abington, massachusetts august 26, 2008 regular meeting i ... · abington, massachusetts • august...

Abington, Massachusetts August 26, 2008 Regular Meeting •I. CALL OF MEETING A Regular Meeting of the School Committee was held

TO ORDER AND FLAG this evening in the Cotter Room at the Abington SALUTE Town Hall.

Present: Ms. Brenda Pignone, Chairman; Mrs. Patricia Vantine, Vice-Chairman; Mr. Russell FitzGerald, Secretary; and Mr. James West, Member. Also in attendance were Mr. Peter G. Schafer, Superintendent of Schools; Ms. Felicia Moschella, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance; Dr. Dympna Thomas, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services; and Mrs. Theresa Minnehan, Executive Secretary.

II. HEARING OF VISITORS

None.

1110 III. READING AND APPROVAL OF RECORDS

A. June 16, 2008.

VOTED:

on motion of Mr. James West (Mr. Russell FitzGerald) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to approve the minutes of June 16, 2008 as presented.

B. June 3, 2008.

VOTED:

on motion of Mr. Russell FitzGerald (Mr. James West) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to approve the minutes of June 3, 2008 as presented.

VOTED:

on motion of Mrs. Patricia Vantine (Mr. James West) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to approve the executive session minutes of June 3, 2008 as presented. •

Minutes, August 26, 2008 • .

IV. COMMUNICATIONS

A. MASC/MASS Joint Conference (November 19, 2008 — November 22, 2008) at Resort and Conference Center, Hyannis, MA.

VOTED: on motion of Mrs. Patricia Vantine (Mr. Russell FitzGerald) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to appoint Mr. West as the voting delegate and Ms. Pignone as the alternate for the 2008 MASC/MASS Joint Conference.

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

VI. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS • A. Personnel Administration - Informational

1. The Superintendent has accepted the resignation of Ms. Susan Cooper as a paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools effective June 13, 2008.

2. The Superintendent has accepted the resignation of Ms. Kerri Ann Crandall as a tutor within the Abington Public Schools effective June 13, 2008.

3. The Superintendent has accepted the resignation of Mrs. Debra Gauley as a physical education teacher within the Abington Public Schools effective immediately.

The Superintendent has accepted the resignation of Ms. Judith Lynch as a part-time paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools effective immediately.

5. The Superintendent has accepted the resignation of Ms. Caroline O'Connor as a special needs teacher within the Abington Public Schools effective immediately.

6. The Superintendent has accepted the resignation of Ms. Kerri Stanek as a guidance counselor within the Abington Public Schools effective immediately.

411117. On the recommendation of Ms. Teresa Sullivan, Principal of Abington High

School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Jodi Rome-


Avrus as a special education teacher within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

8. On the recommendation of Mrs. Amy Scolaro, Principal of the Woodsdale Elementary School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mrs. Julie Cawley as a tutor within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

9. On the recommendation of Mrs. Sharon Bellao, Principal of the Woodsdale Elementary School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Nancy Chapman as an elementary teacher within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

10. On the recommendation of Mrs. Aim Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Nancy Clancy as a full-time temporary one-year substitute special education teacher for the 2008-2009 school year.

11. On the recommendation of Mrs. Ann Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Sheryl Coate as • a tutor within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

12. On the recommendation of Mrs. Ann Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Jeanmarie Conrad as a full-time temporary one-year substitute elementary teacher for the 2008-2009 school year.

13. On the recommendation of Mrs. Ann Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Amy Convery as an elementary teacher within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

14. On the recommendations of Ms. Teresa Sullivan, Principal of Abington High School, and Mr. Jeffrey Knight, Principal of the Frolio Middle School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mr. Jeffrey Dyer as an English teacher within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

15. On the recommendation of Mrs. Ann Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mrs. Janet FitzGerald as a paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

16. On the recommendation of Mrs. Amy Scolaro, Principal of the North Elementary School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mrs. Kimberly •

• Minutes, August 26, 2008 .

Fontana as a full-time paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

17. On the recommendation of Mrs. Ann Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mrs. Lisa Furness as a paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

18. On the recommendation of Mrs. Ann Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Angela Graziano as a paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

19. On the recommendation of Mrs. Marilyn Weber, Principal of the Center Elementary School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mr. John Hayward as the head custodian effective on or about September 30, 2008.

