HomeMy Public PortalAboutPolicy subcommittee -- 5/15/2014 Minutes f n
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Polis committee Meeting
Policy Su b g
May 15, 2014
Central Administration Building
Present for the Committee: Sue Skidmore;Chair, Betsy Pontius,Ann Crozier,Josh Stewart, Richard
Hoffmann, Dave Telman, Cheryl Codair
Staff in Attendance: Ann McConchie (Middle School), Michele Eldridge (Orleans Elem.), Chris Viprino
(Brewster), Lori Youngman(Orleans),Jessica Murray(Orleans), and Nancy Waldron (Orleans).
Brenda Cazeault, member of the Brewster School Committee was also in attendance.
Call to Order/Agenda Chanees: The meeting was called to order at 4:3413M. There were no agenda
changes. Chair Skidmore apologized for the posting error at the previous meeting and assured everyone
it was just an error. She thanked the teachers for attending the meeting,
Citizens Speak: None
Prioritv Business:
School Committee-Staff Communication#1390/4214-Dr. Hoffmann indicated he was trying to respect
the legal opinion from the attorney but inquired if a sentence could be added to read: Staff members
are encouraged to bring their views to the attention of the School Committee at a public meeting or in
writing addressed to the School Committee. The attorney's response was, "we believe that it is
inadvisable to make such a revision to the policy, based on reasons expressed in our April 24,
2014 legal opinion." The Superintendent also indicated that he always remembers the School
Committee Chairs recognizing the teachers at meetings and wanted to let the subcommittee know
where he stands on the issue. He also indicated that prior to this year, staff always spoke at meetings.
Betsy Pontius indicated the way it is written there can be no communication without going through the
Superintendent. The lawyer made it sound like other things can happen. She noted the attendance by
staff at the two meetings and the interest in this policy. She suggested if we choose to adopt it as
recommended,we must work with staff and school committees to understand what the policy means
and define its intent. She suggested some professional development be done to further define and to
make everyone understand. Chair Skidmore requested that Administration ask our attorney to do an in-
service for staff and invite all school committee members.
Josh Stewart indicated that there needs to be consistent interpretation of the policy so it is fair for staff
and administrators. The union leader and Superintendent should talk about this and let staff know they
are not being denied the right to speak at a meeting. He asked if people could speak freely or if they are
held to their contract guidelines? He suggested the School Committee should be asking the questions
they want to know. He suggested the School Committee reach out more often and more formally so the
teachers have a formal way to get back to the committee. He thinks the policy is being misinterpreted.
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and that the staff,school committee and administration need to sit down and have a discussion about
this.
Ann Crozier indicated it seems like it is not the policy but the past practice that is the problem. Eastham
teachers always spoke at meetings, until they were told not to by the union. She suggested keeping the
policy as is and that the union,school committee,and administration have an in-service on
interpretation of the policy. .
Chair Skidmore felt the committee should follow the legal opinion but that the attorney could explain
the policy at an in-service.
Cheryl Codair stated that the School Committees want to maintain open channels of communication and
staff members are free to come to the Citizens Speak portion of the meeting. There should not be
gossiping,or innuendo. Every staff member should follow the lines of communication. Be open,honest,
and direct and don't go to individual school committee members but bring concerns to the entire
committee at Citizens Speak or go through the Superintendent and the Principals.
Chair Skidmore asked if the subcommittee would put forth the policy as it stands,with the caveat that
in-service for staff is provided before the new school year starts. Other members concurred that the
School Committees want to provide a consistent interpretation of the policy. Dr. Hoffmann indicated
that working in groups with the union leadership and principals will help facilitate this information.
Betsy Pontius felt a PowerPoint Presentation would help and that the committee should work toward
consistent understanding and implementation of this policy. Josh Stewart asked if a letter could explain
this. Chris Viprino indicated that things do get lost in translation and suggested having this presentation
at an all-school meeting. Ann McConchie felt perhaps there needs to be more discussion. She felt this
policy was divisive and what is needed is more collaboration.
