2018-01-18 School Committee Minutes

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Dr. Snow Dockser arrived at 7:05 p.m. C. Reports The public was reminded of the National Guard Deployment Ceremony in the Endslow PAC on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Snow Dockser reported on the SEPAC meeting held prior to tonight's meeting. Mr. Arena called the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:07 p.m. D. New Business FYI 9 Budget — Review of Questions Dr. Doherty said 72 questions had been submitted by the School Committee and wanted to thank the administrative team for their efforts in developing the responses. The Superintendent wanted to clarify a few items that were questioned. The first clarification was regarding the addition of a RISE sub separate classroom teacher. A specialized teacher is needed for the program and needs to be budgeted for a higher step. The FY2019 cost includes salary, mentoring, and competency stipend expenses. Mrs. Marchant and Mrs. Shankland reviewed the foreign language programs. The current grade 7 students would not take a foreign language in grade 8. They would have an opportunity to take another elective although the elective offerings will not be as robust as they have been in the past. The books and materials for grade 9 Spanish 1 and French 1 would be transferred from the middle schools to the high school and students will be able to take 4 years of foreign language at the high school level. Dr. Doherty reviewed the elementary enrollment pointing out the large incoming kindergarten class which necessitates the additional staffing. He also shared that he is looking at a centralized half day kindergarten; one on the north side of town and one on the south in an effort to avoid the integrated model we have used in the past. Mrs. King reviewedthearea of substitute teachers. She shared the effect of no coverage in her building, requiring her to pull other staff out of the classrooms to cover the classes requiring substitutes. She said the fill rate at Wood End is 70% explaining that our pay is lower than some surrounding communities therefore; if the substitute has an opportunity to work in a community with more money they tend to cancel in Reading. This impacts instructional practices. Mrs. King reviewed the impact of reductions to the building based budgets. Historically this money has been spent. There is a 30% hold back that is released to the buildings in the spring to plan for purchases. Dr. Doherty reviewed adjustments to the balanced budget increasing the kindergarten offset and decreasing the Drama stipends and decreasing the FTE cuts at the elementary level by 1.0 FTE. The Superintendent provided an overview of the reconstruction budget which is tied to the District Improvement Plan and critical parts of the vision with the focus on the student. Components of the plan include the addition of 2 K-8 districtwide curriculum coordinators to address major challenges that our district has been facing with curriculum changes, a restructured position of RISE Preschool Director/Assistant Director of Special Education, restructuring the existing team chair positions to create full time Assistant Page 1 2