Holbrook Public Schools
245 South Franklin Street
Holbrook, MA 02343
MINUTES OF THE HOLBROOK SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
HCAM Studios
December 20, 2012
In Attendance:
School Committee:
Barbara P. Davis, Chairperson
John Callahan
John Flanagan
Ann Poppenga
Joseph F. Baeta, Superintendent of Schools
Charles Mahoney, Business Manager
Bridget Baker, Recording Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Ms. Davis.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Baeta began by extending his thoughts and best wishes to all those involved with
the Newtown, CT tragedy. Superintendent Baeta will be meeting with the town of Holbrook to
go over Holbrook’s crisis procedures and the school safety and security checklist. The results
will be communicated to the school committee.
MSBA UPDATE
At this point neither the Kennedy nor the South Schools have been accepted in the MSBA’s
program for school building construction, renovation, and repair grants through the Fiscal Year
2012 Statement of Interest (“SOI”) process. The next step is to go back to the school committee
to continue the process. The MSBA will be accepting SOI’s for consideration in FY 2013
starting January 9, 2013 and will be sending detailed information regarding that process to
districts shortly.
The MSBA will continue to collaborate with the District on the Junior/Senior High School
Project.
PRINCIPAL’S UPDATES
Julie Hamilton – South School Update
Ms. Hamilton gave a brief overview of recent events and accomplishments at the South School.
Some of those events included the Native American Perspectives Program, Jeff Danger
presented his Science Ranger Program, Officer Phil’s presented his Safety Program to discuss
Helmet safety, stranger danger and internet safety, and the Tool School Program (sponsored by
Home Depot) will be returning to the South School. Also the South School Soldiers Club has
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been meeting weekly to work on projects and activities that will enhance the lives of our men
and woman while overseas.
Also on November 29th Mrs. Clougher and members of the South School Civics Club (in
conjunction with students from HJSHS) went into Boston to attend a Stand Up to Bullying
Program. Dr. Englander was so impressed with the students that she personally invited members
of the Civics Club to Bridgewater State University this past Tuesday for a workshop that takes a
project-based approach to promoting students’ knowledge regarding civic education and
responsibility.
A motion was made to approve January 16th or another date designated by Civics Club, as the
date for Bulldogs Don’t Bully day.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Poppenga) made a motion to approve January 16th or another date designated by Civics
Club, as the date for Bulldogs Don’t Bully day.
3-0-0
Some other accomplishments included the Math Olympiads competed in their second contest last
week under the direction of our new grade 6 departmentalized math teacher, Ms. McCarthy
Vincent Hayward – Junior/Senior High School Update
Mr. Hayward gave a brief overview of recent events and accomplishments at the Junior Senior
High School. Some of those events included the inaugural Capstone presentation evening was
scheduled for Monday January 14th. This event will feature students presenting their senior
capstone projects to a panel that includes teachers, administration and school committee
members. Other events included 24 High School students and 7 South School students went to
the Tsongus Arena in Lowell to attend a state wide anti-bullying event. Their action plan was to
start off their anti bullying campaign with a Bulldogs Don’t Bully night at the Varsity Holbrook
Basketball games on January 16, 2013. Also throughout November and December teachers and
administrators attended technology professional development geared toward bring technology to
teaching and learning. The goal was to build capacity in the district for effective technology
integration for 21st Century Learning through the formation and training of building based teams
that will support and model best practices for improved student achievement within the school.
Some of the accomplishments included 141 Honor Roll students and 36 High Honors students
for Term 1 as well as several student athlete accomplishments such as 92 Holbrook student
athletes competed in MIAA athletics this fall.
Kimberly Richards – Kennedy School Update
Ms. Richards gave a brief overview of recent events and accomplishments at the Kennedy
School. Some of those events included the Scott Foresman Reading Street Implementation
meetings that were held with all staff and the HILL Group to review the implementation in
kindergarten and the continued use of Reading Street in grades 1-3, the Fall benchmark testing
for DIBELS has been completed and the results were used along with Reading Street
benchmarks to develop instructional groups for the Walk to Read groups. The additional 45
minutes per day began in grades 1-3 on October 22. The results of this instruction will be
reviewed during the January 22 Data meetings with the HILL Group to assess the groups for the
next eight week period.
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Ms. Poppenga asked how you get more information on Walk to Read? Superintendent Baeta
responded that a one page synopsis needs to be created and put on the schools website.
Data Meetings with the HILL Group were held on September 24 and 25 to review test scores and
form instructional groups for intervention. This is an additional 45 minute language intervention
block that each child will receive at their instructional level. This has been added to the existing
90 minute ELA block. The Walk to Read Model will begin on Monday, October 22.
The four Title One Tutors have completed DIBELS and DRA2 Testing. Additionally, they
participate in the Walk to Read groups daily for each grade level.
Bill Atwood is scheduled to provide Collins Training on January 4 to continue the writing
curriculum and standards previously established. Mr. Atwood will continue to work on the
writing standards and frequency of types of writing for each grade level.
The Pupil Personnel Director and Principal met with each grade level staff to review goals and
objectives for instruction of special education students.
Parent volunteers began the week of October 15 to assist with lunch during peak periods. The
support has enabled us to cover lunch duties without removing paraprofessionals from the
classroom.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Mr. Mahoney reviewed the financial update. It was decided that Superintendent Baeta, Mr.
