HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINAL SC Minutes June 23 2020 _1_.pdf FINAL
MINUTES
MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
JUNE 23, 2020 6:30 P.M.
VIA REMOTE PARTICIPATION
Present:
Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton) Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham)
Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington) Alice DeLuca(Stow)
Steve LeDoux (Concord) Ford Spalding(Dover)
Sue Sheffler(Arlington) Jim Gammill (Belmont)
Jennifer Leone (Lancaster) Dave O'Connor(Bolton)
Absent: None
Weighted Vote: Weighted Vote present at start of meeting: 100%
Others Present: Dr. Edward Bouquillon, Dr. Robert Gerardi, Dr. Amy Perreault, Kevin
Mahoney, George Clement, Heather Plater, Brian Tildsley, John Donato, and Julia Pisegna
1. CALL TO ORDER: OPEN SESSION
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
2. ADOPTION OF REMOTE PARTICIPATION
VOTE: To adopt remote participation by all members of the Minuteman School
Committee pursuant to and in accordance with Sections (2) and (3) of the Executive
Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law made by the
Governor of Massachusetts on March 12, 2020, such adoption to be effective until
said Executive Order is rescinded or the Commonwealth's State of Emergency as
referenced in said Executive Order, is terminated, whichever happens first.
ACTION 2020 #34
Moved(Leone) and seconded(Stulin)
To approve remote participation
VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote
Weighted Vote present: 100%
Weight needed: > 50.00%
Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none
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Final percentage results of vote: 100%
Final status of the vote: Unanimous
Roll Call:
Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton)
Sue Sheffler(Arlington)
Jim Gammill (Belmont)
Dave O'Connor(Bolton)
Steve LeDoux (Concord)
Ford Spalding (Dover)
Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)
Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington)
Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham)
Alice DeLuca(Stow)
3. CHAIR'S REPORT, Pam Nourse
a. For the Good of the Organization
Committee Chair, Pam Nourse, acknowledged that Dave Horton (Lexington), Jim
Gammill (Belmont) and Sue Sheffler (Arlington) are leaving the Committee and thanked
them for their hard work, dedication, time and commitment to Minuteman High School
and that they will be missed very much.
Ms. Sheffler, Mr. Gammill and Mr. Horton shared how much they enjoyed their work on
the Committee and working with such a great group of people.
Ms. Nourse noted that the reorganization and election of new officers will take place at the
next scheduled School Committee meeting on July 14th
Dr. Bouquillon shared with Committee members the video from the graduation ceremony
for the Class of 2020.
Ms. Nourse thanked Mr. Clement for the wonderful and touching poem to the Class of
2020 which was published on Facebook, and thanked the administration for all they have
done for the students.
Dr. Bouquillon announced that Minuteman was awarded the Capital Skills Grant in the
amount of$300,000 for robotics logistics engineering and supply management.
4. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, Dr. Edward Bouquillon
a. Recognition of Retirees
Dr. Bouquillon announced the following retirements and thanked them for their many
years of service and dedication to Minuteman:
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❖ Michelle Roche - Director of Career and Technical Education and employed at
Minuteman for 11 years;
❖ Maryanne Ham was hired in September, 1987 as a Business Teacher. She was
promoted to Supervisor of Evaluations, and most recently served as the Director of
Special Projects;
❖ Richard Caruso -Robotics and Automation Teacher since September, 1999;
❖ Gary Sypteras - Chemistry Teacher since September, 1995;
❖ Pauline Halko - Post Grad Cosmetology Teacher since October, 2006; and
❖ Mary Mullahy-Florence Sawyer Middle School Technology/Engineering Teacher
since August, 1997.
b. Opening of School Update (Summer and Fall)
Dr. Bouquillon shared that the administration has been working diligently on a plan for the
opening of school, a week on/week off, half day/every day hybrid model of remote and
onsite learning that complies with all the guidelines that have been provided by the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and allows the District to pivot to all
remote learning if needed.
All incoming freshmen have been assessed and all returning students will be assessed
when school begins using the NOCTI (National Occupational and Competency Testing
Institute) assessment and competencies so there is a clear sense of where students are.
