Regular Meeting
March 14, 2011
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; Paul G. Tassone, Secretary; Carol J. Bailey, John LaFreniere (left at 8:10 p.m.), and Matthew Vance
Members absent: James S. Boone, Vice Chairman; and Christine Wilson
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; Donna Pierce, Principal-Elect, GHS; Christopher Casavant, Principal GMS; F. Daniel Hill, Principal Waterford Street School; Cherie McComb, Principal, Helen Mae Sauter School Andrew S. Haas, Principal GALT; Howard Klash, G.E.A. President; Cindy Taddeo, G.E.A. Vice President; 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.
Introduction of Donna Pierce, Principal-Elect of Gardner High School
Dr. Daring introduced Donna Pierce who will begin her duties as Principal of Gardner High School on April 25, 2011. She was the Assistant Principal at Gardner Middle School from 2004-2007. She is licensed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as Principal/Assistant Principal (K-12), Supervisor/Director (Guidance), School Adjustment Counselor (PK-12), Guidance Counselor (PK-12), and is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Massachusetts.
Ms. Pierce said she is very glad to be back working in the Gardner School System and is really looking forward to her work at the high school.
Open Time for General Public
No one requested time to speak to the School Committee.
Presentation of Warrants
Mr. Tassone moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-33 dated February 10, 2011 in the amount of $65,785.55.
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
Regular Meeting March 14, 2011 Page 2
Mr. Tassone moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-34 dated February 17, 2011 in the amount of $91,427.16.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Tassone moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-35 dated February 24, 2011 in the amount of $176,096.06.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Tassone moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-36 dated March 3, 2011 in the amount of $96,565.28.
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Tassone moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #11-37 dated March 10, 2011 in the amount of $147,948.49.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – February 14, 2011
Mr. Tassone moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of February 14, 2011 as presented.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Vance said that the Policy Subcommittee met on February 28, 2011. Minutes of the meeting were presented. Policy IKE, Promotion and Retention of Students, a new policy, was presented for a first reading.
Policy IMG, Animals in Schools, will be reviewed at the next meeting and the Concussion Protocol Update from MASC was reviewed.
The Subcommittee reviewed Policies AA, AC, ADC, ADDA, ADDA-E-1, ADDA-E-2 and ADDA-R, CORI and no changes were made.
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Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere, Chairperson, said that the Facilities Subcommittee met on March 7, 2011. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The following updates were given:
- Dr. Daring. The Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) firm, P3, and the Designer firm, KBA, are both working to meet MSBA document submission deadlines for the three roofing projects for GHS, ESS and WSS. The project is planned to begin during late June or early July.
- Mr. O’Brien. The hot water boiler replacement at GHS is approximately 95% complete.
- Mrs. Goguen. Recommended using savings from fines imposed on the custodial company, S.J. Services, to offset the cost of a needed replacement vehicle for maintenance.
- Mrs. Goguen. Custodial award to the lowest bidder, M&M Contract Cleaning, Inc, Brockton. The new custodial company will begin work on July 1, 2011.
The Subcommittee toured Prospect Street School.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone said that the Finance Subcommittee met on March 1, 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. Information from National Grid regarding the lower than projected savings at each of the schools noted is being requested for the April meeting
The FY09 and FY10 Carryover Allocation balances were reviewed and discussed. The Subcommittee will recommend to the full Committee that $75,000 be allocated to buy ahead instructional materials for the FY12 school year.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee will meet on March 22, 2011.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
Mrs. Bailey said that the bid opening for a new transportation contract will take place in March. A meeting will be held at a date to be determined following the bid opening.
Athletic Council
Athletic Council did not meet this month.
Regular Meeting March 14, 2011 Page 4
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring reported on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently released annual graduation rate data. The data was for the class of 2010 cohort. The DESE groups students by cohorts according to when they began their high school years as freshmen. In its most basic form, the graduation rate refers to the percentage of students who entered high school in the fall of 2006 and graduated four years later in 2010.
Gardner High School’s graduation rate for 2010 for all students which includes the Gateway to College students is 69.5%. Excluding the Gateway students, GHS’s graduation rate for 2010 is 72.4%.
The DESE reports an annual dropout rate using the annual high school enrollment in total (grades 9-12), the number of summer and school year dropouts in all four grades, the number of returned dropouts, the number of final dropouts, and the dropout rate. The dropout rate for Gardner for the 2009-2010 school year was 3.1%.
Dr. Daring presented a PowerPoint showing the 2010 Graduation Rate, the 4-year Graduation Rate and the Dropout Percentage.
