April 5, 2022
April 5, 2022
Brockton, Massachusetts Regular School Committee Meeting April 5, 2022
The Regular Meeting of the Brockton School Committee was held this evening in the George M. Romm Little Theatre at Brockton High School, at seven o'clock. These minutes contain a summary of the meeting and list items that were under discussion.
Present: Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair, Ms. Ehlers, Mr. Homer, Ms. Mendes, Mr. Rodrigues,
Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan
Absent: Mayor Sullivan, Chair
Also Present: Superintendent Thomas, Interim Deputy Superintendent Szachowicz,
Executive Team Members.
Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. followed by a salute to the flag.
Ms. Asack mentioned Mayor Sullivan had a prior commitment and is unable to attend.
Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair took a roll call to establish a quorum.
|
Ms. Sullivan – Here |
Mr. Homer – Here |
Ms. Ehlers – Here |
|
Ms. Rivas Mendes – Here |
Mr. Rodrigues – Here |
Mr. Sullivan – Here |
|
Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair – Here |
|
Mayor Sullivan – Absent |
Hearing of Visitors There were no hearing of visitors.
Consent Agenda Ms. Asack explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda, read the items aloud and asked members for any requests to remove items for further discussion. No items were removed for discussion.
Ms. Sullivan made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded Mr. Rodrigues.
Voted: to approve the motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent’s Introduction of Bonnie (K9)
Report Superintendent Thomas invited Lt. Jones and Officer Leedberg to introduce Bonnie (K9) comfort dog. Officer Leedberg thanked Mayor Sullivan, Superintendent Thomas, and School Committee members for their support. Lt. Jones presented a plaque to Superintendent Thomas. School Committee members expressed their thanks to Officer Leedberg.
Recognitions
Mr. Cedric Turner, Empower Yourself 2022 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award Winner
Superintendent Thomas invited Ms. Sharon Wolder, Chief Officer of Student Support Services to speak about a prestigious award from the Challenger Center and the American Institute of Astronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Mr. Turner and other winners along with the respective schools will be awarded $5,000 and free access to the Challenger Center’s STEM program.
Ms. Maiysha Laguerre, South Middle School Teacher
Superintendent Thomas acknowledged Mrs. Laguerre who successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver on one of the students in her class from choking on a bottle cap. He thanked her for her courageous actions and quick thinking. The Superintendent and School Committee members presented her with a certificate.
(applause)
Student Representative (Elen Arustamyan)
Student Representative Elen Arustamyan gave a power point presentation on happenings at
Brockton High School:
· MIAA 27th Annual Sportsmanship Summit
· Gold Award for the MICCA Music Festival
· Meet the Principal and Assistant Principal for the Day, Featuring “Bonnie” the therapy
dog
· Senior Class President prom posing to his First Lady
· Photography Club pictures presented by Ms. Philips at the Main Office entrance
· College Acceptances & Scholarships
· BHS receiving the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award from The College
Board
Senior Class President, Mamadu Tchamo, Maizel Samba, and Daniel Rateau spoke about great opportunities, accomplishments, and positiveness they’ve received as students at Brockton High School.
(applause)
Superintendent Thomas thanked all four students in sharing positive opportunities that
Brockton High has to offer students. He thanked School Committee Members, Principal Burns,
Associate Principal Ms. Copp, Assistant Principal Mr. Guilloteau, Deans and Assistant Deans,
Support Staff, Teachers, and School Police for their continued support to our students as we
continue to drive and move forward.
Ms. Asack thanked the senior students for their presentation.
FY23 Budget Update
Superintendent Thomas mentioned we are waiting for the House to come out with their updated
budget, that will allow the Mayor and Mr. Troy Clarkson, City CFO to put together a budget for
the School Department that will allow us to put together a solid budget and move forward.
Early College (Dr. Shawn Boone)
Superintendent Thomas invited Dr. Shawn Boone, Interim Early College Development Manager,
to present a power point on Early College opportunities and partnerships with local colleges.
Dr. Boone presented a power point and discussed the mission statement that provides Brockton
students with extraordinary post-graduation career prospects and early 4-year University
opportunities.
Six BPS2 Strategic Initiatives
1. Foster Collegiate Educational Community Partnerships
Create effective partnerships with the Commonwealth and colleges including Massasoit CC
and others as required
2. Create Student & Family Interest in Dual-Enrollment or Early College
Develop a broad communication plan for students and parents or guardians to convey the
program options and long-term benefits
3. Enhance Formative Skills & Program Readiness
Enhance curriculum for every 6th-8th grade student to include critical thinking skills, written
& verbal communication skills, and STEM interest
4. Assess Vocational Interests During 8th Grade
Administer a vocational interest inventory to determine career paths that align with
individual interests
5. Develop Effective Student Support Systems
Designate onsite areas, foster internal guidance and support staff, and select external support
such as Tutor.com
6. Create Post-Graduation Career& Educational Opportunities
Create multiple tracks to include employability on graduation such as in Healthcare, and
opportunities to transfer to a 4-year University
Dr. Boone mentioned we currently have the potential to partnership with Massasoit CC, UMass
Dartmouth, Bridgewater State University and Assumption University in a Dual Enrollment/Early
College Offerings in the Fall of 2022.
Ms. Asack thanked Dr. Boone for the presentation.
