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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-05 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools RECEIVED Reading, Massachusetts TOWN CLERK READING, MASS. Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session 1011 JAN 18 A & 18 Date: December 5, 2011 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski Hal Croft David Michaud Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Visitors: Phil Vaccaro, Athletic Director Lynn Dunn, Director of Nurses- I. Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Elizabeth Conway, Human Resources Administrator Andrew Jeromski, Reading Patch Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Joanne Senders, Reading Advocate Chairperson Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:35 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Mr. Robert Aiello, Reading resident, expressed his concern over the recent tragedies in our community. He requested that a community service aspect of the curriculum be added requiring all high school students to perform 25 hours of community service over the 4 years they are in high school. He said that this requirement is in place in Cambridge. He indicated that he had spoken to the High School Principal. Reports I Student Mr. Doodlesack and Ms. Testa shared the following high school happenings: • Leo Club Toys for Tots campaign • Festival of Trees — each class and several clubs and activities donated trees • Annual Pep Rally • Winter sports have started • The Student Council held a fundraiser during the Pep Rally December 5, 2011 2. Liaison 3. Superintendent's Report 4. Assistant Superintendent Mrs. de Garavilla reported that she attended the recent METCO Directors Conference along with 12 teachers and administrators from our district. Topics discussed were cultural proficiency — understanding our student s needs and how to better the family connections. 5. Director of Finance and Operations 6. Director of Student Services Ms. Elmer reported the paraeducators participated in training and workshops during the recent in- service day. She received positive feedback from the participants. B. Continued Business Review of the Naming of Facilities Policy Dr. Doherty said he would ask the School Committee to direct him to incorporate the requested changes into the current policy and present the revised policy for a first reading at a future meeting. Mrs. Gibbs would like to add the sub - committee recommendations to the policy. The recommendations for consideration are; (1) No nomination shall be considered if an employee or elected official in the town and (2) The selections must meet the outlined criteria. She also would like clarification that nominations would be heard once annually. Mr. Caruso was uncomfortable adding the criteria regarding employees or elected officials. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to direct the Superintendent to prepare a draft Policy FF for a first reading at a future meeting. The motion carried 5 -1. Mr. Caruso voted against. Personnel Update Mrs. Conway provided an update on the personnel changes for the first quarter of the year. She also shared that the in house substitute placement is working well. The fill rate is on par with what we were getting with Kelly Services. C. New Business First reading of Reading Public Schools Policy JJIF — Athletic Concussion Dr. Doherty introduced Mr. Phil Vaccaro, Athletic Director and Ms. Lynn Dunn, Director of Nurses who then reviewed the process in place to ensure that our student athletes are protected. December 5, 2011 Mr. Vaccaro said that safety is of the utmost concern. The students are required to fill out pre - participation Head Injury/Concussion Reporting forms when they fill out the permission slip. Parents and guardians are also required to take the NFHS concussion training and sign off on the permission slip. Mrs. Dunn feels that, although this is the first year, she has a better feel for the number of concussion type injuries in all sports and activities. Mr. Robinson inquired about coaches training. Mr. Vaccaro said the coaches must also complete the NFHS online concussion certification. In addition, they attended a training session presented by Hallmark Health and discussion takes place at their coaches meetings. Mrs. Gibbs was pleased that concussion awareness has been raised at all our schools. Mrs. Janowski began the reading of the policy, Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to waive the further reading of the policy. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept the first reading of Section J, Policy JJIF— Athletic Concussion. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Robinson asked the committee to review the policy and present any questions at the next meeting. .Statement of Interest to the MSBA Ms. DeLai reviewed the process for submitting the Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The statement is due January 11, 2012 to be considered for the Accelerated Repair Program. She feels we will hear back sometime in March. And the reimbursement rate would be approximately 47 %. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft to: Resolved: Having convened in an open meeting on December 5, 2011, the School Committee of the Town of Reading, in accordance with its charter, by -laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated December 1, 2011 for the J. Warren Killam Elementary School located at 333 Charles Street, Reading, Massachusetts which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority categories for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future: Priority Category 5: Replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility. Deficiency: The current windows are a single pane, non - insulated glass and transite panels which are in poor condition offering little protection from air infiltration and allowing water to leak into the space. The building is not handicap accessible and, therefore, not December 5, 2011 compliant with 521CMR regulations. The building lacks sprinkler protection and