November 16, 2021
November 16, 2021
Brockton, Massachusetts
Regular School Committee Meeting
November 16, 2021
Live Stream
The Regular Meeting of the Brockton School Committee was held this evening in the Dr. William H. Arnone Theater 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, Ms. Mendes, Mr. Minichiello,
Mr. Rodrigues, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan
Absent: Ms. Asack
Also Present: Superintendent Thomas, Interim Deputy Superintendent Szachowicz,
Executive Team Members, BEA President Kim Gibson
Mayor Sullivan, Chair called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. followed by a salute to the flag.
Mayor Sullivan took a roll call to establish a quorum.
Mayor Sullivan, Chair – Here Mr. D’Agostino, Vice-Chair – Here Ms. Asack – Absent Ms. Mendes – Joined at 7:20 P.M. Mr. Minichiello – Here Mr. Rodrigues – Here Ms. Sullivan – Here Mr. Sullivan – Here
Mayor Sullivan asked that the record reflect that Ms. Asack was unable to attends tonight’s meeting as she
is feeling “under the weather.”
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 motioned to remove Item G, Approval of The Mary R. Gomes Memorial Scholarship, seconded by Mr. Minichiello.
Mr. D’Agostino acknowledged the scholarship in the amount of $3,000 with six $500 awards that will go towards candidates graduating from Brockton High School. He listed the requirements and information for the scholarship.
Mr. Minichiello motioned to approve Item G., seconded by Mr. D’Agostino.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sullivan moved the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the remaining
Consent Agenda items: A, B, C, D, E, F, H, I, J and K, seconded by Ms. Sullivan.
A. Approval of October 23, 2021 Emergency School Committee Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of October 19, 2021 Regular School Committee Meeting Minutes
C. Acceptance of October 19, 2021 Policy Subcommittee Meeting Minutes
D. Acceptance of October 12, 2021 Security, Safety, Transportation Subcommittee Meeting
E. Acceptance of October 9, 2021 Emergency School Committee Meeting Minutes
F. Acceptance of September 28, 2021 Diversity, Race, Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee Minutes
H. Requests for Authorization to Submit Proposals and Expenditure of Funds
I. Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Appointments: Certified Personnel
J. Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Appointments: Non-certified Personnel
K. Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Actions: Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements
The motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent’s
Report Recognition
Superintendent Thomas and School Committee members acknowledged student Jayline Brandao, grade four, from the Kennedy School. It was her fast action that saved her family. Her parents were overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from a generator they borrowed after the recent nor’easter in October.
Jayline heard her dad yelling and ran downstairs to find her family in distress. She grabbed her dad’s iPhone to call 911 but the phone was locked. Jayline was able to hold the iPhone up to her dad’s face, using facial ID, to unlock it and called 911. Jayline then took her younger sister to a neighbor’s house to get help. First responders came and transported all family members to the local hospital. Because of Jayline’s quick thinking her family was able to make it out the dangerous situation.
(Applause)
Mayor Sullivan, Superintendent Thomas and School Committee members presented a certificate to Jayline.
Learning and Teaching
Implementation of BPS Focus Areas (PowerPoint):
Superintendent Thomas invited Ms. Sharon Wolder, Chief Officer of Student Support Services, to share examples of how our third Focus Area, Positive Relationships, is being implemented in our schools. The presentation was titled Relationships. Each school/activity is expected to tie to the Focus Areas.
Ms. Wolder provided information as to what a Lesson on Relationship Skills looks like at each level: elementary, middle and high school, providing the objective, purpose, and agenda.
* Elementary – Emotional and Mental Health: Getting Along with Friends
* Middle School – Building Healthy Relationships Through Communication by using the district’s lesson plan template
* High School – Building Healthy Relationships
Question/Answer
Ms. Sullivan asked if we have a curriculum or textbook for this.
