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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-22 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: October 22, 2012 Time: 6:30 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 7:15 p.m. Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Nadine Wandzilak, Reading Patch Karen Feeney, Eaton Principal Jody Carregal, Eaton Teacher I. Call to Order RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING. M {SS. 2012 NOV -1 A 8: 21 Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Conner Traugot, Student Representative Maham Ahmed, Student Representative Jessie Wilson, Town Planning Department Joan Boegal, Climate Advisory Committee Chairperson Janowski called the School Committee to order at 6:32 p.m. She reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to litiEallon, to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property and the approval of minutes and to reconvene in open session at approximately 7:30 p.m. The roll call vote was 6 -0. Mr. Caruso, Mrs. Janowski, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Spadafora and Mr. Croft. Mrs. Janowski called open session back to order at 7:30 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Reports I 1. Student Student Representative Ahmed reported on the Rosalind Wiseman event held in Reading. She said Ms. Wiseman addressed many subjects that led to many lively discussions in the October 22, 2012 student's classrooms. She also reported on the annual Shocktoberfest held by the drama and chorus groups. Student Representative Traugot reported on the Band Show held Saturday in Reading. Our band and color guard were very successful. He also shared boys' soccer has qualified for the state tournament for the first time in many years and football was still doing well. B. Continued Business Approval of Superintendent's Goals Dr. Doherty reviewed the revision he made to his goals as a result of the discussion at the recent retreat. Mrs. Janowski thanked the Superintendent for incorporating the changes. She thanked Dr. Doherty for providing an ambitious timeline and benchmarks. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to approve the Superintendent's sioals as presented. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Spadafora acknowledged that these goals represent an aggressive road map. C. New Business Joshua Eaton Presentation Joshua Eaton principal Karen Feeney and first grade teacher Jody Carregal presented Building a "Pawsitive" School Community. Each month the Joshua Eaton community focuses on one of eight character traits. Respect is highlighted by the Annual Veterans Day Assembly and Senior Tea. Students are also "spotted" displaying respectful behavior throughout the day. Spots are acknowledged at the monthly school -wide assembly. Compassion is recognized by Supplies for our Troops, a hat/mitten tree a winter coat collection and donations of food to the local food pantry. Generosity focuses on giving. The Eaton community donates a tree to the annual Festival of Trees, members of the school community help donate needed items to classrooms and families volunteer in the school. Honesty & Trustworthiness afford students the opportunity to act in leadership roles such as School Safeties and Student Council. The School Safeties act as greeters each morning welcoming students to school, helping out in the classrooms before and after school and overseeing the playground. Students exhibit integrity by learning to recognize the difference between tattling and reporting. Dangerous and destructive behaviors are reported to an adult. Open Circle meetings are held twice a week to help address the dangerous and destructive behaviors. Teachers encourage students to believe in themselves when challenged and teachers strive for continuing improvement. Perseverance can be demonstrated by putting forth the best effort even when a task is difficult. The annual Jaguar Jog is a way for students to set personal goals and strive for improvement year to year. The Student Council plays a large role in the Citizenship trait. They are involved in some decision making in the schools and report back to their classmates. Fifth grade students make daily announcements, lead the pledge of allegiance and school pledge and the School Safeties serve as positive role models within the school. Responsibility is exhibited by the third grade October 22, 2012 students collecting the recycling bins every week, "Chores for Change" where students collect coins for completing chores at home. The change is brought to school and last year a donation was made to help an endangered jaguar. Teachers at Eaton mentor the student teachers that are in the building as well as the RMHS Field Seminar students. Fifth grade student Eleni Speros shared that she was both a school safety and student council member. She helps in a kindergarten classroom as a safety and although there have only been a couple of student council meetings she reports to her classroom on activities and decisions made. Ms. Speros said when she was little she appreciated the help of the school safeties and now she can help some of the little kids. Isabella Pastore is a school safety and enjoys her role. Like Eleni she remembers when she was younger the help the safeties gave and now she can do the same. Chris Chiulli is also a safety and acts as a greeter at the front door in the morning. He likes to see everyone come to school in the morning. Lucas Marden feels good about helping out the school community and acting as a role model. Solar Panel Presentation Ms. DeLai introduced David Beavers from the Cadmus Group to present information on the installation of solar panels. Mr. Beavers provided background on his firm then went onto discuss the