Regular Meeting
June 8, 2009
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: James S. Boone, Vice Chairman; Carol J. Bailey, Secretary; Patrick Gerry, Paul G. Tassone, and Christine Wilson
Members absent: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; and John LaFreniere
Others present: Dr. Carol L. Daring, Superintendent; Terri Hillman, Recording Secretary; Michael A. Hurd, Assistant Superintendent; Catherine Goguen, Business Administrator; Karen Scanlon, Director of Technology; John Salovardos, Special Education Director; Susan Hui, Grants Administrator; Andrew S. Haas, Principal GHS; Christopher Casavant, Principal GMS; Joyce Swedberg, Principal ESS; Cherie McComb, Principal HMS; Paul Guerin, Principal Waterford Street School; Aleza Beauvais, GMS English teacher and several of her students; and other interested persons
Call to Order
Mr. Boone, Vice Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. The meeting opened with a roll call and the pledge of allegiance. The meeting was broadcast live on cable television.
Recognition of Retirees
Mr. Boone and Dr. Daring recognized the following Gardner Public Schools 2009 retirees:
- Kerry Bettez, Teacher, Elm Street School – 24 years
- John Caron, Director of Facilities – 12 years
- Sally Daigle, Teacher, Gardner High School – 32 years
- Eleanor Hagwood, School Psychologist – 32 years
- Sherry Lajoie, Paraprofessional, Waterford Street School – 23 years
- Barbara LeBlanc, Teacher, Waterford Street School – 34 years
- Denise McKay, Teacher, Elm Street School – 33 years
- Mary Narkevicius, Paraprofessional, Gardner High School – 14 years
Recognition of 30-Year Employee
Mr. Howard Klash, Gardner High School, was recognized for 30 years of service to the Gardner Public Schools.
These staff members represent 234 years of service to Gardner children.
Open Time for General Public
Mrs. Theresa Thompson, 44 Brookside Drive, thanked everyone who helped with the fund raising for a van for Brittany Batchelder. There will be more fund raising events.
Caitlin Albert, a student at Gardner Middle School, read a letter she had written about an incident she had witnessed involving Brittany Batchelder. It was a wonderful message.
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #09-45 dated May 7, 2009 in the amount of $148,943.09.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #09-46 dated May 14, 2009 in the amount of $136,467.08.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #09-47 dated May 21, 2009 in the amount of $60,491.42.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #09-48 dated May 28, 2009 in the amount of $194,740.97.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – May 11, 2009
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of May 11, 2009 as presented.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey Vote – so voted.
Public Hearing – May 11, 2009
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the minutes of the Public Hearing of May 11, 2009 as presented.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Gerry, Chairperson, said that the Policy Subcommittee met on May 18 and minutes of the meeting were presented. Policies recommended for a second reading will be voted on under Item 1899.
The following policies were presented for a first reading:
- Policy IJNDB-R, Acceptable Use Policy – Technology, Administrative Procedures for Implementation
- Policy JCC – Intra-District School Choice
- Policy BDEE, Athletic Council
- Policy BDEE-R, Athletic Council Procedures
- Policy JIBA, Student Representative to the Gardner School Committee
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mrs. Bailey said that the Facilities Subcommittee met on June 1 and minutes of the meeting were presented.
- Mrs. Goguen presented information resulting from an energy audit done at each school by National Grid.
- The Gardner Public Schools Safety Checklist was reviewed and revised.
- S. J. Services was commended for outstanding custodial service for the 9th month in a row.
- The Subcommittee toured the GHS/MS athletic fields and made suggestions for improvement.
Mrs. Bailey commended Mr. Caron for 12 years of service as Facilities Director and welcomed Mr. Robert O’Brien who will be the new Facilities Director.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson, Chairperson, said that the Finance Subcommittee met on June 2 and minutes of the meeting were presented. Attorney Flick was present at the meeting and discussed the lease for the Coleman Street School. Further information will be reported under Item 1896A.
The following items were recommended to the Full Committee:
- A transfer of funds for the oil tank replacement - to be voted on under Items 1901 and 1902.
