Regular Meeting
October 13, 2009
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; James S. Boone, Vice Chairman; Carol J. Bailey, Secretary; Patrick Gerry, John LaFreniere, and Paul G. Tassone
Member absent: Christine Wilson
Others present: Dr. Carol L. Daring, Superintendent; Stephanie Ellis, Student Representative; Terri Hillman, Recording Secretary; Michael A. Hurd, Assistant Superintendent; Catherine Goguen, Business Administrator; 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; F. Daniel Hill, Principal Waterford Street School; Howard Klash, G.E.A. President; and other interested persons
Call to Order
Mayor Hawke, 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.
Open Time for General Public
Ms. Anne Hurst, Special Education Parent Advisory Committee, presented copies of the Education Laws and Regulations which require each school district to create a district wide parent advisory council offering membership to all parents of eligible students and other interested parties. She invited School Committee members to attend the next SPED-PAC meeting on October 28, 2009.
Presentation of Warrants
Mr. Tassone moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-10, dated September 3, 2009 in the amount of $177,597.70.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Tassone moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-11, dated September 10, 2009 in the amount of $210,079.06.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Tassone moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-12, dated September 17, 2009 in the amount of $110,651.05.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Tassone moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-13, dated September 24, 2009 in the amount of $132,981.21.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Tassone moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-14 dated October 1, 2009 in the amount of $213,653.81.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – September 14, 2009
Mr. LaFreniere moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of September 14, 2009 as presented.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Policy Subcommittee met on September 21. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Policy JH, Student Absences and Excuses was reviewed and will be discussed at the October meeting. Disciplinary action associated with off-school times and social networking sites was discussed and will be discussed by the School Council.
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere said that the Facilities Subcommittee met on October 5 at Gardner High School. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee discussed replacement of the Elm Street School chimney, the request for new custodial contract bid specifications, and toured GHS.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone said that the Finance Subcommittee met on October 6. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Due to the emergency nature of the repair to the Elm Street School Chimney, the Subcommittee voted to use funds from the Building Use Revolving account to finance the project. Approval was also voted to use funds from the Building Use Revolving account to finance upgrades to the fields at GHS and GMS. Donations to the schools were accepted and will be presented to the School Committee under New Business.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee met on September 14 and minutes of the meeting were presented. A report on the status of technology for the new school year was discussed. Many projects were accomplished over the summer months and the summer youth work program made much of work possible. Some of the many items discussed: new computers have been deployed at the elementary schools, two more Fatpipes have been installed to provide a district-wide redundant Internet and point-to-point service, and many professional development programs have been provided.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
Mr. Gerry, Chairperson, said that the Transportation Subcommittee met on September 22 and minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee went for a ride on a school bus to investigate options for a request to make a bus stop in front of 70 and 76 Grant Street. As a result of the ride and discussion by all present, the Subcommittee recommended no change in the current bus route for safety purposes.
Athletic Council
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Athletic Council met on September 23 and minutes of the meeting were presented. The question of allowing students who attend parochial schools in Gardner to play on the GMS sports teams was discussed. This matter will be discussed again at the next Athletic Council meeting. A proposal for the Girls’ Ice Hockey Team to combine with St. Bernard’s Girls’ Ice Hockey Team was discussed and will be presented to the School Committee.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
In September, when the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released this year’s reports of the districts’ adequate yearly progress based upon the MCAS spring 2009 test administration, Dr. Daring provided a summary of results to the School Committee. Her October report discussed the results in more detail. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) reports are part of the No Child Left Behind Act and show how individual schools and districts are progressing toward the goal of having all children achieve proficiency by the year 2014. She gave comparisons with last year for the Gardner schools.
Following Dr. Daring’s report, Mr. Michael Hurd, Assistant Superintendent, gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Gardner Public Schools’ MCAS 2009 results. Mr. Hurd outlined the improvement initiatives taken to date and the current improvement initiatives to help students achieve proficiency.
G.E.A. President
Howard Klash, G.E.A. President, said that the members of the G.E.A. would like to offer their condolences to the Mayor whose sister recently died. He also said that the teachers and support staff are dedicated professional people who go above and beyond the call of duty.
Student Representative to the Student Council
Stephanie Ellis, Student Representative to the Student Committee, reported on student issues, school events, and sports, clubs, and music.
- The addition of the new security cameras and the ID system has heightened a sense of security in the school.
- Students raised some concern about the condition of Catherine Street and the potholes.
- The first semester is at the half way point and progress reports were issued.
- SAT's were held and College Fair Night is scheduled for October 20.
- Students will host a Mayoral candidate debate on October 23.
- Rehearsals for The Mouse That Roared are underway.
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1905A – Oral Reports from Administration
Ms. Karen Scanlon, Director of Technology, planned to present a PowerPoint discussing the items listed in last month’s technology status report. However, Ms. Scanlon was unable to be present to illness and the presentation will be rescheduled.
Item 1906A– K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on October 9.
Item 1907A– Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on October 9. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1908A - Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
October 9. Mr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1909A– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
October 9. Ms. Goguen was present to answer questions.
Item 1910A – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
October 9. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
Item 1913A – Approval of School Improvement Plan – Gardner High School
Mr. Tassone moved to remove Item 1913 – Approval of School Improvement Plan – Gardner High School – from the table (tabled 9/14/09).
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Boone moved to approve the Gardner High School Improvement Plan.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1918 – Acceptance of Donation – Class of 1945
Mr. Tassone moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept a donation $10.00 to the Gardner High School Library from the Class of 1945 in memory of Jeanette Herbert Knowlton.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1919 – Acceptance of Donation – Target
Mr. Tassone moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept a donation of $64.56 to Gardner High School from Target.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1920 – Acceptance of Donation – Olympia Sports
Mr. Tassone moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept a donation of $20.96 to Gardner High School from Olympia Sports.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1921 – Acceptance of Donation – All American Publishing
Mr. Tassone moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept a donation of $119.50 to Gardner High School from All American Publishing.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1922 – Acceptance of Donation – Spinet Piano
Mr. Tassone moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept the donation to the Gardner Middle School of a spinet piano from the estate of Mildred Beebe.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1923 – Change in Submission of Monthly Principals’ Reports
Mr. Boone moved to approve the recommendation of the Policy Subcommittee that the principals’ reports be sent to School Committee members on the first of the month to allow time for review before the regular monthly meeting.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Item 1924 – Official Voting Delegate to MASC Business Meeting
Mr. LaFreniere nominated Mr. Boone to be the official voting delegate for the Gardner School Committee at the annual business meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Item 1925 – Proposal GHS Girls’ Ice Hockey Team
Mr. Boone moved to accept the recommendation of the Athletic Council and the Superintendent to approve a proposal to allow the Gardner High School Girls’ Ice Hockey team to combine with St. Bernard’s Girls’ Ice Hockey team for a two-year period.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Final Comments
Mrs. Bailey thanked Mrs. Hui for obtaining many grants. She also thanked the family of Mrs. Beebe for the donation of the spinet piano.
Mr. Tassone said that, based on his daughter’s experience in full day kindergarten, there is a difference in the developmental aspect between full and half day. He wants to ensure that the kindergarten teachers get the support they need.
Mr. Boone said that the Athletic Council members have discussed MIAA guidelines regarding social internet pages. Students should be advised to be careful about what they post on line.
Mayor Hawke attended the Feasting on Fitness held at Waterford Street School. Attendance was very good with students, parents, and staff represented. He said that the trees at Elm Street School that were destroyed in the ice storm have been replaced. He thanked everyone in the schools for their support and well wishes on the recent death of his sister.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. LaFreniere moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Carol J. Bailey, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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