MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2011
The regular meeting of the Greater Fall River Vocational School District Committee was called to order by Chairperson Karl Hetzler of Fall River at 5:34 p.m. with the following persons in attendance: Laurenio Couto and Diane Nadeau of Fall River, Robert Ciosek of Somerset, Edward Hill of Swansea, and Paul Jennings of Westport. Also in attendance were Marta Montleon, superintendent-director; Brian Bentley, assistant superintendent-director/principal; Deborah Kenney, school business administrator; Gregory Brilhante, legal counsel; and Natasha Garcia, student representative.
It was moved by Mr. Couto, seconded by Mr. Hill, and voted unanimously to dispense with the reading of the August 11, 2011 minutes and approved them as recorded.
Student representative, Natasha Garcia, expressed her gratitude to the School Committee and the Diman community for supporting student participation in the SkillsUSA national competition in June. She expressed appreciation for all of the special renovations/repairs to the school facilities which took place over the summer.
Mr. Hetzler urged Natasha to feel free to participate in the discussions.
Mr. Ciosek requested that the Committee revisit the issue of ‘special municipal employee’ status as new information has been received from MASC’s legal counsel, which stated that “A member of the Greater Fall River Vocational School District Committee (GFRVSD) may be employed as a teacher in a different school district over which GFRVSD has no jurisdiction…” The main issues regarded ‘compensation and expenses’ and the ‘appearance of a conflict’.
It was moved by Mr. Ciosek, seconded by Mr. Hill, and voted 4-2 to approve requesting the District’s four communities to accept classifying the Diman School Committee as ‘special municipal employees’: Mr. Ciosek, Mr. Hetzler, Mr. Hill, and Mrs. Nadeau voting “YES”; Mr. Couto and Mr. Jennings voting “NO”.
Although it was agreed at the June meeting that a decision on the year three compensation of the Superintendent-Director’s contract be determined at the September meeting, Mr. Hetzler requested that the agenda item 2.2 Superintendent-Director’s Contract – Year Three be reviewed in Executive Session.
Mr. Hill gave a brief review of the Concussion Ad-hoc Sub-Committee meetings. He asked Mr. Bentley, who did a draft version of the policy along with Athletic Trainer Nate Reale and members of the athletic department, to give a report of the progress.
Mr. Bentley stated that the new law focused on concussion awareness, training, parental and athlete involvement. Included would be what to watch for and the steps to be taken to service the student, and when there may be a return to school and/or the game. September has been designated Athletic Awareness Month in Fall River, and a policy on concussion will be presented at the next meeting.
Mr. Jennings, chairperson of the “F” Policy Ad-hoc Sub-Committee, stated that the specifics of the policy will be developed by the administrators and faculty working collaboratively with students and parents. Copies of the File: IAB - INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS were distributed for review.
Mr. Couto, chairperson of the Co-op Guidelines Ad-hoc Sub-Committee, will give a report at the October meeting.
Mr. Steven Hemman, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools, was present to provide information on the laws and regulations regarding Regional School District Collective Bargaining --- 603 CMR 41.04. Copies were distributed for review and mailed to the city/town administrators, Mayor Flanagan and the Board of Selectmen chairpersons.
The four communities will select a representative to serve on a Collective Bargaining Committee, which in turn will designate one representative to serve with Diman’s School Committee in collective bargaining meetings and vote on the next three-year contracts for the Diman Teachers' Association, AFSCME and Diman Administrators Association unions.
Mr. David Graf, 35 Earle Street, Fall River, MA 02723, has been appointed as a Guidance Counselor for the 2011-2012 school year at Step 4 ($45,314) plus Masters ($2,639) for a total salary of $47,953 in accordance with the Basic Academic Salary Schedule of the Diman Teachers' Association contract.
Mrs. Rachel Canastra, 404 Fisher Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747 has been appointed as a full-time Instructional Technology instructor according to the Diman Teachers' Association contract for the 2011-2012 school year. ($57,609)
Ms. Melissa Canonizado, 52 Lynch Lane, Fall River, MA 02720 has been appointed as a Biology/Physics teacher for the 2011-2012 school year at Step 1 ($39,853) according to the Diman Teachers' Association contract.
Mr. Leonard Dutra, 222 Franklin Street, Fall River, MA 02720 has been appointed as a Plumbing Para-Professional at a salary of $30,700 for the 2011-2012 school year.
Mr. Peter Moniz, 39 Shawmut Street, Fall River, MA 02720 has been appointed as an Electrical Para-Professional at a salary of $30,700 for the 2011-2012 school year.
Ms. Meredith Rose, 92 Hudson Street, New Bedford, MA 02744 has been appointed as a Culinary Arts Para-Professional at a salary of $30,700 for the 2011-2012 school year.
