The GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2 Blackburn Drive Tel: 978-281-9800
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930 Fax: 978-281-9899 www.gloucesterschools.com
Our Mission is for all Students to be Successful, Engaged, Lifelong Learners
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 7:00 pm
District Office – Conference Room 2 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930
AGENDA
Meetings are recorded I. CALL TO ORDER/Statement of Mission
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG III. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. For the purpose of discussing ratification of the AFSCME B Contract B. For the purpose of discussing district-wide negotiations
**IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
V. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRPERSON VI. RECOGNITIONS
VII. GHS STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL VIII. CONSENT AGENDA
*A. Approval of Minutes
1. School Committee Executive Session of June 13, 2018 2. Building & Finance of June 20, 2018
3. School Committee of June 20, 2018
School Committee Meeting Agenda – August 22, 2018 Page 2
*B. Approval of Warrants
C. Approval of Transfers – June 1 to June 27, 2018 D. Referrals
IX. DELIBERATIONS ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES/SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
*A. Scheduling for Fall Sports — Bryan Lafata, Athletic Director
*B. School Opening/Enrollment Numbers C. Back-to-School Readiness
*D. City Council Action — West Parish Dismissal
*E. Superintendent’s Report
X. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS (Items listed under X. ACTION may be brought forward with reports)
A. Building & Finance Sub-Committee — Chairperson Tony Gross
Agenda: Food Service Update, Transportation Drivers & Gloucester Retirement System, Preschool, Field House Floor, and Modular Units Aging
B. Personnel Sub-Committee — Chairperson Melissa Teixeira
Agenda: Coordinator of School Counseling – Administrative Position XI. ACTION
*A. Acceptance of Grant
1. 21st Century Learning Center Grant in the amount of $140,250 2. Early Childhood 262 Grant in the amount of $24,953
3. Special Education 240 Grant in the amount of $888,671
B. Approval of Job Description for Administrative Guidance Position at GHS
School Committee Meeting Agenda – August 22, 2018 Page 3
XII. DISCUSSION/OTHER COMMUNICATION/OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
A. Massachusetts School Building Authority Project Update
B. Communication to City Council of Request for Space to House Preschool and Central Office
C. Communication to City Council of Request for Repairs to Field House Floor at GHS
D. Communication to City Council of Request for New Modular Units XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting.
Not all items may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Action items may include motions that come out of sub-committees.
*Enclosures
**Oral Communication: The public shall have the opportunity at every regular School Committee meeting to be heard under Oral Communications. Oral Communications shall allow any resident who has a request or complaint of any nature relative to the School Committee business to appear before the School Committee, state their problem without debate, and the matter may be referred to the proper sub-committee.
For items that are on the agenda, members of the public may address the Committee with the permission of the Chair. Persons speaking under Oral Communications shall be limited to three (3) minutes each and shall submit a copy of their prepared communication to the Recording Secretary. The School Committee Chair shall not allow complaints as to individual performance or character.
VIII.B.
THE GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Our mission is for all students to be successful, engaged, lifelong learners.
Building & Finance Subcommittee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 District Office Conference Room 2 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA
5:00 p.m.
Members Present Administration Present
Tony Gross, Chairman Dr. Richard Safier, Superintendent
Kathy Clancy, Vice Chairperson (5:13 p.m.) Tom Lafleur, CPA, Director of Finance
Jonathan Pope and Operations
Cody Marshall, Accounts and Budget Specialist
I. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Gross called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
II. REPORTS/DELIBERATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
A. District Expenditures – Mr. Lafleur reported that the available budget remaining right now is approximately $700,000, of which $450,000 is going to prepay out-of- district tuition. He stated that 98.7% of the budget is encumbered right now and that we will be giving back only about $200,000 at most to the city.
B. DPW Open and Closed Tickets – Mr. Lafleur reported that all of the hardware for the lock project is here and the locks will be installed starting on Monday at Beeman and East Gloucester.
C. Food Services: Profit & Loss and Student Debt – Mr. Lafleur reported that he moved the food service director’s salary from the revolving account to the general fund to keep the revolving fund balance up. He stated that the outstanding student debt as of May 29th is $9,291, down from $10,621 on May 7th.
