Saugus School Committee Regular Meeting Open Session June 13, 2013 Time-Place: An open session of the Saugus School Committee was held this date at the Roby School Building. The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. Roll Call: Mr. Doucette present Mr. Grabowski present Mr. Malone not present Ms. Riley present Ms. Reed present Mr. Doucette moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to adjourn the open session at 6:07 p.m. and to enter into executive session for the purpose of litigation, general privacy, and collective bargaining. Roll Call: Mr. Doucette Mr. Grabowski Ms. Riley Ms. Reed yes yes yes yes The open session was called back to order at 7:02 p.m. Roll Call: Mr. Doucette present Mr. Grabowski present Mr. Malone not present Ms. Riley present Ms. Reed present Ms. Reed announced that the meeting was being recorded by SCTV. There was also one audio recording. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Special Presentation: Mr. Michael Tempesta was present this evening. He said that he is excited about starting his position as Superintendent of Saugus Public Schools as of July 1, 2013. He noted that he has been transitioning with Superintendent Langlois and has been to Town Meeting. He noted that he has a formal entry plan that he will publish when he starts in July. Student Representative: Jonathan McTague reported they are working on the following fundraisers for the class of 2014: Car Wash on July 20th Founders Day Giggles Comedy on October 17 They are also looking forward to Spirit Week, Senior Week, Prom, and Graduation. He wished Superintendent Langlois good luck and he congratulated the new superintendent. Kayla McKinnon, class of 2015, reported on the following: Their semi was a big success Friendly’s Fundraiser Kelly’s night Planning Winter Ball, which will be the Friday, after midterm exams at Angelicas Flea Market Fundraiser in Revere Founder’s Day Elections 1 Saugus School Committee Regular Meeting Open Session June 13, 2013 Minutes for Approval: Ms. Riley moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to approve the Minutes of May 9, 2013 Open Session as presented. Mr. Riley moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to approve the Minutes of May 23, 2013 Open Session as presented. Mr. Doucette abstained. Ms. Riley moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to approve the Minutes of May 30, 2013 Open Session as presented. Warrants: Ms. Riley moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to approve the bill schedule as outlined in the June 13, 2013 memo from Ms. Andrews in the amount of $348,166.63. Ms. Andrews noted that they purchased 75 Chrome Books from the O’Neil Gift. Ms. Andrews noted that the Belmonte Middle School activity fund is being audited. She reported that $8268.13 is being transferred from the BMS student activity fund into the BMS Gift Account. It is the balance of accumulation of fundraisers over the years. A portion of the balance will help to defray the cost of the Washington DC trip for those that could not afford it. Superintendent’s Report High School Graduation: Superintendent Langlois complimented the high school administration for the wonderful graduation ceremony held on May 31st at Stackpole Field. The graduation activities and events leading up to the ceremony as well as the ceremony itself was one of the best that the Superintendent participated in during his tenure. Special thanks to Jason Merrill, Lucy DiNatale, Leanne Motolla, Frank Woods, Mike Hashem, Rick Lavoie, and Mike Nelson for their commitment to our students. Ninety-five (95%) of our graduating seniors will move on to two and four year colleges and universities. Naming of Facilities: In response to the citizen request for naming of an area in the high school in memory of Ms. Nancy Lemoine, a sub-group of local residents and staff met to determine if said request met the requirements of Policy FF (Naming of Facilities) for consideration. It was the determination of the group that (a) no language within the policy prohibits approval by the Committee, and (b) the request met the criteria outlined in the policy. It was also discussed that precedent has been set in naming areas of the high school, specific to the gyms and library. Community members supporting the request will be on hand. They look to set a standard for representation as well as funding sources once approved. A discussion was held regarding the policy and the request that the auditorium be named “Ms. Nancy “Nan” Lemoine Auditorium”. Mr. Grabowski stated that is clear to him that it should not be named after any particular person, so as not to slight any other person. Superintendent Langlois said that Mr. Macero brought forward the recommendation for review. Ms. Riley moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to table this discussion regarding naming the auditorium until Mr. Malone returns. Mr. Robert Imperato, 9 Hood Street, Saugus, and a 2001 graduate of SHS spoke in favor of naming the auditorium after Nancy Lemoine. A discussion was held and it was decided to place this item on the next agenda. 