20. On the recommendation of Ms. Teresa Sullivan, Principal of Abington High School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Monica Hynes as a mathematics teacher within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

21. On the recommendation of Mrs. Amy Scolaro, Principal of the North Elementary School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mrs. Corrine Kalaijian as an elementary teacher within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

22. On the recommendation of Dr. Dympna Thomas, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mrs. Laura Lamar as a speech and language teacher within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

23. On the recommendation of Mrs Ann Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mr. Paul A. Lombardi as the head custodian effective on or about September 30, 2008

24. On the recommendation of Ms. Sharon Bellao, Principal of the Woodsdale Elementary School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mrs. Nancy Mace as a fifteen-hour per week paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

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25. On the recommendation of Mrs. Amy Scolaro, Principal of the North Elementary School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mrs. Lisa Matthews •


as a special needs teacher within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

26. On the recommendation of Mrs. Ann Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, Principal of Abington High School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mrs. Amy McGrath as a full-time temporary one-year substitute elementary teacher for the 2008-2009 school year.

27. On the recommendation of Mrs. Ann Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Sandra Meegan as a paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

28. On the recommendation of Mr. Jeffrey Knight, Principal of the Frolio Middle School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Jill Perfetuo as a full-time temporary one-year substitute mathematics teacher for the 2008-2009 school year.

29. On the recommendation of Mr. Jeffrey Knight, Principal of the Frolio Middle School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Sharon Pigeon as a paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

30. On the recommendation of Ms. Teresa Sullivan, Principal of Abington High School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mr. Peter Serino as a history and social studies teacher within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

31. On the recommendation of Ms. Teresa Sullivan, Principal of Abington High School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mrs. Patricia Short as a long-term substitute foreign language teacher beginning on or about November 1, 2008 through on or about March 16, 2009.

32. The Superintent has appointed Mr. James Smith to the position of high school/elementary school instructional media coordinator for the 2008-2009 school year.

33. On the recommendation of Mrs. Ann Harper, Principal of the Early Childhood Center, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. E. Clare Snoonian as a full-time temporary one-year substitute school psychologist within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

34. On the recommendation of Mrs. Marilyn Weber, Principal of the Center Elementary School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment Mrs.

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• Minutes, August 26, 2008 .

Emily Sullivan as a paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

35. On the recommendation of Ms. Teresa Sullivan, Principal of Abington High School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Meaghan Walsh as a long-term substitute social studies teacher beginning on August 25, 2008.

36. On the recommendation of Ms. Sharon Bellao, Principal of the Woodsdale Elementary School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Taren Whitman as an elementary teacher within the Abington Public Schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

37. On the recommendation of Mr. Jeffrey Knight, Principal of the Frolio Middle School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mr. Edward Wilhelm as the head custodian at the Frolio Middle School effective on or about September 30, 2008.

38. On the recommendation of Dr. Dympna Thomas, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Ms. Helen Bartkow as a nurse in the 2008 grades prek-8 summer school program.

39. On the recommendation of Ms. Amy Lewis, Secondary Summer School Director, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of secondary summer school staff.

40. The Superintendent has approved the appointment of advisors for the 2008-2009 school year.

41. On the recommendation of Ms. Teresa Sullivan, Principal of Abington High School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mr. Charles Blanchette, Jr. as the marching band percussion instructor for the 2008-2009 school year.

42. The Superintendent has approved the appointment of coaches for the 2008-2009 school year.

43. On the recommendation of Ms. Teresa Sullivan, Principal of Abington High School, the Superintendent has approved the appointment of Mr. Timothy Mosolino as a volunteer football/weight room coach for the 2008-2009 school year.

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44. The Superintendent has granted Ms. Denise DeRoy, a paraprofessional within the Abington Public Schools, a parental leave of absence in accordance with Option B as stipulated in Article VI of the ESP Agreement. The leave will commence on or about August 15, 2008.

45. The Superintendent has granted Mrs. Caitlin McCarthy, a mathematics teacher within the Abington Public Schools, a parental leave of absence in accordance with Option A as stipulated in Article XXIV of the Unit A Agreement. The leave will commence on or about November 18, 2008 and continue to the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.

46. The Superintendent has granted Mrs. Danielle Riley, an elementary teacher within the Abington Public Schools, a parental leave of absence in accordance with Options A and B as stipulated in Article XXIV of the Unit A Agreement. The leave will commence on or about September 23, 2008 and continue to on or about January 5, 2009.

47. The Superintendent has granted Ms. Maureen Shores, a special education teacher within the Abington Public Schools, a parental leave of absence in accordance with Option B as stipulated in Article XXIV of the Unit A Agreement. The leave will commence on or about September 23, 2008 and continue to the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.

48. The Superintendent has granted Mrs. Kathleen Ward, a foreign language teacher within the Abington Public Schools, a parental leave of absence in accordance with Option A and B as stipulated in Article XXIV of the Unit A Agreement. The leave will commence on or about November 1, 2008 and continue to on or about March 16, 2009.

