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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-29 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: August 29, 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 Chris Caruso Visitors: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK REtaOING, M1"ASS. 2011 OCT —3 P 2: 32 Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance & Operations Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Elizabeth Conway, Human Resources Administrator Ellie Freedman, RMHS Principal Craig Martin, CMS Principal Doug Lyons, PMS Principal Karen Callan, Barrows Principal Eric Sprung, Birch Meadow Principal Karen Feeney, Eaton Principal Cathy Giles, Killam Principal Richard Davidson, Wood End Principal Ashley Testa, Student Representative Call to Order Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Joanne Senders, Reading Advocate Matt Casey, Reading Patch Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. Introduction of New Teachers Dr. Doherty thanked Mrs. Conway and all the administrators for their hard work in the hiring process over the summer. He then introduced each building principal to introduce their new teachers. Mrs Callan introduced her new teachers and provided a brief background on each. The new teachers at Barrows include Jaclyn Gerrin, Meredith Grindrod, Maryellen Mauriello, Ashley Nagle and Maureen Spalluto. Mr. Sprung introduced his new teachers and provided a brief background on each. The new teachers at Birch Meadow include Carole Casavant and Patrick McCracken. August 29, 2011 Ms. Feeney introduced her new teachers and provided a brief background on each. The new teachers at Joshua Eaton include Michelle Hopkinson, Kelly Strob and Brittany Bauman. Mrs. Giles introduced her new teachers and provided a brief background on each. The new teachers at Killam include Alison McLellan and Daniela Galdo. Mrs. Giles indicated that we have hired 4 new music teachers and Mr. Al Mosier will be acting as their mentor for the year. Mr. Davidson introduced his new teachers and provided a brief background on each. The new teachers at Wood End include Melissa Steiger. Mr. Robinson thanked the principals and the new teachers for coming and hope they enjoy the school year. The elementary group left the meeting. The next group of introductions was the middle school level Mr. Lyons introduced his new teachers and provided a brief background on each. The new teachers at Parker included Adam Amster, Jacob Barnett, Kimberly Boote, Rebecca Lord, Lauren Luskin and Taylor Pellitier. He also introduced Beth Beaulieu as the new assistant principal. Mr. Martin introduced his new teachers and provided a brief background on each. The new teachers at Coolidge include Samantha Prindiville, Ann Canniff and Laura O'Connor. Mr. Robinson thanked the principals and their new teacher for coming and hope they enjoy the school year. The middle school group left the meeting. The next group of introductions was the new high school teachers. Mrs. Freedman introduced her new teachers and provided a brief background on each. The new teachers at Reading Memorial High School include Laura Callahan, Annemarie Cory, Monique Day, Jennifer DeCoff, Erika Ferranti, Sarah Fuller and Jacqueline Rogers. Mr. Robinson thanked the principals and their new teacher for coming and hope they enjoy the school year. The high school group left the meeting. The next group to be introduced would be the district teachers. Dr. Doherty officially introduced Director of Student Services Alison Elmer. He asked Ms. Elmer to introduce our new team chairs that include Scott Gray (RMHS), Christina Gentile (Birch Meadow /RISE), Rachael Fusco (Parker /Eaton) and Mark Nacht (Wood End/Killam). The team chairs will be building based this year. Mr. Robinson thanked the team chairs for coming and hope they enjoy the school year. Mrs. de Garavilla introduced Sandy Calandrella who has taken over as the Director of Community Education, Summer School and Extended Day. August 29, 2011 Chair Robinson called a 5 minute recess at 7:50 p.m. The Chair called the meeting back to order at 7:55 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Reports I 1. Student 2. Liaison Chair Robinson reported that we are all saddened by the recent events in our community. He said that he and Dr. Doherty would be meeting with the Town Manager and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Selectmen as well as Erica McNamara of RCASA to discuss the possible Word Cafe type event to deal with several areas of concern for the community. 