mechanics of a Power Purchase Agreement. The agreement is usually a 20 year contract for the purchase of electricity from a solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed on town property. It is a low risk/no capital opportunity for the town. The developer install, owns, operates, maintains and removes the RV system at the end of the contract. Ms. DeLai explained that Reading Municipal Light Department would be in a partnership with the developer. RMLD would receive see the rate savings. Reading Public Schools would receive income from the lease of roof space not from use of solar. Helen Aki shared information on the MAPC Regional Solar initiative. The Initiative includes 17 communities. A selection committee was formed to select qualified developers that would allow participating municipalities to negotiate with if they would like to pursue solar energy options. A representative from RMLD is acting as the representative for Reading. Middle School Redistricting Dr. Doherty provided a historical background indicating that the current middle school boundaries have been in place since 1995. The boundaries were changed to address class size at the middle schools. When the elementary lines were changed when the fifth elementary school was added, a small area that had been in the Barrows district became part of the Birch Meadow district. When those children became middle school age, that small area was districted for Parker. Each year a minimal number of students would have to attend Parker while the rest of the Birch Meadow fifth grade students would be attending Coolidge. Parents had the opportunity to request a transfer and many times the requests were granted. With increasing enrollments and the effort to balance middle school class sizes the requests that have been granted have decreased to siblings only. October 22, 2012 The Superintendent went on to review the three scenarios he is proposing. Option 1 would to leave the district lines in place. Option 2 would be to send all Birch Meadow students to Coolidge and increase the number of students from Killam by moving the boundary north towards Wakefield Street. Option 3 would be to send all Birch Meadow students to Coolidge and maintain the current Killam split. He went on to review class size for each scenario and he recommended Option 2 to the School Committee. This will be a three year process and no students will be displaced from their current middle schools. A letter will be sent out to all families affected by this proposed redistricting. Heather Clish of Deering St. thanked the School Committee for addressing this matter. Approval of First Reading of Policies Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accent the first reading of revised Policy AC — Nondiscrimination. Mr. Croft began the reading of Policy AC. Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to waive the reading of the policy. The motion carried 6 -0. The motion to accept the first reading of Policy AC — Nondiscrimination carried 6 -0. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to accept the first reading of revised Policy ACA — Nondiscrimination on Basis of Sex. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to accept the first reading of revised policy BEC — Executive Session Mr. Croft read Policy BEC — Executive Session The motion carried 6 -0. Approval of Field Trips Prindle Pond - Coolidge Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to approve the annual Coolidge Middle School 7th grade field trip to Prindle Pond in April 2013. The motion carried 6 -0. New York City - Coolidge Dr. Doherty said this field trip is in lieu of the grade 8 field trip to Washington, D.C. He pointed out that the French team takes an annual trip to Quebec, this trip will provide an opportunity for the Spanish team to visit another city. In the past, Washington trip was made up of the kids of the Spanish team. This trip is less expensive and will provide for cultural and educational experiences. October 22, 2012 Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to approve the Coolidge Middle School 8th grade field trip to New York City in May 2013. The motion carried 6 -0 Washington D.C. — Parker Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the annual Parker Middle School 8th grade field trip to Washington, D.D. in May 2013. The motion carried 6 -0 III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) b. Approval of Minutes Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes dated September 24, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes dated October 1, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes dated October 10, 2012 with corrections. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the Financial Forum minutes dated October 10, 2012. The motion carried 6 -0. c. Bids and Donations Donation Dr. Doherty said the donation of tools from Mr. Axelson. This equipment will be used for set building for the Drama Club. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, accept the donation of tools to the RMHS Drama program by Mr. Peter Axelson valued at $3234.96. The motion carried 6 -0. Award of Contract Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with M & M Contract Cleaning of Brockton, MA to provide Custodial Services for 4 Municipal Buildings. The motion carried 6 -0. Calendar IV. Information Mrs. Gibbs attended a meeting with Ms. DeLai at the Parker House on Smart School Budgeting. Ms. DeLai was instrumental in the development of this document and made the opening remarks. Mrs. Gibbs congratulated Ms. DeLai on her efforts. October 22, 2012 V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to adiourn. The motion carried 6 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. F. DohertA Ed. D. 6ntendent of Schools