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. D’Agostino, Mr. Gormley, Ms. Plant, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan, Superintendent Smith
Absent: Mayor Carpenter
Also Present: Executive Team Members
Mr. Minichiello called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m., followed by a salute to the flag.
Mr. Minichiello asked for a moment of silence in memory of William G. Carpenter, father of Mayor Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 where he served honorably in the Philippians and China during World War II. He served for several seasons as a scorekeeper inside the famed Green Monster, where he often spoke with Ted Williams between innings. Superintendent Smith also expressed her condolence to Mayor Carpenter and his family.
Mr. Minichiello was asked by Mr. Sullivan to take a line item out for further discussion.
Mr. Sullivan motioned to take out of order, the Ratification of MOA between Brockton School Committee and Teamsters, Local 653 representing School Police July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021, listed under New Business, seconded by Mr. Gormley.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Mr. Sullivan spoke about meetings that were held with Attorney’s, School Police Union and Non-Certified Negotiations Subcommittee members and agreed to an agreement.
Mr. Sullivan motioned to the Ratification of MOA between Brockton School Committee and Teamsters, Local 653 representing School Police July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021, seconded by Mr. D’Agostino.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Hearing of Visitors
Addison Shaw, grade 5 student at the Angelo school shared concerns regarding changes in styrofoam lunch trays.
Mickey Maki shared information regarding an Innovation School idea.
Francelina Resende shared concerns regarding parent engagement and tutoring.
Lea Serena shared concerns regarding parent engagement.
Tina Cardoso shared information regarding Cape Verdean women united.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Minichiello explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda and asked members for requests to remove items for further discussion.
Ms. Plant moved the Superintendent's recommendation to approve the following Consent Agenda items, the motion was seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
- Approval of Minutes of the June 4, 2019 Regular School Committee Meeting
- Approval of Report: June 4, 2019 Facilities Subcommittee Meeting
- Approval of Report: May 28, 2019 Facilities Subcommittee Meeting
- Approval of Report: May 28, 2019 Curriculum Subcommittee Meeting
- Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Actions: Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Superintendent's Report
Rocognitions
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Superintendent Smith invited Director of Community Schools Ms. Marguerite Masson to speak on the two recipients of the 2019 Albert Baroncelli Award Winners, Mr. Thomas Kenney and Ms. Kathleen “Kat” Porzelt.
The Albert N. Baroncelli Award is given each year to a community member or group who has volunteered their time and efforts to enhancing the educational opportunities afforded to Brockton students. The Award is named for former School committee member Albert Baroncelli, a driving force behind the creation of Community Schools. Mr. Baroncelli championed before and after school activities and stressed the importance of using the schools as community centers, where parents, children and residents could learn new skills, crafts and participate in recreational sports.
Mr. Thomas Kenney and Ms. Kathleen “Kat” Porzelt were presented certificates on behalf of the School Committee.
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Superintendent Smith invited Director of Bilingual Ms. Kellie Jones to speak about the two nominees of the “Anne Dow Award Recipients for Excellence and Creativity” at the MATSOL conference, Ms. Gloria Cho and Ms. Vula Roumis.
Ms. Gloria Cho and Ms. Vula Roumis have worked tirelessly together as one to ensure that the Manthala George School of Global Studies provides a world class education that prepares students for the multilingual and multicultural demands of the 21st century.
Ms. Gloria Cho and Ms. Vula Roumis were presented certificates on behalf of the School Committee.
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Superintendent Smith invited 2019 Brockton High School Graduate Anthony Wright to read his senior speech he wrote. Although his speech wasn’t chosen as the keynote speaker his mother Mrs. Wright didn’t want his speech to go unread and forwarded it to the Superintendent to share with School Committee members.
Anthony was presented a certificate on behalf of the School Committee and Mrs. Wright was presented with a dozen of red roses.
Advocacy & Budget Update
Superintendent Smith spoke about the lawsuit that was filed by the MTA and a number of organizations, and is in support that this is out there, we must understand that one of the groups we’re working with is making sure that the Legislators have their opportunity to get through their session which is looking at school funding. We have an invitation to our Legislators on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 to have discussion looking at the senate version of their budget, looking at the house version, the governors’ version and looking at what best supports the Brockton Public Schools.
Unfinished Business
None.
Items to Refer to Subcommittee
Mr. Minichiello mentioned a Superintendent’s Subcommittee meeting will meet on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 5:30 p.m., to discuss the proposed Interim Superintendent’s contract.
