Saugus School CommitteeRegular MeetingMarch 13, 2014
Open Session
Time-Place:An Open Session of the Saugus School Committee was held this date at the Roby School Building. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call:Mr. Grabowskipresent
Mrs. Meredithpresent
Mrs. Rileypresent
Mr. Serinopresent
Ms. Reedpresent
Mr. Grabowski moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was unanimously
VOTED:to adjourn the open session at 6:00 and enter into executive session for updates on pending litigation, litigation strategy and non-union contracts.
Roll Call:Mr. Grabowskiyes
Mrs. Meredithyes
Mrs. Rileyyes
Mr. Serinoyes
Ms. Reed yes
The Open Session was called back to order at 7:05 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
Roll Call:Mr. Grabowskinot present
Mrs. Meredithpresent
Mrs. Rileypresent
Mr. Serinopresent
Ms. Reedpresent
Ms. Reed noted that SCTV was recording the meeting. There were no other recordings.
Public Comment: There was no public comment.
Presentations:
A representative from “ Brandon-Copsync” was present this evening to give an overview of a program COPsync which is a “Real-time threat alert system” that immediately connects the staff of a building under potential threat with the police officers closest to the building’s location. He demonstrated the product. Police Chief DiMella was also present.
SHS Woodworking Class: Mr. Miller, Saugus High School teacher was present this evening to discuss the woodworking class curriculum at the high school. Mr. Miller brought two guitars to the meeting which was made by students in the class. One student came to the meeting and played it for the committee.
Student Representative:
Jonathan McTague was present this evening to give an update on activities at the high school.
- A circus is coming to the high school on Saturday. Performances are at 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 p.m.
- April 3 – Kowloon night
- Senior week activities and prom tickets will go on sale April 7.
- Make-a-Wish: The high school has raised $6,000 in just five weeks. They are opening the fundraiser up to the community to reach their goal of $7500 by April to sponsor a child in the make-a-wish program.
- Shadow Day
Minutes for Approval:
Ms. Meredith moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to take the Minutes of December 12, 2013 Open Session, off the table.
Mr. Serino moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to accept the Minutes of December 12, 2013 Open Session.
Mr. Serino moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to accept the Minutes of February 12, 2014 Joint Meeting as presented.
Ms. Meredith moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to accept the Minutes of February 20, 2014 as presented.
Mr. Serino moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to accept the Minutes of February 27, 2014 Joint Meeting as presented.
Warrants:Ms. Riley moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to approve the bill schedule as outlined in Ms. Andrews’ memo dated March 13, 2014 in the amount of $652,468.71.
Superintendent’s Report:
Reading Across America Week:The Superintendent reported on the week’s activities including a reading by David Ira Rottenberg of his book “Gwendolyn the Dancing Pig”, while students from Sandra’s Dance School performed a dance that follows his animated narration. The Superintendent commended Ms. Galvin for coordinating the presentation.
The Superintendent thanked all of the community members who read to the students last week.
Saugus Safety Committee Updates; Cop/Sync Presentation:
The presentation was earlier in the meeting.
Update on the SHS Statement of Interest Process for a New Saugus High School; Joint Committee Meetings on 3/15/14 at Saugus High School and 3/10/14 at SHS.
The Superintendent reported that the SHS SOI Committee has been meeting regularly and the drafting committee has presented drafts to the committee for consideration. The drafting committee will meet every Monday morning at 7 am at SHS and the entire committee will meet every Monday 6 pm for the next three weeks until the SOI is completed. The targeted date of completion is March 27th. The community is invited to a walking tour of SHS on Saturday, March 29.
Superintendent’s Wellness Advisory Council Meeting: The Superintendent’s Wellness Advisory Council met last week to work on preparations for the upcoming event on April 2nd hosted at 6:30 p.m. at the YMCA in Saugus. There will be a series of health and wellness workshops, the release of the latest SPS student youth risk behavior survey results, and social activities for the students and families. The committee also discussed revising the peer mentor program, training groups of high school students to work with younger students. The Committee is also looking for ways to integrate regional wellness grant initiatives directly to the SPS.
Executive Director of Curriculum and Accountability Position Posted; Committee being formed; parents and community members sought for the committee:
A search committee is being put together to fill the position of Executive Director of Curriculum and Accountability for the Saugus Public Schools. The Superintendent is looking for parents and Saugus community members to serve on the committee. The committee will be comprised of teachers, parents, administrators, community members and a member of Saugus School Committee. Anyone interested in serving on the committee should call the Superintendent’s office.
Belmonte Middle School Principal Search:
The Superintendent reported that a search committee has been created to formally select a principal for the BMS. Ms. Kerry Robbins has been serving as interim principal for her second year. He expected the process to be completed by the next School Committee meeting on March 27th.
