| MSC Preliminary Minutes May 7, 2009 |
| DRAFT PRELIMINARY MINUTES MIDDLETON SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING FULLER MEADOW NATHAN MEDIA CENTER MAY 7, 2009 The regular meeting of the Middleton School Committee was held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 in the Fuller Meadow Nathan Media Center, 143 South Main Street, Middleton, MA. Members Present: Teresa Buono, Chairperson; Deirdre Donarumo and James Pearl Absent: Richard Harris and Rock Mastrangelo Others Present: Dr. Bernard Creeden, Superintendent; Steven Greenberg, Director of Finance and H.R.; Dr. Malvena Baxter and Michelle Fitzpatrick, Principals; Mary Pelrine and Keira Clemenzi, Grade 6 Teachers; Susan Olmsted, Math Tutor; and Mary Farley, Recording Secretary A. ROUTINES: 1. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. 2. Remarks from the Public: At this point, the Chairperson recognized Mary Pelrine, Keira Clemenzi and Susan Olmsted. M. Pelrine informed the Committee that she had applied for and received a Grant in the amount of $2,475 from New England Biolabs to be used for the purpose of purchasing the first component of ICC Math. James Pearl moved to accept the Grant funds in the amount of $2,475 from New England Biolabs to be used for the purchase of ICC Math. Second by D. Donarumo. Motion carried 3-0-0. This money will be used to purchase the kits for the program. They come with diagnostic placement tests in five volumes. The lessons work with the SmartBoards, making the lessons interactive. An online tour of isucceed math from the Great Source Company was presented showing all the components of this program. M. Pelrine gave a complete overview. This program can be accessed from home. The second component of this costs $6,750. 3. Reports from Other Committees: • School Building Committee: A MSBC informational meeting was held on Monday night. The usual cast of town people and about 30 new people were present. Andy Chirullo from the MA School Building Authority was present and answered questions from the audience. A number of people stayed after to ask questions of the Building Committee and tour the building. The Master Plan Committee voted unanimously in favor of the new school building. T. Buono will give her slide presentation at Town Meeting. • Tri-Town Union Committee: Dr. Creeden reported that the TTU Committee met on April 28. Future Management System was awarded the contract for the Regionalization Study. The plan is to have this study done by June 30. Dr. Creeden will be meeting with the Masco Leadership Group to see if all Grade 7 kids are coming in on the same page. B. REPORTS: 1. Report of the Building Principals: Dr. Baxter gave a verbal report on the happenings at Fuller Meadow. Next week, Grade 3 MCAS will take place on Thursday. Progress reports go home with all students tomorrow. PTO provided all kinds of food for Teacher Appreciation Week. She discussed the Professional Development Day. Thanks to the Penny Challenge and PTO, Top Secret Science was in all week. The Stanford Tests will not be administered this year. M. Fitzpatrick gave a verbal report on the happenings at Howe-Manning: A significant number of MCAS tests are going on. They are doing Math Opens. The Organizational Design has been put together. She has worked with S. Lyons to put a list together for Sped teachers also. The parent letter on placement should go out soon. Upcoming events: a luncheon for two retiring Principals, the Parent/Volunteer Lunch, the Retirement Party for five teachers, the Sixth Grade Banquet and the Spring Fling will all be happening prior to the close of school. The Student Council Flower Sale is next week along with the ice cream sale. Nineteen students successfully completed Read Naturally. 