Regular Meeting
January 5, 2010
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; James S. Boone, Vice Chairman; Carol J. Bailey, Secretary; John LaFreniere, Paul G. Tassone, Matthew Vance, 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; 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; James Roche, G.E.A. Vice President; 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.
Reorganization of Committee - Officers
Vice Chairman
Ms. Wilson nominated Mr. Boone to serve as Vice Chairman of the Gardner School Committee for the ensuing year.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey.
Mr. Tassone moved that nominations for Vice Chairman be closed.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
Vote on Mr. Boone to serve as Vice Chairman - so voted.
Finance Officer
Mr. Boone nominated Ms. Wilson to serve as Finance Officer of the Gardner School Committee for the ensuing year.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone.
Mrs. Bailey moved that nominations for Finance Officer be closed.
Seconded LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Vote on Ms. Wilson to serve as Finance Officer - so voted.
Alternate Finance Officers
Mr. LaFreniere nominated Mr. Tassone and Mr. Boone to serve as Alternate Finance Officers of the Gardner School Committee for the ensuing year.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson.
Ms. Wilson moved that nominations for Alternate Finance Officers be closed.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Vote on Mr. Tassone and Mr. Boone to serve as Alternate Finance Officers – so voted.
Secretary
Mrs. Bailey nominated Mr. LaFreniere to serve as Secretary of the Gardner School Committee for the ensuing year.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson.
Mr. Tassone moved that nominations for Secretary be closed.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
Vote on Mr. LaFreniere to serve as Secretary - so voted.
Recognition of Timothy Gamache
Timothy Ryan Gamache was recognized by the School Committee. Timothy, a senior, has been awarded the Worcester County Superintendents’ Certificate of Academic Excellence. The award will be officially presented to him next week during the Worcester County Superintendents’ Association Luncheon at Holy Cross College. Mr. Gamache holds leadership positions in at least five school groups and is a member of several more. He has also been the recipient of several other awards during his high school career. One of his personal favorite sayings (attributed to Brian Tracy): “Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement”. He hopes to attend Yale University next year.
Open Time for General Public
No one requested time to speak to the School Committee.
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-24, dated December 10, 2009 in the amount of $221,976.56.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-25, dated December 17, 2009 in the amount of $248,009.73.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-26, dated December 24, 2009 in the amount of $57,881.22.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – December 14, 2009
Mr. Boone moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of December 14, 2009 as presented.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Policy Subcommittee met on December 21. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee discussed MASC proposed Policy EEAJ, and Policy GCBA. Discussion on both policies will continue at the next Policy Subcommittee meeting.
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere, Chairperson, said that the Facilities Subcommittee met on January 4. Minutes of the meeting will be presented at the February School Committee meeting.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson, Chairperson, said that the Finance Subcommittee will meet on January 12.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee will meet on January 26.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
The Transportation Subcommittee did not meet in December.
Athletic Council
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Athletic Council did not meet in December.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring’s report highlighted three timely topics – Advanced Placement Exam Fee Subsidy Program, MCAS Science and Technology/Engineering Test for Class of 2010, and Upcoming District Review.
During the 2009-2010 school year, Massachusetts will be participating in the U.S. Department of Education’s Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Fee Subsidy program. This program allows a reduction in cost from $86.00 to $10.00 for certain students to take an AP exam. A student must be enrolled in the AP course for which he/she is taking the exam and the student must be eligible for free or reduced lunch under the National School Lunch Act.
Students in the class of 2010 are required to earn a competency determination in Science and Technology/Engineering in addition to English Language Arts and Math. Dr. Daring presented the testing dates.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has notified the Superintendent that Gardner has been selected for a review by the Center for District and School Accountability. As soon as the review protocol is ready, it will be received electronically and will list the documents that must be provided for the review and will describe the entire review process. In March DESE will send four to six Review Team members to Gardner to examine district practices in six different areas. This visit will include interviews with school personnel as well as teachers’ union leadership, School Committee members and municipal officials.
G.E.A. President
James Roche, Vice President of the G.E.A., said that all the G.E.A. members wished everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year.
Student Representative to the Student Council
Stephanie Ellis, Student Representative to the Student Committee, reported that students are quickly settling back into their daily routines after the holiday season.
- Auditions for the spring musical will be held on January 5 and 7.
- Project Haiti Forward in Health Student Group will host a dance on January 8.
- NHS will be hosting the first “Empty Bowls” Project.
- School-wide midterms are scheduled from January 19 to 22.
- SADD will host a dance on January 22 to celebrate the completion of the first half of the school year.
- Winter sports are ongoing.
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1905D – Oral Reports from Administration
Joyce Swedberg, Principal of Elm Street School, presented highlights from her monthly report.
- Student Council members collected two truckloads of wrapped food items for the Gardner CAC.
- Parents, teachers, and students donated over 180 toys through the “Giving Tree” set up in the school hallway.
- There were 120 students signed up for the after school program. All students are encouraged to experience as many sports as they can.
- The Winter Concert was great fun.
- The spring production of “Beauty and the Beast” will be an incredible show. It will have great student participation not only on stage but also off stage with props and stage crew functions.
- ESS hosted the Gardner Mayoral Inauguration Exercises. Student Council members ushered and some fourth and fifth grade students attended to watch the ceremony.
- The staff has been trained on using the Smartboard emphasizing the many math sites available.
- Discussions are underway to address the many standards from the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks that need to be strengthened at ESS.
Item 1906D– K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on December 31. Mrs. Scanlon was not present due to illness.
Item 1907D– Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on December 31. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1908BD- Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
December 31. Mr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1909D– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
December 31. Ms. Goguen was present to answer questions.
Item 1910D – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
December 31. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1937 – 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 policy:
- Policy EFDA, Food Service Department Policy.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
Item 1938 – Participation in Interdistrict School Choice
Mr. Boone moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve participation in the Massachusetts Interdistrict School Choice Program for the Gardner Public Schools for 2010-2011 school year utilizing the prepared guidelines.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Item 1939 – 2010-2011 School Calendar
Dr. Daring presented three versions of the 2010-2011 School Calendar. The calendars are being sent to each of the unions for their vote. Mr. Boone suggested that parents also be polled on a calendar preference.
Final Comments
Mrs. Bailey gave accolades to Mrs. Scanlon for her work in keeping the Gardner Schools up to date with technology.
Ms. Wilson thanked City Clerk Alan Agnelli for the very nice inauguration ceremony. She reminded everyone of the Waterford Street School Penny Drive to benefit the Heart Association. The students would like to reach $350.00.
Mr. Tassone wished everyone a Happy New Year. He said the inauguration ceremony was a phenomenal success and he thanked Mr. Agnelli. He also said the Little League sign-ups start at Waterford Street School this coming Saturday.
Mr. Vance said he is looking forward to working with all the members and the School staff.
Mr. LaFreniere thanked the student and faculty at ESS for the two truckloads of food and all the toys donated during the holiday season. This act of giving says a lot about the community of Gardner.
Mr. Boone said the GHS Band did a great job at yesterday’s inauguration ceremony. He reminded School Committee members to send him their requests for Subcommittee assignments for the ensuing year. He also said that Michael Carpentier, class of 2010, will represent Gardner at Student Government Day.
Mayor Hawke welcomed Mr. Vance to the School Committee. He commented that yesterday “was the preeminent inauguration”. The Student Council members did a wonderful job.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. LaFreniere moved to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
John LaFreniere, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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