Brockton, Massachusetts Regular School Committee Meeting October 11, 2022
Live Stream
The Regular Meeting of the Brockton School Committee was held this evening in the George M. Romm Little Theatre at Brockton High School, at seven o'clock. These minutes contain a summary of the meeting and list items that were under discussion.
Present: Mayor Sullivan, Chair, Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair, Ms. Ehlers, Mr. Homer,
Ms. Rivas Mendes, Mr. Rodrigues, Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan
Also Present: Superintendent Thomas, Dr. Cobbs, Deputy Superintendent of Operations,
Cabinet Members, Ms. Kim Gibson, BEA President, Attorney Sarah Spatafore,
Attorney Peter Mello
Mayor Sullivan, Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m., that was followed by a salute to the flag
Mayor Sullivan asked for a moment of silence, the City of Brockton lost two champions, former Brockton Council-at-Large & State Representative Mrs. Geradline Creedon and Dr. J. Ed Carchidi. “Our thoughts and prayers go to the Creedon and Carchidi Family. May they rest in peace.”
Mayor Sullivan, Chair took a roll call to establish a quorum.
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Mrs. Sullivan – Here Ms. Rivas Mendes – Here |
Mr. Homer – Here Mr. Rodrigues – Here |
Mrs. Ehlers - Here Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair - Here |
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Mr. Sullivan – Here |
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Mayor Sullivan - Here |
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Executive Session Mayor Sullivan read the following into the record.
“The Committee will enter executive session pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) for the purpose of conducting strategy with respect to collective bargaining, as conducting this deliberation in an open session would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Committee. The Committee will return to open session following the executive session.”
Ms. Sullivan motioned to enter Executive Session, seconded by Ms. Asack.
The motion carried.
School Committee members entered Executive Session at 7:04 p.m.
School Committee members returned from Executive Session at 7:44 p.m.
Mayor Sullivan took a roll call to re-establish a quorum:
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Ms. Sullivan – Here Ms. Rivas Mendes – Here |
Mr. Homer – Here Mr. Rodrigues – Here |
Ms. Ehlers - Here Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair - Here |
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Mr. Sullivan – Here |
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Mayor Sullivan - Here |
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Mayor Sullivan welcomed our Student Representative, Abigail Bertocchi.
Mayor Sullivan read the following into the minutes.
In addition to attending, the public can view this meeting via television on Comcast channel 98 and
/1071HD Version, and online via this link: www.youtube.com/TheBrocktonChannels
Hearing of Visitors There were no hearing of visitors.
Consent Agenda Mayor Sullivan explained the purpose of the Consent Agenda, read the items aloud and asked
members for any requests to remove items for further discussion. No items were removed for
discussion.
Mr. Sullivan made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Ms. Asack.
Voted: to approve the motion, unanimously.
Superintendent’s Superintendent Thomas introduced student representative Abigail Bertocchi a senior at Brockton
Report High school.
Student Report (Abigail Bertocchi)
Abigail gave a report on happenings at Brockton High School:
Introduction of Main Office Announcers
Melody Rivas, Jaden Dubuisson, Jahir Tineo and Abigail Bertocchi
Start of School Activities
Freshman Orientation took place on Thursday, August 25, 2022 where freshman mentors helped assist incoming students find their classes and become familiar with the layout of the school.
Athletics
Ø Fall sports include girls’ and boys’ soccer, golf, football, field hockey and girls’ volleyball.
Ø Girls’ varsity volleyball and soccer held bake sales with proceeds going to organizations for preventing suicide.
Ø The volleyball team held bake sales with proceeds going to breast cancer awareness.
Ø On Friday, October 7, 2022 McKenzie Quinn became the first female in Brockton football history to score a touchdown for the Boxers. (Applause)
School Environment
Ø After speaking with peers regarding school climate, all agree there is a huge change in the school atmosphere from last year to this year. One cause to this: to start, the new PBIS system that rewards students for doing the right thing in addition to normal disciplinary actions for behavior. The second is the school spirit and community that is being created, since day one.