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported today was the first day back for staff. There was an opening day district meeting. Topics touched upon included the district focus, the recent tragedies and the impact they might have on the students as they return on Wednesday. It is important to focus on the emotional health of our students. The Behavioral Health Task Force met several times over the summer. It is made up of over 30 staff and RCASA members. Using the DESE guide on behavioral health the committee developed an assessment tool with a series of recommendations and next steps. The Superintendent also mentioned the World Cafe type forum to discuss the emotional health of students and young adults. He emphasized that this is a community issue. The Reading Public Schools is one of eleven districts chosen to be an early adopter. The process is moving forward and the Superintendent is looking forward to have the opportunity to shape and mold the state teacher assessment tool. Dr. Doherty handed out an updated elementary enrollment and is pleased that the class sizes across the district are fairly even. We still receive calls daily from families moving into town. He does have some concerns about space and funding if additional classes need to be added. Dr. Doherty mentioned the upcoming Joshua Eaton Playground dedication. 4. Assistant Superintendent Mrs. de Garavilla shared that there was a great deal of work being done in the area of curriculum at all levels this summer. Many of our teachers have been working on different committees over the past several months. August 29, 2011 She said that all of our K -5 teachers have been trained in Open Circle. The elementary math committee is working on closing the gaps as they relate to the Common Core standards. She also shared that there is also work being done identifying the skills to be incorporated in the new standards base elementary report card. At the Middle Schools work is being done to align the math curriculum with the Common Core standards and development of a Moodle model to be used. The middle schools have also been working with CAST of Wakefield using Universal Design Learning for reading comprehension. The high school teachers are focusing on the literacy content areas for the science curriculum and project based learning as an interdisciplinary for juniors. The Library media specialists are updating curriculum. There is also work being done at all levels on the Bullying Prevention curriculum Mrs. de Garavilla went on to discuss the recent iPad training for administrators and technology staff. The teachers will be trained on iPads in the coming weeks. New Teacher Induction was held in mid - August. She explained that there are several team building activities and the feedback was very positive. Substitute Teacher orientation was also held this week. Reading Public Schools, in partnership with the Wakefield Public Schools, will be hiring and placing substitute teachers. Over the summer Mrs. Conway has met with over 75 teacher substitutes to ensure all were ready for the start of school. The teacher substitute pool is a mixed group made up of people with several years of experience to recent graduates. The group was appreciative of the training and information provided at the orientation. Our Extended Day Program will be up and running for its second year. There are over 200 students enrolled in the program at the 5 elementary schools and RISE. Mrs. de Garavilla shared that Director Calandrella held her new family orientation and has many great ideas for the program. 5. Director of Finance and Operations Ms. DeLai reported on storm damage resulting from Tropical Storm Irene. The district suffered very little damage. There was minimal water infiltration. She next reported on the Memorial Wall replacement. The wall is in production. The glass installer will be onsite to install the anchors and braces and the installation will be installed by September 9t'. Ms. DeLai updated the committee on the status of the two green repair projects. Killam Roof — The roof replacement is progressing smoothly. Work during school hours is limited to flashing and gutter work. The remaining work will be performed on weekends. The expected completion date is September 12tH Ms. DeLai indicated that Killam has some clerestory windows that we are hoping to replace. She reminded the School Committee that the estimate came in approximately August 29, 2011 $200,000 below budget. With that in mind she has asked the contractor for an estimate to replace these windows. The estimate was $132,000 which is within the budget. The contractor has been notified to proceed with the window replacement. Ms. DeLai contacted the MSBA but does not believe this project will be reimbursable as part of the Green Repair grant. The Birch Meadow windows have been ordered and are scheduled to be delivered in early October. The use of portable classrooms during construction is not feasible. The Birch Meadow gym will be divided into two temporary classrooms and a third temporary classroom will be in the computer lab. The construction is estimated to take 8 weeks with a completion date in December. Arrangements have been made with the Burbank YMCA to accommodate the Birch Meadow physical education classes during the construction. Ms. DeLai said that she is revisiting the need to make Killam handicapped accessible and to obtain firmer costs. The current estimate is 1.8 million dollars. The main office and remaining windows at Killam also need to be addressed. She indicated that she and the Superintendent would be meeting with the Town Manager, Finance Director and Town Accountant to discuss these projects. 