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School Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 26, 2020 District Office Conference Room 2 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 7:00 p.m.

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THE GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Our mission is for all students to be successful, engaged, lifelong learners.

School Committee Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 District Office Conference Room 2 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA

7:00 p.m.

Members Present Administration Present

Jonathan Pope, Chairman Dr. Richard Safier, Superintendent

Melissa Teixeira Prince, Vice Chairperson Gregg Bach, Asst. Superintendent

Laura Wiessen, Secretary Gary Frisch, Director of Finance

Kathy Clancy and Operations

Joel Favazza James Cook, GHS Principal

Samantha Verga Watson

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken Also Present

Dorothy Presser, MASC

City Councilor Val Gilman (7:28 p.m.) Recorded by 1623 Studios

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 – Mary Ann Boucher of 93 Mt. Pleasant Avenue brought in a piece of the East Gloucester School retaining wall that came out several years ago, which she stated was never repaired. She asked for a remediation report on the stream in the

basement of the school and stated that she wants to make sure that all children will be safe in that school until the new school is built. She indicated that she has reported many issues with the school, including a gas leak that took nine years to be addressed. She is tired of watching the schools in her city not being maintained and feels like East Gloucester School is “another Fuller.”

Katherine Ryan of 17 High Rock Terrace asked who authorized the “all call” message to the East Gloucester School community from the principal to attend a PTO meeting to hear an update on the consolidated school project and the “Vote Yes Campaign” from the Executive Director of GEF. She commended another elementary school principal who passed on that presentation because it represented only one position. She asked if GEF and the School Committee are lobbying for the consolidated school. Ms. Ryan believes it is time to review the relationship between the district and GEF and establish some best practices for the partnership, such as not allowing School Committee members to be a GEF board member and vice versa, which she believes is clearly a conflict of interest. Mayor Theken asked Ms. Ryan to send an email to the School Committee with all of her questions.

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Patti Amaral reported that she stood on Eastern Avenue yesterday and counted cars between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. She stated that 709 cars came down Eastern Avenue, 135 came down Webster Street, and 74 went from Eastern Avenue to Webster Street. She indicated that she witnessed parents parked on Eastern Avenue and many people almost get hit on the

crosswalk. She knows that West Parish parents park on Essex Avenue and she cannot believe that nothing has been done about it. She believes the same thing will happen on Eastern Avenue and indicated that something needs to be done.

IV. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRPERSON – Chairman Pope stated that people are still needed to volunteer to be on the screening committee for the new superintendent. He also indicated that the district needs bus drivers.

(At this time, the agenda was taken out of order.)

VI. GHS STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL – Kate Bevins updated the committee on the following events at Gloucester High School: winter sports playoffs, Music Department mattress fundraiser, senior sweatshirts, course selection, sophomore Spring Fling, Junior Event, Senior Banquet, the prom, blood drive, and NHS inductions. She thanked

Mr. Favazza and everyone else who helped with Gloucesteropoly fundraiser and noted that another order has been placed. Ms. Bevins indicated that she will bring order forms to the next meeting.

V. RECOGNITIONS – Dr. Safier recognized Liam Donahue for becoming the first wrestler in GHS history to win the sectional tournament and being named the Division 3 State

Champion. Kathy Clancy recognized Caroline McKay for taking seventh place in the 50 freestyle.

VII. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes

1. Personnel Subcommittee and Executive Session of December 12, 2019 2. Building & Finance Subcommittee of December 18, 2019

3. School Committee of December 18, 2019 B. Approval of Warrants

C. Approval of Transfers D. Referrals

On a motion by Kathy Clancy, seconded by Ms. Watson, it was unanimously VOTED: 7 in favor, 0 opposed to approve the Consent Agenda as noted.

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VIII. DELIBERATIONS ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES/SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

A. Superintendent Search Timeline – Dorothy Presser of MASC reported that she was asked to provide a timeline that moved everything forward two weeks and stated that she does not see any impact on the candidate pool, which looks pretty strong. She indicated that starting the advertising two weeks later will move the committee’s decision date to the end of May, and the impact of that is that the selected candidate may not be able to give as much notice to his/her current district for a July 1 start date in Gloucester. However, Ms. Presser noted that there are ways to work around that issue.

Ms. Teixeira Prince reported that the Personnel Subcommittee met just prior to this meeting to discuss the results of the online survey and the focus groups, as well as the criteria to be included in the brochure.

On a motion by Ms. Teixeira Prince, seconded by Kathy Clancy, it was unanimously

VOTED: 7 in favor, 0 opposed to approve the revised Superintendent Search Timeline.

Chairman Pope stated that the March 11th School Committee meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. in order to finalize the Superintendent search brochure.

B. Dore & Whittier Presentation/Update on School Building Project – Michele Rogers of Dore & Whittier presented a slide show on the EGS building project, including floor plan changes, what classrooms will look like, a site plan update, and a traffic study update, including data collection locations, background growth factors, and recommended mitigation for traffic. She noted that the major floor plan

adjustments include relocation of the music room and stage and increasing the size of the gymnasium to accommodate sideline seating.

