December 21, 2021
December 21, 2021
Brockton, Massachusetts
Regular School Committee Meeting
December 21, 2021
Live Stream
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: Mayor Sullivan, Chair, Mr. D’Agostino, Vice-Chair (via zoom), Ms. Asack, Mr. Minichiello, Mr. Rodrigues, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan (via zoom)
Absent: Ms. Mendes
Also Present: Superintendent Thomas, Executive Team Members
Mayor Sullivan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by a salute to the flag.
Mayor Sullivan mentioned Ms. Mendes is unable to attend the meeting due to a family matter.
Mayor Sullivan acknowledged and welcomed the new elected School Committee Members, Ms. Kathleen Ehlers (Ward 1) and Mr. Jared Homer (Ward 3).
Mayor Sullivan thanked Superintendent Thomas and Malinda Campbell, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent for their assistance relative to School Committee meetings.
Mayor Sullivan took a roll call to establish a quorum.
Mayor Sullivan, Chair – Here Mr. D’Agostino, Vice-Chair – Here (via zoom) Ms. Asack – Here Ms. Mendes – Absent Mr. Minichiello – Here Mr. Rodrigues – Here Ms. Sullivan – Here Mr. Sullivan – Here (via zoom)
Hearing of Visitors There were no hearing of visitors.
Consent Agenda Mayor Sullivan explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda and asked members for any requests to remove items for further discussion.
Mr. Minichiello asked to remove Item B: Approval of Scholarship in Memory of 1954 Class President Dr. Flaviano DiFalco.
Mr. Minichiello acknowledged the scholarship in the amount of $500 in Memory of Dr. Flaviano DiFalco Brockton High School Class President of 1954, listing the requirements and information for the scholarship.
Mr. Minichiello motioned to approve Item B. Seconded by Ms. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Minichiello moved the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the remaining Consent Agenda. Seconded by Ms. Asack.
A. Approval of December 7, 2021 Regular School Committee Meeting Minutes
C. Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Appointments: Certified Personnel
D. Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Appointments: Non-certified Personnel
E. Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Actions: Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements
The motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent’s
Report Recognitions
* Outgoing Vice-Chair School Committee Member
Superintendent Thomas displayed a plaque in recognition to Mr. D’Agostino of his years of service as the 2020-2021 Vice-Chair of the School Committee and thanked him for his dedication to the city and the schools.
Mayor Sullivan and School Committee members also echoed their sentiments of Superintendent Thomas and thanked Mr. D’Agostino for his professionalism and dedication always putting our students first.
Mayor Sullivan read the following message on behalf of School Committee Ms. Mendes.
Mark D’Agostino thank you for always answering the call especially during an urgent matter. For representing us as a School Committee these past two years. And being the informant and informing
us about the good, the bad, and the ugly, and having great ears to just listen. I have to say I have admired your willingness to learn and to be open. You ask the questions, and you aren’t afraid of demonstrating your vulnerability. Continue to have this beautiful talent and best of luck in the city council with the big dogs! Blessings!
Mr. D’Agostino thanked all the members of the committee and expressed their dedication and teamwork, always putting our students first. He also thanked former Mayor Bill Carpenter, Superintendent Kathleen Smith, and School Committee members.
* Outgoing School Committee Members
Superintendent Thomas presented a plaque in recognition to Mr. Minichiello of his 14 years of service,
10 years as Vice-Chair and 4 years as a Member of the School Committee and thanked him for his dedication to the city and the schools.
Mayor Sullivan, School Committee members also echoed their sentiments of Superintendent Thomas and thanked both Mr. Minichiello and Mr. D’Agostino for their professionalism and dedication.
Mayor Sullivan read the following message on behalf of School Committee Ms. Mendes.
Tom Minichiello, thank you for all your service and hard work. Since day one, you asked me if I knew what I signed up for, right after I was elected to be on the School Committee, and I had the idea but little did I put into perspective the hard and long nights, but amazing work that is done. I’ll miss “my right hand sitting partner” and I hope that you continue to ask the hard questions and to explore the different components of yourself, even when it’s discomforting, especially as you move on to the city council seat. Best of luck my friend! Thanks for teaching me so much and being understanding when I at times didn’t understand.
Mr. Minichiello thanked all the members of the committee and expressed their dedication and teamwork, always putting our students first.
Applause and plaque presented.
* Mr. Richard Bath, Massachusetts Association of School Committees Lifetime Membership
Superintendent Thomas recognized Mr. Bath a former School Committee Member in being appointed by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) Lifetime Membership. Mr. Bath has devoted over 40 years to education and this appointment is well deserved.
Mr. Bath thanked all the members of the committee and expressed his gratitude.
Mayor Sullivan, School Committee members also echoed their sentiments of Superintendent Thomas and thanked Mr. Bath for his professionalism and dedication.
Revised Mural Presentation (PowerPoint)
Superintendent Thomas invited Ms. Susan Lordi, Founder of 24-Hour Power, Inc. to present a revised Mural at the Downey Elementary School that was presented at the December 7, 2021 School Committee Meeting.
Ms. Lordi connected with the Director of Bilingual Services, Ms. Kellie Jones to review and update the word “Welcome” in multiple languages at the main entrance of the building. The side mural shows more diversity that includes more nationalities and ethnicities.
Questions/Answers
* Ms. Asack asked what is the turnaround time for this project?
