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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-23 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: January 23, 2012 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski David Michaud Arrived at 7:33 p.m. Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Hal Croft Visitors: Eric Sprung, Birch Meadow Principal Beth Beaulieu, Parker Assistant Principal Tricia Puglisi, RMHS Assistant Principal Marie Pink, Coolidge Assistant Principal RPS Budget Parents Fincom Members I. Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Joanne Senders, Reading Advocate Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Andrew Jeromski, Reading Patch John Arena, Board of Selectman candidate Chairperson Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Mr. Robinson opened the floor for FY13 Budget public hearing. Chris Boran, Killam and RISE parent requested that additional paraeducator hours be returned to the budget. Mrs. Lestrade, RMHS Budget Parent, asked that the cultural aspect of the curriculum be broadened The Chair closed the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. January 23, 2012 Reports (I) Student Ms. Testa reported on the following activities: • Future Freshman Night is later this week. The senior class will be holding a fundraiser selling SuperFan shirts and water. Members of the class will also be available to answer questions. • Battle of the Bands is this weekend — 7 bands competing. RMHS Drama production of "The Little Prince" is in a couple of weeks. She shared that the French students had read the book and are looking forward to seeing the paly in English. The sophomore class held a tubing trip. It was a good way to end the mid -term week. Mr. Doodlesack added that the athletic teams are doing well and members of the Junior class presented "Real World Problem Solving" as their mid -term projects. The presentations were interesting. 2. Liaison Mr. Croft followed up on Mr. Doodlesack's comments. He attended the presentation of the Student Hangout. He felt the projects were time well spent and is another component of addressing the behavioral needs of our students. He thanked Mr. Mc Sweeney for overseeing the projects. Mr. Caruso reported that the Amplified Sound Committee will be meeting January 30 to present the findings and guidelines to the Board of Selectmen. 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported that there will be a significant presentation on the Real World Problem Solving projects at the February 13`" School Committee meeting. This meeting is at the high school. 4. Assistant Superintendent Mrs. de Garavilla updated the School Committee on the Korean student activities and invited them to the Korean Cultural Night event happening Tuesday evening at Coolidge. Director of Student Services Ms. Elmer updated the School Committee on the Therapeutic Support Program. She said we have hired a Social Worker who will start after February vacation as well as a Special Education teacher who has started. There are currently 3 students in the program. B. Continued Business Second reading of the Revised Naming of Facilities Policy Dr. Doherty included the Naming Policy with the requested revisions for the School Committee to hold the second vote. Mrs. Janowski began the second reading of the revised policy. January 23, 2012 Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Croft to waive the second reading of the Namine of Facilities policy. The motion carried 5 -1. Mr. Michaud voting against. Chair Robinson opened the floor for discussion. Mr. Croft indicated that he disagreed with the wording in Section C regarding the exclusion of current employees or elected officials being eligible. He does not want to create an atmosphere of distrust. Mrs. Gibbs feels that the policy as revised does not create an air of distrust and supports the revision. Mr. Michaud feels that it is a tremendous honor and does not want any perception of undue influence. Mr. Croft feels that the School Committee has worked hard to gain the public's trust and does not think there would be a perception of favoritism. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded Mr. Caruso, to approve the second reading of the revised Naming of Facilities policy. The motion failed 2 -3 -1. Mr. Michaud and Mrs. Gibbs voting in favor. Mr. Caruso, Mrs. Janowski and Mr. Robinson voting against and Mr. Croft abstaining. The current policy will remain in place. Dr. Doherty asked for direction from the School Committee. It was decided that the Superintendent prepare a timeline for the acceptance of nominations this year. C. New Business FYI Budget Discussion Ms. DeLai reviewed historic budget changes by departments. Ms. Elmer also reminded the School Committee of unanticipated costs for out - placed students. Chair Robinson opened the floor to members of the School Committee. Mr. Michaud thanked Dr. Doherty and Ms. DeLai for developing a very comprehensive and transparent document. His sentiments were echoed by the other members of the committee. Mr. Caruso felt that paraeducators play important roles in our schools and would like to see the hours increased. Mrs. Gibbs concurred provided that the principals agreed. Mrs. Janowski asked how the reductions of paraeducator hours have affected the classrooms this year. Mr. Sprung said that classroom teachers have had to do tasks that were previously handled by the paraeducators taking away from the teachers prep and teaching time. The lack of paraeducator support has resulted in added responsibility to everybody in the schools. Mr. Caruso asked if the revolving fund could stand an extra reduction of $37,500 to support the additional hours. Ms. DeLai said the purpose of the revolving fund is to support kindergarten and it could not support that purpose. Dr. Doherty said the restored paraeducator hours were for regular day allocated to each school. These hours