Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-23 School Committee Minutes �yOFJ : ' 1. _ Town of Reading C it) Meeting Minutes �o �� r�•-'`:' of 'sag+lNt0R4�% Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2014-06-23 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 (arrived at 7:47 p.m.) Chris Caruso Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Elaine Webb Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent Jeanne Borawski Martha Sybert Members - Not Present: Andrea Nastri, Student Representative Carl Gillies, Student Representative Others Present: Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle Paula Tucci, Understanding Disabilities Priscilla Squires, Understanding Disabilities Joanne King, Wood End principal Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John F. Doherty, Ed.D. Superintendent Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order 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 Sub-Committee Page I 1 Dr. Snow Dockser attended the Coolidge Eighth Grade promotion ceremony this evening. She sensed a great deal of pride from the students and families on this accomplishment. She also attended the Killam End of Year Assembly. She said it was a great event. Assistant Superintendent Ms. DeLai shared that the Reading Public Schools recently won the Spring Closet Clean Out Contest sponsored by Bay State Textiles. The district received $800 for the effort. Superintendent Dr. Doherty reported that the last day of school was tomorrow and he thanked the teachers and staff for their efforts over the course of the year. He then updated the School Committee on the elementary enrollment. We are maxed out on full day kindergarten and he has a concern on the kindergarten class sizes at Joshua Eaton. Additional paraeducator support will be needed in the morning sessions at Joshua Eaton. Dr. Doherty welcomed Ms. Sybert to the administrative team. Mr. Caruso welcomed Ms. Sybert and thanked Ms. DeLai for her years of service. Mrs. Webb echoed Mr. Caruso sentiments and thanked Ms. DeLai. C. New Business (out of order) Understanding Disabilities Presentation Dr. Doherty welcomed Paula Tucci and Priscilla Squires from Understanding Disabilities who were here to share information on the grant they recently were awarded. Mrs. Tucci explained that the group received a $100,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation which they will use to update the Understanding Disabilities curriculum. Mrs. Squires went on to describe the Understanding Disabilities Program that has been in the schools for 29 years. UD helps students see beyond disabilities to focus on the ways we're all alike inside. The elementary program provides classroom lessons and culminates with a speaker on the topic taught. UD sponsors a speaker to address a topic at the middle school level. This year's speaker was an 18 year old woman who was diagnosed with autism and how she handled her disability to succeed. Earlier this year UD brought in a speaker as part of the community aspect of the program. Jeff Bauman spoke about his disability as a result of the marathon bombings. Mrs. Tucci continued stressing that the organization will still need to fundraise to support the program. The grant cannot be used for annual programming. The new approach includes matching lessons to need, update content and include Page 12 behavioral and emotional health lessons. They have been meeting with Mr. Martin and Sara Burd as they begin the process of updating the curriculum. UD will also develop resources for home, teachers and a portable model. The portable model could become a sustainable source of revenue and an opportunity to expand disability awareness. Understanding Disabilities will define and measure goals and conduct ongoing reviews of their progress. UD will strive to provide hands-on activities, speakers with question& answer sessions and use best educational practices as they strive to provide a comprehensive educational program. Mrs. Webb asked if the program still relied on parent volunteers. The response was yes and the organization has over 250 volunteers. Mrs. Borawski applauded the group's success in teaching our students about differences of all kinds and feels Understanding Disabilities is a valuable program. She followed up to ask UD how teachers would be assisting in the curriculum development. Mrs. King arrived at 7:33 p.m. Mrs. Tucci said that UD is using feedback they have received over the course of the year and they will work closely with Mr. Martin. Mr. Caruso asked how the program schedule is determined. Mrs. Squires said that each grade will have two units and they work with the schools for scheduling. Chair Caruso thanked Mrs. Tucci and Mrs. Squires for sharing this exciting news about Understanding Disabilities. D. Continued Business FY14 Budget Update Ms. Sybert updated the School Committee on the FY14 budget status and asked the School Committee to approve two budget transfers. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to authorize the transfer of $25,000 from the Facilities cost center to the District-Wide programs cost center. The motion carried 4-0. