December 17, 2019
December 17, 2019
Brockton, Massachusetts
Regular Meeting
December 17, 2019
The Regular Meeting of the Brockton School Committee was held this evening in the George M. Romm Little Theatre at Brockton High School, at six o'clock. These minutes contain a summary of the meeting and list items that were under discussion.
Present: Mayor Rodrigues, Chair; Mr. Minichiello, Vice-Chair; Ms. Asack, Mr. Bath,
Mr. D’Agostino, Mr. Gormley, Ms. Sullivan, Superintendent Thomas
Absent: Mr. Sullivan
Also Present: Executive Team Members
Mayor Rodrigues called the meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. followed by a salute to the flag.
Mr. D’Agostino motioned to move line item four in the agenda out of order,
Mr. Minichiello seconded.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Mayor Rodrigues welcomed our State Delegates: Senator Michael Brady, Representative Claire Cronin and Representative Michelle DuBois.
Superintendent Thomas invited the state delegates to the microphone. On behalf of the School Committee members he thanked each of our state delegates, Brady, Cronin, DuBois and Cassidy (who was absent due to the flu) for their support and time in supporting funding of the Student Opportunity Act bill that was passed and signed by the governor. He also thanked Superintendent Kathleen Smith, Mayor Carpenter and Mayor Rodrigues for their hard work and efforts in supporting our students.
Senator Brady, Representative Cronin and Representative DuBois thanked School Committee Members, Superintendent Smith, Superintendent Thomas, Mayor Carpenter, Mayor Rodrigues, teachers and colleagues in the State House for their continued support and team effort. A special thank you to Chief Financial Officer Aldo Petronio for his dedication attending meetings to insure Chapter 70 funding was properly allocated for Brockton.
Hearing of Visitors None
Consent Agenda Mayor Rodrigues explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda and asked members for any requests to remove items for further discussion. Mr. D’Agostino asked to remove Item B,
Acceptance of December 3, 2019 Building Naming Subcommittee Meeting Report and, Item C,
Approval of EEC Extended Day Rate Increase, seconded by Mr. Gormley.
With respect to Item B, the Building Naming Subcommittee met on December 3, 2019 where a proposal was made in naming the basketball court at staff gymnasium Brockton High School in honor of Mr. Victor M. Ortiz. Mr. Ortiz began his career in the Brockton Public Schools system in 1976-2007 as an adjustment/guidance counselor, Junior Varsity Men’s Basketball Coach from 1976-1983 and Head Men’s Basketball Coach from 1983-2007. As BHS Head Coach he won 71% of all his games; having an overall of 384 wins. Some of Mr. Ortiz’s many accomplishments included be inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, Massachusetts State Basketball Coaches’ Hall of Fame and Brockton High School Sports Hall of Fame.
School Committee members voted favorably in naming the basketball court at staff gymnasium Brockton High School. Superintendent Thomas invited Mr. Ortiz to say a few words. He thanked School Committee members, Mayor Rodrigues, Mr. Jack Lehan who hired him to work in the Brockton Public School department, athletic directors, coaches, assistant coaches and his wife JoAnn of 40 years. Mr. Ortiz expressed his gratefulness for having the opportunity to coach great basketball players and appreciated the honor of having the basketball court at staff gymnasium Brockton High School named in his honor.
Mr. Gormley motioned to approve Item B, seconded by Mr. Minichiello.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
With respect to Item C, Approval of EEC Extended Day Rate Increase Superintendent Thomas called Coordinator of Extended-Services Program Ms. Sheppard to discuss implementing a FY20 rate increase. The new rates will take effect on December 30, 2019. Superintendent Thomas discussed the current and proposed rates: before school rates, after school rates, before and after school rates, vacation and summer rates. Approving the increase of rates, the district will receive $45,000 incentive retroactive July 1, 2019 from the state.
Mr. Minichiello motioned to approve Item C, seconded by Mr. D’Agostino.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Mr. Minichiello moved the Superintendent's recommendation to approve the remaining Consent Agenda items, the motion was seconded by Mr. Bath.
A. Approval of December 3, 2019 Regular School Committee Meeting Minutes
D. Approval of December 11, 2019 Accounts Review Subcommittee Report
E. Approval of Overnight Field Trip: TRIO at Worcester State College
F. Authorization to Submit FY2020 Civics Teaching and Learning Grant: $45,000
G. Authorization to Submit a FY2020 Financial Literacy Planning and Implementation
Grant: $15,000
H. Authorization to Submit a FY2020 Social and Emotional Learning Educator
Practice Communities (EPCs) Grant: $100,000
I. Authorization to Submit a FY2020 Safe Routes to School Signs and Lines Grant: $6,000
J. Authorization to Submit FY20 Teacher Diversity Pilot Grant: $127,676
K. Acceptance of Notification: Personnel Appointments Certified
L. Acceptance of Notification: Personnel Appointments Non-Certified
M. Acceptance of Notification: Personnel Actions: Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Superintendent’s Report
MSBA Update
Superintendent Thomas discussed the Huntington School roof and the progress moving forward. The architect is working with Executive Director of Operations Dr. Cobbs and Facilities Director Ken Thompson to put the design together. The roof bid is expected to go out early March 2020 and begin work in the late spring/early summer.
The North Middle School Statement of Interest (SOI) application was not approved this year, however we were strongly encouraged to apply in 2020. In the meantime, Chief Financial Officer Aldo Petronio will work with City Council and Chief Financial Officer Troy Clarkson to begin in house renovations, bids will go out for major repairs. In house repairs are estimated to cost approximately 4 million with a timeline of 3 years.
Our next focus will be on the renovation of Brockton High School. The deadline to submit the application to the MSBA is April 8, 2020. To proceed School Committee will need to approve submitting the application and approval from City Council Statement of Interest (SOI).
Mr. Minichiello recommended a meeting with City Council, Mayor Sullivan and requested that Mayor Rodrigues is the point person on this renovation project.
MOU/Shaw’s Center
Superintendent Thomas thanked Mayor Rodrigues for the recent MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) regarding the Brockton Public School department taking control of the Shaw’s Convention Center. School Committee members received information detailing the terms.
Recognition of Vincent Macrina – Music Director
Superintendent Thomas and School Committee Members presented a plaque to Music Director Vincent Macrina for 48 extraordinary successful years of service in the Brockton Public Schools.
Mr. Macrina thanked School Committee Members, Mayor’s and the great relationships that were developed throughout his career.
Recognitions of Outgoing School Committee Members
Superintendent Thomas presented plaques to three outgoing school committee members in recognition of their service. Mayor Rodrigues, six months, Mr. Richard Bath, five months,
Mr. Brett Gormley, four years. Superintendent Thomas spoke briefly about each committee member and thanked them for their service and commitment to the district and students. A round of applause was given at the end of the presentation.
Items to Refer to None
To Subcommittee
Unfinished Business None
New Business Acknowledgements/Announcements
· Mr. Minichiello and Ms. Asack thanked Mayor Rodrigues for Brockton City Hall’s 125th Anniversary Gala held on Saturday, December 14, 2019 and how the event was well planned. They also thanked the JROTC, teen challenge and the community for their participation.
Seeing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas
Superintendent/ Secretary
mdc
