October 19, 2021
October 19, 2021
Brockton, Massachusetts
Regular School Committee Meeting
October 19, 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, Ms. Asack, Ms. Mendes, Mr. Minichiello, Mr. Rodrigues, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan.
Absent: Mr. D’Agostino, Vice-Chair
Also Present: Superintendent Thomas, Interim Deputy Superintendent Szachowicz, Executive Team
Members
Mayor Sullivan, Chair called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. followed by a salute to the flag.
Mayor Sullivan mentioned Vice-Chair, Mr. D’Agostino is unable to attend the meeting due to a
family matter.
Mayor Sullivan took a roll call to establish a quorum.
Mayor Sullivan, Chair – Here Mr. D’Agostino, Vice-Chair – Absent Ms. Asack – Here
Ms. Mendes – Here Mr. Minichiello – Here Mr. Rodrigues – Here
Ms. Sullivan – Here Mr. Sullivan –Here
Hearing of Visitors None
Mayor Sullivan asked that Dr. Richard Herman is taken out of order this evening, Item IV-B, Report of
Superintendent of Schools – Dr. Richard Herman, FACEP Pandemic Consultant COVID-19 Metrics update.
Ms. Sullivan motioned to take Item IV-B, Report of Superintendent of Schools - Dr. Richard Herman, FACEP Pandemic Consultant – COVID-19 Metrics update out of order, seconded by
Mr. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Sullivan thanked Dr. Herman for attending the School Committee meeting this evening and turned it over to him.
Dr. Herman thanked Mayor Sullivan and the School Committee members for inviting him to come back and discuss the metrics for the City of Brockton and presented a power point.
COVID-19 Update: City of Brockton (power point)
Metric facts reported as follows:
* Pandemic Day 585 in the City of Brockton since October 19, 2021
* Brockton Daily Case Count – shows the various surges from 3/14/20 – 10/14/21
* City of Brockton COVID-19 Daily Dashboard – 21 new reported cases, 16,262 confirmed cases, 0
deaths, 444 deaths overall, 141 active cases, 18 currently in the hospital, 2 ICU, average daily
confirmed cases per 100,000 population is 16.3, positive test rate is 2.48%, 77% are vaccinated.
(partial 13.5% full 63.4%)
* Weekly PCR Testing % Positive from 1/2/2021 – 10/2/2021 (2.20%)
* CDC Metric for Community Spread: Past month cases per 100,000 over 7-day period, each bar is
total of previous 7 days from 8-18-21 – 10-17-21 (high=over 100 cases)
* Brockton children total cases is 2,420, (0 to <18yrs), with COVID is 2,294, probable ages 0 to <18 is
126, hospitalized is 9 (0.4%), 0 deaths
* Recommendation for adolescents to get vaccinated 12-18 years of age as soon as possible to prevent
serious illness from COVID-19
* Vaccine Status: At lease one dose 63,780 residents out of 82,859 eligible as of 8/17/21
* Brockton Breakthrough Cases (through October 16, 2021)
Fully Vaxed: MA - 4,686,467 / Brockton– 52,571 Breakthrough: MA- 47,929 / 478 Brockton
Hospitalized: MA - 1,566 / Brockton 8 Died: MA - 371 / Brockton 2
* What’s next: Regional Clinic at Shaw’s Center, Testing sites at Massasoit, Shaw’s Center, BNHC,
Booster for J&J, EUA vaccine for kids 5-11 by November 1st, Mandates.
Questions/Answers
* Ms. Asack asked are there schools that have higher numbers when it comes to our students?
Dr. Herman mentioned he would defer to Dr. Linda Cahill for school specifications. At the moment
it appears the elementary school age children in general are far more affected that the high school
age students are.
* Mr. Minichiello asked if there are any projections in terms of when things may get back to some
normalcy?
Dr. Herman mentions his is unsure when this may occur and difficult to predict.
Mayor Sullivan and School Committee members thanked Dr. Herman and valued his professionalism and
medical expertise.
Consent Agenda Mayor Sullivan explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda, read the items aloud and asked members for any requests to remove items for further discussion.
Mr. Sullivan made motion to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Ms. Sullivan.
Voted: to approve the motion unanimously.
Superintendent’s Recognition
Report Donation from Marc A. Sims Sportsmanship Award
Superintendent Thomas welcomed the Sims Family, for their donation of $25,000.00 in memory of Marc A. Sims, to establish a Scholarship Fund through the Brockton Educational Foundation for the Brockton Community Schools. The Sims Family would like to continue with the Marc A. Sims Sportsmanship award that has been given for the past 20 years. Thank you to Mr. Aldo Petronio and Mr. Tom Minichiello for their help in making this scholarship a reality.
Mr. George Louis, a Re-engagement and Drop-out Prevention Counselor for the BPS district, Camp director/Raise up Basketball camp and Supervisor of the Brockton Community Schools Basketball program joined the Sims Family at the podium and gave remarks about the Marc A. Sims Sportsmanship scholarship.
Mr. Louis recognized Mr. Mitchell Sims, Wendy Sims (wife) and Melissa Sims (daughter) and their unbelievable generosity to the children of Brockton.
