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6/22/21 School Committee Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
340 Teaticket Highway
EAST FALMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
School Committee Meeting
June 22, 2021
Executive Session 6:00 PM
Public Meeting 6:30 PM
Executive Session 8:00 PM
PUBLIC: REMOTE ACCESS MEETING VIA Zoom Webinar
Webinar Archived on You Tube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJIZbUUGx0B-XABvwkMtRZQa
School Committee Members and the Superintendent located at the Administration Building,
340 Teaticket Highway, East Falmouth, MA
Natalie Kanellopoulos, Chair Lori Duerr, Superintendent
Kelly Welch, Vice-Chair Patrick Murphy, Dir. Of Finance and Operations (REMOTE)
*Melissa Keefe, Secretary Sonia Tellier, Assistant Superintendent (REMOTE)
Terri Medeiros Joan Woodward, Dir. Of Student Services (REMOTE)
Andrea Thorrold
Leah Palmer
Bill Rider Sharon Reid, Recording Secretary (REMOTE)
Lisa Hart Community Access (REMOTE)
Bill Dorfner * Melissa Keefe began meeting remotely then participated inperson at 7:00 PM
HEARD Natalie Kanellopoulos open the public meeting at 6:03 PM.
MOTION by Natalie Kanellopoulos to move into executive session with respect to collective bargaining
strategy regarding a Memorandum of Agreement for the Teamsters Union, Local 59, if an open meeting may
have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the district. It is anticipated that the School Committee
will return to open session.
HEARD Natalie Kanellopoulos re-open the Public Meeting at 6:31 PM.
HEARD Pledge of Allegiance.
HEARD Natalie Kanellopoulos read the recording statement. Mackenzie Ryan, reporter, stated she would be
recording for the Falmouth Enterprise.
HEARD Leah Palmer read the Falmouth Public Schools Mission and Vision Statement.
Public Comment
HEARD Mark Mancini, community member, state that some parents informed him that at the recent Policy
Subcommittee meeting the topic of Critical Race Theory (CRT) arose. Mr. Mancini wanted to state that he
believes CRT does not belong in the schools.
ACT on Wampanoag Land Acknowledgement
MOTION by Terri Medeiros to approve the Wampanoag Land Acknowledgement. SECONDED by Kelly
Welch. DISCUSSION. Jerry Lassos spoke on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe and thanked Board Members
for their collaborative work around this statement. Natalie Kanellopoulos read the land acknowledgement. Roll
Call Vote. UNANIMOUS.
ACT on Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Falmouth Teamsters Local 59 and the Falmouth School
Committee
This MOA was reviewed during the Executive Session earlier this evening. MOTION by Kelly Welch to
accept the Memorandum of Agreement from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024, between the Falmouth Teamsters
Local 59 and the Falmouth School Committee with the following edits:
a. Gender appropriate edits regarding the superintendent on page 7
b. Corrected language on page 6, letter g, to clarify layoffs – to allow the Teamster Reps to clarify the
language themselves recognizing that they understand it better than the Board.
Roll Call Vote. UNANIMOUS.
UPDATE from the Superintendent
HEARD Dr. Duerr thank Dr. Santa and Mr. Murphy for their work on the recently signed agreements with the
Teamsters, the Secretaries, and the Food Service unions. Dr. Duerr also thanked the School Committee for their
support through the past unprecedented year.
ANNOUNCE Retirements 2020-2021
HEARD Dr. Duerr read the list of retirees for the 2020-2021 school year.
Capital Plan Review
HEARD Patrick Murphy, Director of Finance and Operations, review the Capital Plan priorities and process for
funding of projects. The two projects that the Administration would like to move forward on next are:
1. Next phase of replacing uninvents at Morse Pond School with an estimated cost of $900,000.
2. Outside work at the Lawrence School including re-curbing and lighting with an estimated cost of
$300,000.
FIRST Read on School Committee Operating Protocols
DISCUSSION included a suggestion to review and revise the Operating Protocols document during the School
Committee summer retreat.
ACT on 2021-2022 School Committee Assignments
HEARD Natalie Kanellopoulos suggests that it would be helpful to have a one-page summary of each of the
subcommittees. Ms. Kanellopoulos also mentioned that a new subcommittee be formed for OUTREACH to the
community. This will be discussed at the summer retreat.
HEARD Andrea Thorrold suggest that a task force be created this year to guide and support the Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion Officer.
HEARD Natalie Kanellopoulos suggest that the Board have a lead contact for each School Committee Goal to
ensure the goals are met.
HEARD Melissa Keefe request that she would like to participate on the Outreach Subcommittee.
MOTION by Melissa to approve the 2021-2022 School Committee appointments and other assignments.
SECONDED by Bill Dorfner. Roll Call Vote. UNANIMOUS.
MOTION by Terri Medeiros to approve the minutes of June 8, 2021. SECONDED by Melissa Keefe. Roll
Call Vote. UNANIMOUS.
COMMITTEE Members Report
HEARD Terri Medeiros report that the Grand Opening of the Emerald House Museum will be on Friday,
June 25, 2021 at 2:00 PM.
HEARD Melissa Keefe report on the Day of Portugal she attended on June 12, 2021 at at Portuguese American
Club.
HEARD Natalie Kanellopoulos report on the Juneteenth Celebration she attended at the Cape Verdean Museum
on June 20, 2021.
HEARD Mr. Dorfner request policies pertaining to the entrance age of kindergarten students. Dr. Duerr stated
that this policy would be discussed at an upcoming Policy Subcommittee meeting.
MOTION by Natalie Kanellopoulos to move into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation
if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the School Committee and
pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, sec 21(a) (7) “to comply with, act under the authority of, any general or special law or
federal grant-in-aid required (Purpose 7): specifically, the Open Meeting Law, GL. c. 31A, sections 22 (f) and
(g). It is anticipated the School Committee will NOT return to open session.
The following documents were included in the School Committee packet of June 22, 2021. Hard copies can be
found in the Superintendent’s office or electronic copies on-line at the Town’s website:
www.falmouthmass.us/AgendaCenter
Draft Wampanoag Land Acknowledgement
FPS Retirements 2020-2021
Draft Falmouth School Committee/Superintendent Operating Protocols 2021-2022
Draft School Committee Subcommittee Appointments and Other Assignments
Draft Minutes of June 8, 2021
Memorandum of Agreement between the Falmouth Teamsters Local 59 and the Falmouth School
Committee (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2024)
Falmouth Public School Capital Plans (working document)
Public MEETING ADJOURNED: 7:33 PM Minutes Approved: July 20, 2021
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Keefe
Secretary Recording Secretary: Sharon Reid