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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-09 School Committee Minutes lOFRI _ , Town of Reading 47: I/ Meeting Minutes 7 � tso.xtaa40■4" Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2014-06-09 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 Chuck Robinson Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Elaine Webb Jeanne Borawski Chris Caruso Members - Not Present: Alison Elmer, Director of Student Services Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Others Present: Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle 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. A. Public Input (I) There was no public input. B. Reports Students Student Representative Nastri reported on the senior activities leading up to yesterday's graduation. She also shared that elections of class officers and student council have taken place and the students are preparing for the upcoming finals and end of the school year. Page i 1 Sub-Committee Dr. Snow Dockser reported on the Human Relations Advisory Committee meeting she attended. The Committee discussed the art contest and ways to improve communication and control. They also looked at the possibility to link the contest with the district ArtsFest. They also reviewed upcoming town events and the role the HRAC would like to play in them. Mrs. Borawski reported on the Audit Committee meeting she attended. The Audit Committee reviewed the FY13 town side audit. The town's bond rating increased and has good fiscal controls and management in place. Mrs. Webb reported on upcoming STEM events. Touch Tomorrow is a science festival being held at WPI and there is an early childhood STEM event in November. Dr. Snow Dockser reported on her visit to kindergarten and preschool classrooms last week. She was thrilled to once again observe that the curriculum standards are being introduced and taught in age appropriate ways. The students were engaged and energetic. She was also impressed by the teacher—paraeducator collaboration in the classroom. Superintendent Dr. Doherty reported on graduation. It was a great event. He went on to thank the DPW and facilities staff for ensuring that the high school complex and field house were ready for graduation. He also thanked Director of Guidance Lynna Williams for her tireless efforts coordinating the graduation activities. He said that the chorus, bands and speeches were excellent and it was a very positive day. Mrs. Webb shared that Dr. Doherty spoke at the Baccalaureate held at the Unitarian Church. She shared that his speech was very inspiring and different from his graduation speech. C. Continued Business II. Recommended Procedure D. New Business Reorganization Vice-Chair Caruso turned the gavel over to Superintendent Doherty. Dr. Doherty then reviewed the procedure and policy and asked for nominations for Chair. Mrs. Webb nominated Mr. Caruso for Chair. Mr. Robinson seconded the nomination. Page 12 Mrs. Webb stated Mr. Caruso brings a lot of experience to the role as chair. On a roll call vote the nomination passed 5-0. Mr. Robinson, Dr. Snow Dockser, Mrs. Borawski, Mrs. Webb and Mr. Caruso. Superintendent Doherty handed the gavel to new Chair Chris Caruso. Chair Caruso asked for nominations for Vice Chair. Dr. Snow Dockser nominated Mr. Robinson for Vice- Chair. Mrs. Borawski seconded the nomination. On a roll call vote the nomination passed 5-0. Mr. Robinson, Dr. Snow Docker, Mrs. Borawski, Mrs. Webb and Mr. Caruso. Appointment of Liaisons Audit Committee Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to reappoint Chuck Robinson as School Committee liaison to the Audit Committee. Mrs. Borawski said Mr. Robinson's vast experience makes him well-suited to continue in this role. The motion carried 5-0. RCTV Board Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to reappoint John Carpenter as School Committee liaison to the RCTV Board of Directors. The motion carried 5-0. Recreation Committee Mr. Caruso asked if any members were interested in replacing Mrs. Janowski as the representative to the Recreation Committee. Mrs. Borawski indicated she would be interested in filling the vacancy. Mr. Caruso shared that Mrs. Borawski has made an amazing impact on the School Committee during her short tenure. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to appoint Jeanne Borawski as School Committee liaison to the Recreation Committee. The motion carried 5-0. Early Childhood Education Space Needs Working Group Representatives Chair Caruso entertained nominations. Dr. Snow Dockser nominated Jeanne Borawski. Mrs. Webb seconded the nomination. Page I 3 Mr. Caruso nominated Chuck Robinson. Mrs. Borawski seconded the nomination. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to appoint Jeanne Borawski and Chuck Robinson as the School Committee representatives to the Early Childhood Education Space Needs Working Group. The motion carried 5-0. Director of Finance & Operations Interviews Dr. Doherty said that the Screening Committee interviewed candidates for this position on Thursday and has moved three forward to be interviewed tonight. Patricia Lugo Ms. Lugo provided a brief overview and her credentials. Dr. Snow Dockser asked the candidate about the budget process and her experience creating a budget as transparent as ours. Ms. Lugo was impressed by the budget and feels the process is basically the same for all budget development. She agrees in the value of providing as much information as possible. Mr. Robinson feels that the Director of Finance is a key member in the negotiation process and asked how the candidate would fill this role. Ms. Lugo has participated in negotiation sessions and has been able to offer cost analysis and creative solutions to address concerns. She would develop a connection with all stakeholders. Mr. Robinson asked how the candidate would handle being in this very public position and how would she develop a relationship with the town side. Ms. Lugo responded that in her current position she has attended Town Meetings, School Committee and other town board meetings and strives to be sure that all are on the same page. Mrs. Borawski asked what the performance expectations would be of administrators