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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-29 School Committee Minutes r OFFA Town of Reading i Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb,to accept a donation from the Reading Education Foundation in the amount of$49,269.64 as part of the grant program. Ms. Chris Kelley, Reading Education Foundation Chair, introduced the members accompanying her this evening and provided a brief overview of the Reading Education Foundation's work. This year, through the fundraising efforts of the group, REF is able to fund $49,269.64 in requested grants for this cycle. She also shared that the next fundraiser is this weekend. The Imagination Celebration and Silent Auction will be on Saturday night. Ms. Nancy Dieselman, Co-Chair of the Grants Committee reviewed the requested and awarded grants. She shared that there were 17 applications this year and included representation from every school. Several of the grant proposals were collaborative efforts between teachers and/or schools. REF was able to fund 12 grant proposals this cycle and hope to be able to fund more next year. Ms. Dieselman said the Grants Committee was impressed by the range of proposals. Dr. Snow Dockser thanked the group for providing this opportunity for our staff. Mrs. Borawski echoed the sentiments saying that our teachers are given an important opportunity to experiment in the classroom and many times branch out and share with the district. Mrs. Webb appreciated the tremendous amount of time and work the Board of REF puts into the fundraising efforts. Mrs. Kelley shared information on another upcoming Teacher Tribute fundraiser. It is a great opportunity to recognize teachers and staff in the district. The vote on the original motion was 5-0. The School Committee took a brief recess at 7:24 p.m. for the check presentation photo opportunity. The meeting was called back to order at 7:25 p.m. New Business (out of order) Killam Presentation Killam Principal Cathy Giles and Killam Teacher Nina Balfe presented the GRIT initiative happening at Killam this year. The Killam staff is focused on teaching all students about the importance of having grit and a growth mindset. This initiative is a collaborative all school effort instilling the benefits of perseverance. As part of the Educator Evaluation process Killam teachers and Mrs. Giles have developed a school-wide SMART goal to guide this initiative. They have developed school-wide strategies to teach the students to venture out of their comfort zones and not be afraid of failing. They have developed the use of positive reinforcement to encourage students to persevere. Page 12 A test group of students have been selected for the pilot. These students have created GRIT portfolios to keep track of their successes and struggles. The plan is to implement the portfolios school wide next year. Ms. Balfe stresses a growth mindset for her first graders cultivating their desire to be challenged. She said it has been very successful in her class. She sees more positive thinking among her students. At the beginning of the year students established goals for themselves which are on their chairs. As students attain their goals they create new goals to replace the accomplished goals. Mrs. Giles said that partnerships between students have developed and successes are celebrated and recognized. The GRIT initiative ties in with the MTSS for all students and aids in closing gaps in lagging skills by providing the needed support system. Mrs. Webb asked how all students needs were addressed. Mrs. Giles said that it is a goal at Killam for all students to have an educational plan that highlights strengths and areas to learn and grow. She feels that the standards based report card is a great tool to facilitate the growth and to teach the students to persevere. Mrs. Borawski feels it is important to teach our kids how to deal with struggles and provide tools to help them succeed and believes it addresses the social-emotional needs of our students when faced with challenges. Mr. Robinson asked if Killam was collaborating with the other schools. Mrs. Giles said that all the elementary schools are incorporating these skills in different ways. Chair Croft thanked Mrs. Giles and Ms. Balfe for sharing the information. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input(I) B. Reports (I) 1. Student Student Representative Traugot reported on several items that occurred before vacation. The District held its annual Artsfest. He said it was great to be able to see all sorts of artwork from all grade levels on display in the hallways of the high school. He also reported on the Blue Ribbon Conference. Several students helped out during the two days. The Junior Prom was also held prior to vacation. RMHS Drama is presenting Tom Sawyer this weekend and AP Exams begin next week. The senior class has begun the annual countdown until the last day of classes. 