School Committee

Salem School Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, September 16, 2019 A regular meeting of the Salem School Committee was held on Monday, September 16, 2019 at 7:01 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: Kathleen Smith, Superintendent, Kate Carbone, Assistant Superintendent, Jill Conrad, Chief of Systems Strategy, and Kristin Shaver, Business Manager Call of Meeting to Order Mayor Driscoll called the regular meeting of the Salem School Committee to order at 7:01 p.m. Consent Agenda a. Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held August 29, 2019 b. Minutes of the Regular School Committee meeting held September 3, 2019 c. Deliberation and Vote on the Saltonstall School out-of-state Nature’s Classroom field trip request to Ocean Park, Maine from Nov. 4 – Nov. 8, 2019 d. Approval of Warrants: 8/29/19 in the amount of $368,772.91, 9/12/19 in the amount of $294,548.47, 9/19/19 in the amount of $128,780.51 Discussion Ms. Manning asked that the Consent Agenda’s item b. Minutes of the Regular School Committee meeting held September 3, 2019, is removed and indicated the need to correct minor typos. Mr. Fleming motioned to approve the Consent agenda with the exception of Item b. Ms. Campbell seconded the motion. The motion carried. Ms. Campbell motioned to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting held September 3, 2019, with the necessary corrections. Ms. Nuncio seconded the motion. The motion carried. Approval of the Agenda Ms. Campbell motioned to approve the agenda. Ms. Nuncio seconded the motion. The motion carried. Public Comment #1: Questions and comments from the audience - None Superintendent’s Report – Kathleen Smith Superintendent Smith provided an update on the Superintendent Search Committee, shared that the report on the progress of former Nathaniel Bowditch school students would be available for the October 21st School Committee meeting, and talked about the parking lot at Witchcraft Heights Elementary School. Dr. Smith talked about her visit to the House of Seven Gables for dinner and the School Committee retreat that was held at the Salem State University on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Update on the Opening of School Superintendent Smith shared her school bus ride experience, reported on the start of the first day of school and thanked all the teachers, staff, principals, and families for ensuring students were ready Page 1 of 3 for the school year. Overview of New Accountability System Jill Conrad gave an overview presentation of the new accountability system and talked about some of the changes to the accountability system in 2019 that are different from 2018. Update on Preparations for Online Assessments Superintendent Smith introduced Matthew Killen, Chief Information and Technology Office for the City of Salem and Salem Public Schools, to talk about some of the challenges as they continue to move forward with the 1 to 1 devices that are used by students when taking their online assessments and their day-to-day classrooms. Mr. Killen provided an update on preparations for online assessments along with a quick review on the Massachusetts’s online test assessment. In response to Mayor Driscoll’s request, Mr. Killen described the Chromebooks web-based laptops. Mr. Killen informed the School Committee that staff support is going to be essential with this infrastructure, funding may need to be prioritized and stated it is equally important to have adequate technology training as it is to have technology that would be used daily. Mr. Killen asked the School Committee to consider the application of classroom support over the course of the year. Ms. Manning commented that is an area they would need to focus more of with the current budget. Innovation School Conversion Process and Timeline Kate Carbone, Assistant Superintendent, talked about the Bentley Academy Charter School Innovation School conversion process and timeline. Ms. Carbone explained that on May 29, 2019, the Bentley Board of Trustees voted not to pursue the renewal of its school’s charter and would instead seek a conversion to an innovation school, as a means for preserving the elements of the school’s program, which contributed to rapid improvement in the school. The conversion process is on the way. Ms. Carbone shared details about that process and the associated timelines. Action Items: Old Business - None Action Items: New Business - None Finance Report - None Subcommittee Reports Mr. Fleming reported that the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee met today and discussed the status of school playgrounds, agreed on the need for services and new playground equipment, and talked about the Capital Projects update. Ms. Nuncio reported that the Policy Subcommittee will be meeting this Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 10am and will continue to review some academic policies. School Committee Concerns and Resolutions Ms. Wilson suggested student support on 9/11 by providing students with the opportunity of discussions on the topic and allowing them to hold a moment of silence for 9/11 victims. Superintendent Smith agreed and shared the option of directing from central office to remind principals and teachers. There are many resources available that help inform and remind others. Superintendent Smith said they have Fire Prevention month in October. They can look at Salem’s Fire and Police Chiefs, strong partners and role models in the community, and ask what they provide for the community. Superintendent Smith continued to share her thoughts on taking a look at the schools individually to find a way to honor them such as inviting firefighters to visit schools, and doing projects that allow students to demonstrate their awareness of history and how important they are in the community. Superintendent Smith indicated she would work with the leadership team. Public Comment #2: Questions and Comments from the Audience Page 2 of 3 Ann Berman, 1401 Crane Brook Way, Peabody, Salem Teachers Union, stated disappointment that no member of the Bentley teaching staff or Salem Teachers Union was included in the writing of the Bentley Academy Innovation School prospectus. They had asked for a seat at the table and had no representation. Lori Marenda, 175 North Street, Salem High School, addressed that J.R.O.T.C. recognized and held a moment of silence at Salem High School for first responders to 9/11. Ms. Marenda explained she currently teaches the new junior history course called America and World Encounters II, and that 9/11 is taught to juniors during this time of year. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the School Committee this evening. Mr. Fleming motioned to adjourn the regular School Committee meeting. Ms. Manning seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:38pm. Respectfully submitted by: ____________________________ Angelica Alayon, Secretary to the Salem School Committee Meeting Materials and Reports School Committee Consent agenda September 16, 2019 Minutes of the August 29, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting Minutes of the September 3, 2019 Regular School Committee meeting Saltonstall School out-of-state field trip request Information Technology: MCAS Computer Based Testing, Preparation & Challenges presentation Innovation School Conversion Process Overview and Proposed Timeline Page 3 of 3