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Brockton, Massachusetts Brockton School Committee Meeting April 4, 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 |
Chair, Robert F. Sullivan, Mayor, Ms. Asack, Ms. Ehlers, Mr. Homer, Ms. Rivas Mendes, Mr. Rodrigues, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. T. Sullivan, Superintendent Michael Thomas, Secretary |
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Absent |
None |
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Also Present |
Cabinet Members, Ms. Kim Gibson, BEA President |
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Mayor Sullivan called the meeting to order at 7:07P, followed by a salute to the flag. Mayor Sullivan read the following information into the record. In addition to attending the public can view this meeting via television on Comcast channel 98 and /1071HD Version, and online via this link: www.youtube.com/TheBrocktonChannels Mayor Sullivan then took a roll-call to establish a quorum. Ms. Sullivan (Here) Mr. Homer (Here) Ms. Ehlers (Here) Ms. Rivas Mendes (Here) Mr. Rodrigues (Here) Ms. Asack (Here) Mr. T. Sullivan (Here) Mr. R. Sullivan (Here) |
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Hearing of Visitors |
No Visitors |
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Consent Agenda |
Following the Mayor’s reading of the Agenda Items (see below), Mr. T. Sullivan made a motion to approve Consent Agenda items A, B, C, and D as written, collectively. The motion was properly seconded by Ms. Sullivan. The motion passed, unanimously. A. Approval of Minutes: Superintendent’s Contract Subcommittee Meeting, March 21, 2023 B. Approval of Minutes: Finance Subcommittee Meeting, March 21, 2023 C. Requests for Authorization to Submit Proposal and Expenditure of Funds: · FY23 Increase in Funding for the DESE Early College Incubator Grant - $95,385 D. Acceptance of Human Resources Notifications Appointments: Certified Personnel Appointments: Non-Certified Personnel Actions: Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements |
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Superintendent’s Report |
Teaching & Learning Student Rep Report Superintendent Thomas informed the committee that our Student Representative Abigail Bertocchi is unable to attend tonight’s meeting.
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Early College and Dual Enrollment Update (Dr. Shawn Boone)
Superintendent Thomas introduced Dr. Shawn Boone, Early College Development Manager, to give an update on Early College and Dual Enrollment.
Dr. Boone presented a brief power point explaining the difference between Early College and Dual Enrollment. Dual Enrollment is when a student takes a college course either by themselves or with a high school cohort and earns less than 12 credits and Early College is when a student takes a college course with a high school cohort and earns twelve credits or more. Brockton Public Schools is a current pathway district for Early College, this semester we piloted with 2 higher education institutions and in August this year we will submit part A of our early college designation application with Massasoit Community College and the following year with Umass Dartmouth, in the fall of 2023 we will pilot courses with Bridgewater State University and Worcester State University, as we scale up our early college initiatives our vision is clear to provide students with the best diverse collegiate opportunities, increase our high school and graduation attendance and graduation rates and enhance our student academic and occupational success.
Dr. Boone also discussed the following: Six BPS2 Strategic Initiatives 1. Foster Collegiate Educational Community Partnerships Create effective partnerships with the Commonwealth and colleges including Massasoit CC and others as required 2. Create Student & Family Interest in Dual-Enrollment or Early College Develop a broad communication plan for students and parents or guardians to convey the program options and long-term benefits 3. Enhance Formative Skills & Program Readiness Enhance curriculum for every 6th-8th grade student to include critical thinking skills, written & verbal communication skills, and STEM interest 4. Assess Vocational Interests During 8th Grade Administer a vocational interest inventory to determine career paths that align with individual interests 5. Develop Effective Student Support Systems Designate onsite areas, foster internal guidance and support staff, and select external support such as Tutor.com 6. Create Post-Graduation Career& Educational Opportunities Create multiple tracks to include employability on graduation such as in Healthcare, and opportunities to transfer to a 4-year University
Dr. Boone mentioned we continue to see remarkable success in student participation, Spring 2002 shows 10 students participating and Spring 2023 shows 87 students participating. All students have access regardless of their background and have equal access to participate in the program and benefit from its advantages.
Questions/Answers School Committee members thanked Dr. Boone for his presentation and are extremely impressed with the work being done.
Ms. Ehlers asked, the Mass Transfer pathway is that part of the Mass Transfer program like the block program? Dr. Boone answered most Massachusetts state institutions do participate.
Ms. Asack asked are we capped at a certain number of student participants? Dr. Boone answered no we are not capped, we are able to add students to the program.
Ms. Rivas Mendes asked do all colleges take this credit? Dr. Boone answered all commonwealth public institutions credits are transferable, going to a private institution may not accept the credit.
Mr. Rodrigues asked what is the plan to market this program and is there a plan reaching the middle schools? Dr. Boone mentioned the plan to marketing is to advertise on the billboard by Brockton High School, our Early College website, orientations for both parents and students.
