Regular Meeting
February 14, 2011
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; James S. Boone, Vice Chairman, Paul G. Tassone, Secretary; Carol J. Bailey, Matthew Vance and Christine Wilson
Member absent: John LaFreniere
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; Susan Hui, Grants Administrator; Deborah A. Caligaris, Interim Principal, GHS; Christopher Casavant, Principal GMS; Joyce Swedberg, Principal ESS; F. Daniel Hill, Principal Waterford Street School; Cindy Taddeo, G.E.A. Vice President; Michael Richard, Judy Mack and Karen McCrillis, GHS Guidance Counselors; Sam Bonacci, Gardner News Reporter; 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.
Subcommittee Appointments by the Vice Chair
Mr. Boone announced the Subcommittee appointments for 2011. A copy of the appointments is attached to these minutes.
Open Time for General Public
Dr. Andrea M. Damour, 49 Fieldstone Drive, spoke to the School Committee regarding problems with the Physics Department at the High School. She spoke about the teaching situation that occurred during the first half of this school year and the lack of a physics lab.
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-27 dated December 30, 2010 in the amount of $113,121.44.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-28 dated January 6, 2011 in the amount of $90,738.36.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
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Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-29 dated January 13, 2011 in the amount of $289,621.99.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-30 dated January 20, 2011 in the amount of $68,892.78.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-31 dated January 27, 2011 in the amount of $168,190.36.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-32 dated February 3, 2011 in the amount of $340,632.87.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – January 4, 2011
Mr. Tassone moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of January 4, 2011 as presented.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Policy Subcommittee met on January 24, 2011. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee presented for a first reading Policy JFA, Grade Placement and Eligibility for High School Graduation of Students Leaving a Commonwealth Charter School and Seeking to Enroll in a District School, as amended. The Subcommittee also agreed to begin a review of all school policies.
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mrs. Bailey said that the Facilities Subcommittee met on February 7, 2011. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Dr. Daring updated the Subcommittee regarding the status of the District’s application to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to replace roofs at designated schools.
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Dr. Daring said that P3 of Norwell, MA, has been selected as the Owner Project Manager (OPM).
Mrs. Goguen updated the Subcommittee regarding replacement of the hot water boiler at GHS. Tighe & Bond have completed the analysis and work will begin following the bid process. She also reported that the City of Gardner has been designated a “Green Community” and will receive three Big Belly solar powered trash compactors one of which will placed at GHS.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson, Chairperson, said that the Finance Subcommittee met on January 11, 2011. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee reviewed and discussed the status of electricity savings from lighting upgrades which were made during the summer of 2009 at GHS, GMS, ESS and WSS. At the next Finance Subcommittee meeting, the originally proposed savings will be compared with the actual savings.
The Subcommittee also reviewed and discussed all grants applied for during the current fiscal year and the status of those grants to date. As recommended by Mrs. Goguen, the Subcommittee will recommend to the full Committee that $4,520.00 be allocated to Copier Maintenance for FY11 expenses.
The Subcommittee voted to accept several donations and will recommend acceptance to the full Committee.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee will meet on February 15, 2011.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
The Transportation Subcommittee did not meet in January.
Athletic Council
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Athletic Subcommittee met on January 4, 2011. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Concussion Protocol developed by Rebecca Johnson, School Nurse Leader, and Dr. Kathleen Sweeney, School Physician, was presented and the Athletic Council voted to accept the protocol. It will be discussed at pre-season meetings with athletes and their parents and will be placed on the website.
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A job description for the part-time Athletic Director position was prepared. The position will be posted. The interview teams will consist of the three members of the Athletic Council, Ms. Pierce (GHS Principal-Elect), C. Casavant (GMS Principal), Brian LaRoche (parent), a student, and Dr. Daring (non-voting).
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring selected three topics to highlight: (1) Recent Changes – Educator Licensure Process, (2) Bullying Prevention Guidance Document and News, and (3) 180 –Day Requirement for Students.
DESE’s online Educator Licensure and Recruitment (ELAR) system will serve as the official record for educator licensure rather than the hard copy of a license currently issued to an individual. Superintendents are being encouraged by DESE to check the ELAR online system prior to hiring a new teacher rather than relying on the teacher’s hard copy of a license.
Since school districts submitted their Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plans in December, questions and discussion concerning the statute, M.G.L. c.71, section 370, have continued. DESE has issued a guidance document noting the necessity for particular sensitivity surrounding bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Commissioner of Education has stated that there will not be any waivers due to the harsh winter resulting in numerous school cancellations across the Commonwealth. Currently, Gardner’s 180th day of school will be Friday, June 17, 2011, which leaves ample time in June if any additional days are lost due to weather or other emergency.
G.E.A. President
Ms. Cindy Taddeo, Vice President of the G.E.A., had no report this evening.
Student Representative to the School Committee
Nicholas Magalhaes, Student Representative to the School Committee, reported on the following:
- The musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is in production. It should be a great show.
- The JV basketball team won 13 games. The track team will compete in districts.
- The teacher talent show drew a very large crowd and proceeds were donated to Project Haiti/Forward in Health.
- National Guidance Counselor week and Valentine’s Day were observed with special activities.
- The Seniors will host Senior skits and “little Oscars” next week.
- A new Physics teacher has been hired.
