Monomoy Regional School Committee Meeting Minutes: Thursday, October 11, 2018 Monomoy Regional High School Library 75 Oak Street, Harwich, MA Members Present: Donna Richardson, Chair; Sharon Stout; Joseph Auciello; Terry Russell; Jo-Anne Sheehan; Nancy Scott; and Jacki Zibrat-Long. Members not present: Steve Craffey Administrators present: Scott Carpenter, Superintendent; Kathleen Isernio; Marc Smith; Mary Oldach; Melissa Maguire, and Don Mercure. A. Call to order at 6.31pm B. Approval of Minutes. MOTION: Nancy moved to approve the minutes of the 9/27/18 meeting. Seconded by JoAnne Sheehan. UNANIMOUS C. PUBLIC COMMENT: Cheri Armstrong, MREA President, spoke on their behalf addressing the unresolved contract negotiations. As the contracts have not been settled, Ms. Armstrong announced that Jawsome will not be continued until negotiations are settled with a respectful settlement. Lisa Forte-Doyle, teacher at MRHS, also addressed the committee expressing her frustration with the contract negotiations noting that the Monomoy Regional School District is a great district because of the teachers and students. Senior student, Kyle Charlot, also spoke to the school committee advocating on behalf of the teachers for a fair contract stating that the teachers create the home away from home atmosphere as they give much of their personal time preparing students for their futures. D. Recognitions Superintendent Carpenter thanked those people involved in the Credit for Life fair at the HS, including HS teacher David Alexander, the Cape Cod Five, and several local businesses who helped contribute to its success. Dr. Carla Blanchard was thanked for her donation of the BowFlex machine to the MRMS Wellness program. E. Reports & Discussions Bond Anticipation Note Don Mercure, Treasurer, spoke to the school committee to follow up on the renewal bid for the Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) and presented a motion to approve awarding the bid to the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank.
MOTION: Nancy Scott moved to approve the following: Seconded by Terry Russell. UNANIMOUS The Sources and Use form submitted to MSBA summarizes the building project:
There is a final amount of $241,000 left to be paid by the district and financed over a three year time frame for the building project after monies from grants and MSBA reimbursement are received back. F. Accountability Ratings & MCAS Results Looking back at MCAS scores 2012 before Monomoy was fully realized and regionalized, none of the district scores were above the state average in any particular category. As we look at where we have come in the last 5 years, we see growth in areas of ELA and math particularly within the middle school, as they are above State average in 5 th, 6th and 7th grade. Superintendent Carpenter gave much credit to the Middle School Principal Mark Wilson and his staff for their achievements. There are however indications that we are not as strong in some grades where we show we are not meeting the state average in terms of score and growth. These findings also shows where our strengths and weaknesses lie in particular with serving High needs student; students with disabilities, on IEPs, ELL students and those who are economically disadvantaged students. In Massachusetts, this year, the accountability ratings system changed to a more complex rating system. For the new accountability ratings system Monomoy now has a Criterion Reference Target percentage of 69%, which is equal to the partially meeting range. One of the main differences from the old system to the new is that the old system focused more on what was the end achievement that the students received. Now there are several contributing factors to the new accountability rating system including achievement growth, High School completion, progress with ELL learners, attendance, and what percentage students are taking advanced courses in their Junior and Senior year. These factors are now point based. Therefore, a school with a higher number is indicative of a growing school and those with lower numbers are indicative of either stagnation or slide back. The point percentage is then divided between non-high school and high school students. 70% of our student body is K- 8 and 30% is in grades 9-12. The ratings systems then look at the lowest performing 25% or the lowest-performing 25 students, whichever is the largest number. The numbers show that for non-high school students we scored 89% of total possible students and 89% of lowest performing students. At the high school we are scoring 38% from the total possible and from the lowest