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to authorize the transfer of $18,000 from the Facilities cost center to the Administration cost center. The motion carried 4-0. II. Recommended Procedure E. New Business PARCC Presentation and Vote Page 13 Dr. Doherty provided an overview. MCAS has been the state assessment for the past 18 years. The MCAS has not changed its format, however the curriculum standards have changed over the years. Mr. Robinson arrived at 7:47 p.m. He continued explaining that the Common Core was established to create a common set of standards. 51 states and territories adopted the Common Core to prepare students for college and career. In 2010, Massachusetts adopted the new curriculum frameworks for ELA and math in grades PreK-12. The changes in the math standards emphasize a greater focus on fewer topics and deeper analysis, linking topics and thinking across the grades and are more rigorous pursuing conceptual understanding, procedural skills and fluency and application with equal intensity. Literacy standards include regular practice with complex texts and their academic language, reading, writing and speaking grounded in evidence from texts, both literacy and informational and building knowledge through content rich non-fiction. The current MCAS does not adequately assess the new standards and a new assessment is needed. PARCC would assess math and ELA and the MCAS would still be used to assess science and used as the graduation requirement for the Class of 2018. Seven out of eight schools in Reading participated in the PARCC Field Test. The schools and grades were randomly selected. Performance Based Assessments were administered in March and again in May. Students had an opportunity to provide feedback on the test and a majority of students preferred the online assessment, most of the questions asked students about things they had learned in school this year. Students also reported the assessments were more difficult than their school work. Districts that choose to administer the PARCC assessment in 2015 will be able to do so at "No Risk"to accountability levels. Dr. Doherty said that the MCAS as we know it is going away. The state board of Education will be deciding in the fall of 2015 on a new assessment to replace the MCAS. As he pointed out earlier, the MCAS do not assess the new curriculum standards. Dr. Doherty is recommending that the Reading Public Schools administer the PARCC test in the spring of 2015. He said this recommendation is based on conversations he has had with the administrative team, the technicians and technology integration specialists and through observation. Mrs. Webb asked how the glitches were resolved. Dr. Doherty indicated that there were some issues on the testing company's end that were resolved. Mrs. King said that her fourth graders participated in the PARCC trial and that the issues encountered in March were resolved and the May session went much smoother. Students were able to take practice tests to learn how to use the manipulatives and there was a learning curve for students not used to taking online assessments. Mrs. Borawski asked for clarification on the alignment with curriculum of the MCAS. Dr. Doherty said that PARCC assesses all standards whereas the MCAS Page 14 does not. He said this is because of the design of the MCAS. It was not designed to assess the new curriculum standards. Dr. Snow Dockser asked how this will benefit the students of the Reading Public Schools. Through conversations with administrators and teachers she feels that PARCC is what is good for Reading. Mr. Martin added that the district will receive better data in a timely manner to be able to assess the needs of our students. Marianne Downing, Joshua Eaton parent, feels the administration is placing a lot of faith in PARCC and that several communities have opted out. She asked what the risk was staying with MCAS. Dr. Doherty said that districts went through the same process when MCAS was brought in 18 years ago. He feels the state is approaching this implementation of a different assessment tool the right way by performing field tests. Mrs. King added that it took less time to administer the PARCC assessment than MCAS and that all students need to be prepared for college and career readiness. Mrs. Borawski wants to be sure that this is the right decision for Reading for one year. Sharon Oliverdi, Joshua Eaton parent, was concerned about privacy of her child's data information. Dr. Doherty said that the same regulations and policies that MCAS uses will be used for the PARCC and that all FERPA regulations are also followed. Mrs. Borawski referenced an article that appeared in the Boston Globe regarding data security and she shares Mrs. Oliverdi's concerns. Karen Janowski, resident, feels the decision should be in the best interest of kids and bringing in a new tool is not in the best interest of kids. She suggested that the district stay with MCAS until the state determines what the replacement tool will be. Eileen Manning, Joshua Eaton parent, asked for clarification regarding the