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MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BRAINTREE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Monday, January 30, 2012 7:00 P.M. COLBERT School
348 Pond Street
School Committee Present: Tom Devin/Lisa Heger/Shannon Hume/
Pam Kiley/David Ringius/Mayor Joseph
Sullivan/Joseph Zarrella
Administration: Superintendent of Schools - Dr. Peter Kurzberg
Assistant Superintendent – Dr. Maureen Murray
Business Manager – Mr. Peter Kress
Recorder: Mary Mitchell
Student Representatives: Abby MacLean, Lesley Wang
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Hume called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm. She welcomed the return of
newly-appointed School Committee member Joseph Zarrella.
ROUTINE MATTERS
A. Approval of Minutes – Open Session – January 9, 2012
VOTED: Upon a motion by Mr. Ringius and seconded by Mr. Devin to
accept the minutes for the Open Session of January 9, 2012, as
amended.
ROLL CALL: AYES - 6
Mr. Devin/Ms. Heger/Ms. Hume/Ms. Kiley/Mr. Ringius/
Mayor Sullivan
ABSTAIN – 1
Mr. Zarrella
B. Commendations:
- William Mullin, BHS Senior – Eagle Scout Award
- SMMEA Senior District Music Festival Participants
- BPS Music Department – holiday performances
- Ruth Powell/Arthur Dalton/Gail & Robert Fraser/Thomas Corcoran/
Bill Hedlund – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker Award
Recipients.
Dr. Kurzberg also commended the BHS Show Choir for their
performance at this event.
- Sarah Murphy, East Middle Student – Martin Luther King Day –
Governor’s Project 351
SC Meeting Minutes January 30, 2012 Page 2.
- Paula Dowd, BPS Nursing Coordinator – appreciation letter
Developed MA guide for managing diabetes in school settings
- Mike Denise – BPS Athletic Director -- District C Athletic Director of
the Year by the MSSADA Executive Board
- T. Michael Molongoski, former BPS Asst. Superintendent -
Children’s Book Author -‘The Big Guy’
On the Clipboard –
- Jackie Curran/Julie Crowley/Paul Bache/Norwood Pearson/
Melissa Morett/Andrew Curran/Zack Ritland/Mary O’Donnell/
Ryan Puntiri/Elizabeth Truax/Rachel Porter/Courtney Wheeler/
Stacey Dowd – East Middle School Staff
RECOMMENDED ACTION
A. New Business:
1. Approvals:
a. Middle School Program of Studies
Middle School Principals, Messrs. John Sheehan and Ed
McDonough came forward to present the Middle School
Program of Studies for 2012-2013. Mr. McDonough expressed
appreciation for the support of the School Administration and
the School Committee. He spoke about the growth that middle
school students experience during their tenure in middle school.
He praised the students for their maturity, involvement, and
accomplishments. He indicated that middle school prepares
students for high school, teaches students how to be organized,
helps them learn how to live in a community and to become
leaders. Every teacher communicates care for their students
and love of their subject matter. Paraeducators function as
academic paraeducators, participating fully in the classroom.
The parent portal has been reactivated, and parents are advised
to review the parent portal with their students on a weekly basis.
Mr. McDonough noted that with last year’s change in the home-
work policy, homework counts for 10 to 15% of the student
grade, but can be isolated from the rest of the grade so parents
can be aware of this component of the grade.
He indicated that student safety is a high priority. The school
buildings are electronically locked. Connect-Ed is used to
communicate with parents. Each middle school has a club
inspired by the Rachel’s Challenge Program which works to
build a positive school culture.
SC Meeting Minutes January 30, 2012 Page 3.
Technology is steadily improving due to interactive projectors
largely funded by the Braintree Fund for Education (BFFE).
This technology facilitates efficiency and clarity in instruction.
Mr. McDonough indicated that a variety of safety nets are in
place for students who are struggling with academic, social
and emotional issues.
Mr. Sheehan reviewed the Program of Studies, pointing out the
Mission Statement for the school system, as well as one specific
to the middle schools. He indicated that the document evolves
over time and that this year’s changes reflect the move to the
new Common Core Curriculum. The middle schools have high
expectations of academic rigor. They strive to meet the needs
of many types of learners, providing a learning environment best
suited for each student. The description of student supports
don’t begin to tell the story of all that is done for them.