49. The Superintendent has approved the following recommendations from principals for Professional Teacher Status beginning in the 2008-2009 school year:

• Eileen Kelliher — Abington High School • Thomas Kitterick - Abington High School • Kristen Lewis — North Elementary School • Pamela Safrine — Woodsdale Elementary School

B. Other Matters

1. Back to School Report.

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• Mr. Schafer gave an overview of the activities surrounding the opening of the 2008-2009 school year. Mr. Schafer stated that due to retirements and resignations,

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Minutes, August 26, 2008 .

approximately twenty new employees have been hired. He also welcomed Mr. Matthew MacCurtain as the North Elementary School's new principal, Mr. Jeffrey Knight as the Frolio Middle School's new principal and Kevin Atkinson as the Frolio Middle School's new Assistant Principal. Mrs. Amy Scolaro has been re-assigned as the new Principal at the Woodsdale Elementary School and Ms. Felicia Moschella as the new Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance. Mr. Schafer commented on the August 21, 2008 New Teacher Orientation Day, the August 25, 2008 meetings for faculty and staff, and the reports from principals on the first day of classes for students on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 as well as the student enrollment for the first day.

2. Appointment of Mr. Peter G. Schafer as Abington's representative to the Board of Directors of Project Contemporary Competitiveness for 2008-2009.

VOTED: on motion of Mrs. Patricia Vantine (Mr. Russell FitzGerald) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to approve Mr. Peter G. Schafer to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of Project Contemporary Competitiveness for the 2008-2009 school year.

3. Status Report on the Implementation of the FY2009 School Budget Plan.

Mr. Schafer once again thanked the townspeople for their support of a level-service budget for fiscal year 2009. The school committee's final budget figure of $19,121,719.00 represents a 5.7 percent increase ($1,024,724.°°) over fiscal year 2008. He reported on materials and supplies that have been ordered for individual schools and departments.

4. Review of Proposed Warrant Articles for the FY2009 Capital Plan at the October 2008 Special Town Meeting.

Mr. Schafer reviewed with the Abington School Committee the articles for the October 27, 2008 special town meeting. The capital plan requests the installment of proscenium curtains at the Frolio Middle School ($40,000.°°); technology plan ($147,625.°°) and the installation of new windows as well as masonry work at the Woodsdale Elementary School ($1,500,000.°°).

VOTED: on motion of Mrs. Patricia Vantine (Mr. James West) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to submit the Warrant Articles as listed above at the October 2008 Special Town Meeting for the FY2009 Capital Plan as amended.

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Minutes, August 26, 2008

410.

5. Summary Data on the Class of 2008.

Mr. Schafer reported on the Class of 2008 and the summary of students' plans after graduation. Ninety percent of graduates will further their education, 63 percent will attend four-year colleges; twenty-seven percent will attend two-year colleges, technical or prep schools; nine percent will go directly to work and one percent will enter the military.

6. Request from the Abington Public Schools' Music Department for Approval of An Out-of-State Field Trip to Williamsburg, VA from March 26, 2009 through March 29, 2009.

VOTED: on motion of Mr. Russell FitzGerald (Mr. James West) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to approve the music department's request for the out-of-state field trip to Williamsburg, VA from March 26, 2009 through March 29, 2009.

• 7. Update on Response to Public Health Concern Caused by Mosquitoes Carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV).

Mr. Schafer reviewed correspondence from Michelle Roberts, Abington's Health Agent. Ms. Roberts reported that mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus; however, there are no reports of EEE in the region. She will notify the school department if there is a case of EEE and at that time would recommend the playing fields be closed from dusk to dawn.

C. Dates to Remember

1. Fri., August 29 —No School Grades 1-12 2. Mon., September 1— Labor Day — All School Offices and Buildings Closed

3. Tues., September 2 — Kindergarten Begins 4. Tues., September 2 — Greenwave Boosters' Meeting "Meet the Coaches

Night" from 7:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. @ AHS 5. Sun., September 9 — Jeff Coombs' Memorial Raod Race @ Woodsdale School

Registration @ 7:30 a.m. 6. Tues., September 9 — Music Parents' Meeting @ AHS @ 7:00 p.m. 7. Sun., September 14 — Music Parents' Craft Fair @ AHS 8. Wed., September 17 — Inservice/Early Release Day 9. Mon., September 29 — Abington Education Foundation Golf Tournament @ Ridder

Country Club @ 7:30 a.m. 10. Mon., October 27 — Special Town Meeting @ AHS @ 7:00 p.m. •

Minutes, August 26, 2008

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VII. REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEES

None.

