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Home My WebLink AboutFINAL School Committee Minutes January 26 2022.pdf FINAL MINUTES MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT REGULAR SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING JANUARY 26,2022 6 30 P M PAUL REVERE ROOM Present Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton) Michael Ruderman(Arlington) Steve LeDoux,Vice-Chair(Concord) Ford Spalding(Dover) Jennifer Leone(Lancaster) Judy Crocker(Lexington) Jeff Stulin(Needham) Alice DeLuca, Secretary(Stow) Dave O'Connor(Bolton) Weighted Vote Weighted Vote present at start of meeting 100% Others Present Dr Ed Bouquillon until 6 34 PM, Glenn Koocher(MASC) and Julia Pisegna 1 CALL TO ORDER OPEN SESSION The Chair called the meeting to order at 612 p m She reminded members to speak loudly into their microphones so that those joining the meeting remotely will be able to hear The Chair noted that the purpose of this meeting is to consider candidates for the position of Supenntendent /Director of Minuteman and commented that this is a responsibility that all School Committee members take very seriously. 2 PUBLIC COMMENT Dr Bouquillon noted that the process and search for the next Supermtendent/Director has been very transparent and open, and the School Committee requested comments from different stakeholder groups regarding this process In order that these comments to be made an official part of the public record, he requested that those comments,consisting of 62 pages,be made part of the public comment and,therefore, part of the minutes of this meeting and available for the public Ms Nourse shared that the School Committee has also received and reviewed copies of the comments received for public comment Dr Bouquillon thanked the members for their work (Dr Bouquillon left the meeting at 6 34 p m) Ms Nourse thanked all those involved in this process She noted the thoughtful deliberations of the members of the Steenng Committee, and offered special thanks to Mr Spalding who acted as Chair of the Committee and led members throughout the entire process She also thanked those who met with the candidates such as students, staff, faculty, parents, community leaders,advisory board members,industry leaders and shared how much she appreciated their participation and thoughtful questions She also thanked those who submitted the 62 pages of public comment and took their time to share their thoughts with members of the School Committee Ms Nourse also thanked Mr Glenn Koocher from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees for his guidance She also thanked all the candidates,particularly the three finalists,and her fellow School Committee members for their dedication to Minuteman, and their hard work throughout this process She thanked them for developing the Superintendent Profile that has been, and continues to be, a guide during this process The Chair then called for discussion of the candidates and the person who they feel best matches that Superintendent Profile, and therefore,the best person to lead Minuteman moving forward She noted that a successful vote will require a majonty of the weighted vote present in order to pass in accordance with our Regional Agreement She reminded members that the deliberations are in open session and that each of the candidates has subjected themselves to the challenge of being a public figure during this process She noted that all comments made this evening are a matter of public record,therefore,both praise and criticism of the candidates is available for anyone to access and well-intentioned remarks can be repeated, reported and taken out of context when a future employer considers one of our candidates For those reasons, members need to use their best judgment and expression when explaining their preferences and the reasons why they support or do not support a particular individual While negative comments may be presented, they can attach to a candidate as fact and damage their reputation Committee members then offered their comments and assessments of the three finalist candidates,Dr Amy Perreault,Mr Kevin McCaskill, and Dr Kathleen Dawson Following the discussion,the Chair asked for a motion from the floor Members cited some of the following cntena that they used to assess candidates, as they evaluated the candidates against the benchmark of the Superintendent Profile approved by the school committee • Vision as an administrator • Institutional knowledge • Entry plan • Strategic thinker • Strong ideas for the future-ready workforce • Thoughtful about students and the emergence of the civic-minded generation • Ideas about networking of alumni • Ideas to broaden Minuteman's reach • If they met all of the criteria in the Superintendent Profile • Cutting-edge programming • Understanding of the context of the community in terms of its needs and aspirations • Capability to plan strategically and to effect necessary change to meet challenges • Understanding the importance of respect for students and faculty • Completion of current initiatives • Ability to develop and implement collaboratively an ongoing district vision • Increase the in-distract appreciation of the Minuteman opportunity within all of our district towns • Improve statewide understanding of career vocational education • Continue the advancement of Minuteman's Academy Model -2- • Commitment to be actively involved in increasing diversity and equity • Represents the future for Minuteman's continued pathway to academic excellence and preparing students to be workforce-ready • Ideas to advance career technical education • Proven track record in advanced programs • Possess the skills,talent, and vision that we are looking for as a new leader in Minuteman • Strive for excellence and serve Minuteman well • Innovative experience in ways to partner with the greater community • Value teachers and their work • Passion for education (Mr O'Connor participated in the meeting from the beginning remotely and then joined the meeting in-person at 7 05 p m) Mr Stuhn assured the public that their voice was heard and they did play a role in this process It was moved by Ms Nourse and seconded by Mr Spalding that Dr Kathleen Dawson be appointed as Superintendent of Schools for the Minuteman Regional School District subject to the successful negotiations of a contract of employment mutually agreeable to the candidate and the School Committee and signed by both parties or their designees On a roll call vote (required by the rules of the School Committee for appointment of a district employee) it was voted as follows. ACTION 2022# VOTE 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present 100% Weight needed > 50 00% Names of towns opposing or abstaining none Final percentage results of vote 100% Final status of the vote Unanimous Roll Call Pam Nourse(Acton)(Yes) Michael Ruderman(Arlington) (Yes) Dave O'Connor(Bolton) (Yes) Steve LeDoux(Concord)(Yes) Ford Spalding(Dover) (Yes) Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)(Yes) Judy Crocker(Lexington) (Yes) Jeff Stulin, (Needham) (Yes) Alice DeLuca, Secretary(Stow) (Yes) The Chair declared that the motion had passed unanimously She noted that Ford Spalding would be reaching out to all of the candidates as early as this evening Mr, Spalding remarked that another school committee meeting would be scheduled to discuss negotiations He remarked that the Chair had asked Jennifer Leone, Steve Ledoux and Ford Spalding to meet with the Superintendent-Designee and negotiate the terms of a contract of employment -3- 3)ADJOURNMENT ACTION 2022# Moved(Leone)and seconded(Spalding), To adjourn the meeting at 7 28 p m VOTE. 9 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present 100% Weight needed > 50% Names of towns opposing or abstaining Bolton Final percentage results of vote• 92 85% Final status of the vote Unanimous Roll Call Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton) (Yes) Michael Ruderman(Arlington) (Yes) Dave O'Connor(Bolton) (Yes) Steve LeDoux(Concord)(Yes) Ford Spalding(Dover)Yes) Jennifer Leone (Lancaster)(Yes) Judy Crocker(Lexington) (Yes) Jeff Stulin(Needham)(Yes) Alice DeLuca(Stow) (Yes) Respectfully submitted, Julia Pisegna Alice DeLuca District Assistant Secretary -4-