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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-17 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: January 17, 2013 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Karen Janowski Chuck Robinson Chris Caruso Rob Spadafora Lisa Gibbs Hal Croft Visitors: Karen Feeney, Eaton Principal Karen Callan, Barrows Principal Marie Pink, Coolidge Assistant Principal Beth Beaulieu, Parker Assistant Principal Mike Scarpitto, RMHS Assistant Principal Scott Gray, Team Chair Rachael Fusco, Team Chair 1. 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 Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Karen Herrick, Fincom member Hal Torman, Fincom member RPS Budget Parents Kevin Higginbottom, RMHS Principal Mark Nacht, Team Chair Chairperson Janowski called the School Committee to order at 7:02 p.m. She reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Innut (I) Reports I 1. Student Conner Traugot shared that the RMHS students were preparing for midterm exams and all juniors would be participating in the Real World Problem Solving activity. 2. Liaison January 17, 2013 Mrs. Janowski shared information from the Human Relation Advisory Committee. The Committee is sponsoring the MLK Celebration scheduled for January 21'. 3. Superintendent Dr. Doherty shared that Assistant Superintendent Patty de Gamvilla would be retiring in June. Mrs. Janowski thanked her for her years of service. Mrs. Degaravilla thanked the students, families and staff for all the support over the years. 4. Assistant Superintendent Mrs. de Garavilla invited all to attend the Korean Exchange Student event on Wednesday evening at Parker. B. Continued Business C. New Business RMHS Presentation Mr, Kevin Higginbottom provided an overview of the Project Lead the Way initiative at Reading Memorial High School. He explained that this class is a project and problem based curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real -world problem solving. Our high school is offering two courses this year. The two teachers involved attended an intensive professional development course and have ongoing support from PLTW and WPI, our partner. The Introduction to Engineering Design course is currently being offered and provides a baseline knowledge and skill set for the entire PLTW program. This class will replace the current CAD class because it aligns well with the future course offerings. The Introduction to Engineering Design class fosters fundamental engineering knowledge and skills by teaching the students how to communicate and document their work, develop a conceptual, procedural and mathematical understanding. The students develop thinking and reasoning skills, learn teamwork and task management and employ creative problem solving. Mr. Higginbottom explained that the students are given tasks and must use creative problem solving and teamwork to accomplish the task. Many tasks require precise measurements and documentation. The second course, Principles of Engineering builds upon the concepts learned in the Principles of Engineering Design course. The students will further develop their knowledge, skills and mode of inquiry while tackling mechanics, energy, materials, statics and kinematics. Principal Higginbottom introduced three students currently enrolled in the Principles of Engineering class. Jared Banos, Scott Freeman and Tim Irwin shared a project they have done in the class. The goal was to provide energy to a representative community. The community consisted of a sample board that used light bulbs to represent housing and commercial structures. They shared the first idea which was to use a fuel cell and solar panels to power their community. They found that this was not the most effective and efficient means taking into January 17, 2013 account that the solar panels were unreliable. The group then constructed a wind turbine to power their community in conjunction with the solar panels. Through testing the group determined the solar panels provided unnecessary resistance to the flow of power and eliminated them. The group explained the differences in running the lights in parallel vs. in series and the benefits of running them in parallel. Mr. Robinson asked the students why they chose this course. Mr. Barros said his guidance counselor approached him with information and he was interested in something with more of a hands -on approach than the typical classes. He is very happy he enrolled and said it is his favorite class as well as being his hardest. Mr. Freeman said he plans on studying mechanical engineering in college so this class was a perfect fit for him and Mr. Irwin is taking the class for the same reasons as Mr. Banos. He wanted to take a class that he could use his hands for a change of pace. Mrs. Gibbs was impressed by the collaboration and problem solving that occurred on the project that was presented. Mr. Higginbottom wrapped up the discussion sharing the next steps for Project Lead the Way at RMHS. The two courses now offered will continue with the addition of two specialization courses: Digital Electronics and Civil & Architectural Engineering. The high school will work with the middle schools to develop a PLTW middle school program. Mrs. Janowski thanked the students and Mr. Higginbottom for presenting this evening and called a brief recess at 7:32 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 7:35 p.m. FY14 Regular Day Cost Center Dr. Doherty reviewed the makeup and functions of this cost center. He went on to review the major initiatives in this cost center which include the implementation of the Common Core and Educator Evaluation with the addition of district determined measures as the next major portion. Assessment of the high school curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices and to implement best practices to improve student learning and the continued implementation of technology initiatives and technology replenishment are also included in this cost center. Dr. Doherty reviewed the drivers to