May 7, 2012

Hopkinton School District School Board

School Administrative Unit #66

Meeting Minutes

May 7, 2012

IN ATTENDANCE

School Board: David Luneau, Chairman; Elizabeth Durant, Vice Chairman; William Jones, William Chapin

Administration: Steven Chamberlin, Superintendent of Schools; Michelle Clark, Business Administrator; Bill Carozza, Principal, Harold Martin School; Michael Bessette, Principal, Maple Street School; Christopher Kelley, Principal, Hopkinton Middle and High Schools; Rebecca Gagnon, Assistant Principal, Hopkinton Middle and High Schools

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Luneau called the meeting to order at 5:30pm; Ms. Durant led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ADDITIONS/DELETIONS FROM AGENDA BY SUPERINTENDENT

None

CORRESPONDENCE

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to approve the minutes of the additional school board meeting held on April 13, 2012, was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, all in favor, minutes carry.

PUBLIC COMMENT (1)

None

Comments from the Hopkinton School Board

Mr. Chapin stated that he had effective meetings, as part of his school board orientation, with both Mr. Carozza and Mr. Bessette.

STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

a. In Focus: School Climate

Mr. Chamberlin stated that school climate is something that is talked about a lot; making reference to his assessment white paper and the utilization of indicators: attendance, student retention, bullying reports, suspensions, office referrals, and staff retention.

Mr. Chamberlin stated that they have talked extensively about caring in the district. How do kids know if he or she is cared for? He stated that caring is the key. Students need to know that we care about them – this is the foundation of our school.

Tonight, principals will present on the climate in their school.

William Carozza, Harold Martin School

Mr. Carozza stated that at Harold Martin School they model and teach kindness and caring.

He said that Dott LeBaron, master teacher, had an awakening when she took on the responsive classroom.

The Responsive Classroom: increases academic achievement, decreases problem behaviors, improves social skills, creating a safe and joyful classroom.

Mr. Carozza showed a video on the responsive classroom approach.

Ms. LeBaron spoke about her responsive classroom training last summer and how it has made a huge difference in her classroom this year. She stated that it teaches the kids how to get along and be kind.
Each day they have a twenty-minute morning meeting – this meeting sets the tone for the day. Four components of the meeting are:

1) Greeting – many fun greetings

2) Sharing something about your life – huge for her class: sharing writing, math problems

3) Quick activity – games, songs, math – from academics

4) Morning message – students have to answer some type of question

Ms. LeBaron stated that modeling is effective – modeling how we want people to be treated – the kids are always watching.

Ms. Houldsworth added that the children created a doll with a picture of them on it -– they write down their hopes and dreams – it stays up all year.

She stated that they talk about the equipment in the classroom, e.g. markers, and then talk about how to use them in the classroom. This is done before equipment is put out to use: explanation and practice.

Ms. LeBaron stated that this summer they are having a book club on the responsive classroom and ten teachers have signed up.

Mr. Carozza stated that his goal is to have all teachers attend responsive classroom training.

Kim Haley, Student Assistance Program Coordinator, spoke about Hopkinton Middle and High School

Mr. Chamberlin introduced Ms. Haley, Hopkinton High School Student Assistance Program Coordinator. This is Ms. Haley’s fourth year at the high school; her services are contracted through Second Start.

Ms. Haley stated that what she does is substance abuse prevention, intervention, and referrals.

Ms. Haley spoke about the Hopkinton High School Risk Behavior Survey. She addressed and answered questions on a PowerPoint presentation on Hopkinton substance abuse trends.

Highlights from the survey:

Every two years Hopkinton takes part in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey: health related/safety questions: dating, violence, bullying, alcohol use, drug use, nutrition, exercise, etc.

Drugs primarily used: marijuana and alcohol

Binge drinking going down

Marijuana use going up

Prescription drug use going up

Ms. Haley stated that not all students who come to talk to her are actively using drugs – some just come to talk to her about their stress.

Mr. Chamberlin talked about creating awareness. Having small focus groups speak to students.

Mr. Luneau asked about the next step toward mitigation and strategies once the driving factors have been identified.

Ms. Haley stated that strategies would be based on the outcome/information of the focus groups – you want to put your effort into something targeted from the focus groups.

Mr. Kelley stated that this information allows them to get started in September, after thought this summer.

Arlene McGrath, community member, stated that her sons have talked about Ms. Haley’s classroom prevention presentations. She stated that the work Ms. Haley is doing is very powerful.

Mr. Luneau stated that he appreciates everyone’s time to talk about this tonight; laying out the blueprint, identifying what we can do earlier, and how we can stay ahead of the trend.

Michael Bessette, Principal, Maple Street School

Fran Burdette, Behavior Specialist, Maple Street School

Mr. Bessette presented a handout on Academic Engagement, Collaboration, Community Values, and Student Empowerment.

Mr. Bessette spoke about the following four core values and how each impacts the school and what students and staff are working on.

