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WelcomeMINUTES OF THEFRANKLIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE Tuesday, October 21, 2003 Chairman Jeff Roy called the Franklin School Committee meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Franklin Town Hall. Members Present: Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Malacaria, Mr. Murray, Mrs. Mullen, Mrs. Nulton, Mr. Roy and Mrs. Scofield. Also Present: Dr. David Crisafulli, Superintendent of Schools, school administrative personnel and members of the general public. The Pledge of allegiance was recited and a moment of silence was observed. 1. ROUTINE BUSINESS A. Citizens Comments None B. Minutes Mrs. Scofield made a motion to accept the minutes of the Sept.23, 2003 School Committee Meeting, subject to revision. Mrs. Malacaria seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed 7-0. C. Payment of Bills Mr. Murray made a motion to accept the warrants totaling $ 490,198.54; Mrs. Scofield seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed 7-0. D. Payroll Mrs. Malacaria reviewed payroll from September 18 to October 18 and found it in order. E. Correspondence A letter concerning the opening of Negotiations for the Secretaries Association was reviewed and noted by Chairman Jeff Roy. 2. GUESTS / PRESENTATIONS A. Chairman Jeff Roy and Dr. Crisafulli presented a plaque to Jeffrey Chaffee, an Oak Street School teacher and finalist in 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science teaching. Mr. Roy noted that the Presidential Award was established by the White House in 1988 to recognize outstanding leadership in science and mathematics. He added that Mr. Chaffee would travel to Washington in March of 2004 to attend a reception. B. Chairman Jeff Roy and Dr. Crisafulli presented a plaque to Tim Farmer, Principal of the Remington School and recipient of the Milken Family Foundation National Educational Award. Mr. Roy noted that the Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner of Education presented the award to Mr. Farmer last week at the Remington School. Mr. Roy added that only 2 teachers are recognized per each of the 50 states. C. School Improvement Plans 1. Jefferson Elementary - Principal Jane Hyman Goals for this year - • Develop and write school improvement plan • Professional development • Increase use of media center and library • Challenge children with exceptional talent Discussion followed 2. G.M. Parmenter Elementary – Principal Judith Bassignani Goals for this year – • Develop school improvement plan • Review improvement suggestions made in NEASC report • Develop survey for parents and staff to identify other areas for improvement • Establish reading and math clubs • Review and revise school safety plan Discussion followed Mrs. Nulton made a motion to approve all School Improvement Plans. Mr. Murray seconded. The motion passed 7-0. 3. DISCUSSION ONLY ITEMS A. Elementary Report Cards Mrs. Nancy Sprague, Curriculum Coordinator for Franklin Public Schools introduced a panel of Franklin Elementary School teachers who have worked together on a committee with parent and teacher input to make changes to elementary school report cards. The goal is to adapt the existing report card to more adequately represent the educational development of the student in each core subject area in order to satisfy the recently legislated “no child left behind” initiative. The teachers presented their work thus far. Discussion followed. School Committee members complimented the teachers on their hard work and excellent presentation, stating that they had a much better understanding of the new card. Some members of the general public stated their views. Mrs. Anne Knapp a parent and teacher read a written statement which stated that she was “in complete agreement with the ‘standards-based’ card” which she felt more adequately represents a child’s understanding and learning progression. Mr. Frank Koudelka, a parent who was first against the new ‘standards-based card’ thought the committee had done well, but is now looking for them to go the next step. In addition to the standard-based grades, which he does find helpful, he would like to see traditional letter grades for core subjects included on the card as well, in order to provide a more ‘exact’ picture of a child’s progress. Mr. Koudelka also stated that he had a signed petition from over 1,000 Franklin parents who share his opinion. Mrs. Joanna Lakman stated she appreciated the team’s effort and presentation but she still finds the “B, P and M’s vague. Mr. John Swain, a teacher and member of the middle school’s report card committee stated that his team’s goal is to improve the middle school report card to help parents better understand where children need help. The parents surveyed at the middle school level overwhelmingly preferred letter grading. Parents also preferred to have some sort of method to see how their children are progressing in the content standard. The middle school report card committee is looking for ways to add the standards to the middle school reports while also maintaining a letter grade. Mr. Roy thanked everyone for their feedback and called a 5 minute recess at 9:03 p.m.