Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-30 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: January 30, 2012 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski David Michaud Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Hal Croft Staff Members Present Visitors: Rob Spadafora, School Committee Candidate John Arena, Selectman Candidate RPS Budget Parents I. Call to Order John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Ashley Testa, Student Representative Garrison Doodlesack, Student Representative Joanne Senders, Reading Advocate Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Andrew Jeromski, Reading Patch 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) Reports I 1. Student Ms. Testa reported on a successful Battle of the Bands senior class fundraiser over the weekend. She also shared that the Model UN Club participated in a competition at Harvard. Mr. Doodlesack added that several of our athletic teams clinched league championships and the track team has a big meet coming up. 2. Liaison Mr. Caruso said the ad hoc Committee on Sound Amplification was meeting tonight. January 30, 2012 3. Director of Finance and Operations Report Ms. DeLai reported on vandalism that took place over the weekend. The granite bench in front of the Memorial Wall, the granite sign at the bottom of Oakland Road and the drama sign on the corner of Main St. had graffiti spray painted on them. She said that Mr. Huggins is handling the repair of the affected areas. She also said that we may be able to get potential evidence from the security cameras. 4. Assistant Superintendent Mrs. de Garavilla updated the School Committee on the Chinese Exchange Program. Five students have arrived in Reading and will spend a week attending classes. She also shared that the First Lego League Robotics competition is being held at Coolidge on February 11`h. B. Continued Business Naming of Facilities Nomination Timeline Dr. Doherty reviewed the timetable form naming nominations. Mrs. Gibbs asked if the nomination period would return to the fall next year? Chair Robinson said he would like to have the nomination period in the fall. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the Naming of Facilities timeline to accept nominations as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 26, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. C. New Business FYI Budget Discussion and Vote Dr. Doherty shared answers to questions asked by the School Committee at the last meeting. He indicated that he met with Mr. Zaya to discuss options to fund the Fitness Center for use by all students after school. He proposed that the center would be open 150 of the 181 school days for 1.5 hours per day. The financial impact will be $8,000. Funding for the Fitness Center staffing and equipment maintenance would come from 2 sources. $5,000 would come from the Technology Cost Center (consulting services) and $3,000 from the high school per pupil funding. He then addressed Mr. Croft's request regarding a Homework Club at RMHS. He shared that a homework club exists at the high school. The Library Media Center is open to 3:30 p.m. every day and at times National Honor Society students are available to tutor students. He then discussed athletic uniform and equipment replenishment. Dr. Doherty met with Mr. Vaccaro. The Superintendent reviewed a uniform and equipment refurbishment cycle that is included in the proposed budget and as presented during the Athletic Cost Center presentation. Presently uniforms are being replaced three ways — athlete pays, parent group's purchase and through the athletic budget. It is the hope that the replenishment cycle will decrease the need to purchase uniforms for several teams at the same time. A concern of the School Committee was the reduction of paraeducator hours. In discussions with the Elementary Principals it has been determined that the restoration of Regular Day elementary paraeducator hours in this budget will meet the needs of the schools. These paraeducator hours will be added to cover lunches, assist in the kindergarten classes and other classrooms. Mrs. Gibbs felt if the Principals were comfortable and in agreement with the restoration she would support the decision. Mrs. Janowski moved. seconded by Mr. Michaud. to annrove the FY2013 School Committee Approved Budget in the total amount of $37,053,287 consisting of the following cost center amounts: • Administration: $905,868 • Regular Day: $22,188,163 • Special Education: $9,458,989 • Other: $1,304,270 • School Facilities: $3,195,998 Mrs. Janowski stated that the Governor's House 1 budget came out last week but we still do not know what to expect. Dr. Doherty said that the initial amount that Reading can expect to receive is approximately $400,000 and although the number is encouraging he reminded the School Committee that $1,500,000 has been allocated from free cash for this budget. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the FY2013 Town Building Maintenance Budget in the amount of $704,166. The motion carried 6 -0. Fall Bullying Survey Update Assistant Superintendent de Garavilla presented information on the fall bullying survey. The survey is given two times a year to grades 3 — 12. The District Bullying Prevention Committee developed the survey with the elementary questions focused on priority areas identified by committee members. The middle and high school questions were selected from the MARC survey for students. The elementary focus is on relationship building using the Open Circle Program. Mrs. Gibbs asked how programs are evaluated to address the concerns. Mrs. deGaravilla said that the hope is the students are honest when taking the survey so areas of concern can be identified. She also said that teachers are excellent resources to know what programs are effective. The goal is to develop a safe environment for students with adults that students can develop trusting relationships with whom they can go to if there is a bullying incident. Mrs. deGaravilla reviewed the survey results for all levels. There is concern regarding the responses that if the student was bullied they told no one. Middle School numbers remained January 30, 2012 fairly consistent. The next steps are review of locations that bullying occurs and ways to better supervise the areas, to continue to reinforce what bullying is and how to report or tell an adult for help, address teasing and name- calling as a form of bullying and to provide clear instruction across all grades. The high school results were fairly steady between the two surveys. Mrs. Gibbs asked why students are hesitant to report incidents of bullying. Mrs. de Garavilla indicated that the students are concerned about retaliation and are uncomfortable reporting. The Assistant Superintendent updated the School Committee on the following activities. Close to 100% of the elementary teachers are completing Open Circle training, the middle schools are using a combination of Life Skills and Second Steps programs to reinforce what bullying is, Second Step has been implemented in RISE, continue staff and new hire training, and adding lessons on cyberbullying and internet safety to the Decisions curriculum. She then reviewed