that she supervised. Ms. Lugo said she was a hands-on leader with an open door policy. She likes to give her staff an opportunity to reach their full potential. She would work closely with staff to resolve issues. Mrs. Webb referred to the budget and how transparent our document is, sharing as much information as possible. Ms. Lugo said she would continue to create a document that included as much information as possible to provide the public the answers to questions they may have. She feels that the more information provided builds a trust with all stakeholders. By providing as much information as possible the public can Page 14 develop an understanding of why decisions are made and create respect for the decisions. Mrs. Webb asked what she would bring to this position and what she perceived as her biggest challenges. Ms. Lugo felt her familiarity with the MUNIS system is a big plus. She will use her skills to extrapolate reports and will train others on methods to gather information. A challenge for her would be the development of job descriptions and manuals to have a process in place but feels that her organizational skills will help her with this task. Mr. Robinson asked for Ms. Lugo to share an experience that did not work out as she hoped and how did she handle it. Ms. Lugo referenced her district's in-house special education transportation. The equipment was old, the drivers wanted to unionize and there was dissention among the drivers. She decided to contact a local collaborative for a quote on providing transportation. She opted to use the collaborative transportation services which meant she had to let staff go and ease parental concerns. The collaborative hired several of the district drivers and they were able to continue to transport the students they had previously and this eased the concerns of parents. By initiating this call she was able to save the district a great deal of money. Dr. Snow Dockser asked how she views the role of education in this position. Ms. Lugo holds a Certificate of Educational Leadership and is aware of the impact the MCAS testing has had on school districts. She knows that there has to be quality professional development opportunities for teachers to ensure they have the tools to teach our children. She also feels it is important to attract quality teachers and pay competitive salaries to keep them in the district. Mrs. Webb asked about facilities management. Ms. Lugo said that the buildings in her district are old. The heating systems consist of dual oil burning furnaces. She explored converting to gas fired furnaces and was able to save the district money. Her biggest obstacle in the Facilities Department is the lack of staffing & funding but she has great head custodians that she has a good working relationship with and is able to maintain the buildings. The Town recently took over the Facilities Department requiring her to work with the Facilities Director to ensure a seamless transition. She has also started to take photographs of the building needs when it comes to Capital projects. She feels the town boards are more receptive if they can actually see the items that need to be addressed. Mr. Robinson asked why facilities management went over to the town side. Ms. Lugo said it was a cost savings measure and allows for shared staff which allows for more resources for the building maintenance. Mr. Robinson stated that the previous Finance Director has been able to take a lot off of the Superintendent's plate and asked how Ms. Lugo would continue to do that. Page 5 Ms. Lugo understands there will be big shoes to fill and has worked with Mary through MASBO. She believes Ms. DeLai has started a great trend which she will keep going. She does not want to start from scratch and will ensure that the budget process continues to be as transparent as possible. She will recognize problems early and address them. She will take charge and present new ideas and trends to the School Committee and Superintendent. Mrs. Webb asked about the commute. Ms. Lugo said she has family in Malden and has no ties to her current residence. She would be willing to relocate and is looking for the best fit for her. Mr. Caruso asked for final thoughts from the candidate. Ms. Lugo is very interested in the Reading Public Schools and feels she will be a good fit. She appreciates Ms. DeLai's hard work and hopes to follow in her footsteps. Michelle Shepard Ms. Shepard provided an overview of her experience and credentials. She shared that when she started in Fitchburg the city was in bad financial shape with a bad bond rating. The city has made a recovery and the bond rating has improved. Her ability to refinance the debt assisted in this recovery. She looks forward to working in a school district with a mission and purpose to benefit kids. Dr. Snow Dockser asked the candidate about the budget process and her experience creating a budget as transparent as ours. Ms. Shepard responded that the budget document is very meticulous and detailed. She will work with stakeholders to be sure that the hows and whys of the numbers are addressed. Dr. Snow Dockser asked about the candidate's knowledge of an educational setting. Ms. Shepard said she has completed the MASBO licensure program and worked in the Clinton Public Schools for her internship. She shared that she has an understanding of how school finance, warrant process and grants all work. She has audited grants and has attended workshops on the circuit breaker. Dr. Snow Dockser followed up asking how she would prioritize the budget items. Ms. Shepard said the major portion of the budget is salary and benefits. Professional development and the ability to provide the supplies and materials for the staff to be successful are also important elements of the budget process. She would investigate other avenues to aid in funding supplies etc. Mr. Robinson stated that the district is in good shape and asked how the candidate would continue to collaborate with stakeholders in this public position. Page 1 6 Ms. Shepard feels it is important to cultivate community ties to be able to move the district forward. She would look at the big picture, discuss options and determine the best options. She referenced the desire to establish an Early