Wakefield School Committee Special School Committee Workshop Wednesday, September 18, 2013 Present: Chairman Danehy, Vice-Chairman Callanan, Kate Morgan, Evan Kenney, Greg Liakos, Janine Cook, Tom Markham, Supt. Zrike. 1. Call to Order - Chairman Danehy called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m. 2. MASC Mike Gilbert – Ms. Danehy introduced Mike Gilbert from the Mass Association of School Committees. 3. Superintendent Zrike passed out a book entitled “The Essential School Board Book” A Better Governance in the Age of Accountability. There will be a School Committee workshop on Saturday, Sep, as well as how they operate with the superintendent. Ms. Danehy advised that at the September 28th meeting, the committee will develop protocols in terms of communication and how Dr. Zrike communicates with the School Committee. 4. Mr. Gilbert before reviewing in depth the Roles and Responsibilities of the School Committee. He advised that the school committee is responsible for the what and why; the superintendent is responsible for the who, when and where. Leadership: read the packet, attend the meetings, participate and seek information. When asked about the budget process, he advised that the budget should happen at the full table. When that happens at the subcommittee level, information does not filter out appropriately. Mr. Callanan pointed out the value of the Budget Subcommittee and in subcommittee they can filter out of information and keep the school committee informed. The subcommittee is a less formal environment. Mr. Gilbert advised that not every meeting has to be formal and on TV. When you bring it to the full table, the recommendation comes forward. Code of Ethics – Mr. Gilbert spoke about how the committee deals with each other and communicate. The committee is suppose to take ethics training every two years. Budget 1. Superintendent/Business Admin. working with the principals, develops the budget. 2. School Committee approves the budget as well as approves all transfer of funds. Committee needs to set up accounts that correlate to the Chart of Accounts. The committee should not go below them. Policy – Mr. Gilbert recommended that the superintendent should have a role in developing policy. It allows and involves him to bring recommendations that can be helpful in formulating policy. The committee should have a “Use of Facilities” policy. Also, redistricting belongs to the committee but should involve the superintendent and administration.

1. Mr. Gilbert talked about the “chain of command protocol, especially in dealing with parent complaints. (Mr. Markham arrived at 7 p.m.) 2. Mr. Gilbert reviewed the procedure of members contact administrators and faculty directly. Superintendent Zrike noted that he has communicated with his Leadership Team; that ,if a school committee member contacts them they are to notify him right away. Agenda Setting If a member asked for something to be put on the agenda, a time limit of completion should be set. Personnel – if a recommendation comes forward and the individual does not meet the qualifications, the committee can say no to the appointment. Ms. Danehy asked if a Search Committee has been established, should school committee members be on the Search Committee. Mr. Gilbert recommended that there should not be a member on the committee; the superintendent screens the applicants. Comunicating with Public – The Chairman should communicate on all issues on a general level. During a crisis, communication should belong to the superintendent. There should be talking points. Collective Bargaining 1. School Committee is the agent 2. Superintendent manages of all existing contracts. Superintendent and administrators should be consulted and then come up with proposals. There should be strategies; what are we willing to give up and what are we will to trade. Grievances – because of the new evaluation system, there will be more grievances. Social Media – committee should discuss what and how it is being used. How to manage protocols. Information should be put out in a forum. Also Twitter is a good tool. Crisis - When dealing with a crisis there should be a uniform statement from the Chairman. Also a protocol should be establish when Superintendent is out of district. Adjournment – On a motion by Mr. Callanan and seconded by Mr. Liakos, the committee adjourned their meeting at 8:20 p.m.