The Barnstable School Committee met on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, in the Town Hall Hearing Room. Present were Chair Margeaux Weber, Vice-Chair Stephanie Ellis, and Committee members Chris Joyce, Fran McDonald, and Patrick Murphy. Also present were Dr. Mary Czajkowski, Bill Butler, Town Council Liaison Sara Cushing, and Student Envoys Madison Child and Cameron Curtin. Assistant Superintendent Marie McKay and Town Council Liaison John Norman were not in attendance. Ms. Weber called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and began by reciting the core values of the Barnstable School System. 1. All children have the right to every opportunity to achieve their full potential. 2. Each person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. 3. Integrity and personal responsibility are the hallmarks of our daily interactions. Minutes Motion by Mr. Murphy, seconded by Ms. Ellis, and the Committee voted unanimously to approve the School Committee minutes of Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Student Envoys Madison Childs reported that Katie s Ice Cream will donate 10% of its profits to the after prom celebration on April 25 from 12-8 PM. The BHS Fashion Show will take place at the Prova Brazil on May 3, at 2:00 PM - $10 for students and $15 for adults Two trips abroad are fast approaching: The Spanish Society trip to Cuba and the Environmental Science Club trip to Belize Cameron Curtin reported that spring sports are underway. The fields are being maintained and new fences have been put up. The spring production this year is a Shakespeare play called Cymbeline. It will be presented in May. Public Comment Andrea Wood, the Chair of the BCHMCPS Board of Trustees, provided an update to the Committee. o A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been drafted clarifying the circumstances in which the BCHMCPS may enroll students who currently do not reside in Barnstable. Upon approval of the School Committee and Board of Trustees, the MOU will be submitted to the Charter Office. o The school s charter was renewed in February. The school has five conditions it is required to meet to increase student achievement. o The BCHMCPS principal search committee has completed first round interviews. The final candidate will be recommended to the Superintendent for approval and the new principal will be announced in late May. o The school would like the School Committee to support its request for two ELL teachers. The school has the second highest ELL population in the district and was cited by the DESE in the Coordinated Program Review for being out of compliance for instructional services. Barbara Gleason, a Physical Education and Health Teacher at BHS, thanked the Committee for voting to have a Wellness credit as a graduation requirement. However with students only required to take one Wellness course, potentially in their senior year, they may be receiving valuable health information too late. Students should be required to take more health courses. Also, the Committee may consider providing waivers for students to participate in other outside physical activities but these activities do not meet the requirements of the MA Health Curriculum Frameworks or the needs of the students. Brooke Styche, BTA President and teacher at BHS, spoke in regards to the Wellness requirement at BHS. In January, Principal Patrick Clark spoke to Committee about the importance of keeping a Wellness requirement for students at BHS and the Committee voted to keep the Wellness credit as a graduation requirement. Then, at the March 19 meeting the Committee discussed potentially endorsing a waiver for this credit. She urged the Committee to think about the ramifications of a waiver and potentially taking the Wellness credit away from students at BHS. Ms. Weber reminded everyone that the meeting was being telecast and recorded on Channel 18. She also reminded any member of the public who wished to make an audio or video recording of the open session of the meeting to first notify the Chair, who will then inform the public of the recording, as required by the Open Meeting Law. School Committee/Sub Liaison Reports Mr. Joyce attended the CIP budget presentation to the Town Council last week. The process went well, and the Council was very receptive and provided positive feedback. Mr. Murphy explained that at this time each year, Channel 22 scrolls the universities and colleges that the Barnstable High School seniors have been accepted to. We consistently have students who are accepted to the top schools in the world. Mr. Murphy attended the National School Board Association Conference (NSBA). There were world class speakers and the opportunity to interact with other School Committee members around the country to discuss various topics.
