Policy Subcommittee Cameron Middle School - Library 215 Elm St, Framingham February 27, 2020 Open Meeting Minutes
PRESENT: Tiffanie Maskell (Chair), Jessica Barnhill, Beverly Hugo, Geoff Epstein ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent Dr. Tremblay, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Amy Kane, Executive Assistant to the School Committee Joanna Hastry ______Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
Public Comment No public comment.
Discussion/Vote of Open Policies From Last Term Ms. Maskell suggested that the policies that were referred from the Racial Equity Subcommittee be tabled until after the equity audit to be looked at. There was discussion about having the reason why policies are being referred be required, as some of the still open policy referrals did not, and what process should be in future. Dr. Tremblay said he would like to vet policy change suggestions through all lenses; contractual, students, staff, etc, prior to bringing them to the Policy Subcommittee. Agreement to move the top priority policies to the top of the working policy spreadsheet, and to create a folder for each policy being discussed, as well as have a document on why it has been referred. Dr. Tremblay to share a list of what they think the policies they are prioritizing internally. No action taken on the outstanding policies.
Discussion/Vote on MASC Full Policy Review Dr. Tremblay would like to make one of his goals for next year to review all of Framingham Public School’s policies with MASC. Motion: To agree that the MASC full policy review will be beneficial to the school district and committee, and to support adding the MASC full policy review for $10,500 to the School Committee budget. Moved: Ms. Hugo Seconded: Mr. Epstein Discussion: Discussion was held on what this policy review contains, and how any changes are vetted through MASC attorneys, which can save the District money from using their own
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attorneys. Discussion on how the last full review was over six years ago, and that the review will also look at regulations that are included in handbooks. Vote: Unanimous (4-0-0) The Finance subcommittee to discuss at their next meeting which budget it should come out of - FY20 or FY21. Dr. Tremblay said that he would prefer to start it this year, and happen during the summer.
Policy Discussion/Vote BEA: Remote Participation: Ms. Maskell said that the committee can stipulate when and how remote participation can be used. Ms. Hugo said that, per the Mayor’s Remote Participation Policy, a form has to be filled out and submitted to the Mayor’s Office before the subcommittee meeting and those using it also need to take remote participation training. Members to work on suggestions for edits to a new policy on this, using examples from other districts.
JICFB: Bullying Prevention: Attorney Phil Benjamin provided the committee with red lined edits for this policy based on the need to align with Title IX. Motion: To accept the changes to Policy JICFB, as recommended by the attorney, and refer to the full committee for approval. Moved: Ms. Barnhill Seconded: Ms. Hugo Vote: Unanimous (4-0-0)
KBE: Relations with Parent/Booster Organizations. Attorney Benjamin suggested that this be looked at to align with regulations, but suggested edits are not ready for review at this time.
Superintendent Update on Policy Dr. Tremblay said that he suggests that the next policies of importance to look at are the Homework Policy, Policy IHBG: Home Schooling, Policy IMG: Animals in School, and Policy JFAB: Admission to Non-Resident Students. They will be put on the next Open Session agenda to be referred to the Policy Subcommittee.
Administrative Ms. Maskell said that she is looking for this committee to meet every three to four weeks., and would like the homework policy to be ready for june.
Adjournment Motion: To adjourn. Moved: Ms. Barnhill Seconded: Ms. Hugo Vote: Unanimous (4-0-0) Meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m.
Meeting Materials Agenda MASC Policy Services Mayor’s Remote Participation Policy
These minutes were approved by the Policy Subcommittee on April 6, 2020. These minutes were sent to the City of Framingham for posting on April 8, 2020.
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