LONGMEADOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS Longmeadow, Massachusetts Longmeadow School Committee Meeting June 14, 2017 535 Bliss Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106 Approved 6/27/2017 1. Call to Order At 6:00 pm, Ms. Hutchins called the Wednesday, June 14, 2017 meeting of the Longmeadow School Committee to order. The meeting was recorded and aired live by LCTV. It was also livestreamed on longmeadow.org. Present: Ms. Jess Hutchins, Chair; Mr. Russell Dupere, Vice Chair; Ms. Elizabeth Baron. Ms. Michelle Grodsky, Ms. Stephanie Jasmin (arrived at 6:01pm), Ms. Kerrin Morrin, and Ms. Melanie Rothstein. Also present: Dr. M. Martin O Shea, Superintendent; Mr. Thomas Mazza, Asst. Superintendent for Finance and Operations; Ms. Susan Bertrand, Asst. Superintendent for Learning; and Ms. Dianne Georgantas, Administrative Assistant Absent: Mr. Brahedesh (Breggy) Sivakumar, Student Representative Audience: three ( 3 ) 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. REORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE Ms. Hutchins welcomed the new members of the School Committee, Ms. Baron, Ms. Morrin and Ms. Rothstein. She went on to say a few words about the 2016-2017 year. Upon conclusion of the Chair s remarks she turned the meeting over to Superintendent, Dr. O Shea. The Superintendent asked for motions for the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, and Clerk. Ms. Grodsky stated that she would be willing to be Chair if the School Committee was open to revising the meeting schedule to only have one meeting a month in the evening between 4:00-9:00 pm. She proposed the other monthly meeting occur during the day time hours. Ms. Grodsky went on to say that she also would not be available during the summer months to be a meeting, in person. Mr. Dupere moved, seconded by Ms. Hutchins, that the School Committee appoint Ms. Grodsky as Chair of the School Committee for the 2017-2018 year. Discussion: Dr. O Shea stated that he could make the schedule of day times meetings work with the Administration. Mr. Dupere suggested the day time meetings would have to have an end time; limiting the meetings to two hours in length. Dr. O Shea called for the vote: Six (6) in favor and one (1) abstention, Ms. Grodsky.
Ms. Hutchins moved, seconded by Ms. Grodsky, that the School Committee appoint Mr. Dupere as Vice Chair of the School Committee for the 2017-2018 year. Call for the vote: Six (6) in favor and one (1) abstention, Mr. Dupere Ms. Rothstein stated she is interested in being the Clerk. Ms. Hutchins moved, seconded by Ms. Jasmin, that the School Committee appoint Ms. Rothstein as Clerk of the School Committee for the 2017-2018 year. Call for the vote: Six (6) in favor and one (1) abstention, Ms. Rothstein The Superintendent turned the meeting over to the new Chair, 4. Correspondence - The following correspondence was recorded: 5. Approval of Minutes A memo from Mr. Donald Jarvis dated June 1, 2017 regarding the Student of The month for May, 2017 at the LPVEC Career and Technical Educational Center (CTEC). An email from Ms. Amy Appell dated May 22, 2017 regarding the homework guidelines. An emailed message from Ms. Erin Linville received on May 19, 2017 suggesting the district look at a longer school day for elementary school students, and a later start time for high school students. Ms. Hutchins moved, seconded by Ms. Jasmin, that the School Committee approve the minutes to the May 23, 2017 School Committee meeting as presented. The motion passed with a vote of four (4) in favor and three (3) abstentions: Ms. Rothstein, Ms. Baron, and Ms. Morrin. 6. Visitor Comments 7. School Committee Announcements and Recognitions None. 8. Business with Guests