(applause)
On behalf of the Sims Family, Mr. Sims thanked Mayor Sullivan, Superintendent Thomas and School Committee members for the acknowledgement. It is something the family has done for a long time and are glad they were able to give back to the children of Brockton.
Mayor Sullivan, Superintendent Thomas and School Committee members thanked the Sims Family for their generous donation.
Implementation of BPS Focus Areas:
Superintendent Thomas invited Dr. Szachowicz to give an update on the Implementation of the BPS Focus Areas and professional development activities. Dr. Szachowicz presented a power point presentation on instructional leadership action. She gave 3 conscience examples from middle, elementary and high school. Each school/activity is expected to focus on effective instruction, active reading/writing and positive relationships.
* Middle school talked about why checks for understanding are important.
* Elementary school looked at effective instruction in a math lesson using the district lesson plan template.
* High school looked at MCAS data with a renew focus on active reading and writing.
Comment
Ms. Mendes thanked Dr. Szachowicz for sharing examples of what the focus areas in action looks like in the different schools.
Safety & Security Follow Up
Superintendent Thomas gave a follow up from last Tuesday, October 12, 2021 Security, Safety,
Transportation Subcommittee meeting. He thanked parents, teachers, and students for their feedback as it is
important for the committee to know as we continue to work together.
Superintendent Thomas mentioned times have changed the way students are disciplined and acknowledges we
must address right and wrong. He is not in agreement when a student engages in a tick tock posting of a fight,
and praising them is wrong, it puts everyone in danger and students will be held accountable.
The Brockton High Excellence Team began their meeting yesterday, co-chaired by Mrs. Copp, Associate
Principal of Brockton High School, Ms. Faith Tobon, teacher at Brockton High School organizing
approximately 40 members. Superintendent Thomas thanked Dr. Murray, Principal, Mrs. Copp, Associate
Principal of Brockton High School in putting this team together and look forward to the work they’ll be doing.
Superintendent Thomas thanked the bus drivers for providing additional bathroom coverage at Brockton High
school during the day. He thanked the staff as we continue to work through issues, and we’ll continue to work
with our parents, teachers, and students.
Superintendent Thomas met with Mr. Garry Guilloteau, Assistant Principal for Climate and Culture to discuss
the various support groups in place for students. He is also bringing the adjustment counselors and behavioral
interventionists together to help support our students that are dealing with trauma and social and emotional
issues.
Questions/Answers
Ms. Asack thanked Superintendent Thomas and BPS staff for their continued support.
Ms. Asack mentioned students need to know the importance of pulling the fire alarm, they’re taking away
other urgent matters within the city.
Superintendent Thomas mentioned any student caught pulling a fire alarm is a criminal offense, they will be
charged and will have a due process hearing. Approximately 4,500 people must evacuate that includes
students with disabilities.
Ms. Mendes asked is the safety and security just in the hallways or is this also happening in the classrooms?
Superintendent Thomas mentioned there are some behavior issues in the classrooms that are being addressed,
most are in the hallways during passing time.
Items to Refer to Superintendent Thomas requested a Facilities Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
Subcommittee
Unfinished Business None
New Business Discussion and Potential vote from the Bid Review Subcommittee – Monday, October 18, 2021
Mr. Sullivan gave a verbal report of the Bid Review Subcommittee meeting held on Monday, October 18,
2021 and presented 1 bid before the committee for approval.
Mr. Sullivan motioned to accept the verbal report of the Bid Review Subcommittee as presented.
Seconded by Mr. Minichiello.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sullivan motioned to award the Bid Review item favorable as presented.
Seconded by Mr. Minichiello.
The motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent Thomas asked for a moment of silence in the passing of Mr. Paul Segreve, father of Kimberly Gibson, President of the Brockton Education Association.
Mayor Sullivan reminded everyone that the next School Committee meeting on scheduled on Tuesday,
November 16, 2021 is held at the Arnone Elementary School in the Theater.
Mayor Sullivan mentioned Superintendent Thomas, Mr. Aldo Petronio, BPS/CFO, Mr. Troy Clarkson,
City/CFO and himself appeared before the Finance Committee last night for the Brockton City Council. He
thanked everyone including Dr. Cobbs, Executive Director of Operations for their efforts, regarding the
municipality wanting to purchase a piece of property, it’s a taking and a mass general law of eminent
domain although it’s friendly we’ve come up with a price. A pledge was made on behalf of the Mayor and
Superintendent not to entertain moving the students and staff from the Keith Center (former High School)
until an adequate location was found.
An adequate location was found on Summer Street that includes 3 acres of land. Mayor Sullivan thanked Mr. Aldo Petronio, Attorney Peter Mello, City Solicitor, Ms. Megan Bridges and City Council as we move forward to acquire this property.
Superintendent Thomas thanked Mayor Sullivan and School Committee members for their support.
Seeing no further business Mr. Minichiello motioned to adjourn.
Seconded by Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Asack.
The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas
Secretary/Superintendent
mdc
PowerPoint: COVID-19 Update-City of Brockton, BPS Focus Ares-Instructional Leadership in Action
