Town of
School Committee
Minutes of
Members Present: Terese Nelson (Chair), Peter Grosso (Vice Chair),
Excused: Debra
Trovato, and Student Representatives: Pele
Berg and Jasmine Hadley
Others Present: Jessica Waugh, Supt. of Schools, Dr. Floriano Pavão,
The Chair called the meeting
to order at
Public Comments:
None
Minutes:
Peter Grosso made a motion to
approve the
Chair, Terese Nelson made a
few opening remarks noting that since the FY-08 School Budget appears to have
the support of the Finance Committee, the School Committee needs to renew its
efforts, before Town Meeting, to define
the organizational and curricular changes being initiated. Ms. Nelson also stressed the need to increase
efforts to improve and expand the
Burt Wolfman made a motion to
change the order of the Agenda and move-up New Business and 6.3 Crisis Protocol
Collaboration Provincetown Schools and Provincetown Police Department to take
the place of the Superintendent’s Update and move the Superintendent’s Update
to the New Business space. Peter Grosso
seconded the motion. It was so voted
4-0.
New Business:
6.3
Dr. Pavão and Acting Police Chief Tobias described the
on-going planning between the school department and the police department to
develop a Crisis Protocol Collaboration. This planning would continue to include
parents, students, and teachers for input.
The planning will also be followed by a series of exercise drills. Currently,
this discussion is for informational
purposes only, however, the Crisis Protocol Plan will come before the School Committee
again once the plan is completed.
6.2 Discussion of
Distribution of Potassium Iodide (KI)
Valerie Carrano, Provincetown Public Health Nurse as well as Director
of COA was in attendance representing Brian Carlson the health agent who was
unable to attend the meeting. Ms.
Carrano described the new health program, required by the
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discussion with the school
nurse and consulting pediatrician. Once
the protocol is determined, it would require parental approval.
6.1 Manor/Deaconess Motta
Field Review
Dennis Anderson representing
the Cape End Manor and Deaconess Hospital described the impact of the new construction
on Motta Field. Specifically he noted
that the existing fence needs to be moved in order to conform with the surveyed
lot lines. Mr. Anderson further stated that efforts were being made to preserve
the concession stand and the dugout. After considerable discussion and reflection on the part of the School Committee
that the solution proposed was satisfactory, it was agreed by all parties to
revisit the issue within the next week.
6.5 Sick Leave Bank Request
A letter from an employee
requesting days from the sick leave bank was discussed. In order to make-up the sick leave bank
committee which reviews such requests, two school committee members must be
appointed to serve along with the school principal and two members of the
PAE. It was so noted that Mr. Grosso and Ms.
Patrick had, earlier in the year, been appointed as the two school committee
members to serve on this particular Sub-Committee to review sick leave
requests.
Superintendent’s Update:
● Ms. Waugh noted her appreciation for the VMES
Chinese New Year performance. The
Committee indicated a letter of
appreciation to the students and staff be sent.
● Ms. Waugh also noted that a teacher task
force met on a weekend recently to continue defining curricular issues for the
coming year. The task force will report to the faculty at the professional
development day scheduled for March 19th.
● Ms. Waugh informed the Committee that twenty-nine
students participated in the Lion’s Club Peace Poster competition.
● Other items:
▫
The retirement, at the close of the current school year, of 6th
grade teacher Helen Motto was announced.
Mrs. Motto has served the VMES for 32 years.
▫ Ms. Waugh informed the Committee that the
Department of Education has approved the district’s Teacher Quality Improvement
Plan noting that it has met each of the required components.
▫
Ms. Waugh also indicated
there is a new custodial/maintenance log now being
kept.
Unfinished Business
5.1 PSC Sub-Committee List
The Committee again agreed to
table the update of the sub-committee list at a later meeting.
After a committee discussion Burt
Wolfman made a motion to ask the administration to draft a Resolution for the Town Meeting warrant declaring that
the Provincetown Public Schools remain open. Shannon Patrick seconded the motion. It was stated the rational for such a
resolution is to
convey to surrounding
communities there is no risk of our school closing, and school choice and
tuitioned-in students are welcome. It
was so voted 4-0
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The Committee had an informal
discussion regarding the pre-school program.
The committee also discussed
the need for a committee workshop on curricular and program changes.
The Committee adjourned at
Respectively Submitted
School
Committee Signature Date
These Minutes were approved
at a meeting held on:___________________