6. Human Resources Administrator Mrs. Conway recapped the changes in the last quarter of the 2010 -11 school year and over the summer. She reviewed all new non - teaching staff that has been hired to date. All staff members that had been laid off at the end of the school year have been rehired to a position in the district if they wanted. B. Continued Business Reading School Committee Policies Admission of Transfer Students Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the second reading of Policy JFABC (Admission of Transfer Students from Charter Schools) of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual and move to approve Policy JFABC (Admission of Transfer Students from Charter Schools) of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual. Mrs. Janowski proceeded to read policy JFABC Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to waive the reading of the policy. The motion carried 5 -0. The original motion carried 5 -0. August 29, 2011 Service Animals Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the second reading of Policy IMG (Animals in School) of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual and move to approve Policy IMG (Animals in School) of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual Mrs. Janowski proceeded to read policy IMG — Animals in School. Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to waive the reading of the policy. The motion carried 5 -0. Dr. Doherty reviewed the revisions to the policy The original motion carried 5 -0. Social Networking Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the second reading of Policy IJNDD — Social Networking Policy of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual and move to approve Policy IJNDD — Social Networking Policy of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual. Mrs. Janowski proceeded to read policy IJNDD — Social Networking Policy. Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to waive the reading of the policy. The motion carried 5 -0. Dr. Doherty reviewed the revisions to the policy. Mrs. Janowski asked for clarification on what determines private vs. public. Dr. Doherty indicated that these sites are not used for educational purposes. She also asked if the teachers have had an opportunity to review. Dr. Doherty indicated that this is a policy and it is not necessary for the teaching staff approval. This policy creates clear cut boundaries regarding social networking. He indicated that the RTA is currently reviewing the more detailed acceptable use policy. Mrs. Gibbs thanked the Superintendent for developing this policy that protects the students and staff. The original motion carried 5 -0. C. New Business Approval of Field Trips Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the Parker Middle School 8th grade field trip to Washington, D.C. in May 2012 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated August 25, 2011. The motion carried 5 -0 August 29, 2011 Mrs. Janowski inquired about the accommodations made for students that do not go on this field trip. Dr. Doherty said that 60 -70% of the students do go on these field trips and activities are planned for those students that are not on the trip. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the Parker Middle School 7th grade field trip to Nature's Classroom in November 2011 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated August 25, 2011. The motion carried 5 -0. Ad Hoc Committee Appointment Chair Robinson asked for nominations to serve on the ad hoc committee to review amplified sound. He explained that this committee would be reviewing this matter as it affects the town as a whole. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to appoint Chris Caruso to serve as the School Committee liaison to the ad hoc committee to review amplified sound on public Property. The motion carried 5 -0. Chair Robinson then asked for nominations or recommendations for a liaison to the Recreation Committee. Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to appoint Karen Janowski to serve as the School Committee liaison to the Recreation Committee. The motion carried 5 -0. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the open session minutes dated July 25, 2011. The motion carried 5 -0. • Bids and Donations Donations Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the donation of $2,500 from the Reading Summer Field Hockey program to be used to compensate a coaching assistant position for the 2011 -12 season. The motion carried 5 -0. Calendar There was discussion regarding the date of the upcoming School Committee retreat. School Committee Office hours begin at the next meeting at 6:30 p.m. IV. Information Mrs. Janowski and Mr. Robinson will be participating in the Understanding Disabilities Jail & Bail fundraiser at the Reading Fall Faire Mr. Robinson mentioned the 9/11 ceremony that begins at 10 a.m. at the high school. August 29, 2011 V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft to adiourn. The motion carried 5 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. W- Jot F. Dohert Ed.D. rintendent of Schools