Mr. Sheehan said that academic achievement as well as
student effort are recognized. Test scores are emphasized,
but the school is not defined by test scores alone. They strive
to prepare students for further education, and hope that their
students will be better people for having attended South or
East Middle Schools.
As a parent of a middle school student, Mr. Devin expressed
his appreciation of the Aspen Parent Portal.
Ms. Kiley expressed her appreciation of South Middle School,
having three children attending in succession for a total of nine
years. She praised Mr. McDonough’s leadership. She noted,
however, that students in the sixth and seventh grades have
too many studies. She noted that the middle schools had lost
a semester of Reading, Writing and Research and asked what
classes they would bring back if they were able to do so. Mr.
McDonough responded that they had lost a Robotics class
which would have provided students with a more hands-on
learning experience. He quoted a carpenter who said he
hadn’t understood fractions until he worked in a wood shop. Mr.
Sheehan responded that he would like to see student schedules
filled with different, rich offerings all day long. If the budget was
not an obstacle, he’d like to see Health instruction expanded,
which is now only offered for half a year. He’d also like to see
computer instruction expanded, offering it to more students
throughout their middle school experience. He concluded that
the programs in place are solid, but more of them are needed.
Mayor Sullivan expressed appreciation for the work of the
school principals, noting that he has observed the enthusiasm
SC Meeting Minutes January 30, 2012 Page 4.
being generated at both schools. He referred to the new
homework policy, which recommends approximately fifteen to
thirty minutes of homework per subject per day. He reported
that some parents have indicated that some subject matters
exceed this, sometimes as much as double this amount. He
asked if they work with teachers to control the homework
workload. Mr. McDonough responded that they also get
complaints from parents that there is not enough homework.
Teams do coordinate homework workload to alleviate overwork.
He suggested that parents contact the school if their child is
struggling with the workload. There are supports in school,
such as a homework club and organization homerooms. IEP’s
also include accommodations. Mr. McDonough indicated that
he has not received many phone calls about homework and
believes that the change is working well. Mr. Sheehan agreed
that he has not received many calls about homework, but that
the more common complaint is that there is not enough of it.
Homework is used to reinforce lessons, and to prepare students
for high school, where homework counts for a greater
percentage of the course grade.
Referring to Page 10 of the Program of Studies, Mayor Sullivan
asked what percentage of students qualify for the Presidential
Award. Messrs. McDonough and Sheehan estimated that about
20% are eligible each year.
Ms. Hume reiterated that parents who believe their students
have too much homework should call their school principal.
She asked for and received confirmation that only seventh and
eighth grade students are considered for the Honor Roll. She
asked about the educational piece that prepares students for
the MCAS. Messrs. McDonough & Sheehan responded that
the end of the first semester is designated to prepare students
for the writing MCAS which is administered in March.
Recalling that Mr. Sheehan had mentioned making scheduling
changes during his visit to the School Committee last year, she
asked for an update. Mr. Sheehan responded that they have
done a great deal of work on scheduling and expects that this
will continue. This year they have been able to be more flexible
and are able to offer instruction directed at students with
different learning styles. Certain students are deliberately
paired with particular teachers with learning and instructional
styles in mind. They have also been able to creatively schedule
common planning time for content-driven teachers. They can
plan lessons together, create common assessments and align
curriculum. He reiterated that the Program of Studies is still
evolving, with much that still needs to be done. He hopes to be
able to expand instructional time and to provide more access to
SC Meeting Minutes January 30, 2012 Page 5.
supports. They have made progress this year, but more is
needed.
Ms. Hume commended both principals for the respect with
which their students regard them.
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY: Upon a motion by Ms. Kiley and
seconded by Mr. Devin to approve the Program of Studies
for the Braintree Middle Schools for the 2012-2013 school
year.
ROLL CALL: AYES - 7
Mr. Devin/Ms. Heger/Ms. Hume/Ms. Kiley/
Mr. Ringius/Mayor Sullivan/Mr. Zarrella
b. Gifts to Schools:
- AARP Braintree Chapter 4042
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY: Upon a motion by Mayor Sullivan
and seconded by Mr. Zarrella to accept as a gift to schools
a check in the amount of $200.00 from the AARP Braintree
Chapter 4042 to be used in the music department.
