Brockton, Massachusetts Regular School CommitteMeeting
December 20, 2022
The Regular Meeting of the Brockton School Committee was held this evening in the George M. Romm Little Theatre at Brockton High School, at six o'clock. These minutes contain a summary of the meeting and list items that were under discussion.
Present: Mayor Sullivan; Chair, Ms. Asack; Vice-Chair, Ms. Ehlers, Ms. Rivas Mendes, Mr. Rodrigues, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan
Also Present: Superintendent Thomas, Cabinet Members
Absent: Mr. Homer
Mayor Sullivan, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., that was followed by a salute to the flag.
Mayor Sullivan read the following information into the minutes.
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, Chair took a roll call to establish a quorum.
|
Ms. Sullivan – Here Ms. Rivas Mendes – Here |
Mr. Homer – Absent Mr. Rodrigues – Here |
Ms. Ehlers – Here Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair – Here |
|
|
Mr. T. Sullivan – Here |
|
Mayor Sullivan – Here |
|
Hearing of Visitors There were no hearing of visitors.
Mayor Sullivan introduced the newest team member from his office, Ms. Kamiya Parkin, Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Associate.
Consent Agenda Mayor Sullivan explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda, read the items aloud and asked members for any requests to remove items for further discussion. No items were removed for discussion.
Mr. Sullivan made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Ms. Ehlers.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimously
Superintendent’s Teaching & Learning
Report Superintendent Thomas introduced student representative Jahir Castillo a senior at Brockton High School to
give a report on happenings.
Student Report (Jahir Castillo) (PowerPoint)
Student Jahir Castillo gave a report on happenings at Brockton High School:
Ø School Committee members visited the Law and Debate Club to speak with students regarding policy
making process.
Ø The Senior Executive Committee held a Senior Movie Night watching “Elf”.
Ø The Fine Arts Cafeteria is open on Fridays, all are welcome to come and show their support.
Ø Kudos to the drama club on their play production “Murder Inn”.
Ø Congratulations to the following students that were awarded a full scholarship:
Henoch Castillo to Boston College and Aminata Konneh to Stanford University
Ø The Boys and Girls Basketball games on their recent wins
Ø Congratulations to the John and Abigail Scholarship recipients
Superintendent Thomas thanked Jahir for his presentation.
EDI Conference Update & Student Equity Councils (PowerPoint)
Superintendent Thomas invited Ms. Renee Heywood, Assistant Superintendent of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion to introduce Mr. Darnell Williams, Senior Administrator of Professional Growth & School Culture he gave an update from the EDI Conference on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
Student Equity Councils (SECs)
A new initiative that is set to begin at West Middle School and North Middle School. In 2020, BPS received an Equitable Design for Restart and Recovery grant from the NoVo Foundation to develop a deep understanding of the challenges facing our community resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
What is a Student Equity Council?
Ø A Student Equity Council (SEC) is a student-led and equity-focused group working in collaboration
with the faculty, staff, and administrators on school/districtwide projects, programs, and policies that
impact school climate, classroom culture, and student proficiency goals.
Ø The mission of the SEC is to represent the voices of the student body and advocate for school practices
that consistently promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Ø The SEC will consist of students with different cultural backgrounds, academic and behavioral
experiences, and age/grade levels to represent a diverse student group at the school. SEC will include a
host of school-based caring adults to serve SEC members, in an advisory capacity and united in the
mission to build a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and “just” school community.
ACT Conference, Tuesday, November 8, 2022
This was an In-Person Workshop that was all organized based on the BPS 3 Focus Areas and Proficiency Commitment. There were a total of 60 workshops, 32 external workshop facilitators, 28 internal workshop facilitators, Community Allies and Pop-up Restaurants.
BPS Staff were actively engaged in the professional learning experience. At the end of the conference Student Ambassadors participated in the Town Hall Meeting where a series of questions and answers were asked relating to their school experiences. Approximately 1,400 staff responded to a survey of questions pertaining to the conference with a 60% response rate.
Brockton Student Ambassadors Matteo Rasher (BHS/Junior) and Jahir Castillo (BHS/Senior) spoke to the committee and answered a reflective prompt question sharing their own experiences.
Ms. Heywood thanked the committee for giving the opportunity to share and provide an update on the EDI Conference.
Mayor Sullivan and Superintendent Thomas thanked everyone for this presentation.
Items to Refer to None
Subcommittee
Unfinished Business Superintendent Thomas reminded all the MSBA Board meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday, December 21,
2022 at 10:00 a.m., via zoom where they will vote on the Statement of Interest (SOI) for Brockton High
School.
New Business Ms. Asack gave a verbal report of the Public Building Naming Subcommittee meeting held earlier this
evening, Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 5:45 p.m.
Mr. Sullivan motioned the naming of Champion High School the “Robert C. Jones Building”,
seconded by Ms. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Sullivan gave a verbal report from the Bid Review Subcommittee meeting held on Tuesday,
December 13, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Ms. Ehlers motioned to accept the verbal report of the Bid Review Subcommittee as presented,
seconded by Mr. Rodrigues.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Sullivan thanked Superintendent Thomas, Mr. John Snelgrove, Coordinator of School Adjustment Counseling and Psychology, Ms. Julie Caldwell, Administrative Assistant to John Snelgrove and everyone that helped at Lombardo’s during the Holiday Champion Dinner, over 1,500 toys were given to Brockton Public School children.
Ms. Asack thanked all the volunteers in organizing the 1,200+ coats donated from Cradle to Crayons to Brockton Public School children.
Mayor Sullivan wished everyone that celebrates the following Holidays: Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanza,
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to everyone here and those watching and everybody that lives and works in the City of Brockton.
Seeing no further business, Mayor Sullivan asked for a motion to adjourn.
Ms. Asack motioned to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
Michael P. Thomas
Superintendent/Secretary
PowerPoints: Student Representative Report, EDI Conference Update
Handout: EDI Conference Booklet
mdc