Ms. Wolder mentioned the health department uses the Health Smart curriculum
The Brockton High Excellence Team Update
Superintendent Thomas invited Ms. Ngozi Onubogu to give an update on the Brockton High Excellence Team. The team consists of 50 members, comprised of educators and administrators from different departments who are eager to give their time and talents to the success of the school and the district. The Excellence Team is divided into three subgroups. Each sub-team is run by an administrator with faculty member as co-facilitators.
The first subgroup team is school environment and culture. The goal of this sub team is to improve the school climate for all students. The objective is to use student data and other stakeholder input to create and implement smart goals, thereby making Brockton High School a more stable, stronger, and safer environment for learning.
The second subgroup team is Brockton High School Community Collection and Engagement. The goal of this subgroup is to ensure that every Brockton High student is connected and engaged in their education and that educational opportunities focus on Effective Instruction, Active Reading and Writing and Positive Relationships with both adults and peers. The objective is to use data and stakeholder input to create and implement smart goals so that Brockton High School students will meet/exceed grade level expectations and fully engage the opportunities available to them.
The third subgroup team is the Brockton High School Stakeholder Communication. The goal of this subgroup is to provide the community with convenient access to information about the school. The objective is to use stakeholder input to create and implement smart goals so students can fully engage and connect to their education, their peers and the school community. The team will connect with the existing structure that is in place, and then use it to communicate to our staff, parents and stakeholders. This team will create concrete speedy timelines and accountability steps to address the recommendations as they come along.
The BHS Excellence Team has been constituted and everyone is clear-eyed and aware of the hard work that needs to be done.
Superintendent Thomas thanked Ms. Onubogu and the members of BHS Administration and the Excellence Team for their time and dedication.
Mr. D’Agostino thanked Ms. Onubogu for making the presentation of the Excellence Team, and excited that there are 50 members involved and the work that is being done.
Items to Refer to Mr. D’Agostino requested a Curriculum Subcommittee meeting.
Subcommittee
Superintendent Thomas requested a Facilities Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
Ms. Mendes announced the second part of the Diversity, Equity meeting on Tuesday, December 14, 2021
from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Mr. Rodrigues requested a Safety, Security, Transportation subcommittee meeting with updates on BHS.
Unfinished Business None
New Business Discussion and Potential Vote from the Bid Review Subcommittee – November 3, 2021
Mr. Sullivan gave a verbal report of the Bid Review Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday,
November 3, 2021 where there was one bid item before the committee for approval.
Mr. Sullivan motioned to accept the verbal report of the Bid Review Subcommittee
as presented, seconded by Ms. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. D’Agostino motioned to ratify the recommendation of the Bid Review Subcommittee; to reject the bid that was presented, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Potential Vote from the Superintendent’s Contract Subcommittee Meeting –
November 16, 2021
Mr. D’Agostino, chair of the Superintendent’s Contract Subcommittee, gave a verbal report of the November 16, 2021 Superintendent’s Contract Subcommittee meeting held at the Arnone School at 6:00 p.m. All members, except for Ms. Asack, were present at that meeting.
The 2020-2021 End-of-Cycle Summative Evaluation Report, a compilation of school committee members’ ratings and feedback, was reviewed with the Superintendent and feedback was given. Based on the ratings score and pursuant to the contract, a 3.13% salary adjustment retroactive to July 1, 2021, was calculated and recommended by the committee.
Mr. D’Agostino said he said he considered this a very favorable evaluation.
Mr. Minichiello moved to approve the report of the November 16, 2021 Superintendent’s Contract Subcommittee meeting and ratify the 3.13% salary adjustment in relation to the contract, retroactive to July 1, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. D’Agostino, chair of the Superintendent’s Contract Subcommittee spoke about a discussion concerning extending the Superintendent’s Contract by two additional years. The current contract expires in 2025 and this extension would extend to June 20, 2027.
A motion was made to move favorably to the full committee, the vote was; 5 in favor, 1 abstain, 1opposed.
