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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-03 School Committee Minutes /OyOFA '�/ Town of Reading `� � Meeting Minutes "y7 .0 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2014-02-03 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: Superintendent Conference Room Address: 62 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: Hal Croft Karen Janowski John Doherty, Superintendent Chuck Robinson Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Lisa Gibbs Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Jeanne Borawski Chris Caruso Andrea Nastri, Student Representative - left meeting at 7:15 p.m. Conner Traugot, Student Representative - left meeting at 7:15 p.m. Members - Not Present: Others Present: State Representative Brad Jones State Representative Jim Dwyer Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager Laura Olsen, RMHS Assistant Principal Karen Feeney, Eaton Principal Eric Sprung, Birch Meadow Principal Cathy Giles, Killam Principal Heather Leonard, Barrows Principal Mike Scarpitto, RMHS assistant Principal Paula Perry, Fincom Member Linda Snow-Dockser, Parent Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle Reading Budget Parents Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John F. Doherty, Ed.D. Superintendent Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chair Croft called the School Committee to order at 7:05 p.m. He reviewed the agenda, announced the meeting was being recorded and welcomed guests. State Representatives Page I 1 Dr. Doherty welcomed and thanked Representatives Dwyer and Jones for attending our meeting. Representative Jones updated the School Committee on the state budget process. He shared that the House budget should be announced in mid-April and deliberation will take place the last week in April. Representative Dwyer shared that the Governor's budget provides for approximately $1.2M in aid. He also said that he will be sitting down with the Speaker of the House to share his priorities for his constituents. Mr. Robinson asked about the METCO funding in FY15. METCO will be level funded in the FY15 budget. Mrs. Janowski urged the Representatives to continue to advocate for METCO. She feels METCO works and is an important program. She then asked about unfunded mandates that are associated with the implementation of the Common Core Curriculum Standards. She asked how districts will be able to fund the implementation of the standards, curriculum and instruction and assessment. Representative Dwyer indicated he has written a bill that is currently before the House Ways & Means Committee addressing these concerns. Both Representatives urged committee members and the public to email the House Ways & Means Committee to advocate the passage of this bill. Representative Dwyer asked Superintendent Doherty if our district technology was ready for the upcoming PARCC assessment. The Superintendent said it was for this year because we will only be testing one group per school. Mrs. Janowski feels it is important to have the technology infrastructure to support this testing. She pointed out that students wishing to use their mobile devices will be required to use a keyboard. She feels this is another unfunded mandate. Mr. Robinson asked where the funding would come from for the proposed bill. Representative Dwyer indicated that a working group would be created to explore revenue sources. Mr. Croft asked about the timeline on the bill. That would depend on the level of advocacy to support the proposed bill. Mrs. Gibbs asked for information regarding METCO Lobby Day. Representative Jones shared that the METCO Legislative Breakfast was recently held and Lobby Day is later in the spring. He finds Lobby Day to be most impactful. He is able to meet with students to listen to their concerns and accomplishments. Mr. Robinson shared that we have a new METCO Director and that he is doing an excellent job. Representative Dwyer asked to have Mr. Cross reach out to him. Representatives Jones and Dwyer presented Citations of Appreciation to Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Janowski for their years of service as members of the Reading School Committee. Page 12 The Chair thanked the Representatives for the updates and information. Executive Session Mr. Croft declared the executive session is necessary to protect the litigation position of the body. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to go into Executive Session to conduct strategy with respect to litigation and to return to open session at approximately 8:15 p.m. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mr. Robinson,Mrs. Janowski,Mr. Caruso, Mr. Croft, Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Borawski. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Chair Croft called the open session meeting back to order at 8:16 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure Reports (I) 1. Student 2. Liaison 3. Assistant Superintendent (out of order) Ms. DeLai updated the community on the recent A.L.i.C.E. drills held at our schools. Student and staff drills have been held at Wood End and Killam. These drills went very well. The middle school drills have also been held. There were grade level assemblies in the morning and the actual drill was held in the afternoon at both schools. There were debriefing session with the staff at both schools and the feedback from both staff and students was very positive. Student drills at the remaining elementary schools will be upcoming and the high school staff and student drills will be held at the end of March. A. Public Input (I) Mr. Croft asked for public input. There was none. B. Continued Business FY2014 Budget Status Update Ms. DeLai updated the Committee on the FY2014 budget status. She reviewed the unencumbered balance in several cost centers and explained that these balances are appropriate for this time of year. She pointed out that the most Page 13 significant balance is in special education and that is due to the fact that we were able to pre-pay approximately $300,000 in special education tuitions with FY13 funds. Special Town Meeting Warrant Article Dr. Doherty said there is an opportunity to request $200,000 in additional capital funds at the February Town Meeting which will allow us to upgrade several of the computer labs in the district,particularly at the high school as we prepare for the implementation of PARCC testing. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to support the Special Town Meeting article for the School Department to receive $200,000 in capital funds for technology hardware and infrastructure replacement. Mr. Robinson asked if Fincom has voted on this item. The Superintendent said they had. The motion carried 6-0. Continued Discussion of the FY2015 Budget/Vote on FY2015 Budget Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the FY2015 School Committee Approved Budget in the total amount of$40,603,540 consisting of the following cost center amounts: • Administration: $937,583 • Regular Day: $23,788,331 • Special Education: $11,198,659 • Other: $1,509,648 • School Facilities: $3,169,319 Mr. Croft asked if there was any discussion on the budget. Mrs. Janowski proposed that the Special Education legal service line be reduced to $25,000 and use the funds remaining to support the addition of a School Adjustment Counselor at the elementary level because this is in the best interest of students. She then proposed that the $200,000 requested in the previous vote be used to offset the $100,000 already in the budget for technology and used the remaining funds to support the number 1 priority in our district; the behavioral health of our students. Dr. Doherty reminded the Committee that the proposed budget is approximately $487,000 higher than the amount Fincom recommended. Page 14 He went onto explain that the services provided by the Special Education counsel goes beyond special education hearings. The district consults with this counsel regarding student issues. They also provide professional development for our staff. Dr. Doherty pointed out that many of the computers were purchased during the building project and are starting to fail. We have an opportunity to request additional funding to address this need and if we redirected the $200,000 for other uses we would not be able to upgrade our computers and labs until the FY16 budget. Mr. Robinson asked why we haven't heard about this funding until now. Dr. Doherty said that this request would have been on the April Town Meeting warrant if we were not having a Special Town Meeting in February. Mr. Robinson is willing to ask Town Meeting for the additional money but is reluctant with all of the uncertainty with the state budget, library project and the potential strain on our resources. He still questions the increase in substitute pay and legal service costs. Mrs. Gibbs asked about the possibility of adding a Director of Technology. Dr. Doherty said there are much higher priorities on the list. Mrs. Borawski asked for clarification regarding the Director of Technology. It is her understanding that this decision will be addressed after the technology audit. Dr. Doherty said at that point we will be able to determine if we are using our staff effectively. Mrs. Janowski reiterated her desire to add the School Adjustment Counselor at the elementary level. Dr. Doherty indicated that the School Committee can explore the addition of this position prior to the presentation to the Finance Committee, without changing numbers. Mr. LeLacheur expects to receive the early aid resolution from the state mid to late April and the health insurance information should be available in mid- February. Mrs. Janowski asked if she was the only member advocating for this position. Mrs. Borawski supports the addition of this position if it can be done without changing numbers. Mr. Caruso pointed out that this would not be a one-time cost. This position would have to be accounted for each year. Mr. Robinson asked if the early aid resolution information would be available prior to printing of the town budget. Mr. LeLacheur said it would not. Town Building Maintenance Budget Page 15 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the FY2015 Town Building Maintenance Budget in the amount of$700,167. The motion carried 6-0. Elementary Working Group Update Superintendent Doherty updated the School Committee on the recent meeting of the Working Group and Architects. He reviewed the site identification and analysis starting with the proposed space summary which includes the preliminary square footage of the proposed site. The