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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-29 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: January 29, 2013 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski Chuck Robinson Ambled M 7:05 p.m. Chris Caruso Lisa Gibbs Hal Croft Visitors: Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Michele Sanphy, Budget Parent L Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Conner Tmugot, Student Representative Chairperson Janowski called the School Committee to order at 7:02 p.m. She reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. 11. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (Il Reports I 1. Student Conner Tmugot shared his experience last week participating in the Real World Problem Solving activity. He described the evolution of his group that was working on Returning Memorial to Reading Memorial High School from individuals to a team. He found the experience very rewarding. 2. Liaison Mr. Croft shared his experience as ajudge for one of the Real World Problem Solving groups. He found this experience very rewarding and was impressed by the seven presentations he saw. Mr. Robinson arrived at 7:05 p.m. January 29, 2013 3. Assistant Superintendent Mrs. de Garavilla shared information on the upcoming Blue Ribbon Conference. Mrs. Janowski asked if there was a way to have more students involved. Mrs. de Garavilla said that she will explore opportunities for students to be an active part of the conference. Dr. Doherty shared that in the past presenters have had students assist and participate in their workshops. Mrs. Gibbs would like to have the juniors present the Real World Problem Solving presentation. Dr. Doherty said he would look into it. The junior prom is the evening before so it may be difficult to have them present. 4. Superintendent Dr. Doherty shared his experience as a facilitator of a Real World Problem Solving group last week. He found it to be a great experience and was impressed how the students came together as a group working toward a common goal. B. Continued Business FY l4 Boded Discussion Mrs. Gibbs spoke on behalf of Mr. Spadaf rra who could not be here this evening to request an additional $10,000 to the grant writer line. Mr. Spadafora is seeking creative fund raising opportunities as well. Mr. Robinson asked if the additional funding would lead to more grant opportunities. Dr. Doherty said that the grant writer could look into foundation grant opportunities such as the funding we received for Project Lead the Way. He also shared that funding opportunities may come available to address the behavioral health concerns. Mrs. Janowski supports this amendment and feels it is a small percentage of the overall budget that may reap significant funding. Mr. Robinson read the following statement: " I propose an FY2014 Budget of $39, 001, 366. This assumes an increase of $190, 000 over the Superintendent's recommended budget of $38,811,366 This represents an increase of 5.2% over FY13. The $190, 000 would be for key strategic investments identified by building administrators, staff, and school community. They are as follows: • Middle School behavioral health supports to provide more opportunities for students to receive school -based counseling and other behavioral health services. • Additional psychological testing staffparticularly to support the secondary level. January 29, 2013 • Additional high school learning center teacher. They would represent 3 FTE's. My justication for this is as follows: The behavioral health initiative is one that we started last year and it is extremely important to our district's students and more importantly our most vulnerable students. We must not stop addressing these needs due to budget constraints. We need to have the staff available at the high school learning center to support an unusually large incoming 0 grade class. I don't take an additional $190, 000 lightly and I wouldn't push this without the following: • Approximately $308, 000 in the superintendent's budget is for one time Common Core implementation expenses. • We have heard that House 1 includes an additional $133,041 to Reading or $89,137 to the schools based on the historical Chapter 70 split. • I am of the opinion that the projected increase for health insurance is too high. Ifyou remove the onetime cost and add back the additional projected revenue the increase from FY'13 to FY'14 is $1,550,942 or 4.2016. This doesn't even account for what will probably be a lower increase in health insurance. Additionally, free Cash has been certified at a level much higher than 5% This isn't an extravagant budget. It meets the health and welfare needs of our students and common core mandates set by the commonwealth. " The School Committee asked clarifying questions regarding psychological testing staffing, concussion testing and grant opportunities. Budget parent Michele Sanphy thanked the committee for seeing the importance of addressing the social /emotional needs of our students. Mr. Robinson asked when the School Committee will present its budget to the Finance Committee. The date is March 13th. Mrs. Janowski asked when the health insurance increase would be known. Ms. DeLai said late February and there is a tentative date for a Financial Forum on February 13°h. Mr. Croft moved seconded by Mrs Gibbs to approve the FY2014 School Committee Approved Budget in the total amount of S.39.01 1,366 consisting of the following cost center amounts: • Administration: $923.02 • Remdar Day: $23,103,062 • Special Education: $10,420,626 • Other $1,375,971 • School Facilities: $3,188,684 The motion carried 5 -0. .. January 29, 2013 Town Building Maintenance Tuitions & Fees Mrs. Janowski pointed out that we have not raised any of our tuitions and fees. Ms. DeLai also said that we have added options to the RISE and Extended Day programs C. New Business FY13 Budget Update Ms. DeLai reviewed the FYl3 budget status at the midpoint of the fiscal year. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) b. Approval of Minutes c. Bids and Donations Award of Contract outlined. Ms. DeLai reviewed the bids received and is pleased that KBA is the lowest qualified candidate. KBA has worked with the Reading Public Schools on the Green Repair Projects and were very good to work with. The motion carried 5 -0. Donations January 29, 2013 Mr. Croft m PSST to be carried 5 -0. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adioumment Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. tjo F. Doherty, Ed.D. perintendent of Schools