October 15, 2019
October 15, 2019
BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 15, 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 seven o'clock. These minutes contain a summary of the meeting and list items that were under discussion.
Present: Mr. Minichiello, Vice-Chair; Ms. Asack, Mr. Bath, Mr. D’Agostino,
Mr. Gormley, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan, Interim Superintendent Thomas
Absent: Mayor Rodrigues
Also Present: Executive Team Members
Mr. Minichiello called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by a salute to the flag.
Interim Superintendent Thomas asked for a moment of silence in memory of sixteen-year-old Mylen Etienne a former Brockton Public School student, a current junior at South Eastern Regional High School. He was away on a field trip with the Boys and Girls club and suddenly passed away. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family.
Hearing of Visitors
Terry McIntosh from the Brockton SEPAC (Brockton Special Education Parent Advisory Council) invited parents and School Committee members to attend their monthly meetings held at Brockton High School, Azure Access Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This is a great opportunity for support and learning. Childcare and interpreters are available. School Committee members will attend on November 19, 2019 for a Meet and Greet.
Bishop Teixeira shared concerns of recent physical altercations at Brockton High School.
Michelle Stanfield shared concerns regarding Literacy at Brockton High School.
Michael Boyd shared concerns regarding Literacy at Brockton High School.
Darly Dumond an activist in the community would like to become involved at schools and offer support to help students.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Minichiello explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda and asked members for any requests to remove items for further discussion; Ms. Sullivan requested Item D, Approval of Community Schools Advisory Board Bylaws.
Mr. Minichiello moved to accept the Interim Superintendent’s recommendation
to approve the following Consent Agenda items, the motion was seconded by
Mr. D’Agostino.
- Approval of September 18, 2019 Regular School Committee Meeting Minutes
- Approval of Accounts Review Subcommittee Meeting Report
- Approval of 2019-2020 Home Education Requests
- Authorization to Submit Application to the FY20 Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant Program
- Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Appointments: Certified
- Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Appointments: Non-Certified
- Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Actions: Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Ms. Sullivan gave an update on the Community Schools Advisory Board Bylaws.
A retreat was held on March 30, 2019 where Director of Community Schools Marguerite Masson gave an update on the current programs offered. A Community Schools subcommittee meeting was held in May when bylaws were discussed and updated.
Ms. Sullivan thanked Marguerite Masson for her hard work and dedication and well wishes to her upcoming retirement and welcomed Dr. Soraya deBarros as the new Director of Community Schools.
Ms. Sullivan moved to approve Item D from the Consent Agenda, the motion was seconded by Mr. Bath.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Superintendent's Report
Matt King
Interim Superintendent Thomas introduced Matt King his coach from the Massachusetts New Superintendents’ Induction Program. Matt was superintendent for 28 years: superintendent of the Wellesley Public Schools, superintendent/principal of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and superintendent/principal of the Carlisle Public Schools. He currently teaches in the Leadership Licensure Program.
Matt discussed his role and support to Interim Superintendent Thomas during the next two years. The Superintendent’s Association is partnered with the State’s Superintendent Association and Department of Education. There are 18 new superintendents that will participate in the program. Classes are held in Marlborough, MA and Mr. King meets regularly with Interim Superintendent Thomas at central for coaching one on one.
Learning and Teaching
October 1 Enrollment Report
School Registration & Parent Information Center Director Marcia Andrade-Serpa presented a power point to discuss the October 1 enrollment report:
· The October 1 total enrollment figure for grades pre-k to 12 is 16,188
(total enrollment as of 10/11/19 is 16,195)
· January through October 1, 2019 - 10,995 families visited at the registration
· Registration timeline information was presented to show the months when students
register throughout the year by grades
· Booking online appointments is new this year for families to select an appointment
in 5 easy steps
· A sample of the online registration was shown from the bpsma.org website
· Parents/Guardians may select the language of choice, add details, date and time of
appointment
· An email and text confirmation and reminder will be sent
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to use the online system to make the process easier and sufficient when registering their child.
MCAS Results
Executive Director of Assessment, Accountability, Technology Dr. Ethan Cancell presented a power point on the 2018-2019 MCAS results.
Achievement Results
o Shows performance levels
o ELA Scaled Scores Grades 3-8
o Math Scales Scores Grades 3-8
o Scaled Scores Grade 10
o Science Scaled Scores New Test
· Student Growth Percentiles
o ELA Student Growth Percentile
o Math Student Growth Percentiles Grades 3-8
o ELA Student Growth Percentile Grade 10
o Math Student Growth Percentile Grade 10
Accountability
o Key Points
o 5 Major Components
1. Achievement 12 points
2. Growth 8 points
3. High school completion 12 points
4. Progress towards English Proficiency 4 points
5. Other (Chronic Absenteeism, % Advanced Courses) 4/8 points
Mr. Minichiello mentioned we have work to do in our district. Our district has suffered a great deal of impact the past six years due to the budget however he feels we are making some progress this year.
