MCCPS Board of Trustees
Minutes
Governance Monthly Meeting - April 2020
Date and Time
Wednesday April 8, 2020 at 7:00 PM
Location
Topic: Governance Committee
Time: Apr 8, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 389 839 4128
Password: MCCPS
Governance
Committee Members Present
Christopher Riegle (remote), Cynthia Canavan (remote), Elizabeth Burns (remote), Jeanne Smith (remote), Karl Smith (remote), Kay O'Dwyer (remote), Peter Cohen (remote)
Committee Members Absent
Paul Baker
Committee Members who arrived after the meeting opened
Christopher Riegle, Cynthia Canavan
Guests Present
Artie Sullivan (remote), Stephen Veiga (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Karl Smith called a meeting of the Governance Committee of MCCPS Board of Trustees to order on Wednesday Apr 8, 2020 at 7:05 PM.
Karl Smith made a motion to accept Governor Baker's Executive Order allowing for remote meetings. Note that in light of the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, Governor Baker issued an emergency Order on March 12, 2020, allowing public bodies greater flexibility in utilizing technology in the conduct of meetings under the Open Meeting Law. This committee makes a motion to accept this Executive Order for this meeting of the Governance Committee, on April 8, 2020.
Kay O'Dwyer seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Artie Sullivan |
Abstain
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Cynthia Canavan |
Absent
|
| Elizabeth Burns |
Aye
|
| Kay O'Dwyer |
Aye
|
| Christopher Riegle |
Absent
|
| Paul Baker |
Absent
|
| Stephen Veiga |
Abstain
|
| Jeanne Smith |
Aye
|
C.
Approve Minutes - February meeting
Not all members were able to read through the minutes. As a result, the approval of the minutes will occur at the next meeting
Christopher Riegle arrived.
II. Governance matters
A.
Board Meeting Update
Dr. Peter Cohen provided an update to the committee regarding MCCPS' first board meeting held remotely.
Peter noted that overall the board was able to conduct the meeting effectively and efficiently.
He was able to speak to MCCPS' response to Covid 19 to date and the challenges faced with remote learning.
Other points discussed:
Peter noted that overall the board was able to conduct the meeting effectively and efficiently.
He was able to speak to MCCPS' response to Covid 19 to date and the challenges faced with remote learning.
Other points discussed:
- The board agreed to keep the existing timeline for HOS evaluation
- School year budget and potential impacts
- Enrollment projections - trending favorably
- Overall the atmosphere is considered positive
Cynthia Canavan arrived.
B.
By-Laws Update
Stephen Veiga as the task force lead provided an update regarding the last meeting held to review the by-law updates.
There was concern expressed regarding the availability of the agenda and notice of the meeting.
The group walked through how to locate the meeting agenda and notification of the "Zoom" meeting through the school's website.
The proposed process for these by-law updates was reviewed and clarified. The group needs to complete the updates, seek review and advice from school counsel, and then vote to present the updated by-laws to the Board of Trustees for their review and approval.
It was noted that the goal should be for the committee to have a final proposal (after review by counsel) to present to the Board during the June retreat.
Significant discussion occurred surrounding Article 9 and the need for trustees to be members of each sub-committee.
Several other sections were re-worded or updated to provide clearer, more concise wording.
Certain areas were identified for additional review and commentary by school counsel.
It was determined to hold an additional meeting to complete the review and provide for additional time to discuss potential wording changes or updates.
There was concern expressed regarding the availability of the agenda and notice of the meeting.
The group walked through how to locate the meeting agenda and notification of the "Zoom" meeting through the school's website.
The proposed process for these by-law updates was reviewed and clarified. The group needs to complete the updates, seek review and advice from school counsel, and then vote to present the updated by-laws to the Board of Trustees for their review and approval.
It was noted that the goal should be for the committee to have a final proposal (after review by counsel) to present to the Board during the June retreat.
Significant discussion occurred surrounding Article 9 and the need for trustees to be members of each sub-committee.
Several other sections were re-worded or updated to provide clearer, more concise wording.
Certain areas were identified for additional review and commentary by school counsel.
It was determined to hold an additional meeting to complete the review and provide for additional time to discuss potential wording changes or updates.
C.
Board Composition
The group was reminded of the pending expiration of trustee during 2020, and urged to continue to search for potential candidates.
III. Planning - Future meeting
A.
Next Meeting - May
Tuesday - April 14th - 7 PM - meeting on the by laws
IV. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karl Smith
Documents used during the meeting
None