Mahoney, Mr. Flanagan need to get together in January to review and improve the budget
process for next year. Mr. Baeta stated that he will schedule a meeting.
Mr. Flanagan asked if Mr. Mahoney was conservative with his estimated grants. Mr. Mahoney
replied that these are conservative and are more revolving. Mr. Mahoney also stated that there
are no positions in Title 1’s. He is concerned with 94142 as fed grant, which pays for 12
paraprofessionals, because it is tied to the fiscal cliff entitlement. Mr. Mahoney anticipates
another cut in Title 1 tutors as well as the fact that School Choice will use some of the grant in
FY 13 for students coming in. Mr. Mahoney also stated that Kindergarten Tuition should be
considered.
Superintendent Baeta stated that they feel good about the budget.
Ms. Davis asked how redistricting will impact the budget? Superintendent Baeta replied that the
budget would not be impacted until February 2015. Superintendent Baeta stated that he would
really like to do this as a two year program.
Mr. Flanagan stated that both himself and Mr. Pransky heard a litany of needs during the finance
presentation, but that they were all real basic needs. Nothing extravagant. Superintendent Baeta
stated that they need to get this budget up to Town Hall by the 31st.
Ms. Poppenga stated that she noticed out-of-district tuitions decreased – great job to the Director
of Services on that. We should be educating our students in district.
A motion was made to approve tentative School Committee budget as presented.
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Voted:
(Flanagan/Poppenga) made a motion to approve tentative School Committee budget as
presented.
3-0-0 if it is a working document subject to change.
Superintendent Baeta will schedule a Budget Sub-Committee meeting in January.
Mr. Mahoney stated that there was a minor glitch in the budget software. The accounts did not
balance due to Town Hall posting last years figures. The budget will now go to second company
to get reposted.
Article 1 from the Board of Selectmen, which includes an additional $40 per student – has been
put on warrant.
Mr. Mahoney stated that the budget has been frozen.
A motion was made to approve disposal of surplus books listed.
Voted:
(Poppenga/Flanagan) made a motion to approve the disposal of the surplus books listed.
3-0-0
A motion was made to approve September 18, 2012, School Committee minutes.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Poppenga) made a motion to approve September 18, 2012, School Committee
minutes.
3-0-0
A motion was made to approve October 25, 2012, School Committee minutes.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Poppenga) made a motion to approve October 25, 2012, School Committee minutes.
3-0-0
A motion was made to approve November 15, 2012, School Committee minutes.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Poppenga) made a motion to approve November 15, 2012, School Committee
minutes.
3-0-0
A motion was made to approve November 29, 2012, School Committee minutes.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Poppenga) made a motion to approve November 29, 2012, School Committee
minutes.
2-0-1
PERSONNEL
A motion was made to approve new hire Crystal DeCorte, Social Studies Teacher, Junior Senior High
School.
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Voted:
(Flanagan/Pransky) A motion was made to approve the appointment of Crystal DeCorte, Social
Studies Teacher, Junior Senior High School.
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A motion was made to approve the appointment of Ryan Drury to the position of Crossing Guard,
Kennedy School.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Pransky) A motion was made to approve the appointment of Ryan Drury to the position of
Crossing Guard, Kennedy School.
3-0-0
A motion was made to approve the resignation of Robin Goodliss, Occupational Therapist, Effective
January 3, 2013.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Pransky) A motion was made to approve the resignation of Robin Goodliss, Occupational
Therapist, Effective January 3, 2013.
3-0-0
A motion was made to approve the posting of an Art Teacher, South School.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Pransky) A motion was made to approve the posting of an Art Teacher, South School.
3-0-0
A motion was made to approve the posting of a Long-Term Maternity Leave – Grade 3, Kennedy
School.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Pransky) A motion was made to approve the posting of a Long-Term Maternity Leave –
Grade 3, Kennedy School.
3-0-0
A motion was made to approve the posting of a Long-Term Maternity Leave – Paraprofessional
Substitute, Grade 4.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Pransky) A motion was made approve the posting of a Long-Term Maternity Leave –
Paraprofessional Substitute, Grade 4.
3-0-0
A motion was made to approve the posting of an Occupational Therapist, Kennedy School.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Pransky) A motion was made approve the posting of a Occupational Therapist, Kennedy
School.
3-0-0
A motion was made to approve the posting of a Technology Media Specialist, South School.
Voted:
(Flanagan/Pransky) A motion was made approve the posting of a Technology Media Specialist, South
School.
3-0-0
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Ms. Davis stated that she attended the Home Depot Tool School which was very interesting.
Also she attended the Holiday Concert and thought it was one of the best she had seen. Ms.
Davis also encouraged all school committee members to attend
In addition, Ms. Davis also wanted to mention that Dan McQuary and Sean Manning were
mentioned in The Boston Globe for football.
Need to set up a policy subcommittee meeting – possibly week of January 7th. Superintendent
Baeta will send out an email for the 7th and 14th.
ADJOURN or VOTE TO CONTINUE
Voted:
(Flanagan) Motion to adjourn regular School Committee Meeting of December 20, 2012 at 8:33
p.m.
3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Bridget Baker
School Committee Secretary
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