areas to be addressed in the future months which include reinforcing to all students what bullying looks like and how to report an incident, continued oversight of areas where reported bullying takes place during school time and supporting both students that are bullied and those that are the aggressors. The district will continue to proactive in the area of bullying prevention. Reading Memorial High School Principal Search Process Dr. Doherty informed the School Committee that he had received a letter from Mrs. Freedman indicating her intent to retire at the end of the school year. He thanked Mrs. Freedman for the work she has done over the three years continuing to move the high school forward toward the district mission including the introduction of several new initiatives. The Superintendent reviewed the timeline and process. He indicated that Mrs. Conway would be facilitating the Screening Committee. He indicated that the search for a new high school principal will be important. The search process will be similar to previous searches. Dr. Doherty reviewed the make -up of the Screening Committee. He did not include a student because being on this type of committee puts a lot pressure on students and they would be exposed to confidential information. There are plans to afford students an opportunity to participate in an open mic session with the finalists. The position will posted on several sites both local and national to draw a pool of highly qualified candidates. Mrs. Janowski asked why there was not a School Committee member on the Screening Committee. Dr. Doherty said he has never had a committee member on any of the screening committees during his tenure. He also indicated that the School Committee will have many opportunities to participate in the process including an open mic session during a regularly scheduled meeting. Mr. Robinson asked the Superintendent if he had a sense of the pool? .Dr. Doherty indicated that it will be very competitive. There are some districts in the area also looking for high school principals. School Committee members would like to have a parent of a child with special needs and an administrator from the extracurricular area on the Screening Committee. January 30, 2012 Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the screening process and timeline for the Reading Memorial High School Principal search as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 26, 2012. The motion carried 5 -1. Mrs. Janowski voted against. 2012 -2013 School Calendar Dr. Doherty reviewed the proposed 2012 -13 calendar. He pointed out that this calendar includes 2 Jewish holidays, a presidential election and moving the November conference day to December. He also indicated that there is one less day due per the Teacher's contract. Mr. Caruso asked if a discussion on religious holidays could take place at a future meeting. He feels that there is a small Jewish population in town. Mr. Caruso made it clear that he is just asking a general question and is not targeting any group. Mrs. Gibbs reminded the committee that these holidays affect not only students but staff as well. Dr. Doherty indicated that Good Friday is a contractual day off for several of the unions. Mrs. Janowski, moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the 2012 -2013 School Calendar, with the first day of school August 29, 2012, no school on August 31, 2012 and the last day of school with 4 snow days built of June 24, 2012, as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 26. 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Race to the Too Convening Session Dr. Doherty presented information from his recent trip to Washington D.C. to work on the Educator Evaluation Process and Race to the Top initiatives. Participants included USDOE officials, 12 RTTT states, experts in curriculum, assessment and teacher evaluation, Superintendents, Commissioners of Education, Union Presidents, Philanthropists and State DESE officials. The participants meet in large group settings, plenary sessions, expert panel discussions and cross -state groups. The representatives from Massachusetts focused on t the action steps needed to ensure that school systems implement the educator evaluation system with clear linkages to the Common Core standards and a clear picture of the pathway to improve instruction and student outcomes. A major objective of this convening session is to look at ways to improve teacher and leader effectiveness. Key shifts for instruction in the classroom will be required by the alignment of curriculum with the Common Core Standards. Districts will also have to provide materials that also align with the Common Core. Dr. Doherty stated that he had a much better understanding of the federal and state roles in this process. He believes that the USDOE and state DOE agencies are working in the best interest of children. This initiative is hard work for everyone and we have to create a culture where there has to be an understanding of the common core. Teachers will need to be challenged to think outside the box. Chair Robinson asked how Reading is stands compared to others. The Superintendent thinks Reading is in a good place. We need to understand the common core and need to educate all. January 30, 2012 Town Accountant Search Committee Dr. Doherty reminded the committee that Town Accountant Gail LaPointe is retiring and the Town Manager is establishing a search committee. He recommended that the School Committee appoint Mary DeLai as their representative. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to appoint Mary DeLai as the School Committee representative to the Town Accountant Search Committee as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 26, 2012 the motion carried 6 -0. 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 19, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. • Bids and Donations Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept the donation from the Academy at Harvard Square in the amount of $12,000 to be used to support professional development as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 26, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept the donation from US China Scitech Edu Prom Associates in the amount of $500 to be used to support professional development as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 30, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept the donation from the Friends of Boys Swimming in the amount of $400 to be used to support the coaching assistant position as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated January 26, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business Mrs. Janowski asked to have a presentation of iPad use at a future meeting. Mr. Caruso asked if the meetings have been broadcast live. Dr. Doherty said that RCTV has been having server issues and not all of the meetings have been live. Chair Robinson asked to have a link to the RCTV Program scheduled put on the website. 7anuary 30, 2012 VI. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to adjourn. The motion carried 6 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. John F. Doherty, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools