Cohasset School Committee FY 17 GOALS ACCOMPLISHMENTS JULY

Cohasset School Committee FY 17 GOALS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS JULY 2017

Goal 1: Cultivate a culture of respect through words and actions in order to recruit, retain and develop exceptional district leadership, teachers and staff Identify and hire the next Superintendent by Spring 2017 Interim Superintendent Louise Demas was appointed as Superintendent of Schools on November 30, 2016 Increase communication with the CTA during FY 17 A strengthened District leadership relationship with the CTA reduced the need formal interface by the SC with the CTA Completed 2 study groups with respect to Secretaries’ Evaluation and ESP job descriptions Work with the Superintendent to hire a full time Business Manager by 2017 A job posting cultivated 2 applicants. The SC supported Supt. Demas in applying for a waiver to allow Interim Business Manager John Tuffy to remain through FY 18. The Committee participated in and supported Supt. Demas’ hiring of Assistant Supt. Patrick Sullivan

Goal 1 continued Support social-emotional programs as identified by district leadership during FY 17 Attended YHC conference in September 2016 Established liaisons to Safe Harbor Coalition Participated in Allergen/Allergy Protocol development Liaisons to School Councils contributed to and supported goals as outlined in School Improvement Plans Review the Business Office with the support of the Superintendent and Interim Business Manager to identify areas for potential collaboration with the Town, implement efficiencies and assess staffing needs and human resource processes by January 2017

Goal 2: Utilize multiple channels to strengthen the communication and collaboration with parents, town committees and the citizens of Cohasset Engage leadership team in an on-going dialogue regarding student achievement by including on a monthly basis agenda topics related to teaching and learning 5 teacher “Try It” classroom technology presentations Professional Development updates by Assistant Supt. Skeiber EMC at Deer Hill as presented by Dr. de. Chiara ELA curriculum review of Osgood & Deer Hill by Mrs. Farrell MCAS, AP and SAT results review, Benchmarking Collaborate with town committees to develop reserve policy and manage Special Education Stabilization Fund by November 2016

Goal 2 continued Transferred for deposit $149, 000 to the fund November STM. Converted the Stabilization Fund to a Reserve Fund based on MGL Ch. 40, section 13 E (which is a new section added under the MMA). Reserve Fund approved at Town Meeting in May 2017, New policy written and approved by the BOS & SC in June 2017 Participate in the Long Range Planning Group during Fiscal 2017 by nominating two members of the committee and by supporting group projects and recommendations Jeanne Astino and Katie Dugan are SC representatives, participated in 10 meetings of the group Provide periodic updates to BOS to ensure collaboration and dialogue regarding key issues related to the school district The committee presented FY 18 Budget. The committee chair and Superintendent met monthly with Town Manager and BOS chair.

Goal 3: Strengthen the safety and security of the Cohasset Public Schools Review Security Assessment Report with District Leadership, Town Manager and CPD by September 2016 Completed August 24, 2016 in Executive Session Prioritize Capital Budget Requests related to security in collaboration with the Facilities Department and the Capital Budget Committee by December 2016 100% of the security requests were supported by Capital Budgets and approved at STM in November 2016 and ATM in May 2017 Enhance the culture of security by updating Cohasset public school’s policy manual/protocols and reviewing the schedule of ongoing training and drills for all school personnel by January 2017

Goal 3 continued The committee supported a dedicated day of professional development regarding safety and security that took place on August 30, 2016. The committee approved an additional 4 ( ½ ) days of professional development for FY 18 for curriculum and safety The Security sub-committee met with Leadership on March 21, 2017 along with Cohasset Police Department for update on the progress of evolving the culture to one of safety and security The Security sub-committee met 7 times throughout the year The Policy sub-committee updated and revised policy EBC; Emergency Plans

Goal 4: Align educational goals of the district with sound financial practices, budgeting and management reporting Work with the Business Manager to update and automate the fiscal month end reporting process by October 2016 The Budget & Finance sub-committee, with the Business Manager agreed that month end reporting from Soft-Right will be utilized, discarding past practice of transposition of the data into an excel spreadsheet. Review and modify Fiscal 2018 budget tool with the Superintendent and Business Manager by November 2016 to ensure sufficient analysis of key areas of the budget detail The Budget & Finance sub-committee scrutinized the line item detail of the budget instrument and suggested collapsing common line items into single data points, reducing the budget presentation into broader categories

Goal 4 continued Analyze the fee structure and revolving account balances related to Transportation, Kindergarten and Pre-K by January 2017 The Budget & Finance sub-committee benchmarked the fees with surrounding districts and made recommendations that were approved by the committee and the Leadership. This included a significant restructuring of the Bus late fees to encourage early sign up so that last minute route changes are reduced The Budget & Finance sub-committee met with the Business Manager 17 times during the course of the year

Goal 5: Support 21 st century skills through on-going rollout of the district wide Digital Learning Plan Collaborate with the district leadership to monitor the ‘ 16 -’ 17 digital learning rollout and the progress of the Five Year Technology Plan Reviewed student survey results from grades 6 -12 and supported the piloting of BYOD in 6 classrooms; 3 each in the MS and HS. Supported the Assistant Superintendent’s Technology Professional Development schedule Voted to support FY 19 budget which included 1. 0 FTE increase in technology staff Support the Digital Learning Plan by working with the Capital Budget Committee to ensure capital requests are well documented for STM and Town Meeting Attended 4 capital budget meetings in order to address concerns and answer questions regarding full roll out of technology & BYOD model Worked with Superintendent and Ass’t Superintendent to model for capital budget the correct number of loaner devices to support BYOD in Fall 2017

Goal 5 continued Work with the CTO, Deputy CTO and Assistant Superintendent to develop and support integrated implementation plan for Digital Learning Plan and the Five Year Technology Plan Requested that Assistant Supt. Benchmark other BYOD practices from other districts, particularly Scituate Reviewed DESE Report on Planning & Implementing Considerations for BYOD and 1: 1 models with the Assistant Superintendent. http: //www. doe. mass. edu/odl/byod-one-to-one. pdf The Policy sub-committee revised and presented for approval the following policies essential to a sound digital learning environment IJNDC: Internet Publication IJNDD: Use of Social Media Sites and Electronic Communication IJND: Access to Digital Resources IJNDB: Empowered Digital Use Policy

2016 -2017 Summary With District Leadership presented FY 18 Budget to the Town Manager and Board of Selectman that was on target Approved 7 trips presented by staff for our students Approved 18 gifts totaling over $185, 000 Reviewed, revised and approved 17 policies Designated members to Town Long Range Planning Group and Master Planning Committee as well as created and appointed new liaison positions to Cohasset 250 th Anniversary Committee and Town Hall Renovation Committee Held 37 subcommittee meetings Developed a glossary of district and budget terms Supported Middle School Study Financially supported stipended position for social media web maintenance to ensure broad community outreach

Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success Henry Ford