School Committee

Salem School Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, April 29, 2019 A Special School Committee Meeting and Public Hearing of the Salem School Committee was held on Monday, April 29, 2019 at 7:00 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, Ms. Amanda Campbell, and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll Members Absent: None Others Present: Kate Carbone, Assistant Superintendent, Jill Conrad, Chief of Systems Strategy, Kristin Shaver, Business Manager, and Kelley Rice, Chief of Communications Call to Order Ms. Manning called the Special School Committee Meeting and Public Hearing of the Salem School Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. 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 Erika Conklin, 11 Savoy Road, Parent and member of the High School Council, thanked the School Committee members who contacted her since the last School Committee meeting. Ms. Conklin talked of community involvement for meaningful change and community based school models involving parents, students, teachers, and administrators for decisions on what is best for their community. Ms. Conklin suggested exploration of other urban education models that help lower the achievement gap, improve behavior and absenteeism and improve trust in their students, families, and their teachers. Ms. Conklin talked of the great need to hire more teachers. Ann Berman, 1401 Crane Brook Way, Peabody, MA, representing the Salem Teachers Union, thanked the School Committee for the clarity of the budget and asked the School Committee questions she and some of the union members have. Ms. Berman asked about out-of-district placements for students and what the ‘Student Support Coordinator’ position is (located on page 9 of the budget). Ms. Berman requested a formal description of the ‘Chief of Systems Strategy’ position, asked who is responsible for the upkeep of the website, expressed why, and wondered if it is the Chief of Communications or the Chief Information Officer. Ms. Berman shared the need for photocopy machines for copies, walkie-talkies for teachers who work with students with high needs, and explained why they need them. Ms. Berman expressed that Behavior Specialists should not be part of the Paraprofessionals line items, as the jobs and pay are different and make it appear that they have more Paraprofessionals than they actually do. Ms. Berman shared that they need more Paraprofessionals in every building and said she is personally pleased that elementary schools will have fulltime library paraprofessionals again. Ms. Berman talked of the invested need for Behavior Specialists at the High School who have direct access with students, expressed the need for student adjustment counselors, and asked to see a transparent budget for the Bentley Academy Charter School. Page 1 of 3 Susan Lowe, 44 Essex Street, asked the School Committee to lend their support to the Bentley Academy Charter School, in its public charter renewal process. Ms. Lowe shared her personal experience and statement aloud. Kelly Cahill, 2 Orne Square, advocated for Behavior Specialist at Witchcraft and Saltonstall schools. Robert Kennedy, 17 Carlton Street, talked of the great need to support teachers with what they need such as materials and supplies. Presentations and Reports Recommendation for Salem’s Participation in the Inter-District School Choice Program for SY2019-20 (Public Hearing and Vote Scheduled on 5/6/19) Dr. Conrad informed that School Committees, across the state of Massachusetts, must take a vote as to whether or not to opt in to the Inter-District School Choice Program and for the last two years, the Salem Public Schools has voted to participate in that program. The first year allowed up to twenty 9th Graders, who do not live in the city of Salem, to enroll at Salem High School. This year is the 2nd year they have continued for up to twenty 9th Graders at Salem High School and ten students, of any grade, to enroll at the New Liberty Innovation School. The recommendation, this year, is to maintain that same level of participation, with no changes. Dr. Conrad continued that the program has been successful, shared further details, and announced that the Public Hearing and vote, if members decide to, would take place next week, during the May 6th meeting. Presentation of the Proposed FY20 Budget Ms. Carbone presented details from the proposed Salem Public Schools budget for fiscal year 2020 and summarized the district-wide budget adjustments. Ms. Shaver, Business Manager, presented the proposed FY20 Budget overview. Ms. Connerty, Acting Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services (PPS), talked about the adjustments in Pupil Personnel Services (PPS). School Principals of the Bates Elementary, Carlton Innovation, Horace Mann Laboratory, Witchcraft Heights Elementary, Saltonstall, Collins Middle, and Salem Prep High School represented, and talked about, their schools and the primary focus of their budget initiatives. Ms. Carbone presented the budget on behalf of Salem High School. Ms. Carbone thanked the Principals for attending. Public Hearing on the Proposed FY20 Salem Public Schools Budget Robert Kennedy, 17 Carlton Street, shared his concerns on qualifications of new Fellow and Coach hires. Jessica Fuller, 8 Memorial Drive, shared that the Bentley Academy Charter School is close to its renewal and that the school is phenomenal. Ms. Fuller talked about her child’s positive personal experience and asked the School Committee to please consider the benefits this school provides when renewing the school. Ms. Carbone responded to Mr. Kennedy’s concerns on the qualifications of new Fellow and Coach hires indicating that both are licensed and well qualified for their roles. Mr. Fleming motioned to continue the public hearing on the proposed FY20 Salem Public Schools Budget to the next regularly scheduled School Committee meeting. Mr. Cruz seconded. The motion carried. Action Items: Old Business - None Page 2 of 3 Action Items: New Business - None Finance Report - None Subcommittee Reports - None School Committee Concerns and Resolutions Mr. Fleming reported that the Salem Day at Kernwood Scholarship’s cut off day is Friday and asked that interested applicants please submit their applications on time. Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cruz, and Mayor Driscoll thanked Ms. Shaver for simplifying the budget for clarity. Ms. Carbone thanked Ms. Shaver for responding to emailed questions from community members. Public Comment #2: Questions and Comments From the Audience Kathleen Coates, 51 Hathorne Street, Parent, recommended a platform to share thoughtful constructed dialogue, transferrable (regardless of leadership) with participation of the community, schools, administration, student, and parents – they need something in the district administration level. Ms. Coates strongly suggested what a community-driven community platform looks like. Ms. Coates also shared a few stories she personally solicited from some Salem Public School parents. A copy of the document that contains her comments, along with quotes from other parents with whom she spoke, is attached to these Minutes. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the School Committee this evening, Mr. Fleming entertained the motion to adjourn. Ms. Wilson seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted by: ________________________ Angelica Alayon, Secretary Salem School Committee Meeting Materials and Reports Special School Committee Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda April 29, 2019 Recommendation Memo RE Salem’s Participation in MA’s Inter-District School Choice Program for 2019-20 Salem Public Schools Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Draft Proposed FY 2020 Budget Presentation Salem Public School-Proposed 2020 Budget At-A-Glance Alignment of Requests to Budget Priorities Statement copy from audience member Kathleen Coates Page 3 of 3