Executive Director of Assessment, Accountability, Technology Dr. Ethan Cancell mentioned although you can see the impact our budget has had we have to do better. Historically we have done better and the way we do better is by focusing on teaching and learning and the level of rigor.
Chief Academic Officer June Saba-Maguire addressed the key district initiatives that are in place. They are to look at our goals this year, and our expectations for students. Mr. Jon Saphier who works with Research for Better Teaching will work with all our schools this year. Mr. Saphier is attending the Curriculum subcommittee and School Committee on October 29, 2019 to present some of the work that will be done with all our schools. Cohort 1 is comprised of all turnaround schools, there is a cohort of teachers and administrators who will attend this professional development titled “High Expectations Teaching”, by the end of this year we will have a cohort of teachers from all our schools in the district.
Interim Superintendent Thomas mentioned we must do much better. Interim Superintendent Thomas has visited every school in the system and noted that teachers are working hard considering the past six years budgets and the fact that many teachers have had to move to different grades and schools, which has sent our district in a disarray along with our budget. We need to do better for our children focusing on where we need to in the areas of teaching and learning, attendance, advance level classes in more schools.
FY20 Budget Update
Interim Superintendent Thomas reported there is no FY20 budget update at this time, the Senate voted on the Governor’s bill, Student Opportunity Act and will go to the House next. He thanked our local legislators, Representative Claire Cronin, Gerard Cassidy, Michelle DuBois and Senator Michael Brady for their hard work and dedication. He also reported that Tripp Jones and the city law office have written the lawsuit and are waiting to see what funding we receive from the House. If proper funding is not received the lawsuit will be filed.
Ratification of Memorandum of Agreement – Independent Brockton Administrative Assistants and -Technical Employees Association (IBAA-TEA)
Mr. Sullivan, Chair of the committee gave an update on the IBAA-TEA Ratification. Many meetings were held and he believes both sides came to a respectful and reasonable agreement.
Mr. Bath moved to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Brockton School Committee and the Independent Brockton Administrative Assistants and -Technical Employees Association (IBAA-TEA), effective for a three-year period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gormley.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Ratification of Memorandum of Agreement – Monitor Teacher Assistants (MTA)
Mr. Sullivan, Chair of the committee gave an update on the MTA Ratification. Many meeting were held and he believes both sides came to a respectful and reasonable agreement.
Mr. Bath moved to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Brockton School Committee and the Monitor Teacher Assistants (MTA), effective for a three-year period from September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2022. The motion was seconded by Mr. D’Agostino.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Items to Refer to Subcommittee
Interim Superintendent Thomas recommended a Curriculum subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 5:45 p.m.
Mr. Bath recommended a Facilities Usage & Planning subcommittee meeting to discuss a petition for the Brockton School department getting the Shaw’s center.
Mr. Minichiello recommended a Facilities Usage & Planning meeting after the election to discuss the Shaw’s center inviting the Mayor, President of the City Council and Dennis Eaniri.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
Mr. Bath discussed having an open hearing for a permanent Superintendent naming Interim Superintendent Michael P. Thomas. Mr. Minichiello will discuss with Interim Superintendent Thomas and the Mayor to schedule a Superintendent’s Subcommittee meeting.
Ms. Asack mentioned the Brookfield Elementary school wishing them good luck on their 2K fundraiser this Friday, October 18, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. Funds will go towards events at the school for students.
Interim Superintendent Thomas mentioned “Bracks Grille & Tap” is hosting a fundraiser tomorrow, October 16, 2019 donating 20% of all dine-in, take-out and gift cards to benefit: Brockton Public Schools. Both owners are graduates of Brockton High school.
Interim Superintendent Thomas invited all this Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. to the Alumni & Staff Appreciation Day at Marciano Stadium for the homecoming football game Brockton vs. Durfee.
Interim Superintendent Thomas thanked the Community leaders, Bishop Tony Branch, Bishop Teixeira, Ollie Spears, George DosSantos, Kenny Monteiro, Darren Duarte. All came to help assisting in meeting with families and having conversations with them regarding the violence in the community that is carried into the schools. Thank you to Principal Dr. Murray, Deans, Assistant Deans and Administration for coming together with our community leaders.
Mr. Gormley thanked all who participated in the BHS Boys and Girls Cross Country event this past weekend at Walt Disney Classic, Orlando, Florida. During the power point presentation Mr. Gormley showcased the different groups of students that participated in the many events that took place. The boys finished 2nd in their division, sophomore Nick O’Connell finished 2nd place, sophomore Mamadu Tchamo a top finisher, senior Olivia Rateau finished 6th out of the Top 10th finisher in her division. During down time the team went on the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Many thanks to the coaches and chaperones who plan and attended.
Seeing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas
Secretary/Interim Superintendent
mdc