D. Budget Transfers – The committee reviewed the transfers and Mr. Lafleur stated that Chromebooks and carts have been purchased for next year. There was a discussion about the indecipherable account names on the Munis reports.
On a motion by Kathy Clancy, seconded by Mr. Pope, it was unanimously
VOTED: 3 in favor, 0 opposed to recommend to the full School Committee that we approve the budget transfers from 05/01/18 to 05/31/18, as
presented.
B&F Subcommittee Meeting Minutes – June 20, 2018 – Page 2
E. Revolving Funds – The committee reviewed the revolving funds and Mr. Lafleur reported that $108,000 in Circuit Breaker funds is coming on July 1st but is for FY18.
He stated that he is still waiting for checkbooks from the city treasurer for student activity accounts.
F. FY19 Budget – Mr. Lafleur reviewed and the committee discussed the proposed reductions to get to the mayor’s budget figure of $41,938,897, namely the elimination of an administrative position at GHS and a reduction in out-of-district tuition, which will be made up with a prepayment.
After discussion, on a motion by Mr. Pope, seconded by Kathy Clancy, it was unanimously
VOTED: 3 in favor, 0 opposed to recommend to the full School Committee that we approve the proposed budget reductions in the amount of
$454,846.00, as presented.
Kathy Clancy expressed the importance of restructuring leadership at the high school.
Dr. Safier indicated they are looking into adding a health field as a vocational
program and discussed the possibility of GHS students taking classes at NSAT in the afternoons.
III. ACTION – See Items II.D and F.
IV. ADJOURNMENT – On a motion by Kathy Clancy, seconded by Mr. Pope, it was unanimously
VOTED: 3 in favor, 0 opposed to adjourn the Building & Finance Subcommittee Meeting of June 20, 2018 at 5:35 p.m.
All reference documents and reports are filed in the Superintendent’s office.
Maria Puglisi Recording Secretary
VIII.3.
THE GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Our mission is for all students to be successful, engaged, lifelong learners.
Special School Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 District Office Conference Room 2 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930
7:00 p.m.
Members Present Administration Present
Jonathan Pope, Chairman Dr. Richard Safier, Superintendent Kathy Clancy, Vice Chairperson Gregg Bach, Asst. Superintendent
Tony Gross, Secretary Patty Wegmann, Special Education Director
Michelle Sweet Martha Jo Fleming, Food Service Director
Joel Favazza Amy Pasquarello, East Gloucester Principal
I. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Pope called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and stated the mission of the Gloucester Public Schools.
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRPERSON – Chairman Pope stated that this is a special meeting to hear the report of the search committee for a new CFO.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – None.
VI. PRESENTATION OF RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE FOR CFO – Dr. Safier introduced Gary Frisch to the School Committee, and the committee members introduced themselves. Dr. Safier asked Mr. Frisch a series of questions, including his background, his experience with MSBA, and his meritorious budget awards. The search committee members spoke about why they are recommending Mr. Frisch for the position.
VII. ACTION – After discussion, on a motion by Mr. Gross, seconded by Kathy Clancy, it was unanimously
VOTED: 5 in favor, 0 opposed, to accept the recommendation of the search committee and appoint Gary Frisch as CFO.
Special School Committee Meeting Minutes – June 20, 2018, Page 2
VIII. ADJOURNMENT – On a motion by Mr. Gross, seconded by Ms. Sweet, it was unanimously
VOTED: 5 in favor, 0 opposed to adjourn the Special School Committee Meeting of June 20, 2018 at 7:47 p.m.
All reference documents and reports are filed in the Superintendent’s office.
Maria Puglisi Recording Secretary
1
VIII.E.
The Gloucester Public Schools
Our mission is for all students to be successful, lifelong learners Report of the Superintendent of Schools
August 22, 2018
1. Special Needs Summer Program
This summer, the Special Needs Summer Program housed at Veterans’ Elementary Memorial School, provided services for over 100 students in PreK-12. All of the District’s substantially separate programs participated in this six-week program which ran from June 27 to August 7. Julie Rowe, a special needs teacher from Veterans’ Memorial School, returned for her sixth year as director. Eleven teachers and 17 paraprofessionals provided engaging lessons and physical activity during those six weeks. The program was fortunate that the air conditioners purchased for the summer program were in great working condition as it was an unusually warm summer. Despite the heat, an attendance rate of 90% was maintained for the duration of the program.