data and what impact it would have on our growth information. Dr. Doherty said that districts will be "held harmless". The scores will not impact the growth data. Ms. Manning then asked what would happen if the School Committee delayed the vote. Dr. Doherty indicated that districts across the state were informed at the end of May that they would need to make a decision by June 30th. Postponing the decision would create the possibility of Reading not being eligible to use the PARCC testing. Rhonda Holt, RMHS parent, asked how students were able to show their work during the math assessment. Mrs. King said that the students input the work they Page 15 did on their paper. She then asked if we could delay the decision until the fall after we received the MCAS results. Dr. Doherty said the data from the MCAS will provide us with information on how are kids are doing where the PARCC data will measure all framework standards. Mr. Caruso offered that the committee reconvenes on June 30 to vote. This will allow for the committee to review the information. Mrs. Borawski would like to review what standards are not being addressed by the MCAS, accommodations for students and the privacy of student data. Mr. Caruso indicated that the School Committee will meet on June 30th at 7:00 a.m. to ensure that the noon deadline is met. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by, Mr. Robinson, to postpone the vote on the Superintendent's recommendation to take the PARCC assessment. The motion carried 5-0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1451 6.12.14 $596,836.10 Warrant S1452 6.19.14 $277,657.30 Warrant P1425 6.6.14 $1,439,337.70 Warrant P1426 6.20.14 $1,400,907.28 Warrant TLS14 6.20.14 $1,046,956.25 b. Minutes (A) Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the open session minutes dated June 2, 2014. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the open session minutes dated June 9, 2014. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the open session minutes dated June 12, 2014. The motion carried 5-0. c. Bids and Donations (A) Award of Contract—Masonry Repair Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with MJS Construction to perform masonry repairs at Reading Memorial High School. The motion carried 5-0. Page 16 Award of Contract—Refrigerated Cargo Van Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with Stoneham Ford for the purchase of a refrigerated cargo van for the Food Services Department. The motion carried 5-0. Accept Two Donations from the Friends of Reading Wrestling Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to accept the donation from the Friends of Reading Wrestling in the amount of$4,500 to be used to support two coaching assistant positions for the 2014-15 school year. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the donation from the Friends of Reading Wrestling in the amount of $7,446 to be used to cut & refurbish the mat in the wrestling room. The motion carried 5-0. Accept a Donation to the RMHS Library Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept a donation from the David A. Beers Fund in the amount of$186.92 to be used to purchase materials for the Schettini Library. The motion carried 5-0. Accept a Donation from the Parker PTO Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the donation from the Parker PTO in the amount of$5,000 to be used to support the purchase of technology. The motion carried 5-0. Accept Donations to the Parker Music Program Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to accept a donation from the Freuhauf family to the Parker Middle School's instrumental music program. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept several donations totaling $1,835 to be used to support the Parker Middle School instrumental music program. The motion carried 5-0. Accept Two Donations to the Killam School Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept a donation in the amount of$2,000 from the Killam PTO to be used to support the purchase of laptops. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept a donation in the amount of$250 from the Frazier family to be used to support the students of the Killam School. The motion carried 5-0. Page 17 Accept Two Anonymous Donations Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the anonymous donation in the amount of$5,000 to be used to support district initiatives or programs. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the anonymous donation in the amount of$6,000 to be used to support A World of Difference programs at the middle school level. The motion carried 5-0. d. Calendar IV.Information V. Future Business VI.Adjournment The Chair declared that executive session is necessary to protect the negotiating and litigation positions of the body. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, collective bargaining, and the approval of minutes and NOT to return to open session. The roll call vote was 5- 0. Mr. Robinson, Dr. Snow Dockser, Mr. Caruso, Mrs. Borawski and Mrs. Webb. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. k Ph 1 ,, ... ,hn F. Doh y, Ed.D. Page 18