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Brockton, Massachusetts Brockton School Committee Meeting May 16, 2023 |
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A meeting of the Brockton School Committee was held this evening in the George M. Romm Little Theatre of Brockton High School at seven o'clock. These minutes contain a summary of the meeting and lists items that were under discussion. |
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Present |
Ms. Joyce Asack, Ms. Kathleen Ehlers, Mr. Jared Homer, Mr. Tony Rodrigues, Mrs. Judy Sullivan, Mr. Timothy Sullivan, Mayor Robert Sullivan, Chair, Superintendent Michael Thomas, Secretary |
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Absent |
Mrs. Cynthia Rivas Mendes |
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Also Present |
Mr. Aldo Petronio, Chief Financial Officer |
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Mayor Robert F. Sullivan, School Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00p, followed by a salute to the flag. The Chair then took roll call to establish a quorum.
Mayor Sullivan read the following statement: In addition to attending, the public can view this meeting via television on Comcast Channel 98 and 107 HD Version and online via this link: www.youtube.com/thebrocktonchannels . |
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Hearing of Visitors |
Three individuals signed up to speak under Hearing of Visitors. 1. Jim Stapleton spoke on an over 21 Gala that will take place on June 10th, 7p, at Ann’s Place to raise funds for field trips and scholarships at South Middle Schools. 2. BEA President Kimberly Gibson spoke on the number of Reduction in Force jobs that her Unit has suffered as a result of the budget deficit. She stated Brockton’s Low Income ratio, as calculated by the State, was 79.59% resulting in a 6.4 million dollar reduction in funding. As she supports her teachers, she asks that they, and all community members, contact their State Reps and Senators in effort to establish an equitable “Pot Hole Fund” that will capture the many students that move into the city after the October 1 reporting deadline. 3. Teacher Michelle Boncek spoke on her relocation from BHS to Brockton Virtual Learning Academy, stressing how the loss of Schoology will impact curriculum. |
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Consent Agenda |
Following the Mayor’s reading of the Agenda Items, Mr. T. Sullivan made a motion to approve Consent Agenda items A, B, C and D. The motion was properly seconded by Ms. Asack. The motion passed. |
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Superintendent’s Report |
Teaching & Learning Superintendent Thomas welcomed student representative Abigail Bertocchi, graduating Senior, for her last meeting. She took this opportunity to introduce a team of student reps for next school year. They are Anthony Veiga and his alternates Olivia Repuya, Giana Lamarre and Arian DuBuisson. Student Rep Report Anthony, using PowerPoint, reported on High School activities including the 37th Annual Art Show, the Wind Ensemble’s 1st place win at the WorldStrides Heritage Festival in Philadelphia and the Chorus competition at the NAfME conference in Rochester, the Drama Club’s presentation of “Mamma Mia”, the March Gladness basketball tournament, the Junior Prom at Lombardo’s and students who have committed acceptances at Stanford, Harvard, UPenn and USC. Graduation Information Superintendent Thomas announced the upcoming graduation dates, times and locations, all of which are available on the website. They are: · June 2, 2023 5:30p BVLA, Champion and Huntington at the BHS Auditorium · June 3, 2023 11:00a Brockton High School in the Marciano Stadium · July 13, 2023 5:30p Edison Academy in the Marciano Stadium He also mentioned that should families need more than the allotted ticket number they should contact the school principal. Yondr Cell Phone Site Visit Mr. Thomas spoke about a recent visit to Springfield Public Schools, with several School Committee members and BHS staff, made in order to obtain information regarding their pilot program with the Yondr Cell Pouch system and their district-wide Uniform Dress Code policy. Three Brockton schools currently have a student uniform policy. Both the Yondr and Uniform Dress Code discussions will be forthcoming. He will schedule a Parent Forum and/or a Policy Subcommittee Zoom Meeting with Springfield to showcase the program. Vice-chair Ehlers stated that she was very impressed with the success, a 65% increase in academic achievement, since implementing the Yondr Cell Phone lock-up of cell phones. The Superintendent added that the students they viewed in cafeterias and classrooms were much more socially engaged with the removal of devices. FY24 Budget Update Echoing the BEA President, Superintendent Thomas spoke about how disheartened he was at having to serve 170 RIF notices. He stated that, “Although on paper we are overstaffed for enrollment every staff member is important to the needs of students and all of these good people will be missed. Loosing the 6.4 million was devastating for the budget.” Vice-chair Ehlers spoke, saying, “I would like to entertain a motion to approve this FY24 NET School Spending budget request of $219,868,010 as proposed by the Finance Committee of the School Committee and recommend that the Mayor consider this funding request in his preparation of the City of Brockton FY24 Mayor’s Recommended City Budget, further, I would also like to entertain a motion to approve this FY24 Non-Net School Spending budget request of $14,778,712 as proposed by the Finance Committee of the School Committee and recommend that the Mayor consider this funding request in his preparation of the City of Brockton FY24 Mayor’s Recommended City Budget.” The motion was properly seconded by Mr. T. Sullivan. The motion passed. |
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Items to Refer to Subcommittee |
The Superintendent requested that subcommittee chairs work with Ms. Campbell to arrange the following meetings: Policy Subcommittee to discuss Cell Phone and District-wide Dress Code policies Policy Manual Subcommittee (J. Asack) |
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Unfinished Business |
Bid Review Subcommittee Ms. Ehlers made a motion to move Mr. Homer to chair the Facilities Usage and Planning Subcommittee and to move herself to chair the Bid Review Subcommittee. The motion was properly seconded by Ms. Asack. The motion passed unanimously. Vice-chair Ehlers made a motion (on School Choice) that, as last year, the School Committee voted to continue the following program: up to fifty (50) seats will be available for inter-district students at Brockton High School, up to ten (10) students in the Edison Academy and up to six (6) eighth grade students. The motion was properly seconded by Mrs. Sullivan. The motion passed unanimously.
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New Business |
None |
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Closing Statements & Adjournment |
Ms. Asack spoke on the “amazing” production of “Mamma Mia.” Acting, make-up, set design, music, etc. and the upcoming Senior Prom. The Mayor spoke on the cameo appearance of Vinnie Macrina in the production. Mr. Rodrigues mentioned the Empower Yourself Program will be hosting NASA astronauts on Saturday (5/20) from 10a-3p in the Azure Cafeteria. Mr. Homer spoke about the upcoming Pops Concert, May 24, and recognized the countless hours that teachers and students put into this production. Mayor Sullivan spoke on how he supports BEA President Gibson and how he and Superintendent Thomas have spoken with Senator Brady and reps Cassidy, Mendes and DuBois and will invite Ms. Gibson to a further conversation with them in hopes to get necessary funding. Ms. Sullivan made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Homer. Voted: to approve the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:59p. |
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Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas Secretary
mdc
Enclosure: Student Rep (PPT) |