Ø The start of the school year may not have been perfect as there will be students who will have behavioral issues, but this is a small percent of students. A huge majority of students come to learn each day and want to have a great High School experience. Staff and students can continue to work on creating an inclusive environment that students are excited to be a part of.
Superintendent Thomas thanked Abigail for the report on happenings at Brockton High School.
Ms. Mary Waldron, Executive Director @ Old Colony Planning Council Update – Downtown
Holiday Parade 2022, Saturday, November 26, 2022
Superintendent Thomas introduced Ms. Mary Waldron to discuss the upcoming Downtown Holiday
Parade on Saturday, November 26, 2022.
Ms. Waldron thanked School Committee members and Superintendent Thomas for allowing her to
speak about the upcoming Downtown Holiday Parade 2022 on Saturday, November 26, 2022.
She asked that everyone spread the word around either in conversation or social media of
this great event. She also thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak at this meeting and
mentioned this Holiday Parade is not only important to the city, but Brockton Public Schools plays a big
part of how this event is such a success every year, and it is appreciated. Ms. Maureen Donaruma, teacher at the Kennedy School will coordinate with the district, P.A.C., Teachers and Faculty about the parade. Ms. Waldron presented “Santa Hats” to the committee members.
Questions/Answers
· Ms. Asack asked if the flyer can be shared on social media?
Ms. Waldron mentioned yes, on the bottom is the website information www.dbabrockton.org
· Ms. Asack asked what is the theme this year?
Ms. Waldron mentioned the theme for this year is, “Back together for the Holidays”.
Mayor Sullivan and Superintendent Thomas thanked Mary and Maureen.
Presentation: Overview of 2022 MCAS Results, Dr. Sean Precious (power point)
Superintendent Thomas introduced Dr. Sean Precious, Assistant Superintendent of Accountability and
School Improvement to present a brief power point giving an overview of the 2022 MCAS Results.
Accountability and Improvement 22-23
· Vision for Accountability and Improvement (Teams Focus Areas)
1. Data Infrastructure
2. Holistic
3. Communication of Progress
4. Data Use
· Accountability: 100% of BPS Schools Meet or Exceed Targets in 2023
· Emerging MCAS Bright Spots
Ø Grades 3-8 Math improved 5 points from 2021 (gap with state decreased by 2 points)
Ø Higher levels of academic proficiency with our earliest MLLs
Ø ~20% of students are within striking distance to proficiency
· MCAS Results Math %Meeting/Exceeding Expectations
Grades 3-8; (shows change M/E 21-22) state 6, USN 5, BPS 5
Grade 10; (shows change M/E 21-22) state -2, USN -1, BPS -2
· MCAS Results Science %Meeting/Exceeding Expectations
Grade 5; (shows change M/E 21-22) state 1, USN 2, BPS 2
Grade 8; (shows change M/E 21-22) state 1, USN 2, BPS 2
Grade 10; (shows change M/E 21-22) waiting for scores to show results
· MCAS Results ELA % Meeting/Exceeding Expectations
Grades 3-8; (shows change M/E 21-22) state -5, USN -3, BPS 0
Grade 10; (shows change M/E 21-22) state -6, USN -3, BPS 1
· Accountability Percentile: 4-point gain across the past three years
Key Takeaway: We need to monitor our plans and evaluate the efficacy of our actions
· Our Path Forward
Ø High-quality instructional materials
Ø Rigorous questioning, texts and tasks
Ø Coach for teacher and coaching for coaches
Ø Improving data access and usage for teachers and leaders
Ø Continued focus on positive relationships
· Next Steps
Ø Presentations on various student populations (e/g., SwD)
Ø Analysis across lines of race and gender
Ø Focus on language acquisition
Questions/Answers/Comments
· Ms. Ehlers thanked Dr. Precious for the presentation and was pleased that we can identify the 20% of students that are within striking distance of proficiency whom we can now focus on. She also commended the coaching for coaches.
· Ms. Rivas Mendes asked what does the term MLL mean?
Dr. Precious mentioned MLL means Multilingual Learners.
· Ms. Rivas Mendes asked what are the steps happening with the coaching process to support teachers?
