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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-05 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts RECEIVED TOWN CLERK Regular Meeting of the School Committee READING. MASS. Open Session 1011 FEB -2 P 12: 09 Date: January 5, 2012 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Hal Croft Visitors: 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 Chairperson Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:34 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Re orts I 1. Student 2. Liaison 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported that the annual Martin Luther King celebration will be taking place on January 16 in the Fine and Performing Arts Center at RMHS. The Coolidge Middle School production of Cinderella will be performed in the Fine and Performing Arts Center at RMHS Martin Luther King weekend. Dr. Doherty reviewed the budget calendar. On Monday evening he would resent the budget overview, Administration and Regular Day cost centers and on January 19` the Special Education, Other Services and Town and School Maintenance cost centers would be presented. The public hearing is scheduled for January 23`d and a final vote on January 30d'. Dr. Doherty shared that the Reading Rotary will be hosting the upcoming Taste of Metro North event on February 20. Some of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Reading Education Foundation. January 5, 2012 4. Assistant Superintendent Mrs. de Garavilla reported that the students from Korean arrived last night. There are 40 students coming to spend either 3 '/z or 7 weeks in the states. The host families met the students when they arrived. Mrs. deGaravilla thanked the host families and the teachers for welcoming the students into their homes and classrooms. She also shared that there will be a celebration at the end of January and would provide more information at a future meeting. The Chinese exchange will take place at the end of January and she is finalizing plans with the organizers of the trip. 5. Director of Finance and Operations Ms. DeLai reported that the Birch Meadow window project is complete and the Killam roof project has remaining work on the clerestory windows which should be finished by the end of next week. She also indicated that the Statement of Interest for the Killam Improvement Project has been submitted to the MSBA. The next meeting of the MSBA is at the end of January. In addition, the Request for Proposals for the project should be available shortly. 6. Director of Student Services Ms. Elmer reported that we will be offering a parent workshop series in the spring. The workshops will be on a variety of subjects based on the input and feedback from the work the Behavioral Task Force has completed. Mrs. Janowski asked how the homework free break was received. Dr. Doherty indicated that the Principals have received positive feedback. B. Continued Business C. New Business School Improvement Plans Dr. Doherty reviewed the School Improvement Plans. These plans are driven by the budget and the SMART Goals used are measurable and have a timeline. The SMART Goals align with the Reading Public Schools Strategy for Improvement of Student Outcomes. He also pointed out that many district initiatives are not reflected in the School Improvement Plans. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the School Improvement Plans from the eight schools as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 3, 2012. Mrs. Gibbs shared that the School Improvement Plans have evolved, over her nine years on the board, to a document that is easy to follow and in line with the district goals. Mrs. Janowski would like to see more clearly defined definitions for terminology such as real world skills. January 5, 2012 There was discussion regarding the development of each of the school's goals. Some schools had very clearly defined goals and others tended to be broader. Mrs. Janowski would like to know more about the Junior Midyear Projects. Dr. Doherty indicated that at the February 13`h School Committee meeting that is at RMHS that topic will be discussed. The motion carried 4 -0. Bring Your Own Device Pilot Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the upcoming Bring Your own Device pilot that will be introduced at the middle and high school later this month. He said the planning for this program began in the fall and a lot of research has been done to establish what will work best for the district. Parent and student surveys were conducted to gather information regarding types of devices and skill levels. Devices the schools expect to see range from IPod touches to laptops. All devices, regardless of type, must have wireless capabilities. Dr. Doherty indicated that the teachers involved are excited about this program and will meet monthly to reevaluate the program. There will be extra devices available to students that have opted not to bring their own device to school. Mrs. Janowski asked if the teachers would have difficulty adapting to multiple devices. Dr. Doherty does not think that will be an issue. Ill. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes • Bids and Donations Award of Contract Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with Fischbach & Moore of Boston, MA for the Fire Alarm Testing, inspection, Maintenance & Repair contract as outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations memorandum dated January 3, 2012. Ms. DeLai reviewed the bids. The district received 3 bids for this contract however; one vendor dropped their bid off 10 minutes late and was disqualified. The motion carried 4 -0. Donations Rotary Dr. Doherty said that this donation will be used to support the advisor's stipend for the newly formed Interact Club which is similar to a Junior Rotary Club. There are approximately 25 members. January 5, 2012 Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the donation of $2,000 from the Rotary Club of Reading to be used to support the Interact Club Advisor position as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 3, 2012. The motion carried 4 -0. Anonymous Donation Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept the donation of $4,400 from an anonymous donor to be used to purchase and install new plaques in the main corridor at the Coolidge Middle School as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 3, 2012. The motion carried 4 -0. To Parker Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the donation of $25 to the Parker Middle School from Mr. & Mrs. Ring to be used to support the instrumental music program as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 3, 2012. The motion carried 4 -0. Calendar Superintendent Doherty said he has received an inquiry from Dick Curtis, host of the RCTV production of "Time Will Tell" game show looking for 3 members to challenge the Board of Selectmen. The taping will be February 2 "d Chair Robinson indicated that more discussion can be held at the next meeting. IV. Information V. Future Business Mr. Croft shared that the Damn Wrestling Room will be dedicated on Saturday. VI. Adiournment Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to adjourn. The motion carried 4 -0. Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. F. Dohe�y, Ed.D. -intendent of Schools