percentage only performing at 8%. While some of the numbers suggest mix data what we can see is that students who struggle the most are not being served as they should. Strategic Planning Focus Group On September 29, 2018, of the 108 RSVPs, 97 community members attended in addition to district students, administrators, and school committee members. From the focus group discussions, the collective group responses provided a summary of the Strengths, Areas of Improvement, Audacious Visioning 2030 and Obstacles to Improvement. As we look at next steps, it will be these summaries from the Strategic Plan Focus Group meeting that will provide the data and direction for the community Steering Planning groups which will meet at the Monomoy Regional Middle School on Monday & Wednesday afternoons, 4.30pm 6pm. The goal of the steering committee is to work toward creating a draft of the strategic plan, to be presented at the November 2018 school committee meeting. Subcommittee Report - None G. Superintendent Reports Superintendent Goals The Superintendent Goals were modified to add a parent university to help parents understand the MCAS data and MAP testing and will meet at the MS auditorium on November 1, 2018 at 6.30pm. Also, with Marc Smith, Director of Curriculum, to continue with Learning Walks with new administrators and work with them on their growth. Committee was asked to approve the 2018 Superintendent Goals. MOTION: Terry Russell moved to, accept the goals as they are printed now and then once the strategic plan is moved forward and we vote and approve that, then we reflect to make sure that there is nothing glaringly missing from Scott s goals. The Motion was seconded by Sharon Stout with the Amendment to Terry s motion that what is brought up from the results for the strategic plan be discussed by the first school committee meeting in December as the strategic plan should be crafted by the November meeting. Amendment Seconded by Jackie Zibrat-Long. UNANIMOUS. The original Motion by Terry Russell was seconded by Sharon Stout. Motion passed with 5 Yeas and 1 Nay by Nancy Scott. Motion Carries. Motion: Terry Russell also moved to approve the 2018 Superintendent Goals as they are currently presented. Seconded by JoAnne Sheehan. UNANIMOUS Enrollment The Superintendent reported on enrollment figures for the 2018-2019 school year. The data shows an overall increase in the district of 21 students with numbers down at Chatham Elementary and the bubble in the 5th grade from last year has moved the 6th grade. School Choice still continues to bring students into our district while out of district placement numbers have decreased thanks largely in part to Melissa McGuire. Concession Stand The Superintendent shared that the Concession Stand at the MRHS Football field is near completion. The porta-potties are being removed and although a rough finish, the restrooms will be ready for use. All are welcome at join us at the Home Coming Game on Friday, October 12, 2018.
FY20 Budget The FY20 budget season starts on 10/15/18 at the Chatham Budget Summit and on October, 22 the Harwich Select Board will meet with Selectmen and the Finance Committee will meet to start budget discussions. A five-year view will be presented by the district. H. Action Items 1. Award of BAN 9. See section E. Bond Anticipation Note. UNANIMOUS 2. Declaration of Surplus items. Motion by Jackie Zibrat-Long to approved the following surplus items:
Seconded by Nancy Scott. UNANIMOUS 3. Lease Amendment. MOTION: Terry Russell moved to approve the Lease Amendment: Motion to amend the Lease Agreement between the Towns of Chatham and Harwich and the Monomoy Regional School District signed October 2012 as presented. Points of discussion: 1. Amended lease with red line copy and draft amended copy provided to School Committee members and discussed at the September 27, 2018 meeting 2. Amendment made only to Article IX: Insurance section of the Lease Agreement and reflects the practice in place currently with the District and two Towns re: obtaining insurance. Amended lease states Towns will obtain insurance for their town owned buildings (HES, CES and MRMS) and will name the Monomoy Regional School District as an additional insurer. The District will be invoiced for the cost of the insurance. 3. This NOT applicable to the High School. Seconded by Nancy Scott. UNANIMOUS 4. Payment approval for Prior Year invoice for $6,564.22 to the Cape Cod Collaborative. Motion to approve by Nancy Scott, Seconded by Terry Russell. UNANIMOUS. 5. Payment approval for Prior Year invoice for $10,191.03 to the Town of Chatham. Motion to approve by Nancy Scott, Seconded by Jackie Zibrat Long. UNANIMOUS. 6. Payment approval for Prior Year invoice for $105.99 to Harwich Paint & Decorating. Motion to approve by Nancy Scott, Seconded by Jackie Zibrat Long. UNANIMOUS. I. Adjournment Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session at 8.26pm with respect to Unit A collective bargaining agreement. So moved. Roll Call vote. UNANIMOUS. Going into Executive Session, coming out for adjournment only. Respectfully Submitted, Leah Tambolleo Recording Secretary Documents Used at Meeting and Available For Review Superintendent s Goals Bond Anticipation Note Award / Sources & Uses Form Declaration of Surplus
Prior Year invoices CC Chronicle Article Monomoy Meets Expectations on new MCAS Test Credit for Life pamphlet Strategic Planning Focus Group Summary sheets MCAS Data & Accountability Ratings Enrollment FY18 vs FY19 Approved by the MRSC - 10/25/18