ROLL CALL: AYES - 7
Mr. Devin/Ms. Heger/Ms. Hume/Ms. Kiley/
Mr. Ringius/Mayor Sullivan/Mr. Zarrella
- Bay State Community Services, Inc.
Dr. Kurzberg explained that this gift was obtained through a
grant prepared by Ms. Paula Dowd and Ms. Melonie Bennett.
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY: Upon a motion by Mayor Sullivan
and seconded by Ms. Kiley to accept as a gift to schools a
check in the amount of $3,488.00 from Bay State
Community Services, Inc. to be used to implement
second-step curriculum to students in grades K-3.
ROLL CALL: AYES - 7
Mr. Devin/Ms. Heger/Ms. Hume/Ms. Kiley/
Mr. Ringius/Mayor Sullivan/Mr. Zarrella
On the Clipboard:
Dr. Kurzberg reported that this grant had been obtained by
Ms. Lauren Kilduff.
- Target Field Trip Grants Program
SC Meeting Minutes January 30, 2012 Page 6.
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY: Upon a motion by Mr. Zarrella
and seconded by Mr. Devin to accept as a gift to schools a
check in the amount of $700.00 from the Target Field Trip
Grants Program to be used for a field trip to the Freedom
Trail by the fifth-graders at the Ross School.
ROLL CALL: AYES - 7
Mr. Devin/Ms. Heger/Ms. Hume/Ms. Kiley/
Mr. Ringius/Mayor Sullivan/Mr. Zarrella
COMMUNICATION
A. From Superintendent and Staff:
1. Full Day Kindergarten Update
Dr. Kurzberg reported that a lottery drawing had taken place last
Monday night, resulting in 191 parents expressing interest in sending
their children to full day kindergarten at the high school. Another 39
parents were interested in full day kindergarten at their home school if
it were available. On Thursday, February 9th at 7:00 p.m., an inform-
ational night will be held for all interested parents. A series of
questions and answers were developed and disseminated to parents
today. In order to enroll their children in full day kindergarten, parents
must submit a deposit of $300 by March 1st. Parents will be notified by
March 15th whether and where their child will be enrolled. The options
range from a minimum of three kindergarten classrooms at the high
school, to a maximum of one classroom at each elementary school,
plus three at the high school for a total of nine full day kindergarten
classrooms. It may be that the final configuration will fall somewhere
in between these two scenarios. The Administration won’t know how
many programs it can run until parents have more information and
can make a financial commitment.
Ms. Struzziero remarked that it is exciting to see that parents are
interested in next year’s full day kindergarten and to have a date by
which we will have some answers about what will be offered. She
attributed the growth in interest to the wonderful job the full day
kindergarten staff have done this year.
Ms. Terry Piccolo, an interested parent, asked if deposits will be
returned if families don’t get a spot. Dr. Kurzberg confirmed that
full refunds will be made to anyone who has made a deposit and isn’t
placed where they want to be. He reiterated that all deposits must be
submitted by March 1.
SC Meeting Minutes January 30, 2012 Page 7.
2. School Committee Representative for Peterson Pool/Ice Rink Project
Mayor Sullivan explained that the construction of a skating rink and
pool is planned for the high school campus. Legislation was passed
in the fall of 2011 that will allow this process to move forward. An
evaluation committee comprised of residents and town officials will be
convened. Councilor Tom Bowes will represent the Town Council, and
a representative from the School Committee must be appointed. The
Evaluation Committee will review the Request for Proposal to recruit a
private developer who would build this facility on behalf of the Town of
Braintree. It is hoped that the committee would meet in February and
would release an RFP in April or May. It is hoped that a selection will
be made in time to begin the project this year. Ms. Hume announced
that as Chair of the School Committee, she had appointed Mr. Devin
to serve as the School Committee Representative.
3. Headmaster Search/Director of Special Services Search – Update
Dr. Kurzberg reported that the Search Committee for a new
Headmaster at Braintree High School is in place. It has held one
meeting and will meet again tomorrow with the hope of having a
candidate selected by the end of February or beginning of March.
Ms. Heger is the School Committee representative on this Search
Committee.
