School Committee

Salem Public Schools Salem School Committee POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE Meeting Minutes March 23, 2021 On March 23, 2021 the Policy Subcommittee held its regular meeting using the Zoom on-line meeting platform. In Attendance: Ms. Ana Nuncio and Mr. Manny Cruz Ex Officio Members Present: Mary Manning Members Absent: Mr. James Fleming Others in Attendance: Dr. Stephen Zrike and Dr. Jill Conrad Call of Meeting to Order Ms. Nuncio called the meeting to order at 9:28 am Approval of Minutes Ms. Nuncio made a motion to approve the minutes of March 18, 2021. Mr. Cruz seconded. A roll call vote was made. Mr. Cruz Yes Ms. Nuncio Yes Motion carries 2-0 5102.01 Enrollment of Non-Resident Students/School Choice Dr. Conrad began the discussion regarding the Inter-District School Choice. She noted that the language used in the conditions reflects the legal advisory from DESE. This advisory from April 2019 clarified several matters in question. Mr. Cruz added that he spoke with a DESE representative regarding the $5,000 Chapter 70 funds. Dr. Conrad explained that if a school choice student has an IEP, that could mean an incremental increase in funds. She added that our Special Ed Department would invoice the sending district. There was a discussion of the Salem staff students, which allows them to attend and is in our policy. Ms. Manning asked if these students are considered school choice and will that count towards our school choice caps and will it take away a seat from an inter-district student. Dr. Conrad explained that transportation is only provided if the services are included in their IEP. The receiving district would provide the transportation and the sending district would reimburse them. A clarification on homeless conditions was discussed next. Dr. Conrad stated that if a student is homeless and is a Salem resident, then they would attend SPS. If a student is homeless in another district, then they can apply for school choice to Salem, but transportation is not provided. If they attend under McKinney-Vento, they will have access to transportation, but may not be able to attend beyond the school district. There was also a discussion regarding if a homeless student is transferred to a group 3.23.2021 Policy Subcommittee Meeting Minutes Page 1 home. How does this affect their school choice status and is that considered a “residence”? Dr. Conrad will confirm how this is defined and will report back to the committee. Dr. Conrad reported that she has reviewed the enrollment numbers with the Parent Information Center and there are plenty of open seats available. She added that the application deadline has been moved up to June 15th and notification of acceptance will be sent out by July 1st. Ms. Manning brought up if the policy could be expanded to allow school choice students that move out of the district, to allow them to finish their transition point (grade 5 and grade 8). Dr. Conrad offered to send the modification of this language to legal counsel for their recommendation. Mr. Cruz made a motion for the Policy Subcommittee to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation of inter-district school choice for 2020-2021 and refer to the full committee. Ms. Nuncio seconded the motion. A roll call vote was made. Mr. Cruz Yes Ms. Nuncio Yes Motion carries 2-0 The Subcommittee made a decision to meet again on Thursday, April 8th at 8:30 am. Mr. Cruz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:24 am. Ms. Nuncio seconded. A roll call vote was made. Mr. Cruz Yes Ms. Nuncio Yes Motion carries 2-0 Respectfully submitted by, Nancy A. Weiss Executive Assistant to the School Committee Approved April 8, 2021 3.23.2021 Policy Subcommittee Meeting Minutes Page 2