Regular Meeting
January 4, 2011
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; James S. Boone, Vice Chairman John LaFreniere, Secretary; Carol J. Bailey, Paul G. Tassone, and Christine Wilson
Member absent: Matthew Vance
Others present: Dr. Carol L. Daring, Superintendent; Nicholas Magalhaes, Student Representative; Terri Hillman, Recording Secretary; Michael A. Hurd, Assistant Superintendent; Karen Scanlon, Director of Technology; Dr. John Salovardos, Special Education Director; Susan Hui, Grants Administrator; Deborah A. Caligaris, Interim Principal, GHS; Andrew S. Haas, Principal of GALT; Christopher Casavant, Principal GMS; Joyce Swedberg, Principal ESS; Cherie McComb, Principal HMS; F. Daniel Hill, Principal Waterford Street School; Cindy Taddeo, G.E.A. Vice President; Michael Nicholson, Adelaide Sargent, Ye-Jung Kim, students from Gardner High School; 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
Ms. Wilson nominated Mr. Boone to be Vice Chairman for the ensuing year.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone.
There being no further nominations, Mr. Tassone moved that nominations be closed.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Boone nominated Ms. Wilson to be Finance Officer for the ensuing year.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey.
There being no further nominations, Mr. LaFreniere moved that nominations be closed.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Mr. LaFreniere nominated Mr. Boone and Mr. Tassone to be Alternate Finance Officers for the ensuing year.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson.
There being no further nominations, Mr. Tassone moved that nominations be closed.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson nominated Mr. Tassone to be Secretary for the ensuing year.
Seconded by Mr. Boone.
There being no further nominations, Ms. Wilson moved that nominations be closed.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the slate of officers as presented for the ensuing year:
Vice Chairperson Mr. Boone
Finance Officer Ms. Wilson
Alternate Finance Officers Mr. Boone and Mr. Tassone
Secretary Mr. Tassone
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Recognition of Kasey LeBlanc
Kasey LeBlanc is the recipient of the Superintendent’s Certificate of Academic Excellence and the Gardner High School Scholar award. Dr. Daring and Mayor Hawke presented her with the Certificate for Academic Excellence. She will be recognized at the Worcester County Superintendent’s Honors Scholars Luncheon on January 12 at Assumption College. Dr. Daring read a list of Kasey’s many accomplishments at GHS. She is the student with the highest GPA in the Class of 2011.
Open Time for General Public
No one requested time to speak to the School Committee this evening.
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-24 dated December 9, 2010 in the amount of $23,064.62.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-25 dated December 16, 2010 in the amount of $93,275.78.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-26 dated December 23, 2010 in the amount of $189,980.97.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – December 13, 2010
Mr. LaFreniere moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of December 13, 2010 as presented.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Policy Subcommittee will meet on January 24, 2011.
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere, Chairperson, said that the Facilities Subcommittee will meet on February 7, 2011.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson, Chairperson, said that the Finance Subcommittee will meet on January 11, 2011.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee met on December 21, 2010. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee discussed the status of the school data teams for all the schools. They reviewed the ELA/History online course developed by Lin Anderson and Jennifer Delgado. They also reviewed Mrs. Kerr’s 5th grade science project on her website.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
The Transportation Subcommittee did not meet in December.
Athletic Council
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Athletic Subcommittee met on January 4, 2011. The minutes of the meeting will be included in the February 14, 2011 School Committee packet. The concussion protocol was discussed at the meeting. The Athletic Director vacancy as of June 30 was also discussed. A search committee is being organized and the position will be posted.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring said that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education distributed preliminary inter-district school choice data for the current school year in December. Her PowerPoint presentation gave the Gardner Public Schools’ school choice preliminary data. The report will continue to be updated throughout the remainder
of the school year with the final report for fiscal year 2011 disseminated during the summer 2011.
The inter-district school choice program has been in existence since 1991 and allows parents/guardians to send their children to a public school outside of the city or town where their child resides. Dr. Daring explained that school committees must determine on an annual basis whether to participate in the program for the upcoming school year. She also explained how the tuition is assessed and other details regarding the program.
G.E.A. President
Ms. Cindy Taddeo, Vice President of the G.E.A., had no report at this time. She extended wishes for a happy and healthy new year from the members of the G.E.A.
Student Representative to the School Committee
Nicholas Magalhaes, Student Representative to the School Committee, said that students were back from vacation and it gave them time to recharge their batteries. The band concert at GHS on December 21 was great. Basketball and the indoor track team members are practicing. Two families underwent a tragedy in December. The student body and the teachers came together in this sad time and it reflected well on the high school for supporting both families.
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1963D – Oral Reports from Administration
Ms. Deborah Caligaris, GHS Interim Principal, presented her monthly report. She introduced Michael Nicholson, Adelaide Sargent, and Ye-Jung Kim, members of the Student Advisory Council Senate. Members of the Senate will start 20 hours of training for the MVP (Mentor Violence Prevention) program. This program gives students the chance to talk with each other about issues that are affecting our school and community and figure out paths to change.
Ms. Caligaris also reported on the Christmas Concert. The talent of the students under the direction of Doug Lepisto is astounding. Staff from MWCC came to GHS in December for a Decision Making Day and over 90 GHS students applied and were accepted for admission at MWCC.
Item 1964D – K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on December 31. Ms. Scanlon was present to answer questions5
Item 1965D– 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 1966D- Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
December 31. Dr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1967D– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
December 31.
Item 1968D – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on December 31. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 2001 – Participating in Inter-District School Choice
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve participation in the Massachusetts Inter-District School Choice Program for the Gardner Public Schools for the 2011-2012 school year utilizing the guidelines as presented.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Item 2001 – 2011-2012 School Year Calendar
Dr. Daring presented three versions of the proposed 2011-2012 School Calendar. Each version represented different starting dates for students, faculty and staff. All three versions include two full days of professional development for staff members. The options also show possible half days for professional development. The NAWWG-MT district collaborative group is working on identifying common full and half days to facilitate professional development within the districts. The shared professional development days will be identified when the calendar is brought back in February for a vote.
Ms. Wilson said that half days for professional development are not parent friendly. She cited those listed on the calendar and noted how close some of them fall to holidays or vacation weeks. Parents/guardians who work have a difficult time arranging afternoon care for their children.
The three versions of the calendar will be submitted to the employee unions for their membership to review and will put online for the parents/guardians to review and comment. The School Committee will vote on the calendar at the February meeting.
Item 2002 – Overnight Field Trip
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the Gardner High School baseball team traveling to Mashpee High School for preseason scrimmages. The students will leave GHS on March 26, 2011 at 6 a.m. and return on March 27, 2011 at 4 p.m.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Comments
Mrs. Bailey thanked the City Council and the Mayor for their help to fund the roof repairs.
Ms. Wilson welcomed everyone back to the School Committee. She said that there will be a Winter Concert at Waterford Street School on January 13 at 10 a.m. and invited everyone to attend.
Mr. LaFreniere attended the fantastic Winter Concert at GHS. He thanked the Mayor and City Council for their help in getting funds for the school roof repairs.
Mr. Tassone thanked everyone who gave reports this evening. They were very informative.
Nicholas Magalhes is interested in on-line courses and said it would be cool if the school goes in that direction. He hopes the Student Advisory Council Senate works out well.
Mr. Boone thanked the School Committee members for their support and their hard work on the subcommittees. He thanked the Mayor and City Council for their support.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Wilson moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Boone.
Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Paul G. Tassone, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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