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 Carpenter, Chair; Mr. Minichiello, Vice-Chair; Ms. Asack, Mr. Gormley, Ms. Plant, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan, Superintendent Smith
Absent: Mr. D’Agostino
Also Present: Executive Team Members, Principal Marybeth O’Brien
Mayor Carpenter called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m., followed by a salute to the flag.
Hearing of Visitors
BEA President Kim Gibson wanted to thank the following: Superintendent Smith, Mr. Minichiello, Mr. Thomas, Dr. Moran, Ms. Plant, Ms. Sullivan and Attorney Bresnahan for working together over the past year and was pleased to have the BEA contract ratified on April 9, 2019. On May 16th there is a rally in Boston for advocacy for better funding for our schools to anyone that would like to attend.
Lea Serena shared concerns about parent engagement.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Carpenter explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda and asked members for requests to remove items for further discussion.
Mr. Minichiello moved the Superintendent's recommendation to approve the following Consent Agenda items, the motion was seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
- Approval of April 9, 2019 Regular School Committee Meeting Minutes
- Acceptance of Report: April 9, 2019 Finance Subcommittee Meeting
- Acceptance of Report: April 23, 2019 Finance Subcommittee Meeting
- Acceptance of Report: April 30, 2019 Finance Subcommittee Meeting
- Authorization to Submit a 2019 Innovation Award Application for Social-Emotional Learning for Bilingual Student to the NoVo Foundation -$25,000
- Approval of Out-of-State Field Trip: Ashfield Middle School, Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH
- Approval of Out-of-State Field Trip: West Middle School, Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH
- 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.
Superintendent's Report
Recognitions
Superintendent Smith introduced Jomickle Garcia-Padilla, a grade 6 student at the Joseph Plouffe Academy and his mother Ms. Padilla to speak about quick thinking actions when a classmate was choking, and he performed the Heimlich Maneuver. Jomickle share with Superintendent Smith that he wants to be a Firefighter when he grows up. Jomickle was presented with a certificate on behalf of the School Committee.
Superintendent Smith introduced Jenelle White Blount, an Administrative Assistant in the Facilities department who was recently awarded the Humanitarianism Award by the Lions International, along with the Brockton Lions Club. Jenelle shared that the Lions Club assists in helping people in the community that are in need eye glasses, hearing aids, feeding the homeless, hygiene, backpacks along with many other supplies. The Lions Club will have a fundraiser Wednesday, May 29th at Texas Roadhouse from 4pm to 10pm 10% of the proceeds will go to the Lions club. Jenelle was presented with a certificate on behalf of the School Committee.
Introduction of 2019 Administrative Interns
Superintendent Smith introduced the 2019 Interns: Jennifer Colburn, Soraya Presume Calixte, Jeronimo Fernandes, Eoghian Hamilton, Jennifer Mills, Julie Morgan, Joanne Nelson and Dorine Pinkham. The Superintendent and school committee welcomed the interns.
The Grow Hope Organization Presentation
Gilmore School Principal Marybeth O’Brien, Sesay Thomas Johnson Founder and Executive Director of GrowHope Foundation and Shamus Clifford, Coding Instructor/BHS Teacher presented a powerpoint about the Grow Hope Organization. July 15, 2019 is a golf tournament sponsored by GrowHope Foundation proceeds will go to benefit students in the district. School Committee members thanked Sesay for the great work that is being done for the Brockton Public school and its students.
Curriculum Update
Superintendent Smith updated the school committee, April 30th the George school submitted a turnaround plan for a grant with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education along with our Teaching and Learning team. Principal Natalie Pohl will come to the next school committee meeting to address the turnaround plan and global studies school.
Barr Foundation Grant
Chief Academic Officer Sharon Wolder spoke about the Barr Foundation Grant – Innovation Pathway program. The Barr Foundation has invited proposals to Cohort 3 of its Engage New England: Doing High School Differently Program. It is their major initiative focused on investing in new school models intentionally designed for students who are off track to graduate, one of New England’s most underserved student populations. This initiative is part of Barr’s Education Program strategy that focuses on nurturing the development and expansion of secondary school models that prepare all students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in life. We are a finalist and we will know if we receive the grant of $150,000 at the end of June. If we are approved work will begin in July which will consist of training staff for this grant.
