School Committee

Salem School Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, February 25, 2019 A regular meeting of the Salem School Committee was held on Monday, February 25, 2019 at 7:04 p.m. in the School Committee Chambers at Collins Middle School, 29 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA. Members Present: Ms. Mary Manning, Mr. James Fleming, Ms. Kristine Wilson, Ms. Ana Nuncio, Mr. Manny Cruz, and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll Members Absent: Amanda Campbell Others Present: Margarita Ruiz, Superintendent, Kate Carbone, Assistant Superintendent, Jill Conrad, Chief of Systems Strategy, Kristin Shaver, Business Manager, and Kelley Rice, Chief of Communications Call of Meeting to Order Mayor Driscoll called the regular meeting of the Salem School Committee to order at 7:04 p.m. Amended Consent Agenda • Minutes of the School Committee meeting held February 4, 2019 • Approval of Warrants: 2/14/19 in the amount of $305,515.88, 2/21/19 in the amount of $260,923.45, 2/21/19 in the amount of $40,000, 2/28/19 in the amount of $560,764.14 • Deliberation and Vote on the request of the Percussion Ensemble & Winter Colorguard Out of State Field Trip to Salem, New Hampshire on Saturday, March 9, 2019 • Deliberation and Vote on the request of the Salem High School Drama Club Field Trip to Bow High School, Bow, New Hampshire on Saturday, March 23, 2019 • Deliberation and Vote on the approval of the facility fee waiver for the previous 2018 bill and subsequent 2019 Easter celebration at the Saltonstall School Discussion School Committee reviewed the document, in the packet of materials, for the request of the deliberation and vote on the approval of the facility fee waiver for the previous 2018 bill and subsequent 2019 Easter celebration at the Saltonstall School, and agreed to refer the action item request to the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee for further review and discussion. Mr. Fleming motioned to approve the Amended Consent agenda, with the exception of the Deliberation and Vote on the approval of the facility fee waiver for the previous 2018 bill and subsequent 2019 Easter celebration at the Saltonstall School. Ms. Manning seconded the motion. The motion carried. Mr. Fleming motioned to refer the Deliberation and Vote on the approval of the facility fee waiver for the previous 2018 bill and subsequent 2019 Easter celebration at the Saltonstall School to the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee. Mr. Cruz seconded the motion. The motion to refer the matter to the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee carried. Approval of the Agenda Mr. Fleming moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Ms. Nuncio seconded the motion. The motion carried. Public Comment #1: Questions and comments from the audience Perla Peguero and colleague Yoleny Ynoa, Salem residents, passed out a letter to School Committee members of what they would be submitting to the School Committee. Ms. Peguero paraphrased highlights of the letter aloud which refers to seeking the School Committee’s support to officially declare that the February 27 date be observed as the Day of Dominican Pride in Salem public schools. Ms. Peguero explained that they seek recognition of the Page 1 of 3 contribution of Dominicans, as active participants in the civic life of the students, and establish the observance of this day. Ms. Peguero shared further details of the contribution this would make to Salem public schools and extended an invitation to everyone to the Flag Raising Ceremony, on February 27, 2019 at 4:30pm, in the park located across from Lafayette Street. Yoleny Ynoa, 53 Clark Street, shared that the City Hall puts up decorations on February 27th in honor of Dominican Independence Day, said they are grateful for it, and asked for support from the School Committee. Discussion Mayor Driscoll explained this would be something that would have to be posted, as an added item on the agenda, for a following School Committee meeting in order to meet the Open Meeting Law requirement. Ms. Manning shared she is supportive of Ms. Viera and Mr. Ynoa’s request for the City’s Dominican community. This was something that has been celebrated at the Collins Middle School. Ms. Manning said that the school has always been supportive, wondered about all other nationalities, and suggested an option that would allow recognition of all of the cultures and nationalities. Members engaged in discussion. Mr. Fleming acknowledged the request of the two community members, relative to February 27th Dominican Pride day, and asked this be placed as an agenda item for the next School Committee meeting. Ms. Nuncio seconded the motion. The motion carried. Presentation and Reports Superintendent’s Report – Margarita Ruiz Superintendent Ruiz welcomed students, staff, and families from the February break and acknowledged, Evie Oquendo, a Collins Middle School teacher, for her induction to the Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Hall of Fame. Superintendent Ruiz thanked all the teachers and staff of the Food and Nutrition Services and Transportation Department who supported the academies this past week by the English Language Learners (ELL) department at the