Regular Meeting
December 14, 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 (arrived at 7:02 p.m.), John LaFreniere (arrived at 7:04 p.m.), 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; Matthew Vance, newly elected School Committee member; Steve Landry, Gardner News; 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.
Presentation by Helen Mae Sauter Students
The following students from the Helen Mae Sauter School - Jacob Bastarache, Trever Bastarache, Jessica Sleeper, Anna Tassone, Emily Fluet, Abbey Fluet, Jacob Gamble, Jared Herbert, Alyssa Rameau, Abby Johnson, Emma Barry, and Isabella Thomas –presented the School Committee members with a 2010 calendar and notes of appreciation from the students. The artwork in the calendar was created by the Waterford Street school students in grades K through 2. All lessons are aligned with the Massachusetts Visual Arts Standards. Ellen Courtemanche at Travers Printing donated the printing of the calendar. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar go to the “WSS Fund” for special projects of the Art, Music and Physical Education Programs.
Ms. Ruth Suyenaga, Art Teacher; Ms. Barbara Tucker, Music Teacher; and Ms. Sharleen Goguen, Physical Education Teacher accompanied the students.
Open Time for General Public
No one requested time to speak to the School Committee members.
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-20, dated November 12, 2009 in the amount of $133,427.44.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-21, dated November 19, 2009 in the amount of $83,442.76.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-22, dated November 25, 2009 in the amount of $30,203.10.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-23, dated December 3, 2009 in the amount of $26,698.58.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – November 9, 2009
Mr. LaFreniere moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of November 9, 2009 as presented.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Policy Subcommittee met on November 16. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee voted to present the Food Service Policy to the full School Committee for a first reading.
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere said that the Facilities Subcommittee met on December 7 at the Gardner Middle School. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Mr. Robert O’Brien updated the Subcommittee on the status of the HMS boiler. A temporary boiler is currently in place and the District has applied for a grant to replace the boiler. Award notices will be announced in February. He also told the Subcommittee that the time frame for completing the chimney replacement at ESS is approximately three weeks. Mr. Casavant, GMS Principal, led the Subcommittee on a tour of the Middle School. The school is in very good shape.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson said that the Finance Subcommittee met on December 1. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee received an update on the Helen Mae Sauter School boiler. A temporary boiler is currently in place and the District has applied for a grant to replace the boiler. Three donations were accepted and will be voted on as Items 1933, 1934 and 1935.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee met on November 17. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Ms. Scanlon gave a demonstration of the Study Island and Lexia program. The Math portion of Study Island has been implemented at the elementary schools. Lexia, a reading comprehension program for the elementary schools, has been purchased. Being web-based, these programs may be used at home and may be available for use during the second half of the school year.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
Mr. Gerry, Chairperson, said that the Transportation Subcommittee did not meet.
Athletic Council
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Athletic Council did not meet.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring’s report covered a meeting at Fitchburg State College where the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) introduced the new District and School Assistance Centers (DSAC). These centers will operate on a regional basis across the Commonwealth and Gardner is included in the Central Regional Assistance Center. The purpose of the centers is to offer targeted assistance to districts in the areas of self-assessment, school and district improvement, and data support.
The first step to exploring what is available through DSAC is a meeting with Central Region staff and District staff. The scheduled meeting on December 9 was postponed due to weather conditions and has not yet been rescheduled.
G.E.A. President
Howard Klash, G.E.A. President, was not present this evening due to knee surgery.
Student Representative to the Student Council
Stephanie Ellis, Student Representative to the Student Committee, reported that numerous classes, clubs, and organizations are hosting fundraisers in the hope of assisting those in need during the holiday season.
- The fall play, The Mouse That Roared, was a sensational performance enjoyed by everyone who attended.
- The winter sports season is underway.
- The Winter Concert is scheduled for December 22 - Chorus, Jazz band, concert band, and much more.
- Progress reports will be issued on December 18.
Stephanie hopes everyone enjoys the holiday season and that all students have a safe and pleasant vacation.
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1905C – Oral Reports from Administration
Mr. Christopher Casavant, Principal of Gardner Middle School, presented highlights from his monthly report. He said that the middle school years are a tough time for the students. The GMS staff is addressing the issues that affect this age group: student attendance, apathy, drugs, drinking, etc. The GMS Guidance staff arranged for a presentation by college students from Franklin Pierce College. Skits were presented that were appropriate and addressed the issues of harassment/bullying and stress. Hopefully these activities will help the Middle School students socially and academically as they move on to high school.
Item 1906C– K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on December 11. Mrs. Scanlon was present to answer questions.
Item 1907C– Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on December 11. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1908BC- Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
December 11. Mr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1909C– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
December 11. Ms. Goguen was present to answer questions.
Item 1910C – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
December 11. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1930 – Second Reading of Policies
Mr. Boone moved to accept the recommendation of the Policy Subcommittee and the Superintendent to approve for a second reading the following policies:
- Policy EEA, Transportation Policy (revised)
- Policy IHBAA, Observations of Special Education Programs (new)
- Policy JJICA, Participation in Athletics by Parochial School Students (new)
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
Item 1931 – Approval of Overnight Field Trip – Baseball Team
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the Gardner High School Baseball team traveling to Mashpee High School for the Sixth Annual Falcon Baseball Festival. The team will leave GHS on March 27, 2010 at 6 a.m. and return at approximately 4 p.m. on March 28, 2010.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Item 1932 – Approval of Overnight Field Trip – Debate Club
Mr. LaFreniere moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the Gardner High School Debate Club traveling to American International College to attend the Model Congress. The team will leave GHS on January 14, 2010 at 12 p.m. and return at approximately 7 p.m. on January 16, 2010.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
Item 1933 – Acceptance of Donation – Set of Encyclopedias
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept a donation of one set of encyclopedias to the GHS Library from Judy Tysinger.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1934 – Acceptance of Donation – Magazine and Textbooks
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept a donation of 43 textbooks and several magazines to the GHS Technology Education Department.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1935 – Acceptance of Donation – Monetary Donation
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent and accept a donation of $719.88 to Helen Mae Sauter School from the Lifetouch National School Studios.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Item 1936 – School Committee Schedule of Meetings (January –June 2010)
Mr. Boone moved to approve the schedule of School Committee meetings for the second half of the school year (January – June 2010).
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Gerry abstained from voting.
Final Comments
Mrs. Bailey thanked Administration and Staff for everything they do for the schools. She bid farewell to Mr. Gerry and wished him well.
Mr. Gerry remarked on how fast his four years on the School Committee have gone by. It has been an honor to serve. He hopes the School Committee will work toward the goal of having renewable energy.
Ms. Wilson wished everyone Happy Holidays. She thanked Mr. Gerry for his support over the past four years and congratulated Stephanie Ellis on her acceptance at UConn.
Mr. LaFreniere said that it has been a pleasure to work with Mr. Gerry over the past four years. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Mr. Tassone commented on Edline and the percentage of parents and students who are participating in the program. He also spoke about Coach Abare’s basketball sessions for girls in the 3rd to 8th grade. He wished a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
Mr. Boone wished Mr. Gerry good luck in his newly elected City Councilor position. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and safe holidays.
Mayor Hawke thanked the students for the 2010 calendar and encouraged parents and the public to purchase one at the Waterford Street School or at John’s Sports Shop.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Bailey moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
Carol J. Bailey, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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