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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-22 School Committee MinutesOFR Town of Reading Meeting Minutes P' 'P IMOPP�� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2013 -07 -22 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: Superintendent Conference Room Address: 62 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: Karen Janowski Chuck Robinson Arrived at 7:52 p.m. Hal Croft Chris Caruso Lisa Gibbs Rob Spadafora Members - Not Present: Others Present: John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Conner Traugot, Student Representative Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John F. Doherty, Ed.D., Superintendent Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chairperson Croft called the School Committee to order at 7:06 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (Il (Out of Order) (Began at 7:20 p.m. due to a RCTV technical difficulties) Mr. Croft opened the floor to public input for items not on the agenda. Rebecca Liberman, middle school parent, asked if the Committee would add math as an agenda item. Mr. Croft referred to the letter sent out by Assistant Superintendent Martin. He does not feel it is necessary to add this as an agenda Page 1 1 item. Mrs. Liberman continued to express her concerns in regard to the change in the math curriculum. Mr. Croft noted that it is not the School Committee's role to oversee curriculum and suggested that questions and concerns be directed to the appropriate administrator. Lauren Ream, a parent, expressed concerns about how students are being placed. She feels test scores and comparison to peers should not be the only criteria. She asked to broaden the criteria for placement in math at the middle schools. She also inquired if the School Committee had asked questions regarding the math curriculum. Mr. Croft referred to the March 18ih School Committee meeting when Chuck Strout, Chair of the Math Department, presented information on the math curriculum. Marianne Downing, an elementary parent, stated that the June 191i meeting was helpful but did not cover all concems. Demitra Tseckares, middle school parent, wanted clarification that the building administrator is the person to go to with concerns regarding placement and that person makes the final decision. Dr. Doherty explained the guidelines and that the decisions were made at the district level, with Principal input. Principals will support the district decisions regarding placements. Mrs. Janowski asked how these decisions were made. Mr. Martin explained the process. He shared that assessments are used to determine if a student is eligible to enter the Algebra I class in grade 8. Re rts I (Out of Order) 1. Student Student Representative Traugot shared that he was part of the group that went on Dr. Ryan's annual trip to Europe. This year the group went to Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. He said it was a great trip and thanked the School Committee for approving this trip. Mr. Robinson arrived during reports at 7:52 p.m 2. Liaison 3. Director of Student Services 4. Assistant Superintendent 5. Superintendent Page 12 Dr. Doherty, Ms. DeLai, Mr. Martin and Ms. Elmer attended the M.A.S.S. Executive Institute last week. Topics of discussion at the Institute included the new evaluation system, district determined measures, Common Core and PARCC assessments. He said he was able to meet Secretary of Education Malone and discuss a number of items including math curriculum. B. Continued Business FYI Budget Update Ms. Delai provided an update of the FY13 budget as the district and town close out the fiscal year. She thanked the administration, principals and her staff. Mr. Robinson asked if we know where the Town budget will come in. Ms. DeLai indicated that we will not know until they certify free cash sometime in October. Mrs. Janowski asked if we had more or less Special Education hearings this year. Ms. Elmer said we had fewer this year. Dr. Doherty thanked Ms. DeLai for her hard work assuring that we adhere to procedures and policies that have been put in place. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafom, to approve the transfer of $13.000 from the Special Education cost center to the Reeular Day cost center. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the transfer of $3.000 from the Administration cost center to the District -Wide cost center. The motion carried 6 -0. Elementary Enrollment Update Superintendent Doherty updated the School Committee on the elementary enrollment. He pointed out that the Superintendent's option was implemented when the current third graders were in kindergarten. He also cautioned the Committee of the low incoming kindergarten numbers. Several families have opted to hold their child out or emoll in private kindergarten. This may lead to a spike in our kindergarten and first grade numbers for the 2014 -15 school year. Mr. Caruso addressed current concerns regarding the high school enrollment. He is hearing that students will have to share lockers and the lunch schedule will change. The Superintendent assured the public that there are enough lockers in the high school. The high school will also continue to have 3 lunches. Seating issues are being addressed by adding seating in the lobby outside the Reading Cooperative Bank and seats and a counter along the windows in the cafeteria. He advised parents to contact the high school principal if they have any other questions. C. New Business (Out of Order) Superintendent's Evaluation Page 1 3 Mr. Caruso asked that the evaluation be discussed at the next meeting. He wanted to be sure the Committee had a complete and accurate copy of the summative evaluation document. Approval of Reading Memorial High School Field Trio Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora