Salem School Committee
Minutes
Monday, January 25, 2010
7:30 p.m.
Collins Middle School
A regular meeting of the Salem School Committee was held on Monday, January 25, 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, Mr. Nate Bryant, Mr. Kevin Carr, Dr. Janet Crane, Mr. James Fleming, Mrs. Kerry Martin, Dr. Brendan Walsh
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Dr. William Cameron, Superintendent, Alyce Davis, Assistant Superintendent. and Eileen Sacco, Secretary
Mayor Driscoll called the Regular Meeting of the Salem School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m.
Approval of the Agenda
Dr. Walsh moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Fleming. The motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Salem School Committee Organizational meeting held on Monday, January 4, 2010 were presented for approval.
Mr. Fleming moved approval of the minutes of the January 4, 2010 School Committee Organizational meeting as presented. Dr. Walsh seconded the motion. The motion carried.
The minutes of the Salem School Committee meeting held on Monday, January 11, 2010 were presented for approval.
Dr. Walsh moved approval of the minutes of the January 11, 2010 School Committee meeting as presented. 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 – Zachary Broughton
SHS Student Representative Zach Broughton addressed the School Committee and reported on the following events and activities at Salem High School:
Today, January 25, 2010 marks the third quarter for the students of Salem High School. All students took their midterms last week are eager to start over anew in this new quarter.
Starting today, the La Union Latina student organization will begin selling flowers for Valentines day. Each flower is a dollar and serves as a small and meaningful way for students to show their love, support, and friendship towards their peers.
Tomorrow, January 26, the students of Salem High are meeting together in order to discuss ways in which they can make a difference to the people of Haiti and the current crisis that is facing their country. Ms. Lincoln, a teacher of American History and AP Comparative Government and Politics, and a great number of students from all four classes, are ready to join the world and give a helping hand.
Starting next week, Salem Highs James F. Day Chapter of the National Honor Society will begin to collect donated prom dresses for its annual Dress for Progress Event. This is an event in which students donate old and cleaned prom dresses that will be modeled by both male and female students of Salem High School at the annual fashion show. Each dress is sold for $20 and allows students, who otherwise would be unable to attend their prom, to purchase stylish and affordable prom dresses. All funds raised from this event will be donated to the fight against breast cancer.
And the time of year is here in which Salem's infamous Drama Department will put on the grand play of Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This suspenseful and exciting night will be held on February 5th and 6th at 7:30pm and February 7th at 2pm in the Ruth M. Norton Auditorium of the High School. The students of the drama department have been working diligently with instructor Ms. Leanne Goodwin and are excited to perform. I'm sure all of the members here can join me in their excitement to see this performance.
And finally for tonight, The Best Buddies club will be hosting a Valentines Day dance on February 12th in the auditorium from 6-8pm. The cost is $5. The Best Buddies Organization is an after school club in which students throughout the school work and spend time with students with special needs.
Presentation on Mass Math and Science Initiative – Morton Orlov
Morton Orlov, President of the Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative made a presentation to the School Committee on the Advanced Placement Training and Award Program.
Mayor Driscoll noted that collective bargaining with the Salem Teachers Union would need to be done.
Executive Session
Mr. Fleming moved that the School Committee adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining strategies and the School Committee will be returning to open session. Mayor Driscoll called for a roll call vote as follows:
Mrs. Martin Yes
Dr. Walsh Yes
Mr. Fleming Yes
Dr. Crane Yes
Mr. Carr Yes
Mr. Bryant Yes
Mayor Driscoll Yes
The motion carried (7-0)
The School Committee reconvened in public session at 8:45 p.m. Mayor Driscoll informed those present that the School Committee is planning to have further collective bargaining discussions with the Salem Teachers Union regarding Mr. Orlov’s proposal.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Cameron reported that the Salem High School JROTC program is sponsoring and ESL Tutoring program for non English speaking adults. He noted that a Connect-Ed message will be going out to inform Spanish residents of the program.
Dr. Cameron reported that a handbook is being developed by the Pupil Personnel Services for Special Education Paraprofessionals.
Dr. Cameron reported that the Continuous Progress Model Committee is proceeding with discussions and further research is in process. He reported that members of the Committee will be visiting the Beach Grove Indiana school district to gather information on their program.
Dr. Cameron reported that he has some issues regarding the use of school gymnasiums that he would to be referred to the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee.
Mr. Fleming moved to refer the matter of the use of school gymnasiums to the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee for review. Dr. Walsh seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Dr. Crane noted that there is a policy on the Use of School Facilities and suggested that the two subcommittees work together.
Curriculum Report
Loretta Cannistraci, Director of Information Systems made a presentation on Technology in the Salem Public Schools.
Finance Report
There was no finance report this evening.
Deliberation on the School Department Warrant:
The following warrants were presented for approval.
January 14, 2010 in the amount of $ 69,393.21
January 21, 2010 in the amount of $333,457.44
January 14, 2010 in the amount of $ 50.00
Mr. Fleming moved approval of the warrants in the amounts listed. Mr. Carr seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Action Items
- Deliberation on the confirmation of the Mayors appointment of Thomas St. Pierre to serve on the North Shore Agricultural and Technical School Committee as the Salem Representative.
Mr. Fleming moved approval, seconded by Dr. Crane. The motion carried.
- Deliberation on the approval of the Salem High School Music Department out of state field trip to the Winter Guard International Regional Percussion Competition in Trumbull, CT. March 5 & 6, 2010
Dr. Walsh moved approval, seconded by Dr. Crane. The motion carried.
- Deliberation on the approval of the Salem High School Music Department out of state field trip to the New England Scholastic Band Association Winter Activities Competition in Dover, NH on March 13, 2010.
Dr. Walsh moved approval, seconded by Dr. Crane. The motion carried.
- Deliberation on the approval of the Salem High School Music Department out of state field trip to the Winter Guard International Percussion World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, April 13-30, 2010
Dr. Walsh moved approval, seconded by Dr. Crane. The motion carried.
- Deliberation on the approval of the Salem High School Music Department out of state field trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem NH, on June 11, 2010
Mr. Fleming moved approval, seconded by Mr. Carr. The motion carried.
School Committee Reports
Superintendent’s Evaluation
Mr. Carr reported that he have compiled the evaluations that members of the School Committee prepared regarding Superintendent William Cameron’s evaluation for 2009. He explained the criteria used for the evaluation and reviewed comments that were made and how he compiled that data. Mr. Carr also reviewed the comments made by members.
Mayor Driscoll noted that Dr. Cameron had a highly favorable evaluation and that should be taken into consideration when negotiating his contract.
Dr. Walsh moved to place the Superintendent’s Evaluation in his personnel file. Mr. Carr seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Mr. Fleming noted that the individual evaluations of the Superintendent are public record and should be preserved as such.
School Committee Concerns and Resolutions
Dr. Walsh noted that the Salem Children’s Charity annual Christmas Party is hosted by Victoria Station and noted that Victoria Station is sponsoring a Caribbean Buffet for the benefit of the Haitian Relief Organization.
Mayor Driscoll suggested that the School Committee agenda for their retreat on February 1, 2010 include a presentation from Future Management on Strategic Planning, Budget Issues, and an update on the searches that are ongoing for management positions in the Salem Public Schools.
Questions and Comments from the Audience Regarding the January 25, 2010 Agenda
Mary Manning addressed the School Committee and reported that the Collins Middle School is hold a fundraiser – “Hearts for Haiti” on February 11, 2010 at Collins Middle School.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the School Committee this evening, Mr. Fleming moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Carr seconded the motion.
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
_________________________
Eileen M. Sacco, Secretary
Salem School Committee
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