Georgetown School Committee
Thursday, February 16, 2017 6:30PM
Town Hall 3rd Floor Meeting Room
Regular Session Minutes
Barbie Linares, Chairman
Pamela Lundquist, Vice Chairman
Michael Hinchliffe, Clerk
Cheryl Lachendro
Suzanne MacDonald
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In Attendance:
Superintendent Jacobs Margaret Maher Jack Tiano Daniel Hanneken Mike Murphy
Pamela Lundquist Suzanne Sutherland Joanne Testaverde
Cheryl Lachendro Peter Lucia Heather Torrey
Michael Hinchliffe Collin MacDonald
Suzanne MacDonald
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Vice Chairman Lundquist called the meeting to order at 6:30PM. A portion of the meeting was not aired live. All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consent Agenda
Vice Chairman Lundquist read the items included in the Consent Agenda for February 16, 2017 which were Regular Session Minutes of 1/26/17, Start School Later Minutes of 1/23/17 and Acceptance of Warrants #33V17 and #32P17, and Communications.
MOTION: Cheryl Lachendro (S. Macdonald second) to approve the consent agenda as presented. So voted (4-0). Motion carried.
Documents Referenced: Regular Session Minutes of 1/26/16, Start School Later Minutes of 1/23/17.
Audiences
Whittier School Committee Representative Interviews
Vice Chairman Lundquist invited Dr. Daniel Hanneken to come forward to begin his interview for this three year term position. Dr. Joanne Testaverde began by that it was nice to see the group at the Whittier luncheon during the holidays. The committee did receive her credentials including 9 years on this board and 13 years as the Whittier Representative. She would like to continue for another because there are many things. She reviewed her professional credentials including being an education and her doctorate is in education. She has had many roles in public education over her 30+ years in the field. She is also an adjunct professor. She brings two sides of the perspective to this position. Vice Chairman asked Dr. Testaverde to talk about her collaboration on the Committee. Right now Whittier is in the process of beginning a municipal building project. There is a new Superintendent who has recently been renewed. She is the Chair of the Curriculum & Instruction Subcommittee which is currently focused on increasing the rigor of the disciplines. There are many projects going on that she would like to see through completion. This year is last year to implement all four grades of a 1:1 iPad initiative. She was involved in the hiring of the two last Superintendents. The vocational programs have increased over the last five years.
Member Hinchliffe asked about what the biggest challenges are at this time. Right now we are all experiencing the students and the fallout of the current election. They are a diverse community and that has been very positively fostered at Whittier and beyond. The building project is to replace this 40+ year old building. There are things that need to be updated including the need for science labs and replacements of boilers, etc. Member Lachendro asked about why she left the Georgetown School Committee to join Whittier. At the time she was working as personnel services in Wakefield and the both boards met at the same time. Because her attendance was mandatory there, she had to relinquish her role in Georgetown. Whittier’s meetings took place on a different evening and that seat opened at that time so she chose to continue her volunteer role.
Dr. Hanneken began by thanking Dr. Testaverde for her service as well. He recently retired from the military and then became an educator. He was a teacher, assistant principal, principal, etc. and is currently an adjunct professor as well. He is working with 14 teachers within 7 districts, and also is a tutor in Boston. He believes in a comprehensive education and sees how vocational schools turn children’s lives around. He is versed in budgeting over the years including his last school, which was a level 3 innovation school. As an Associate Dean in Fitchburg, he has vast knowledge of education.
Member MacDonald asked Dr. Hanneken what his best asset will be brought to this position. He stated that he will bring in a fresh perspective to the position. He agrees that having an educator in the position is important. His job will be do support the school and will come into it with that perspective.
Member Hinchliffe asked how familiar he is with Whittier and his opinion of what is the biggest challenge. He answered that combining the two requirements of MCAS and learning a trade is a challenge. Building a new building will be a challenge and he’s been through that process twice. He spoke of his curriculum development skills and add that to going to from level 1 to level 2.
