MINUTES OF THE CHELSEA SCHOOL
COMMITTEE MEETING
December 18, 2008
APPROVED JANUARY 22, 2009
The Chelsea School Committee met on Thursday, December 18, 2008, in the City
Council Chambers, City Hall, 500 Broadway, Chelsea.
Members Present: Chairman Michael Caulfield, Vice-Chairman Rosemarie Carlisle,
Lucia Colon, James E Dwyer, Ed Ells, Ramona Foster, Lisa Lineweaver, Morrie Seigal,
Melinda Alvarado-Vega, City Council Delegate to the School Committee Deborah
Washington and student representative to the School Committee Michael Chung.
Also Present: School Superintendent Dr. Thomas S. Kingston, Executive Director of
Administration and Finance Gerald McCue, School Business Manager and Clerk to the
School Committee Barbara Martin.
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance:
3. School Committee Minutes: The minutes of the November 20, 2008, School
Committee Meeting were unanimously approved.
4. Public Comment: Chairman Caulfield called upon members of the Kiwanis Club of
Chelsea to present bicycles to the winners of the Kiwanis Annual Road Race. This year’s
winners were Alexsa Ramirez and Donald Wilyard.
Next, Molly Bourque, representing the Chelsea Lincoln Bicentennial Commission,
outlined the plans for Chelsea’s tribute to Abraham Lincoln to be held in February. Plans
include an essay contest in the schools, a birthday party at the Governor Cary House on
February 7, 2009, and a plaque commemorating the 1848 visit of Abraham Lincoln to
Chelsea.
5. Report of the Superintendent of Schools: Superintendent Kingston announced that
Student Representative Michael Chung was awarded a Posse Scholarship and will be
attending Denison University in Granville, Ohio.
Student Achievement: Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mary Bourque reported on the
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The report shows the
achievement of Massachusetts Grade 4 and Grade 8 students in math and science.
A copy of the report is attached and forms a part of these minutes.
Next, Dr. Bourque reported on the recommendations from the Massachusetts Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education’s Task Force on 21st Century Skills.
A copy of the report is attached and forms a part of these minutes.
Dr. Bourque noted that this year’s professional development day is January 26th, there is
no school, but administrators, teachers and support staff will take part in several
activities. A draft copy of the day’s schedule is attached and forms a part of these
minutes.
Next, Dr. Bourque reported on the new X2 student information system, providing draft
samples of a progress report, report card, and school transcript. Copies are attached and
form a part of these minutes.
Dr. Bourque reported on the results of the 2008 Annual Measurable Achievement
Objectives (AMAOs) for Limited English Proficient Students. The reports show that the
district did not make the progress benchmark. The district did meet the benchmark on
Attainment will an overall performance of 43%. Overall the district was not able to meet
Adequate Yearly Progress (APY) in Math or Language Arts.
Last, Dr. Bourque noted that the Extended Learning Time applications are on CD and
hard copies are also available by calling the District Superintendents office.
Questions and discussion ensued.
Personnel Report: Dr. Kingston commended the Personnel Report to the record. He
also noted that Philomena Saggesse a long time food service worker passed away this
week.
Enrollment Report: Dr. Kingston commended the Enrollment Report to the record.
As of December 11, 2008, the district-wide enrollment was 5,680 students, including 121
students in out-of-district placements. In addition, there are three (3) Chapter 768
students for whom the district has financial responsibility.
Miscellaneous: Dr. Kingston stated that he is obliged to inform the School Committee
of community use of school property.

The Boston Amateur Basketball Club (BABC) requested use of the Chelsea High
School gymnasium for youth basketball tournaments in December 2008 and
February 2009. The request to waive user fees was approved since a portion of
the proceeds from these events are used to provide scholarships for students
graduating from Chelsea High School.

Centro Latino de Chelsea requested use of the kitchen and cafeteria at the
Williams Middle School Complex for the purpose of providing a Thanksgiving
Holiday meal to the Chelsea community. The request to waive user fees was
approved since Centro Latino de Chelsea is community based, most of the food
service work force was already on duty and that the meal is provided free of
charge
6. Unfinished Business: None
7. New Business:

Consideration and action to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to
approve a one day trip to New York City for the Drama Club to see the Broadway
Show In the Heights was unanimously approved.

Consideration and action to accept a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural
Council for $400.00 was unanimously approved.

New text book proposal Elements of Literature 2009 for Grades 7 and 8 was
unanimously approved.

Mr. Dwyer’s motion that the City Manager instruct the DPW to install a “STOP
HERE ON RED” sign at the traffic lights on Eastern Avenue opposite the Burke
School Complex was unanimously approved.

Mr. Ells’ motion to adopt the Chelsea Public Schools 403(b) Plan Agreement and
authorize the Superintendent or his designee to execute the Plan Agreement on
behalf of the organization was unanimously adopted.
8. Communications: Letter from The New England Association of Schools & Colleges,
Inc was accepted and filed
9. Committee Reports:
a. Curriculum and Instruction: Ms. Foster reported the subcommittee last met on
December 13, 2008. A copy of the report is attached and forms a part of these minutes.
b. Policies and Procedures: Mrs. Carlisle reported that the subcommittee met on
December 16, 2008. The subcommittee will offer some adjustments in the form of
amendments to the School Committee Rules and Regulations at the January meeting. A
copy of the report is attached and forms a part of these minutes.
c. Budget and Finance: Ms. Colon asked Ms. Lineweaver to give the report. Ms.
Lineweaver reported that the subcommittee last met on December 10, 2008. A copy
of the report is attached and forms a part of these minutes.
d. Student Representative: Michael Chung reported on the following
 School Senate is progressing on a mentoring program.
 The Tri M-Music Honor Society is working on a “Chelsea Idol” program.
 The Interact Club now had 20 members. Most recently they collected for
“Toys for Tots”. They will also take part in the Martin Luther King Day
program.
10. Announcements:
 Delegate from the City Council, Deborah Washington invited all members to the
Senior Center on Monday, January 19, 2009 to take part in the Martin Luther
King Day Breakfast.

Mr. Dwyer reported on the MASC conference he recently attended. He will have
conference packets for members at the January retreat.

Mrs. Carlisle and Ms. Foster have volunteered to bring a book next month.

Ms. Lineweaver thanked the committee for their well wishes and flowers.

Chairman Caulfield thanked the committee for their cooperation the past year. He
noted the schools are showing tremendous progress and thanks should go to the
administration, principals, teachers and the students.

Mr. Seigal wished to thank Chairman for his excellent leadership.
11. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Recorded By
Barbara A. Martin
Business Manager
Clerk to the Chelsea School Committee