SCITUATE SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
May 2, 2011
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by
Mr. Michael Hayes, Chairperson
at 6:30 p.m. in the Scituate High School Principal’s Conference Room.
On a motion by Mr. Hayes,
Seconded by Mr. Johnston,
It was voted: To go into Executive Session as set forth
In Section 23B , Chapter 39 of the Massachusetts
General Laws to discuss matters pertaining to contract
negotiations at 6:30 p.m.
The roll call was:
School Committee Members Present:
Mr. Michael Hayes, Chairpersonyes
Mr. Richard Hebertyes
Mr. William Johnstonyes
Mr. Jamie Strobino, Secretaryyes
Ms. Brenda Bowen yes
On a motion by Ms. Bowen,
Seconded by Mr. Strobino,
It was voted: to return to the regular meeting at 7:35 p.m.
The roll call was:
School Committee Members Present:
Mr. Michael Hayes, Chairpersonyes
Ms. Brenda Bowen, Vice-Chairpersonyes
Mr. William Johnstonyes
Mr. Richard Hebertyes
Mr. Jamie Strobino, Secretaryyes
The meeting was called to order by
Mr. Michael Hayes, Chairperson, at
7:35 pm in the Scituate High School Library.
School Committee Members Present:
Mr. Michael Hayes, Chairperson
Ms. Brenda Bowen, Vice-Chairperson
Mr. William Johnston
Mr. Jamie Strobino, Secretary
Mr. Richard Hebert
Administrators Present:
Dr. Susan E. Martin, Superintendent
Dr. Jim Kelleher, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Paul Donlan, Director of Business and Finance
Ms. Judy Norton, Director of Special Education
1.Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Mr. Strobino, a.April 11, 2011
seconded, by Ms. Bowen,
It was voted:To accept the April 11, 2011
regular meeting minutes.
Mr. Hayes requested that the MOTION be amended as
follows: the word “electricity” bedeleted from Section 4 b.
and therefore reflecting$230,000 for oil only.
On a motion by Mr. Strobino,
Seconded by Ms. Bowen,
The vote was 4-0.
Comments and Statements from the Public
2.Special Matters
Mrs. Mari-An Fitzmaurice read Jacob Dow’sa. Recognition of Jacob Dow
Essay (Addendum A). She explained that Jacob isfor placing 2nd Place in the Will
a 5th graderat Hatherly Elementary School. He wrote McDonough Writing Contest
his essay on the Canadian athlete, Terry Fox.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent introduced Ms. Margeb. Health & Safety Report
Rossi, Nurse Leader for the Scituate Public Schools.
Ms. Rossi presented a powerpoint presentation titled
“Health and Safety Report” dated May 2010. The
presentation outlined various topics which included
the changing role of a school nurse, statistics on number
of student encounters and future goals and commitments.
This presentation will be placed on the school website.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent introduced Dr.c. Gates Fitness Center Update
Kelleher, Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Kellerher
updated the Committee on the progress and completion
of the Gates Fitness Center. He also noted the completion
of the Gates Fitness Center Handbook and the purchase
and installation of five climbing walls at Gates and the
elementary schools.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent introduced Ms.d. WEB Program at Gates
Sarah Shannon, Principal at Gates Intermediate to
inform the Committee on the new WEB Program which
stands for “Where Everyone Belongs”. This is a transition
and mentoring program that makes the transition from 6th
grade to 7th grade easier because of the mentoring program
(facilitated by 8th graders). Ms Shannon specifically thanked
SEA (Scituate Education Alliance) for sponsoring Ms. Nancy
Driscoll, Guidance Counselor to attend the training.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent introduced the followinge. NAEYC Elementary Process
principals to speak on this issue: Mrs. Mari-An Fitzmaurice,
Hatherly School, Ms. Mary Ohrenberger, Cushing School,
Ms. Linda Whitney, Wampatuck School and Mr. John
Willis, Principal, Jenkins School. The group outlined their
work thus far highlighting the area of individual portfolios,
candidacy report dates and upcoming parent questionnaires
and 2012 site visits.
Mr. Strobino commended the principals for their work. However,
he expressed concern with the amount of time and work that continues
to go into this process. Mr. Hebertechoed Mr. Strobino’s concern.
Mr. Hebert did state that thisprocess could be used as a blueprint
for future years.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent introduced Dr. Jamesf. Centralization of School Assignment
Kelleher, Assistant Superintendent to give an overview
of the centralization of school assignments. Dr. Kelleher
outlined the draft policy and stressed the flexibility of
assignments. Mr. Hayes agreed. Mr. Johnston said he
was leary about moving children around.
On a motion by Mr. Strobino,
Seconded by Ms. Bowen,
It was voted: To table the draft policy until a future date.
The vote was 5-0.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent introduced Ms. Judithg. Special Education
Norton, Director, Special Education to update the Summer Program
Committee on the summer programming. She referred
the Committee to the guildelines provided in the ESY
Planning 2011 manual and to the State guidelines and
comparison of surrounding town service chart. Ms. Norton
stated that Mr. Stephen Howley was hired as the Program
Coordinator.
Mr. Strobino stated that he was glad that the district was
accommodating the C.O.R.S.E piece. He asked Ms. Norton
to compare last year’s teachers/positions to this year’s requested
positions. He also inquired about the data that was collected by
the team, analyzed and communicated to the parents.
Mr. Hayes inquired about the process of letting parents know
whether their children are eligible for EYS services in the summer.
