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Home My WebLink AboutFINAL SC Minutes 2019-09-17.pdf FINAL September 17,2019 MINUTES MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT REGULAR SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 6:30 PM PAUL REVERE ROOM, MINUTEMAN HIGH SCHOOL Present: Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton) Alice DeLuca(Stow) Jeff Stulin,Vice-Chair(Needham) Steven Ledoux(Concord) Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington) David O'Connor(Bolton) Jim Gammill, (Belmont) Jennifer Leone (Lancaster) Sue Sheffler(Arlington) Absent: Ford Spalding(Dover) Weighted Vote: Weighted Vote present at start of meeting: 94.85% Others Present: Dr. Edward Bouquillon,Robert Gerardi and Julia Pisegna 1. CALL TO ORDER: OPEN SESSION The Chair called the regular meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no Public Comment. 3. CHAIR'S REPORT,Pam Nourse a. Comments for the Good of the Organization a. For the Good of the Organization Ms.Nourse welcomed members to the new building and congratulated everyone involved that made this new school happen. Members shared that feedback from students has been wonderful and very positive. Ms.Nourse introduced Steve Ledoux(Concord) as the newest member to the School Committee. Ms. Nourse congratulated Dr. Bouquillon on his nomination as semi-finalist for the 2019 National Superintendent of the Year and for the co-authorship of his books. b. School Committee Goals and Actions for 2019-2020 Ms. Nourse asked each subcommittee and task force group to submit their goal for the coming year by September 30`h c. Subcommittee Assignments for 2019-2020 Ms.Nourse will contact members to review the subcommittee assignments for the upcoming year. 4. SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE,Dr.Edward Bouquillon Dr.Bouquillon presented the latest video by Andrew Mudge,and shared that he is working on a documentary of the timeline of what happened and how it happened to finally achieve this new building. Dr. Bouquillon shared that there continues to be work on integrating the new technology infrastructure, and that 89%of the construction is completed and 98% of the monies committed. The old building will begin to come down in late November and the area replaced with new fill, and noted that the biggest challenge now is getting permitting complete with the Town of Lincoln. The team continues to meet with them to discuss permitting issues. 5. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT,Dr.Edward Bouquillon a. Staffing Updates Dr. Bouquillon updated Committee members on new staff hiring as follows: The new Director of Technology,Victor Woodroffe,has hit the ground running,and has been a wonderful addition to the team. Dr. Bouquillon provided an update on the position of Communications Director. The position was reposted, interviews were held,an offer was made,and Dr. Bouquillon expects to hear back by the end of the week. Director of Facilities,Rick Ikonen,has also started his new position and is very busy settling in. George Clement has begun his new role as Principal. The librarian position will be posted soon,as well as the open position for a daily substitute teacher. b. Review of School-Wide Goals 2019-2020 The Superintendent shared with Committee members the 2019-2020 School-Wide Goals, a copy of which was provided to members in their packet. c. Superintendent Goals and Educator Annual Plan Dr.Bouquillon provided a copy of the 2019-2020 draft Superintendent Goals v2.2,which reflects the addition of a transition goal,as well as the draft Superintendent Goals&Educator Annual Plan v2,which includes the goals along with timelines, strategies and action steps as follows: 1. Academy Model Implementation; 2. Supporting All Students; 3. Increasing Applications and Sustaining Full Enrollment; 4. Legislative, Community and Business Engagement; 5. New Members to the District; 6. Campus Development; 7. Leadership Development Dr. Bouquillon asked members to forward their comments/suggestions to Ms. Pisegna. Ms. Leone shared that the list includes a lot of goals. Dr. Bouquillon responded that the action steps are simple and the evidence and benchmarks are easily viewable. Mr. Stulin commented that from a School Committee's view,these are exactly the right goals. d. Belmont Update Mr. Gammill provided a memorandum to Committee members in their packet which outlined meetings that he has attended with the Select Board, School Committee, Warrant Committee and the Capital Budget Committee. At those meetings, he provided an update on Minuteman and recommended that the Belmont Special Town Meeting take a vote at their meeting in November for Belmont to determine whether