Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-24 School Committee Minutes0 OF O Town of Reading Meeting Minutes '6J9' INOROOpPS Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2014 -02 -24 Building: School - Memorial High Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: Hal Croft Karen Janowski Chuck Robinson Lisa Gibbs Jeanne Borawski Chris Caruso f�ECEIVED OWN CLERK S. Time: 7:00 PM Location: Superintendent Conference Room Session: General Session John Doherty, Superintendent Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Andrea Nastri, Student Representative Conner Traugot, Student Representative Members - Not Present: Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Others Present: Kerry Gallagher, RMHS Teacher Annemarie Cory, RMHS Teacher Janet Dee, RMHS Teacher Parker Webb, RMHS Student Elaine Webb, School Committee Candidate Linda Snow - Dockser, School Committee Candidate Phil Vaccaro, School Committee Candidate Mike Scarpitto, RMHS Assistant Principal Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager, arrived at 8:00 p.m. 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 7:00 p.m. He reviewed the agenda, announced the meeting was being recorded and welcomed guests. New Business (out of order High School Technology in Action Page 1 1 Superintendent Doherty introduced RMHS teachers Kerry Gallagher, Annemarie Cory and Janet Dee who will be sharing information regarding the use of technology in their classrooms. Ms. Cory explained apps like Evernote, Skitch, and Notability have made content and class resources easier to share with her students. The workflow is much improved and there are fewer papers for students to lose now that they can complete and save much of their work on mobile devices. She is currently using a Class Weebly homepage that links to shared notebooks on Evernote and each class has a share folder on Evernote that contains all the documents and assignments her students will need. When she is supporting students who have mobile devices in a co- taught class, students can use ScanDoc HD to scan class documents into PDF and then send them to the shared Evernote folder. The use of technology in the class has made note taking much easier for students that have learning disabilities. Notability allows students to take notes and either put them in the shared Evernote folder or email them home. This is helpful if a student is absent, or the parent/academic support teacher needs notes to support the student. Mrs. Gallagher and Parker Webb, RMHS student, demonstrated how apps like QRReader, Socrative, Educreations, Animoto and a few others have allowed students to create original and engaging work that demonstrates learning. Students are using variety of devices in the classroom. Methods of accessing information for each device had to be created. She is using the QRReader in her classroom that allows students to access the information for the particular unit they are working on. Mr. Webb shared that using the QR codes will bring the student directly to the website. The codes are posted on the classroom walls, students scan and all the information they need is brought up. Mrs. Gallagher reviewed several other apps the students have used to watch documentaries, take notes and create presentations. The use of mobile devices are changing the workflow in class, the sharing of resources in co- taught classes, home - school communication to absent students or parents, the way students access content, how they watch and discuss documentaries, what it means to doodle in class and how students prove what they have learned. Mrs. Gallagher and Ms. Cory said it is important to continue to network and share ideas with others that are using paperless classrooms. Mr. Webb likes the paperless classroom and the use of apps to accomplish so much more than paper and pencil learning. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Mr. Croft asked for public input. Page 1 2 Mrs. Webb was impressed by the high school presentation and indicated that prospective employers want applicants that have strong technology skills. B. Reports I 1. Student Ms. Nastri reported on the upcoming MCAS testing, the upcoming Parker Middle School Musical and RMHS performance of Great Expectations. She also shared that the Band is holding a fundraiser at Portland Pie. Mr. Traugot shared that the winter athletics season is over and several of our teams are in post season tournament action. He also pointed out that the boys track team 4 x 400 relay finished in 6`h place at the All — States, Boys wrestling finished 5th in the state competition with Nick Markrys winning a state championship. 2. Liaison Mrs. Janowski reported on the recent Recreation Committee and the decision to deny permission to allow a football camp to use the RMHS facilities and fields in June. The committee felt it would displace high school activities. She also reported on the upcoming HRAC's Diversity Arts Contest and encouraged students to submit original pieces of art. The deadline to submit pieces is April 1St 3. Assistant Superintendent 4. Superintendent Dr. Doherty updated the School Committee on the projected 2014 -15 elementary enrollment. He cautioned the School Committee that he is concerned that our numbers are increasing and the real estate market will start to pick up once again. We will have to address space concerns. He also pointed out additional teaching staff may need to be added to address enrollment. Mr. Robinson asked approximately how much money would we need. Dr. Doherty feels that an additional $50- $60K would be required. Dr. Doherty reported on the DESE Coordinated Program Review conducted in the district before vacation. Mr. LeLacheur arrived. The evaluators were reviewing Civil Rights, Special Education and ELL and met with several groups. We should receive a draft report in the next few months followed by a comment period and feedback. The final report should be received during the summer. The Superintendent shared some of the feedback received from the evaluators. They found that the record keeping was well organized and well done, Reading has dedicated staff and there is an "Inclusive" feel. The also felt that Page 1 3 special education teachers involvement in planning with regular education teachers was a