Dr. Spaulding (K-5) mentioned we have a model of supporting our coaches where they spend some time in their content area literacy coaches and stem coaches; English language acquisition coaches and then some of their time together as a full group of coaches.
Dr. Conners (6-12 level) mentioned they have coordinators and an English language acquisition coach; they are in schools daily working with teachers in PLC’s working alongside them to co-plan and talk through what does it look like to use these high-quality instructional materials and make those instructional decisions about what’s best for the students in from of them and be able to connect.
Superintendent Thomas thanked Sean, Karen and Michele for the presentation and feedback.
Items to Refer to • Superintendent Thomas requested a Facilities Subcommittee meeting.
Subcommittee • Ms. Rivas Mendes mentioned the DREI Subcommittee meeting scheduled for
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., the time has changed to 7:30 p.m.
Unfinished Business Keith Field Property (T. Rodrigues)
Mr. Rodrigues discussed that during the May 18, 2021, School Committee meeting a vote was taken on a parcel of the Keith Field adjacent to the Arnone School as surplus property and has concerns regarding language changes to the original RFP on the purchase and sale by the city. Mr. Rodrigues requested that the School Committee takes a vote to request this parcel of land be returned to the School Committee in its entirety, as this committee voted a piece of land as surplus property.
Attorney Peter Mello discussed the vote taken by the School Committee on May 18, 2021, where a
parcel of the Keith Field was deemed as surplus property. An RFP was put out by the city and there
as one respondent, The Boys and Girls Club. Attorney Mello understood that recently the city council
voted to essentially to cancel the original RFP process and reissue a new RFP with different terms. Attorney Mello mentioned any property that wasn’t the subject of the original school committee vote under 15A remains wholly within the school committee’s control and discretion.
Mayor Sullivan mentioned he humbly respectfully disagrees with Mr. Rodrigues and feels it would be premature to take any vote without having specific people such as the city solicitor, Attorney Megan Bridges, Attorney Shannon Resnick, Mike Morris to be able to answer questions that need to be asked and answered. If another RFP is put out and awarded it’s good for Brockton and for the Boys and Girls of Brockton.
Mr. Rodrigues motioned to request that the City Council return the parcel of land back to it’s
entirety to the School Committee. Seconded by Ms. Rivas Mendes.
Mayor Sullivan took a roll call vote:
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Ms. Sullivan – No Ms. Rivas Mendes – Yes |
Mr. Homer –No Mr. Rodrigues – Yes |
Ms. Ehlers - Yes Ms. Asack, Vice-Chair - Abstained |
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Mr. Sullivan – No |
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Mayor Sullivan – No |
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Ms. Rivas Mendes motioned to request a Special Joint Committee Meeting with the City Council,
City Council’s Attorney Shannon Resnick, City Solicitor Attorney Meghan Bridges, Attorney
Peter Mello before and no RFP to be issued prior to that time. Seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Sullivan mentioned we will respectfully need a letter from this Committee to the President of the
City Council requesting such and asked Attorney Peter Mello to assist.
New Business Ratification of MOA: Brockton School Committee & Teamsters Local 653 representing the
Brockton School Custodians and Craftsmen
Ms. Sullivan motioned to approve the three-year contract effective July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025,
as presented to the School Committee between the Brockton School Committee and the Teamsters
Local 653 representing the Brockton School Custodians and Craftsmen. Seconded by Mr.
Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously.
Ratification of MOA: Brockton School Committee & Independent Brockton Administrative
Assistants, Technical Employees Association IBAA-TEA
Ms. Rivas Mendes motioned to approve the three-year contract effective July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025, as presented to the School Committee between the Brockton School Committee and the Independent Brockton Administrative Assistants, Technical Employees Association IBAA-TEA. Seconded by Mr. Rodrigues.
The motion passed unanimously.
Seeing no further business Ms. Asack motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Rodrigues.
The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
Michael P. Thomas
Superintendent/Secretary
PowerPoints: Student Representative Report, Accountability and Improvement 22-23
Handout: Keith Field Property
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