or not to rescind its notice of withdrawal from the district. -2- Mr. Gammill shared with Belmont that if it remains in the district, it will be assessed a capital makeup payment of$472,667 which represents the total amount that Belmont was not assessed in fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020 as a result of submitting its notice of withdrawal. Mr. Gammill requested members to provide specific guidance for the Belmont Town Meeting about what it will take for Belmont to remain a member after June 2020. Ms.Nourse detailed the plan moving forward, including discussion with initial feedback from members and then to continue with a more centered discussion at the October School Committee meeting so that Mr. Gammill will have some guidance to provide Belmont regarding enrollment and capital makeup payments in one year versus three years. Committee members expressed their concerns, and Mr. Ledoux,Ms. Leone and Mr. Horton shared that they will be seeking guidance from their Town officials. Ms.DeLuca commented that it was difficult to determine enrollment for next year,and regarding the payback, it is similar to a loan,Minuteman loaning Belmont money and shared that that does not feel right to her. Mr. Stulin shared that we are unable to confirm enrollment for the future,and Belmont wants to mitigate that risk. He noted the impact of Belmont students having access to this facility as being enormous, and the real cost of Belmont rejoining the District is not the money,but rather a governance issue,as they were not a good partner for a number of years and their negative influence is a concern to him. Mr. Gammill thanked members for their support and openness on this matter. 6. PRINCIPAL'S REPORT—George Clement a. Opening of School Mr. Clement reported that it was a great opening day,with lots of good energy, enthusiasm and excitement for the new building,while being mindful to preserve all the good from the old building. Students were amazed,and there were two faculty members who cried when they saw the new building. b. Enrollment Update Mr. Clement provided enrollment information to members in the packet, and noted there were 195 new freshmen, for a total of 607 students in all,including 443 in-district. Discussion ensued relative to the maximum capacity of the school,and the need to do an analysis for staffing and class size,potential new programs,maximum use of the school's square footage, as well as the need to look at all factors in the budgetary cycle. Ms.Nourse noted that work will continue over the next couple of months to develop a strategy towards figuring out future enrollment and ideal class sizes. Mr. Clement updated members on the outreach and contact list responses from area towns. c. Environmental Technology Program Overnight Field Trip to Noble View Facility,Russell,Massachusetts on October 1-4 or October 15-19 Mr. Clement recommended approval for the overnight field trip for the Environmental Students. The following vote was then taken: ACTION 2019#57 Moved(Leone)and seconded(Sheffler) To approve the Environmental Technology Program overnight field trip to Noble View Facility, Russell,Massachusetts—October 1-4 or October 15-19, 2019, as presented -3- VOTE: 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 94.85% Weight needed: >47.42% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none Final percentage results of vote: 94.85% Final status of the vote: Unanimous d. Cosmetology Program Trip to the Next Level 2019 Event at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence,Rhode Island on October 28,2019 Mr. Clement recommended approval for the Cosmetology Program trip to the Next Level 2019 event at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence,Rhode Island on October 28, 2019. The following vote was then taken: ACTION 2019#58 Moved(Leone)and seconded(DeLuca) To approve the Cosmetology Program trip to the Next Level 2019 event at the Rhode Island Convention Center,Providence,Rhode Island on October 28,2019, as presented VOTE: 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 94.85% Weight needed: >47.42% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none Final percentage results of vote: 94.85% Final status of the vote: Unanimous 7. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT,Robert Gerardi a. Student Activity Accounts: Fund Activity and Balances Mr. Gerardi noted the list of Student Activity Accounts,which was provided to members in their packet, was being reported to the School Committee with a request for approval, and explained that while these are active accounts,due to the transition this past year,there are some accounts listed which had no activity. The following vote was then taken: ACTION 2019#59 Moved(Leone)and seconded(DeLuca) To approve the Student Activity Accounts, as presented VOTE: 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 94.85% Weight needed: >47.42% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none Final percentage results of vote: 94.85% Final status of the vote: Unanimous b. Approval for Authorization to Enter into a 5-year Lease for the Konica Minolta Printer Copying Machines Mr. Gerardi recommended approval for the authorization to enter into a 5-year lease for the Konica Minolta Printer/Copying machines. ACTION 2019#60 Moved(DeLuca)and seconded(Leone) To approve the authorization to enter into a 5-year lease for the Konica Minolta Printer/Copying -4- machines, as presented VOTE: 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 94.85% Weight needed: >47.42% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: Final percentage results of vote: 94.85% Final status of the vote: Unanimous c. Approval for the Monthly Informational List of Donations Mr. Gerardi explained the details of these two donations,and the following vote was taken: ACTION 2019#61 Moved(Sheffler) and seconded(Leone) To accept the donation for the General Scholarship Fund in memory of Bruce Flood by Mark and Sharon Sunderland; and To accept the donation for the General Scholarship Fund in memory of Bruce Flood by James DeCamp VOTE: 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 94.85% Weight needed: 47.42% Names of towns opposing or abstaining:None Final percentage results of vote: 94.85% Final status of the vote: Passed Unanimous 7. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Policy Subcommittee—Alice DeLuca Ms. DeLuca shared that the Policy Subcommittee seeks approval for the First Reading of the Admissions Policy. After discussion,Ms. DeLuca noted that the Admissions Policy will be brought before the Committee for a second reading at the October School Committee meeting and asked members to send any further comments to Ms. Pisegna. ACTION 2019#62 Moved(Leone)and seconded(Sheffler) To approve the First Reading of the Admissions Policy VOTE: 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 94.85% Weight needed: >47.42% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: None Final percentage results of vote: 94.85% Final status of the vote: Unanimous -5- 10. SECRETARY'S REPORT,Dave Horton a. Approval of Draft Minutes Mr. Horton noted that no amendments were received, and the following vote was taken: ACTION 2019#63 Moved(Horton)and seconded(Stulin) To approve the draft minutes of July 16,2019 as presented and amended VOTE: 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 94.85% Weight needed: >47.42% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: Concord and Lancaster Final percentage results of vote: 75.65% Final status of the vote: Approved 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Chair explained that there was a need to enter into Executive Session,pursuant to MGL Ch. 30A, Sec. 21(a) 6, to consider the purchase, exchange,lease or value of real property, as an open meeting discussion would have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body, and she so declared,noting that the School committee would not return to Open Session, and that Dr. Bouquillon,Mr. Gerardi and Ms. Pisegna would remain present. The following vote was then taken. ACTION 2019#64 Moved(Stulin)and seconded(Sheffler) To enter into Executive Session,pursuant to MGL Ch. 30A, Sec. 21(a) 6, to consider the purchase, exchange,lease or value of real property, as an open meeting discussion may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body, and the Chair so declared,noting there would be no return to Open Session,and that Dr. Bouquillon,Mr. Gerardi and Ms. Pisegna would remain present. VOTE: 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 94.85% Weight needed: >47.42% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none Final percentage results of vote: 94.85%by roll call: O'Connor(Bolton)Yes Gammill(Belmont)Yes Leone(Lancaster)Yes Nourse(Acton)Yes DeLuca(Stow) Yes Flood(Concord)Yes Stulin(Needham)Yes Horton(Lexington)Yes Sheffler(Arlington)Yes Final status of the vote: Unanimous -6- 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,the School Committee took the following vote: ACTION 2019#65 Moved(Sheffler)and seconded(O'Connor) To adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. VOTE: 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 94.85% Weight needed: >47.42% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: Final percentage results of vote: 94.85% Final status of the vote: Unanimous Respectfully submitted, Dave Horton Julia Pisegna Secretary District Assistant -7-