Questions/Answers
Ms. Sullivan asked how does this program compare to the one offered at the Charter School?
Superintendent Thomas mentioned it will be the same for BPS once we receive designation
from the Department of Education.
Ms. Ehlers asked is there a dual enrollment state program where federal financial aid will allow
high school students to pull down early Pell?
Dr. Boone mentioned it is currently not an option.
Ms. Ehlers also thanked Dr. Boone for the presentation and is 100% in support of this.
Marketing Campaign: Ms. Jess Silva-Hodges
Superintendent Thomas invited Ms. Silva-Hodges, Chief Public Relations Officer to present a
power point on Marketing Campaign.
Ms. Silva-Hodges presented a power point giving a Marketing Overview for the district.
· Our Marketing Plan will include
Earned media, Social media (organic and paid), Electronic alumni/ae magazine, more large-scale opportunity building events and activities
· Key Audiences
Current BPS Students and Families, New Brocktonians, Former BPS Students and Families
· Key Audience: Current Students/Families
Our Intended Marketing Goals – Retention, Create continuity from one school to the next, Build a sense of community and belonging, Connect them with appropriate supports and programming
· The Boxer club
Beginning in the fall 202, the Boxer Club will offer- Special events to student’s pre-K-8, giveaways throughout the year, deals from partnering organizations
· Key Audience: New Brocktonians
Encourage enrollment of school-aged children, inform/create goodwill who may have school-aged children in the future
· Direct Mailings/Marketing
To work with a mailing house to identify newly purchased homes, seek out opportunities to send regular mailings citywide
· Key Audience: Former Students
Predominately for data collection, seek detailed input for areas of weakness/threats (as we would reflect in a SWOT analysis), determine if there are vulnerabilities that can be addressed and encourage re-enrollment
· Survey for Unenrolled Students
The Public Relations Department is currently working with Dr. Ethan Cancell to design a detailed survey which will give us tangible data regarding the sentiment of former students and their parents/guardians. This is a must-have for any social media campaign.
· Known Earned Media on the Horizon
The Class of 2022 – graduate survey, 50th Anniversary of the Bilingual Department, Early College, Middle School Honors Academy, New beginnings for Champion High School
Ms. Asack and members of the Committee thanked Ms. Hodges for the presentation.
Comments
Mr. Sullivan suggested a marketing idea to advertise on our buses.
Mr. Rodrigues suggested using our social media daily of positive things that occur in the district.
Ms. Rivas Mendes suggested providing internships for our students who are good at social media.
Items to Refer to None
Subcommittee
Unfinished Discussion and Potential Vote from the Building Naming Subcommittee Meeting – March
Business 22, 2022
Ms. Asack gave a verbal report of the Building Naming Subcommittee held on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.
Mr. Sullivan motioned to accept the verbal report of the Building Naming
Subcommittee as presented, seconded by Ms. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sullivan motioned to accept the recommendation of the Building Naming
Subcommittee as presented, seconded by Ms. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Potential Vote from the Curriculum Subcommittee Meeting – March 8, 2022
Ms. Asack gave a verbal report of the Curriculum Subcommittee meeting held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
Ms. Rivas Mendes motioned to accept the verbal report from the Curriculum
Subcommittee as presented, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Potential Vote from the Accounts Review Subcommittee – March 28,
2022
Ms. Rivas-Mendes gave a verbal report of the Accounts Review Subcommittee held on Monday, March 28, 2022.
Ms. Ehlers motioned to accept the verbal report from the Accounts Review
Subcommittee as presented, seconded by Mr. Homer.
The motion passed unanimously.
New Business Superintendent Thomas gave a report regarding the Gilmore School Extended Learning Time grant. The Governor or Commissioner did not put forth the grant into this year’s budget and we do not have the budget to fund this. Gilmore staff was informed of this change, and we will keep them posted, as they will have the opportunity to transfer within the district due non pay for extended learning time.
Questions/Answers
Ms. Ehlers asked the following questions.
· How many employees does this impact?
Superintendent Thomas replied it impacts 40/50 staff members
· If there was a change do, we know approximately when we would be notified?
We could be notified by the end of this month or early May.
Ms. Sullivan asked, how many years has the Extended Learning Time grant been approved?
Superintendent Thomas replied, the district funded this program approximately 12 years ago and was picked up since by a grant. The grant was not funded during COVID-19 but was funded this year only.
Ms. Asack acknowledged Ms. Phyllis Ellis, President of the NAACP Brockton Branch. She
held an event recently honoring and recognizing Phenomenal Women in Brockton for all their
hard work. Citations were presented to all 26 recipients. (applause)
Ms. Asack acknowledged a historic day in the City of Champions as Lieutenant Brenda Perez
was chosen by Mayor Robert Sullivan as our new Police Chief. Chief Brenda Perez is also a
BHS alumni. (applause)
The mayor’s office presented a Mayoral Citation to Richarla Preston for her tremendous
submission to the Frederick Douglass essay competition for Black History month. In addition to
her citation Van Buren Records has given two backstage passes to the Boston Calling Concert in
May.
Seeing no further business,
Ms. Sullivan motioned to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Rivas Mendes.
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas
Superintendent/Secretary
mdc
PowerPoint(s): Positive Things Happening At BHS, Brockton Public Schools Champions Collect Connect (C3) Strategic Plan 2022, Marketing Overview