Brockton, Massachusetts           Brockton School Committee Meeting         February 7, 2023

(Amended)

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.

Present

Chair, Robert F. Sullivan, Mayor, Ms. Asack, Ms. Ehlers, Mr. Rodrigues, Ms. Sullivan,

Mr. Sullivan, Superintendent Thomas

Absent

Mr. Homer, Ms. Rivas Mendes

Also Present

Cabinet Members, Ms. Kim Gibson, BEA President

Mayor Sullivan, Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05P, 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, Chair then took a roll-call vote to establish a quorum.

Ms. Sullivan (Here)                  Ms. Ehlers (Here)                      Mr. Rodrigues (Here)

Ms. Asack (Here)                      Mr. T. Sullivan (Here)              Mr. R. Sullivan (Here)

Mr. Homer (Absent)                  Ms. Rivas Mendes (Absent)

Mayor Sullivan introduced the newest team member from his office, Ms. Suzanne McCormack, PR/Communications Associate.

Mayor Sullivan spoke in reference to the 10-alarm fire that occurred today at Brockton Hospital Signature Healthcare and the transporting of 165 patients to various hospitals in the New England area.  Mayor Sullivan thanked the following:  Governor Maura Healey, Senator Markey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Senator Edward Markey, Chief Brian F. Nardelli, BEMA, MEMA, Brockton and various Fire Apparatus, State Police, Brockton Police and various Ambulance Apparatus.

Mayor Sullivan congratulated Ms. Rivas Mendes on the birth of her child and wishes her all the happiness and health. (applause) 

Mayor Sullivan mentioned Mr. Homer is unable to attend tonight’s meeting as he is out of the commonwealth on a work-related trip.

Hearing of Visitors

None

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.

          Ms. Sullivan made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Ms. Asack.

Voted: to approve the motion, unanimously.

Superintendent’s Report

Teaching & Learning

Superintendent Thomas introduced Abigail Bertocchi.

Student Rep Report

Abby, using PowerPoint, reported on High School activities including the Fine Arts FebFest, BHS harmonics who won 2nd place in the Central Massachusetts Choir Competition, the Scholastic Art Awards, 17 students won 4 gold keys, 9 silver keys, and 6 honorable mentions, 8 students were chosen for Umass Dartmouth’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, Emerging Young Artists 2023 Juried Exhibition,  Awareness Announcements, celebrating Black History month, Peer Mediation gave daily announcements teaching about the program, School Council week where guidance counselors are celebrated for their help with student success at BHS, Teacher Appreciation Games, hosted by the girls and boys basketball teams, State Coaches Invite, two students from the boy’s track qualified for the New Balance Nationals, Boy’s Track Freshman and Sophomores won the team championship and varsity won 6th with many of the season’s best performances.  

Presentation/Vote BPS ADF Wellness

Superintendent Thomas introduced Mr. Dennis Geniuch.

Dennis Geniuch, Director of Health & Wellness, K-12 discussed the ADF Wellness Policy requirement by DESE, this policy must be revisited and updated every three years to maintain compliance.  He mentioned districts were specifically asked to report on Food Service Operation and the Nutrition Environment, Physical Activity and Physical Education and update from our Nursing Services.

Dennis thanked the following for their support in the completion update of this Wellness Policy; Tom Burke, District Manager of Chartwells, Ms. Shayna Shields, Resident Dietitian, Ms. Stephanie DeLaBruere, UMass Extension Nutrition, Mr. Nick Lee, BPS Director of Physical Education K-12, Mr. Kevin Karo, BPS Athletic Director, Dr. Linda Cahill, BPS Director of Nurses, Ms. Nicole Good, DESE School Wellness Specialist, Ms. Dana Marchant, BHS Parent, K-12 Health and Wellness staff and Ms. Donna Migdal, Executive Assistant/Office of the Superintendent.

          Mr. Sullivan made a motion to accept the Wellness Policy ADF as presented, seconded  

         by Ms. Ehlers.

Voted: to approve the motion, unanimously.

New DESE MOU

Superintendent Thomas discussed the New DESE MOU between the Brockton Public Schools and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondar Education (DESE) provides that BPS and DESE will review and update the MOU agreement, as needed, prior to November 1, 2023, all other terms of the MOU, as amended shall remain in effect.