this cost center. As with all cost centers, contractual collective bargaining salary increases make up a major portion of the budget. The budget includes positions to address the large incoming grade 9 class, a new elementary math program, curriculum materials for the middles and high schools and additional time for time and training for the Common Core and Educator Evaluation implementation. Mr. Robinson asked if the technology replacement was included as part of the accommodated costs. Mrs. Janowski asked what operating systems we were investing in January 17, 2013 Ms. DeLai reviewed regular day staffing by object. The district may not opt to renew an optional 0 year on the bus contract and put it out to bid. Ms. DeLai feels that there may he more competition in this area and it would be to our advantage to try to reduce costs. Mr. Robinson asked when we need to make the decision to opt for the 4" year on the transportation contract. Ms. DeLai will survey the competition in the spring and make a decision at that time. Mr. Robinson asked if the district was still using the Peter Sanborn bus for the afterschool shuttle. Dr. Doherty said we are and we pay for the driver Mr. Spadafora asked about the increase in regular day pameducators. He asked if there was a way to see which way we are trending by looking a few years back. Ms. DeLai indicated that the regular paraeducator numbers do not vary too much. He then asked if the additional money could be used for teachers in lieu of the paraeducators and wanted to know where the paraeducators were located. Ms. DeLai indicated that the pameducators were mainly in the elementary schools but the high schools and middle schools had 1 each as office support. Mrs. Callan added that the regular education pameducators supervise at lunch, in the playground before and after school and provide minimal classroom support. A question was asked if parents could be brought in to provide these services. Dr. Doherty indicated that the collective bargaining agreements do not allow for parent volunteers to provide pameducatorjobs. Mr. Croft asked if the amount allotted for professional development could be increased to focus on school safety and training. Mr. Robinson asked if most of the professional development funding was for the implementation of the Common Core. Mrs. Janowski asked, hypothetically, what would happen if we did not implement the Common Core. Dr. Doherty's responded we would not be preparing our students for college & career readiness. Mr. Spadafora asked if extra teachers at the high school level were a continual cost. He also asked if the Common Core implementation was a one -time cost. Are there any other curriculum initiatives? Dr. Doherty said the new frameworks for the Science Standards will be available in FYI 5/16 January 17, 2013 Mrs. Janowski asked how computer based PARCC testing will be handled. Dr. Doherty said the DESE is being proactive and the testing periods will be longer. With the PARCC Assessment results will be available in a timelier manner. FYI Special Education Cost Center Dr. Doherty reviewed the makeup and functions of this cost center. He also reviewed the budget drivers which include the need for additional speech and reading support at the high school, the addition of social worker support at the high school, LLD support at Parker Middle School, paraprofessional support at the pre-k and elementary levels, additional team chair support and DLC teaching staff at Barrows. The Superintendent also reviewed enrollment and spending trends. He shared that all indications are that all federal grants will be decreasing which includes the IDEA. The decrease will affect staffing for our special education programs. Mr. Robinson asked where this information was coming from. The Superintendent responded that the grant agencies have been communicating the trends. Ms. DeLai reviewed the need for additional Speech & Language and Social Worker support at the high school. Mrs. Janowski asked if it was expected to have the same person perform both duties. Ms. Elmer responded ideally it was not but many applicants are licensed in both areas. Ms. DeLai reviewed the need for additional support in the LLD program at the Parker Middle School. Mr. Croft asked what drives the out of district placements. Ms. Elmer said that collaboratives are less expensive but the needs of the student drives which setting they are being placed. Mrs. Gibbs referred back to the per pupil spending graph and thought that since Birch Meadow has no programs that spending would be less. Mr. Robinson pointed out that the Parker enrollment is higher but the salaries are less. Ms. DeLai indicated that the LLD program is underfunded and that is being addressed in this budget. Mr. Robinson asked what portion of the circuit breaker we are using. Ms. DeLai said the reimbursement is 70% and this year's number is being carried forward. Mr. Spadafora would like to know what the right balance of teachers and pameducators would be at the building level. Ms. Elmer answered that the role of the special pameducator is different from the regular education paraeducator. Special education paraeducators placements are driven by a student's IEP and staffing is mandated by the state. January 17, 2013 Dr. Doherty added that if an opportunity arises to replace a pameducator with a teacher much like in co- teaching models the district takes advantage of that. Mrs. Janowski inquired about new initiatives for the Special education budget, are we developing more in- district programs? Ms. Elmer indicated that Universal Design, MTSS and behavioral health are all ongoing initiatives. She also indicated that the role of the SEPAC will become more defined as well. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) b. Approval of Minutes c. Bids and Donations Donation Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mr. Soadafom moved seconded by Mr. Caruso to adjourn. The motion carried 6 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. I S J F. Dohe , Ed.D. rintendent of Schools