New Business
Superintendent Smith discussed the Manthala George, Jr. School Global Studies turnaround plan where Principal Natalie Pohl and her team presented to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education a few weeks ago of their plan. We received notification from Governor Baker and the teams at the Department Elementary and Secondary Education that we received a three-year award for the turnaround efforts. She thanked Principal Natalie Pohl and her team for their hard work to implement a plan to support our students.
Superintendent Smith mentioned that our School Committee approved the Kindergarten students at the Manthala George, Jr. School will begin on September 9, 2019. This will allow additional days for screening at the end of June 2020.
Mr. Minichiello discussed Ward 2 School Committee member Ms. Lisa Plant is relocating from the city as of July 1, 2019. Mr. Minichiello expressed this is going to be a great loss for the city and her Ward, Ms. Plant will be missed.
Mr. Minichiello mentioned filling a Ward members seat requires steps. There is a city ordinance when a seat needs to be filled, a joint session must take place with the School Committee and City Council. The Mayor acts as the Secretary and runs the meeting.
Mr. Minichiello spoke with Mayor Carpenter and Clerk Anthony Zeoli in terms of the procedures Ms. Plant had a discussion with former Ward 2 School Committee member Mr. Richard Bath and City Council Ward 2 Mr. Thomas Monahan. Mr. Bath lives in Ward 2 and is willing to fill the role for six months only and pledges not to run for the School Committee Ward 2 seat. Mayor Carpenter agrees for Mr. Bath to fill Ward 2 for the sixth month period. Mr. Bath has agreed to begin once the joint session meeting is scheduled and an actual vote and ratification is done by the City Council and School Committee.
Ms. Plant had a conversation with Mayor Carpenter, Mr. Monahan and Richard Bath informing them of her move and wanting to make sure that Ward 2 would be represented well upon her departure.
Ms. Plant made a recommendation for the joint session to consider Mr. Richard Bath to serve the remainder of Ward 2 School Committee member six months seat with the stipulation that he would not run in the coming election for Ward 2 School Committee member, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
Voted: to approve the recommendation, unanimous.
Superintendent Smith and School Committee members thanked Ms. Plant for her time serving as a School Committee member, her dedication, time, commitment and always having the best interest of the children.
Mr. Bath was invited to the podium where he gave a brief history of himself and the commitment and dedication that he will provide while filing in for the six months. He expressed that he has no plan to run for the School Committee Ward 2 seat School Committee Members presented Ms. Plant with a plaque along with a dozen of red roses thanking her for her years of service as Ward 2 School Committee member.
District Happenings (PowerPoint)
- Davis K-8 Community School / Day at the Davis – “Showcase Day”
- Brockton High School Senior Book Award
- 2019 Senior Award Winners at Brockton High School
- Student Recognition Night – Senior Student Jordan Williams
- Kennedy Commemoration Day
- Dr. William H. Arnone School - Mural
- Ladies Tea Time at West Middle School
- Red House Freshman Mia Dansby, Finishing 10th at the New Balance Nationals in North Carolina
- The latest group of guards have earned their certification from Community Schools
- Kids Gilmore Running Club Reaches 501 Team Training Miles
- Brockton High School – Biotechnology Expo
- Red and Gold Apple Awards Ceremony
Superintendent Smith thanked our Administrative Interns for a job well done. They presented their projects to the Executive Team gave support throughout the district.
Superintendent Smith thanked our Executive Team, Deputy Superintendent Michael P. Thomas, Chief Finance Officer Aldo Petronio, Chief Academic Officer June Saba- Maguire, Chief Officer of Student Support Services Sharon Wolder, Director of Communications Michele Bolton, Executive Director of Human Resources Dr. Kathleen Moran, Executive Director of Assessment, Accountability, Technology & Student Data Research Dr. Ethan Cancell for their hard work and dedication throughout the district.
Superintendent Smith presented each School Committee member with a Gold Apple and presented Cheryl Schuler and Michael Simmons with a Red Apple.
School Committee members thanked Superintendent Smith for her dedication, hard work and commitment to the Brockton Public Schools.
School Committee members presented Superintendent Smith with a plaque a dozen red roses and a cake to thank her for 42 years of service to the Brockton Public Schools.
Seeing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Smith, JD
Superintendent/Secretary
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