Spelling Bee:It was noted that Sean Talbert won the spelling bee at the BMS and would be moving on to Lynn city Hall to compete.
Report of Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Special Education: Ms. Howard reported that transition planning meetings are continuing at all levels to assist with determining class placement and staffing needs for the 2013-2014 school year. ETL’s are meeting weekly with the PPS Director to review caseloads and out of district student summaries.
Summer Programming for 2014: Dawn Trainor has been hired as the 2014 Extended School Year Program Director. Ms. Trainor has begun the process of meeting with ETL’s to determine the potential enrollment and projected staffing needs for the program. The ETLs have worked closely with the PPS Director to review how the program has been run and provided suggestions for program improvement and efficiencies.
It was noted that they have posted the enrichment director position.
Spread the Word to End the Word: BMS had the first Spread the Word to End the Word campaign in March.
SHS Life Skills Class is participating in Impact Ability Training, a 10-week program of self-advocacy and self-defense at SHS.
Life Skills Class: The Spring Fling is coming up.
Diana Ortiz, a Saugus High School student with Down Syndrome, was profiled in the Boston Sunday Globe Magazine.
Reports of Subcommittees:
Finance Subcommittee:Ms. Riley reported that the finance subcommittee discussed pay rates for non-contract employees. They will be meeting again this month and will bring a recommendation forward to the April meeting.
Co-Curricular Subcommittee:
SHS Auditorium:Mr. Serino reported that the co-curricular subcommittee met and discussed naming the Saugus High School auditorium “The Lemoine and Mitchell Performing Arts Center”.
Mr. Serino moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to recommend that the SHS Auditorium be named “The Lemoineand Mitchell Performing Arts Center”
Food Service: Ms. Riley noted that there will be a meeting in the business manager’s office on March 19 to talk about the Aramark extension.
Old Business:
SHS SOI Update:
It was reported that the SOI Committee has been meeting and will continue to meet every Monday until this is completed. Everyone is welcome to attend. Ms. Meredith thanked everyone that is involved. Mr. Hashem, Mr. Woods, and Mr. Manoogian have been working day and night. There will be an open house on March 29 at 8:30 a.m. at the high school.
School Calendar:
The School Committee reviewed a couple of sample school calendars. Ms. Meredith asked if a survey would be sent out. Ms. Meredith asked if a survey would be sent out to the parents regarding the start of the school year. Ms. Reed noted that she did receive calls against starting before Labor Day. She asked that the calendar be referred to the policy subcommittee.
New Business
Gifts:
Follett to Waybright $52.11
O’Connor Portrait to Ballard School $483.92
Wheelabrator to Ballard School for the Bumble Field Trip $2100.
Ms. Riley moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
Voted: to accept the gifts from Follett, and O’Connor Portrait to be deposited into the gift account.
Ms. Meredith moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
Voted: to accept the donation from Wheelabrator to the Ballard School for the Bumble Bee Field Trip.
Recommendation of the SHS Program of Studies: Mr. Hashem, SHS Principal was present this evening to present the proposed changes to the Program of Studies and to discuss the prerequisites. Superintendent Tempesta complimented the staff on all the work that has been done with the program of studies.
Ms. Meredith and Mr. Hashem thanked Mr. Bruno, Mr. Woods, Mr. Sullivan, Superintendent Tempesta, and Ms. Mattola for all the work put into the program of studies.
Ms. Meredith moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to approve the proposed changes to the SHS Program of Studies.
The Program of Studies will be up on the website by Monday.
Recommendation of SHS Field Trip to Belize:
Mr. Serino moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to approve the high school field trip to Belize June 29 – July 6, 2015..
Recommendation of Ballard ECC Fees for 2014-2015: A discussion was held regarding the fees for the next school year for the Early Childhood Center. They would like to increase the fee to $33.50 per day from $26.67 per day. They would also like to add an after school program, which would be a separate fee. It was noted that the Ballard is $11 per day cheaper than the YMCA and that the teachers at the Ballard are both regular education and sped certified.
Members of the School Committee had not heard of any increases until this evening. Discussion was held. Ms. Meredith and Ms. Riley felt comfortable voting this since there have been no increases to this point. Mr. Serino and Ms. Reed felt they did not want to vote on this without reviewing the numbers.
Mr. Serino moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to table the vote on the Ballard ECC Fees.
3 in favor
1 opposed
Mr. Serino moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to refer the Ballard ECC Fees to the finance subcommittee and to come back with a recommendation.
Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability Search Process: Please contact the Superintendent if you would like to be part of the search committee.
Belmonte Principal Search Process: The time line was discussed.
Ms. Riley commended the teachers and administration at the high school. She noted that she is very happy that her child attends the high school. Mr. Serino seconded the comment.
Mr. Serino moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was
VOTED:to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
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