to approve the annual Drama Club field trio to Broadway in New York City in May 2014. The motion carried 5 -0. School Committee Announcement Mr. Spadafora announced his resignation from the School Committee effective July 23, 2013. He is taking an expatriate position with his company in Europe for two years. He noted that he was first elected to the School Committee when he was 23 years old. He is proud of the Reading teachers and parents and it has been a privilege to serve on the committee. Mr. Croft thanked Mr. Spadaf rra for his service to the town and this board. Woburn Street Update Dr. Doherty presented an update on the Woburn Street Project and reviewed important dates. He shared information on parking and transportation. He reviewed options for staff parking. A possibility would be to have the Woburn St. staff park at the Parker Middle School and make the short walk to school. Ms. DeLai reviewed the possibility of bussing all kindergarten students that would be attending the school. This would alleviate traffic and congestion and would make it easier for parents that need to drop off at two schools. The cost for bussing would range between $75,000 and $150,000 per year. Mr. Croft inquired about the number of busses needed. Ms. DeLai estimates 2 possibly 3. Mr. Robinson is concerned over the size of the proposed playground. Dr. Doherty assured him that the area is similar to the K -2 playground at Wood End. Mr. Spadafora asked about the possibility of coordinating construction work with St. Agnes during the Parish Center renovations. Mrs. Janowski asked how the teachers would access the building. Ms. DeLai indicated there could possibly be a pass card system and they would enter from the Woburn Street end of the building. Mr. Robinson expressed concerns if parents opt to drive and drop off at the school and we are running busses with for a few students. Ms. DeLai indicated that the details are still being worked out. Mr. Tom Loughlin, a parent, asked if there would be any information released before meetings. The Superintendent indicated that the information would be posted on our website after the meetings. P.ge 1 4 III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) b. Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Soadafora, to avurove the oven session minutes dated May 28, 2013. This set of minutes was previously tabled to allow for clarification and an accurate description of comments made during discussion. The motion carried 5 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the oven session minutes dated June 17, 2013. The motion carried 5 -0. c. Bids and Donations (Out of Order) Due to RCTV technical difficulties donations were accepted at the beginning of the meeting. Accept Donations Mr. Caruso moves, seconded by Mn. Janowski, to accept the donation in the amount of $5,000 from the Coolidge PTO to be used to support the purchase of instructional technology, eauivment and /or instructional resources. The motion carried 5 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to accent the donation in the amount of $3500 from the Coolidge Science Olympiad Support Group to be used to support the Head Coach stipend for the 2013 -14 school year. The motion carried 5 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mn. Janowski, to accept the donation in the amount of $1,000 from the Coolidge Science Olympiad Support Group to be used to support the Assistant Coach stipend for the 2012 -13 school year. The motion carried 5 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the donation in the amount of $400 from the Young Women's League to the Parker Middle School. The motion carried 5 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept the donation in the amount of $969 from the Wood End PTO to be used to purchase agendas for the 3rd. 4th and 5th grade classes at the Wood End School. The motion carried 5 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mn. Janowski, to accept the donation in the amount of $2,100 from the Friends of Reading Football to be used to purchase game pants for the RMHS football program. The motion carried 5 -0. Page 1 5 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to accept the donation in the amount of $10.400 from the RM IS Band Parents Oreanization to be used to support the expenses associated with the instructor stipends for the Band's annual camp. Mrs. Janowski asked if this was an annual donation by the Band parents. Ms. DeLai explained that this donation will be used to support assistant salaries. The amounts will be determined by Mr. Bunten, Ms. Killian and Mr. Higginbottom. Mr. Caruso stated that he is very grateful for the support of the parent groups and the Committee is very appreciative for the support for all of the extra - curricular activities in our district. The motion carried 5 -0. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to enter into executive session to discuss strateev with respect to neeotiations with non - represented personae) and to return to oven session at anproximately 9:40 p.m. Mr. Caruso asked if the Executive Session should be postponed until the completion of the Superintendent's Evaluation. Mrs. Gibbs recommended the session be held. The roll call vote carried 6 -0. Mr. Croft, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Robinson. Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Janowski. Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. The open session was called back to order at 9:34 p.m. Superintendent's Contract Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to increase the salary of the Superintendent by 3.9% for the 2013 -14 school year. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Spadafora, to adjourn. The motion carried 6 -0. The meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. Page 1 6 "i'�! Page 1 7