Town of Provincetown

School Committee

Veterans Memorial  Elementary School Library

Minutes of  November 8, 2005

 

Members Present: Terese Nelson (Chairperson), Peter Grosso( ViceChair), Debra Trovato,  Molly Perdue, Burton Wolfman( Secretary).

Student Representatives:   Jasmine Hadley, Helen Hemley

 

Also in Attendance:   Janice Lachowetz, Superintendent of Schools,  Anthony Teso, VMES Principal/DSS,   Edward Boxer, PHS Principal,  Jessica Waugh, Curriculum Coordinator,  Susan Avellar, Peter Codinha, Elizabeth  Francis, Susan Baker and Dr. Joely Edwards

 

Chair called to meeting to order at 4:20 P.M.

 

 

Public Comments:

Susan Avellar, on behalf of the Provincetown Education Association, sought clarification from the Committee regarding the status of its contract negotiation.  Terese Nelson, Chair, requested that Ms Avellar meet with Peter Grosso (member of the Negotiation Sub Committee) after the meeting for an update.

 

Minutes:

Deb Trovato made a motion to approve the October 11, 2005 Minutes (Workshop). Seconded by Molly Perdue.  So Voted.

Deb Trovato made a motion to approve the October 11, 2005 Minutes (Regular Meeting).

Seconded by Molly Perdue.  So Voted.

 

Financial up-date:

Material was distributed in member’s packets. There was no request for further information.

 

New Business:

8.1   First reading of PSC Policy CPR Defibrillation program in schools. Dr. Edwards described the purpose and implementation of the program.  School Nurse, Susan Baker described the locations of equipment and staff training necessary.  The Committee will review and consider for approval.  The 2nd Reading will be placed on next Regular School Committee meeting Agenda.

 

Educational Update:

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Lachowetz  informed the Committee of a commendation letter from Governor  Romney for the schools response to hurricane Katrina victims

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Superintendent Lachowetz also reported on a grant from the Hiebert Foundation to support preschool child care.   

She announced the appointment of Ron Weissenberger as the director of the Senior Play.

 

Superintendent Lachowetz announced a planned luncheon for Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee Members to visit and tour the schools on November 15th.

 

VMES Principal/DSS Report

Anthony Teso reported  on  the following activities:

•  Continuing work on school improvement plans with  special  focus on math benchmarks, parent meetings to discuss departmentalization of grades 4, 5 & 6

•   School Council meetings regarding budget development,

•   A new initiative by the Academy and Fine Arts Work Center looking at more educational opportunities in the arts,

•   The schools continuing relationship with the Provincetown Art Association and Museum student curatorial program,

•   Visual Thinking Strategies in grades K-3, and the assignment of  Lisa Fox to work with these above noted organizations to obtain a potential State Cultural Grant.

 

PHS Principal

Edward Boxer reported on several commendatory events and competitions occurring within the next several weeks. He also described the activities associated with the 8th grade interdisciplinary studies of Living by the Sea.  Mr. Boxer continues to work on  school improvement and meeting with School Council on budgetary development.

 

Curriculum Coordinator’s Report

Jessica Waugh reported on the success of the Professional Development Day and the effectiveness of consultants in classroom visits in order to help improve math instruction.

 

Unfinished Business:

10.1  Committee members and Superintendent  signed copies of the  Truro Tuition Agreement (2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09)  approved at an earlier meeting.

 

10.2

Burt Wolfman made a motion that  the committee approve the purchase of EdLine software to implement a functional web site design;  the web site should not go on line however, before the Committee has approved the policy prepared by the staff insuring universal and uniform implementation, and a procedure for monitoring compliance.  The motion was seconded by Peter Grosso.  So voted 5-0.

 

Burt Wolfman reported on visit to VMES computer class and his favorable impression of  students’ success.   He also noted that the high school students have the potential to do the animation and graphics for the new web site.

 

Burt Wolfman, due to a prior commitment, left the meeting at 5:30 P.M.

 

New Business:

11.1     The committee was given (for first reading)  the revised CORI policy for review.  The policy format and language  was forwarded from the MASC which is following the guidelines set by the Criminal History Systems Board.   The committee will take the new policy under advisement and have it placed on the next school committee school agenda (regular meeting) for 2nd reading.

 

11.2   The committee discussed the Hiebert Foundation Grant.  Molly Perdue made a motion to approve the $8000.00 for the purpose of providing “seed money” to cover several months pay for two projected employees in the proposed day care program. 

Seconded by Deb Trovato.  So Voted  4-0 (Mr. Wolfman absent)

 

Adjournment:

Deb Trovato moved to adjourn.  Molly Perdue seconded.  So voted  at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

Respectively Submitted

 

 

School Committee Signature                                              Date

 

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These minutes were approved at a School Committee meeting held on

______________________, 2005