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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-26 School Committee MinutesTown of Reading r g Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2013 -08 -26 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 Hal Croft Chris Caruso Lisa Gibbs Members - Not Present: Others Present: John Doherty, Superintendent Mary De Lai, 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 7:00 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input II) Mr. Croft opened the floor to public input for items not on the agenda. Rebecca Liberman, middle school parent, read a petition that has been circulating addressing community concerns regarding mathematics. She did appreciate Mr. Martin's Learning and Teaching update receive by e-mail today that clarified several of the concerns of the group. Page 1 1 Christine Brungardt, 324 South St., shared concerns regarding doubling up on math to be able to be on track for the advanced courses throughout high school. She said her son feels as if he is being punished because he has to take geometry during the summer. She asked if it would be a possibility to take geometry during the summer in another district. She then asked if summer school was in the budget. Dr. Doherty said it will be a FY15 budget item and that it will be recommended in the FYI budget. Mr. Martin feels placement of students in math classes should be based on the student's pace and readiness. This is the first year of the new K — 6 math curriculum. He added that the district is investigating other options for students to be able to meet the requirements of the AP track. Reports I 1. Student Student Representative Traugot shared that school will be starting on Wednesday and the students are nervous and excited about starting a new year. Many are finishing up their summer reading and homework. He also said that Athletics and clubs have also begun. 2. Liaison Mrs. Janowski commented on the opening day staff meeting that she, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Croft attended. She complimented the Superintendent on the inspirational and thought provoking speech. 3. Director of Student Services Ms. Elmer shared that the Extended School Year finished up last week. 4. Assistant Superintendent Mr. Martin reviewed the Learning and Teaching update sent out via Edline and Connect Ed earlier today. He feels it is important to communicate information to parents in a timely manner. Ms. DeLai updated the Committee on summer initiatives that have taken place. She shared that the new teacher introduction will be held at our September 9a' meeting. She went on to update the Committee on the work of the Safety Committee in preparation for implementing the ALICE Plan. The new safety procedure will be implemented over the course of the year. She said the Safety Committee included a great representation across the district. She reviewed work done by the Maintenance/Facilities Department over the summer which included the addition of a bathroom at Barrows for the half day kindergarten classes, the creation of a new motor skills room at Birch Meadow as well as normal maintenance and upkeep. Page 1 2 The district has added 4 new custodians and Kevin Cabuzzi has been appointed to fill the vacancy left by DJ Cacciapuoti. A new position has been created to handle facility rental, academic enrichment programs and Driver's Education. This position will be part of the Community Education Department. Ms. DeLai announced that Columbia Pictures is investigating the possible use of the Parker Middle School to film a scene for an upcoming movie. Ms. DeLai and town representatives will be meeting with the production company to discuss the details. The project could bring somewhere between $40,000 and $50,000 in revenue to the town. 5. Superintendent Dr. Doherty commented on the opening day meeting held this morning. He also updated the Committee on the recent Administrative Team retreat. The group had an open and frank discussion. The district will hit the reset button and focus on a few things and do them well. This school year the focus will be on Learning and Teaching activities and initiatives. He went on to reference his speech. The goal was to inspire the staff reinforcing risk taking and moving out of personal comfort zones. He also encouraged teachers to connect with kids and said the first five days are crucial to establish these connections. Superintendent Doherty updated the School Committee on the elementary enrollment. Most class sizes are within the established guidelines but reminded the School Committee that there are no empty elementary classrooms in the district. He went onto district enrollment. Mrs. Janowski asked what the change in enrollment is from last year. Dr. Doherty said he will present this information after we have the October 1' enrollment numbers. Dr. Doherty said that many positive activities have taken place over the summer. He thanked the leadership team and staff for their commitment to the students of the Reading Public Schools. B. Continued Business C. New Business Woburn Street Update Dr. Doherty stated that although it is ultimately the School Committee's decision he is recommending not moving forward with the Woburn Street Project. Dr. Doherty stated that full day kindergarten for all is something that the district wants to pursue and it is in the best interest of students and student learning. He continued reviewing the timeline to date. He mentioned that the elementary space needs and full day kindergarten discussion began in January of 2011. An Elementary Space Study was approved at the fall 2011 Town Meeting which was Page 13 completed and presented to the School Committee in June of 2012. In the interim the Reading School Committee voted to support the implementation of free full day kindergarten for all. Based on information provided by the Locker Report it was determined the best option would be to purchase a building and renovate the building to