FINAL School Committee Minutes November 16 2021.pdf

Browse Search

funds, and $100M of that was set aside for vocational schools for construction and related capacity building issues which we identified here over a year ago. Actually,we identified it twelve years ago,but nobody listened to us, and now we don't have enough room. Student ambassadors provided two tours to the legislators. He added that legislators from the Nashoba area and from Watertown which have received complaints from their constituents that Minuteman was not accepting the number of students from Watertown that it should. The legislators are trying to understand that and Dr. Bouquillon will be meeting with them individually to discuss the issue of being a member and non-member further. Dr.Bouquillon appreciated the way the legislators wanted to learn about what we are doing,how we are doing it, and how they can be helpful. While some of the questions were challenging, it was because the legislator did not have the full story, and once they had the full story,they understood. Dr. Bouquillon shared that it was a great meeting. There was also an alumnus, Brad Spinney, in attendance.He shared his experience about the value of a Minuteman and vocational technical education. He graduated 12 years ago and does all the plumbing for the bio-tech firm AstroZeneca. He was very candid and honest about sharing his personal story, and Dr. Bouquillon noted as an aside that Mr. Spinney's uncle was Big Bird, from Sesame Street. Dr. Bouquillon also met with Phil Sisson, President of Middlesex Community College, for a tour of the school and a discussion of how Minuteman and Middlesex Community College can do more in the early college area, dual enrollment, early college, articulation agreements, and he is looking forward to Mr. Sisson working with Minuteman. They also discussed Minuteman Technical Institute,accreditation,and his interest in setting up a satellite office for Middlesex Community College on our campus. b. NEASC On site Visit:Nov 1 —4th Update Dr. Bouquillon shared that NEASC was onsite for our 10-year accreditation visit, which was really 12 years since they have been on site. This visit was done in a hybrid model of accreditation and the first hybrid visit for NEASC.It was a good experience for both them and us. He added that it was a tremendous amount of work by the administration and teachers meeting with them,both online and in person. They were very complimentary on several things for the exit feedback. They were impressed that we have a full-time Communications Director and discussed how valuable that is today and the importance of getting the message out on all forms of media. Dr. Bouquillon thanked Mr. O'Brien for his work. We expect to receive a report mid-December where we will have an opportunity to correct any errors. The final report in January will be shared with the School Committee and then shared with the Commission. He reminded members that the Commission was very supportive of Minuteman during the time that we were trying to fund the new building.He feels that they supported us by putting us on probation a decade ago for our old facility as we were on the verge of losing accreditation due to the problems with that facility. He believes that the hybrid model for NEASC visits should continue because it is cost effective and may increase the number of schools that access NEASC accreditation. The prior way(in-person for 30-40 people to visit over 10 days) could result in a cost of$40,000 for an on-site accreditation. c. Possible Vote to Authorize the Superintendent-Director to enter into a Net Metering Agreement on Behalf of Minuteman VOTE: To authorize Superintendent-Director as an Authorized Agent to represent Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District as a public entity related to the Net Metering Program and the Superintendent-Director is authorized to sign the 7