Watertown School Committee Minutes April 7, 2014

I.

Call to Order and Roll Call Ms. Eileen Hsu-Balzer, Chairman, called the April 7, 2014 meeting to order at 8:04 p.m. Present were Ms. Julie McMahon, Mr. John Portz, Mr. Guido Guidotti, Ms. Liz Yusem, Mr. Michael Shepard and Mr. Mark Sideris. Also present were Dr. Jean Fitzgerald, Ms. Dari Donovan and Ms. Gayle McCracken.

II.

Teaching and Learning Showcase: Mr. James Carter, Principal of Watertown Middle School, presented on the 2014-2015 Teachers of Critical Languages Program. The Watertown Middle School has been selected by the Teachers of Critical Languages Program to receive a grant for an Arabic teacher for the 20142015 school year.

III.

Student Advisors Mr. Cody Hecht and Ms. Elisa Portz, WHS Student Advisors, reported various WHS activities including the Mr. WHS event, the raising of the Watertown Strong flag, and the special edition of Raider Times. The also reported on the WHS Goal Citizenship.

IV.

Public Forum There was no Public Forum.

V. i.

Action Items Budget and Finance Subcommittee recommendation on FY15 Budget Dr. Jean M. Fitzgerald and the district leadership presented the WPS FY15 Budget recommendation. Mr. John Portz reported that the Budget & Finance Subcommittee had voted to recommend the FY15 Budget as presented by Dr. Fitzgerald. A motion was made to send the FY15 Budget recommendation to the Town Manager. The motion was seconded. The motion passed with 6 members voting “Yes” and Mr. Mark Sideris votining “Present”.

ii.

Approval of Minutes i. March 3, 2014 – Regular Monthly Meeting ii. March 31, 2014 – Second Monthly Meeting A motion was made to accept the above minutes as presented. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Hsü-Balzer called a 2 minute recess.

iii.

Acceptance of Gifts i. Rockland Trust A motion was made to accept a gift of $100.00 from Rockland Trust for the Parent Child Home Program. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

ii. Watertown Savings Bank A motion was made to accept a gift of $500.00 from Watertown Savings Bank for the Parent Child Home Program. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. iii. Deleon Family Charitable Fund A motion was made to accept a gift of $2,000.00 from the Deleon Family Charitable Fund for the Hosmer School. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. iv. Anton’s Cleaners A motion was made to accept a gift of $500.00 cash and a $750.00 Amazon Gift Card from Anton’s Cleaners to Watertown Middle School as a second place prize in the Coats for Kids School Rewards Program. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. v. Caring Partners A motion was made to accept a gift of $500.00 from Caring Partners to Watertown Middle School as a second place prize in the Coats for Kids School Rewards Program. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. vi. Watertown Fire and Policy Memorial Golf Tournament A motion was made by Mr. Mike Shepard to accept a gift of $345.00 from the Watertown Fire and Police Memorial Golf Tournament for the Watertown Strong Flag. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. vii. Colonel Daniel Dell’Elce A motion was made by Mr. Mike Shepard to accept a gift of $10,000.00 from Colonel Daniel Dell’Elce for the Athletic Department. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. iv.

Vote on School Choice Ms. Eileen Hsu-Balzer reported that at the last School Committee meeting the School Committee held a discussion/hearing on the issue of School Choice and recommended that the School Committee resolve not to participate in the School Choice program for reasons of space, class size and financial equity. Dr. Fitzgerald’s recommendation is not to participate in School Choice. A motion was made to not participate in School Choice for the 2014-2015 school year. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

v.

Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee recommendation on MSBA Statement of Interest for Watertown High School Mr. Michael Shepard reported on the last Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee meeting. The subcommittee made 3 recommendations for School Committee approval. Mr. Shepard moved that $20,000 be transferred for the replacement of the Steam Cooker at Watertown High School. The motion was seconded Mr. Mark Sideris. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Shepard moved that $139,928 be transferred from the capital funds budget to facilitate construction of the Watertown High School Science Labs. The motion was seconded Mr. Mark Sideris. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Shepard moved that the School Committee approve the MSBA Statement of interest for Watertown High School and send it to the Town Council for approval. Ms. Hsü-Balzer asked that the motion be amended to read as follows: “Resolved: Having convened in an open meeting on Monday, April 7, 2014, prior to the closing date, the School Committee of Watertown, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest, Core Program Request, dated before the April 11, 2014 closing date for the Watertown High School located at 50 Columbia Street, Watertown, MA 02472, which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future Priority #7: Replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements. Description: potential new school; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the City/Town/Regional School District to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.” Mr. Shepard amended the motion. The motion was seconded by Ms. Liz Yusem. The motion passed unanimously.

VI.

Reports A. Personnel Ms. Gayle McCracken, Human Resource Director, reported on the professional appointments, support personnel, and LOAs. B. Chairman’s Report No report.

C. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Fitzgerald invited all in attendance to the Flag Ceremony to be held on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 8 AM at Watertown High School. The Transition to Success class designed and purchased a Watertown Strong flag and it will be raised for the first time during the ceremony. VII.

Next Meetings Monday, May 5, 2014

Monthly Meeting

VIII.

New Business

IX.

Adjournment Ms. Hsü-Balzer adjourned the April meeting at 9:39 p.m.

Sincerely, Guido Guidotti Secretary