WAKEFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE Wakefield, Ma Minutes of May 26, 2015 School Committee Meeting Present: Chairman Morgan, Vice-Chairman Liakos, Mr. Callanan, Mr. Kenney, Mr. Markham and Mr. Tiro. Supt. Zrike, Business Admin. Pfifferling and Clerk Majeski. 1. Call to Order – Chairman Morgan called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 2. Mission Statement – Chairman Morgan read the Wakefield Public Schools’ Mission Statement. 3. Introduction of Walton School Principal – Dr. Zrike introduced Jeri Hammond, recently appointed Walton Elementary School Principal. Ms. Hammond brings 20 years’ experience teaching in elementary classrooms. With a background in both elementary and special education, she is an advocate for enriching and challenging learning experiences for all learners. Ms. Hammond holds a B.A. in elementary and special education, an M.A. in Consulting Teacher of Reading and an M.A. in Educational Leadership. The committee welcomed Ms. Hammond. 4. Introduction of K-12 Director of Health, Wellness and Athletics. Dr. Zrike introduced Brendan Kent, recently appointed K-12 Director of Health, Wellness and Athletics. Mr. Kent spent the past seven years working as a physical education teacher and coach from Melrose Public Schools. Mr. Kent holds a B.A. in Financial Economics from St. Anselm, a M.Ed. in Physical Education from Salem State University, and licensed as a school athletic director and a school principal from Endicott College. The committee welcomed Mr. Kent. 5. Student Advisory Council a. Committee advised 6. Chairman’s Remarks a. Superintendent’s Evaluation – Chairman Morgan asked that the members get their evaluation material to her by Friday, June 5th. b. Summer School Committee Meeting Schedule - The School Committee will hold one meeting in July, July 14th and back to regular schedule starting in August. 7. Student Spotlight – Dr. Zrike invited Coach Pappas to the table to introduce the nine students that qualified for the Nationals in Greensboro, N.C.; and request approval of a Field Trip request. Coach Pappas noted that this year has been a banner year. Mr. Liakos moved, seconded by Mr. Markham that the School Committee approves a field trip for track team members (9) to attend the Nationals in Greensboro, N.C. Voted Unan. 8. Superintendent’s Remarks, Reports, Recommendations a. New Position at Doyle – Mr. Liakos moved, seconded by Mr. Markham that the School Committee approves the new teacher position at the Doyle School. Voted Unan. Dr. Zrike noted that demand necessitates an 8th and final classroom at the Doyle. The cost of hiring the teacher is approximately $56,920 (M4) and funded by revenue generated by tuitions. Voted Unanimously. b. PARCC Update – Dr. Zrike reviewed an announcement from the PARCC Governing Board noting test changes voted by the PARCC state chiefs. . reduce the testing time for students by about 90 minutes overall;

. consolidate the two windows in English language arts/literacy (including reading & writing) and mathematics into one. . reduce the number of test units by two . in two weeks they will begin the performance level setting process over the summer and the state chiefs will set the performance levels as students begin to return to school in the fall. c. Superintendent’s Comments . Tech Fair – Thursday, June 18th from 6-8 p.m. the Tech Fair will introduce Wakefield families to various vendors SO they will be able to make educated purchasing decisions around technology, for BYOD, Chromebook and personal use at home. . Dr. Smith, Wendy Phillips, Caitlyn Guilmette, and he will be making presentations at the State Conference for Educators in Marlboro on Wed. & Thursday on Developing a Culture of Inquiry for Effective Data Use. . Mental Health Forum – Sixty -five people attended, including staff. It is clear that parents want more information about depression. . Letter to K parents. Proposing to have orientation session to talk about where we are going with K in Wakefield and our philosophy in Wakefield. . Literacy extravagance at the Greenwood School. Very impressive and noted how important it is for parents to see their children’s work. d. Business Administrator Report – Mr. Pfifferling reported on the latest funding proposal for next year per MASC Letter: . increase in per pupil, net to Wakefield, $16,807 raised to $25 . Increase in Cherry Sheet 230K Charter School reimbursement, . Circuit Breaker fully funded at 75% . Homeless Transportation reimbursement 50% . K Grants could be 45-50K rolled into Chap. 70, 9. Consent Agenda a. Approval of School Committee Minutes – Mr. Liakos moved, seconded by Mr. Markham that the School Committee approves the minutes of May 12, 2015 as presented. In favor – Markham, Callanan, Morgan and Liakos. Mr. Kenney and Mr. Tiro abstained. b. Acceptance of Policy Subcommittee Minutes – Mr. Liakos moved, seconded by Mr. Markham that the School Committee accepts the minutes of the May 21th Policy Subcommittee meeting. 10. Subcommittee/Liaison Reports a. Budget – Mr. Markham requested that the subcommittee hold a final meeting before the end of the year to close out the year. Also good news from the MASC re. Legislature update. Early K Grant is big and will be seen in the teaching and learning next year. b. Policy Subcommittee – Mr.Liakos moved, seconded by Mr. Callanan, that the School Committee lay on the table for two weeks the following policies: Revision to Policy #217 Public Participation at School Committee Meetings; Policy #100.1.R – Harassment Discrimination, and Policy #1108 – Parent Communication. Voted Unan. c. Labor Relations will meet next week. Quite a few agenda items to discuss d. Communications – Dr. Zrike noted subcommittee will be meeting next week; Ms. Danehy has

been very active in connecting with Chamber of Commerce, and met with Brian McCoubrey. Will be reaching out to large companies, and TSB will host a gathering in the fall to establish partnerships and relationships with larger businesses. 11. Other .Mr. Liakos asked about METCO an update and asked that it be put on a future agenda. Dr. Zrike noted that the proposal is to fully fund at this point, but there is movement to increase it. .Mr. Tiro wanted to thank two St. Joseph’s parishioners who are leaving Wakefield, Julie and Hasus Buscas who were very involved in Youth Ministry. Would like to thank them for their formative work they brought to the community. . Mr. Callanan noted the Best Buddies ride will take place next weekend, congratulations to the students who won the MWRA contest; congratulations to Class of 2015. . Mr. Markham – congratulations to the Class of 2015. Also to the Greenwood School who made a model of showcasing student work. Good to read about the changes in PARCC. Food Pantry has announced they will be supporting eligible families by providing summer meals. .Mr. Liakos congratulated the Supt. on the mental health service night. Congratulations to Mr. Tiro on his graduation from The College of the Holy Cross. . Dr. Zrike commented on the Memorial Day Assembly which was very inspiring. Students were very respectful. Kudos to Wakefield in recognizing those that have served our country. 12. Adjournment – On a motion by Mr.Liakos and seconded by Mr. Markham, the committee adjourned their meeting.