Wakefield School Committee Wakefield, Ma Minutes of July 22, 2014 Meeting Present: Chairman Callanan, Vice-Chairman Kate Morgan, Janine Cook, Anne Danehy, Evan Kenney, Greg Liakos and Tom Markham. Also present – Superintendent Zrike, Business Admin. Pfifferling and Clerk Majeski 1. 2.

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Call to Order – Chairman Callanan called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Reading of Mission Statement – It is the mission of the Wakefield Public Schools to educate and inspire every student to live a life of engaged learning, personal responsibility and positive contribution through: 1) safe and healthy learning environments; 2) diverse learning opportunities; 3) high quality teachers and staff; 4) community involvement and partnerships; and 5) 21st Century tools and skills. General Public Comment – None Educational Spotlight - Dr. Zrike introduced Michelle Zottoli, recently appointed principal of the Woodville School. Ms. Zottoli brings a wealth of teaching and leadership experience to the Woodville. She has taught at multiple levels. She is an experienced, seasoned principal, and was clearly the leading candidate. Ms. Zottoli also serves on the state wide PARCC Advisory Committee around the implementation of PARCC. Ms. Zittolla thanked everyone for their warm welcome, and has met many teachers, parents and students. Youth Risk Behavior Survey - Dr. Zrike noted there is a remarkable consistency from the last survey. There is critical information in the survey, and the system should be responding to it. They (the students) are telling us about the challenges they face within the community, and risks that may impede their learning. There is a partnership between Wakefield High School and Galvin Middle School. Dr. Zrike introduced T. J. Liberti, Asst. Principal at the high school, Andrew Tetrault, Asst. Principal at the Galvin, and Katherine Dhingra, Substance Abuse Coordinator for Wakefield. They did the bulk of the work. The committee has the full survey and summary sheet as well as a recommendation. Ms. D noted she administered the survey two years ago and now with a grant was able to administer it again. It is a survey based on the CDC national survey which measured youth risk behavior. The purpose is to make educated decisions and allocate resources and strategies to address the issues. Mr. Liberti and Mr. Tetrault reviewed portions of the results of the survey. The survey was given to Wakefield High School students grades 9-12 and Galvin Middle School students 7 & 8. The purpose of the survey is to help oversee the prevalence of behaviors that put the youth of Mass at risk for the most significant health and social problems that can occur during adolescence and adulthood. Positive Results: substance abuse is down, 90% of students believe that their parents/guardians would disapprove of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and illicit drug use; 97% of students feel safe coming to school, at school and at home; 2% of students never wear a seatbelt; bullying continues to decrease overall and 70% at WHS and 95% @ GMS have never had sexual intercourse. Concerning Results: use of electronic cigarettes in past 30 days: -22% at WHS and 8.5 at GMS; at WHS 20% have experienced high risk drinking over the past 30 days; over the past 30 days, GMS students have used marijuana; 14% have said yes to being offered, sold or given illegal drug on school grounds at WHS; 12% of WHS/GMS students have made a plan to attempt suicide; WHS 25%, 12% GMS have been bothered by emotion problems; 18% of WHS/GMS students believe teachers almost never intervene in bullying situations. What is the System Doing: Wakefield Substance Abuse Prevention Committee is gaining speed and beginning to implement their e-year strategy; district is investigating idea of partnership with outside souse for counseling; investing into professional development for staff; investing into parental training through Parent University; fully engaged and committed school resource officer for WHS and GMS; commitment

to increase support for student’s emotional well being thru funding school based counselors at GMS; seeing success in bullying program; collaboration with Police Dept.; month meetings with school based Student Support Team; formulating strategies to address students needs based on YRBS data and applied for large grant for Mental Health Services. Mr. Callanan stated that the number of students that are hiding their problems from their parents is startling. Ms. Cook - The recommended actions allows teachers to reach out and provide guidance, and allows the lines of communicate to remain open. Mr. Liakos was impressed with the survey and the presentation was delivered with compassion for the children who are served. He was also encouraged to hear of student support teams. Dr. Zrike noted the middle school will provide time at the end of the day to be used for students to be able to connect with staff. The system has a responsibility and should do more. Success that the district has had around bullying we have taken proactive steps. The data speaks to that. Mr. Kenney was deeply concerned about the suicide number. It is heartbreaking. Bullying has been successful, but suicide number has doubled. There needs to be a strong focus on figuring out why students are drinking, with a standard procedure. Ms. Danehy was concerned with the alcohol and mental health percentages. She asked if there are things in place to identify students and meet their health screening needs. Also concerned about the stress pertaining to grades. She suggested that awards be given only in the senior year. Mr. Markham felt the survey was very telling and informative. The suicide percentage is very disturbing and hopefully people are taking the survey results to heart. 6.