Ms. Ellis is proud to see all of the universities and colleges that our students have been accepted to on Channel 22. She also attended the NSBA Conference. She appreciates the opportunity to speak to other School Committee members across the nation to find out what is working or not working in other districts. Ms. Ellis participated on the search committee for the BUES principal. She is confident that the right leader was chosen for that school. Ms. Weber attended the CIP budget presentation to the Town Council. She thanked the Council for supporting the school projects that were presented. She attended the NSBA conference as well and participated in sessions on universal preschool, ELL, and Food Allergies. She attended the 1:1 Mobile/iPad Celebration on April 1 at BIS. She congratulated Bethann Orr and the staff at BIS for a successful roll out of the ipad initiative. Ms. Weber attended a performance of the Sound of Music and the Poetry Slam at BHS. We have very talented and inspiring students in the district. Superintendent s Report Dr. Czajkowski explained that Principal Patrick Clark wrote a letter to her requesting to suspend Barnstable High School s participation in NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), pending review of reform. With the Committee s approval, Dr. Czajkowski would like to send a letter to Cameron Staples, the President of NEASC, requesting that Barnstable suspend its participation in NEASC. o Mr. Murphy stated that he would be willing to put forth a motion to direct the Superintendent to write a letter to NEASC instead of waiting until the May meeting. o Dr. McDonald does not feel it is necessary to rush to suspend Barnstable s participation in NEASC. If it were a year or two ago before the money was spent and multiple hours were put into the self-study, it would be critical. The follow up report is not due for two years. He does not disagree that NEASC needs reform, but the Committee might want to have a longer conversation before taking a vote. o Ms. Ellis feels comfortable moving forward with a vote based on the amount of work that went into the process and the contents of Mr. Clark s letter. o Motion by Mr. Murphy, seconded by Mr. Joyce, and the Committee voted 4 to 1 to direct the Superintendent to move forward with submitting a letter to the President of NEASC, with similar contents to the letter written by Principal Clark, suspending Barnstable s participation in NEASC pending reform. Dr. McDonald voted no. Dr. Czajkowski would like to schedule a meeting with the School Committee and NISL Cohorts I and II (National Institute of School Leadership) to discuss the impact NISL has had on the administrators and teachers in regards to teaching, learning, work, and leadership. On April 15, Dr. Czajkowski met with Town Manager Tom Lynch and several other administrators to discuss the use of school and town fields. A more comprehensive plan needs to be developed in regards to the use of the fields. On April 14, Dr. Czajkowski and Mr. Markwell gave a budget presentation to the CFAC (Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee). They received an overall positive review from the members of CFAC. The Special Education Parent Advisory Council is calling for nominations for the Wind Beneath My Wings Award which recognizes excellence in supporting special education. An award ceremony will be held on May 16 at BHS. On May 15, Dr. Czajkowski and the elementary principals met with representatives from the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program. The Foundation has a program called Staying Strong and it supports military connected students and families. This program will help identify the military students in Barnstable. On April 9, Dr. Czajkowski met with the Grade 7 teachers and staff to discuss the impact the ipads have had since the roll out. The teachers and students shared some very positive comments about the initiative. Dr. Czajkowski thanked the Town Council for their support at the April 3 meeting and for approving the funding for the school department s FY 15 CIP projects. Dr. Czajkowski met today with the Early Learning staff to discuss the temporary move to the high school. Schools will be closed on Friday, April 18 for Good Friday and April 21 25 for the spring vacation week. Item # 041614-007 BCHMCPS Enrollment Policy Review Ms. Weber explained that in the course of renewing the BCHCMPS Charter, it came to light that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approved the school s enrollment policy which allows non-resident students to enroll at the school. This is in conflict with Charter School Law. On February 11 th, the district and school received letters from Cliff Chuang, the head of the Charter Office, apologizing for having approved this policy. Mr. Chuang has asked the Charter School to submit a revised enrollment policy. Dr. Czajkowski, Ms. Weber, and Ms. Ellis met with the school s Board of Trustees and Principal to develop a resolution. Mr. Butler prepared a memorandum of understanding that states that the school is going to move the Barnstable students up on the lottery waitlist until classes are filled and move the out of district students to the waitlist. An amended enrollment policy will then be submitted to the Barnstable Teachers Association (BTA) and School Committee for approval.