—meeting convened at 9:10 p.m. B. MASC convention delegate(s) and resolutions Mr. Roy stated that the convention will take place on November 12, 13, and 14 in Worcester, Massachusetts. Mr. Roy and Dr. Crisafulli will attend. Mr. Roy asked that any other school committee members who would like to attend let him know ASAP so that arrangements can be made. Mr. Roy noted that resolutions will be out to vote at the October 28th meeting. Once the vote is taken, Mr. Roy will then be able to enter the vote on behalf of the Franklin School Committee. C. Strategic plan committee formation Chairman Roy solicited input from other members asking them to forward name suggestions to him by Friday morning, October 24, 2003. Mr. Roy added that once he receives suggestions the strategic plan committee will be chosen within a week or two. 4. ACTION ITEMS • A motion to recommend approval of a calendar change for early release days was tabled for further discussion at the next meeting. • Mrs. Scofield made a motion to recommend approval of a request by Jane Hyman to sell the surplus textbook/workbook inventory from Jefferson Elementary School to Follett Educational Services. Mrs. Kelly seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed 7-0. • Mrs. Scofield made a motion to accept a gift of $1,000.00 from the Singleton family to be used to support the anti-bullying initiative and other enrichment programs for the students of Horace Mann Middle School. Mrs. Malacaria seconded. The motion passed 7-0. • Mrs. Mullen made a motion to accept $76.55 from Target for the Horace Mann Middle School gift account. Mrs. Kelly seconded. The motion passed 7-0. • Mrs. Kelly made a motion to accept $239.22 from Target on behalf of families participating in the Target Take Charge of Education School Fundraising program for the Franklin High School gift account. Mrs. Scofield seconded. The motion passed 7-0. • Mr. Murray made a motion to recommend approval of Peter Light’s request to take approximately 80 students (with chaperones) to New York City from Saturday, February 28th to Sunday, February 29th, 2004 for a performance given by the Metropolitan Opera. Mrs. Scofield seconded. The motion passed 7-0. • Mrs. Kelly made a motion to accept a $700.00 environmental grant awarded to Jonathan Twining, a 7th grade science teacher at the Remington Middle School. Mrs. Scofield seconded. The motion passed 7-0. • Mrs. Scofield made a motion to accept a $1,495.00 check from the Parent Communication Council at Oak Street to be used for the Grade 3 students to visit Plimoth Plantation on Friday, October 24, 2003. Mrs. Nulton seconded. The motion passed 7-0. 5. INFORMATION MATTERS A. Superintendent’s Report FY04 Budget Update • Dr. Crisafulli stated that the books are closed on FY03. FY04 is a “work in progress.” More updates at subsequent meetings. Horace Mann Design/Administrative Structure Update • Currently looking at job descriptions for principal and assistant principal for Horace Mann. More updates next meeting. B. School Committee Sub Committee Reports • Building and Grounds Committee met with Ed Cafaso. Mr. Murray would like to invite Mr. Cafaso to attend next School Committee meeting to discuss areas of exploration. • Budget sub committee did meet. Mrs. Malacaria stated that there are some unknowns. Definitive information is needed before closing the books. Waiting for town to close its books before school department closes books. C. School Committee Liaison Reports • Mrs. Mullen reported that construction of the Horace Mann School is coming along. Construction of the ECDC section of the school is on or ahead of schedule. Bids came in low from furniture consultants. A furniture consultant will begin work at Oak Street and shared spaces. • Mrs. Scofield stated that the Policy sub committee met to review the review of the goals for the superintendent. More discussion and update next week. 6. NEW BUSINESS • Mrs. Scofield would like to recognize fall sports teams at an upcoming meeting. • Mr. Murray would like to have Ed Cafaso come in to explain details and areas of exploration. • Mrs. Mullen would like to see executive minutes. Dr. Crisafulli has them at the school department offices and will bring them to the next meeting. • Mrs. Nulton would like to see a current budget status report from Dr. Crisafulli at the next meeting. • Mr. Murray made mention of several happenings at Franklin area schools including an elementary school’s partnership with a Senior Center, a good citizenship program and other noteworthy events and accomplishments. • Mr. Roy requested that the regular School Committee meeting scheduled for November 5 be rescheduled to November 18 in order to allow for the swearing in of new members in Town Council Chambers on November 5. 7. MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION On a motion by Mrs. Nulton seconded by Mrs. Kelly, the Committee agreed to go into Executive Session at 10 p.m. to discuss contract negotiations and other issues. Roll call vote: Mrs. Kelly – yes, Mrs. Malacaria – yes, Mr. Murray – yes, Mrs. Mullen – yes, Mrs. Nulton – yes, Mr. Roy – yes, Mrs. Scofield – yes. All were in favor, motion passed 7-0. 8. ADJOURN The Committee adjourned during Executive Session and did not return to Open Session. The next Franklin School Committee meeting will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2003. Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Michelle Gallo |
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Meeting Minutes 
07Jan03
2001 Meeting Minutes