Chair Skidmore would like to recommend approval of the policy by the subcommittee with the
understanding to have the staff in-service necessary for people to be comfortable with this policy. Josh
Stewart reiterated that collaboration was key as well as protection for everyone. He felt there should be
a formal structure between the staff and the school committee. People need to exchange ideas freely.
He indicated it needs a proper introduction or it will meet with disapproval. We need to define what
the staff is allowed to say or not say.
Chair Skidmore indicated that these are school committee polices and we are obligated to have these
polices. Our attorneys do not recommend changes. We need to help people understand this policy.
She suggested moving forward with the provision for in-service. Betsy Pontius indicated that members
should work with their colleagues before the Joint meeting.
Brenda Cazeault addressed the committee indicating people are afraid to talk,or they don't feel like
going through the proper channels and need to talk 1-1.
Josh Stewart indicated that the committee should work on formulating pathways for formalizing
comments with the staff.
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Motion:
On a motion by Ann Crozier,seconded by Dave Telman, it was voted unanimously,to accept the policy
#1390/4214 as written with the understanding that Administration will provide in-service for all
members of the school committee,staff and Administration.
Dr. Hoffmann suggested a collaborative,positive opinion.
Sue Skidmore asked that Administration ask our attorney if we can put the explanation of the policy on
the website or send to all staff.
Fundraisine Policv—It was determined that Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet like the policy as written.
Members of the Brewster School Committee do not like the policy as written, Dave Telman indicated
that ever since he started on the school committee, Brewster PTO has always brought a list of
fundraising events to the school committee and then it stopped. PTO's do a great job helping our
schools; he would just like to know what fundraising activities are taking place. The School Committees
are updating the policy manual and he feels the fundraising should get approval, especially if they are
using the schools name. Some fundraisers may not be appropriate and the school committee would not
support them. if not approved by the School Committee,they may just not accept the money or may
not let the parent group use the facility. He would really just like to see the list of fundraisers so that the
committee knows what is going on. Ann Crozier indicated that Eastham was unaware of the policy,so
they told the PTO,and they brought in a list. The school committee did not want to control this, but
wanted to see the list and know what is happening. She indicated that big fundraisers in the district
need coordination.
Dave Telman indicated based on legal advice,the school committee does not have any authority over
PTO to approve or disapprove a list. He would still like to see the PTO's come to the School Committee
so the School Committee can see the list. They should have a list the first half of the year and another
second half of the year.
Josh Stewart indicated that it works fine in Orleans. He suggested voting the policy and let Brewster
tweak the policy the way they want it.
Chair Skidmore suggested some sort of central scheduling calendar for fundraisers on the website
inputted by the PTC. The committee is not interested in telling the PTO's what they can and cannot do.
Motion:
On a motion by Josh Stewart,seconded by Betsy Pontius, it was voted unanimously to put forward the
policy#9326 as written.
School Choice—Chair Skidmore indicated that the attorney recommended no change. Dr. Hoffmann
indicated that they were looking at the non-resident student policy, if a student moved during the year,
that they could remain under school choice. The committee talked about changing the date that is
written in the policy but decided against it because the districts would lose Chapter 70 money.
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Motion:
On a motion by Dave Telman,seconded by Ann Crozier, it was voted unanimously to move this policy
forward as written abiding by legal opinion.
Section B of the Policy manual, Board Governance,was tabled until the next meeting.
Chair Skidmore would like to talk about school committee members having technology at the table and
school committee members seeking employment.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Josh Stewart,seconded by Ann Crozier, it was voted unanimously to approve the
minutes of April 2,2014,with the name changes.
On a motion by Josh Stewart,seconded by Betsy Pontius, it was voted unanimously to approve the
minutes of April 29, 2014.
Adjournment—The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M.Tefft
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