Ms. Norton explained that the family is notified at their annual
meeting if their child is eligible for EYS services.
Mr. Hayes asked how many structured programs are in place? Ms.
Norton answered that there are 5 structured programs. Mr. Hayes
asked how many participants are in each program? Ms. Norton
agreed to email Mr. Hayes those numbers.
Mr. Hayes asked what recourse parents have if they believe they do
not have proper input into the process? Ms. Norton said the parent(s)
should speak directly with their child’s team.
Mr. Strobino asked Ms. Norton to include the name/telephone number
of the team contact person in the letter that is distributed to the parents.
Mr.Johnston did not believe the team and parents were reconvening to
discuss the summer services. He also asked Ms. Norton the definitions
of tutoring and summer services. As well as numbers of students participating
and number of hours.
There was reiteration that re-enforcement as per the IPEA Act that
parental input is one of the most important parts of the entire law.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent asked the School Committeeh. Last Day of School (2011)
to address the last day of school.
On a motion by Mr. Strobino,
Seconded by Ms. Bowen,
It was voted: To approve the June 22nd, 2011 as the last day of school
and as a half day with no lunch.
The vote was 5-0.
3.Routine Matters
Mr. Zach Brazao updated the Committeea. Student Report
on the Scituate High School trip to Spain. They
visited the Guggenheim Museum and the International
World Peace Museum. He also gave a brief overview of the
Jr. Prom and Promenade and the upcoming SAT’s.
He also noted that the Seniors are enjoying their freedom
druing outdoor lunch.
The following monetary gifts were given: b. Acceptance of Gifts
(i)Mr. & Mrs. Fitzpatrick donation to Scituate High
School’s Life Skills Program.
(ii)CVS Caremark $3,000 donation to C.O.R.S.E. for their
Social skills program.
(iii)Mary Nell Henry over $4,500 donation to C.O.R.S.E. in
Memory of her sister, Bonnie Macksamie
(iv)Nicole Johnson - $100 to C.O.R.S.E. in memory of her
Grandfather, Joseph Kelley.
(v)Friends of Scituate Recreation - $1,000 to C.O.R.S.E.
All Stars Program.
On a motion by Mr. Strobino,
Seconded by Ms. Bowen,
It was voted: To approve the acceptance of gifts with great appreciation.
Mr. Hayes especially thanked the Fitzpatrick family for making a
donation year after year.
The vote was 5-0.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent introduced Mr. Paulc. Wampatuck Project Update
Donlan, Director of Business and Finance. Mr. Donlan
updated the Committee on the project progress which has
included rough plumbing and boiler work. He also noted
that Alert Now updates are being sent out to Wampatuck
parents as well as bi-weekly updates which are posted
to the website.
Comments and Statements from the Public
Mr. Jamie Forde commended the C.O.R.S.E.
foundation for being a great supplemental program
to the Scituate Public School system. However, he asked
why the Scituate Public School system had to work
around the C.O.R.S.E. programming schedule?
Dr. Susan Martin reminded the Committee that
the Scituate Public School system was the one that
changed the schedule which caused some confusion.
She said the Scituate Public School summer services
will begin on July 5th. Dr. Martin reminded everyone
that each organization is vital to the school department
in their own way.
Mr. Hayes reminded Mr. Forde that this is about
Special Education parents being notified in the proper
manner with respect to summer services. He especially
noted that most parents had made certain assumptions
based upon prior years and this is where the confusion
began.
4.Superintendent’s Reports
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent introduced Mrs.a. Kindergarten Update
Mari-An Fitzmaurice, Principal, Hatherly School and
Mr. Kevin Tarpey, Kindergarten Teacher. Mrs.
Fitzmaurice spoke about the Embedded Half Day
Kindergarten model.
Mr. Paul Donlan, Director Business & Financeb. Budget
did not present the April actuals. He noted that he
would distribute the April actuals at the May 16, 2011
meeting.
5.Superintendent’s Correspondence
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent thanked Ms. DeMello a. Donna DeMello Commendation
for administering the Heimlich maneuver to a child
at lunchtime.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent commended Ms. b. Kate Pescatore Commendation
Kate Pescatore for a job well done after receipt of a
parent letter commending Ms. Pescatore for her work.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent commended Mr. c. Stephen Howley Commendation
Stephen Howley for his professionalism in dealing
with the evaluation process at Scituate High School.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent thanked the d. Scituate Federal Savings Bank
Scituate Federal Savings Bank for donating their
time to the “Pennies for Leukemia Program”.
6. Other Business
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent reminded thea. Spring for the Arts
the Committee about Spring for the Arts scheduled
For May 12, 2011, 3:00 pm at Scituate High School.
Dr. Susan Martin, Superintendent told the Committee b. Sally Bailey Brown Dedication
that the Sally Bailey Brown dedication is scheduled
for May 26, 2011 but there was no further information.
None7.Communication from School Councils
8. Sub-Committee Reports
None
9. Personnel
There were no personnel changes to report at this time.
The following items were requested as future agenda items:10.Future Agenda Items
End of the Year activity calendar, Common Core Council, 2011-2012 Budget Plan, Wampatuck Building Updates, Summer Service Updates, Elementary Student Placement, Bullying
Incident Reports, Prom update,
On a motion by Ms. Bowen,
seconded, by Mr. Strobino,
It was voted:To adjourn from the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
The vote was 5 – 0.
Prepared by: Kim Peters
APPROVED:______
Mr. Jamie Strobino, Secretary