Salem School Committee
Minutes
Monday, April 26, 2010
7:30 p.m.
Collins Middle School
A regular meeting of the Salem School Committee was held on Monday, April 26, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Chambers at Collins Middle School, 29 Highland Avenue, Salem, Massachusetts.
Members Present: Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Dr. Janet Crane, Nate Bryant, Mr. James Fleming,Mrs. Kerry Martin, Dr. Brendan Walsh, and Mr. Kevin Carr,
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Dr. William Cameron, Superintendent, Alyce Davis, Assistant Superintendent. Business Administrator Timothy Sheehan and Eileen Sacco, Secretary
Mayor Driscoll called the Regular Meeting of the Salem School Committee to order at 7:40 p.m.
Approval of the Agenda
Mr. Fleming moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Carr. The motion carried.
Mayor Driscoll and the School Committee congratulated School Committee member Kevin Carr on passing the Massachusetts Bar Exam.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Salem School Committee meeting held on Monday, April 5, 2010 were presented for approval.
Mr. Fleming moved approval of the minutes of the April 5, 2010 School Committee meeting as amended. Mr. Carr seconded the motion. The motion carried.
The minutes of the Special Salem School Committee meeting held on Monday, April 13, 2010 were presented for approval.
Dr. Walsh moved approval of the minutes of the April 13, 2010 School Committee meeting as amended. Dr. Crane seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Questions and Comments from the Audience
There were no questions or comments from the audience.
Student Representative Report
Salem High School Student Representative Zac Broughton reported on the following events and activities at Salem High School:
Starting this week on April 28th through April 30th, Caps and Gowns will be on sale for graduating seniors outside of the student activities office during lunch. The cost is $16 and an additional $4 if a student would like an extra tassel.
This Friday, April 30th, is the annual Freshman Fling. Tickets are on sale all week. Tickets cost $7 during the week and $10 at the door. This night represents a chance for the Freshman class to come together and celebrate their class, their hard work, and to have a little fun.
Advanced Placement tests begin next week on Monday, May 3. During this time period, Junior and Senior students will complete 3-hour examinations ranging from American History to Biology. Believe me when I tell you, we the seniors are very excited to complete them.
As the President of the Senior Class, my fellow officers and I are proud to announce that next week we will begin selling tickets for the 2010 Senior Prom at The Crowne Plaza of the Boston North Shore Hotel in Danvers. Tickets this year are only $40. We have also arranged for seven trolleys to take students from the Salem Common to the Hotel that night. Trolley tickets are only an additional $10. This allows students to take many pictures with their friends in one of Salem's greatest parks as well as arrive together to our Senior Celebration. All members of the school committee are invited to attend.
Also next week on May 6th at 12pm a Marine Osprey Helicopter will be landing in the lower Athletic Field next to the football practice field for viewing, as well as a demonstration by the Marine Martial Arts team. This event will provide students with more knowledge on various aspects of military life that can also be interpreted in civilian life.
Also on May 6th at 6pm in the auditorium is the Unity Board Celebration. This is a night where students all around the district showcase their service learning projects. This year, active Senior Leader Radairy Peguiro was able to invite Mrs. Kitty Dukakis, the wife of former Governor, Michael Dukakis, to speak as the guest of honor. A fun fact for the members of the community is that Mr. Michael Dukakis was the speaker at Salem's very first Unity Board Celebration. All members of the School Committee are welcome to attend.
Coming up in the next few weeks is the Salem High School Talent Show on Monday May 10th in the auditorium at 7pm. It is a night were students all throughout Salem High can demonstrate before their family, friends, and community several of the many talents they have learned and possessed over the last few years. All are welcome to attend.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Cameron requested that the Curriculum Subcommittee review a request from at family to award an honorary diploma to a deceased member of their family.
Dr. Walsh moved to refer the matter to the Curriculum Subcommittee. Mr. Fleming seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Dr. Cameron distributed a proposed budget meeting schedule for the School Committee. He noted that the dates of the meetings will likely stay the same but the presentations may change due to some scheduling conflicts. He noted that the first meeting will be held on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. He also noted that there is a regular school committee meeting scheduled for next Monday, May 3, 2010. It was suggested to move the regular school committee meeting scheduled for May 3, 2010 to May 10, 2010.
Mr. Fleming moved to reschedule the regular School Committee meeting from May 3, 2010 to May 10, 2010. Dr Crane seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Curriculum Report
Dr. Davis made a presentation on the “Super Kids” phonics program that the district will be adopting next year in grades K-2. Also participating in the presentation were Mark Higgins, Principal of the Witchcraft Heights Elementary School, Ellen Kaslouskas, Mary Ann Grassia, and Leanne Smith.
Salem High School Principal David Angeramo, Freshman Dean Andy Wulf, and Collins Middle School Principal Mary Manning made a presentation on the Grade 8-9 Transition Program at Salem High School. They were joined by Collins Middle School Adjustment Counselors Marlene Lunt, June Cassale, and June Kershaw from Salem High School.
Finance Report
Budget Transfer
Amount $103,480 Operations and Maintenance
From: 13530210-5211 Electricity
13530121-5431 Building Maintenance and Repair
Mr. Fleming moved to approve the transfer as requested. Dr. Walsh seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Deliberation on the School Department Warrant:
April 8, 2010 in the amount of $206,541.03
April 15, 2010 in the amount of $289,427.56
Mr. Fleming moved to approve the warrant as presented. Dr. Walsh seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Finance Presentation
Mr. Sheehan reported on the progress of the FY11 budget progress and the budget infrastructure.
Action Items
a. Deliberation on the third reading of the approval to allow a plaque to be placed in an automotive classroom at the Salerno Automotive Center in honor of Robert Byrd, recognizing his 29 years of service in the Salem Public Schools
Mr. Fleming moved approval. Dr. Walsh seconded the motion. The motion carried.
b. Deliberation on the second reading on the approval of the dedication of the outdoor basketball court at Salem High School in memory of James Hubisz at the request of the SHS JROTC
Mr. Fleming moved approval. Mr. Carr seconded the motion. The motion carried.
c. Deliberation on the approval of the request of Salem State College to waive the facility rental fee of $680.00 for the use of the Salem High School Field House for the SSC Nursing Program Recognition Ceremony on Friday, May 21, 2010.
Mr. Fleming moved approval. Mr. Carr seconded the motion. The motion carried.
School Committee Reports
Personnel Subcommittee
Mr. Fleming reported that the Personnel Subcommittee met this evening and considered several matters that were referred to the Committee. He reported that the Personnel Subcommittee reviewed the matter of increasing substitute nurses pay from $70.00 per day to $100.00 per day. He noted that this is in the median range of what the surrounding school districts are paying and will result in about a $1,000 increase in that budget for this year and the Committee recommends approval of the School Committee.
Dr. Walsh moved to approve the recommendation of the Personnel Subcommittee to increase substitute nurses pay to $100.00 per day. Mr. Carr seconded the motion. The motion carried.
School Committee Concerns and Resolutions
There were no School Committee concerns or resolutions this evening.
Questions and Comments from the Audience Regarding the April 26, 2010 Agenda
There were no questions or comments from the audience this evening.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the School Committee this evening, Dr. Walsh moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Carr. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
_________________________
Eileen M. Sacco, Secretary
Salem School Committee
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