WAKEFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE Wakefield, Ma School Committee Minutes March 10, 2015 Present: Chairman Callanan, Vice-Chairman Morgan, Ms. Cook, Ms. Danehy, Mr. Kenney, Mr. Markham, Supt. Zrike, Asst. Supt. Smith, Business Admin. Pfifferling and Clerk Majeski 1. 2.

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Call to Order – Chairman Callanan called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. Reading of Mission Statement – Chairman Callanan read the new mission statement. The mission of the Wakefield Public Schools is to educate and inspire all students to belief-long learners who are meaningful contributors to society and met their academic, social, civic and physical potential. Public Comment/Student Advisory Council a. Public Comment – None b. Student Advisory Council – students reported on the MCAS and PARCC schedule. Jazz Ensemble took the Gold at a recent event. BUDGET HEARING Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Markham, that the School Committee opens the 2015 Budget Hearing. . Roll Call Vote: In favor – Callanan, Cook, Danehy, Kenney, Markham and Morgan. So voted. . Andy Bray, member of the Technology Council applauded the superintendent for putting together a sound budget which includes Full Day Kindergarten and Curriculum & Instruction as well as support materials. Areas we need to look at: technology staff, hardware, media specialist, staff librarians. . Sean McCarthy thanked the administration for helping to continue growth in education. Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Markham that the School Committee closes the Budget Hearing. Roll Call Vote: In favor – Callanan, Cook, Danehy, Kenney, Markham and Morgan. So voted. Mr. Markham thanked the over 50 people who attended the hearing. He encouraged all to create an information-wave about the important thing that are I n the budge. There are a lot of items left “on the floor”. An 11% increase is big, but is necessary. The only way to get it passed is by community support. th The School Committee will vote on the budget at their March 24 meeting, and then move onto the Selectmen and Finance Committee with a final vote at the May Town Meeting. There are five big elements in the budge, but there are also important things that are not in the budget. They are necessary and would make the system exemplary. Chairman’s Reports, Remarks & Recommendations . Four School Committee members visited the Greenwood School this past week. They got a first-hand look at the types of learning that is going on in the classrooms. They were welcomed by the Greenwood Staff and students. Mr. Markham commented that it was important for School Committee members to see the school in session, while students were there. Students were spending a lot of time with the content. Ms. Cook thought it to be a very good experience. Delivery of curriculum quite different then when her children attended school. Students worked cooperatively and amazed at the work they were doing and the way the teacher approached the work. Dr. Zrike thanked the teachers who opened their classrooms to the School Committee. Superintendent’s Remarks, Reports, Recommendations. a. Communications/Remarks . Galvin Middle School Principal Search – Adam Colantuoni has been appointed

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. Walton School search has been reopened. The Search Committee could not identify a candidate in the first round. st . Parent University Schedule - March 21 . Employee Recognition Luncheon on March 10:. Those recognized: 40+ Eleanor Yessaian; 30+ David Butler, Florence Martin, Trudy Delory, Joanne Tedeschi, Michael Sullivan, Michael Boyages,, Beverly Elcewicz, Suzanne Hall, Barry Fitzgerald, Maryann DeVito, Frank Marino, Kathryn Foley, Kathy Palumbo; 25-2 years Jean Gately, Lea Terfry, Sheila Barry; 20-21 Brenda Stewart. . Letter to parents regarding state assessments test schedule . METCO International Night – April 10 . Legislative Bulletin from MASC . Educator Evaluation e-Newsletter b. Article for Town Meeting re. School Transportation – Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Markham, that the School Committee approve the following article for the 2015 Town Meeting Warrant: To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to G.L.c.30B, 12(b), to authorize the School Committee to enter into an agreement for the provision of transportation services for students for a term of up to (5) years, and further to authorize the School Committee to enter into such agreements for such a term in future years, or to see what the Town will do about it. Voted Unan. c. Middle School Field Trip – Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Markham, that the School Committee approves a Galvin Middle School field trip, Grads 7 & 8, to Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH on June 5, 2015. Voted Unan. 7.

Business Items a. Monthly Financial Statement, Grants, Revolving Accounts. Mr. Pfifferling also presented a Fy15 Budget Analysis. b. Personnel Report – Mr. Pfifferling reviewed the personnel report. c. FY16 Governor’s Budget Update – Mr. Pfifferling reviewed the highlights of the Governor’s FY16 budget pertaining to Massachusetts Public Education: . Chap. 70 funding – projected increase $67,480 . Circuit Breaker – level funded should plan on 66-68% reimbursement . Homeless Transportation – 43-45% reimbursement projected . Non-Resident Vocational – transportation $0, tuition rates expected to increase METCO – Wakefield’s share is unknown, but should not be lowered than budgeted expectations Kindergarten – expansion grants have not been funded

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Consent Agenda – Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Markham, that the School Committee approves Payroll Warrants #33 & #35 as presented. Voted Unan.

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Subcommittee/Liaison Reports a. Budget Subcommittee b. Policy Subcommittee – Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Callanan that the School Committee take off the table and approve the following policies: #1014 – Early Childhood Center at Doyle School #1015 – Assignment of Students to Schools Voted Unan.

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Labor Relations Subcommittee – Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Markham that the School Committee approve a Side Letter dated March 2, 2015 between the Wakefield School Committee and Clerical Employees AFSCME, Council 93, Local 3117/AFL-CIO. Voted Unan. 10. Communications Subcommittee - Full Day Kindergarten –Ms. Morgan moved, seconded by Mr. Markham that the School Committee endorses the need to offer Free Full Day Kindergarten in Wakefield beginning in September 2015. Chairman Callanan read a statement from Mr. Kenney in support of All Day Kindergarten. Mr. Callanan also noted that it was a bold and dynamic move and long overdue. Ms. Danehy moved to amend the motion to include “as outlined in a memorandum from Dr. Zrike, to the School Committee dated March 4, 2015”, seconded by Ms. Morgan Vote on amendment unanimous. Vote on main motion unanimous, 11. School Committee Comments – Mr. Callanan wanted to make it clear that the approved field trip to Canobie Lake is an opportunity for students to spend time in a music environment where they will be critique on their abilities. Students will perform with others and receive specific feedback for improvement on their individual instruments/voice part we well as group musicianship. 12. Adjournment – On a motion by Ms. Morgan, and seconded by Ms. Danehy, and voted unanimously the committee adjourned their meeting at 8:50 p.m.

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