house the RISE Preschool and kindergarten classes. In April of 2013 the Town reached an agreement with the St. Agnes Church and signed a Letter of Intent to purchase the lower building. The School Department hired an Architect to begin a Feasibility Study. Over the course of the spring and summer the Superintendent met with the Architect, community members and Town Officials on the Woburn Street Project. As a result of the meetings it has been determined that because of traffic, parking and other logistic matters as well as cost it has been determined that this may not be the best option to address the elementary space concerns. Dr. Doherty proposed the creation of a Working Group to investigate other options to address the elementary space needs. The group would be made up of community members, a School Committee member, the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Administration, a building principal and early childhood teachers. Mrs. Gibbs asked how this decision was perceived at the Financial Forum. Dr. Doherty said the group was expecting a much different conversation and acknowledged that the decision must be very disappointing to us. Mr. Robinson asked how we would prioritize if we did nothing. Dr. Doherty responded that we would use the Working Group to assist in this process. Mrs. Janowski asked if an architect or design professional could be added to the Working Group. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent not to pursue the Woburn Street Project as previously presented. Mrs. Gibbs fells it is important to move forward with the implementation of universal full day kindergarten because it is what is best for kids. Mr. Robinson asked that the Working Group review the Woburn Street plan. Mrs. Janowski asked about the traffic plan. Ms. DeLai said in addition to the congestion in the area the site has only one way in and one way out. Ms. DeLai indicated that we are responsible to pay rent from July to October as part of the Letter of Intent. She also said that St. Agnes is renting space at the Parker Middle School for thew Religious Education classes due to the renovation of their Parish Center therefore some costs are offset. The motion carried 5-0. Page 14 Ms. DeLai shared that both Chief Cormier and Burns could not support the plan as presented and it is crucial to have support from both of the chiefs to move the project forward. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to direct the Superintendent to form a Working Group to review and evaluate options for expandine early childhood education opportunities for Reading children. The motion carried 5 -0. Aopmval of RMHS Handbook Dr. Doherty reviewed the changes that have been made in the handbook. He indicated that all the legal information has been moved to the back of the handbook. The front of the handbook has been formatted to promote a positive culture in the building. Mrs. Janowski asked about making some clarifications in the attendance section. She feels that the wording is contradictory. She also asked about adding the district mission statement. Dr. Doherty said the high school has to include their mission statement m part of the accreditation process. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the Reading Memorial High School Handbook for the 2013 -2014 school year. The motion carried 5 -0. Sumerintendent's Evaluation Mr. Caruso reviewed the process and share comments from the Superintendent's evaluation. He added that he feels the School Committee is committed to the Superintendent and the direction he is moving the district. He shared that he enjoyed putting the evaluation together. Mr. Croft thanked Mr. Caruso for taking on this task Mrs. Gibbs thanked Mr. Caruso for taking on the task of compiling the evaluation scores. She thanked Dr. Doherty for his leadership and truly appreciated his willingness to admit when he had made mistakes. Mr. Croft appreciates the Superintendent's commitment to the Reading Public Schools and his ability to lead by example. Mrs. Janowski is impressed by the Superintendent's work ethic but feels he should take time off. She is also appreciative of his work ethic and the direction he is moving the district. The motion carried 5 -0. Page 15 Dr. Doherty thanked the School Committee and thanked each member for meeting with him individually during the evaluation process. He said the greatest challenge is being sure that we communicate effectively and in a timely manner with the community, staff and parents. Approval of Parker Middle School Field Trio Mc Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the Parker Middle School 7' erade field trip to Nature's Classroom in October 2013. The motion carried 5 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the Parker Middle School 8' erade field trip to Ouebec in May 2014. The motion carried 5 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the Parker Middle School 8` erade field trio to Washineton. D.C. in May 2014. The motion carried 5 -0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) b. Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the open session minutes dated July 22, 2013. The motion carried 5 -0. c. Bids and Donations Accept Donations Mr. Caruso moved. seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept the donation in the amount of $814.50 from the RMHS PTO to be used to support the students of Reading Memorial Hieh School. The motion carried 5-0. Dr. Doherty reviewed each item and its use as part of this donation. carried 5 -0. Calendar Dr. Doherty reviewed the calendar. The next meeting is September 9a' starting at 7:00 p.m. when the principals will introduce their new teachers. At 7:45 p.m. the Page 16 Board of Selectmen will join the meeting to conduct the interviews of the candidates for the position vacated by Mr. Spadafora. IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to adjourn. The motion carried 5 -0. The meeting adjourned at 9:32 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 7