Ms. Wood stated that the DESE approved the BCHMCPS enrollment policy twice in error. It was first approved when the school originally became a Charter School, and then with an amendment in 2011. Dr. Czajkowski added that the BTA must vote to ratify the amended enrollment policy by the end of the school year. Ms. Cantelmo has spoken to the Charter Office and it takes approximately 60-90 days to approve an amendment. Motion by Mr. Murphy, seconded by Ms. Ellis, and the Committee voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding with the BCHMCPS clarifying the circumstances under which the school may enroll students who do not reside in Barnstable, as presented to the Committee. Highlights on Education Superintendent s Excellence Awards: Colby Blaze and Cameron Curtin o Each year, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents honors two students in Barnstable with Superintendent s Excellence Awards. This year s award recipients were Colby Blaze and Cameron Curtin. Dr. Czajkowski and the School Committee presented Cameron and Colby with their awards. Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award: Michael Gyra o Mr. Michael Gyra, a teacher at Barnstable High School, was a recipient of a Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award from the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C. Mr. Gyra was nominated by a former student and one of six teachers in the United States to receive the award and a stipend of $10,000. Item # 041614-004 BIS Principal Appointment Dr. Czajkowski presented the new Principal of the Barnstable Intermediate School, James Anderson, to the Committee. Mr. Anderson is currently the Vice-Principal at BIS. He will start in his new position on July 1, 2014. Mr. Anderson thanked Dr. Czajkowski for having the faith to offer him the Principal position. He has been a life-long resident of Barnstable and is excited to start in his new position on July 1. Item # 041614-005 BUES Principal Appointment Dr. Czajkowski presented the new Principal of the Barnstable United Elementary School, Mary Sullivan, to the Committee. She is currently the Principal of the Leahy School in Lawrence. Ms. Sullivan will start in her new position on July 1, 2014. Ms. Sullivan is excited to become part of the Barnstable Public Schools. She has a passion for learning and is looking forward to bringing her twenty years of educational experience to BUES and Barnstable. Item # 041614-001 Graduation Requirements Policy Mr. Butler explained that the School Committee previously had a policy on graduation requirements. It was repealed as part of the comprehensive revision of the School Committee s policies. The Committee will eventually have to adopt a new policy on graduation requirements. In addition, the Committee will need to decide whether or not to authorize the high school principal to waive the statutory physical education requirement for students under certain circumstances, and what kinds of activities would qualify for waivers. Dr. McDonald recommended that the Committee schedule a Workshop to discuss the graduation requirements policy, the physical education requirement, Wellness, and waivers. The Committee members agreed that further discussion and a Workshop are warranted. They need to be cohesive in this discussion and consider all stakeholders while developing this policy. Dr. Czajkowski stated that the Committee has approved a Wellness credit which is in the 2014 2015 Program of Studies. Every student graduating from BHS must pass this Wellness credit. The physical education discussion stemmed from the Coordinated Program Review in which BHS was found to be out of compliance for not providing, in accordance with state law, physical education at each grade level every year. Currently BHS provides physical education in the TGA block and will continue to do that until a new schedule is in place. She would be open to further discussion on this topic at a Workshop. Prior to the May 14 Meeting, at 6:00 PM, the Committee will be meeting with the Student Council. Mr. Butler recommended that the Workshop to discuss the graduation requirements start at 6:30 PM, and involve the Student Council in the discussion. Ms. Weber concluded that the Workshop will take place on May 14, at 6:30 PM, and include input from the Student Council. Item # 041614-002 2014 2015 School Committee Meeting Schedule Dr. Czajkowski provided the Committee with a proposed meeting schedule for the 2014 2015 school year. All meetings have been scheduled in the Town Hall Hearing Room on Tuesday evenings, with the exceptions of July, August, and November, which are scheduled on Monday evenings. This item is for information tonight will be placed on the May 14 agenda for approval.
Item # 041614-003 Rain Forest Biology Club Trip to Ecuador Dr. Czajkowski and Ms. Weber previously approved the Rain Forest Biology Club trip to Ecuador. Dr. Czajkowski recommended that the Committee approve to ratify the trip per School Committee Policy. Motion by Mr. Murphy, seconded by Ms. Ellis, and the Committee voted unanimously to ratify approval by the School Committee Chair and the Superintendent of a field trip to Ecuador for the Rain Forest Biology Club from April 16 to 24, 2014, as presented to the Committee. Item # 041614-008 Contract Pre-Approval for Removal/Replacement of Underground and Aboveground Storage Tanks at Hyannis West and Centerville Elementary School Mr. Kanyock explained that this item is a request to allow the Superintendent to enter into a contract for the removal of 3 underground storage tanks (2 at Hyannis West and 1 at Centerville) and 1 above ground storage tank in the basement at Centerville. All of these units have been changed over to natural gas and the tanks need to be taken out by law. The removal of these tanks was appropriated in last year s capital budget. Motion by Ms. Ellis, seconded by Mr. Murphy, and the Committee voted unanimously to authorize the Superintendent to accept the bid of the lowest responsive and eligible bidder and award a contract for removal and replacement of underground and aboveground