Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-02 School Committee Minutesr Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: November 2, 2009 Time: 8:30 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs Arrived at 9:05 Chuck Robinson Elaine Webb David Michaud Chris Caruso Karen Janowski Patrick O'Sullivan Student Representative Visitors: John Russo, Resident Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle I. Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Acting Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance & Operations Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 8:30 p.m. He welcomed guests and briefly went over the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) John Russo followed up on a previous request regarding a School Committee policy on the distribution of contraceptive devices. Mr. Robinson indicated that there is no policy in place on that subject matter. Mr. Russo also voiced his opposition to the "strip search" section of policy JIH. B. Reports I 1. Student Mr. O'Sullivan reported on the following: • First quarter is coming to an end • National Honor Society Fall Induction of 5 students • RMHS Band in the NESBA finals over the weekend • Upcoming Drama presentation of Me and My Gal • Continued success of the athletic programs November 2, 2009 2. Liaison Mr. Caruso reported the office hours held this evening. Mr. Robinson reported on the MASSCUE Conference and congratulated Dr. Doherty on receiving the organization's 2009 Administrator's Award for Technology leadership. 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported on the recent death of a Reading Public Schools parent. He stated that the work done over the past two years on the safety plan preparedness enabled the administration to assemble the response team and address the needs of the students and staff. He thanked everyone that helped our staff and students cope with this sudden and tragic loss. He also reported on the recent MASSCUE Conference at Gillette Stadium. This year was the first year it has been held as a joint event with MASS. Twenty teachers and administrators of the Reading Public Schools attended with five staff members presenting at the conference. The district participation was funded out of the Title 2A grant. Dr. Doherty also updated the committee on Blue Ribbon activities. He handed out a financial report comparing the 1 day and 2 day events held in April over the past two years. By holding a two day event we were able to partner with SMART Technologies and Blue Ribbon. In doing so we were able to draw registrants from around the country. It is significantly less to run a two day event. Other benefits from the conference included the district receiving a SMART Board, a SENTEO Response System, 2 registrations to the December Conference. Reading Public Schools has also become a SMART Showcase District. Reading Public Schools will have 17 teachers and 4 administrators attending the Blue Ribbon Conference in December. At the conference Wood End will be recognized as a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School. Superintendent Doherty also reported on the upcoming Community Budget Forums. He is hoping to gather public input as the administration begins to develop the FYI I budget. He indicated that it more than likely be a level funded budget vs. a level service budget. He attended a MMA meeting where shared services were discussed but cautioned the committee it may cost more in the long run to share services between town and schools. Reading does have several shared services in place. He updated the committee on H 1N 1. There have been sporadic cases of flu like illness and receives daily updates from Director of Nurses Lynn Dunn on student illness and Human Resources Administrator Elizabeth Conway on staff illness 4. Director of Finance and Operations Ms. DeLai handed an email she received regarding the series of "9C' cuts announced by the Governor last week. She indicated that the appropriation for the circuit breaker will be affected but the DESE built included an allowance for this possible cut when the initial payments were calculated. She also handed out a FYI budget status report. November 2, 2009 5. Director of Pupil Services C. Continued Business Second reading of Polio Mr. Caruso, moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to accept the second reading of revised Section AH, Search & Seizure Policy, and acceptance of the revised Section AH, Search & Seizure Policy of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual in accordance with the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated October 29, 2009. Mr. Caruso proceeded to read the revised policy. Mrs. Webb asked if the reading policy could be dispensed with. Chair Robinson indicated that he would like to have the entire policy read. Mrs. Gibbs arrived during the reading. Mrs. Webb reiterated her stance on the safety of students and staff. Mrs. Janowski still has significant reservations and will not vote in favor of this policy. Mr. Michaud asked for a minor change, eliminating the word also from the last sentence. He felt the policy as written clearly prevents "strip searches" from happening ever. Mr. Michuad moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to remove the word "also" from the last sentence in number 4 of the Search of Students and Their Belongings section. Mrs. Gibbs asked if there were any legal ramifications in making this change. There are none. Dr. Doherty stated that by making this change parental notification is not an afterthought. Chair Robinson opened the floor for public comment. Mrs. Ann Fisher was saddened and concerned about this policy. She finds it intrusive and traumatizing. She feels that if a "strip search" is warranted the police should be called. Ms. Hayley Barrett felt that the wording regarding parental notification was far too weak. She stated that she would or her additional contacts want to be notified immediately if her child was in this position. She asked about #5 and the child consenting to a search. She said they are minors and can not consent to anything. The School Committee voted on the policy as amended. The motion carried 5 -1. Mrs. Janowski voting against. November 2, 2009 D. New Business Tuition and Fee Schedule Review Ms. DeLai reviewed the proposed tuition and fee increases. She stated that these rates are adjusting for actual costs incurred by the district. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept the proposed increases to fees and tuitions in accordance with the Director of Finance and Operations memorandum dated October 29, 2009. Mr. Caruso stated his concern that we may lose students from clubs because of the proposed fees. He felt that the jump in the transportation fee was far too drastic. Mrs. Gibbs felt this is a way to make the fees charged more equitable. Mrs. Webb suggested holding off on the Middle School Activity and Fitness Center fees. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski to amend the proposed transportation fee increase to $365 per student with a family cap of $600 for FYI I. The motion carried 6 -0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to amend the original motion to eliminate the proposed High School Fitness Center fee of $35 for FY11. The motion carried 4 -2. Mr. Michaud and Mrs. Webb voting against. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to maintain the proposed increase in Full Day Kindergarten to $4,200 for FYI I. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to remove the proposed High School Activity Fee of $100 for FYIL The motion carried 5 -1. Mr. Michaud voting a ainst. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to remove the proposed Middle School Activity Fee of $50 for FY11. The motion carried 4 -2. Mrs. Webb and Mr. Michaud voting against. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to retain the facility rental, projection devices and computer rental fee schedule for FYI 1. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to vote on the main motion as amended. The motion carried 5 -1. Mr. Michaud voting against. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve the open session minutes as amended dated October 19, 2009. The motion carried 6 -0. November 2, 2009 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb to approve the open session minutes dated October 26, 2009. The motion carried 6 -0. • Bids and Donations Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept the grant award from the Exxon/Mobil as sponsored by Mr. Arthur Sordillo, to support the science and technology curriculum as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated October 29, 2009. The motion carried 6 -0. Calendar IV. Information Mrs. Webb requested that the administration report on fees being collected by the parent groups of clubs and organizations at a future meeting. V. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to adjourn. The motion carried 6 -0. VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. �A*';* F. ITohertj Ed.D. A ing Superintendent of Schools