positive. Areas of concern include the lack of space and facilities and the need for additional training and professional development opportunities for all staff in the areas of instructional strategies, accommodations and skills pertaining to special education. They felt we had a strong ELL curriculum and were pleased that an additional 0.5 ELL teacher has been proposed for the 2014 -15 budget. Dr. Doherty thanked Carla Pennacchio for her hard work in developing the curriculum used for our ELL students. They were also pleased that the district has addressed gender identity in its School Committee policies. They found the teachers to be friendly and the students to be happy. Superintendent Doherty thanked Ms. Elmer and Mr. Martin for their part in preparing for the visit. Dr. Doherty said that the Early Childhood Working Group will be meeting on Thursday evening and the Naming of Facilities Sub - Committee will be meeting on Monday evening. C. Continued Business D. New Business RMHS Principal Qualities Dr. Doherty reviewed the timeline of the search and said in the upcoming days there will be opportunities for staff, parents and the community to provide input. Mr. Croft opened the floor to School Committee members to gather input regarding the qualities they would like to see in the next high school principal. Mr. Traugot would like the next principal to be an effective communicator that is available to students and willing to share ideas that will improve the school. Mrs. Janowski thanked the Superintendent for providing the opportunity for students and teachers to provide input. She feels that is very important. She would like to see a person with a proven track record of leadership and that is receptive to ideas. Mr. Caruso feels the high school principal is a public fixture and should attend as many extra - curricular events as possible. He would like the principal to be a presence in the building and someone that gets to know the students. Mrs. Gibbs would like to see a leader that has the experience and interest in developing professional learning communities in the building. Page 1 4 Mrs. Borawski would like to see an innovative proven leader that is able to articulate the culture of the high school. Mr. Robinson would like a proven leader that is not afraid to challenge his/her teachers to think outside the box. Mr. Croft feels Reading is a demanding community that is dedicated to education. The school system takes pride in all aspects of academia and would like a leader that could endure and preserver. He would like to see Main Street be made a focal point of the building. Ms. Nastri would like a principal that has experience and is an effective communicator. She would like to see someone that is friendly and open to student input and ideas. Mrs. Snow - Dockser would like to see a principal that is willing to receive input from people that are experienced and familiar with the culture of the building and someone that takes of ownership of ideas and suggestions. Mrs. Webb said it is important to tap into parent groups for input. The Superintendent assured her that as part of the process other parent groups will have an opportunity to provide input, including a survey that was recently sent. Mrs. Janowski added that she would like to see a principal that viewed all students equally whether they are special education or regular education students. Director of Student Services Qualities Mrs. Janowski would like to see a Director that is empathetic and is able to see all viewpoints. She would also like a person that promotes an inclusive culture. Mrs. Gibbs would like a Director that will cultivate professional learning communities and will evaluate the effectiveness of programming. She would also like to see a person with a 21St century inclusion vision and is able to share that vision with staff. Mrs. Borawski feels the candidate's philosophy of Special Education and how success is measured will be important information measures of a leader. She would also like a Director that is able to prioritize and focus. Mr. Croft would like a Director that has experience and expertise in litigation matters. Mrs. Snow - Dockser feels a person with classroom experience would be able to connect with teachers and be able to collaborate on new ideas to handle dilemmas. Superintendent's Evaluation Process Dr. Doherty felt it was important to give the School Committee the option of completing his evaluation before the April 1 st election. Page 1 5 It was the consensus of the School Committee members that the Superintendent's evaluation should be done at the end of the year. They did not to rush the process. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1433 Warrant S 1434 Warrant S1435 Warrant P1417 b. Approval of Minutes 2.6.14 $170,242.65 2.13.14 $312,577.51 2.20.14 $66,761.57 2.14.14 $1,359,542.19 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the open session minutes dated February 3, 2014. The motion carried 6 -0. c. Bids and Donations Accept Donation Accept Donation from Carl McFadden Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to accept a donation in the amount of $1,000 from Mr. McFadden to be used to purchase helmets for the RMHS Football Program. The motion carried 6 -0. Accept Donation from Arbella Insurance Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to accept a donation in the amount of $300 from the Arbella Insurance Group to be used to offset transportation costs of the Joshua Eaton 4th grade field trip to the Boston Symphony. The motion carried 6 -0. Accept Donation from RMHS Basketball Support Team Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to accept a donation in the amount of $1,500 from the RMHS Basketball Support Rroup to be used to support the coaching assistant position for the girl's team. The motion carried 6 -0. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment The Chair announced that the executive session is necessary to protect the litigation position of the body. Page 1 6 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to go into Executive Session to conduct strategy with respect to litigation 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 8:35 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. * - tk F. Doherty, d.D. u erintendent of Schools Page 1 7