9. Administrative Reports 10. Sub-Committee Reports Introduction of Blueberry Hill Principal Dr. O Shea introduced the new Principal to Blueberry Hill School, Ms. Amy Bostian, who will begin on July 1, 2017. Ms. Bostian stated that she is excited to begin in Longmeadow. She is looking to collaborate with staff, students, and the Administrators. She acknowledged that she knows she will be filling very big shoes in replacing Ms. Marie Pratt. She expressed her hope to learn from Ms. Pratt as she transitions to her new position. School Committee welcomed Ms. Bostian. Superintendent Report No report. School Committee Chair Report No report Student Representative Report No report Other Reports (LPVEC, Legislative, SEAL, Food Services, Energy Task Force) Energy Task Force Update no updates/reports Finance Sub-Committee School Committee is allowed, under the Municipal Modernization Act, to designate one of its members to review and approve warrants. The following motions occurred to appoint members to fill these roles. Ms. Hutchins moved, seconded by Ms. Jasmin, that the School Committee designate Ms. Baron to review and approve the warrants, and to appoint Ms. Morrin as her backup. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Hutchins moved, seconded by Mr. Dupere, that the School Committee authorize Ms. Jasmin to sign payroll sheets for FY2018 and Ms. Morrin will be her backup. The motion passed unanimously. End of Year Funds - During the School Committee meeting of May 23 rd, the School Committee approved use of end-of-year funds. One of the items, the floor auto-scrubbers, has a revised quote of $40,000 for the purchase of 4 auto-scrubbers. New auto-scrubbers are safer and will reduce stripping from 5 layers to 2. Cost of stripping pads will remain recurrent. The School Committee approved the use of $15,000 for this purchase on May 23 rd. The School Committee was asked to additionally approve $25,000 from end-of-year funds.
Mr. Mazza reported that he provided the School Committee with a Year-to-Date budget report. It includes the actual payments made through June 5 th, and Mr. Mazza s projected ending balance at the end of the fiscal year, which is about $80,000. Ms. Hutchins moved, seconded by Ms. Jasmin, that the School Committee authorize the additional use of FY17 General Fund in the amount of $25,000 to purchase the four (4) floor autoscrubbers. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. Also, during the May 23 rd meeting, Mr. Mazza did not have an estimate for the carpet replacements at Williams and Glenbrook Middle Schools. School Committee considered the request for carpet replacement during this meeting. Mr. Dupere moved, seconded by Ms. Jasmin, that the School Committee authorize the additional use of FY17 General Fund in the amount of $28,497 to purchase the replacement carpeting at Williams and Glenbrook Middle Schools as presented on the Carpet Replacement Request FY17 End of Year Funds document. Discussion: Mr. Mazza stated the vendor is on the State Contract list, and will be able to replace the carpet prior to the end of the fiscal year. Ms. Hutchins stated she would like to have the district look in to alternative flooring in the future and not purchase any more carpeting. Vote: The motion passed unanimously. Policy Sub Committee No report. 11. Ongoing Business Meeting Schedule Discussion - The committee discussed meeting days/times for the 2017-2018 school year. As a point of information, this past school year, School Committee met on 2 nd and 4 th Tuesday evenings at 6:00 pm each month. The tentative calendar has your first meeting for the 2017-18 school year as Tuesday, August 29 th. Members discussed possibly changing the evening meeting day from Tuesday to another day. Ms. Grodsky stated that she would like the School Committee to move one meeting a month so that it occurs during the day.