2 Saugus School Committee Regular Meeting Open Session June 13, 2013 Superintendent Langlois noted that it was a request that a plaque be placed to name the auditorium and not be part of the remembrance tree. Superintendent Langlois said he is putting forth a recommendation. Transition of Leadership: Plans are underway to provide the incoming Superintendent with transitional information. Mr. Tempesta has spent time with the administrative leadership team getting updated. He will be participating in a number of school and Town activities. The past few days he has been involved in the DSAC sessions, special education, and FY14 budget review. Superintendent Langlois wished Mr. Tempesta well in his new position. FY14 Budget Presentation: On June 10 at Town Meeting the school department presented a needs based budget for FY14. The Town Manager has recommended $700,000 over the FY13 budget of $25,610,250, a shortfall of $1,462,292 to meet level service and critical education needs. This is insufficient funding to meet unfunded mandates and to remain compliant with DESE regulations. There is also interest in the additional chapter 70 funding and additional vocational budget allocation availability for the schools. Superintendent Langlois discussed the MBTA chargebacks and the $400,000 chapter 70 monies. The chapter 70 monies are intended for education so hopefully it will be earmarked for education. Tiered Budget Reduction: Superintendent Langlois said that a a budget reduction plan has been developed and will need to be approved by the Committee for implementation on Friday, June 14 since it is the deadline to let personnel know of layoffs. Administration will look to be in a prepared state of readiness based on the Committee’s action. A discussion was held regarding the chapter 70 money. Mr. Grabowski said that he did not like getting this budget reduction plan today and having to vote on it today. Superintendent Langlois explained that as soon as they left town meeting they started working on it and got it out to the School Committee. A discussion was held regarding special education programming. Ms. Geary noted that there needs to be funding for the program, even if contractors are hired, it needs to be funded. A discussion was held regarding the transportation program and funding. Ms. Andrews noted that the bid has come in 17% higher than last year. A discussion was held regarding the tiered reductions. Ms. Riley moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to approve the tiered reductions as presented by the Superintendent as of June 11, 2013. Mr. Grabowski stated that he only supports it because of the time constraints. Information/Handouts: Belmonte Moving On Ceremony, 6/25, 10:00 AM at high school Veterans Moving On Ceremony, 6/24, 1:30 PM Lynnhurst Moving On Ceremony, 6/21, 9:30 AM Ballard Moving On Ceremonies, 6/17, 10:40 AM Session 1, 2:00 PM Session 2 Waybright Moving On 6/20 at 10:00 a.m. Oaklandvale Moving On 6/21 at 10:30 a.m. Belmonte Renovation Committee Meeting, 6/17, 4:00 PM at Roby Building SEPAC Meeting, 6/12, 6:30 PM at Veterans 3 Saugus School Committee Regular Meeting Open Session June 13, 2013 SOI Forum, 6/10, 5:30 PM at Saugus High School Town Meeting on Budget, 6/10, 7:30 PM at Town Hall NSSRT Meeting, 6/14, 2:00 PM Ms. Reed noted that the Town Clerk notified her that they have three articles referred back to the School Committee. Ms. Reed suggested placing it on a future agenda for discussion. Report of Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services Ms. Geary reported that they finished up the Coordinated Program Review. She also reported that parent/student handbooks need to be in Spanish as well as English. September 16 is the deadline to have them to the DESE. Ms. Geary noted that all corrections have been reviewed by our attorney. The Superintendent left the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Report of Committee Sub-committee There were no reports. Ms. Riley received the 3rd quarter report from Shore Collaborative. It will be on the next agenda. Old Business They will have something on the tennis courts for the next meeting. New Business Track Nationals: Mr. Bruno reported that four students qualified for track nationals in North Carolina. Mr. Doucette moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to approve the field trip for four high school student to North Carolina to compete in the track nationals. Girls’Golf Team-States: Mr. Bruno reported that the Girl’s Golf Team travelled to Gardner, MA to compete in the State Tournament. Mr. Doucette moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to approve the golf field trip for the girl’s golf team to compete in the state tournament in Gardner, MA on May 28 and May 29. FY14 School Committee Meeting Schedule: Mr. Doucette moved, Ms. Riley seconded and it was VOTED: to approve the following meetings for the School Committee: July 11, 25 August 8, 22 September 12 and 26 October 10 and 24 November 7 organizational meeting Response to Inquiries, Requests & Complaints: Mr. Grabowski noted that the School Committee has been getting complaints of individuals not getting calls back on inquiries. Mr. Grabowski brought it up a few meetings ago to at least acknowledge within 48 hours. All members of the school committee received an email that an individual did not receive an acknowledgement of an inquiry. Open Meeting Law: Ms. Riley stated that after the meeting in which they signed the contract for the new Superintendent, she contacted the Attorney General and Attorney Mike Gilbert regarding the open meeting laws. She took issue with a fellow member accusing her of breaking the open meeting law for 4 Saugus School Committee Regular Meeting Open Session June 13, 2013 staying after a meeting with two other members to talk. Ms. Riley read responses from both the Attorney General’s office and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees that stated they were not in violation if a quorum stays behind to discuss non-school issues like sports. She stated that she does not wish to ever be spoken to like that again. She does not want to be accused of something when the person does not know what we were talking about. Gifts: O’Connor Portraiture $143.92 to Ballard: Mr. Doucette moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to accept a gift of $143.92 from O’Connor Portraiture to the Ballard School Saugus High Band Parents $34: Mr. Doucette moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to accept a gift of $34.00 from the SHS Band Parents for the SHS Fine Arts Gift Account. Mr. Grabowski asked if the school pictures go out to bid. Ms. Andrews stated that each school chooses their own. Mr. Doucette moved, Ms. Reed seconded and it was VOTED: to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 p.m. 5