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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-30 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: April 30, 2012 Time: 6:00 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski Hal Croft Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Chris Caruso Rob Spadafora Visitors: Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle I. Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Ashley Testa, Student Representative Garrison Doodlesack, Student Representative Brian McVety, RMHS Teacher Chairperson Robinson called the School Committee to order at 6:04 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Reports I 1. Student Ms. Testa and Mr. Doodlesack reported on several items: • French exchange trip successful • Amadeus this weekend • Jazz Band — Hatch Shell on Mother's Day • 14 days for seniors • AP tests • Spring sports — lacrosse — girls beat North Andover • Track • Improvosaums • Amnesty International Coffee House April 30, 2012 2. Liaison Mrs. Janowski reported on the upcoming REF fundraiser — Imagination Celebration. She also reported on an Education Camp in Boston at which our new high school principal presented. Several of our teachers also attended. 3. Director of Student Services 4. Superintendent 5. Assistant Superintendent B. Continued Business FYI Budget Update Ms. DeLai presented the quarterly FYI budget update. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to authorize the transfer of $200,000 from the Regular Day Cost Center to the Special Education Cost Center. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to authorize the transfer of $90,000 from the Regular Day Cost Center to the Other Programs Cost Center. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to authorize the transfer of $130,000 from the School Building Maintenance Cost Center to the Special Education Cost Center. The motion carried 6 -0. C. New Business Superintendent's Evaluation Dr. Doherty presented an update on his goals and strategic initiatives for his evaluation. He went onto review the Superintendent Evaluation process. Similar to the Educator Evaluation process this evaluation will also use the DESE rubric, with full implementation of the process for next year. The evaluation is based on four standards with elements for each area. The School Committee's portion 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. Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Gibbs then will create a composite evaluation document, similar to the current process and the School Committee will then adopt a final End of Cycle Summative Evaluation Report in open session. Each member will meet with the Superintendent. Chair Robinson requested that each members evaluation be submitted to Mrs. Gibbs and him by May 28a'. Mr. Spadafora indicated he may abstain from the evaluation but will still provide input to the Superintendent. Mrs. Janowski asked how many districts are using this rubric? We're an early adopter so we're ahead of the curve, a April 30, 2012 Naming of Facilities Two nominations have been received for this cycle. The nomination for the William Endslow Fine and Performing Arts Center from PSST, which was tabled last year and one for Rocket Stadium from Phil Vaccaro. It was decided to reseat the previous Naming Sub - Committee. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the proposed nominations and move them onto the Naming Sub - Committee to be named by the chair for further study and to make recommendations to the School Committee at a future meeting. Chris Caruso requested review of the timeline, looking for an accelerated process especially for Bill Endslow to coincide with his retirement. The School Committee will tentatively vote at the June 4`s vote meeting. The motion carried 6 -0. Swiss School Exchange Proposal Brian McVety gave overview of the program. Mrs Freedman hosted this exchange while the principal in Wakefield. Students will participate in an English immersion program for 3 weeks in the fall. The Swiss students will attend RMHS for one week and then visit area for other 2 weeks. Our students would visit Switzerland in April of 2013. The program is open to all students. The high school coordinators have met with parents and students and there are 15 families willing to host students. Mrs. Janowski feels the program is reasonably priced for students compared to some of the others. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the proposed Swiss School Exchange Program as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 26, 2012. The motion carried 5 -0 -1. Mr. Caruso abstained. Wood End Principal Search Mrs. Conway updated the School Committee on the Wood End principal search. Focus group sessions were held with parents, administrators and staff to gather input on qualities that they would like to see in the new principal. There were 33 applicants and the screening committee will interview 10 candidates on Friday. Mr. Spadafora asked what the common theme in qualities. Mrs. Conway said a candidate that will be visible and has experience as a teacher /administrator and a good communicator. Mr. Spadafora would like to see a principal that wasn't afraid to carry out policies. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the open session minutes dated March 26, 2012. The motion carried 5 -0. • Bids and Donations 4: April 30, 2012 Award of Contracts Ms. DeLai reviewed the bids received for masonry services. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with William Dunn Landscaping and Construction of Groveland, MA for the Masonry Services as outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations memorandum dated April 27, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Ms. DeLai reviewed the bid received for the motorization of the field house bleachers. She indicated that this work is part of the capital plan. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with Hussey Seating Company for the motorization of the bleachers in the Hawkes Field House as outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations memorandum dated April 27, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Accept Donations to RMHS Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to accept the donation in the amount of $500 from the Reading Boosters Club to be used to support the Model UN Club at Reading Memorial High School as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 26, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to accept the donation in the amount of $15,000 from the Reading Memorial High School PTO to be used as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 26, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adiournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to adiourn. The motion carried 6 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:56 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. VW& MJo . Do rty, D. Sup rintendent of Schools