Childhood Center in Reading. She would explore other avenues to secure funding. She also feels she has the energy and desire to be successful in Reading and will stay connected to MASBO for resources and support. Mr. Robinson followed up on his question and asked how the candidate would work with REF. Ms. Shepard indicated that she has the experience to work with foundations and non-profits. Mrs. Borawski asked what kind of manager she would be. Ms. Shepard said she would not micromanage and everyone has a job to do. She would have an open door policy and would be sure to meet the department heads to discuss expectations, scheduling and potential problems. Chair Caruso asked for closing remarks. Ms. Shepard feels that this position offers a nice challenge and the town has a nice small town feel. She drove around town prior to the meeting and would enjoy working here being a part of the finance team. The Chair called a brief recess at 8:36 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:40 p.m. Martha Sybert Ms. Sybert gave a brief overview of her experience and credentials. Dr. Snow Dockser asked the candidate about the budget process and her experience creating a budget as transparent as ours. Ms. Sybert said the process is participatory. There is accountability in a municipal setting and she understands the need for student growth. Dr. Snow Dockser asked how the candidate would integrate the educational piece into the position. Ms. Sybert feels it is important to tie the budget to the district and school goals. The budget process is a long and inclusive one and it is important to collect data from all parties. Mr. Robinson asked about Ms. Sybert's career path moving from media to education and finance. Ms. Sybert said print media use and revenues were shrinking and her plan was to pursue a teaching career but was offered another position with CNET. After student teaching and serving as a long term substitute she determined that this Page 17 career path was not a good fit. She then enrolled in the MASBO certification program where she is able to combine her love of finance and education. Mrs. Borawski asked how she would develop relationships as a manager. Ms. Sybert responded that she takes pride in the fact that she does not micromanage and she would be an advocate and resource for her staff. Mrs. Webb asked how the candidate would transition to a more public role. Ms. Sybert said she is very comfortable publically speaking, is active in MASBO and familiar with the district. She is open to being active and interacting with the public. Mr. Caruso expressed concerns regarding the lack of experience. Ms. Sybert said she has a strong finance background and has resources available to her including her mentor, MASBO and the DESE. She knows she has a lot to learn. Mr. Caruso followed up asking where she sees herself in 5 and 10 years. Ms. Sybert responded that if she was still here in 5 years perhaps she would be an Assistant Superintendent. Ten years is too far down the road to predict. Mr. Robinson pointed out the changes in district leadership and asked how she would assist in managing that and keeping the district moving forward. Ms. Sybert is also concerned with turnover but would meet with each new administrator to review their budgets, spending, etc. She feels that knowing the administrators fosters growth. Dr. Snow Dockser mentioned space issues and the possibility of a building project and wanted to know what experience she has had with that. Ms. Sybert responded that there would be an Operations Project Manager that would oversee the project. She would tap into the MSBA for other resources as well. Mrs. Webb stated that the town has a revenue issue that affects the operating and capital budgets and asked how the candidate would interact with the town side leadership and provide input. Ms. Sybert said she has established a good working relationship with the Town Accountant and Finance Director and would hope to develop the same type of relationship with the Town Manager. She would explore leveraging revolving funds. Chair Caruso asked for a closing statement. Ms. Sybert asked the School Committee what they perceived as the biggest challenge. Page I 8 Mr. Caruso said that Ms. DeLai's departure leaves a huge hole and there is a lot that goes into that job. The School Committee will need to fill the position with the correct person with the requisite skill set. Chair Caruso thanked Ms. Sybert and the candidate left the meeting. Mr. Caruso said that the School Committee's responsibility includes the hiring of this position. He reviewed the next steps and if the Committee members had any additional questions they should forward them to the Superintendent as soon as possible. The School Committee will meet on June 12th at 7:30 a.m. to vote on their recommendation of the next Director of Finance and Operations. Mr. Robinson asked how the Search Committee arrived at the three finalists. Mrs. Borawski, who served on the Search Committee, said the process was thorough and complete and felt the three people interviewed this evening were the strongest candidates. During the interview process the questions asked were consistent to give the Search Committee a level field to make their recommendations. Dr. Snow Dockser would like Superintendent Doherty to ask the references how the finalists perform under pressure. Mr. Robinson asked about the process for Thursday morning. Dr. Doherty said that it is an open meeting. Mr. Robinson asked what would happen if the School Committee did not choose one of the finalists. Dr. Doherty said the position would be reposted and the whole process would repeat. He also said that all of the end of year reporting would need to get done. Dr. Snow Dockser feels the Committee needs to find a balance between weakness and strengths. Mrs. Borawski agreed and added that the person needs to be the best fit for Reading. Dr. Snow Dockser said this person will not be another Mary and we need to allow her to make the position hers. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant 51450 6.05.14 $211,010.39 Calendar IV.Information Page 19 V. Future Business VI.Adjournment Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. kfit F. Doherty Ed.D. Page 110