School Committee
MINUTES OF THE CHELSEA SCHOOL
COMMITTEE MEETING
June 11, 2009
APPROVED SEPTEMBER 24, 2009
The Chelsea School Committee met on Thursday, June 11, 2009, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 500 Broadway, Chelsea.
Members Present: Chairman Rosemarie Carlisle, Vice-Chairman James E Dwyer, Lucia Colon, Michael Caulfield, Ed Ells, Ramona Foster, Lisa Lineweaver, and Morrie Seigal.
Also Present: School Superintendent Dr. Thomas S. Kingston, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mary M. Bourque, Executive Director Administration & Finance Gerry McCue, Human Resources Director Tina Sullivan, and School Business Manager and Clerk to the School Committee Barbara Martin.
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance: The rules of the meeting were suspended to allow for commendation presentations to the Chelsea Students of the Year and to the Chelsea Public School retirees. The meeting was turned over to Dr. Kingston to make the presentations.
2009 Students of the Year
Christine Duong- Hooks School
Glenda Estefany Martinez- Sokolowski School
Bessy Maldonado Pineda- Kelly School
Liem Vu- Berkowitz School
Reyna Maldonado Chavez- Browne School
Shantavius Smith- Wright School
Amanda Guzman Brea- Clark Ave School
James Ridge- Chelsea High School
Catherine Rodriguez- Chelsea High School
2009 Retirees
Paula Campers
Nancy Collins
Harold Elder, Jr.
Hazel Grenham
Sheila Harrison
Charles Kwiaktowski
Jenny LaVigne
Carol Milano
Rosemarie Miller
Robert Tiro
Eileen Willey
At this time, Chairman Carlisle requested a recess to allow audience members to leave if they wished.
Dr. Kingston also commended student representative Michael Chung for his time and dedication to the position. Mr. Chung was presented with a pen & pencil set from the School Committee.
3. School Committee Minutes: The minutes of the May 28, 2009, School Committee Meeting were unanimously approved.
4. Public Comment: None
5. Report of the Superintendent of Schools:
Student Achievement: Dr. Kingston called upon Dr. Bourque to report on student achievement. Dr. Bourque presented senior graduation data. The information is prior to summer school completion. Dr. Bourque discussed the graduation data as of June 3, 2009. Of the 277 seniors, 98.19% received their competency determination which is an increase over last year. Thirty-five students passed their MCAS requirements but did not meet the local graduation requirements. Steps are being taken to reach those students and help them to complete the needed courses. A copy of the report is enclosed and forms a part of these minutes. Questions and discussion ensued.
Dr. Bourque announced that the MCAS and AYP numbers will be released shortly, earlier than in other years.
Personnel Report: Dr. Kingston commended the personnel report to the record. He also reported that there will be a work force reduction of 10 positions, and 28 non-renewals for various reasons. Dr. Kingston noted that this number is low compared to other districts.
Enrollment Report: Dr. Kingston commended the Enrollment Report to the record. As of June 9, 2009, the district-wide enrollment was 5,675 students, including 130 students in out-of-district placements. In addition, there are three (3) Chapter 768 students for whom the district has financial responsibility.
Miscellaneous: Dr. Kingston noted that Monday, June 22, 2009, is the last day of school for students and Tuesday, June 23, 2009, is the last day for teachers. Summer school sessions run from July 6th to August 6th, four days a week.
Dr. Kingston provided the committee with a copy of the Agreement as to the Implementation of Chelsea High School Grading Policy, which was approved on May 19, 2009.
6. New Business: Ms. Ells moved to accept an amendment to the collective bargaining agreement for the period of July 1, 2008 through July 30, 2009 between the Chelsea School Committee and the Chelsea Teacher’s Union Local 1340 AFT MA, AFL-CIO. The amendment covers the provisions of the Expanded Learning Time at the Joseph A. Browne Middle School. The motion was amended to correct the period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.
Chairman Carlisle called for a roll call vote.
1 / Rosemarie Carlisle Y2 / James Dwyer Y
3 / Morrie Seigal Y
4 / Edward Ells Y
5 / Ramona Foster Y
6 / Lisa Lineweaver Y
7 / Michael Caulfield Y
8 / Lucia Colon Y
9 / Melinda Alvarado-Vega Absent
On a roll call vote the motion was unanimously approved
Ms Colon moved to accept the $2000.00 RTNDF High School Broadcast Journalism Grant.
Chairman Carlisle called for a roll call vote.
1 / Rosemarie Carlisle Y2 / James Dwyer Y
3 / Morrie Seigal Y
4 / Edward Ells Y
5 / Ramona Foster Y
6 / Lisa Lineweaver Y
7 / Michael Caulfield Y
8 / Lucia Colon Y
9 / Melinda Alvarado-Vega Absent
On a roll call vote the motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Colon moved to accept a $350.00 donation from Kids Club, Inc., to help defray the cost of uniforms for the Chelsea High School Track and Field Teams.
Chairman Carlisle called for a roll call vote.
1 / Rosemarie Carlisle Y2 / James Dwyer Y
3 / Morrie Seigal Y
4 / Edward Ells Y
5 / Ramona Foster Y
6 / Lisa Lineweaver Y
7 / Michael Caulfield Y
8 / Lucia Colon Y
9 / Melinda Alvarado-Vega Absent
On a roll call vote the motion was unanimously approved.
7. Communications: Accepted and filed a letter from Anne Booth, Executive Director Shore Educational Collaborative
8. Committee Reports:
· Human Resources: Mr. Ells reported that the subcommittee met in executive session on May 28, 2009, prior to the regular School Committee meeting.
· Budget & Finance: Ms. Lineweaver reported that the subcommittee last met on June 3, 2009. A copy of the report is attached and forms a part of these minutes.
· Curriculum and Instruction: Ms. Foster reported that the subcommittee met on May 28, 2009. A copy of the report is attached and forms a part of these minutes.
· Student Representative: Mr. Chung reported that the Class of 2009 graduated on Sunday, June 7, 2009. Mr. Chung then thanked the committee for the opportunity to give the students a voice and to continue with the good work that they have accomplished. He also thanked Dr. Kingston and Dr. Bourque for their dedication and passion for education.
9. Announcements: Mr. Dwyer donated Heat by Mike Lupica to the Williams Library. Nancy Pantano, Clerk to the Chelsea City Council donated Fancy Nancy-Explorer Extraordinaire by Jane O’Conner to the Early Learning Center.
10. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8.25 p.m.
Recorded by
Barbara A. Martin
Business Manager
Clerk to the Chelsea School Committee