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OLD BUSINESS
Item 1963E – Oral Reports from Administration
Christopher Casavant, Principal of GMS, presented his monthly report. Over the years, there has been a host of studies, initiatives, reports, etc. dedicated to discussing the balance between improving the academic skills of middle school students while keeping in mind their affective or social emotional needs as well. He presented information on the academic and social emotional data that is collected at the Middle School and how it is assessed and used. Administration wants to create an environment that is both physically and emotionally safe for students and allows them to develop.
From an educational perspective, the GMS staff has made a concerted effort to actively engage the students in both the academic and social emotional aspects of the curriculum. Academically, the staff has worked hard not only to make the curriculum more rigorous but relevant to the world around the students.
Regarding the social emotional well-being of the students, it is not just simply a matter of having a conversation. There needs to be depth to the conversation. Students need to be taught to take a more active role in accepting responsibility for their behavior and ownership of their feelings.
Item 1964DE– K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on February 11. Ms. Scanlon was present to answer questions.
Item 1965E– Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on February 11. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1966E- Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
February 11.
Item 1967E– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
February 11. Mrs. Goguen was present to answer questions.
Item 1968DE– Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on February 11. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
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Item 2002A – 2011-2012 School Year Calendar
Dr. Daring presented three versions of the proposed 2011-2012 School Calendar. A parent survey was conducted via the GPS website and 58.2% of parents preferred a calendar with 3 full days and 2 half days of professional development. The draft calendars presented reflect this schedule for professional development.
The survey also showed that parents prefer Version 1 which represents a before Labor Day start of school. Teachers, paraprofessionals, and secretaries/maintenance groups prefer Version 2 of the calendar. The Superintendent recommends Version 1 which provides the earliest start to the school year and offers the greatest flexibility in the event of many snow days.
Ms. Wilson added a thought for the future of doing away with the February vacation. Mr. Boone proposed doing a parent survey regarding changing the February and April vacation to a one week vacation in March.
The calendar will be voted on at the March meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 2004 – Authorization of Superintendent to Vote on Proposed FLLAC Charter Changes
Mr. Boone moved to authorize the Superintendent to vote in favor of the following proposed changes to the FLLAC Charter:
Article VI, Page 9, of the January 24, 2008 agreement: “The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, stipulate a one time new member differential for tuition costs to be paid by any new member in lieu of the previous non-member district differential. Said differential shall be paid by any new member for the first year of membership in the Collaborative.”
Article II, Financial Terms of the FLLAC Charter: “With Board Chair approval, the Executive Director is allowed to spend up to $10,000 from the fund balance to meet unanticipated expenses.”
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Item 2005 - GHS Program of Studies
Ms. Caligaris, GHS Interim Principal, presented the proposed GHS Program of Studies for the 2011-2012 School Year. She also presented a summary of the proposed changes. The GHS School Council has reviewed and voted on the proposed Program of Studies. She introduced Michael Richard, Judy Mack and Karen McCrillis, Guidance Counselors at GHS.
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Mr. Boone moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the GHS Program of Studies for the 2011-2012 School Year as presented.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
Item 2006 – Acceptance of Donation to Gardner Middle School from Wendy’s
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Finance Subcommittee to accept a donation of $127.50 from Wendy’s to the Gardner Middle School.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 2007 – Acceptance of Donation to Gardner Middle School from Wendy’s
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Finance Subcommittee to accept a donation of $155.00 from Wendy’s to the Gardner Middle School.
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
Item 2008 – Acceptance of Donation to Helen Mae Sauter School from Lifetouch
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Finance Subcommittee to accept a donation of $661.52 from Lifetouch to the Helen Mae Sauter School.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Item 2009 – Acceptance of Donation to GHS RISE V Program from Am. Legion
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Finance Subcommittee to accept a donation of $100.00 from Gardner Post Number 129 American Legion to the GHS RISE V Program.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 2010 – Acceptance of Donation to GHS from Olympia Sports
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Finance Subcommittee to accept a donation of $12.32 from Olympia Sports to GHS.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 2011 – Acceptance of Donation to GMS from First Baptist Church
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Finance Subcommittee to accept a donation of $350.00 from the First Baptist Church of Gardner to the GMS Instrument Rental Program.
Seconded by Mr. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
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Item 2012 – Acceptance of Donation from Fat Pipe Networks
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Finance Subcommittee to accept a donation of one 64G iPad with WiFi valued at $829.00 from Fat Pipe Networks.
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
Item 2013 – Approval of Overnight Field Trip
Ms. Wilson moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve three Gardner High School music students traveling to Boston from March 24 through Saturday, March 26, 2011 to attend the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association All-State Festival.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Meghan Bliss, voice, Joseph Goguen, trumpet, and Bradley Sampson, tenor saxophone, have been accepted to participate in this Festival. This is a high honor for these students and for Gardner High School.
Communications
Mayor Hawke presented the JFK Legacy Award for public service to Matthew Vance.
Comments
Mr. Tassone thanked Dr. Damour for speaking to the School Committee regarding the Physics Department at GHS. He gave the dates and locations for Gardner Little League sign-ups.
Mr. Boone asked that a communication be sent to the parents outlining the efforts to hire the new Physics teacher. This will give them a good understanding of what has taken place. Also, the concern about a Physics Lab should be addressed. He hopes that students, teachers, and the public will express interest in serving on an Athletic Subcommittee and asked them to contact him to discuss whether a new type of subcommittee should be formed.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Boone moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Tassone.
Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Paul G. Tassone, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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