February 11, 2020
February 11, 2020
School Committee
Brockton, Massachusetts
Regular Meeting
February 11, 2020
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, Mr. D'Agostino, Vice-Chair; Ms. Asack, Ms. Mendes,
Mr. Minichiello, Mr. Rodrigues, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan, Superintendent Thomas
Also Present: Executive Team Members
Mayor Sullivan called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m., followed by a salute to the flag.
Hearing of Visitors None
Consent Agenda
Mayor Sullivan 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 January 12, 2020 Curriculum Subcommittee Meeting Report,
Item C, Acceptance of January 21, 2020 Facilities Subcommittee Meeting Report,
Item D, Acceptance of January 29, 2020 Finance Subcommittee Meeting Report, giving an overview report on the following consent agenda Items.
Item B, Acceptance of January 12, 2020 Curriculum Subcommittee Meeting Report discussing the agenda items.
1. The District Review
2. Student Opportunity Act / 3-year plan
3. Other Business
Mr. Minichiello moved to approve Item B, Acceptance of January 12, 2020 Curriculum Subcommittee Meeting Report, seconded by Ms. Asack.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Item C, Acceptance of January 21, 2020 Facilities Subcommittee Meeting Report discussing the agenda items.
1. Brockton High School – Statement of Interest
2. Outside Building for Online School
3. Community Center at North Middle School
Mr. Minichiello moved to approve Item C, Acceptance of January 21, 2020
Facilities Subcommittee Meeting Report, seconded by Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Asack.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Item D, Acceptance of January 29, 2020 Finance Subcommittee Meeting Report discussing the agenda items.
1. Gateway to College
2. Student Opportunity Act
3. 3-Year District Plan
4. FY21 Budget
5. Other Business
Mr. Sullivan moved to approve Item D, January 29, 2020 Finance Subcommittee
Meeting Report, seconded by Ms. Sullivan.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Mr. Minichiello moved the Superintendent's recommendation to approve the remainder Consent Agenda items, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
A. Approval of Minutes of January 21, 2020 Regular School Committee Meeting
E. Approval of Field Trip: BHS Science Club Deep Sea Fishing Excursion
F. Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Appointments: Certified
G. Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Appointments: Non-Certified H. Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Actions: Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Mayor Sullivan acknowledged Mr. Richard Bath former Ward 2 School Committee Member, Ms. Kim Gibson BEA Representative and all Brocktonians’ for attending the school committee meeting this evening.
Communication None
Superintendent's Report
Recognitions
Superintendent Thomas invited Ms. Tayla Santos and Ms. Jasanay Manley both paraprofessionals at the Gilmore School along with Principal Marybeth O’Brien to talk about their swift actions and lifesaving response in the cafeteria during a grade 2 lunch, where a child presented signs of choking on his pizza resulting in the Heimlich Maneuver being performed on the child.
Tayla and Jasanay both spoke about the student choking and their quick- thinking and team effort in performing the Heimlich Maneuver resulting in saving the students life. Gilmore Principal Marybeth O’Brien commented saying both Tayla and Jasanay are reliable every day at work, always with a smile on their faces and always ready to work, both are alumni graduates of Brockton High School.
Mayor Sullivan, Superintendent Thomas and School Committee members thanked both ladies for their quick-thinking action that saved the child’s life on that day and commend them as “true heroes” keeping our children safe.
Superintendent Thomas and Mayor Sullivan presented both Tayla Santos and Jasanay Manley with certificates on behalf of the School Committee.
Mr. Minichiello discussed having a CPR and First Aid training be offered to all BPS employees at the beginning of every school year.
Superintendent Thomas introduced BHS student Chloe Livingston, her grandmother
Ms. Sandra Livingston, her father Mr. Michael Livingston and history teacher Ms. McRae.
Superintendent Thomas read a letter from the Massachusetts Historical Society addressed to Dr. Clifford Murray Principal of Brockton High School congratulating Brockton High School students and teachers for their hard work and success in the National History Day in Massachusetts program.
As the state sponsor for the National History Day, the Massachusetts Historical Society is working to ensure that all students across the Commonwealth have access to NHD, which prepares them for success in college and career, and prepares them to be active, engaging citizens.
Junior Chloe Livingston, documentary film was featured in The Enterprise on 1/20/20, “Sandra Livingston: The Struggle for Equal Rights,” which explores the Civil Rights movement. She will compete at the regional competition on Saturday, March 7th, at Foxborough High School. Chloe interviewed her grandmother, Sandra, as a primary source, and this personal connection helped Chloe better understand the context for the activism of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Ruby Bridges.
Congratulations to Chloe, her teacher, Stephanie McRae and Brockton High School History Department Head, Stephanie Landerholm. We wish all students the best of luck in the National History Day regional competition on Saturday, March 7th. We are thrilled that Brockton High School continues to participate in this vital program.
Chloe spoke about her documentary project and wanting to learn more from her grandmother’s perspective. Ms. Sandra Livingston (grandmother) expressed how proud she was of her granddaughter wanting to learn about her struggles that she and minorities, experienced through the years. Her goal was for students of today to understand what our past was, what it is today and what it can be and should be tomorrow. Chloe’s father,
Mr. Michael Livingston also expressed his appreciation of the Brockton Public Schools.