Dr. Testaverde spoke of the level 2 status because of the way the calculations were made. Vice Chairman Lundquist spoke of the value of having an educator in this position. The fact that so many children graduate and go onto college, Whittier is a very successful school. Vice Chairman Lundquist asked Dr. Hanneken if he was ever on a School Committee or governing board. This is his time to move into that realm. Member Lachendro asked Dr. Hanneken why Whittier School Committee and not Georgetown School Committee. He wasn’t aware that there was an opening and he is currently a substitute in the district. He’s on the path to help teachers improve their practice and help educators with the school committee piece.
Dr. Testaverde asked Dr. Hanneken how long he’s been in Georgetown. He lived here for 15 years, moved, then returned in August. He will continue to look for opportunities to serve in Georgetown. Vice Chairman Lundquist asked the same question about collaboration and what three adjectives your colleagues would use to describe their respective working style. Dr. Hanneken continued by talking about advanced opportunities with districts, able to listen and come to student centered consensus. He’s very supportive of the people who do the work. He would say his colleagues would say he’s a successful leader.
Both candidates left while the Committee deliberated. Dr. Testaverde provided updated information about enrollment and services provided. The Committee talked about the candidates who really want to fulfill this position. Both have a wealth of information and a similar background with a lot of experiences. You have someone who has a lot more school committee experience than the other. Dr. Testaverde knows the current initiatives and what exactly is going on at the school right now. Dr. Hanneken has such a wealth of knowledge. Perhaps the timing isn’t right. It’s unusual to have multiple applicants for this unpaid position. Member Hinchliffe talked about the school committee role and it’s not as if it’s for the Chair role. Fresh eyes are nice and everyone brings a different background to the position including the financial background.
Dr. Testaverde has been very involved in progressive education and is effectively involved in cutting edge initiatives.
MOTION: Cheryl Lachendro (S. MacDonald second) to appoint Dr. Joanne Testaverde as the Georgetown Representative School Committee Representative to Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School from 2017-2020. So voted (4-0). Motion carried.
Both candidates came back to receive the news that Dr. Testaverde has been reappointed to the position.
Document Referenced: Candidate credentials.
Food Services and Wellness Committee Report
Vice Chairman Lundquist invited Heather Torrey to come forward to give an update on the status of the food services department. Heather began by talking about recruiting new members of the Wellness Committee, staff appreciation ideas, SBIRT and ABS surveys in the near future, and preparation for the wellness fair. The fair will be on April 1st at Penn Brook in conjunction with the Kiwanis pancake breakfast. There is a wide range of educational booths including smoking cessation, dermatology screening, posture screening, martial arts and yoga demonstrations. She continued to report on the Food Services Department including the successes of the program, increased participation and the financial status. The DESE has approved the corrective action plan based on their recent findings. The Wellness Policy must be updated yearly.
The findings overall were minor and addressed immediately including the training of the Penn Brook Manager. As of this afternoon the outstanding balance is approximately $4,000. There have been generous donations received since implementing the policy in October. Students have not been shut off recently and there haven’t been any instances in the past couple of months. The guidance department has been actively involved in this area if necessary. The breakdown is lots of families with small balances making up the $4,000. She continued by monitoring each invoice and tracking inventory as effectively as possible. Breakfast participation enabled our district was recognized in Massachusetts to be a Breakfast Champion which means a 35% or greater increase in participation at breakfast over the course of the year. Small spikes at Penn Brook have been noticed.
Additional successes included work with a student intern. Various college level interns will come to the program in the near future. They will partner with the Compass program to get the school garden off the ground in the spring.
Documents Referenced: HW/FS update dated 2/10/17, DESE corrective action items and CAP proposal.
