The Organizational 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; Ms. Asack, Mr. D'Agostino, Mr. Gormley, Ms. Plant, Ms. Sullivan, Superintendent Smith
Absent: Mr. Minichiello, Vice-Chair; Mr. Sullivan, Student Rep. Jaila Smith
Also Present: Executive Team Members
Mayor Carpenter called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m., followed by a salute to the flag. He explained that tonight's meeting would include the election of officers and other organizational school committee business as required.
Election of Secretary
The Superintendent of Schools serves as Secretary of the School Committee.
Ms. Plant moved to recommended Superintendent Kathleen Smith to serve as Secretary of the Brockton School Committee in 2019, Ms. Asack seconded the motion.
Voted: to adopt the recommendation, unanimous.
Recognition of Outgoing Vice-Chair
Postponed due to the absence of the Vice-Chair.
Election of 2019 Vice-Chair
Mayor Carpenter announced that the election of the Vice-Chair would be held at the January 15, 2019 School Committee meeting due to the absences of two School Committee members.
Election of CSAB School Committee Members
The Bylaws of the Community School Advisory Board provide for the election of two (2) school committee members to serve on the board for a one-year term.
Ms. Plant and Ms. Sullivan were nominated.
On the nomination, the committee voted to elect Ms. Plant and Ms. Sullivan to serve on the Community School Advisory Board in 2019, unanimous.
Approval of Rules and Order of School Committee
The Rules and Orders of the School Committee are subject to annual ratification.
Ms. Sullivan moved to adopt the Rules and Orders for 2019 as presented;
Ms. Asack seconded the motion.
Voted: to adopt the Rules and Orders as presented, unanimous.
Appointment of 2019 Subcommittees
A list of the 2019 subcommittees assignment was included in this evening’s agenda book.
Ms. Sullivan moved to accept notification of the 2019 Subcommittee Assignments as presented, the motion was seconded by Mr. Gormley.
Voted: to accept notification, unanimous.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Carpenter explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda and asked members for any requests to remove items for further discussion; there were none.
Ms. Sullivan moved the Superintendent's recommendation to approve the consent agenda in its entirety, seconded by Mr. D’Agostino.
- Approval of December 4, 2018 Regular School Committee Meeting Minutes
- Acceptance of November 26, 2018 Curriculum Subcommittee Meeting Report
- Approval of Overnight, Out-of-State Field Trip: TRIO Day Talent Search
- Approval of Overnight, Out-of-State Field Trip: TRIO Upward Bound
- Approval of BHS Visual & Performing Arts Field Trip to Cranston, RI
- Authorization to Submit: DESE Gilmore Co-teaching for ELLs Grant - $300K
- Acceptance of Notification: Personnel Appointments, Certified and Non-Certified
- Acceptance of Notification of Personnel Actions: Leaves of Absence, Retirements, Resignations
Voted: to adopt the recommendation, unanimous.
Superintendent's Report
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Superintendent Smith invited Ms. Laurie Mason, Director of Special Education and Ms. Terry McIntosh, President of SEPAC, to give a report to the school committee. Ms. McIntosh reported that attendance at SEPAC monthly meetings has grown each month since the start of school; they have a Facebook page (BrocktonSEPAC) that has been helpful in getting parents to come to meetings. The special education department has also been sending out mass mailings to parents with helpful information. Ms. McIntosh shared that SEPAC meetings are held at the Brockton High School Azure Access Center from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. One of their goals is for SEPAC to give back to schools through donations from local businesses.
Ms. McIntosh asked school committee for assistance in getting a playground at the Downey School, where there is a high special needs population with a wide range of disabilities.
School committee members thanked Ms. McIntosh for her enthusiasm and expressed their support of the playground project; Mayor Carpenter spoke highly of Brockton’s SPED program and said he would like to partner with SEPAC to get a much-deserved playground at the Downey School.
Flagg Pond Restoration Proposal
The Superintendent reported that Ms. Voorhis (Science Teacher at Brockton High School) and the Envirothon Team have put together a proposal/grant for restoration to the pond at Brockton High School, she will send the information to school committee in the Friday packet.
Book Presentation
Brockton High School 2011 graduates Loic Assombo, NP (author), Michael Turner (editor) and Kimbo Henry (illustrator) created and published a book entitled “The Adventures of Noah the Nurse Practitioner”, based on Loic’s experience. Sharon Wolder, Chief of Student Support Services gave a power point presentation about the book. Loic, Michael and Kimbo have come back to the district to speak to students at several of our schools.
Administrative Appointment
The Superintendent announced that Laurie Silva, Director of Community Schools is retiring as of January 31, 2019, Marguerite Masson, Principal of Brookfield School, has been appointed as the new Director. Alison Ramsay, Principal of North Middle School will fill the position of principal at the Brookfield and remain at North. The Superintendent said she will schedule meetings at each of the schools to answer questions during this transition.
Curriculum Development Update
Superintendent Smith spoke about the December 20, 2018 meeting with a team from the Department of Elementary Secondary Education and leadership teams from the five new turnaround schools; Brookfield School, George School, West Middle School, East Middle School and the Plouffe Academy. This will be further discussed at the retreat.
Title I CACE Conferenc
Superintendent Smith reported that she attended the CACE conference. The district will be bringing Jon Saphier (author of High Expectations Teaching) to do professional development.
Advocacy Event
Superintendent Smith spoke about the upcoming advocacy event on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 6:00 p.m., where three community forums will be held across the state. Brockton will attend the event at Malden High School.
Kennedy Tea Time
Superintendent Smith is scheduled to visit the Kennedy School with Principal Rogan and a group of parents on Friday, January 4, 2019 during the day. This is a new superintendent initiative to dialog with parents.
Superintendent Smith received a book, “Pride Points” from Dr. Fred Clark, President of Bridgewater State University. The book is about the collaborations and opportunities that Bridgewater State University has to offer and is available in the Superintendent’s office. She thanked Dr. Clark for his continued partnership with Brockton Public Schools.
Superintendent Acknowledgements Across the District
- The Red Apple Award December recipients
- Dinner of Champs held at BHS
- Good Sports and YASSO Frozen Greek Yogurt donates $92K in equipment to BPS
- Keith Center Holiday Shoppe
- Amazing Educators billboards around the state
- Angelo school raises $831.00 for the National Dental benefit “Smile Train”
The Superintendent concluded her report by announcing the School Committee retreat will be held Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at West Middle School.
Seeing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Smith, JD
Secretary
mdc