Dr. Bouquillon shared that he is confident that the District will be ready for the fall and
will continue to update Committee members on the opening schedule and plan.
c. School Building Project—Ford Spalding
i. Project Update
Mr. Spalding provided an update from the School Building Committee meeting and
reported that the project is 97.7% complete. He thanked the project management team for
their hard work, and shared that the District anticipates the amount of$4,107,469 left over
from the project, in addition to the settlement due in the amount of $400,000 and
additional credits in the amount of$135,873, and reported that the anticipated completion
date for the building project is July 31st
ii. Athletic Facilities Project Review
Dr. Bouquillon reviewed the presentation on the athletic fields previously shown to members
and responded to questions by Committee members.
Mr. Spalding reiterated the interest from 12 local organizations to rent the athletic spaces
and the costs that member Towns are currently spending on the rental of fields and
estimated the potential rental revenue to Minuteman to be approximately $400,000 to
$500,000/year.
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Mr. Spalding again reviewed the project options 1-11 and the costs associated with each
option, and recommended option 11 which keeps Minuteman competitive in recruitment
and the admissions process and, with the growing demands for girls lacrosse and field
hockey, and helps Minuteman meet the gender equity standard.
Mr. Mahoney discussed the revised financing plan and strategy for the three synthetic fields
and described the sources of funding from the school building project, facilities rental
revolving account, stabilization account, and the current year capital fees.
He also discussed the plan to replenish all reserve funds with a strategy going forward to
replenish the capital stabilization fund with $100,000 a year in the District budget, the
projected and collected capital fees for FY20 to offset FY21 debt assessment, and also
reviewed the financial model as a self-sustaining operation.
Dr. Bouquillon reviewed the four motions and four votes that relate to the Athletic Fields
Project,prepared by our attorneys, that will be taken tonight.
Discussion continued as Committee members shared their thoughts and questions on the
athletic field presentation and updated financing plan.
Ms. DeLuca asked for clarification relative to the annual capital reserve funding, with Mr.
Mahoney detailing the cost on an annual basis to fund over a 12-year period the resurfacing
of the synthetic fields without borrowing or additional assessment to the District and
explained the creation of an annual capital reserve fund specifically for the athletic facility.
Mr. Mahoney responded to Ms. Leone's inquiry and clarified the facility rental revolving
account and the amount of$615,000 and facility maintenance.
Ms. Plater responded to questions by Ms. DeLuca relative to the number of teams, both
girls and boys, who will utilize the football and stadium field.
Mr. Gammill shared his view for the voting, and noted that Belmont should have no say,
but will use his vote, if necessary, depending on the outcome of a 9-member voting
Committee, so he will pass on the first vote, unless his vote is needed to push the vote to a
majority.
Dr. Bouquillon clarified the votes and their meaning for Committee members.
Mr. Stulin noted that if we get the bids in and the Committee decides not to pursue them,
the Committee can vote no at that time, but if the Committee says no today, the chances are
that there will not be an opportunity to move forward with the athletic fields again.
Ms. Nourse commented that while she will support the project, there are still some
reservations with moving forward.
Ms. Leone reiterated that while admissions are up, we will not keep the kids coming to
Minuteman if we do not have fields.
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Ms. DeLuca thanked the Committee and the administration for the extra due diligence that
has been put into this presentation and for finding the money available at the end of the
project.
ACTION 2020 #35 (majority of weighted votes)
Moved(Spalding) and seconded(Stulin)
VOTE: to authorize the expenditure not to exceed $5,965,000 for the purpose of
constructing three (3) synthetic turf athletic fields, including equipment,
scoreboards, fencing, portable bleachers and all related general and
administrative costs as the base scope of work; and further, that the construction
documents include as an add/alternate the scope of work to include field
lighting in each field, and further as a 2nd add/alternate the scope of work to
include a track and related infrastructure, which such add/alternate items shall
be subject to the School Committee's review and selection, as well as the
School Committee's authorization of requisite funding for such add/alternate
items; provided further that the authorization set forth in this vote shall be fully
contingent upon the School Committee's approval of separate votes authorizing
the use of the following amounts from the following accounts, for an aggregate
total not to exceed$5,965,000, namely:
• $4,100,000 of available funds from the school building project account;
• $615,000 from the Facilities Rental Revolving account;
• $1,250,000 from the Capital Stabilization account, subject to approval of
funding included in the FY21 Budget.
VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote
Weighted vote present: 100%
Weight needed: >50%
Names of towns opposing or abstaining: Belmont (abstained)
Final percentage results of vote: 91.16%
Final status of the vote: Passed
Roll Call:
Pam Nourse, Chair (Acton)
Sue Sheffler(Arlington)
Jim Gammill (Belmont) Abstained
Dave O'Connor(Bolton)
Steve LeDoux (Concord)
Ford Spalding(Dover)
Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)
Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington)
Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham)
Alice DeLuca(Stow)
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ACTION 2020#36 (requires a vote of 2/3 of all the members of the School
Committee)
Moved (Spalding) and seconded(Stulin)
VOTE: to authorize the expenditure of$1,250,000 from the Capital Stabilization
account for the purpose of constructing three (3) synthetic turf athletic fields,
including equipment, scoreboards, fencing,portable bleachers, approved
add/alternate items, and all related general and administrative costs as the base
scope of work; provided that the authorization of this expenditure shall be fully
contingent upon the lawful approval of the District's FY21 Budget providing
funding sufficient to cover this expenditure.
VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote
Vote present: 100% - entire School Committee
Vote needed: 66.67% (7 towns)
Names of towns opposing or abstaining: Belmont (abstained)
Final percentage results of vote: 90% (9 towns)
Final status of the vote: Passed
Roll Call:
Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton)
Sue Sheffler(Arlington)
Jim Gammill (Belmont) Abstained
Dave O'Connor(Bolton)
Steve LeDoux (Concord)
Ford Spalding(Dover)
Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)
Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington)
Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham)
Alice DeLuca(Stow)
ACTION 2020 #37 (majority of weighted votes)
Moved(Spalding) and seconded(Leone)
VOTE: to authorize the expenditure of$4,100,000 of available funds from the
school building project account for the purpose of constructing three (3)
synthetic turf athletic fields, including equipment, scoreboards, fencing,
portable bleachers, approved add/alternate items, and all related general and
administrative costs as the base scope of work.
VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote
Weighted Vote present: 100%
Weight needed: > 50%
Names of towns opposing or abstaining: Belmont (abstained)
Final percentage results of vote: 91.16%
Final status of the vote: Passed
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Roll Call:
Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton)
Sue Sheffler(Arlington)
Jim Gammill (Belmont) Abstained
Dave O'Connor(Bolton)
Steve LeDoux (Concord)
Ford Spalding(Dover)
Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)
Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington)
Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham)
Alice DeLuca(Stow)
ACTION 2020 #38 (majority of weighted votes)
Moved (Spalding) and seconded(Leone)
VOTE: to authorize the expenditure of$615,000 from the Facilities Rental
Revolving account for the purpose of constructing three (3) synthetic turf
athletic fields, including equipment, scoreboards, fencing,portable bleachers,
approved add/alternate items, and all related general and administrative costs as
the base scope of work.
VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote
Weighted Vote present: 100%
Weight needed: > 50%
Names of towns opposing or abstaining: Belmont (abstained)
Final percentage results of vote: 91.16%
Final status of the vote: Passed
Roll Call:
Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton)
Sue Sheffler(Arlington)
Jim Gammill (Belmont) Abstained
Dave O'Connor(Bolton)
Steve LeDoux (Concord)
Ford Spalding(Dover)
Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)
Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington)
Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham)
Alice DeLuca(Stow)
Ms. Nourse thanked all those who worked on this project and congratulated the team.
Committee members thanked Mr. Spalding, Ms. DeLuca, and the Building Committee for all
their hard work on the building project.
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Mr. Spalding shared that it was a team effort and thanked Ms. Plater, Mr. Tildsley and Mr.
Donato who were a great addition to the team, as well as KBA, Gilbane and Skanska for all
their support in this project.
Mr. Tildsley shared that he will always remind the students of the hard work and dedication it
took this Committee to make the athletic facility a reality, the pride and respect the students
will have for the facility, and even with members leaving the Committee, their work will live
on.
5. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE'S REPORT, Dr. Robert Gerardi
a. Approval of Monthly Donations
Dr. Gerardi recommended approval of the monthly list of donations.
