HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2015-05-26.pdf FINAL
Approved 6.16.15
OPEN SESSION MINUTES
MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE WORKSHOP MEETING
MAY 26,2015 PM 7:00—9:00 PM
PAUL REVERE ROOM,MINUTEMAN HIGH SCHOOL
Present:
Jeff Stulin,Chair (Needham) David Horton, Secretary(Lexington)
Carrie Flood,Vice Chair(Concord) Sharon Antia(Lincoln)
Alice DeLuca(Stow) Pam Nourse(Acton)
Judy Taylor(Carlisle) David O'Connor(Bolton)
Absent:Ford Spalding(Dover);Cheryl Mahoney(Boxborough);Dave Manjarrez(Sudbury);Mary Ellen Castagno
(Wayland);Jack Weis(Belmont);Jennifer Leone(Lancaster);Doug Gillespie(Weston); Sue Sheffler(Arlington)
Also present: Ed Bouquillon,Kevin Mahoney,Elizabeth Rozan,Dorothy Presser,MASC
1. CALL TO ORDER: OPEN SESSION
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
2. WORKSHOP: PROTOCOLS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR EFFECTIVE SCHOOL
COMMITTEE MEETINGS,Dorothy Presser,MASC Field Director
Ms. Presser led the Committee members in a session related to Protocols and Best Practices for Effective
School Committee meetings. Her presentation covered such items as foundational beliefs, objectives for
the workshop,assumptions for school committees,goal setting,monitoring progress, focus of meetings,
self-governance,professional development, School Committee-Superintendent relations, School
Committee and Superintendent roles, and problem areas/pitfalls. She played a clip from a meeting and
discussed operating protocols(what they are,what they are not,what they can do,what they cover, and
effective use). She offered ideas for a"new landscape and goal setting", the use of overarching goals, and
meeting tools. Her presentation can be found as Attachment A.
Concerns were raised by School Committee members, specifically the complexity of operating while
getting a building project underway, and members who,in their estimation,do not support the School
Committee as a whole. Side agendas,relationship building,team work,respect for one another,and
complexity of some agenda items were discussed. Some specific suggestions were made,namely:
1. 1. to develop a set of specific protocols by which the School Committee can agree to operate;
2. to use a strategic yearlong calendar as a guide;
3. to conduct work through subcommittees; and
4. to have subcommittees and staff use a template for their presentations, identifying key questions
that were considered.
She led the School Committee through two exercises,one focused on hopes/obstacles/agreements,and the
other looking at how the School Committee as a whole functions at/between/before meetings. The results
of these exercises were discussed. Getting materials in advance of the meeting,understanding what of the
packet is critical information that will inform decision-making,using a consent agenda to shorten the
meetings,using rules of order to minimize repetitive comments and to move the meeting along,how
School Committee members can help the chair keep discussions focused on the agenda item at hand and
sustain the momentum of a meeting,the importance of focusing on what is important for the students, and
working around disruptions were some of the highlights of the discussion. The question of reviewing
public comments was raised, for possible future resolution.
Sample documents were distributed for consideration(found as Attachments B-F),the possibility of a
future workshop or workshops to develop them was mentioned,and there was agreement that Mr. Horton
would follow up on next steps at the next School Committee meeting on 6.16.15.
3. ADJOURNMENT
With thanks to Ms. Presser,the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Rozan David Horton
District Assistant Secretary
ATTACHMENTS TO MINUTES OF 5.26.15
A. Power Point Presentation
B. What Protocols Cover
C. Berlin-Boylston Sample Policy on School Committee Norms and Standards
D. Tewksbury and Lynnfield Sample Protocols
E. Melrose Sample Guidelines for Presentations
F. Strategic Plan For School Committee Agenda Items