is thereby not compliant with MGL c. 148, s. 26G. The goal of the proiect is to replace all windows with high efficiency windows offering better property protection and operability and to make all necessary improvements to ensure the building is fully compliant with all state and local regulations and requirements and to provide for a full range of educational programs within the building. The School Committee of the Town of Reading hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the Town of Reading to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The motion carried 6 -0. MCAS Presentation Mrs. de Garavilla presented information on the MCAS testing, Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), Student Growth Percentile (SGP), the MA waiver request and the PARCC Assessments. She reviewed AYP and feels it is 'a barrier to helping students improve. AYP has set unrealistic goals for compliance in 2014. The Student Growth Percentile is a more realistic measure of student performance. The student's rate of change is compared to their statewide academic peers not all students statewide. She reviewed the district performance on the 2011 MCAS testing. Although the district performance was above the state averages there are some areas of concern. The eighth grade science scores have shown a downward trend. The science curriculum is in need of updating and that will be explored during the budget season. The Grade 4 English Language Arts testing included long composition for the first time. The scores decreased slightly and the principals and teachers will determine if the reading or writing skills are causing the problems. Grade 4 math also included short answer and open response for the first time. The writing skills are an area that the teachers and principals will focus on for improvement. Mrs. de Garavilla continued her presentation on the SGP. Teachers are able to analyze the data and it is transferable to what is being taught. The MA DESE has submitted a waiver from the requirements of NCLB. The waiver is based on MA commitment to set standards for student learning that ensure readiness for college and careers, calls out and remediates performance gaps, expects continuous improvement of schools and districts, rewards strong performance and aggressively addresses low performing schools and districts. The state expects to hear back from the USDOE sometime in January. Mrs. de Garavilla explained the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers which is a 24 state consortium working together to develop next generation K -12 assessments in math and English. She went on to explain the next steps which include continued focus on Common Core, Interdisciplinary writing across all grades, development of common assessments, math alignment especially at the middle and high school levels and the utilization of in- service session to December 5, 2011 promote knowledge of standards as well as sharing best practices for improved SGP at certain grades and subjects. Approval of Field Trip Dr. Doherty explained that this is an additional habitat field trip because of overwhelming response. Thirty -two students signed up for sixteen slots. Two teachers offered to chaperone an additional trip in July. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the RMHS service field trip to Exmore, VA as part of the Habitat for Humanity program in July 2012 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 1, 2011. The motion carried 6 -0. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes dated November 7, 2011. The motion carried 6 -0. • Bids and Donations Donations (Out of Order) Michele Sanphy and Samantha Gibbs presented the School Department with a donation to be used for professional development and inclusion. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept donation in the amount of $2,000 from Samantha's Harvest to be used to support professional development and Inclusion as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 1, 2011. The motion carried 5 -0 -1. Mrs. Gibbs abstained. Friend of Reading Wrestling Mr. Alan Beaulieu of Friends of Reading Wrestling was at the meeting to present two donations to the Reading Wrestling Programs. The Friends of Reading Wrestling has purchased a practice mat for use by both youth and high school wrestling and also 40 singlets for the high school team. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept the donation of a standard 40' x 40' wrestling mat and 40 wrestling singlets to be used by the wrestling team from the Friends of Reading Wrestling as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 1, 2011. The motion carried 6 -0. Donation from Charles McDonald Mrs. Janowski, moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept a donation in the amount of $600 from Charles McDonald to be used to establish STEM Libraries in our Middle and High Schools. The motion carried 6 -0. December 5, 2011 Award of Contract Ms. DeLai reviewed the bids. The district received 3 bids for this contract. The current vendor was the low bidder and was able to decrease the cost by $9 per hour. The Facilities department has a good working relationship with them and recommends awarding the contract to Specialized Roofing. Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with Specialized Roofing of Billerica, MA for the Roof Repair and Maintenance Services contract as outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations memorandum dated November 30, 2011. The motion carried 6 -0. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business Mrs. Janowski would like to have a conversation on homework and the Race to Nowhere. VI. Adioununent Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to enter Executive Session to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints, or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual, and not to reconvene in open session. The roll call vote was 6 -0. Mrs. Janowski, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Croft. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. ��Iw J F. Dohert Ed.D. S rintendent of Schools