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Chairman’s Agenda: a. Mass Business Alliance for Education Communication from Chamber. Mr. Callanan asked that a letter received from them suggesting that educational systems are out of sync with the demands of the workplace. He directed the Communications/Curriculum Subcommittee to put on their agenda for discussion. b. School Committee Goals – Mr. Callanan reviewed the goals as requested by the members. Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Ms. Cook that the School Committee their 2014-2015 goals as presented by Chairman Callanan. Voted Unan. Superintendent’s Agenda a. Delegation of Authority – Dr. Zrike presented his Delegation of Authority memorandum which notes that in his absence Dr. Smith, Asst. Superintendent would serve at Acting Superintendent, and if she is unavailable Business Manager Mike Pfifferling would serve as Acting Superintendent. b. Dr. Zrike remarked on the MASS Conference he and Dr. Smith attended. They made a presentation at the MASS Executive Institute. Their presentation entitled “Administrators as Coaches – Ongoing Teacher Development” was well received. Also Governor Patrick came and released his Safety & Security report which Dr. Zrike will send to the committee. Every school is submitting their plan for review by the NEMLAC Team. c. Dr. Zrike will be setting up a table at Festival Italian on Saturday, August 23rd. He will highlight the new Doyle Pre-School, and general information about the Wakefield Public Schools. d. Search continues for a director of the Doyle Pre-School. e. BYOD – High School administration has met around their next steps. There will be informational sessions. While we have encouraged the students to purchase their own device, we have an obligation to provide a device if a student cannot afford one or do not choose to purchase their own device. We have made ample plans and are prepared. f. Enrollment Update – Dr. Zrike reviewed the enrollment figures to day. g. Approval of Positions: 1. Doyle School Custodian – Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Liakos, that the School Committee approves the position of Doyle School Custodian, as presented by the Superintendent. Voted Unan. 2. School Psychologist – Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Liakos, that the School Committee

approves the position of School Psychologist, as presented by the Superintendent. Voted Unan. 3. Food Service Director – Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Liakos, that the School Committee approves the position of Food Service Coordinator, and the Food Service Coordinator job description, as presented by the Superintendent. Voted Unan. h. Ms. Mauriello, Food Service Director has been elected President of the Mass Chapter of the School Nutrition Association. She was recently interviewed by Fox News and WBZ. 8. Business Items – Business Manager Mike Pfifferling reviewed the monthly business reports and Personnel Report. 9. Consent Agenda a. Minutes of June 24, 2014 – Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Liakos that the School Committee approves the minutes of June 24, 2014 as presented. Voted Unan. b. Payroll Warrants – Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Liakos, that the School Committee approves Payroll Warrants #49, 51, 51A, 51B, 51C and 51D. Voted Unan. 10. Subcommittee/Liaison Reports a. Policy – Mr. Liakos moved, seconded by Mr. Kenney, that the School Committee lay on the table for two weeks the following policies: 902E Class Size, 907R Salute to Flag & Display of Same and 1000E Intra-District School Transfer Request. Voted Unan. b. Budget – Will meet before the next SC meeting. Mr. Markham noted that when adjustments are made, there will be a clearer picture around the personnel report. c. Communication – Ms. Danehy reported that at their June 18th meeting they discussed communicating changes to curriculum and staff, procedures around technology and standardized testing. 11. School Committee Comments Mr. Markham congratulated Dr. Zrike and Dr.Smith on their presentation at the MASS Exec. Comm, noting that their professionalism gives them a position of prominence in the State. 12. Adjournment – On a motion by Ms. Morgan and seconded by Mr. Liakos, the committee adjourned their meeting at 9 p.m. Voted Unan.