2. Report of the Superintendent: • NCLB School and District Report Card: The NCLB Report Card has been posted on the web site. Some hard copies will be available at the school offices. • Flu Update: Dr. Creeden discussed the H1N1 Swine Flu. The Board of Health Director has put together an emergency plan. This has been passed along to the school nurses. • The Committee is very close to a decision about adopting a new Social Studies Curriculum, provided there is favorable action on that Article next week at Town Meeting. This will integrate well with the SmartBoard technology that we have. Like our Math book, it is available online. This will be presented again before we go forward with it. • Dr. Creeden sat with the Howe-Manning Report Card Committee and then with the staff as a whole to discuss what people are doing and what recommendations they would make for next year. He would like to set up a meeting with the School Committee and the Howe-Manning teaching staff on June 1 to have an open discussion about what we have learned. This will be in the context of a Howe-Manning staff meeting. • The property at 149 South Main Street needs to make some corrective action to their septic system. The Little League Shed is proposing to build a shed at Fuller Meadow. The Building Inspector needs more information about this. Ann Daniels is coming in for a few hours a day, a couples days a week. Janet Riley is out after having knee surgery. Dr. Creeden will be meeting with Lori Christoforo who is replacing her. 3. Report of the Director of Facilities: S. Clifford’s Report was distributed at the meeting tonight. C. NEW BUSINESS: 1. School Calendar 2009-2010 Draft #4: J. Pearl moved to make June 24, 2009 the last day of school. Second by D. Donarumo. Motion carried 3-0-0. J. Pearl moved to approve the calendar for 2009/2010 dated 5/7/09, consistent with the Masconomet calendar. Second by D. Donarumo. Motion carried 3-0-0. 2. Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Development: • Preparation for Town Meeting: S. Greenberg will prepare some talking points for Town Meeting. Brevity is the best. • ARRA 2009 Stimulus Update: S. Greenberg, D. Hale and S. Lyons attended the ARRA Stimulus meeting this morning. All the rules that have been applied will still apply. Dr. Creeden explained the Governor’s action. We now have an understanding of how we are going to have to show maintenance of effort. They were shown the forms. 3. Policy Development: • KBB-NCLB Title I Parent/Guardian Involvement Policy: J. Pearl moved to take the second vote to accept Policy KBB/NCLB. Second by D. Donarumo. Motion carried 3-0-0. • GCRD – Private Tutoring of Professional Services for Private Payment (Formerly Tutoring): Something needs to be added to this referring to the Policy on Community Use and bring it back to the Committee. • There was an inquiry about holding a program at Fuller Meadow this summer, similar to Exploration Station. We do not control the fields in Town. Dr. Creeden referred them to the Recreation Commission. 4. Correspondence: None 5. Other: J. Pearl reported to the Committee that he did not take out re-election papers, but will run if elected at the polls. D. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Approval of Minutes: J. Pearl moved to approve the Minutes of April 9, 2009 as amended. Second by D. Donarumo. Page 1 under Routines, first bullet, second sentence: change the word “pilot” to “ballot”. Same sentence, remove the words “of the official committee”. Fifth sentence, add the words “from the MSBA” after the words “$15.5 million”. Page 2, under Reports, item #3, second sentence: change the word “posed” to “posted”. Motion carried 2-0-1 (J. Pearl abstained). J. Pearl moved to accept the Executive Session Minutes of April 9, 2009 as presented. Second by D. Donaruno. Motion carried 2-0-1 (J. Pearl abstained). J. Pearl made a motion to move the following Executive Session Minutes from Executive Session to the Open Minutes: August 14, 2008, August 25, 2008, September 22, 2008, October 9, 2008, October 20, 2008, November 24, 2008, February 12, 2009, February 26, 2009, May 12, 2009. Second by D. Donarumo. Motion carried 3-0-0. 2. Approval of Bills and Payroll: D. Donarumo moved to accept the following Bill and Payroll Warrants. Second by J. Pearl. Payroll dated 5/14/09 in the amount of $237,709.89 Bill Warrant #0920 dated 5/7/09 in the amount of $109,088.35 Bill Warrant #0920A dated 5/7/09 in the amount of $1,200.00 Bill Warrant #0920 Café dated 5/7/09 in the amount of $9,151.40 Bill Warrant #0920 Café Meal Tax in the amount of $9.24 Bill Warrant #0920-403B dated 5/7/09 in the amount of $5,280.00 Bill Warrant #MSBC 4/13/09 in the amount of $6,315.00 (Paid out of Foundation Grant) Payroll Warrant dated 4/30/09 in the amount of $250,067.39. Motion carried 3-0-0. E. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, J. Pearl moved to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. Second by D. Donarumo. Motion carried 3-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Mary Farley Recording Secretary |