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Home My WebLink About2023-08-15-MMTECH-min FINAL MINUTES MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING AUGUST 15, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Present: Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton) Steve Ledoux,Vice-Chair(Concord) Alice DeLuca,Secretary(Stow) Jeff Stulin(Needham) Erika Elzey(Bolton) Judith Crocker(Lexington) Sarah Montague (Arlington) Charlene Cabral(Lancaster) Absent: Ford Spalding(Dover) Weighted Vote: Weighted Vote present at start of the meeting: 94.1% Others Present: Kevin Mahoney and Julia Pisegna 1. CALL TO ORDER:OPEN SESSION The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.This hybrid meeting was held both in person and via Zoom. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Stulin confirmed that no public comments were received via email. 3. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of the following: a. Draft Minutes of July 18, 2023 b. Approval of list of monthly donations c. Approval of list of monthly grants Ms. DeLuca noted that small grammatical edits to the draft minutes of July 18,2023 were given to Ms. Crocker. ACTION 2023 #70 8 members present at time of vote. Moved(LeDoux) and seconded(Nourse) Weighted Vote present: 94.1% To approve the Consent Agenda, as presented Weight needed:>47.05% Final percentage results of vote:94.1% Vote: Acton, Pam Nourse Yes Lancaster,Charlene Cabral Yes Arlington, Sarah Montague Yes Lexington,Judith Crocker Yes Bolton, Erika Elzey Yes Needham,Jeff Stulin Yes Concord, Steve Ledoux Yes Stow, Alice DeLuca Yes Dover, Ford Spalding Absent Final status of file vote: Approved 1 4. CHAIR'S REPORT-Jeff Stulin a. For the Good of the Organization Mr. Stulin and the Committee members expressed their appreciation and thanked Ms.Nourse for her time and dedication to serving as School Committee Chair and presented her with flowers. Mr. Stulin then reviewed the various subcommittees and task forces, the selection process, and the work each subcommittee undertakes. He noted that much work is accomplished by our subcommittees before items are presented to the entire Committee. Because of all this work, it allows for most votes to be unanimous. He asked members to consider participating on these subcommittees and that a vote on subcommittee assignments will take place at the next scheduled School Committee meeting. 5. INTERIM PRINCIPAL'S REPORT,Katie Bouchard a. Approval of the 2023-2024 Student-Parent Handbook Ms. Bouchard shared that the administration has reviewed the 2023-2024 Student-Parent Handbook and revisions have been made. Ms. DeLuca added that the Policy Subcommittee worked with Ms. Bouchard and Mr. Tildsley on the handbook. It was a great process, and the Policy Subcommittee recommended the 2023-2024 Student- Parent Handbook. ACTION 2023 471 Moved(Stulin)and seconded (Spalding) To approve the 2023-2024 Student-Parent Handbook, as presented 8 members present at time of vote. Weighted Vote present: 94.1% Weight needed:>47.05% Final percentage results of vote: 94.1% Vote: Acton, Pam Nourse Yes Lancaster, Charlene Cabral Yes Arlington, Sarah Montague Yes Lexington, Judith Crocker Yes Bolton, Erika Elzey Yes Needham, Jeff Stulin Yes Concord, Steve Ledoux Yes Stow, Alice DeLuca Yes Dover, Ford Spalding Absent Final status of t!,e vote: Approved unanimously b.Introduction to the Revolution ---Erin Norsen,Director of Admissions Ms. Norsen provided an update on the Introduction to the Revolution event held August 1st- 3'd Over 125 students from the Class of 2027 attended and participated in a number of staff-led activities. She expressed her gratitude to the staff members for the curriculum and support who helped to make this event such a success. She added that our audience engagement on recent social media posts for Instagram and Facebook has increased with both students and parents following us. c. Summer School Ms. Bouchard reported that 10 of our 19 CTE program majors were offered with over 200 incoming Th and 8th grade students participating in our programs this summer. 2 We also ran our preschool program with 19 students enrolled from ages 3 to 5. Minuteman also offered academic recovery and enrichment classes, including algebra, geometry, English and biology. She added that most of the funding for these programs and staff was covered by grants secured earlier in the year. Next year, she hopes to increase our summer school offerings to include upper elementary school students as well. d. 2023 NSPRA Awards of Merit Video Ms. Bouchard announced that Minuteman was the winner of the 2023 NSPRA Award of Merit and presented the videos highlighting Emily Kotwal, Environmental Science Teacher, and MTI student Raul Gonzales. The videos were created by Andrew Mudge. e. Library Media Report Ms.Bouchard reviewed the Library Media report prepared by Kara Gleason,Library Media Specialist, and her assistant, Emily Andrews. The report provided a snapshot of the goals and accomplishments of the library over the past school year. Future goals include continuing engagement with students and providing assistance with the senior projects and portfolios. f. Massachusetts Life Science Grant Award Ms. Bouchard announced that Minuteman received the Massachusetts Life Science Grant Award in the amount of$116,632.00. This grant will allow us to add some additional curriculum specially focused on quality control, quality assurance, with the ultimate impact of increasing our students' employability post- graduation as we continue to prepare for the growing needs of the industry and higher education. She thanked the teachers and staff from agriculture and the environmental science pathways who worked on securing this grant. g. ESSER Grants Ms. Bouchard provided an update on Minuteman's use of the ESSER grant funds, which included supporting roles such as the Workforce Development and Co-Op Director, a health teaching assistant who travels with our health assisting students to the clinical sites in order to meet the needed ratios for nursing homes, as well as a library and reading specialist. The grant also allows us to provide after-school programs and materials on Tuesdays and Thursdays to provide extra help to students to balance the impacts of learning loss during COVID-19. She is also exploring the possibility of a school-based therapy dog that works with students who need additional emotional support throughout the day. 6. Finance Report a. Finance Subcommittee Report- Steve Ledoux Mr. Ledoux provided an update from the Finance Committee meeting held on August 15'where members reviewed the warrants. He added that the Finance Committee is down one member due to the departure of Michael Rudenman, and he hopes to have a new member in place before the upcoming budget season. 