VIII. REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES

A. Status Reports for 2008-2009 Home Education Programs.

Dr. Thomas reported that three families have submitted the appropriate materials for approval to home educate their children.

VOTED:

on motion of Mrs. Patricia Vantine (Mr. Russell FitzGerald) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to approve the recommended home education programs for the 2008-2009 school year as recommended by Dr. Thomas.

B. 2008-2009 Professional Development Proposals.

Dr. Thomas reviewed the 2008-2009 professional development calendar beginning with the Wednesday, September 17 inservice/early release day. Many of the professional development proposals for elementary teachers will be for the literacy program and the high school will be working on NEASC. Dr. Thomas indicated that the professional development council was represented by all grade levels.

Update on Response to Intervention (RTI).

Dr. Thomas reported that RTI which was introduced to the district last year and its purpose is to build support services within our buildings for all students struggling in any area.

D. Update on Special Education Programs.

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Dr. Thomas updated the members of the Abington School Committee on the 2008-2009 Special Education Programs available within the Abington Public Schools. The main focus is keeping our students in the district and to provide them the support services needed to do so. Dr. Thomas also focused on the special needs advisory council (SNAC) and the increase •


in communication through e-mails and a flyer (newsletter) sent out to parents of student with special needs. There is also a resource binder for parents in the office of pupil services.

IX. REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR BUSINESS AND FINANCE

A. Status of Early Childhood Center and Abington High School Window Projects.

Ms. Moschella reported on the window project and timeline for completion of the projects. The main entrance of the high school will be worked on during Labor Day weekend and shades will be installed in the buildings in September. The main entrance of the Early Childhood Center will be worked on during the Columbus Day weekend. All work is scheduled to be complete by Thanksgiving.

B. Status Report on Other Summer 2008 Maintenance Projects.

Ms. Moschella reported on the many projects undertaken and completed during the summer months at all schools. She thanked the many employees for their hard work and efforts, including Mr. Jason Linn, Director of Maintenance and his staff; Mr. James Smith, Supervisor of Safety, Security and Custodial Services and the head custodians and their staff. Ms. Moschella also thanked the town departments, including Kenan Connell, Highway Superintendent and his staff as well as Mr. Mark Chirokas, Park Superintendent and his staff. Under the supervision of Mr. Aaron Hyre, Director of Technology and his staff, existing mobile and stationary labs were updated, enhancement of school administrative capabilities and student record-keeping and the construction of a new infrastructure to support a new phone system were a few of the projects undertaken by the technology department.

C. Status Report on Operations of Massachusetts School Building Authority.

Ms. Moschella reported that statements of interest have been submitted on behalf of the Abington Public Schools and that the correspondence to the Massachusetts School Building Authority lists the building of a new grade 5-8 middle school is our number one school construction priority. The feasibility study is still in the planning category.

D. Acceptance of Gift/Donation of Improvements to Memorial Field Area and the Press Box.

VOTED: on motion of Mrs. Patricia Vantine (Mr. James West) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to accept the donation of improvements to the Memorial Field area and press box.

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E. Acceptance of Donations for the Purchase of the AED Unit.

VOTED: on motion of Mrs. Patricia Vantine (Mr. James West) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to accept the donations towards the purchase of the AED Unit.

F. Acceptance of Donation of A 2007 Twelve-Passenger Van from Midway Automotive.

VOTED: on motion of Mr. Russell FitzGerald (Mrs. Patricia Vantine) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to accept the donation of a 2007 twelve-passenger van from Midway Automotive.

G. Recycling Initiative.

Ms. Moschella reported on the recycling initiative within our school buildings. The main focus of the school department is to increase awareness surrounding recycling. Therefore, receptacles have been placed in the school cafeterias as well in the classrooms. •

X. PRINCIPAL REPORTS

None.

XI. NEW BUSINESS AND ESTABLISHING OF NEXT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING DATES

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

VOTED: on motion of Mr. James West (Mrs. Patricia Vantine) the members of the Abington School Committee unanimously voted to establish Tuesday, September 23, 2008 as the next regularly scheduled meeting date of the Abington School Committee.

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Russell FitzGerald, Secretary


XII. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS

VOTED: on motion of Mr. James West (Mrs. Patricia Vantine) the members of the School Committee unanimously voted to approve all accounts as presented.

XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION - by roll call vote for the purpose of deployment of security personnel or devices.

Yes: Mr. FitzGerald Mr. West Mrs. Vantine Ms. Pignone

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abington, massachusetts august 26, 2008 regular meeting i ... · abington, massachusetts • august...

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