Mr. Homer asked as students begin to select their courses for next year, is there a deadline for students to register? Dr. Boone mentioned if a student is interested in registering in an early college course, they are able to enroll three to five days once the class starts. |
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MCAS Update Superintendent Thomas invited Mr. Sean Precious, Assistant Superintendent of Accountability to give an MCAS Update. Mr. Precious gave a brief overview of MCAS testing. The first window in April is our English Language Arts testing May is Mathematics, late May early June is Science. Our participation rate is strong at approximately 98 of eligible students completing all assessments and all assessments are now computer-based, we have approximately 10 students that are paper-based due to accommodations. Last week testing was with 10th graders here at Brockton High school, it was well organized by Principal Burns and her team. Testing was also done throughout the district, and we have received multiply positive reports from schools, most importantly is the impact that we are hearing from students as they are working diligently and focused. Mr. Precious thanked the Tech Services team led by Mr. Dan Vigeant, Student Assessment Support Team led by Dr. Ethan Cancell, Mr. Kevin Daponte, Ms. Tracy Lopes and multiple staff members across Teaching and Learning, Student Support services, Bilingual Department, testing Coordinators, Teachers, Proctors, our Students and Families.
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MSBA Update
Superintendent Thomas invited Dr. Cobbs, Assistant Superintendent of Operations to give an update on the MSBA and application process for Brockton High School. Superintendent Thomas also gave a timeline of important dates for this application process and will include the official notification from the MSBA in Friday packet to the school committee members.
Dr. Cobbs confirmed the process as mentioned by Superintendent Thomas. Dr. Cobbs confirmed the completion of the draft building school committee and will send a copy to the committee members for review and to make edits for approval before the May 1st deadline.
Questions/Answers Ms. Ehlers asked if the MSBA tell us who we should use to do the feasibility study, or do we get to pick? Superintendent Thomas mentioned we are able to interview up to three that is on their list and DCAM certified.
Mr. Rodrigues asked Mayor Sullivan are able to submit the feasibility price to Plymouth County? Mayor Sullivan mentioned we are not able to do so, it does not meet the standards.
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FY2024 Budget Update
Superintendent Thomas invited Mr. Aldo Petronio, Chief Financial Officer to give an update on the FY2024 Budget presented earlier this evening during the Finance Subcommittee meeting.
Mr. Aldo Petronio, Chief Financial Officer mentioned we received the governor’s budget late this year and anticipate receiving the house budget later this year. In the current proposal by the governor, we will receive additional Student Opportunity Act money, and explained although our budget is larger, we will no longer receive Federal Esser money. We are waiting to see what the governors issued supplemental budget will look like as outside placement costs continue to increase. The governor issued a supplemental budget and hopefully hold us harmless by giving us additional funds towards it, we should receive information within the next few days and be able to begin to build our budget. Our student enrollment continues to decline, and enrollment is down this year by 356 students that equals to approximately seven million dollars, which means we will need to realign our staffing to our student enrollment.
Mr. Petronio mentioned once we receive our budget, he will compile a budget and bring a detailed proposal to the school committee to begin reviewing line by line, page by page to see what our plans are for next year.
Mayor Sullivan mentioned that Council President Susan Nicastro has indicated that the budget will be June 13th – 15th and a placeholder on June 16th, information for the school department was not available but the mayor will work with the president to get the information. |
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Items to Refer to Subcommittee |
Superintendent Thomas recommends a Facilities Subcommittee meeting regarding current leases. |
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Unfinished Business |
Mayor Sullivan read the following statement into the record:
Discussion and potential vote(s) pursuant to School Committee Policy BGB (Policy Adoption), to address proposed amendments to School Committee Policies BDE (Subcommittees of the School Committee), BEDC (Quorum) and DHA (Contracts/Signing Authority), along with any other School Committee Policy changes necessitated thereby, which proposed amendments would modify subcommittee quorum requirements, limits on subcommittee membership, and the composition of the Bid Review Subcommittee, among other related or associated revisions.
Ms. Ehlers motioned to approve the unfinished business to refer the change in Bid Review composition and refer to the Policy Subcommittee. Seconded by Ms. Sullivan.
The motion passed, 6-yes, 2-no. |
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New Business |
Mayor Sullivan acknowledged the historic in the city of Brockton within the last 24 hours, Cape Verdean President Neves joined us here at Brockton High School for a visit. He thanked Jess Silva-Hodges, Principal Cynthia Burns, Superintendent Thomas, School Committee members, staff and all who helped make this day happen but more importantly the students. President Neves complimented the singing, JROTC and the student engagement.
Mayor Sullivan acknowledged the dedication of the Robert C. Jones building. Mr. Jones was in attendance and Mayor Sullivan thanked Superintendent Thomas who worked diligently, he also acknowledged school committee members Tony Rodrigues, Joyce Asack, Judy Sullivan, Principal Sue England, and 2 class officers who met Mr. Jones and he in return gave each student a $5,000 scholarship and is also establishing a $100,000 in an endowment for the Champion school to give scholarships.
Ms. Sullivan acknowledged Ms. Jones (daughter-in-law), a former grade one teacher at the Downey School. After the ceremony Mr. Jones and several others toured the school visiting students in the classroom, and students were able to meet in person Mr. Jones the school is named after.
Ms. Asack acknowledged the culinary program at Brockton High for an amazing job on yesterday during the visit from the Cape Verdean President.
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Adjournment
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Seeing no further business, Mayor Sullivan asked for a motion to adjourn.
Ms. Sullivan motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Asack.
The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael P. Thomas Superintendent/Secretary
mdc
PowerPoint: Early College and Dual Enrollment Handout: BPS Early College Pathways |
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