are not for only kindergarten but throughout the elementary classrooms. Dr. Doherty and Ms. DeLai restated the concerns about the levels of the revolving fund. January 23, 2012 Mr. Caruso would like to discuss restoring funding for the fitness center. He feels that students benefit greatly from having the fitness center as an option for after - school activities. Dr. Doherty has been working on a solution and will present this information on Monday evening. He also asked to return $10,000 to the Athletic Cost Center to be used for uniforms and equipment. Mrs. Gibbs was curious regarding the amount proposed by Mr. Caruso. Mr. Caruso indicated that the $5,000 per item was a guess. Mr. Michaud suggested that it may be better to have the administration determine the actual costs for uniform and equipment replacement. Mrs. Gibbs inquired about the cost of homework clubs at Parker and Coolidge. Mrs. Pink shared that there is a homework club at Coolidge for a fee but the Library is open until 4 pm daily for students to do their homework. Superintendent Doherty reminded the School Committee that the FYI budget was already $162,500 over the increase requested by the Town Manager. Mr. Robinson said the committee is not being reckless and is respectful of the process and guidelines. Dr. Doherty indicated he would come back to the committee on the following requests. The restoration of paraeducator hours, options for funding the Fitness Center, establishing a homework club and uniforms and equipment. He asked if he should stay within the 2.9% increase or look to recommend reductions in other areas. The members of the School Committee asked clarifying questions. Chair Robinson said that members could make motions on Monday evening to add funding if necessary. Mr. Robinson called a brief recess at 8:40 p.m. Mr. Robinson called the meeting back to order at 8:45 p.m. Superintendent's Evaluation Process As part of the DESE Educator Evaluation System a tool has been developed for the evaluation of Superintendents. This tool will replace the current Superintendent's Evaluation Process. Dr. Doherty was pleased to report that Reading is a leader in the state in the development of the Educator Evaluation Process. He also shared that Ms. DeLai is on a committee to develop a similar tool for School Business officials. He went on to explain that this tool has been developed by the DESE with a representative group from the MASC, MASS, MESPA and MSSAA. Similar to the other Educator Evaluation process it is a 5 step evaluation cycle. The steps include self - assessment, analysis, goal setting & plan development, implementation of the plan, formative assessment/evaluation and summative evaluation. This process promotes collaboration and continuous learning. The Superintendent next reviewed the Standards, Indicators and Rubrics. The regulations require the following four standards to be a part of evaluation — Instructional Leadership, Management and Operations, Family and Community Engagement and Professional Culture. This process will be phased in over the next 2 years. Starting in September 2012 Phase 1 - Summative ratings based on attainment of goals and performance against the four standards defined in the educator evaluation requirements. Phase 2 in September 2013 — Rating of educator impact on student learning gains based on trends and patterns of multiple measures of January 23, 2012 student learning gains. Phase 3 - September 2014— Using feedback from students (for teachers) and teachers (for administrators). Dr. Doherty then provided an overview of the 5 step process. Step 1 — Self Assessment — The Superintendent identifies at least one professional practice and one student learning goal, drafts two — four district improvement goals. He then creates a draft Superintendent's Annual Educator plan to propose to the School Committee. Step 2, usually in the fall, involves analysis, goal setting and plan development. This process includes a public session, the review of the rubric by the Superintendent and School Committee, the Superintendent presents his proposed plan to the School Committee and the School Committee decides on the Superintendent's Annual Plan. Step 3 is Plan Implementation — Collection of evidence by both the School Committee and Superintendent. A Mid -Cycle Goals review meeting in January/February is Step 4. This will include public sessions, preparation of a progress report by the Superintendent and review of the progress report by the School Committee in open session. The final step of the process, at the end of the school year, includes submission of an End of Cycle Progress report by the Superintendent and each School Committee prepares an End of Cycle Summative Evaluation Report. The School Committee Chair them creates a composite, similar to the current process, and the School Committee then adopts a final End of Cycle Summative Evaluation Report in open session. The Superintendent briefly reviewed the School Committee and Superintendent responsibilities to ensure an open, effective process. He indicated that this is a growth process. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the Superintendent's Evaluation Process as outlined by the Superintendent. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Robinson asked what happens to the TAP document. Dr. Doherty met with the TAP Committee recently and they are working on realigning to the new standards but feels there already exists a strong correlation to the proposed document. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to approve the open session minutes dated January 9, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. • Bids and Donations Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adiournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to adjourn. The motion carried 6 -0. January 23, 2012 Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. F. Doh Ed .D. e t of Schools