Minutes 2014-10-14.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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5. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT,Kevin Mahoney/Ernie Houle(in absence of Superintendent) a. Out-of-Country Field Trip: Costa Rica Principal Houle explained the details of the trip,and addressed questions regarding the school sanctioning the trip, insurance,fundraising by students,and whether it meets the criteria of School Committee policy. It was suggested that at the completion of the trip that the student provide feedback to the School Committee. The following vote was then taken: ACTION 2014#95 Moved(Banks)and seconded(Flood) To approve the Out-of-Country Field Trip to Costa Rica,April 18-24,2015,as presented Vote:Unanimous b. Overnight Field Trip: Massachusetts SkilisUSA Fall Leadership Conference in Marlboro Principal Houle explained the details of this trip as well,noting the number of attendees,the educational value,the core values of Skills USA,and the student schedule during this trip. He also confirmed that this trip is covered out of the student activity account,and that students do engage in fundraising. ACTION 2014#96 Moved(Weis)and seconded(Spalding) To approve the Overnight Field Trip to the Massachusetts SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference in Marlboro,November 23-25,2014,as presented Vote:Unanimous c. Retirement Board Re-Appointment Assistant Superintendent Mahoney explained that the Retirement Board engages in Retirement concerns of the non- teaching staff,and that he is the School Committee's appointed member.He explained further that his term is up in November,and that this is a request to re-appoint him to a three year term. The following vote was then taken: ACTION 2014#97 Moved(Spalding)and seconded(DeLuca) To approve the recommendation to re-appoint Kevin Mahoney to the MRVTSD Retirement Board for a three year term(November 16,2014-November 15,2017) Vote:Unanimous d. Appointment of Student Representative to the School Committee Principal Houle explained that several students applied for this position, and that after a number of them were interviewed,Christine Laskey was selected. Christine introduced herself as a Senior from Stow,in the Health Occupations shop. e. Update on Student and Staff Engagement in Design Process MaryAnne Ham gave an update on how the Superintendent has been engaging the students and staff in the design process(Attachment D). She described the number of sessions,the questions leading the discussions,the documents reviewed,and brainstorming process around the academy concept. She pointed out that both the staff and student discussions have shown a shared commitment to design a building and investigate educational models that will contribute to a state-of-the-art facility that supports the future educational program plan.The Chair of the School Building Committee noted that the staff and students are working hard and being honest. In response to a question, the Principal described the way delayed openings are scheduled as professional development days that do not negatively impact the required student hours.The member from Stow suggested that a succinct summary of this kind of activity would be good to send to towns as an example of what is happening at Minuteman.It was suggested that perhaps this could come from the Joint Communications Subcommittee. 3