In response to a comment by Mr. Favazza advocating for a simpler design that is easier to maintain because the DPW is “years behind” on maintaining the gym floor and refinishing the wood columns at West Parish, Dr. Safier reported that those projects are scheduled to be done this summer. Brad Dore confirmed that that maintenance is not years behind.

Ms. Watson asked why the cost of the EGS project is above the average cost of other projects on the MSBA website. Mr. Dore explained the construction cost comparison on the website and indicated that the square footage of the building is defined by the educational objectives. He stated that the unit cost of $612/square foot has no design input yet and will be adjusted based on the design going forward. He also highlighted the atypical costs of this project, including challenging ground conditions, relocation of the softball field, and hazardous removal of both schools.

Mr. Dore also pointed out that construction costs have gone up significantly over the past few years and stated that things can be taken out of the project after it is designed

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to be more in line with budget expectations. He stated that the design team is very conscious about improving the cost of the project and noted that MSBA is also watching the cost. He also noted that there are three independent estimators and a reconciliation process with respect to the cost of the project and explained the prevailing wage law.

C. Presentation of Draft FY21 Budget – Dr. Safier presented a slide show on the FY21 draft budget, including the budget calendar; district initiatives, including sustainable improvement for GHS and O’Maley, increasing student engagement, addressing chronic absenteeism, and safety; guiding principles for budget development; annual changes to the budget; funding by source; percentage of expense categories; and projected FY21 funding increases.

Dr. Safier reported that the draft budget totals $44,568,716, an increase of $1,429,819 (3.31%) over this year’s approved budget. He discussed significant cost adjustments to the budget, including cost of living adjustments, a health insurance increase of

$494,257, and step and lane increases. He reviewed out-of-district tuition costs, which he reported has decreased by $297,000, and additional staff requested by principals totaling $565,000.

Dr. Safier reviewed the city contribution to the school budget over the last five years and noted that the School Department is the only city department that absorbs its own health insurance costs. He stated that if school staff health insurance was not

included in the school budget, the increase would be $935,562 or 2.1% over this year’s budget.

Dr. Safier reviewed expenditures by school per pupil and options for additions to the FY21 draft budget. He reported that the proposed draft budget includes Options A and B, and he and Mr. Cook reviewed the positions contained in those options.

Dr. Safier reviewed potential city funding, out-of-district tuitions, ELL enrollment, health insurance costs, federal and state grant adjustments, Circuit Breaker funds, and capital needs, such as the preschool, wifi access points, the new EGS/Veterans

school, district-wide security, repaving at Beeman, Plum Cove playground improvements, and curtains and shades.

Finally, Dr. Safier reviewed salaries funded by grants and revolving accounts (i.e. not included in the operating budget), FY18 expenditures per pupil in DART districts, and FY19 student teacher ratios in DART districts.

E. Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Safier and Mr. Cook presented the GHS 2018-19 Dropout Report.

On a motion by Kathy Clancy, seconded by Ms. Teixeira Prince, it was unanimously VOTED: 7 in favor, 0 opposed to accept the Superintendent’s Report.

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D. School Committee Annual Calendar – Tabled.

IX. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Building & Finance Subcommittee Meeting of February 12, 2020 – Kathy Clancy stated that she reported on this meeting on February 12, 2020 and that the Building &

Finance Subcommittee will be meeting again on March 4, 2020.

X. ACTION

B. Acceptance of DESE Grant – After discussion, on a motion by Kathy Clancy, seconded by Ms. Wiessen, it was unanimously

VOTED: 7 in favor, 0 opposed to accept the DESE Significant Disproportionality in Special Education Targeted Program Improvement Grant in the amount of $8,000.00.

XI. DISCUSSION/OTHER COMMUNICATION/OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

A. MSBA Project Update – Chairman Pope reported that the School Building

Committee is meeting tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. at East Gloucester School and there will be presentations by the HVAC designer and the LEEDS consultant.

XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION – On a motion by Ms. Teixeira Prince, seconded by Kathy Clancy, it was unanimously

VOTED: By Roll Call Vote

Kathy Clancy – yes Mr. Favazza – yes Chairman Pope – yes Ms. Teixeira Prince – yes Mayor Theken – yes Ms. Watson – yes Ms. Wiessen – yes

To enter into Executive Session at 9:55 p.m. for the purpose of approving the contract with the Gloucester Teachers Association and will enter back into regular session to vote on the contract and to adjourn.

X. ACTION (Cont’d)

A. Approval of GTA Contract – After discussion, on a motion by Ms. Teixeira Prince, seconded by Ms. Wiessen, it was

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VOTED: By Roll Call Vote

Kathy Clancy – yes Mr. Favazza – no Chairman Pope – yes Ms. Teixeira Prince – yes Mayor Theken – yes Ms. Watson – yes Ms. Wiessen – yes

To approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Gloucester School Committee and the Gloucester Teachers Association, 9/1/19- 8/31/21, with the date correction in Appendix A, paragraph 4.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT – On a motion by Ms. Watson, seconded by Kathy Clancy, it was unanimously

VOTED: 7 in favor, 0 opposed to adjourn the School Committee meeting of February 26, 2020 at 10:23 p.m.

All reference documents and reports are filed in the Superintendent’s office.

Maria Puglisi Recording Secretary

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