After some discussion, the School Committee decided, by consensus, that one meeting a month will begin at 6:30 pm and the other meeting be scheduled between the hours of 12:00 noon 2:00 pm. They specifically wanted to be sure the day meetings had an end time. Student Handbooks - School Committee was presented with the changes recommended for the 2017-2018 handbooks during the last School Committee meeting. Mr. Dupere moved, seconded by Ms. Hutchins, that the School Committee accept the changes to the Elementary Student Handbooks, Middle School Student Handbooks, and High School Student Handbook as presented and to incorporate them into the existing handbooks. Discussion: Ms. Jasmin stated that she reviewed the high school handbook, and she also met with the Superintendent to discuss the handbook. She would like the process changed a bit where the School Committee can address issues they see before it is the end of the year when they receive the changes, and the high school is looking to get it approved quickly. Ms. Hutchins also would like more parent input in the process, possibly using a parent survey to gather feedback. She also would like to see the process deadline to the School Committee pushed back. Ms. Jasmin would like to hash out more recommended changes, and then have the Committee vote on June 27 th. Dr. O Shea stated that if more changes were made the revisions would have to go back to the School Councils for their approval. Ms. Hutchins stated that she agrees that there is work to do next year, but she does not think the School Committee should hold up these handbooks from approval. Mr. Dupere stated that he would like the School Committee to vote on this now, and have policy sub review and make suggested amendments over the summer with those being publicized in the fall. Ms. Jasmin was not in favor of pushing this through and strongly disagreed that the School Committee should do that. She feels the role of the School Committee is policy. Mr. Dupere stated that he will leave the motion as is, and recommends any legal issues be remedied as soon as possible. Policy sub-committee will have to reconvene over the summer to review the handbooks. Ms. Baron stated that she agreed there should be more parent input, and agreed that policy sub-committee can clear up any other issues.
12. New Business Ms. Jasmin stated that as she is now reviewing the hard copy of the High School handbook, many of the issues she saw online are not in the hard copy. Apparently, the online version of the LHS handbook is different than the official hard copy. She suggested the discrepancies need to be cleaned up or the online version should be taken down. Ms. Hutchins stated that the School Committee would like Marty to clear up any legal issues in the handbooks. Vote: The vote was five in favor, one opposed, Ms. Jasmin, and Ms. Baron abstained. Motion passed. Additional Agenda Item The School Committee brought up the subject of School Committee assignments. Four (4) members, Ms. Morrin, Ms. Baron and Ms. Rothstein, as well as, Ms. Jasmin, voiced interest in being on the policy sub-committee. The Committee members will email Ms. Georgantas and Ms. Grodsky their interest in serving on sub-committees after they have reviewed the full list of sub-committees. Ms. Grodsky will make recommendations and bring it back to the full committee during their June 27, 2017 School Committee meeting. MASC Conferences This year, MASC is offering a summer conference July 28-29 at the Marriott Courtyard in Marlboro. This is a new event. The School Committee also discussed attendance at the MASC/MASS Joint Conference. Ms. Grodsky stated that although she values the November conference, she would think possibly having a facilitator coming in to assist the School Committee here in Longmeadow. Maybe team building and specific to the district would be a better use of funds. Mr. Dupere and Ms. Hutchins stated the November conference was useful, but not essential. School Committee did not show interest in the July conference. School Committee asked Ms. Georgantas to prebook for 4 hotel rooms. The School Committee will decide at a later date who will register and attend the conference.
Nurse School Committees, according to MA General Law, Chapter 71, section 53, appoint School Nurses. Glenbrook Middle School Principal has conducted a search and recommended to Superintendent, Dr. O Shea, the following candidate for hire as the School Nurse at Glenbrook Middle School. Ms. Hutchins moved, seconded by Mr. Dupere, on the recommendation of the Superintendent, that the School Committee appoint Ms. Gladys Rivera as School Nurse for Glenbrook Middle School beginning for the 2017-2018 school year. Ms. Rivera will be employed under the Longmeadow Education Agreement - Unit C agreement. Motion passed with six (6) in favor and one (1) abstaining, Ms. Rothstein. Overnight Field Trip Request - Enclosed is an overnight field trip request for student from Glenbrook Middle School to go to Washington, D.C. Ms. Hutchins moved, seconded by Ms. Jasmin, on the recommendation of the Superintendent that the School Committee approve the overnight field trip request for students from Glenbrook Middle School to travel to Washington, D.C. on Friday, April 26, 2018 through Sunday, April 28, 2018. Discussion: Ms. Grodsky stated she would like the schools to find a way to assist those students who cannot afford the trip and are left out due to cost of the trip. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. Acceptance of Foreign Exchange Student Longmeadow High School received a request to host a foreign exchange student from Germany. Mr. Landers reviewed the records, references and host family placement of the student through the AFS International Exchange Program. Dr. O Shea and Mr. Landers support this student s acceptance. Ms. Hutchins moved, seconded by Ms. Baron, on the recommendation of the Superintendent that the School Committee accept Mr. Florian Schiffer, with tuition waived as a foreign exchange student in Grade 11 for the 2017-2018 school year. The motion passed unanimously. 13. Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
Ms. Grodsky suggested the School Committee brainstorm and send her items for future agenda items. Ms. Jasmin would like to address school supplies and how to target assisting students who need help with purchasing supplies. She would like this on the agenda for the last meeting of June. Dr. O Shea stated Ms. Hutchins stated the School Committee should be cognizant of open meeting law during this portion of the meeting. She also stated she would like an agenda item on High School start time. 14. Executive Session There is an executive session planned for this meeting. At 8:00 pm Mr. Dupere moved, second by Ms. Hutchins, that the School Committee meet in executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws chapter 30A section 21(a), purpose (2) to conduct a strategy session in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel, specifically, the Superintendent of Schools, the Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations, the Assistant Superintendent for Learning, the Director of Pupil Services and the Principal of Blueberry Hill School. This motion required a roll call vote. Ayes, Ms. Morrin, Ms. Grodsky, Mr. Dupere, Ms. Hutchins, Ms. Jasmin, Ms. Rothstein, and Ms. Baron. Nays: None. Ms. Grodsky stated the following: The School Committee will now be meeting in executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws chapter 30A section 21(a), purpose (2) to conduct a strategy session in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel, specifically, the Superintendent of Schools, the Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations, the Assistant Superintendent for Learning, the Director of Pupil Services and Principal of Blueberry Hill School. The School Committee will be returning to open session. 15. Reconvene into Open Session - At 10:33 pm, Ms. Grodsky called the the Wednesday, June 14, 2017 meeting of the Longmeadow School Committee back to order in open session. The meeting was not recorded. Present: Ms. Grodsky, Chair; Mr. Russell Dupere, Vice Chair;. Ms. Melanie Rothstein, Clerk; Ms. Jess Hutchins, Ms. Stephanie Jasmin, Ms. Kerrin Morrin, and Ms. Elizabeth Baron. Also present: Ms. Dianne Georgantas, Administrative Assistant
16. Contracts This agenda item was removed and not considered. 17. Adjournment At 10:34 pm, Ms. Baron moved, seconded by Mr. Dupere, that the School Committee adjourn the June 14, 2017 School Committee meeting. The motion passed unanimously. List of documents viewed or discussed during this meeting: Agenda for June 14, 2017 Annotated agenda for June 14, 2017 DRAFT minutes to the May 23, 2017 School Committee meeting. FY17 End of Year Funds Carpet Replacement Request dated June 14, 2017 FY17 Year to Date Budget Report dated June 5, 2017 Handbook Revision Power Point presentation dated June 14, 2017 2017-2018 Longmeadow Public Schools calendar dated 12/9/2016 MASC Summer Institute flyer MASC Special End of Year Conference Resume for School Nurse Gladys Rivera Overnight Field Trip request Glenbrook Washington D. C. April, 2018 Memo from Mr. Thomas Landers, Principal of Longmeadow High School, regarding an foreign exchange student. Information Only Responsibilities of School Committees and Charter School Boards as Member Districts of an Educational Collaborative. Correspondence from Mr. Donald Jarvis dated June 1, 2017 Correspondence from Ms. Amy Appell dated May 22, 2017 Correspondence from Ms. Erin Linville dated May 19, 2017 Information Only An article from the Springfield Republican dated May 23, 2017 titled Amherst Regional School Committee to Discuss Recouping Costs of Failed Superintendent Search Information Only Advisory on School Governance from MA DESE Information Only Contact list of School Committee 2017-2018 Policy BA School Committee Operational Goals Policy BAA Evaluation of School Committee Operational Procedures Policy BB School Committee Legal Status Policy BBA School Committee Powers and Duties Policy BBAA School Committee Member Authority Policy BCA - School Committee Ethics Policy BDE Subcommittees of the School Committee Disclosure Forms for School Committee members