3 7. ACTING SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, Kevin Mahoney a. Staffing Update Mr. Mahoney provided an update on the present staffing as we begin the new school year. Currently, the positions open include a special education teacher, long-term substitutes, guidance, as well as a special education paraprofessional and two technical assistant positions that have been posted. He added that we are also in the process of posting for a network administrator to provide technical support in our technology area. Mr.Mahoney has put the position of Director of Plant Operations on hold as he reworks the job description. Michelle Resendes, a former employee of Minuteman, is serving in an interim capacity assisting with the athletic complex and facility rentals. Mr. Mahoney also presented the positions of Interim Director of Career and Technical Education and the Assistant District Treasurer for approval. The position of Assistant District Treasurer has not been filled since approximately 2012. Ms. DeLuca noted that it is not customary for the School Committee to vote on these items, but because Mr. Mahoney is serving in the capacity of Acting Superintendent,we are voting on these positions. b. Approval to Authorize the Acting Superintendent to Extend an Employment Offer for the Position of Interim Director of Career and Technical Education ACTION 2023#72 Moved(Cabral)and seconded(Nourse) To authorize the Acting Superintendent to extend an employment offer for the position of Interim Director of Career and Technical Education 8 members present at time of vote. Weighted Vote present: 94.1% Weight needed:>47.05% Final percentage results of vote:94.1% Vote: Acton, Pam Nourse Yes Lancaster,Charlene Cabral Yes Arlington, Sarah Montague Yes Lexington,Judith Crocker Yes Bolton, Erika Elzey Yes Needham, Jeff Stulin Yes Concord, Steve Ledoux Yes Stow,Alice DeLuca Yes Dover,Ford Spalding Absent Final status oftle vote: Approved unanimously c. Approval to Re-Establish the Position of Assistant District Treasurer ACTION 2023#73 Moved(Nourse)and seconded(Cabal) To authorize the Acting Superintendent to re-establish the position of Assistant District Treasurer 8 members present at time of vote. Weighted Vote present:94.1% Weight needed:>47.05% Final percentage results of vote: 94.1% 4 Vote: Acton,Pam Nourse Yes Lancaster, Charlene Cabral Yes Arlington, Sarah Montague Yes Lexington, Judith Crocker Yes Bolton,Erika Elzey Yes Needham, Jeff Stulin Yes Concord, Steve Ledoux Yes Stow, Alice DeLuca Yes Dover,Ford Spalding Absent Final status of the vote: Approved unanimously d. Continued Discussion on Phase 2 Minuteman Athletic Complex Development RFP Mr. Mahoney revisited the Phase 2 Minuteman Athletic Complex Development RFP which was last discussed with Committee members in March of 2023. He provided members with a copy of an Executive Summary, excerpts of the Minuteman School Committee meeting minutes of March 14, 2023, RFP Response by Lesley University, the construction budget, a draft Memorandum of Understanding, and the Site Access License Agreement in their packet. Mr. Mahoney and Michelle Resendes, School Business Consultant, detailed the summary of the essential objectives of the RFP and the assumptions in the financial analysis. The PowerPoint presentation highlighted the goals and objectives of the RFP, the current timeline of where we stand, discussion points for the Lesley Lease, usage of Minuteman facilities, financial overview, rental revenue and expense assumptions,benefits and long-tern considerations. Lastly, Mr. Mahoney reviewed the next steps which include the vote to award the RFP, execution of the Site license Agreement, negotiations of the final Memorandum of Understanding, review of the Proposed License Agreement with stakeholders, negotiation of the final License Agreement, and School Committee approval. Committee members thanked Mr. Mahoney and Ms. Resendes for their detailed and informative presentation and for their work to continue to move the athletic complex development forward. Mr. Stulin asked all members to continue to review the information provided in their packet and submit questions to Mr. Mahoney. 11. Executive Session To enter into Executive Session and not return to Open Session,with Attorney Josh Coleman, and Julia Pisegna attending: a) to discuss the reputation, character,physical condition, or mental health,rather than professional competence,of the Superintendent-Director,or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of,or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual; and b) Pursuant to M.G.L.c. 300A, Section 21(a)(2)for the purpose of discussing strategy as it relates to contract negotiations with non-union personnel: Superintendent/Director ACTION 2023 474 Moved(Crocker) and seconded (Cabral) 8 members present at time of vote Weighted Vote present:94.1% Weight needed:>47.05% Final percentage results of vote: 94.1% 5 Vote: Acton, Pam Nourse Yes Lancaster,Charlene Cabral Yes Arlington, Sarah Montague Yes Lexington, Judith Crocker Yes Bolton, Erika Elzey Yes Needham, JefStulin Yes Concord, Steve Ledoux Yes Stow,Alice DeLuca Yes Dover,Ford Spalding Absent Final status of the vote: Approved unanimously Respectfully submitted, Julia Pisegna Judith Crocker District Assistant Secretary 6