Sutton School Committee
Sutton, Massachusetts 01590
The Sutton School Committee met in Room 1A of the Municipal Center on Monday, September 17,
2007.
School Committee Members present at the meeting Ms. Wendy Mead, Esq., Mr. Paul Brennan, Ms.
Pamela Beaton, Mrs. Liisa Locurto, and Mrs. Tracey Zuliani.
Administrators present at the meeting were Dr. Cecilia Di Bella, Superintendent, Mr. Michael Breault,
Elementary School Principal, Mrs. Lauren Dubeau, Principal of Simonian Center for Early Learning,
Mrs. Margo Austein, Special Education Director, and Mr. Paul Daigle, High School Principal.
Agenda Item 1 – Call to Order
Mrs. Mead called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Agenda Item 2 – Citizen Forum
Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Robyn Williams spoke to the Committee regarding their daughter Baille’s allergies.
Mr. & Mrs. Williams made a presentation about food allergies in their daughter’s elementary school
classroom. The Committee will take this information under advisement in the process of their policy
development with MASC. The superintendent, Mrs. Dubeau and Mr. Breault outlined the district’s
guidelines and protocols regarding food allergies. The district has had considerable experience in
addressing the many aspects of this issue.
Agenda Item 3 – Consent Agenda
Mr. Brennan moved and Mrs. Locurto seconded to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Carried 5/0
Agenda Item 4 – Student Update
Adam Johnson reported on the College Fair scheduled for Friday, September 21st; the implementation of
a new modified block schedule in the high school. The schedule consists of regular seven period days on
Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, and a block scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday. The block schedule
days allow time on Wednesdays for the Advisor/Advisee program and class and teacher meetings on
Thursday. Mr. Johnson also reminded the Committee and community that Electronic Recycling Day is
Saturday, September 29th and October 13th is Homecoming.
Agenda Item 5 – Update on DOE Coordinated Program Review
Ms. Austein reviewed outstanding issues from the Coordinated Program Review performed by the
Massachusetts Department of Education last June. Ms. Austein reported that the outstanding issues that
are still in process include English Language Learners (ELL or ELE,) the wording in two school
policies, and the insufficient facilities for special education programs in the buildings.
Agenda Item 6 – Update on Athletic Program
Mr. Delongchamp provided the Committee with a recap of athletics in the 2006-2007 season, as well as
highlights from fall tryouts, team development, and progress on the new weight room. He noted that it is
intended to help all our athletes with strength training that will reduce injuries. In addition, it will be
available for classes and the community at a later time. He provided the Committee with handouts that
included information on the uniforms for each team. Mr. Delongchamp thanked Pleasant Valley Country
Club and Blackstone Valley Golf Course for allowing our students to practice and play at their courses
and also thanked the Sutton Booster Club for their donation of $5,000 toward the weight room.
Agenda Item 7 – Curriculum and Professional Development Update
Mrs. DiLeo reported that teachers from the middle school worked on the social studies curriculum
during the summer, that Tina Schirner provided training in DIBELS for several teachers in the
Simonian Center, the Technology Committee met as well as the Standard Based Report Card
Committee. Mrs. DiLeo also provided the Committee with the Professional Development Day schedule
from August 28, 2007.
Agenda Item 8 – Update on School Opening
Dr. Di Bella reported that despite the bus problems encountered the opening of 2007-2008 school year
has gone well. She congratulated the custodial staff and contractors for the completion of the new
classrooms and the condition of the building for the opening and mentioned that the building inspector
had compliments on the condition of the buildings. Dr. Di Bella also reported that the Sutton Police
Department had conducted a mock lockdown on Tuesday, August 29th.
Agenda Item 9 – Dedication of the Simonian Center
Dr. Di Bella extended an invitation to the Committee as well as all members of the community to attend
the dedication ceremony of the Simonian Center for Early Learning on Friday, September 28th at 4:00
p.m.
Agenda Item 10 – Superintendent’s Update
Dr. Di Bella:
 Thanked the Sutton Lions’ Club for the new high school sign and the River Church for refurbishing the lobby outside of the middle school office, and a community member for the
donated plants in the lobby
 Reported that the Middle School Connection (MSC) if up and running for students after school
 Announced that the Middle School is having an Internet Safety program presented by the District
Attorney’s office on September 19th
 Thanked the Middle School PTO for Teens Night Out last Friday and mentioned that the
students attending TNO each brought a canned good item for the Senior Center pantry
 Fire drills were held this pst week under the direction of Fire Chief Paul Maynard
 Dr. Di Bella and Mrs. Rothermich met with the new Town Manager this week
 SMBA postponed their visit to Sutton until September 25th
 Sutton is awaiting MCAS results
 Selina Carter, 2006-07 Superintendent’s Scholar appeared in USA Today on her first day at Holy
Cross College
 Dr. Di Bella has sent letters to all home schooled families requesting copies of their curriculum
plans, and
 Provided extensive information on developments on educational issues at the state level
including the new chair of the State Board of Education, Governor Patrick’s “Readiness Project:
from Cradle to Career – Education as our Competitive Edge,” and members of the twelve
subcommittees that are developing a ten year strategic plan for the Readiness Project.
Agenda Item 11 – New Business, Agenda Items, Action Items
Mr. Breault reviewed proposed changes to the Elementary School Handbook for the Committee.
Mr. Brennan moved and Ms. Beaton seconded to approve the Elementary School Handbook as
proposed.
Carried 4/0
Agenda Item 12 – Adjournment to Executive Session
At 8:17 p.m. Mr. Brennan moved and Ms. Beaton seconded to adjourn to executive session for the
purpose of discussing collective bargaining and not to return to open session.
Mrs. Mead – Yes
Mrs. Zuliani – Yes
Mr. Brennan – Yes
Ms. Beaton – Yes
Mrs. Locurto - Yes
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda M. Sadowski
Recording Secretary