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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-03 School Committee MinutesDate: December 3, 2011 Time: 9:00 a.m. (Retreat) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs Karen Janowski Chuck Robinson Hal Croft David Michaud Chris Caruso I. Call to Order Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Retreat RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING. MASS. 1011 JAN 18 A8: 18 Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance & Operations Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 9:11 a.m. Dr. Doherty reviewed the agenda for the meeting. The topics for this retreat will be a text discussion, a conceptual discussion of FYI budget overview and a self - assessment tool for School Committees. Text Discussion Dr. Doherty distributed the book "The Essential School Board Book". The discussion began with a review of Chapter 1. Dr. Doherty reviewed the Four A's Protocol for discussion of this chapter— Assumptions made, Agree with, Argue with, and Aspirations. Discussion began with what the committee agreed with in this chapter. • Generally all states handle School Committee the same way • Everyone on School Committee are on for the right reasons • Effective boards are student focused • If you do not think there is room for improvement you wouldn't be reading the book • Need for intermeshing • Much of what we are doing The next A — What do you Agree with in the text? • We are doing the right things • Hold the same standards • Data driven conclusions • We are not a stuck board • Need community support • Healthy conflict is good December 3, 2011 Argue — What do you want to Argue with in the text? • Struggles with Board's responsibilities • Article makes assumptions of Board's roles • Understanding roles is important • Handcuffed by "sandbox" issue • School Committee behavior can trickle down to classroom • Town/School cooperation is important Aspire — What parts of the text do we want to Aspire to? • How policies may impact classroom • Have a more active role in policy review • Review policy more frequently • Define line micromanage and what is good for kids • Open free dialogue in open meetings • More input into agenda • Regular updates from task force • Why don't the meetings feel like they are ours • More effectively engage the community • Open forums to invite parents • Move away from the perception that the School Committee is a rubber stamp group • Develop creative ways to reach community • Engage community in forward thinking • Possibly hold themed meetings • Future meeting of the Public Relations Sub - Committee to address these concerns Mr. Robinson called a brief recess at 10:20 a.m. Mr. Robinson called the meeting back to order at 10:20 a.m. Conceptual Discussion of FYI 3 Budget Ms. DeLai reviewed the FYI Budget Outlook as related at the Financial Forum held in November. The town is in relatively good shape in respect with the previously discussed budget predictions. Ms. DeLai then went on to present the 3 free cash budget scenarios that were presented at the Financial Forum. Scenario #1: No reserves used. Although there are strong reserves this scenario presents a cut in the FY13 budget of approximately 1.2% Scenerio #2: Target operating budgets at +1% each year Although there are stable reserves budgets only increase by 1 %. Scenario #3: Target operating budgets at +2% each year December 3, 2011 This scenario presents gradual reserve problems. Ms. DeLai then went onto review the Foundation Budget. The Foundation Budget is inadequately funded and has not been updated since the 1990s. Dr. Doherty reviewed the District Improvement Plan and the conceptual budget. He indicated that the budget has increases in the per pupil levels at the building level, increasing elementary paraeducator hours, the addition of staffing for new programs and additional supports, the restoration of professional development funding. In discussions with the District Leadership Team and the Administrative Council the effects of a 0% budget over the past years has seriously impacted areas that support Learning and Teaching. The district has been fortunate to not cut any teaching positions. The focus of the FY13 budget includes providing for the Behavioral Health and Social/Emotional well being of our students and to restore some of the professional development opportunities to successfully address the district budget drivers. Mrs. de Garavilla reviewed the curriculum and professional development needs of the district which includes a Middle School Health Education program, curriculum alignment with the Common Core and District Committee work. Mrs. Gibbs left the meeting at 11:45 a.m. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud to adjourn. The vote was 5 -0. The meeting ended at 12:02 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. JON F. Doherty, Ad.D. Su rintendent of Schools