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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-07 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: May 7, 2012 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Parker Middle School Multipurpose Room School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski Hal Croft Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Chris Caruso Rob Spadafora Visitors: Doug Lyons, Parker Principal Meghan Lockwood, Parker Teacher Dave Williams, Parker Teacher Ann Natale, Parker Teacher Julie Merrill, Parker Teacher Adam Amster, Parker Teacher I. Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance & Operations Garrison Doodlesack, Student Representative Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Sara Burd, Behavioral Health Specialist Chairperson Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:31 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. Chair Robinson thanked Principal Lyons for hosting this evening's meeting. He opened the public hearing on School Choice. Chair Robinson asked if there was any public input. There was none. Dr. Doherty reviewed the enrollment figures and recommended against participation in School Choice. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, pursuant to the provisions of G.L.c. 76 & 12B that the School Committee of Reading, following a public hearing, hereby withdraws from its obligation to enroll non - resident students in Reading Public Schools during the 2012 -2013 school year for the following reason: General District Enrollment. The motion carried 6 -0. Chair Robinson closed the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) May 7, 2012 Reports I 1. Student Mr. Doodlesack reported on several items: • Spring sports are in full swing • Amadeus • Mr. Endslow's last show • AP exams for the next two weeks • Senior activities coming up 2. Liaison 3. Superintendent Superintendent Doherty updated the School Committee on the Wood End principal search. The Search Committee interviewed 10 candidates. The next stage will be for Superintendent Doherty, Ms. DeLai and Ms. Elmer to interview the pre- finalists. He also shared that dates have been chosen for the site visit and open mic opportunities. The RMHS Jazz Band will be playing in the Hatch Shell on Sunday afternoon. A group of visitors from Pakistan will be in town over the next two weeks and will visit Coolidge and the high school. This visit has been arranged by the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Dr. Doherty also shared that on June 6h there will be a community event hosted by the Reading Public Schools, RCASA and Town agencies as a wrap up to the previous community dialogue. It will be encouraged that students in grades 9 -11 attend with their parents. Discussion items will include the new Chemical Health Guidelines, substance abuse and the behavioral health of students. The Superintendent also reported on the outstanding production of Amadeus this past weekend. 4. Assistant Superintendent Mrs. deGaravilla was pleased to announce that the district in partnership with WPI have been awarded a grant to implement the Project Lead the Way Engineering curriculum in our middle and high schools starting in the 2012 -13 school year. Foundation Courses, Automation & Robotics and Design & Modeling, will be offered as electives at the middle schools. Introduction to Engineering Design and Principals of Engineering will be offered at the high school level. All courses will be offered as electives. High school students are working with their Guidance Counselors to schedule these offerings. No additional staffing will be needed and the money from the grant will be used to purchase materials. Over the summer two teachers will attend a two week training session. May 7, 2012 Mrs. de Garavilla also reported on the very successful Blue Ribbon Conference. Over 250 educators from outside the district attended over 100 workshop offerings. B. Continued Business Teen Screen Update Sara Burd, Behavioral Health Specialist, updated the Committee on the recent Teen Screen sessions. She started of reviewing the Youth Risk Behavior Survey results. Teen Screen is a national program using research -based surveys to screen students for risk indicators of depression and mental illness. The screening was offered to all 8th and 105h grade students in the district. Parents and students had an opportunity to opt out of participating. Students that participated took the survey and if determined to be in good health they went through a debriefing process. Students identified as At Risk then moved to a clinical interview and either were referred to outside agencies that would work with these students or it was determined that no referral was necessary. The parents of students that were given referrals were contacted and options discussed. Ms. Burd reviewed the numbers. Although the participation rate was low, it was above the national average. She felt this year's survey has provided a good start and baseline for future surveys. She reviewed comments submitted by both parents and students. The screening results revealed that the majority of our students are healthy. In addition to mental health referrals the survey revealed the need for dental, hearing and vision referrals. The staff will meet later in May to debrief. Next steps include a parent consent campaign and the possibility of pairing Teen Screen with other building based health related initiatives /programs. The program was well received by the participants and the program was effective in referring families to services /providers. The Committee asked clarifying questions. Chair Robinson thanked Ms. Burd for sharing this information. Superintendent's Evaluation Process The Superintendent handed out copies of the Superintendent's Summative Evaluation and Rubric. He reviewed the process. The evaluation process is similar to other evaluation systems in the district. It is a five step cycle. The first step is self - assessment, which should occur in January. Dr. Doherty indicated that he has completed a self - assessment and will share with the members when he meets with them individually. He went on to review the remaining steps. School Committee members are to complete their individual evaluations and submit them to Mrs. Gibbs by May 2155. Mrs. Gibbs will create a compilation of the results which will be presented at a future meeting in open session. Friends and Family Day The School Committee discussed participation in Friends and Family Day in June. They decided to participate once again. May 7, 2012 C. New Business Parker Presentation (Out of Order) Mr. Lyons provided an overview of Team Lockwood's work in developing a Team SMART goal and to how they have effectively implemented it. Ms. Lockwood reviewed the process by which the team developed their SMART goal and how the plan was implemented. The team chose 6 students, all different levels and abilities to use as their focus group. Mr. Williams and Ms. Merrill indicated that the team would meet to review and discuss the students work together. There would be structured conversations regarding different aspects of the student work. Mr. Amster reflected on how this process has helped him develop as a new teacher. The collaboration with veteran teachers is an effective way to hone his skills. Mrs. Natale shared how valuable it is to spend observation time in each other's classrooms. It allows the teachers to observe the students in different settings and to broaden the teachers understanding of their students. The team feels that this approach has produced positive outcomes thus far. The team will meet to review several aspects of the process including grading. Chair Robinson thanked Mr. Lyons and the teachers for presenting this evening. The Chair called a brief recess at 8:02 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:06 p.m. AAnnointments to NEC & SEEM Boards Dr. Doherty explained that due to the implementation of a new law all representatives to collaborative boards must be appointed on a yearly basis. NEC Appointment Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to appoint Superintendent John F. Doherty as the Reading Public Schools' representative to the Board of Directors of the Northshore Education Consortium for the 2012 -2013 school year. The motion carried 6 -0. SEEM Appointment Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to appoint Superintendent John F. Doherty as the Reading Public Schools' representative to the Board of Directors of the SEEM Collaborative for the 2012 -2013 school year. The motion carried 6 -0. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes May 7, 2012 Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to approve the open session minutes dated April 9, 2012. The motion carried 5 -0 -1. Mr. Spadafora abstained. • Bids and Donations Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adiournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to adjourn. The motion carried 6 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. F. Dohertj, Ed.D. rintendent of Schools