance contracted service to cover the difference to complete the project. made a motion, seconded by, to accept the bid in the amount $50,329. from Cape and Islands Corporation for the track resurfacing project as presented was approved by a unanimous vote. E. Art, Athletic, Classroom, Custodial, Magazine, Science Bids Ms. Hamel requested the School Committee s approval to accept the Art, Athletic, Classroom, Custodial, Magazine, Science Bids. A motion made by, seconded by to accept the bids to the lowest responsible bidder for Art, Athletic, classroom, custodial, magazine, science bids as presented was approved by a unanimous vote.
F. Donation from Kiwanis Ms. Meyer requested the School Committee s approval to accept a donation in the amount of $300. from the Seekonk Kiwanis to be used to pay the debt from the free and reduced lunch. A motion by seconded by to accept the $300. donation from Kiwanis Club to be used to pay the debt of the free and reduced lunch, under the direction of the superintendent was approved by a unanimous vote G. MASC Policy Manual Update requested either discussion or a vote of the Committee on the proposal from MASC to update the School Committee policy manual in the amount of $10,500. payable over three years. made a motion, seconded by, to accept the MASC proposal to update the School Committee policy manual in the amount of $10,500. was approved by a unanimous vote. H. Review 2010 Superintendent Contract and Goals The Committee reviewed each of the performance goal of the Superintendent s contract which she has met. informed the Committee that a vote is needed to assign the percentage of the pro-rated salary indicated in the contract for meeting each goals. made a motion, seconded by, that the superintendent receive 6% of the prorated base salary for achieving all three goals was approved in a role call vote as follows: Unfinished Business A. World Language Changes to Middle School Ms. Meyer stated that after carefully reviewing the world language program at the Hurley Middle School, it was recommended to suspend it for small amount of time to revamp the program and to make it more useful to students. made a motion, seconded by, to suspend the world language program at the Kevin Hurley Middle School for one academic year to allow a comprehensive review of the program and to have a report presented as soon as possible. This was approved in a role call vote as follows: B. Portuguese
Ms. Meyer recommended to continue the Portuguese program for year one and two and suspend year three and four until more is known of how many students will enroll in Portuguese. The following year Portuguese three and four will not be offered. Ms. Simone suggested if Portuguese one and two are offered, she feels there is no reason to suspend Portuguese three and four because colleges require three or four years of a foreign language. Mr. David Andrade stated he does not understand if there is no financial benefit, why cut the Portuguese program. Ms. Meyer stated that the first year there is not a financial benefit, but in the future if an Asian language is offered, financially both languages could not be offered. Ms. Meyer stated by offering an Asian program, it will bring student up to 21 st century skills. Ms. Meyer also stated that due to the low enrollment in Portuguese it not financially adequate to offer years three and four. made a motion, seconded by, to continue Portuguese for students enrolling in years one and two for the academic year 2010 11 and to suspend Portuguese years three and four in the 2011-12 school yea. This was approved in a role call vote as follows: Motion to Enter into Executive Session A motion by, seconded by, to adjourn at 7:18 p.m. to enter into executive session for the purpose of reviewing executive session minutes, personnel, grievances and litigation was approved in a vote as follows: Public Budget Hearing The public budget hearing was called to order at 8:10 p.m. Ms. Hamel made a presentation of past historical data of previous budgets, FY11 percentage chart which shows an overview of where the money is spent. She also summarized the FY2010-11 as follows: Town s estimate of available funds $15,806,723 Chapter 70 State Funds $ 4,512,952 Expected 5.84% Reduction in Chapter 70 Funding -$263,646 Vocational Schools and Stipends -$733,254 Total available for School Operating Budget $19,322,775 The above proposed FY11 includes staff reduction of 14.2 positions Reduction in non salary line $502,272
stated she needs to abstain from the athletics and will abstain from the Instructional Aide portions of the budget. made a motion, seconded by to approve the budget minus Athletics and Instructional Aides of the 2010-2011 school budget in the amount $18,831,436 was approved in a role call vote as follows. aye: A made a motion by, seconded by to add back $114,639 for Instructional Aides in the 2010-2011 school budget was approved in a role call vote as follows: abstain: made a motion, seconded by, to add $376,700 to the 2010-11 school budget for the purpose of sports for the 2010-11 school years was approved in role call vote as follows: aye: abstain The public budget hearing adjourned and open session reconvened at 8:30 p.m. Public Comments There were no public comments at this meeting Next Meeting Dates Wednesday, June 16, 2010, Town Meeting, Seekonk High School 7:00 p.m. Monday June 21, 2010, Work Session, Hurley Middle School, 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2010, Regular Session, Seekonk High School, 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 9, 2010, Regular Session, Seekonk High School, 7:00 p.m. Future Agenda Items Bus Pilot Program Superintendent s Entry Plan Advisories Adjournment
A motion by, seconded by, to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m. was approved by unanimous vote. jd