Salem School Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 8, 2010
A regular meeting of the Salem School Committee was held on Monday, March 8, 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, Mrs. Kerry Martin, Dr. Brendan Walsh, Mr. Kevin Carr
Members Absent: Nate Bryant and James Fleming
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 7:35 p.m.
Approval of the Agenda
Mr. Carr moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Dr. Crane. The motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Salem School Committee meeting held on Monday, February 8, 2010 were presented for approval.
Dr. Walsh moved approval of the minutes of the February 22, 2010 School Committee meeting as presented. Mr. Carr seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Questions and Comments from the Audience
There were no questions or comments from the audience.
Student Representative Report
In the absence of Student Representative Zachary Broughton, Dr. Cameron read the following report on events and activities taking place at Salem High School:
The Sophomore Social is March 19, 2010.
The Junior Prom is March 26, 2010 at Jimmy’s Allenhurst, tickets are $30 and students can ride the trolley to the prom for $7.00
The annual Senior Show is March 11-12, 2010 at 7pm M. Ruth Norton Auditorium at Salem High School.
The Music Dept. will hold their annual Spring Concert on Tuesday, March 16th at 7:30 pm in the auditorium. The concert will feature a variety of vocal and instrumental music groups and represents several months of preparation and hard work. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students and senior citizens. As always, Salem High School faculty are admitted free.
The EARLY after school program is coming back to Salem High. The program offers tutoring for students who are accepted. Interested freshman and sophomores should talk to your guidance counselor.
The Annual Volleyball Tournament will be held this week in Field House to raise money for students in need of assistance in covering Athletic Fees.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Cameron congratulated the Salem High School Boys Varsity basketball team on a great season and noted that they are playing in the Division II Semi finals tonight at the TD Garden in Boston against Falmouth High School.
Dr. Cameron reported that there was a significant amount of damage throughout the schools and estimated that the cost would be in excess of $300,000 from the recent rain storm in which there were high winds. He explained that engineering studies are being conducted on the damage and a report will be forthcoming.
Dr. Cameron reported that on Wednesday evening there will be a forum at Collins Middle School on Cyber Bullying. He noted that the event will be attended by District Attorney John Blodgett, Salem Police Chief Paul Tucker, CMS Principal Mary Manning, Mayor Driscoll and he himself. He urged the public to attend this important meeting and noted that a connect ed message would be sent out notifying families of the event.
Dr. Cameron requested that two matters be referred to the Policy Subcommittee this evening as follows:
- Recommended revision to the CORI Policy
- District Recruitment Policy 4201
Dr. Walsh moved that the matters be referred to the policy subcommittee for their review and recommendation to the School Committee. Dr. Crane seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Dr. Cameron reported that the search for a Director of Pupil Personnel Services is underway and they have extended the deadline for applications two weeks in the hopes of enlarging the pool of applicants. He requested that School Committee members contact him if they are interested in serving on the search committee.
Dr. Walsh noted that Dr. Cameron informed the School Committee at a prior meeting that the Director of Pupil Personnel Services had submitted a letter of resignation.
Dr. Walsh moved to accept the resignation of Karen Malio as Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Dr. Crane seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Curriculum Report
Nancy Anthony made a presentation on the elementary libraries in the Salem Public Schools.
Finance Report
Mr. Sheehan reported that he met with Powers and Sullivan and they have recommended some changes to the accounting methods used for the Read Trust money. He explained that beginning in FY11 and beyond he will be changing the process to the process used for grants and it will be easier to maintain and reconcile.
Mr. Sheehan reported that he expects that the ARRA funds will come through in March or April.
Mr. Sheehan stated that he was going to report on the storm damage as did the Superintendent.
Mayor Driscoll noted that the city is in the process of assessing the damages and looking into insurance reimbursements.
Mayor Driscoll also noted that she expects to hear from State officials in the next two weeks regarding the budget numbers for next year for local aid. She explained that she had hoped that local aid would be level funded but it looks like there could be a 3-5% reduction. She noted that we are facing an increase in health insurance premiums of $1.2 million dollars. She also noted that a bill has been filed that would allow cities and towns planned health design without collective bargaining. She also noted that they are working with City Councillors on the local option meals tax increase which would generate about $800.000 in new revenue.
Budget Transfer
The following budget transfers were requested:
Amount $30,000 Salem High School
From: $30,000 13571021-5320 Contract Services
To: $10,000 13571021-5421 Office supplies
$10,000 13571021-5511 Textbooks
$10,000 13571021-5514 Instructional supplies
Dr. Walsh moved approval, seconded by Mr. Carr. The motion carried.
Amount $17,000 General Operations (Central Office)
From: $1,000 13252011-5421 Office supplies
$1,500 13252011-5582 Data proc supplies
$1,500 13252030-5273 Office equip rental
$4,000 13252030-5381 Printing and binding
$4,000 13252030-5421 Office supplies
$4,000 13252030-5582 Data proc supplies
$1,000 13482021-5381 Printing/binding (personnel)
To: $7,250 13482021-5306 Advertising (personnel)
$9,750 13252030-5303 Legal services
Dr, Crane moved approval, seconded by Dr. Walsh. The motion carried.
Deliberation on the School Department Warrant:
March 4, 2010 in the amount of $205,404.68
Dr. Walsh moved approval, seconded by Mr. Carr. The motion carried.
Action Items
a. Deliberation on the second reading of the revised policy on the Use of Cellular Telephones.
Mr. Carr moved approval, seconded by Dr. Walsh. The motion carried.
b. Deliberation on the first reading of the revised policy on Transportation.
Mr. Carr moved approval, seconded by Dr. Walsh. The motion carried.
c. Deliberation on the first reading of the policy on Student Records
Mr. Carr moved approval, seconded by Dr. Walsh. The motion carried.
d. Deliberation on the approval of the JROTC Out of State Field Trip to New York City, NY – April 15 -17, 2010
Mr. Carr moved approval, seconded by Dr. Walsh. The motion carried.
School Committee Reports
Curriculum
Mrs. Martin reported that the Curriculum Subcommittee met this evening and reviewed the final draft of the proposed new report card. She thanked Dr. Davis and the team of teachers and administrators who worked on this. She noted that there was a great deal of collaboration on this and the new report cards are very clear and concise and spell out exactly what students learn and understand and what grade level the student is working at. She noted that Dr. Davis wanted to implement the new report cards before she leaves and they will be implemented in the next marking period.
Dr. Crane moved to approve the new report cards for the elementary grades. 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 March 8, 2010 Agenda
Salem Teachers Union President Joyce Harrington addressed the School Committee and brought forward some concerns that the Union member ship has regarding the filling of the HMLS principal.
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 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
_________________________
Eileen M. Sacco, Secretary
Salem School Committee
Approved by the Salem School Committee March 22, 2010
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