Bentley, Salem High, and the Horace Mann School. Ms. Ruiz shared details of the Academies. Ms. Ruiz announced that the Batch 1 application deadline for Kindergarten registration is Friday, March 1, 2019 by 1pm. Families must have completed a registration packet in the Parent Information Center, located at the Collins Middle School. Families would be receiving their school assignments by May 1, 2019. Superintendent Ruiz, reminded all community members, staff, and families that the survey, in reference to vacation, are available until the close of business this Friday, March 1st, 2019. Families may access the link to the public survey on their homepage - www.salemk12.org. The survey is available in different languages. Ms. Ruiz reported there would be two focus groups on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. John Brackett, of UMASS, will be facilitating the focus groups, obtaining input from staff and families on qualities they would like to see of the next candidate, as part of the new hire of the Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services. The focus groups would both be held at the Salem High School auditorium. The staff focus group would be held at 4pm. The community focus group would be held at 6pm. Free childcare and Spanish translation services would be available. Superintendent Ruiz, provided a FY20 Budget Process School Committee Meetings Timeline proposal handout to everyone, and asked the School Committee to consider adding April 29, 2019 for the public hearing on budget. Discussion Mr. Fleming shared that historically, from his perspective, many do not comment on school committee budget and suggested it be considered as an inclusion on the April 29, 2019 date. Ms. Manning shared her concern on the short timeframe between the public hearing on April 29 on the FY20 budget and the School Committee vote on May 6, 2019. Members agreed to put April 29, 2019 on the calendar with the option to determine, as they move through the process, whether they would need a separate meeting for May 6, 2019. Other Reports Recognition of Out of District Placement Coordinator, Jane Kelley, on her retirement School Committee recognized Jane Kelley for her 14 years of service in support of Salem students. Superintendent Ruiz recognized Ms. Kelley and shared her contribution for the benefit of students, their families, and the district. Page 2 of 3 Ms. Ruiz briefly shared some of the positive feedback, from families, of Ms. Kelley’s service and thanked her, on behalf of the families and the district, for her services. Mayor Driscoll presented Ms. Kelley with the City Seal. Ms. Kelley shared a few words with everyone. Action Items: Old Business - None Action Items: New Business Deliberation and Vote on the request by Scarlett Gonzalez Mejia to have the fees waived for the use of the Collins Middle School Auditorium for a Caribbean Film Festival on March 30, 2019 Discussion Members agreed to inform Scarlett Gonzalez Mejia, within reasonable time, of any decisions made in relation to this request. Ms. Nuncio offered to contact her. Mr. Fleming motioned to refer the matter to the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee for further review and discussion. Ms. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion carried. Finance Report - None Subcommittee Reports Ms. Nuncio reported that the Policy Subcommittee met to review the policies in the 4000 series and will be meeting again this week to finish review of its remaining nine of the 4000 policies. School Committee Concerns and Resolutions Mr. Fleming inquired about the increase in substitute teacher pay that was discussed in January and whether or not the full School Committee should take a formal vote on this. Members discussed the matter and Mr. Fleming expressed that he considers the action null and void and rather than leave the matter unattended and have someone challenge it, he would prefer to return the action item for an official School Committee vote. Mayor Driscoll stated that she did not think it was an item that required a full School Committee vote. Members engaged in discussion and agreed to follow up with the attorney. Ms. Nuncio inquired about a follow-up on the ALICE training update on the cost and frequency of the training that staff undergoes and the contents of its video. Public Comment #2: Questions and Comments from the audience Christine Ross, 33 Pleasant Street, asked about the previously approved Equity Subcommittee. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the School Committee this evening. Mr. Fleming entertained the motion to adjourn. Mr. Cruz seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted by: ____________________________ Angelica Alayon, Secretary to the Salem School Committee Meeting Materials and Reports School Committee Amended Consent agenda February 4, 2019 Minutes of the February 4, 2019 School Committee meeting Percussion Ensemble & Winter Colorguard Out of State field trip request Salem High School Drama Club field trip request 2019 Easter Celebration at the Saltonstall School fee waiver request Collins Middle School auditorium fee waiver request by Scarlett Gonzalez Mejia FY20 Budget Process School Committee Meetings Timeline Proposal handout Page 3 of 3