storage tanks at Hyannis West and Centerville Elementary Schools for a value not to exceed $90,000, as recommended by the Town Purchasing Agent. Item # 041614-009 Recommended Approval of FY 15 Budget Dr. Czajkowski presented a summary of proposed FY 15 budget changes that have occurred since the March 19 meeting. Individual cost center budgets have been minimally changed and there is no change in the final proposed budget totaling $62,070,109. The proposed budget has been revised to reflect position transfers, retirements, and other staffing adjustments. The budget was updated as follows: $35,825 decrease in the level fund/contractual obligation costs, generated from retirement savings Proposed reductions at BHS were adjusted from 6.0 FTE to 4.7 FTE New position of.5 FTE Special Education Team Chair at BHS has been removed. Further changes will be required prior to the beginning of the school year and will be managed in accordance with the appropriate School Committee Policy. Mr. Butler stated that the district is recommending that the Committee take three votes on the adoption of the FY 15 budget. The first is to adopt the budget for the Curriculum and Instruction cost center. Mr. Murphy should recuse himself from that vote. The second vote is to adopt the budget for the Student Services cost center. Ms. Ellis should recuse herself from that vote. The third is to adopt a total budget in the amount of $62,070,109. Both Mr. Murphy and Ms. Ellis may participate in this vote. Motion by Ms. Ellis, seconded by Dr. McDonald, and the Committee voted unanimously to adopt a budget of $1,380,076 for the cost center entitled Curriculum and Instruction for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014. [Mr. Murphy recused himself from participation in the deliberations and vote on this motion.] Motion by Dr. McDonald, seconded by Mr. Joyce, and the Committee voted unanimously to adopt a budget of $402,401 for the cost center entitled Student Services for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014. [Ms. Ellis recused herself from participation in the deliberations and vote on this motion.] Motion by Mr. Joyce, seconded by Mr. Murphy, and the Committee voted unanimously to adopt a total budget of $62,070,109 for the School Department for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014, to be funded by an appropriation of $58,887,360 subject to change depending on the final state aid received by the town, an expenditure not to exceed $1,707,749 from the Circuit Breaker revolving fund, an expenditure not to exceed $425,000 from the Transportation Fees revolving fund, and an expenditure not to exceed $1,050,000 from the School Choice Tuition revolving fund. Dr. Czajkowski thanked the Committee, Mr. Markwell, Mr. Milne, and the Leadership Team for their work and support with the budget. Item # 041614-010 Budget Transfer Policy Mr. Markwell stated that a draft of the Budget Transfer Policy is before the Committee for consideration and a first reading. The revision of the policy moves most of the authority to make operational decisions and transfers within cost centers to the Superintendent, while still providing the School Committee the responsibility of authorizing transfers across departments. This item will be placed on the May 14 agenda for a second reading and action.
Item # 041614-011 FY 14 Transfer Request Mr. Markwell stated that the district is requesting a cross category transfer in the amount of $25,000 from salary and wages to the expense and contracted services budget line. This is to cover costs that the district incurred through the Cape Cod Collaborative and other outside agencies. There was a vacant position in the district and we have been contracting outside the district to meet the requirements of that position. Motion by Ms. Ellis, seconded by Mr. Murphy, and the Committee voted unanimously to approve the transfer of funds between budget categories as requested by the Deputy Finance Director in a memorandum to the School Committee dated April 16, 2014, in accordance with Policy DBJ and as recommended by the Superintendent. Executive Session Nonunion Contract Negotiations (Assistant Superintendent Contract) Ms. Weber declared that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the School Committee s bargaining position. Motion by, seconded by Dr. McDonald, and the Committee voted unanimously to go into executive session to reconvene in public session to discuss nonunion contract negotiation strategy (Assistant Superintendent s Contract). Stephanie Ellis, Chris Joyce, Fran McDonald, Patrick Murphy, and Margeaux Weber all voted Yes on a roll call vote to move into executive session - to reconvene in public session to discuss nonunion contract negotiation strategy. The Committee entered into executive session at 9:06 PM and reconvened in public session at 9:26 PM. Dr. Czajkowski recommended that the School Committee appoint Ms. Kristen Harmon for the position of Assistant Superintendent of Schools effective July 1, 2014, and thereby offer her a three year contract. Ms. Harmon thanked Dr. Czajkowski for encouraging her to pursue this opportunity. She also thanked Ms. McKay for her support over the years. She feels very fortunate to work with such a wonderful group of educators and staff throughout the district. Ms. Harmon is committed to Barnstable and is looking forward to start her in her new position on July 1, 2014. Item #041614-006 Appointment of Assistant Superintendent Motion by Mr. Murphy, seconded by, and the Committee voted unanimously to appoint Kristen Harmon as Assistant Superintendent of the Barnstable Pubic Schools, as recommended by the Superintendent, and to approve an employment contract for the Assistant Superintendent for a three-year term of service beginning July 1, 2014, at a starting base salary of $132,000 per year and other terms and conditions as set forth in a written employment agreement prepared by the School Attorney and presented to the School Committee. Meet adjourned at 9:33 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Betsy McKane Administrative Assistant