Mr. Minichiello motioned to extend the Superintendent’s Contract an additional two years to June 20, 2027, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. D’Agostino gave a verbal report from the Facilities Subcommittee meeting held on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. There were proposed actions in accordance with Section 34 of the City of Brockton Charter, G.L. c. 40, § 15A, or other applicable law, and the Facilities Usage & Planning
Subcommittee’s recommendation with respect to the same: (a) the City of Brockton’s acquisition and use for school purposes a property located at 596 Summer Street, Brockton, MA; (b) the School Committee’s acceptance of the charge, custody, management and control of such property for school purposes; (c) the transfer of operations of the Keith Center from its current location at 175 Warren Avenue, Brockton, MA, to 596 Summer Street, Brockton, MA; and (d) the School Committee’s determination that, upon such transfer of operations, the School Committee shall no longer need for school or other purposes the property located at 175 Warren Avenue, Brockton, MA.
The committee had a discussion on this matter and a favorable recommendation to the full committee was made.
Mr. D’Agostino made a motion to move that the school committee approve to the following actions and determinations in accordance with Section 34 of the City of Brockton Charter, G.L. c. 40, § 15A, or other applicable law, and the Facilities Usage & Planning Subcommittee’s recommendation with respect to the same: (a) the City of Brockton’s acquisition and use for school purposes of property located at 596 Summer Street, Brockton, MA; (b) the School Committee’s acceptance of the charge, custody, management and control of such property for school purposes; (c) the transfer of operations of the Keith Center from its current location, located at 175 Warren Avenue, Brockton, MA, to 596 Summer Street, Brockton, MA; and (d) the School Committee’s determination that, upon such transfer of operations, and after the school department has fully vacated and removed its operations supplies, equipment and tangible property from the property at 175 Warren Avenue, Brockton, MA the School Committee shall no longer need 175 Warren Avenue, Brockton, MA. for school or other purposes and shall authorize the Superintendent to notify the City Council of such determination on its behalf; and(e) the School Committee’s authorization entitling the Superintendent in his discretion to enter into any written agreement with the current owner of the property located at 596 Summer Street, Brockton, MA in connection with the school department’s use of or access to such property. Seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
Mayor Sullivan, Chair took a roll call vote.
Mayor Sullivan, Chair – Yes Mr. D’Agostino, Vice-Chair – Yes Ms. Asack – Absent Ms. Mendes – Yes Mr. Minichiello – Yes Mr. Rodrigues – Yes Ms. Sullivan – Yes Mr. Sullivan – Yes
Voted to approve the motion.
Executive Session
Mayor Sullivan read the following into the record:
“The School Committee will go into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3), to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining, Teamsters, Local 653 representing Brockton School Police. The Committee will enter Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3), for the purpose of conducting strategy with respect to collective bargaining as conducting this deliberation in an open session would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Committee. The Committee will return to open session following the Executive Session.”
Ms. Mendes motioned to go into Executive Session, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
Mayor Sullivan, Chair – Yes Mr. D’Agostino, Vice-Chair – Yes Ms. Asack – Absent Ms. Mendes – Yes Mr. Minichiello – Yes Mr. Rodrigues – Yes Ms. Sullivan – Yes Mr. Sullivan – Yes
School Committee members entered Executive Session at 7:54 p.m.
School Committee members returned from Executive Session at 8:18 p.m.
Mr. Rodrigues motioned to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Brockton School Committee and Teamsters, Local 653, Brockton School Police effective July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024, seconded by Ms. Mendes.
Mayor Sullivan, Chair – Yes Mr. D’Agostino, Vice-Chair – Yes Ms. Asack – Absent Ms. Mendes – Yes Mr. Minichiello – Yes Mr. Rodrigues – Yes Ms. Sullivan – Yes Mr. Sullivan – Yes
Voted to approve the motion.
Mayor Sullivan then asked for a motion to adjourn.
Ms. Mendes motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Seeing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas
Secretary/Superintendent
mdc
PowerPoint: BPS Focus Areas - Relationships
