Regular Meeting
November 9, 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, Paul G. Tassone, and 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; 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; F. Daniel Hill, Principal Waterford Street School; Howard Klash, G.E.A. President; Ms. Anne Hurst, SPED-PAC; Matthew Vance, newly elected School Committee member; 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. Mayor Hawke welcomed Matthew Vance and congratulated members who were re-elected.
Open Time for General Public
Howard Klash read a letter from Mike Chapman, Coach of the Westboro High School JV football team. He commended the Gardner High School JV football team for their sportsmanship at a recent game.
Ms. Anne Hurst, Special Education Parent Advisory Committee, extended her thanks to School Committee members who attended the SPED-PAC meeting on October 28, 2009. It was a very good meeting, she said.
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-15, dated October 8, 2009 in the amount of $126,758.28.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-16, dated October 15, 2009 in the amount of $70,425.58.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-17, dated October 22, 2009 in the amount of $198,705.11.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-18, dated October 29, 2009 in the amount of $158,705.36.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-19 dated November 5, 2009 in the amount of $94,510.96.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – October 13, 2009
Mrs. Bailey moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of October 13, 2009 as presented.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Policy Subcommittee met on October 19. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee presented the following policies for a first reading:
- Policy EEA, Transportation Policy
- Policy IHBAA, Observations of Special Education Programs
- Policy JJICA, Participation in Athletics by Parochial School Students
The Subcommittee reviewed Policy JH, Student Absences and Excuses, and determined that no additional revisions were necessary.
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere said that the Facilities Subcommittee met on November 2 at Helen Mae Sauter School. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Mr. Dane Arnold, Director of Public Works, presented information regarding the possibility of gas lines being installed near GHS and GMS and an option for the creation of a second egress between the two schools.
Mrs. Goguen and Mr. O’Brien updated the Subcommittee regarding the replacement of the Elm Street School chimney. The meeting ended with a tour of the Helen Mae Sauter School.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson said that the Finance Subcommittee met on November 3. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee voted to ask the full School Committee for a vote to allocate $75,000.00 of the FY09 carryover to replace the Elm Street School chimney. Donations to the schools were accepted and will be presented to the School Committee under New Business. Discussion regarding Kindergarten and other paraprofessional funding took place.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee met on October 20. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Ms. Scanlon presented a PowerPoint highlighting the technology that has been implemented and the professional development that has been provided within the district. A copy of the presentation was included with the minutes. Ms. Scanlon presented an Edline demonstration. Parents and students are encouraged to activate their Edline accounts.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
Mr. Gerry, Chairperson, said that the Transportation Subcommittee did not meet.
Athletic Council
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Athletic Council met on October 9. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The proposal for the Girls’ Ice Hockey Team to combine with St. Bernard’s Girls’ Ice Hockey Team was approved. The Subcommittee approved Gardner residents attending parochial schools in Gardner participating in Middle School sports. The issue was sent to the Policy Subcommittee to establish a policy.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring’s report discussed the Act to Improve the Laws Relating to Campaign Finance, Ethics and Lobbying which Governor Patrick signed into law in July 2009 - Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009. This changed the conflict of interest law and the financial disclosure law. Chapter 28 contains a provision for mandatory ethics training for all public employees, including school employees. The State Ethics Commission has extended the deadline for the on-line training to April 2, 2010. Her report focused on the actions that will be taken specifically in the school department. Her report included a Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for Municipal Employees.
G.E.A. President
Howard Klash, G.E.A. President, had no further report this evening.
Student Representative to the Student Council
Stephanie Ellis, Student Representative to the Student Committee, reported on the following:
- Report cards were issued
- School spirit was in full swing celebrating the Homecoming Football game and spirit week
- An all-school cleanup, organized by the National Honor Society is scheduled for November 12
- The annual AA Ball is scheduled for November 14
- Thanks to Mayor Hawke and the DPW for fixing the potholes on Catherine Street
- The student body is interested in the issue of reforming the school’s policy on drug and alcohol use as pertaining to sports
- The Student Council is interested in a proposal to extend punishment for abuses to clubs and other school activities and would like to work with the School Committee to achieve this goal
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1905B – Oral Reports from Administration
Mr. Andrew Haas, Gardner High School Principal, presented a PowerPoint highlighting curriculum and instruction programs. He stated the Mission and Vision: At Gardner High School, we strive to prepare all students to become educated, productive, and responsible citizens. The vision is that by 2020 every student graduating from Gardner High School will be ready for college without remediation.
Ms. Karen Scanlon, Director of Technology, presented a PowerPoint discussing technology advances in the district.
Item 1906B– K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on November 6. Mrs. Scanlon was present to answer questions.
Item 1907B– Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on November 6. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1908B - Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
November 6. Mr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1909B– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
November 6. Ms. Goguen was present to answer questions.
Item 1910B – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
November 6. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1926 - Acceptance of Donation – Roger Carlson
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept a donation of $10.00 to the Gardner High School in memory of Roger Carlson from the Class of 1945.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1927 – Acceptance of Donation – Mink Brook Associates
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept a donation of $300.00 to the Gardner High Athletic Program from Mink Brook Associates, Inc.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1928 – Acceptance of Donation – Raymond J. Robichaud
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept a donation of $5,000.00 for the exclusive use and benefit of the Gardner High School Athletic Council from the estate of Raymond J. Robichaud.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1929 - Allocation of FY 2009 Carryover
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee to allocate $75,000.00 from the FY 2009 carryover to repair the Elm Street School chimney.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Final Comments
Ms. Wilson congratulated all the newly elected City of Gardner officials. She also congratulated the GHS Band for winning Silver in the MICCA competition.
Mr. Tassone thanked the full day Kindergarten teachers for the work they do. Staffing is on the same level as in previous years but more help in the classrooms would help the students. He thanked Mrs. Scanlon for the excellent presentation this evening. He thanked Mr. Gerry for serving on the School Committee. Mr. Gerry is a newly elected City Councilor.
Mr. Gerry said he is proud of the JV Football team. He really appreciates the great job the volunteers are doing at the GMS Library.
Mr. LaFreniere thanked the volunteers at the Middle School. He thanked the JV Football team for representing Gardner in an outstanding manner. He also thanked the coaches and parents of these young men.
Mr. Boone thanked the voters of Gardner for his re-election to the School Committee. He wished Stephanie Ellis and the rest of the sports teams good luck in the upcoming sports events.
Mayor Hawke commented on the contribution from “Pete” Robichaud who was a great Gardner High sports fan. The Mayor attended student events at Waterford and Elm Street. He thought the questions that came from the students at the debate held at GHS between the Mayoral candidates were well articulated and timely.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Wilson moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Carol J. Bailey, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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