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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-16 School Committee MinutesFq Town of Reading Meeting Minutes ,Br9• INC9R�P Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2013 -12 -16 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Wood End Location: Cafeteria Address: 85 Sunset Rock Lane Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: Karen Janowski John Doherty, Superintendent Chuck Robinson Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Lisa Gibbs Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Jeanne Borawski Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Chris Caruso Andrea Nastri, Student Representative Members - Not Present: Hal Croft Conner Traugot Others Present: Al Sylvia, Daily Times Chronicle Joanne King, Wood End Principal Melissa Steiger, Wood End Music Teacher Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John F. Doherty, Ed.D. Superintendent Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Vice - Chair Caruso called the School Committee to order at 7:02 p.m. He reviewed the agenda, announced the meeting was being recorded and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Mr. Caruso asked for public input. There was none. B. New Business (out of order Dr. Doherty turned the meeting over to Mrs. King who introduced the Wood End Chorus and Music Teacher Melissa Steiger. She said the chorus is made up of Page 1 1 students in grades 3 — 5. The group has been meeting before and after school since September. Students play a variety of instruments and sing. Ms. Steiger said that the students will be performing several numbers for the audience tonight. The students are learning memorization, breathing and diction skills and concert etiquette while they learn the songs. The chorus presented a "Muppets Medley" and finished with a rendition of Danny Boy featuring recorder performances by several members. The Vice -Chair thanked the Chorus and Ms. Steiger for the wonderful performance. The Vice -Chair called a brief recess at 7:19 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 7:21 p.m. Reports I) 1. Student Student Representatives Nastri shared information on the following: • The RMHS Band is holding its annual tree sale. • The RMHS Band will hold its Holiday Concert Wednesday evening. • The RMHS Chorus will hold its Holiday Concert on Thursday evening. • The RMHS Improvosaurus Group will perform on Friday evening. • Winter sports have started. 2. Liaison Mr. Robinson updated the School Committee on the last meeting of the Elementary Working Group. The group met with Scott Dunlap, Ai -3 and Mary Mahoney, KBA to review the five options. The architects will evaluate the criteria set by the Working Group and determine the feasibility of each option. Mr. Caruso inquired about the integrated kindergarten program. Dr. Doherty asked Mrs. King to share information on the integrated program in her school. Mrs. King shared that the integrated program has made a very seamless transition. By using the integrated program, we were able to keep Wood End families at Wood End. When the half day students leave for the day the full day students go to recess prior to lunch. The teachers have found that the additional '/2 hour for the morning session has allowed them to teach the core curriculum more effectively to the students. The afternoon allows the students to participate in more interactive group work, free play and exploration. The integrated classroom has been a truly positive experience for teachers and students. Page 1 2 3. Superintendent Dr. Doherty included the Northshore Education Collaborative Annual Report in the packet for informational purposes. He also shared the fall athletic accomplishments. The Superintendent pointed out that several of our high school students are participating in the Hour of Code which is a commitment to become involved in computer programming activities. Several of our high school students have gone to our elementary and middle schools to work with students on computer programming and applications. He also reported that two classes in our district participated in a teleconference with participants at the Blue Ribbon Conference in Orlando. He thanked Kerry Gallagher and her high school students and Jennalee Anderson's Coolidge students for sharing information on the BYOD initiative in our district. C. Continued Business Discussion of Calendar for the 2014 -15 School Year Dr. Doherty suggested that the calendar conversation runs parallel to the first reading of Policy IMDA. Naming of Facilities Presentation Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept the proposed nominations and move the following nominations onto the Naming Sub - Committee, to be named by the chair, for further study and to make recommendations to the School Committee at a future meeting. a. Sally Mucica Library Media Center (& Wood End b. Frederick C. Wales Engineering Lab c. Ernie's Way (& Reading Memorial High School The motion carried 5 -0. The Superintendent reviewed the timeline. He hopes to have the sub - committee in place in January to meet with the nominating groups and have the sub- committee present in February. D. New Business First Reading of Policy IMDA — Accommodations for Religious and Ethnic Observanees Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept the first reading of Policy IMDA — Accommodations for Religious and Ethic Observances. Mrs. Gibbs performed the first reading of Policy IMDA. Page 1 3 Dr. Doherty said the policy is being presented to address concerns from the community regarding educational repercussions over the years for students that chose to observe a non - national religious holiday. The context of the policy is taken from a policy in place in the Winchester Public Schools. He understands that communication and putting this policy into practice will be a key piece in the cultural change. Mr. Robinson asked how this new policy will be communicated. Dr. Doherty said the building and district administration will ensure that the information is communicated. Mr. Caruso asked for public comment on Policy IMDA. Mrs. Snow - Dockser thanked the Superintendent for bringing this policy to the School Committee. She feels this policy is in the best interest of kids and addresses the educational needs of all students. She shared thoughts from Reading residents she received in response to her Daily Times Chronicle article. Janice Menes thanked the Superintendent for changing the ArtsFest in April due to a conflict with the first night of Passover. She is also happy that the Reading Public Schools calendar currently has no school on the fall holidays. Elizabeth Lemons, high school parent, feels that the policy guidelines may be difficult to accommodate with block scheduling at that level. Rick Shaffer said the face of Reading is changing and it is important to reach out to other ethnicities and religions. The policy is a move in the right direction. Mark Moll feels this is a move in the right direction, putting words into action. Lori Gordon applauded the Superintendent and School Committee for this policy. She would like to be sure that the parent booster groups are made aware of this policy to avoid conflicts. She also pointed out that the fall high holidays are important on the Jewish calendar. Mark Dockser also thanked the Superintendent and School Committee for this policy. Mrs. Gibbs feels that this policy raises awareness of non - national religious holidays and is in full support of this policy. The vote on the original motion carried 5 -0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1425 12.12.13 $92,600.64 Warrant 51425E 12.05.13 $164,838.00 Page 1 4 b. Approval of Minutes Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the open session minutes dated November 23, 2013. The motion carried 5 -0. Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the open session minutes dated December 9, 2013. The motion carried 5 -0. c. Bids and Donations Accept Donations Accept Donation from the Reading Track Parents Association Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to accept a donation in the amount of $1,000 from the Reading Track Parents Association to be used to support the coaching assistant for the boys' track team. The motion carried 5 -0. Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson. to accept the annual donation in the amount of $75 from Lueders Environmental, Inc. to be used for district professional development. The motion carried 5 -0. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to go into Executive Session to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for collective bargaining negotiations, approval of minutes and not to return to open session. The roll call vote was 5 -0. Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Caruso, Mrs. Borawski and Mrs. Janowski. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. W"k - �S4F. Do erty, .D. rintendent of chools Page 1 5