proposed site would require a 40,000 square foot building footprint. The Superintendent went onto review the eight proposed sites and the advantages and disadvantages of each. The proposed sites include the Woburn St. School, Reading Water Treatment area, Washington and Sturges Parks, Parker and Coolidge Middle Schools, the existing high school upper parking lot and the Oakland Road land across from the high school. Possible scenarios include: • the construction of a 70,000 square foot Early Childhood Center at the Coolidge Middle School site • Two Early Childhood Learning Centers at Parker and Coolidge Middle school sites • Construct two 20,000 square foot additions at Parker and Coolidge Middle Schools Dr. Doherty cautioned the group that adding grade 5 to the middle schools would put a strain on the core facilities. We would need to expand or come up with creative scheduling to be able to use the spaces such as the gymnasium and cafeteria effectively. Mrs. Janowski thanked the Working Group for a very thorough update. Mrs. Borawski asked if there was an adequate plan for growth. Dr. Doherty said there was. Mrs. Borawski assumed there would be some type of administrative position and it is important to consider the operational costs if the north/south option was considered. Dr. Doherty reminded the group that it is important to consider that there would be additional staffing costs. Dr. Doherty backed tracked a bit to review the two previous space studies conducted by Frank Locker and KBA. Both studies concluded that building at the five elementary schools is not feasible. Dan Ensminger, Selectman, proposed, if the Library project fails, that the Town look at the possibility of building a combined use facility that would house a new Library as well as an Early Childhood Center. C. New Business Personnel Update RMHS Principal Search Page 16 Dr. Doherty outlined the proposed searches. The Student Services search would require the School Committee to vote on the Superintendent's recommendation. The Superintendent will appoint the RMHS principal. He said both searches will be a confidential process which has been effective for past searches. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the screening process and timeline for the Reading Memorial High School Principal search. Mr. Robinson asked if the Superintendent knew of other districts looking for high school principals. He said there are a few in the area. Mr. Robinson asked if the timeline could be adjusted if there was a candidate that the Superintendent would like for this position. Dr. Doherty said adjustments could be made to the timeline. The motion carried 6-0. Director of Student Services Search Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the screening process and timeline for the Director of Student Services search. Mrs. Janowski feels it is important to have a School Committee member on the screening committee for a Central Office Administrator. Mrs. Janowski offered a friendly amendment to the original motion to read that a School Committee member be added to the screening committee for the Director of Student Services. Mrs. Gibbs supports the Superintendent's position of not having a School Committee member as part of the screening committee and would not support the friendly amendment. Dr. Doherty said the process allows for the School Committee to ask questions of the candidates during open microphone sessions. And was curious to know why Mrs. Janowski feels it is important to have a School Committee member on the screening committee. Mrs. Janowski feels as elected officials they could offer a particular perspective to the screening committee. She also said that School Committee members had been included in searches prior to the Superintendent's tenure. Dr. Doherty feels that it sets a bad precedent by having an elected official on the screening committee. It may be perceived that that member may have a louder voice in decisions made on the hiring process. The vote on the friendly amendment failed 1-5. Mrs.Janowski voting in favor. The vote on the original motion carried 5-1. Mrs. Janowski voting against. III. Routine Matters Page 17 a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1432 1.30.14 $140,005.97 Warrant P1416 1.31.14 $1,383,523.43 b. Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the open session minutes dated January 23, 2014. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes dated January 27, 2014. The motion carried 6-0. c. Bids and Donations Accept Donation Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the donation of $1,350 from the Altbush Family to be used to purchase ukuleles for Barrows, Killam and Joshua Eaton. The motion carried 6-0. Dr. Doherty added that this donation is in conjunction with a REF grant application. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI.Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs,to go into Executive Session to conduct strategy with respect to collective bargaining and approval of minutes and not to return to open session. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Janowski, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Croft, Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Borawski. The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. o F DAV , Ed.D. • •erintendent of Schools Page 18