Administrative Reports
Approval of High School Program of Studies 2017-2018
Principal Peter Lucia summarized the minor changes to next years’ high school program of studies. Changes include: removing the prerequisite of Psychology from Abnormal Psychology, add a prerequisite of one year of CP Biology & CP Chemistry with a grade of “A” for AP Biology, add a prerequisite of a grade of “B+” or better in grade 8 math for Honors Introduction to Physics, add “B+” in grade 8 math for Honors Biology, add prerequisite “B-“ or better in Algebra I for Chemistry, add prerequisite “B+” in Honors Algebra I for Honors Chemistry, add new level in math of pre-calculus CP, add “B+” in grade 8 math for Honors Biology, add prerequisite “B-“ or better in Algebra I for Chemistry, and add prerequisite “B+” in Honors Algebra for Honors Chemistry.
MOTION: Cheryl Lachendro (S. MacDonald second) to approve the 2017-2018 high school program of studies changes as presented by Peter Lucia. So voted (4-0). Motion carried.
Document Referenced: Program of studies changes memo dated 2/10/17.
Subcommittee Reports
Vice Chairman Lundquist reported that the Budget/Finance Subcommittee will meet on 2/27/17.
There was a SEPAC meeting last night where Jack Tiano gave an MCAS accommodations presentation.
Old Business
FY18 Budget Discussion
The Public Hearing has been rescheduled to 2/27/18 at 6:30PM at Town Hall. The Superintendent’s Recommend FY18 budget is proposed at $14,660,439 which is a 3.85% increase over FY17. This is basically a level services budget including all contractual obligations being met. What is not included in the budget include: technology integration specialists, reading and math interventionists, sufficient funds for professional development, funds for the elementary science curriculum, funds for the NEASC accreditation, and funds to upgrade the technology infrastructure at Perley. We could ask for free cash from the town or look at the Penn Brook revolving account or looking at rolling it out over two years instead of one. Some of the materials to be purchased will include the initial kits then it will become less over subsequent years.
Supt. Jacobs and Member Hinchliffe were thanked for leading the budget forum this month. For folks who weren’t able to attend, it will be aired again on GCTV. There are still plans to do podcasts. There could be changes made based on the public hearing but the current schedule is to approve the budget on 3/9/17.
Document Referenced: Superintendent’s Recommended FY18 Budget Binder.
New Business
Establish new Technology Revolving Account
In order to process payments and receipts for the 1:1 IPad initiative, the district will need a new separate revolving account which requires School Committee approval. The only thing going in and out of this account will be iPad related only. There will be no co-mingling of funds.
MOTION: Michael Hinchliffe (C. Lachendro second) to approve the creation of a new “Technology Fund Revolving Account” in order to process payments for the iPad 1:1 initiative as presented. So voted (4-0). Motion carried.
Document Referenced: Revolving account request memo.
Student Representative
Member MacDonald was given comments for report on behalf of the students from Michaela Perry. The play was absolutely fantastic. It was one of the best plays that she has seen. It was so nice to see so many Penn Brook families. The girls’ varsity basketball team won their second game of the season last night. The boys’ varsity basketball team won a very intense game as well. The DECA club students are preparing for their competition in March.
Superintendent Jacobs reported that she attended a play at GMHS regarding children of the Holocaust. It is written by a local woman in Newburyport. The play is performed by children that took place in Terezin representing the two days prior to their death. This group travels throughout the country to give their performance. They will be traveling internationally soon. Mr. Lucia thanked the PTA for sponsoring this performance.
Related was tonight’s coffee and conversation with Rabbi Resnik at Penn Brook. Approximately 15 parents attended and had the opportunity to speak with him directly. Vice Chairman read from website regarding Terezin. The group will return to the district for a program that was cut short due to today’s delayed opening.
The cheerleaders were congratulated on their competition in Orlando, FL.
MOTION: Michael Hinchliffe (S. MacDonald second) to adjourn at 8:35PM and will not need an executive session this evening. So voted (4-0). Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Markarian, School Committee Secretary
Regular Session Minutes 2/16/17