Ms. Lordi mentions, it will take approximately 1 week to complete the entire project.
* Ms. Sullivan asked is the paint long lasting?
Ms. Lordi replied, “yes”. A combination of acrylic and house paint will be used and works best on bricks when painting murals.
Mayor Sullivan thanked Ms. Lordi for her commitment and the work she is doing in the City of Brockton.
Mr. Sullivan motioned to approve the revised Mural at the Downey Elementary School. Seconded
by Ms. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Learning & Teaching EDI Conference Update (PowerPoint):
Executive Director of Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Ms. Renée Heywood gave an update to
the committee from The Inaugural “Achieving Change Together” (ACT) Conference held on
November 2, 2021 and presented the following:
> Objectives
> EDI Focus Areas
> Professional Development
> Exercise: Reflect, Share, & Discuss (Reflecting on our Focus Area – Effective Instruction)
> Curriculum: Creating Curriculum for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (Active Reading/Writing)
> Positive Relationships
> Conference Feedback – Overall, how would you rate the conference?
30% Good, 26% Very Good, 21% Fair, 16% Excellent, 7% Poor
Next Year
> Offer Choice for Workshops
> Have Small Groups for Discussions/Activities
> Serve Lunch
What’s Next
> Creating EDI Tool Kits for Each School
> Online Resources
> Newsletter
Comments
* Ms. Asack and Mr. Minichiello thanked Ms. Heywood for the presentation.
Implementation of Focus Areas to address Positive Relationships (PowerPoint):
Chief Officer of Student Support Services, Ms. Sharon Wolder presented the following:
> Positive Relationships
> Leadership Meeting
> World Café - Greatest lesson you’ve learned this year and how it has shaped your work
Positive Relationships (examples):
West Middle School
* Creative Construction Team Building
* Honor Roll Breakfast
East Middle School
* Ice Cream Honor Roll (Term 1)
* Faculty and Students playing together Football Game
Ashfield Middle School
* Helping others Ashfield Allies
South Middle School
* Unity Day
* Reading and Writing
Champion/Keith Seminar Block
* Objectives – Community Building Restorative Practices
* Structure of the work – 2 Days Community Building, 2 Days Reading, 1 Day Restorative Circles
* One School, One Book
* All Students and Faculty/Staff
1. Read Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
2. Completed a survey to determine their spirit animal
3. Created totems that represent their learning journey
Items to Refer to None
Subcommittee
Unfinished Business Superintendent Thomas gave an update on the purchase of the May Center located on Summer Street. A walkthrough of the building was done himself, Dr. Cobbs, Mr. Petronio and Mr. Thompson. This is a great new school for the students and staff from the Keith Center. An anticipated move in date is mid to late February.
New Business
* Ms. Asack thanked Cradle to Crayons and their recent donation of 1,000 winter coats for our students,
and to the amazing volunteers, Ms. Nancy Tucker, students in the yellow building, Ms. Juli Caldwell,
Ms. Kristen Nguyen, Mrs. Terry McIntosh, Mr. Bill McIntosh, and Ms. Nancy Herman-Centers.
* Mr. Rodrigues proposed a Sub-Committee on Athletics, Arts, Music and Extra-Curricular Activities.
The purpose of this Committee is to ensure school sports, Arts and Extra-curricular activities are educational and contribute to the overall education of all students. The Committee will be committed to advancing Brockton Public schools’ mission of equity excellence through Athletics, Arts, Music and Extra-Curricular activity programs promoting cultural diversity and community engagement. The Committee will see that all levels of school grade children are afforded the opportunity to have Athletics, Arts, Music and Extra-Curricular Activities available year-round and see where we can grow in areas through-out the school district. The Committee will also work and engage with the Athletic Director 9-12, Director of Art K-12, Director of Music K-12, Physical Education K-12 and Middle School Sports, Director of the Community Schools and After School Programs and Coordinator of Recreation Programs Community Schools to support and get updates on all programs.
* Mayor Sullivan thanked everyone that attended the Brockton High School Holiday Concert on December 14th & 15th sponsored by the Music Department.
* Mayor Sullivan issued a mask advisory on Monday, December 21, 2021. The number of COVID cases in Brockton are extremely high, 3 deaths as of last week giving a total of 466, there are 799 active positive cases. He is asking that we continue to get vaccinated, be diligent and vigilant.
* Mayor Sullivan thanked Muscle Movement in their recent donation of toys along with the Mayors Toy Drive at City Hall for the children of Brockton. Toys were given to the Brockton Public Schools and Brockton Police Officer Rosie Vazquez-Browne of Project Guardian Angels.
* Mayor Sullivan gave an update on the Neighborhood Health Center. A new location for the trailer was decided on and will not interfere upon renovations at Brockton High School in the future. It will be set back by the Manning Pool for better privacy and parking.
* Mr. D’Agostino gave an update regarding the ongoing issues with social media. He spoke with Attorney Mello and is working on a resolve and will forward it to his successor.
* Mayor Sullivan, School Committee members and Superintendent Thomas wishes a Happy Holiday to everyone and a Healthy New Year.
Seeing no further business, Mayor Sullivan then asked for a motion to adjourn.
Mr. D’Agostino motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Minichiello.
The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas
Secretary/Superintendent
mdc
PowerPoint: The Inaugural “Achieving Change Together” (ACT) Conference, BPS Focus Areas:
Relationships, Revised Downey School Mural