Superintendent Thomas thanked DESE for their support and time spent with us, he also thanked Ms. Susan Berglund who recently retired who was with the district as a liaison for many years and supportive and looks forward to working with the new leadership as we move forward.  

Mr. Sullivan made a motion to allow the execution of the agreement from the Superintendent of schools in his capacity, seconded by Ms. Sullivan.

Voted: to approve the motion, unanimously.

Proficiency Commitment Leadership Teams

Superintendent Thomas invited Ms. Sharon Wolder, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning to discuss the new Proficiency Commitment Leadership Teams that exists in every school and explain what they are and the work they’re doing working towards our 90% proficiency goal in ELA and Math for our students within the next five years.

Ms. Wolder presented a power point giving a brief overview to the work connected to the Department of Education (DESE) partnership and funding provided to the district.

·       DESE Targeted Assistance Grant

Ø  Purpose – To support the implementation of district priorities, with specific attention paid to schools that need differentiated assistance.

·       Purpose of the PCLTs

Ø  To monitor and support efforts to move schools toward achieving proficiency for all students

Ø  To analyze the levels of equity that exists in their schools/department/district

Ø  To determine the data they need to evaluate their equity status and needs

·       Proficiency begins with Relationships

Ø  BPS Focus Areas

1.     Effective Instruction (Higher Order Thinking Questions)

2.     Active Reading and Writing

3.     Positive Relationships

Sharon concluded it is the right work and people are committed to it and we will continue to make great changes for our students.

   Questions/Answers/Comments

   There were none.

First Read of the BPS 2023-2024 District Calendar

Superintendent Thomas discussed the BPS District Calendar 2023-2024 First Read.  This calendar shows the start date of the starting date of school, the ending date of school, the legal holidays recognized and school vacations.

Items to Refer to Subcommittee

None

Unfinished Business

Appointment of Subcommittee Assignments

Ms. Asack requested to postpone this line item to the next School Committee due to the absence of two members.

Ms. Asack made a motion to move the Discussion and Potential vote: Appointments of Subcommittees for the 2023 Calendar Year to the Regular School Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, properly seconded by Mr. Rodrigues.

Mayor Sullivan opened a Roll Call vote:

The motion is lost.

Mayor Sullivan requested a two-minute recess at 8:00 p.m.

Mayor Sullivan called the Brockton School Committee back into order at 8:02 p.m.

Ms. Sullivan made a motion to accept the 2023 Subcommittee Appointments as presented, seconded by Mr. T. Sullivan.

Mayor Sullivan opened a Roll Call vote:

The motion is lost.

Ms. Asack made a motion to continue for discussion on the March 7^th meeting, the Discussion and Potential vote: Appointments of Subcommittees for the 2023 Calendar Year, properly seconded by Mr. Rodrigues.

Mayor Sullivan opened a Roll Call vote:

New Business

The motion passed.

Security, Safety, Transportation Subcommittee

Ms. Asack gave a verbal report of the Security, Safety, Transportation Subcommittee meeting

held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.   

Ms. Asack motioned to approve Brockton Public Schools Human Resources Department in conjunction with the Brockton Public Schools Police leadership to approve a written police exam for new applicants, seconded by Mr. Rodrigues.

The motion passed, unanimously.

Certified Negotiations Bargaining Member Disclosure

Mayor Sullivan discussed a disclosure by Superintendent Thomas requesting a vote from the committee that allows him to participate in the collective bargaining with the BEA.  In this disclosure is a line item that is checked off that an immediate family member has a financial interest in this matter.  It is necessary for him to disclose that to us and for the committee to take a vote whether to allow him to participate in those negotiations.

Superintendent Thomas mentioned this must be done legally, his wife, Patricia Pica-Thomas has worked in the Brockton Public School for over 25 years is a member of the BEA.

Ms. Sullivan  motioned to approve Superintendent Thomas request to remain on the Brockton Public Schools certified negotiations bargaining team, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.

The motion passed unanimously.

Closing Statements &

Adjournment

Ms. Sullivan made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Asack.

Voted: to approve the motion, by majority

Meeting adjourned at 8:15p.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael P. Thomas

Secretary

mdc

Enclosure(s): Student Rep (PPT), PCLT District Meeting (PPT)