Regular Meeting
October 12, 2010
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; John LaFreniere, Secretary; Carol J. Bailey, Paul G. Tassone, Matthew Vance (7:12 PM), and Christine Wilson
Member absent: James S. Boone, Vice Chairman
Others present: Dr. Carol L. Daring, Superintendent of Schools; Michael Hurd, Assistant Superintendent; Catherine Goguen, Business Administrator; Dr. John Salovardos, Director of Special Education; Susan Hui, Grants Administrator; Karen Scanlon, Director of Technology; Deborah Caligaris, Interim Principal, Gardner High School; Andrew Haas, Principal, Gardner Academy for Learning and Technology; Christopher Casavant, Principal, Gardner Middle School; Joyce Swedberg, Principal, Elm Street School; Cherie McComb, Principal, Helen Mae Sauter School; F. Daniel Hill, Principal, Waterford Street School; Howard Klash, President, Gardner Education Association; Donna Tuite, Recording Secretary; and other interested persons
Call to Order
Mayor Hawke, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Open Time for General Public
The following people addressed the School Committee:
- Mr. Steven Dubzinski, Temple Street, Gardner spoke about the number of principals at Gardner High School during the past five years and the number of students who leave the high school. He presented his suggested timeline for the selection of a permanent principal.
- Ms. Anne Hurst, SPED PAC stated that she has heard all the talk about the sports and music programs. She looks to the elected committee to listen with an open mind and listen to all including Special Education parents whose children have seen staffing changes.
- Mrs. Katherine Quenneville, Brookside Drive spoke about the need for sping track coaches.
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-11, dated September 9, 2010 in the amount of $51,036.70.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone Vote – so voted
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-12 dated September 16, 2010 in the amount of $54,742.92.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere Vote – so voted
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-13 dated September 23, 2010 in the amount of $72,122.01.
Seconded by Ms. Bailey Vote – so voted
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-14 dated September 30, 2010 in the amount of $80,326.18.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone Vote – so voted
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – September 13, 2010
Mr. LaFreniere moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of September 13, 2010 as presented.
Seconded by Ms. Bailey Vote – so voted
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy Subcommittee Report
The Policy Subcommittee will meet on October 18, 2010.
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere, Chair, stated that the Facilities Subcommittee met on October 4, 2010 at Helen Mae Sauter School. The Subcommittee toured the facility and viewed the new boiler. The Subcommittee reviewed the air quality reports and the Capital Improvement Plan. The Subcommittee reviewed the monthly custodial report and was updated on the completion of summer projects.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson, Chair, stated that the Finance Subcommittee met on October 5, 2010. Representatives from Chartwells presented actual revenues and expenses from FY 2010 and projected fiscal scenarios for FY 2011 based on three different meal pricing options. The Subcommittee voted to recommend to the full Committee to vote to increase the price of meals by $.25 at all schools effective January 2011. The Subcommittee reviewed the status of the FY 2011 budget including the Alternative High School Program and user fees. The Subcommittee recommended that the full Committee declare the Special Education van as surplus property and accept the donations listed under New Business.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chair, stated that the Technology Subcommittee met on September 21, 2010. The Subcommittee reviewed The Title IID Online Courses for Students at Risk Grant, to develop online courses for at-risk high school students and students transitioning to high school. We are collaborating with Winchendon, Narragansett, and Ashburnham-Westminster on this grant. Each school is responsible for developing an online course.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
The Transportation Subcommittee did not meet.
Athletic Council
The Athletic Council did not meet.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring and Mr. Hurd presented a report on the 2010 MCAS results.
G.E.A. President
Mr. Howard Klash, President of the G.E.A., did not speak.
Student Representative to the School Committee
Nicholas Magalhaes, Student Representative to the School Committee, was not present at this meeting.
In the absence of the Vice-Chair, Mayor Hawke, Chairman, asked Ms. Wilson, Finance Officer, to take the Chair. Mayor Hawke left the meeting at 8:15 PM.
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1963A – Oral Reports from Administrators
Dr. Carol Daring, Superintendent, and Mr. Michael Hurd, Assistant Superintendent, presented a report on the 2010 MCAS results.
Item 1964A – K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on Friday, October 8, 2010. Mrs. Scanlon was present to answer questions.
Item 1965A– Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
See Item 1963A, Oral Reports from Administrators
Item 1966A- Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
Friday, October 8, 2010. Dr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1967A– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
Friday, October 8, 2010. Ms. Goguen was present to answer questions.
Item 1968A – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on Friday, October 8, 2010. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1983 Acceptance of Donation – Donation of Backpacks with School Supplies from UBS Financial Services, Inc., to Waterford Street School
Mr. Tassone moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and Finance Subcommittee to accept a donation of backpacks with school supplies from UBS Finance Services, Inc., to the Waterford Street School.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere Vote – so voted
Item 1984 Acceptance of Donation – Monetary Donation from Target to
Gardner High School
Mr. Tassone moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and Finance Subcommittee to accept a monetary donation from Target to Gardner High School.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere Vote – so voted
Item 1985 Approval of Overnight Field Trip – GHS Class of 2011 to Baltimore and New York City
Mr. LaFreniere moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve an overnight field trip for the Gardner High School Class of 2011 to travel to Baltimore and New York City in April 2011.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone Vote – so voted
Item 1986 Approval of Overnight Field Trip – GHS Marching Band/Color Guard to Orlando
Mr. LaFreniere moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve an overnight field trip for the Gardner High School Marching Band and Color Guard to travel to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida in December 2011.
Seconded by Mr. Vance Vote – so voted
Item 1987 Selection of Official Voting Delegate to the MASC Annual Business Meeting
Mr. LaFreniere moved to nominate Mr. Boone as the official Gardner School Committee delegate at the annual business meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees if Mr. Boone is able to attend.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone Vote – so voted
Item 1988 Declaration of Surplus Property
Mr. Tassone moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and Finance Subcommittee to declare a 1997 Ford Club Wagon, VIN 1FBJS31L5VHB53995 as surplus property.
Seconded by Mr. Vance Vote – so voted
Item 1989 Increase in School Lunch Prices
Mr. LaFreniere moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Finance Subcommittee to increase the school lunch prices as follows effective January 2011:
Elementary: from $2.00 to $2.25
Secondary: From $2.25 to $2.50
Seconded by Mr. Vance
Vote – 2 in favor (LaFreniere, Bailey); 2 opposed (Tassone, Vance)
Chair voted in favor; motion passed
Item 1990 Status of FY 2011 Personnel Reductions
Ms. Wilson asked that the Status of FY 2011 Personnel Reductions be on this agenda for the purposes of discussion. Mr. Tassone commented.
Comments
Mr. Vance had no final comments.
Mr. LaFreniere had no final comments.
Mr. Tassone thanked the public for coming out and speaking. He thanked all principals for their leadership and for providing a safe environment for students.
Ms. Bailey commended the music performances of the Gardner High School and the University of Massachusetts Marching Bands after the parade on Sunday, September 26th. This was amazing. Ms. Bailey also commended Gardner High School teacher Mark Hawkins for putting together an innovative program for 8th graders to transition to their freshman year.
Ms. Wilson stated she is a proud band parent. We have many students involved in the University of Massachusetts Marching Band and it was wonderful to have them back in Gardner, especially after the passing of UMASS Band Director George Parks.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. LaFreniere moved to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Bailey
Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
John LaFreniere, Secretary
Donna M. Tuite, Recording Secretary
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