Academic Engagement

Personalized project selection

Choice in assignments

Choice in assessment model

Student selection of learning topic

Use of technology: blogs, media, video, GarageBand

Digital projectors in classrooms

New math resources with digital resources

Student selected rewards and rule development

Active learning/co-teaching of younger kids/modeling

Enrichment Program/Soaring Through the Cosmos

Collaboration

IMPACT

CORE

Team of Tomorrow

Peer Leaders

Scheduling Committee

Behavior Core Team

Grade Level Teaming
Child Study

Hiring Teams

Student Empowerment

SOAR Group

Recycling Initiative

Team of Tomorrow

Pear Leaders

Student Council

Student pledges/announcements

Animal shelter drives

Food pantry drives

Yankee Candle drive

Student jobs

Community Values (The 4 Bs)

Community assemblies on 4Bs (Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be a Community, Be Safe)

Community Clubs

Student Support Center Model

Traditions: Halloween, Science Field Day

Bridges

Student Summer Welcome/Clap In

Grade 6 overnight trip

Chimpanzee trip/Earth Day

Spirit Week
Soaring Through the Cosmos

Ms. Burdette spoke about the student support center management philosophy.

Ms. Burdette stated that they are always collecting data. Over time you see the discipline data falls; every referral is looked at and they program how they are going to intervene.

Mr. Luneau asked what trends have they been able to identify over the last several years?

Ms. Burdette stated fewer referrals to special education.

Mr. Bessette stated that they have talked about the Bill Prebble/Main Street Academix survey, but there is a cost impact. He has been talking to Mr. Chamberlin about creating an in-house survey.

b. HSD Policies

i. Determining a Specific Learning Disability (IHBAA-SLD) (First Reading)

Mr. Chamberlin stated that Attorney Barry has vetted this policy; this is a reauthorization to align with IDEA Grant funding.

ii. Determining the Criteria for Special Education Evaluation (IHBAA-EC) (First Reading)

Mr. Chamberlin stated that Attorney Barry has vetted this policy; also a reauthorization to align with IDEA Grant funding. This policy has been valuable in the use of pending due process and the ground rules.

iii. Wellness (JLCF) (Fifth/Final Reading)

Mr. Chamberlin stated that one change was made from the last reading: Exceptions may be granted to seasonal, gift type sales programs. This is an action item tonight.

Mr. Luneau asked if anyone had any objections? The Board members did not have any objections.

ITEMS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION

a. Personnel

i. Staffing (Action Items)

Karen Locke 0.4 ICT, Maple Street School – Mr. Chamberlin stated that she is currently serving as Technology Integrator, with recent experience serving as a long-term technology substitute. Ms. Locke would replace Susan Batchelder 0.4 ICT, Maple Street School, who is replacing Mr. Kociuba, full time art teacher. This will bring Ms. Locke to a 0.9 FTE.

Debra Jones 1.0 Numeracy Specialist – Mr. Chamberlin stated that Ms. Jones has been preparing for this position. Her passion and experience make her a wonderful candidate for the development and implementation of the Numeracy Specialist new position.

Laura Wuellenweber Guidance Counselor, Maple Street School – Mr. Chamberlin stated that a committee interviewed eight candidates. Laura worked in the district during Jackie Kleiner’s maternity leave. He stated that she is an extraordinary hire for the district.

ii. Nonunion Vacation Accrual

Mr. Chamberlin stated that they are trying to resolve the deferred liability, which is approximately $32,000. Administrators were cleaned up years ago. Going forward, there will be a 14-month span to use vacation time or it will be expunged.

Mr. Luneau asked if the superintendent had the support from the board to get this cleared up? The board was in unanimous support.

b. Tuition Student (Action Item)

Mr. Chamberlin stated the citizenship record of this student is exemplary.

Mr. Kelley has completed the admission process for this student with an enthusiastic nomination to become a member of the 2012-2013 freshman class.

c. Hopkinton High School Graduation

Mr. Chamberlin stated that the school board cookout is June 7, 5:00pm, at the Blood Field pavilion and graduation is June 8, 6:00pm.

Ms. Durant and Mr. Cairns will speak at graduation on behalf of the board. Mr. Luneau will say a few words and introduce them.

d. Hopkinton School Board Schedule: May – June 2012

Mr. Chamberlin advocated rescheduling the June school board meetings to June 4 and 18, as he will be away at a conference on June 25. The board was in agreement to this change.

PUBLIC COMMENT (2)

MATERIALS INCLUDED

Draft School Board Meeting Minutes – April 13, 2012

Nomination Packet (1)

Criteria for Special Education Evaluations Policy

Determining a Specific Learning Disability Policy

Evaluation Checklist

Wellness Policy

Guidance Letter

Hopkinton Educational Support Staff (HESS) Master Contract July l, 2011- June 30, 2013

D. Jones Letter

IMPORTANT DATES

05/07/12 – 05/11/12 – Teacher Appreciation Week

Tuesday, May 8: Harold Martin School

Thursday, May 10: Maple Street School

Friday, May 11: Hopkinton Middle and High School

05/08/12 – Blood Drive, 8:00am-2:00pm, Hopkinton High School gym

05/15/12 – Harold Martin School 2^nd Grade Concert

05/22/12 – High School Concert

05/24/12 – Academic Awards Night

05/25/12 – Susan Graham Pisinski Science Field Day

05/28/12 – No School Memorial Day

05/29/12 – All District Staff Meeting

05/31/12 – Middle School Concert

06/07/12 – School Board/Senior Class Cookout

06/08/12 – Graduation

06/12/12 – Spring Sports Awards

ACTION ITEMS

11. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of Laura Wuellenweber, Maple Street School Guidance Counselor, for the 2012-2013 school year, pending final approval from the Superintendent.