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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-09 School Committee Minutese Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: July 9, 2012 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski Hal Croft Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Chris Caruso Rob Spadafora Visitors: Arrived at 7:50 p.m. Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Joanne Senders, Reading Advocate Nadine Wandzilak, Reading Patch Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Maham Ahmed, Student Representative Ken & Cathy Young, Parents Chairperson Janowski called the School Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. She reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Ken and Cathy Young shared their concerns regarding their child's middle school placement. They feel their child has undue stress and anxiety because she will not be in the same middle school as her friends. Mr. Young asked the School Committee to consider adjusting the Coolidge district line to incorporate the area around the Library to allow the children from that neighborhood that attend Birch Meadow to attend Coolidge for middle school. Dr. Doherty said that the administration aware of this matter and explained that there are 23 other families in the same situation and he understands their concerns. He went on to explain that class sizes and space prohibit the approval of these family's' requests Dr. Doherty offered to meet with Mr. & Mrs. Young to revisit their concerns. Mr. Robinson arrived. Mr. Caruso feels that this is a not just a child issue it is a family issue. t July 9, 2012 Mrs. Janowski thanked Mr. & Mrs. Young for sharing this information. Reports I No Reports 1. Student 2. Liaison 3. Sgperintendent 4. Assistant Superintendent B. Continued Business Elementary Space Study Discussion Dr. Doherty reviewed the focus of this evening's discussion. The ultimate goal is to determine which direction the district should take to address the space issues at the elementary and preschool levels. Areas to be discussed include Special Education Programming, Specialized Classrooms for science, technology and foreign language, full day kindergarten, and integrated preschool programs. The Superintendent discussed driving variables for additional space which included the need in the community for full day kindergarten, increased use of the Superintendent's Option when placing new students, commitment to support Fine Arts programs at the elementary level, preschool expansion and an increased number of students requiring special education services at the preschool level, the addition of in- district special education programs since 2004 and the vision of improving STEM areas at the elementary levels. The space needs are being driven by programs rather than enrollment. The addition of programs, the focus on technology and the District Improvement Plan goals have put an increased need for program space in our buildings. Dr. Doherty reviewed the current enrollment numbers. There will be 9 full day and 7 half day kindergarten classes in the fall. The RISE Preschool will have 1.5 classes at the Wood End School as well. He reviewed the historical use of space pointing out that full day kindergarten enrollment has increased from 77 students in 2005 to 182 students for the 2012 -13 school year. The RISE Preschool enrollment has increased from 72 to 100+ students during the same timeframe. Special Education programs have increased from 1 classroom to 6 classrooms as well. The Superintendent stressed that the increase in enrollment and the addition of programs have contributed to the space shortage. There are no available classrooms in any of the elementary schools for the 2012 -13 school year. Discussion continued regarding dedicated classroom space for art and music programs. The question was raised as to why these programs required their own spaces. Dr. Doherty indicated that the curriculum is different when art and music travel class to class versus being in their own space. When taught in their own space instruction can be more a hands on experience. The instruction time is also unaffected. Discussion turned to full day kindergarten. Studies have shown that full day kindergarten is beneficial to students by contributing to their school readiness; it leads to higher academic achievement, supports literacy and language development, prepares students for the increased rigor of the common core implementation and benefits children socially and emotionally. Ms. DeLai reviewed full day kindergarten in Massachusetts. Several comparable communities to Reading offer free full day programs. If Reading were to move in that direction it would be implemented over time. Free full day kindergarten would be phased in first at a reduced rate to July 9, 2012 eventually free. Additional space would be needed if that is the direction we choose to go. Reading has the 6th highest tuition in the state which generates approximately $500,000 per year. She also pointed out that the Chapter 70 funding formula changes because full day kindergarten student count as one whereas have day students count as .5. A Chapter 70 funding component is enrollment. Mrs. Gibbs asked how other districts were handling free full day kindergarten. Ms. DeLai said there are grant programs available. Mr. Caruso asked if we would still be required to offer half day programs. Mr. Spadafora has space and cost concerns. Mrs. de Garavilla added that the district retains students that would otherwise go to private setting and return to Reading for first grade. This allows for students to be exposed to our curriculum and makes for an easier transition to subsequent grades. There was discussion on the need for full day kindergarten for all students. Dr. Doherty pointed out that this program is in the best interest of children. Mr. Caruso does not think our infrastructure may not be able to support the additional needs. He does not want to see portables. Dr. Doherty reviewed the short term and long term options. If nothing is done to resolve the space dilemma we will continue to implement the Superintendent's option and dealing with increased class sizes. Mr. Robinson would like to have a discussion on the Superintendent's option at a future meeting. The ideal solution would be to build a PreK — K Building. This option would free up classroom space at the high school but there would be additional transportation costs for students that lived over two miles away from the site. Dr. Doherty cautioned the Committee that there will be additional operational cost associated with any offsite building. Mrs. Gibbs proposed the possibility of combining a PreK -K building with a Teen Center. That option may be more appealing to the community. Mr. Spadafora asked the Superintendent to explore the possibility of a land swap with the town. Mr. Caruso asked about the possibility of a new building at Killam. He said that we were already are investigating the upgrading of the current building. Mrs. Janowski asked if the formation of a building sub - committee would be appropriate at this time. Dr. Doherty said not at this point because the School Committee needs to make decisions regarding the direction they would like to go. Mr. Spadafora asked if the state would reimburse the costs of a new building. Mr. Robinson followed up this question and asked if the state would reimburse a PreK building. Ms. DeLai believes the state would reimburse the kindergarten portion and will inquire about reimbursement for PreK. Mrs. Gibbs stressed the importance of inclusion when discussing space needs and to be sure to remember the district's goal of bringing students back to programs in our schools. Mrs. Janowski would like to investigate the use of learning spaces versus traditional classrooms. ,1%. July 9, 2012 There was discussion on the use and placement of portable classrooms. Mr. Robinson asked about leasing versus purchasing. Currently $400,000 is appropriated in the capital plan for modular classrooms which Superintendent Doherty feels may be needed for the 2013 -14 school year. A decision needs to be made soon to allow for the preparation of bid documents for the portable classrooms. The Committee asked about a timetable for the decision about the option. Dr. Doherty would like a decision as soon as possible. Mr. Spadafora asked the Superintendent to have a conversation with the Town Manager and other officials regarding other available space in the town. Dr. Doherty indicated he would provide answers to the Committees questions at the meeting on July 23`d and asked for any other questions to be submitted as soon as possible. C. New Business None III. Routine Matters None • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes • Bids and Donations Calendar IV. Information None V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, move to enter into executive session to discuss strateu with respect to collective barzainine and approval of minutes and not to return to open session. On a roll call vote the carried 6 -0. Mr. Robinson, Mr. Croft, Mr. Spadafora, Mrs. Janowski, Mrs. Gibbs and Mr. Caruso. 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. Jo F. Doherty, E .D. Su rintendent of Schools