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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-06 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: July 6, 2011 Time: 7:00 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Chuck Robinson Karen Janowski Lisa Gibbs Hal Croft Visitors: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING. Mr1SS. 2011 OCT -3 P 2: 32! Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance & Operations Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Terri Teixeira, parent Joanne Senders, Reading Advocate I. Call to Order Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Reports I 1. Student 2. Liaison 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported that he has submitted an application to the DESE to be an Early Adopter District for the new Educator Evaluation Process. In doing so the district will have access to DESE tools to make recommendations the Educator Evaluation System development. The district will be able to collaborate with other early adopter districts and have access to professional development opportunities at no cost. 4. Assistant Superintendent 5. Director of Finance and Operations Ms. DeLai updated the School Committee on the Memorial Wall replacement process. She stated that the specifications and plans have been developed and the July 6, 2011 invitation to bid has been posted in the Central Register. The plans and specifications will be available for pick up on July 8th. The estimated cost of the replacement is approximately $50,000 - $60,000. She thanked Mr. Michaud for his assistance with the wall artwork. She next updated the committee on the Green Repair projects. Fully executed funding agreements for both projects have been sent to the Massachusetts School Building Association and both contractors have executed the notice to proceed. The shop drawings for the window replacement at Birch Meadow are in the review and approval stage. Once approved, the order will be placed. Ms. DeLai estimated that it will take approximately 12 weeks for the manufacture of the windows. During the construction phase it will be necessary to displace classes for a period of 3 to 5 days to allow for installation of the windows. There has been discussion regarding the possibility of renting modular classrooms to house the displaced classes during the construction. The Killam Roof Replacement project is scheduled to begin on July 29th. The materials have been approved. This project should be completed before school begins in August. B. Continued Business FYI Budget Update Dr. Doherty reviewed the budget as we enter fiscal year 2012. He reminded the School Committee that the budget is $385,000 less than last year. There have been cuts made but no classroom teachers have been laid off. He reviewed the elementary enrollment and reviewed the areas that will be impacted by this budget. There has been a $100,000 reduction in the supply cost center. The schools will feel this impact at the end of the year. Paraeducator hours have been cut. This will affect the supervision time before school. Children will not be able to be dropped off until 8:10 a.m. He announced that the Reading Extended Day program is offering an option for parents to drop their children off at 7:45 a.m. This is a fee based program. The ELA Instructional Specialist position has been eliminated. This will impact the elementary schools. Mrs. deGaravilla is working with the elementary principals to minimize the impact. There have also been reductions in the district courier position and the Special Education secretarial staff. Wood End Bus Ms. DeLai reviewed the Reading Public Schools bus routes and the status of the Wood End bus. The district has no mandatory riders at Wood End therefore does not have to provide a bus. The Superintendent has extended the deadline to the families. There will need to be a minimum of 27 riders for the bus to be economically run. Families that are interested have been asked to send in $650 by the end of July. If at that point there are enough riders the bus route may be restored. Mrs. Janowski thanked Dr. Doherty and Ms. DeLai for providing creative options and solutions. July 6, 2011 C. New Business Director of Student Services Appointment Dr. Doherty gave a quick recap of the selection process and thanked the 13 member screening committee for their diligent work presenting several good candidates. Dr. Doherty indicated that he is recommending Alison Elmer for the position. He feels that Ms. Elmer is the best fit for the district and possess the knowledge base and willingness to learn to keep the district mission and vision moving forward. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept the recommendation of Alison Elmer as Director of Student Services and authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract negotiations with Ms. Elmer. Mr. Croft commented that Ms. Elmer is an active student and keeps up to date in the behavioral sciences. Mrs. Gibbs feels that Ms. Elmer's potential is palpable and looks forward to watching her grow as an administrator. Mr. Robinson felt that the School Committee was presented with 2 strong candidates and supports the Superintendent's decision. Mrs. Janowski thanked the Superintendent for arranging a time for her to interview Ms. Elmer because she could not attend the meeting when the candidates were interviewed. The motion carried 4 -0. Audit Committee Reappointment Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs Gibbs, to reappoint Chuck Robinson as the School Committee liaison to the Audit Committee as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 27, 2011. The motion carried 4 -0. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes dated June 6, 2011. The motion carried 4 -0. _Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes dated June 20, 2011. The motion carried 4 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes dated June 27, 2011. The motion carried 4 -0. July 6, 2011 • Bids and Donations Donations Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept the donation of $200 from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to the Birch Meadow School to be used to for instructional technology and to enhance the parent resource center as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 27, 2011. The motion carried 4 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept an anonymous donation in the amount of $1,000 to the Coolidge Middle School to be used to support the World of Difference program as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 27, 2011. The motion carried 4 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept the anonymous donation of $8,000 to be used to support student leadership programs at our middle schools as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 27, 2011. The motion carried 4 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept a donation in the amount of $515.13 from the Wood End PTO to the Wood End School to be used to purchase books for the library. The motion carried 4 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept a donation in the amount of $594.88 from the Wood End PTO to the Wood End School to be used to purchase student agendas for the 4th and 5th grade students. The motion carried 4 -0. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to enter into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the Reading Cafeteria Employees, AFSCME Council 93, Local 1703 and approval of minutes and not to reconvene to open session. The roll call motion carried 4 -0. Mrs. Janowski, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Croft. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.