Approved August, 25, 2005 Holliston
Public Schools
Holliston
Massachusetts
School
Committee Meeting
July
28, 2005
Present: Mrs. Galeaz, Mr. Jones, Mrs.
Plunkett, Mrs. Deering, Mrs. Emmons,
Mr.
Cornely, Mr. Jackson
Absent: Mr. Ganzenmuller, Mrs. Foote
Call to
Order
Mrs. Deering called the meeting to order at 7:00
pm.
Minutes
Corrections were made to the July 14, 2005 regular
session minutes.
On a motion made by Mrs. Plunkett, seconded by Mr.
Jones, the Committee voted to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2005 School
Committee open session, as corrected.
Vote: Favor: 5 Oppose:
0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 (Mr. Ganzenmuller, Mrs.
Foote)
On a motion made by Mrs. Galeaz, seconded by Mrs.
Plunkett, the Committee voted to approve and retain the minutes of the July 14,
2005 Executive Session, as presented.
Vote: Favor: 5 Oppose:
0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 (Mr. Ganzenmuller, Mrs.
Foote)
Communications
School Committee Individual Comment
Mrs. Emmons stated that
the artificial surface will soon be placed on the High School Field.
Mrs. Plunkett
stated that the HEPO Volunteer Coordinators have begun the process of
recruitment of room parents. They have
been meeting with the Elementary School Principals to schedule next year’s
events.
Mrs. Deering
stated that the MASS/MASC conference will be held October 26-28, 2005. Please let Mr. Jackson know if you are
interested in attending.
Central Office Administrator’s Comment
Mr. Jackson
confirmed that the process to install the artificial turf at Kamitian Field is
about to begin, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of September. Scheduling of games have been adjusted, and
the School Building Committee is meeting regularly to monitor the situation. Mr. Jackson reported that the Administrative
team participated in a productive off-site retreat.
Mr. Cornely
stated that there was good discussion on the strategic plan at the
Administrative retreat. He reported
that 34 teacher leaders will meet in August to review the concept of a learning
community for staff. He stated that the new teacher orientation will be held on
August 23, and that training for the Mentor program will be held on August 22
and 23. In addition, there will be
ongoing support for new teachers.
Discussion was held regarding the school’s commitment to the recruitment
and retention of quality staff members.
Opportunity for Public to address School
Committee
There was no public
comment.
Presentations
A. Holliston
High School Student/Parent Handbook
Mr. Jackson presented the
Holliston High School Student/Parent Handbook to the School Committee for
approval. The proposed changes to the
2005 - 2006 edition include guidelines for extramural academic programs,
disciplinary actions regarding students who engage in harassment and
disciplinary actions regarding students who engage in hazing. Discussion was held regarding the proposed
changes.
On a motion made by Mrs.
Emmons, seconded by Mrs. Galeaz, the Committee voted to accept the
2005
- 2006 Holliston High School Student/Parent Handbook, as presented.
Vote: Favor: 5 Oppose:
0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 (Mr. Ganzenmuller, Mrs.
Foote)
Policy
A. Policy
EBC: Emergency Plans
Mrs. Emmons completed the
third reading of Policy EBC - Emergency Plans.
Discussion was held.
On a motion made by Mr.
Jones, seconded by Mrs. Plunkett, the Committee voted to adopt Policy EBC -
Emergency Plans, as presented.
Vote: Favor: 5 Oppose:
0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 (Mr. Ganzenmuller, Mrs.
Foote)
B. Policy
EBCD: Emergency Closing
Mrs. Emmons completed the
second reading of Policy EBCD - Emergency Closing. Discussion was held and minor changes made to the policy. The policy will be brought back for a third
reading with corrections.
C. Policy
GCF: CORI Requirements
Mrs. Emmons read Policy
GCF- CORI Requirements, with recommended changes. It was recommended that “principals” be removed from the process
of reviewing CORI files. CORI files
should be maintained at the highest level of privacy, and therefore access
should be limited to the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and
Superintendent Administrative Secretary.
Discussion was held. Presented
changes will be made, and the policy will be brought back to the Committee for
approval.
Personnel
A. Job
Description - Executive Secretary - Office of the Superintendent
Mr. Jackson presented a
job description for an Executive Assistant - Office of the Superintendent. This
position combines two positions (Assistant to Superintendent and Assistant to
Assistant Superintendent) into one position. Ms. Kathy Caswell is currently serving as the Executive Assistant
- Office of the Superintendent, and will be appointed to continue in this
role. Discussion was held and changes
were made to the list of performance responsibilities. The job description with recommended changes
will be brought back to the Committee for approval.
B. Job
Description - Elementary Unified Arts Facilitator
Mr. Jackson and Mr.
Cornely presented a job description for an Elementary Unified Arts Facilitator,
to provide leadership, ensure communication, and encourage collegiality and
positive school spirit. This leader
will also serve as the liaison between the unified arts teachers and the
principals. The elementary unified arts include Art, Music, Physical Education,
Health, Science and Spanish. This
position is similar to the Grade Leader position. Discussion was held.
On a motion made by Mrs.
Galeaz, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Committee voted to approve the job
description for an Elementary Unified Arts Facilitator.
Vote: Favor: 5 Oppose:
0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 (Mr. Ganzenmuller, Mrs.
Foote)
C. Job
Description - Title I Reading Teacher
Mr.
Jackson stated that this job description will be discussed at a later date.
Old
Business
There was no old business to report.
New
Business
There was no new business to report.
Warrants
On a motion made by Mrs. Plunkett, seconded by Mr.
Jones, the Committee approved a school bill warrant in the amount of
$83,578.52.
Vote: Favor: 5 Oppose:
0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 (Mr. Ganzenmuller, Mrs.
Foote)
Items of
Information
School Committee members received copies of the
Adams School, Miller School and Placentino School Parent/Student Handbooks for
their review. Presentations of these
handbooks are not recommended, as there are no major changes.
Future
Meeting Dates and Agenda Items
The next School Committee meeting will be held on
Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 7:00 pm.
Agenda items include opening day for teachers, recommendations for minor
modifications to the Stanford testing process, the third reading of two
policies, and the Executive Assistant Job Description.
Adjournment
At 8:23 pm, Mr. Jackson announced that there was
no need for Executive Session.
On a motion made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs.
Emmons, the Committee voted to adjourn the School Committee meeting at 8:23 pm.
Vote: Favor: 5 Oppose: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 (Mr. Ganzenmuller, Mrs. Foote)