G.E.A. President
Ms. Cindy Taddeo, Vice President of the G.E.A., spoke on the use of the Education Jobs funding received by the Gardner School District. Positions that were previously cut have been filled. The Gardner student population is very needy and the G.E.A. encourages Administration and the School Committee to continue to support vital services.
Student Representative to the School Committee
Nicholas Magalhaes, Student Representative to the School Committee, reported on the following:
- Senior Skits were very good-humored fun.
- Over February break there was a basketball tournament involving Gardner and other towns. It was a very large undertaking.
- The Girls Basketball team had a district game and though they did not win, they still had a great season.
- The Jazz Band won a Silver Medal at MAJE.
- Students met with the new physics teacher and received an explanation of what he wants to do for the rest of year. The class has gained momentum.
- Spring sports are starting.
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OLD BUSINESS
Item 1963F – Oral Reports from Administration
Ms. Cherie McComb and Ms. Susan Hui presented a PowerPoint on their recent trip to the 2011 National Title 1 Conference in which the Helen Mae Sauter School was honored as a National Title 1 Distinguished School. Dr. Daring also attended the Conference which was held in Tampa. During the three days in Tampa, they celebrated with the other National Distinguished Schools, heard from Federal and State Title I representatives and Federal DOE representatives, networked with colleagues, attended workshops with experts, researchers, and practitioners.
At the Distinguished schools reception, Helen Mae Sauter was recognized in Category 1: Schools that have shown exceptional student performance for two ore more consecutive years. At the Opening Ceremonies all the Distinguished schools were honored in a “parade” and each state and school was introduced to the conference.
The Keynote speaker at the luncheon was Manuel Scott who shared his story of growing up in Los Angeles. He was a student in the original class of Freedom Writers. His inspiring story told of how educators can make a difference in the lives of their students.
They also met the winner of the First Class Teacher of the Year award, Brad Cohen, from Georgia. He talked about his struggles as a student and as an educator after being diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at the age of 12.
Item 1964F– K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on March 11.
Ms. Scanlon was present to answer questions.
Item 1965F– Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on March 11. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1966F- Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on
March 11. Dr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1967F– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on
March 11. Mrs. Goguen was present to answer questions.
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Item 1968F– Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on March 11. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
Item 2002B – 2011-2012 School Year Calendar
Mr. Tassone moved to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve Version 1 of the 2011-2012 School Year Calendar, which provides the earliest start to the school year, reflects a February and April vacation, and three full days and two half days of professional development. Faculty will return on August 25, 2011 and the first day of school for students will be August 29, 2011.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 2014 – Updates on School Improvement Plans
Updates on School Improvement Plans for Gardner High School, Gardner Middle School, Elm Street School, Helen Mae Sauter School, and Waterford Street School were presented for information.
Item 2015 – Allocation of Carryover Funds
Mr. Tassone moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Finance Subcommittee to allocate $75,000 from carryover funds to purchase instructional materials for the FY 2012 school year.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Item 2016 – Allocation of Carryover Funds
Mr. Tassone moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the
Finance Subcommittee to allocate $4,520 from carryover funds to the copier maintenance accounts.
Seconded by Mr. Vance. Vote – so voted.
Item 2017 – Second Reading of Policy - JFA
Mr. Vance moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Policy Subcommittee to approve for a second 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.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Item 2018 – Acceptance of Donation
Mr. Tassone moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Finance Subcommittee to accept a donation of 145 Business/Technology Education Textbooks to Gardner High School from the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School.
Seconded by Mrs. Bailey. Vote – so voted.
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Comments
Mr. Vance commented on the encouraging news that the graduation rate is increasing and the drop-out rate is declining. He said that the GALT School has a fantastic program and commended the Helen Mae Sauter staff on their achievement.
Mr. Tassone said he is welcoming spring with open arms and is looking forward to spring sports.
Mrs. Bailey welcomed Ms. Pierce, Principal-elect, back to the Gardner school family.
Mayor Hawke said that the 1st Annual Hockey for Heroes game will be Saturday, March 19, at the Gardner Veterans’ Rink. It is the Gardner Varsity Boys Hockey Team vs. MVOC All-Stars.
Executive Session
Mrs. Bailey moved to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining.
Seconded by Mr. Vance.
Roll Call Vote – Bailey, yes; LaFreniere, Tassone, yes; and Vance, yes.
Note: Mr. LaFreniere left the School Committee meeting before the start of executive session.
The Committee went into executive session at 8:10 p.m.
The Committee reconvened in open session at 8:25 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Mrs. Bailey moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Vance.
Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Paul G. Tassone, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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