Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-06 School Committee Minutes �4 Town of Reading r Meeting Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK iiia, "•:a a e° "DING, MASS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: "ill JUN -4 A 3$ J. School Committee Date: 2014-05-06 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: Superintendent Conference Room Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Session: General Session Attendees: Members - Present: Linda Snow Dockser John Doherty, Superintendent Hal Croft Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Elaine Webb Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Jeanne Borawski Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Chris Caruso (arrived at 7:30 pm) Chuck Robinson (arrived at 7:25 pm) Andrea Nastri, Student Representative Members - Not Present: ® Conner Traugot, Student Representative Others Present: Bill Brown, resident Nancy Docktor, resident John Halsey, Board of Selectman Debbie Butts, RISE Preschool Director Joyce Camenker, RISE teacher Erica Boran, RISE teacher Katie Melanson, RISE teacher Erica McNamara, RCASA Julianne DeAngelis, RCASA Tom Zaya, RMHS Assistant Principal Sarah Lennon, RMHS Health Educator Alex Webb, RCASA Youth Crew Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John F. Doherty, Ed.D. Superintendent Topics of Discussion: 1. Call to Order Chair Croft called the School Committee to order at 7:01 p.m. ® He reviewed the agenda,announced the meeting was being recorded and welcomed guests. Page I 1 A. Public Input(I) Mr. Brown provided information on the Oakland Road property. New Business (out of order) RISE Presentation Debbie Butts, RISE Preschool Director introduced her staff. She went on to provide an overview of RISE. The Reading Integrated School Experience (RISE) is the Reading Public Schools preschool program that provides an integrated school experience for children age 3 —5. RISE is the first face that many families meet as they begin their children's educational journey. The RISE Preschool curriculum follows the Common Core standards and the students are provided with Literacy, Mathematics and STEM lessons geared for the preschool student. RISE also has implemented the standards based report card which provides a clearer assessment of student learning. Mrs. Camenker shared information on the implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) as part of the district-wide initiative. Mrs. Camenker stated that the RISE staff looked at the core values and developed a behavior matrix for the RISE community. Using the RISE acronym they chose the areas of respect, include, safe and effort and what each of these items looked like in different areas of the preschool. The staff will work to finalize the matrix and how to teach common behavior language. The plan is to roll the behavior matrix out in the fall. It will be included in the parent handbook as well as in all areas of the preschool. Ms. Butts reviewed predictors for academic success for reading. The National Panel for Reading has determined that students must be able to read by grade 3. Oral language, alphabetic code and print awareness are literacy components that need to begin in preschool and are linked to later learning, reading and academic success. The RISE staff incorporates these skills into the everyday learning through play, social skills, structured and designed activities. Mrs. Boran shared information on preschool math and literacy assessments. Individual Growth and Development Indicators (IGDI) uses data to assess student growth. Areas addressed by the IGDI include alliteration, rhyming, sound identification, picture naming and comprehension. Mr. Robinson arrived at 7:25 p.m. In addition, early numeracy assessment is also addressed in the areas of oral counting, number naming, quantity comparison and one to one correspondence counting. Dr. Snow Dockser asked about homogeneous groupings. Mrs. Boran shared that students do work with others on similar skill levels but the students are continually being regrouped based on activities. Students also work in heterogeneous groups. Page 1 2 Mr. Croft asked if the paperwork to implement these initiatives is manageable. Ms. Butts said the paperwork aids in student assessment and Mrs. Camenker added that the staff is learning to use the IGDI at this point and will become easier once the use becomes familiar. Ms. Butts shared slides of students participating in the activities of a typical day. Mr. Caruso arrived at 7:30 p.m. RCASA Presentation Dr. Doherty explained that there would be two presentations by RCASA. One would be on"Understanding Opioid Abuse in Reading" and the other an update on the Chemical Health Policy. Ms. McNamara introduced those in attendance. She reviewed the history of RCASA indicating that the program was founded as a result of 10 opioid related deaths from 2003-2005. Since 2005, our community has lost an additional 13 residents to opioid deaths. She shared that a large percentage of heroin users became addicted to pain medication prior to switching to heroin. An opioid is in the family of drugs that have a morphine-like effect. Opioids are generally available by prescription and can be easily accessed from a family medicine cabinet. The cost of the pills is high; prompting many users to switch to heroin which is available and much less expensive. Ms. McNamara went onto explain the progress RCASA has made to reduce substance abuse using the Youth Risk Behavior Results as well as the use of police logs to analyze data. She reviewed information, taken from police logs, on suicide attempts and overdose calls received by the police. She broke the information down by age and gender and pointed out the problem exists across all age groups. It is a community problem. Police logs also point to other incidents pertaining to substance abuse such as underage drinking, marijuana use, illegal possession of pills, family members seeking help for loved ones they suspect of substance abuse, adjustment issues when returning from rehab and assistance dealing with behavioral concerns of family members dealing with substance abuse. Reading has been chosen to participate in a regional cluster funded by the state with surrounding communities. The grant goals are to explore the consequences of opioid use and the consumption of opioids. The cluster will support communities on reducing the incidents of opioid overdoses, preventing first use and actively support users move to recovery. A deterrent to rehab treatment is the ability to pay for treatment. 