Students arrived by bus at 8:15 am and departed at 12:15 pm. For the past several years, Open Door has provided free lunch to all students attending. Pre-packaged lunches included locally grown produce, whole wheat breads, and low-fat milk.
Concurrent to the summer program for our substantially separate programs, 16 certified teachers provided summer tutoring for 142 students across the district. Services were provided as delineated in the Individual Education Plans who were eligible for the program.
Tutors met students at their respective home school.
2. New Teacher Academy for Elementary Teachers
This year, the district is introducing a new Teacher Academy for Elementary Teachers. It stands to reason that there is a lot of information and a myriad of instructional strategies that a teacher new to the district must become familiar with. At the same time, there is the need for elements of our programs to remain standardized so that we collectively follow a similar approach to our goals. The New Teacher Academy for Elementary Teachers is designed to jump start that process. The program will expose elementary teachers new to the district to a full day of literacy and a full day of math, led by our reading and math coaches, covering issues such as district-wide expectations, curricular materials, assessments, and online resources.
3. Countdown to Kindergarten
Countdown to Kindergarten was held this evening, August 22. This event is now an institutional part of the back-to-school program. It is, in effect, a citywide information night for families of incoming Kindergarteners.
2 Parents and guardians got to learn about our schools and programs, meet our elementary principals and school staff, hear a bit about our latest initiatives, and meet fellow Kindergarten parents/guardians. In addition, Kindergarten registration packets were made available, and parents/guardians received information about Kindergarten screening and school orientation. The YMCA was also on hand to discuss their programs.
4. Opening Day for Staff
As mentioned in the Back-to-School Report, Opening Day for staff will be at Gloucester High School (auditorium) this year. The O’Maley air conditioning is not working and parts are on order. Given the number of people attending, this seems to be a necessary move.
The opening welcome will be followed by meetings for the Gloucester Teachers Association and the Gloucester Association of Education Paraprofessionals. Each school’s staff will meet in their respective buildings after the unions have finished their business.
5. Upcoming Open Houses
Schools will be holding their respective Back-to-School/Open Houses in September and October. The dates and times for these meetings are as follows:
O’Maley Gr. 8 Distribution of Chromebooks Thursday, September 6 6:00 pm Gloucester High School Thursday, September 13 6:00 pm O’Maley Innovation Middle School Thursday, September 20 6:00 pm Beeman Memorial Elementary School Thursday, September 27 6:00 pm Plum Cove Elementary School Thursday, September 27 6:00 pm East Gloucester Elementary School Thursday, September 27 5:00 pm Veterans’ Memorial Elementary School Thursday, September 27 6:00 pm West Parish Elementary School, K-2 Thursday, September 27 5:00 pm West Parish Elementary School, 3-5 Thursday, September 27 6:00 pm Gloucester Preschool Thursday, October 4 6:30 pm 6. DESE Resources for School Committees
The department of education has provided some resources which it hopes will help school committees, teachers, parents, and communities to be informed about educational matters for this coming school year. These resources include the following:
• The Year Ahead: This is a listing of major developments from DESE that will impact the 2018-2019 school year;
• Back to School Basics: This is a brief overview for parents on how the state and districts work together to support teaching and learning.
• Grade 10MCAS Transition Timeline: A timeline and brief FAQs about the transition to the 10th grade next-generation MCAS in English language arts and math, including anticipated changes to the graduation requirement for the Class of 2023.
• A Primer on the New School and District Accountability System: This document is a one-page summary on Massachusetts' new system to measure how a school or district
3 is doing and what kind of support it might need. According to the DESE, this new system will be assessed for its usefulness and any for adjustment.
• Superintendent’s Checklist: This is a list of data, financial, and other reporting requirements local school districts must submit to DESE throughout the year.
For the School Committee’s convenience, I have placed the documents in this packet.
The Year Ahead (2018-2019)
Promote Educator Development
- Celebrate strong teaching.