Mr. Leonard Freeman, 300 Hemlock Street, Fall River, MA 02720 has been appointed as a long-term substitute teacher in the Science Department at Step 1 ($39,853) according to the Diman Teachers' Association contract for the 2011-2012 school year.
Ms. Lori Marchand, 30 Borden Street, Riverside, RI 02915 has been as a long-term substitute teacher in the Science Department at Step 1 ($39,853) according to the Diman Teachers' Association contract for the 2011-2012 school year.
Ms. Patricia Daley, 15 Big Drum Road, Little Compton, RI 02837 has been appointed as Health Assisting Department Head at a stipend in accordance with the Diman Teachers' Association contract for the 2011-2012 school year. ($2,000)
Mr. Edward Carreiro, 946 Globe Street, Fall River, MA 02724 has been appointed at Temporary Construction Job Coordinator for the 2011 summer projects, effective August 15, 2011. (1.25% / hour for extra duty)
Ms. Kathryn Kenney, 571 Florence Street, Fall River, MA 02720 has been appointed a Library Para-Professional for the 2011-2012 school year. (Title I @ $20/hour)
A letter of intent to retire, effective June 30, 2012, has been received from Peter Nowell, related instructor in the Carpentry/Cabinetmaking program.
A letter of intent to retire, effective August 31, 2012, has been received from John Michael, math instructor.
A letter of intent to retire, effective December 31, 2012, has been received from Automotive Technology Department Head John L. Miranda.
A letter of resignation was received from Mrs. Michelle Sylvaria, Director of Data Collection and Public Relations, to be effective for the 2011-2012 school year.
Mrs. Montleon requested that the agenda item for proposed job description changes involving the Diman Administrators Association contract be moved to Executive Session. The two job descriptions for change are the Academic/Post-Secondary Coordinator and the Director of Data Collection and Public Relations. The replacement job descriptions are designated as Academic Coordinator and Director of Technology and Information Systems.
Mrs. Kenney distributed copies of the final FY11 and monthly FY12 financial reports for review. The FY11 reflected the adjustments approved at the August meeting, which may need adjustments after the audit. The second one marked FY12 reflected expenses to date for the new fiscal year and there are “no surprises.”
Mrs. Montleon distributed copies of a revised fees structure for the use of Diman’s building spaces and athletic fields. The revision concerned the multi-day use of classrooms or shops.
It was moved by Mr. Couto, seconded by Mr. Hill, and voted unanimously to approve the Use of Facilities fees as presented with a revision of costs per-day beyond three days.
Mrs. Montleon distributed copies of her goals for the FY12 school year. She will give a self-evaluation of achievement at the end of each year.
Mrs. Montleon gave her monthly report of Diman’s activities and highlighted the following: Zoe Mitchell, a senior in Graphics Communications won the BCC-CVTE Logo Contest, The Diman Class of 2015 has an enrollment of 364 students and Diman’s total enrollment is 1357. The faculty is working their after-school help days, the Wellness Committee is sponsoring Yoga classes for faculty and staff, and faculty sessions for Rank Book help will begin next week. The Alumni Car Show and PAC Pancake Breakfast are planned for this coming Sunday, September 11.
Mr. Hetzler requested a short recess at 7:05 p.m. and to reconvene in Open Session.
Copies of the Calendar of Events for September and October were distributed as follows:
SEPT. 1 Full day of school
2 No school for Faculty & Students
5 Labor Day Holiday – Building Closed
7 Faculty Meeting
8 School Committee Meeting
13 New Student Night – Shop Displays
14 Professional Development – Dismissal @ 11 am
26-30 Grade 9 Assessment
OCT. 3-7 Grade 9 Assessment
4 Fall Advisory Board – Dismissal @ 12:28 pm
5 Faculty Meeting
6 Mid-Trimester Reports Due – A-Week
10 Columbus Day Holiday – Building Closed
12 PSAT Testing
13 School Committee Meeting
19 Professional Development – Dismissal @ 11 am
20 Mid-Trimester Reports Due – B-Week
Mr. Hill stated that the National School Board Association (NSBA) will be holding its annual meeting in Boston in April and it would be a convenient opportunity for Committee members to attend.
Mr. Hetzler read correspondence from Superintendent-Director Montleon requesting the opening of contract negotiations for the renewal of her three-year contract.
The next regular meeting of the School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.
It was moved by Mr. Ciosek, seconded by Mr. Jennings, and voted unanimously on a roll call at 7:15 p.m. to enter into Executive Session according to Chapter 30A, §21(a) to conduct strategy in preparation for negotiations with union and non-union personnel--- (Superintendent-Director and School Business Administrator); and to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental affect on the district’s position.
It was moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Jennings, and voted unanimously on a roll call at 8:19 p.m. to adjourn Executive Session and reconvene in Open Session and adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Helen Whipple, Secretary