- Proposal for electricity upgrades – to be voted on under Item 1903.
- Food Service Contract – to be voted on under Item 1904.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee did not meet in May.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
Mr. Gerry, Chairperson, said that the Transportation Subcommittee did not meet in May.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring reported on the New Math Requirement for Elementary Teachers and the Common Core State Standards Initiative. In May 2009 the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted that aspiring elementary teachers are now required to achieve a passing score on both a multi-subject test and a separate math test. Licensure is tied to this requirement.
Massachusetts Governor Patrick and Education Commissioner Chester have signed an agreement with leaders in 48 other states and territories to develop common English language arts and math standards. The goal is to increase college and career readiness so that our students will be able to compete on an international basis.
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1836I – Oral Reports from Administration
Mrs. Catherine Goguen, Business Administrator, presented highlights from her monthly report. She thanked Dr. Daring for the appointment to Business Administrator and to the School Committee for voting her to the position. She reported that the district is compiling and evaluating data regarding the efficiency of the current bus routes and bus capacity in preparation for FY10.
She said that the schools went out to bid for a new food services contract as required by new DESE requirements and three companies submitted bids. The RFP’s were evaluated and presented to the Finance Subcommittee for a recommendation to the full School Committee. This will be voted on under Item 1904.
She also said that the position of Director of Facilities position has been offered and accepted by Robert O’Brien. He is presently the Plumbing Inspector for the City of Gardner and will begin working for the schools on July 1, 2009.
Item 1837I – K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on June 5. Ms. Scanlon was present to answer questions.
Item 1838I – Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on June 5. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1839I - Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
June 5. Mr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1840I– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
June 5. Ms. Goguen presented her oral report under Item 1836I.
Item 1841I – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
May 8. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
Item 1896A – Coleman Street School Lease
John Flick, City Solicitor, met with the Finance Subcommittee on June 2 to discuss the Coleman Street lease. After further research by Mr. Flick, it was determined that the new lease does not require School Committee approval. The School Committee voted on April 11, 2005 to declare Coleman Street School surplus and to turn it over to the City.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1899 – Second Reading of Policies
Mr. Gerry moved to accept the recommendation of the Policy Subcommittee and vote to approve for a second reading – Policy EEA, Transportation Policy, and Policy DFG-R – Regulations Governing Community Use of School Facilities.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
Item 1900 – Approval of School Improvement Plan
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the Gardner Middle School Improvement Plan as presented.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Item 1901 – Transfer of Funds
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent the transfer of $29,300 from Snow Removal to District Other Repairs to pay for the local portion of the Gardner High School oil tank replacement project. The balance of the project cost is funded through a state grant.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1902 – Transfer of Funds
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent the transfer of $20,000 from Legal Fees to District Other Repairs to pay for the local portion of the Gardner High School oil tank replacement project. The balance of the project cost is funded through a state grant.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1903 – National Grid/Prism Consulting Inc.
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the lighting upgrade / energy savings plan as presented by National Grid and Prism Consulting Incorporated.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1904 – Food Service Contract
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee to award a 1-year food service contract with the option of two 1-year intervals to Chartwells, Compass Group.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Final Comments
Mrs. Bailey said that she was recently invited to the Middle School to speak to the students in Mrs. Beauvais’s class about the School Committee and thanked them for attending tonight’s meeting.
Ms. Wilson congratulated Mr. Hass on the reduction in out-of-school suspensions at GHS. Graduation ceremonies were both happy and sad. She invited everyone to come to the Murder Mystery fund raiser on June 18. It is for a great cause – a van for a handicapped student.
Mr. Tassone remarked on the 234 years of service and how those retiring personnel have touched so many lives. He thanked Mrs. Thompson for her work with the ESS PTO.
Mr. Gerry congratulated the graduates and thanked the retirees for all their work.
Mr. Boone wished the retirees and the graduates the best of luck with future plans.
ADJOURNMENT
Mrs. Bailey moved to adjourn.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.
Carol J. Bailey, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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