VOTE: To approve the list of monthly donations
ACTION 2020 #39
Moved(Leone) and seconded(O'Connor)
To approve the monthly list of donations
VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote
Weighted Vote present: 100%
Weight needed: > 50.00%
Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none
Final percentage results of vote: 100%
Final status of the vote: Unanimous
Roll Call:
Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton)
Sue Sheffler(Arlington)
Jim Gammill (Belmont)
Dave O'Connor(Bolton)
Steve LeDoux (Concord)
Ford Spalding(Dover)
Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)
Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington)
Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham)
Alice DeLuca(Stow)
b. Discussion of COVID 19 Grant Funding Available
Dr. Gerardi updated the Committee on the available grants available to Districts from
FEMA for reimbursement of personal protection equipment, CARES Fund, and the CARES
Act Municipal Fund which goes to directly to municipalities.
Dr. Gerardi asked that Committee members reach out to their Town Administrator so that
they share these funds with both their local and regional school districts. Dr. Gerardi
provided a sample letter for members to share with their Town.
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Mr. Spalding requested a listing of the needs and monetary value of the expenses of the
District so it can be included with the letter for Town Administrators.
6. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Policy Subcommittee Update—Alice DeLuca
Policies for Review:
1. Advisory Subcommittee and Taskforce
VOTE: To approve the Advisory Subcommittee and Taskforce Policy for First
Reading, as presented
Ms. DeLuca shared that due to some of the members leaving the Committee, and noted that
most of the work is done in subcommittees, the Policy Subcommittee proposes that we appoint
advisory members of subcommittees and taskforces, who would not be voting members, but
who would be able to provide expertise where we lack it. Dr. Perreault has discussed this with
the District's Attorney, Michelle McNulty.
Mr. Spalding shared that this is a critically important item to address.
ACTION 2020 #40
Moved (Leone) and seconded(Spalding)
To approve the Advisory Subcommittee and Taskforce Policy for First Reading,
as presented
VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote
Weighted Vote present: 100%
Weight needed: > 50.00%
Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none
Final percentage results of vote: 100%
Final status of the vote: Unanimous
Roll Call:
Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton)
Sue Sheffler(Arlington)
Jim Gammill (Belmont)
Dave O'Connor(Bolton)
Steve LeDoux (Concord)
Ford Spalding(Dover)
Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)
Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington)
Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham)
Alice DeLuca(Stow)
Mr. Gammill noted that, as a retired person, and having this as a policy and an official role, this
could be a good recruiting tool for getting people who are involved in related companies, both
financial services side and legal services side, as well as career vocational technical firms, and
that their employers may be willing to give them time off for this kind of designated role, and
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suggested that we look beyond the closest pool of candidates, but as a way of getting
involvement from the community in general.
Mr. Stulin reiterated the critical need to replace the expertise we are losing on the Committee.
7. SECRETARY'S REPORT, Dave Horton
a. Approval of Draft Minutes of May 26, 2020
VOTE: To approve the draft minutes of May 26, 2020, as presented
ACTION 2020 #41
Moved(Horton) and seconded(Stulin)
To approve the draft minutes of May 26,2020, as presented
VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote
Weighted Vote present: 100%
Weight needed: > 50%
Names of towns opposing or abstaining: Bolton(abstained)
Final percentage results of vote: 93.49%
Final status of the vote: Passed
Roll Call:
Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton)
Sue Sheffler(Arlington)
Jim Gammill (Belmont)
Dave O'Connor(Bolton) Abstained
Steve LeDoux (Concord)
Ford Spalding(Dover)
Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)
Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington)
Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham)
Alice DeLuca(Stow)
Ms. Nourse again thanked all departing members of the School Committee for their service and
dedication to Minuteman.
Mr. Horton thanked the members for all their work and shared that it was a pleasure working
with them.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the School Committee took the following vote:
ACTION 2020 #42
Moved(Stulin) and seconded(Leone)
To adjourn the meeting at 8:28 PM
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VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote
Weighted Vote present: 100%
Weight needed: > 50%
Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none
Final percentage results of vote: 100%
Final status of the vote: Unanimous
Roll Call:
Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton)
Sue Sheffler(Arlington)
Jim Gammill (Belmont)
Steve LeDoux (Concord)
Dave O'Connor(Bolton)
Ford Spalding(Dover)
Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)
Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington)
Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham)
Alice DeLuca(Stow)
Respectfully submitted,
Julia Pisegna Dave Horton
District Assistant Secretary
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