Mayor Sullivan, Superintendent Thomas and School Committee members thanked Chloe for her participation in the National History Day program and wished her the best of luck on Saturday, March 7th.
Learning and Teaching
Student Representative (Georgina Younes)
Student Georgina Younes gave a report on happenings at Brockton High School:
• On Friday, January 31st and Saturday, February 1st BHS Drama Club put on their Annual Feb Fest Show, performing 3 short comedies entitled Check Please, The Competition Piece and Hard Candy.
• Ten BHS students were acknowledged at the 2020 Boston Globe Scholastic Art Award competition. Of the ten, four students placed, five received Gold Keys, one Silver Keys and eight Honorable Mentions in a variety of mediums.
• Last Thursday, February 6, 2020 a group of students had the opportunity to have a round table discussion to speak with Lt. Governor Karen Polito. They discussed the respectful campaign and the students suggested ways the campaign could better reach students like them. The campaign focuses on the awareness surrounding sexual assault and domestic violence.
• Last Friday, February 7, 2020 Brockton High School student athletes Lenna Merian and Taylor Campbell represented and attended the 2020 Girls and Women In Sports Day event held at Faneuil Hall.
• Monday, February 17, 2020 thru Friday, February 21, 2020 is winter recess for all students.
Curriculum Update
Superintendent Thomas invited Chief Academic Officer June Saba-Maguire to give a Curriculum Update. She spoke about the Massachusetts Tiered System of Support Planning Institute naming group of attendees: Superintendent Thomas, June Saba-Maguire, Sharon Wolder, Dr. Ethan Cancell, Stephen Shaw, Catherine Leger, Kellie Jones, Laurie Mason, Julianne Andrade and Kim Gibson.
The MTTS conferenced approximately 30 districts of 500 participants. Various workshops were offered during this two-day event: Middle School Scheduling, Professional Development and Student Opportunity Act. This is an opportunity for districts across the state work together and address the strengths and needs of all student by optimizing data-driven decision-making, progress monitoring, and the use of evidence-based supports and strategies with increasing intensity to sustain student growth. This work is not just about tiered interventions or services; it is about how all the systems in a school or district work together to ensure a high quality educational experience for each and every student.
District Review
Superintendent Thomas invited Executive Director of Assessment, Accountability, Technology Dr. Ethan Cancell to speak about our upcoming District Review Site Visit that begins on Monday, March 2nd thru Thursday, March 5th. He presented a power point calendar draft showing the various locations and leadership teams that DESE will be meeting with during this time frame.
Student Opportunity Act Update
Superintendent Thomas invited Mr. Richard Bath to speak about the Student Opportunity Act. Mr. Bath presented a power point of the DESE template which asks each district to make four “Student Opportunity Commitments” in order to close opportunity and achievement gaps. The template does not ask for comprehensive strategic plans it does ask the districts to “do a few things well”. Plans must be submitted to DESE by April 1st.
• Create a three-year, evidence-based plan for the Commissioner’s review
• Commitment 1: Student Subgroups
• Commitment 2: Using Evidence-Based Programs to Close Gaps
• Commitment 3: Monitoring Success with Outcome Metrics and Targets
• Stakeholder’s Engagement
• Commitment 4: Engaging All Families
FY21 Budget Update
Superintendent Thomas thanked School Committee members for approving Human Resources to begin recruiting teachers for the 23 retirements this year and other upcoming retirements. Dr. Moran, Executive Director of Human Resources will begin to attend career fairs to recruit. North Middle School will close in June for renovation, therefore certified teachers at North Middle school will be given first choice of where they are certified in the open 23 retirement positions. As we move forward we will disburse funding throughout the district.
Items to Refer To Subcommittee None
Unfinished Business None
New Business
Mr. D’Agostino discussed moving the March 17th Regular School Committee meeting. School committee members agreed to move the Regular School Committee meeting to Thursday, March 26, 2020, BHS Little Theatre at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Minichiello moved to change the Regular School Committee scheduled on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, BHS Little Theatre at 7:00 p.m. to Thursday, March 26, 2020, BHS Little Theatre at 7:00 p.m., seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Mr. D’Agostino thanked City Council President Ms. Shirley Asack for coordinating the Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 7:00 p.m., City Hall /Council chambers. This is a joint session of the School Committee and City Council to fill the currently open Southeastern Regional School Committee seat.
Mayor Sullivan stated if there is any citizen interested to become a candidate and would like to be considered should send a letter of interest along with a resume to City Hall, City Clerk’s Office 2nd floor, 45 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301.
Executive Session None
Acknowledgements/Announcements
• Superintendent Thomas reminded members of the committee Saturday, February 29, 2020 is the School Committee Retreat at West Middle School, 271 West Street in the Professional Development Room beginning at 8:30 a.m.
• Mayor Sullivan thanked Principal Cynthia Burns for the presentation by the students on black history month exhibit at the Keith Center.
• Mayor Sullivan thanked Mr. Richard Bath for his continued work with the School Department, it is greatly appreciated.
Seeing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas
Superintendent/Secretary
mdc
Power Point:
DESE Calendar
Student Opportunity Act