2. Liaison Dr. Snow Dockser also reported on Artsfest and appreciated the amazing display of talent. She also thanked the teachers and administration for changing the date to avoid a conflict with the Passover holiday. The middle and high school integrated chorus and jazz bands were a highlight of the event. Page 13 She also reported on the recent RMHS Robotics team competition held at Boston University. It was an outstanding event and our kids did very well. C. Continued Business FY15 Budget Update Dr. Doherty reviewed the latest reduction list. The reduction is now$315,000 because we are now able to roll over a balance from the Race to the Top grant and a grant received to assist in the implementation of MTSS. These funds will be used for professional development allowing a reduction of and additional $55,000 from that line. It has also been decided not to fund the Elementary Social Worker position and to work with local colleges and universities to provide interns to work with our elementary population. These interns will be supervised by Behavioral Health Coordinator Sara Burd. We hope to have 5 interns working with our students providing support that currently does not exist at the elementary level. Also included in the reductions is funding for technology replenishment, consulting services, 1.0 FTE High School position and 1.0 FTE Middle School position. Early Childhood Education Center Superintendent Doherty asked for guidance from the School Committee for the appropriate direction as the discussion on this article continues at Town Meeting on Thursday night. Dr. Snow Dockser feels that there needs to be clarity as to what the ECEC will look like. The town needs to know the facility will contain full size classroom and specialty spaces. It would be a facility for educational and community use. Mr. Robinson reflected on the discussion that took place on the Town Meeting floor and feels it is not that body's role to make value judgments on School Committee decisions. Mr. Croft feels that Town Meeting did not give credence to the School Committee decisions as they relate to national trends and demographics as those trends relate to the discussion on the ECEC. Dr. Snow Dockser also would like it made clear that with an ECEC, space would be re-gained in our elementary schools to house art, music and special education programs in their own spaces and to bring the district into compliance with special education regulations. Mrs. Borawski asked what we need to do as a committee. We need to provide and receive direction from the community. She also understands that it is important that the town boards meet to discuss the other fiscal priorities and how the ECEC fits into those. Dr. Snow Dockser has the sense that the community is concerned with the location and traffic of the proposed site and would like more information on the Page 14 feasibility of the Oakland Road site. She suggested that a traffic and geotechnical study be done to address these concerns. Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Borawski suggested that the School Committee ask to table this article and find a way to articulate the need for this project. They would like to have the community share ownership with the School Department. Dr. Snow Dockser agreed that tabling the article is a good idea but feels we should ask for funds to conduct the traffic and geotechnical surveys. Dr. Doherty indicated that the funds for the two studies are included in the cost of the schematic design. He would ask Ms. DeLai if there are funds available in the FY14 budget to cover the approximate cost of$45,000 to perform the studies. Mr. Robinson suggested the possibility of asking to go directly to the voters and ask for a debt exclusion vote. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,that Mrs. Borawski speak on behalf of the School Committee to provide background and the genesis of discussion from this evenings meeting and to work with the Chair to develop the comments for Thursday evening and to vote to table the article. The motion carried 5-0. D. New Business Approval of RMHS Field Trip Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the annual RMHS Spanish Exchange field trip for the 2014-15 school year. Dr. Doherty reviewed the trip. This is a two part experience. The Spanish students will be in Reading in the fall and our students will visit Spain in the spring. Our students will stay with the families of the students that visit in the fall and will be subject to all RMHS policies and rules. The motion carried 5-0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1442 4.10.14 $239,261.80 Warrant S1443 4.17.14 $199,608.00 Warrant S1444 4.24.14 $290,384.35 Warrant P1421 4.11.14 $1,372,906.26 Warrant S1422 4.25.14 $1,426,734.00 b. Approval of Minutes Page 15 Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb,to approve the open session minutes dated April 7, 2014. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb,to approve the Financial forum minutes dated April 9, 2014. The motion carried 5-0. c. Bids and Donations Accept a Donation from RMHS Band Parents Organization Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb,to accept the donation in the amount of$10,400 to be used to support the Winter Guard and Percussion Instructors with the balance of$2,700 to be used for next year's band camp. The motion carried 5-0. Calendar IV.Information V. Future Business VI.Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:13 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. Jo F. Doherty,\Ed.D. S serintendent of Schools Page 16