- Educator Preparation Programs beginning to adjust programs according to updated Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines and new Pre-Practicum Guidelines
- Resources to establish meaningful PK-12 and Educator Preparation Partnerships
- Updated model rubrics for teachers and school leaders reinforce clear and actionable standards for effective practice (August 2018)
- Coming in February 2019: online calibration training platform, grade- and content-specific observation tools, and an expanded video library
- Increasing culturally responsive teaching and leading and increasing the diversity of the workforce
Strengthen Standards, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- Newly revised standards:
o History and social science (revised 2018) o English language arts (revised 2017) o Math (revised 2017)
o Science, technology, engineering (revised 2016) o Digital literacy and computer science (revised 2016) - Standards under review:
o Arts
o Comprehensive health - Resources to strengthen curriculum - Middle Grades Math Initiatives - Early Learning/Literacy Initiatives
- High Quality College and Career Pathways
o Chapter 74, Early College and Innovation Pathways; New Adult Education System Launch - Improving education for English learners
o New opportunities under the state LOOK Act
o Sheltered English Immersion training for vocational technical school educators - Next-Generation MCAS
o Science and technology/engineering (STE): The STE tests given at grades 5 and 8 in spring 2018 were given on a computer, but they were the legacy test designs. Next- generation STE tests will be given at these grades for the first time in spring 2019.
o High school transition: The grade 10 English language arts (ELA) and mathematics MCAS administration will be via computer in spring 2019, but high school STE tests and all high school retests will be given on paper during the 2018-19 school year. (The competency determination requirement will remain at a level equivalent to that of the legacy MCAS for the classes of 2021 and 2022.)
Support Social-Emotional Learning, Health, and Safety
- Facilitate Safe and Supportive Schools efforts, including the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students
- Oversee Recovery High Schools (transitioned from Department of Public Health) - Family Engagement Framework under development (prenatal to grade 12)
- Centers for Disease Control-funded Initiative: Improving Student Health and Academic
Achievement through Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Management of Chronic Conditions in Schools
- Integrated Student Support Institute
Turn Around the Lowest Performing Districts and Schools
- New accountability system results expected in fall 2018
- Redesigned Targeted Assistance teams to better support schools and districts - Revised Massachusetts Tiered System of Support Framework and Toolkit - Developing Cultural Proficiency Professional Development Series
- Expanding the Turnaround Practices in Achievement Gain Schools Video Series, which highlights positive turnaround efforts across the Commonwealth
- Supporting receivers for chronically underperforming schools and districts as they implement their turnaround plans.
- Proactive Turnaround Support Grant
o Competitive grant program for schools interested in developing and implementing research-based turnaround.
- Providing cohort-based academies to support the development of practitioner capacity in topics including tiered literacy, tiered math, Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS), and inclusive schools.
Enhance Resource Allocation and Data Use
- Coordinated federal grant programs, including a single application for all grant programs associated with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act
- New school and district report cards expected in December 2018
- How Do We Know? Initiative to help school and district leaders find evidence-based practices and support their ability to measure implementation and impact as part of their improvement strategy
- School- and district-level reports from the optional Views of Climate and Learning (VOCAL) school climate survey expected in early fall 2018
Standards
Curriculum
Instruction Testing
2018 Back-to-School Basics:
How the state and local school districts work together to serve your child
Teachers use standards to help guide instruction
The learning standards are basically a series of goals. It’s up to school districts and educators at the local level to decide what curriculum, which materials, and which lessons plans will help students meet those goals.
(Massachusetts does not have state-mandated curricula and textbooks).
The MCAS, an annual statewide test, gives parents, educators, and community members an objective look at students’ and schools’ progress toward meeting the learning standards.
Instruction is the core
Teachers help students build on their knowledge each year, develop the habits of life-long learners, engage with their community, and build a foundation that will help them succeed after high school. If you have questions about your child’s work or how best to support their learning, please start by contacting your child’s teacher.
If you know of outstanding educators in your school district, consider nominating themfor one of several awards.
The state's role
The state works with Massachusetts educators to set statewide learning standards that outline what students should know and be able to do in each subject area and grade level. The standards set high expectations for all students, regardless of where a student attends school.
Learn more about Massachusetts public schools at www.doe.mass.edu
High School ELA & Math MCAS Transition Timeline
2018-19 school year November 2018 and March 2019
All MCAS retests will be legacy retests and will be given on paper.