The Superintendent reported that a formal search is underway for a
new Director of Special Services. Dr. Jeffrey Rubin has been filling
this position on an interim basis this year. Ms. Hume is the School
Committee representative to this committee, which hopes to identify
their candidate selection sometime in April. This appointment requires
School Committee approval.
4. Personnel Action:
- Maternity Leave of Absence:
Jennifer Heckman, South Middle Writing Teacher
effective May 14, 2012
- Retirement:
Daniel Bethoney, Flaherty School Psychologist,
effective June 30, 2012 (27 years of service)
Dr. Kurzberg expressed appreciation for the many contributions
Mr. Bethoney has made to the school system during his tenure.
5. SEPAC Meeting Minutes – November 16, 2011
6. BHS Activity Bulletins – Jan. 16-20 & 23-27, 2012
SC Meeting Minutes January 30, 2012 Page 8.
7. BPS Professional Development Half Day – 1/26/12
Dr. Murray reviewed the Professional Development Day program
description which had been provided to each member of the School
Committee. She noted that this session focused on preparing staff
for dealing with Common Core Standards through their
Professional Learning Communities. She reviewed the topics that
had been presented for each school level (elementary, middle and
high schools) as well as by departments. She mentioned an inter-
active event, Credit for Life, that is being prepared for seniors
taking business courses that will familiarize students with financial
literacy concepts.
Dr. Murray expressed appreciation for the staff members who
shared their expertise by presenting workshops to their colleagues.
She indicated that electronic evaluation forms are being used to get
feedback from the participants, and that the responses so far have
been very favorable. Dr. Kurzberg remarked that, although the
amount of time is limited, the discussions that take place on these
days are productive and help the school system move forward.
Ms. Hume asked if the training for paraeducators were for all
paraeducators or only for Special Education paraeducators. Dr.
Kurzberg responded that there are no other paraeducators except
Special Education paraeducators and supervisory paraeducators.
Supervisory paraeducators do not receive the training.
Ms. Hume asked about the reference to new curriculum in the
Preschool Program. Dr. Murray responded that the preschool had
revised its curriculum last year and are looking at a new literacy
program which would lead into the elementary school Reading
Street curriculum.
On the Clipboard:
8. Braintree Extended Enrichment Program – February 6, 2012
Dr. Kurzberg indicated that this program is being presented
at various elementary schools in Braintree.
9. Hollis School Council Minutes
10. Flaherty School Council Minutes
11. BHS Activity Bulletin – January 30 – February 30, 2012
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Ms. Mitchell announced Sustainable Braintree’s upcoming Green Gala on
Saturday, March 3, 2012. The event will be held in the Cahill Auditorium at
Braintree Town Hall and will support the environmental and educational
programs of Sustainable Braintree, including teacher grants and student
scholarships. A fundraising getaway raffle is being held in conjunction with
SC Meeting Minutes January 30, 2012 Page 9.
the Gala. A maximum of 250 tickets will be sold for $100 each for a getaway
vacation for two to St. John Virgin Islands. The trip includes airfare, six nights
at the Westin Resort and has a total value of $7,000. More information is
available on the organization’s website, www.sustainablebraintree.org.
Mention was made of the impending Varsity Dance Team trip to Florida to
participate in the national competition.
FUTURE DATES
1. February 13, 2012 7:00 P.M. Colbert School
2. February 27, 2012 7:00 P.M. Ross School
3. March 12, 2012 7:00 P.M. Colbert School
4. March 26, 2012 7:00 P.M. Liberty School
5. April 9, 2012 7:00 P.M. Colbert School
6. April 23, 2012 7:00 P.M. Flaherty School
7. May 7, 2012 7:00 P.M. Colbert School
8. May 21, 2012 7:00 P.M. South Middle School
9. June 11, 2012 7:00 P.M. Colbert School
ADJOURN
VOTED UNANIMOUSLY: Upon a motion by Mr. Devin and seconded by
Mr. Zarrella to adjourn.
ROLL CALL: AYES - 7
Mr. Devin/Ms. Heger/Ms. Hume/Ms. Kiley/Mr. Ringius/
Mayor Sullivan/Mr. Zarrella
TIME: 8:10 p.m.
Pam Kiley
Recording Secretary