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has recently been awarded federal grant funding to implement violence prevention and mental health training programs over the next few years in school districts across Massachusetts in partnership with Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to violence prevention education and has trained millions of students and adults across the country.
Through this initiative, schools that participate will:
- Receive training in Start With Hello, an evidence-based prevention program that trains and empowers Middle and High School students on how to recognize social isolation within their classroom and school, reach out and help.
- Receive training in Say Something, an evidence-based prevention program that trains and empowers Middle and High School students on how to look for and recognize warning signs and threats – especially on social media, act and tell a trusted adult.
- Receive training in Signs of Suicide, an evidence-based youth suicide prevention program that teaches Middle and High school students to recognize the symptoms of depression and suicide and to tell a trusted adult if they observe signs/symptoms in a peer or themselves.
Advocacy Update
Superintendent Smith and Chief Budget Officer Aldo Petronio traveled to Lowell, MA on April 22nd to present a “Tale of More cities” there were approximately 150 community members in attendance. We will continue to advocate and build partnerships.
Budget Update
Superintendent Smith spoke about the Finance Subcommittee meeting held earlier and asked Mr. Minichiello Chair to present the recommendation on the Net and Non-Net School spending for FY20. A vote was taken to forward the recommendation FY20 budget request of $173,319,870 in Net School spending, and $12,478,498 in Non-Net spending to the Mayor for consideration in his budget preparation for FY20.
Mr. Minichiello moved the recommendation for the FY20 budget request of $173,319,870 in Net School spending, and $12,478,498 in Non-Net spending, the motion was seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
Summer Schedule of School Committee Meetings
School Committee discussed the proposed dates for the summer School Committee meetings.
Mr. Minichiello motioned to adopt the summer schedule of School Committee meetings on July 16th and August 20th, 2019, the motion was seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimous.
BPS Supplemental (In-service) Calendar 2019-2020, 1st Read
Enclosed was a draft version of the 2019-2020 school year calendar of in-service dates for school committee to review as the 1st read.
Items to Refer to Subcommittee
Superintendent Smith reminded School Committee members of a Policy Subcommittee meeting scheduled at the end of May. She also mentioned Finance Subcommittee meetings if we want to continue or wait until funding becomes available from the state and city budgets.
District Happenings (Powerpoint)
- 2019 Administrative Interns
- Regional Science Fair
- BPS week of service -April 22nd thru April 26th & May 3rd
- SNAP Swim Team
- Brockton High School Jazz Concert
- BHS Fine Arts Culinary Team – Taste of Metro South
- Edgar B. Davis Bulldogs – Volleyball City Champs
- Teacher Appreciation Week – May 6th thru May 10th
- Parent Meeting on School Safety, Security – May 15, 2019
Items to Refer to Subcommittee
Superintendent Smith reminded School Committee members of a Policy Subcommittee meeting scheduled at the end of May. She also mentioned Finance Subcommittee meetings if we want to continue or wait until funding becomes available from the state and city budgets.
New Business
Introduction of School Police Officers
Mayor Carpenter introduced five new School Police Officers. Brockton is the only School District in the state that has a fully sworn School Police Department they perform all the same duties as a Brockton Police Officer. Our new officers are: Darnell Campbell, Jr., Alicia Fernandes, Jonathan Drane, Michael Gomes and Adilson Andrade they will be overseen by Lt. Frank Vadaro.
BPS Supplemental Parent/Student Handbooks 2019-2020, 1st Read
School Committee received English draft versions of the SY2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbooks. These draft versions contain recommended edits from Murphy, Lamere & Murphy, PC, as well as input from school administration.
Mr. Gormley spoke about the Brockton Spring Track Club sign up, where there were approximately 300 athletes registered. He also thanked the Mayor for the donation of shirts to the team and thanked the high school student’s assisting. You can sign up on www.brocktontrackclub.com
Ms. Sullivan mentioned mailing of Community school summer brochures which were sent this week in student’s backpacks.
Mr. Minichiello spoke about the art show that took place prior to the school committee meeting in the Fine Arts lobby and complimented how well the students and teachers had performed.
Motion to adjourn by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Gormley
Seeing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Smith, JD
Superintendent/Secretary
mdc