97% of substance abuse treatments are paid for through private insurance or self-pay. Only 3% of substance abuse treatment is publically funded. Studies are also showing that the average age of users is becoming younger. Most start on pills and move onto heroin. Page 1 3 As a result of the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey it has become evident that heroin use has increased at RMHS to a level of concern. Survey results have provided evidence that a heroin user can be any student. Results indicate there are students with good grades that use illegal substances. Students that are heroin users are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and engage in risky behaviors. Alex Webb, member of the RCASA Youth Crew, provided insight on the data from a student's perspective. The RCASA staff shared the latest Reading YRBS data with the Youth Crew. The Youth Crew reviewed the local and national data, viewed an intervention episode on heroin use and "Heroin Rising: Cheap, Addictive & Deadly" and shared the information with the board. Heroin is readily accessible, cheap and has high purity. Mr. Webb shared that Reading's location provides easy access due to the proximity to three major cities. Higher purity heroin gets people addicted faster. The Youth Crew brainstormed on heroin and the perceptions included the following: • Do we understand addiction, • It can happen to anyone even if we don't believe it, • Shame, • mental health is easier to talk about compared to heroin use • skeptical of youth at high school using heroin(just can't picture it) • Heroin abuse is not mentioned in school. Ms. McNamara continued discussing the stigma&health perceptions. She said it is easier to deal with a physical ailment such as a broken bone than to deal with substance abuse and mental health issues. RCASA has been instrumental in initiating change and education programs in the town and school district. They have conducted workshops, sponsored training for staff and nurses at the high school, assisted in piloting a new health curriculum, the Police Chief added a Narcotics Detective and were instrumental in revising the Chemical Health Policy. They continue to be active partners with state and local agencies, providing resources to families and trainings for staff. RCASA continues to strive to educate, inform and communicate with the community. Dr. Snow Dockser thanked the board for all the work they have done. Mrs. Webb understands that it is challenging to have families understand that this issue affects the whole family. Chemical Health Policy pdate Ms. McNamara thanked Ms. DeAngelis and Ms. Lennon for the work as part of the Chemical Health Education Team. Students that violate the Chemical Health Policy are required to participate in a Chemical Health Education class. The 2 hour sessions are conducted monthly at Page 1 4 the high school. The class focuses on substance abuse education, risk behavior, individual accountability and responsibility. Ms. Lennon provided an overview of the class. Students are required to write a statement of accountability; what lead them to this place. She said the students are angry and don't understand why they have to be in the class. As a group,the class discusses life factors positive alternative opportunities and threats. As the class progresses the students acknowledge that they made a poor choice. They are given the tools to avoid making the poorer behavior choice to avoid being put in that situation again. Ms. Lennon also reviews the Chemical Health Policy with the students to be sure they understand the policy and they are able to see the bigger picture including the consequences of their actions. The majority of the participants are Reading Memorial High School students but we do accommodate students that may be attending private and parochial schools. We occasionally receive a referral from the Woburn Court. Since its inception the program has had 126 referrals. Most of the violations involve underage drinking. Mrs. Webb asked about parental feedback. Ms. McNamara said it has been mostly positive. Dr. Snow Dockser asked about the Coach's training. Mr. Zaya is actively working with the coaches who are very supportive of the program. The coaches care about the whole student-athlete. Students who violate the policy continue to be part of the team and participate in practices. Mr. Croft asked about students that have violated the policy and do not participate in extracurricular activities. Ms. McNamara said the building principal can recommend that a student participate in the program. Mr. Robinson asked if RCASA would be bringing in speakers similar to Chris Herren. Ms. McNamara indicated that RCASA does not have the funds but have been able to offer other events including the upcoming viewing of"Anonymous People"being shown at the Woburn Showcase Cinema. The film deals with addiction. Ms. DeAngelis shared that RCASA continues to focus on people in recovery and providing information to families. It is a message of perseverance. Executive Session The Chair shall declare that executive session is necessary to protect the negotiating and litigation positions of the body. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, Collective Bargaining, School Safety& Security and the approval of minutes and to return to open session at approximately 9:45 p.m. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mrs. Webb, Mrs. Borawski, Dr. Snow Dockser, Mr. Robinson,Mr. Croft and Mr. Caruso. Page 1 5 The open session adjourned at 8:54 p.m. The Chair called open session back to order at 9:57 p.m. Due to the lateness of the hour the Superintendent suggested that the School Committee amends the agenda to address the Appointment to the Human Relations Advisory Committee, the Director of Finance and Operations Search and accept the Donations and defer all other items to the next meeting. Mrs Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb to amend the agenda as suggested. The motion carried 6-0. II. Recommended Procedure B. New Business Appointment to Human Relations Advisory Committee Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to appoint Linda Snow Dockser to the Human Relations Advisory Committee. The motion carried 6-0. Director of Finance & Operations Search Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the screening process and timeline for the Director of Finance and Operations Search. Mrs. Borawski would like to look for a parent participant on the screening committee that has a budget/finance background, perhaps one of the RPS budget parents. The vote on the original motion carried 6-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to nominate Mrs. Borawski as the School Committee representative to the screening committee. The motion carried 6-0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S 1445 5.01.14 $32,148.26 b. Approval of Minutes c. Bids and Donations Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to accept a donation in the amount of$533.33 from the Wood End PTO to be used to purchase library supplies. The motion carried 6-0. Page 1 6 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the donation from Friends of Reading Track in the amount of$1,000 to be used to support a coaching assistant position. The motion carried 6-0. Calendar IV.Information V. Future Business VI.Adjournment Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to adiourn. The motion carried 6-0. 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. J F. Dohert Ed.D. S perintendent of Schools Page 1 7