Spring 2019
Students in 10th grade take the next-generation MCAS tests in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics on a computer. However, the score needed to earn a competency determination is set at the equivalent of the existing standard on the legacy MCAS (240 or 220 plus the completion of an Educational Proficiency Plan).
Graduating class of 2019
Students must have earned their competency determination by meeting the existing (legacy) standards.
2019-20 school year November 2019 and March 2020
All retests will be legacy retests and will be given on paper.
Spring 2020
Students in 10th grade take the next-generation MCAS tests in ELA and math on a computer.
However, the score needed to earn a competency determination is set at the equivalent of the existing standard on the legacy MCAS (240 or 220 plus the completion of an Educational
Proficiency Plan).
Graduating class of 2020
Students must have earned their competency determination by meeting the existing (legacy) standards.
2020-21 school year November 2020
Students take the first next-generation retests on a computer.
2020-21 school year (continued) Spring 2021
Students in tenth grade (eighth graders in 2018-19) take the next-generation MCAS tests in ELA and math and. The competency determination for 10th graders in 2021 may be increased, depending on a vote by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.*
Students in grades 11 and 12 take the spring test as their retest opportunity (instead of a separate March retest).
Graduating class of 2021 (sophomores during the 2018-19 school year):
Students must have earned their competency determination by scoring at the equivalent of the existing standard on the legacy MCAS (240 or 220 plus the completion of an Educational
Proficiency Plan).
2021-22 school year November 2021
Students take next-generation retests on a computer.
Spring 2022
Students in tenth grade (eighth graders in 2018-19) take the next-generation MCAS tests in ELA and mathematics, and, pending a Board vote, may be required to earn a different score to earn their CD. The competency determination for 10th graders in 2022 may be increased, depending on a vote by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.*
Students in grades 11 and 12 take the spring test as their retest opportunity (instead of a separate March retest).
Graduating class of 2022:
Students must have earned their competency determination by scoring at the equivalent of the existing standard on the legacy MCAS (240 or 220 plus the completion of an Educational
Proficiency Plan).
2022-23 school year November 2022
Students take next-generation retests on a computer.
Spring 2023
Students in 10th grade take the next-generation MCAS tests in ELA and math.
Graduating class of 2023 (eighth graders during the 2018-19 school year):
The competency determination graduation requirement for the class of 2023 may be increased, depending on a vote by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.*
* Any change to the definition of the competency determination will be made by a Board vote and will not affect any class before the class of 2023. The Board will likely discuss during the 2019-20 school year whether, when, and how to increase the requirements. The Board is considering raising the minimum MCAS score required for high school graduation for two reasons: The high school MCAS was originally designed to assess students’ knowledge and skills through 10th grade, and too many high school graduates who pass the 10th grade MCAS tests still need to take remedial courses in college.
Massachusetts needs to find a way to give students a more accurate signal about their readiness for success after graduation, whether it be in college, in the workforce, or in the military.
For more information, visit www.doe.mass.edu/accountability.
Massachusetts’ new school and district accountability system
What is an accountability system?
An accountability system measures school and district performance. It helps schools improve the performance of all students, and helps communities and the state decide how to allocate
resources. Accountability results answer two questions: How is the school doing? and What kind of support does the school need?
Indicators that provide more information about school performance and student opportunity:
ü Achievement
ü Student progress or growth ü High school completion
ü Progress towards English proficiency for English learners
ü Chronic absenteeism
ü Advanced coursework completion
An increased focus on raising the performance of each school’s lowest performing students
Information on each school’s performance against improvement targets and how it is doing compared to other schools across the state
What are some highlights of the system?
What else should I know?
« Detailed performance data will be reported for all districts, schools, and subgroups.
« Accountability results will be used to recognize schools that are demonstrating success in addition to identifying schools in need of support.
« Massachusetts is committed to monitoring the system’s effectiveness in providing clear and actionable information to districts, schools, parents, and the public.
How will schools be classified?
Schools will be placed into categories that describe how they are doing and what kind of support they may receive from the state.
Schools of recognition
Meeting
targets Partially meeting
targets
Focused/
targeted support
Broad/
comprehensive support Schools without required assistance or intervention (about 85% of schools) Schools requiring assistance or intervention (about 15% of schools)
