Minutes of the Monson School Committee Regular Business Meeting July 22, 2020 “Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Town of Monson School Committee will be conducted via remo
te participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town of Monson website, at www.monson-ma.gov. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen to the meeting may do so in the following manner: https://zoom.us/j/94562362401 Meeting ID: 945 6236 2401, no in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the Town of Monson’s website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. Present: Chair Jeffrey Lord; Vice Chair Emily-Graves-Harrison; Secretary Andy Dubois-White; Committee Members; Colleen Flynn and Kathryn Peterson Also Present: Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Student Services/Early Childhood Center Suzanne Morneau; Granite Valley School Principal Katherine Watts; Monson High School Principal William Metzger; Monson High School Assistant Principal Jill Foulis; Early Childhood Center Dean of Students/Special Education Coordinator Colette Bidus; Massachusetts Teachers’ Association President Leah Zippin and Recording Secretary Karen Methe Note: This meeting was recorded using Zoom technology. Mr. Lord called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Mr. Dubois-White read the Mission & Vision Statements. Announcements: A make-up Zoom session for parents will be scheduled for July 28, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Clarke will send out specific information for participating in this meeting. Minutes: Motion by Ms. Flynn to approve the July 8, 2020, Regular Business Meeting minutes as presented. (Second by Mr. Dubois-White) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Subcommittee & Liaison Reports: No meetings have been scheduled though the Facilities and Long-Term Planning and Finance Subcommittees will schedule upon finalization of re-entry plan. Mr. Lord requested that Subcommittee liaisons reach out to organizations assigned to their Subcommittee. Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Clarke provided an update of re-entry plan information. She offered a short history of all the work that has occurred to date and reviewed deadlines for required information to the Commissioner
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of Education. Union administered staff and parent surveys have been distributed. The preliminary re-entry plans are fully remote, fully in-school and hybrid. She reviewed each plan. The Commissioner’s guidelines for transportation were presented with Dr. Clarke saying that there is no official guidance yet. Director of Facilities Paul DeMaio gave an overview regarding the Commissioner’s guidance on implementing the health and safety standards in individual districts. He spoke about the Energy Services Company (ESCO) speeding up work on repair of all necessary unit ventilators, in addition to the Dectron pool dehumidification unit. He noted that, together with the maintenance staff, many lavatory vent fans have been repaired already and work continues on the remainder. Sharing items will be discouraged and all hallways will be marked as one-way. Supplies to designate acceptable social distance requirements have been ordered. In-depth discussion was held on re-entry plans in regard to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state guidelines, which included many concerns, comments and questions. The Committee was tasked to further review the document for discussion at the next meeting. Dr. Clarke is requesting another meeting for Wednesday, July 29, 2020 to continue the ever-changing updates and subsequent discussion for fall re-opening. A meeting will be scheduled for July 29, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. New Business: Dr. Clarke reviewed date changes made to the previously approved 2020-2021 school calendar. Discussion followed regarding rewording of the Columbus Day holiday. Motion by Mr. Dubois-White to accept the revised 2020-2021 school calendar as presented by Dr. Clarke and change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. (Second by Ms. Peterson) Roll Call Vote: Mr. Lord Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Mr. Dubois- White Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Motion carries 5-0 Ms. Graves-Harrison stated that Juneteenth (June 19th) is now a state holiday and should be observed as such, including the teaching of appropriate curriculum. Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to accept the observation of Juneteenth as a state holiday and that the date be added to the school calendar. (Second by Ms. Flynn) Roll Call Vote: Mr. Lord Yes Ms. Graves-Harrison Yes Mr. Dubois- White Yes Ms. Flynn Yes Ms. Peterson Yes Motion carries 5-0 Public session:
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Mr. Lord opened Public Session at 8:15 p.m. Mr. Lord noted that this was an opportunity for the public to state their concerns and or questions for Committee members to take under advisement. He requested that they state their name and whether they were a resident of the town. Several residents came forward to address the Committee with questions and concerns surrounding the update on the fall re-opening of school. Mr. Lord closed Public Session at 8:41 p.m. Review of Action Items: Dr. Clarke will make the essential revisions to the 2020-2021 school calendar and send to all parents and staff. Columbus Day will be changed to Indigenous People’s Day and Juneteenth will be added as an observed state holiday. Dr. Clarke will resend the re-opening guidance to Committee members for further review. Motion by Ms. Graves-Harrison to adjourn Open Session. (Second by Ms. Peterson) No discussion Motion carries 5-0 Open Session closed at 8:46 p.m. Documentation for this meeting: July 22, 2020-Regular Business Meeting Agenda July 8, 2020 – Regular Business Meeting Draft Minutes for Approval Revised 2020-2021 School Calendar Distributed at meeting: N/A Approved by Committee: ________________________________________ Mr. Dubois-White, Secretary