HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Hingham Public Schools
Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 10:00 a.m.
Fearing Room, Hingham Public Library, Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed.
1. Acceptance of Minutes from January 13, 2015
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Director of Student Services
4. Sharing with School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. Business
8. Communications/General Inquiries
9. Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting
10. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next SEPAC meeting will be on Monday, April 13, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Present: Marisa Ronan; Holly Pilotte; Director of Student Services Liz Flynn; and School Committee Liaison Liza O’Reilly
The meeting was called to order at approximately 10:15 a.m.
The minutes from January 13, 2015 were accepted.
Director of Student Services: With regard to the new full-day kindergarten program (“FDB”), the planning process is moving ahead smoothly, and there will be two new teaching hires who will be dual-certified in special education and general education. The HPS budget for 2015-2016 is moving forward, with the numbers being adjusted downward. Hingham had seven snow days this winter, eight for PRS.
School Committee Liaison: The HPS teachers’ union has to vote to ratify: (1) an early release school day on Good Friday; (2) officially adding the five budget snow days to the school year; (3) adding June 23 as an extra make-up day: and (4) having PRS attend school on Saturday, March 28, as an early release day. The teachers’ union is scheduled to vote on these items on March 16.
Pre-kindergarten parents will be receiving a letter explaining how FDK will work. The state kindergarten expansion program grants have been eliminated, which does not affect the Hingham FDK planning process as it was not included as an assumption.
The Advisory Committee and the School Committee are still voting on budget numbers and the process is very fluid. There is almost $1MM in capital projects for the HPS included in the budget. Plans are in place to add some new teachers at HMS as well as to add some new specialists so that the elementary schools have full-time staff. One of the custodians from East has moved up to supervise all school facilities. The HPS would like to put together a facilities master plan.
Thursday, March 12, is the deadline for taking papers out for the upcoming School Committee election. There are two seats open: Dennis Friedman’s seat and Caryl Falvey’s seat. At this time, four people have pulled papers: Cynthia Galko, Aylene Calnan, Eryn Kelly and Dennis Friedman.
PTO Liaisons: Holly gave an update on a proposed homework help initiative at East Elementary. She reached out to the Honors Society at HHS and has heard back from a couple of students who are interested in helping out as a starting point. Holly also noted that East is raising funds for playground improvements.
Treasury Report: SEPAC has $10,686.44.
New/Old Business: None
Communications/General Inquiries: None.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Hingham Public Schools
Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 10:00 a.m.
Fearing Room, Hingham Public Library, Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed.
1. Acceptance of Minutes from January 13, 2015
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Director of Student Services
4. Sharing with School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. Business
8. Communications/General Inquiries
9. Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting
10. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next SEPAC meeting will be on Monday, April 13, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Present: Marisa Ronan; Holly Pilotte; Director of Student Services Liz Flynn; and School Committee Liaison Liza O’Reilly
The meeting was called to order at approximately 10:15 a.m.
The minutes from January 13, 2015 were accepted.
Director of Student Services: With regard to the new full-day kindergarten program (“FDB”), the planning process is moving ahead smoothly, and there will be two new teaching hires who will be dual-certified in special education and general education. The HPS budget for 2015-2016 is moving forward, with the numbers being adjusted downward. Hingham had seven snow days this winter, eight for PRS.
School Committee Liaison: The HPS teachers’ union has to vote to ratify: (1) an early release school day on Good Friday; (2) officially adding the five budget snow days to the school year; (3) adding June 23 as an extra make-up day: and (4) having PRS attend school on Saturday, March 28, as an early release day. The teachers’ union is scheduled to vote on these items on March 16.
Pre-kindergarten parents will be receiving a letter explaining how FDK will work. The state kindergarten expansion program grants have been eliminated, which does not affect the Hingham FDK planning process as it was not included as an assumption.
The Advisory Committee and the School Committee are still voting on budget numbers and the process is very fluid. There is almost $1MM in capital projects for the HPS included in the budget. Plans are in place to add some new teachers at HMS as well as to add some new specialists so that the elementary schools have full-time staff. One of the custodians from East has moved up to supervise all school facilities. The HPS would like to put together a facilities master plan.
Thursday, March 12, is the deadline for taking papers out for the upcoming School Committee election. There are two seats open: Dennis Friedman’s seat and Caryl Falvey’s seat. At this time, four people have pulled papers: Cynthia Galko, Aylene Calnan, Eryn Kelly and Dennis Friedman.
PTO Liaisons: Holly gave an update on a proposed homework help initiative at East Elementary. She reached out to the Honors Society at HHS and has heard back from a couple of students who are interested in helping out as a starting point. Holly also noted that East is raising funds for playground improvements.
Treasury Report: SEPAC has $10,686.44.
New/Old Business: None
Communications/General Inquiries: None.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
