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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-25 School Committee Minutesnia Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Fo ,{to iQ f,I.RORF' Board - Committee - Commission School Committee Date: 2014 -08 -25 Building: School - Memorial High Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: .OWNECLERK `- .,DING, MASS. Council: 2014 SEP 22 P 1:21 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Superintendent Conference Room Session: General Session Linda Snow Dockser John Doherty, Superintendent Jeanne Borawski Martha Sybert, Director of Finance Chris Caruso & Operations Gary Nihan Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Elaine Webb Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services Chuck Robinson (arrived at 7:08 p.m.) Members - Not Present: Andrea Nastri, Student Representative Others Present: RPS principals Adam Bakr, Sarah Marchant, Doug Lyons, Heather Leonard, Eric Sprung, Karen Feeney, Cathy Giles and Joanne King Carl Gilles, Student Representative (arrived at 7:20 p.m.) RTA president Chris Copeland (arrived at 8:38 p.m.) Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle Nancy Docktor, resident Rebecca Liberman, resident Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John F. Doherty, Ed.D. Superintendent Topics of Discussion: 1. Call to Order Chair Caruso called the School Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Nancy Docktor wanted to congratulate the Administration for Boston Magazine's latest poll listing RMHS as the 30' best high school. Rebecca Liberman asked if there were any math curriculum changes and would students be using textbooks. She also asked Mr. Martin and Dr. Doherty to schedule a meeting to update parents on the math program. Mr. Robinson arrived. Page 1 1 B. Introduction of New Teachers Mr. Caruso welcomed Gary Nihan to the School Committee. Dr. Doherty commended the principals for their efforts in hiring new staff over the summer. He also thanked interim Human Resources Director Gus Martinson and Administrative Assistant Kristyn Cohen for their tireless work processing the new hires. Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the Induction Week activities. Mr. Martin shared that it was a great opportunity for the teachers and him to get to know each other. Mrs. Leonard introduced the new teachers at the Barrows School. Mrs. King introduced the new teachers at the Wood End School. Ms. Feeney introduced the new teachers at the Joshua Eaton School. Mr. Sprang introduced the new teachers at the Birch Meadow School. Mrs. Giles introduced the new teachers at the Killam School. The elementary group left the meeting. Dr. Doherty shared that 8 new teachers have previously been paaeducators or substitutes in the district. Student Representative Gillies arrived. He then welcomed the middle school teachers. Mr. Lyons introduced the new teachers at the Parker Middle School. Ms. Marchant introduced the new teachers at the Coolidge Middle School. The middle school group left the meeting. Mr. Bakr introduced the new teachers at the high school. Dr. Doherty introduced new Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson and RMHS Principal Adam Bakr. Ms. Sybert introduced new Director of Facilities Kelly Colon. Dr. Doherty introduced new student representative Carl Gillies and welcomed him to the committee. C. Reports Students Page 12 Sub - Committee Dr. Snow Dockser updated the committee on the latest meeting of the Human Relations Advisory Committee. She also shared that the HRAC will have a booth at the upcoming Street Faire. She thanked all those who attended the METCO pool party and barbeque. Superintendent Dr. Doherty reported that it has been a productive and busy summer. He thanked Kelly Colon and her staff for the excellent work to get our buildings ready for the new school year. He also thanked Network Administrator Lou Caputo and his staff for replenishing and replacing technology throughout the district. The Superintendent also shared that there was a great deal of professional development that took place over the summer. The districtwide safety committee and curriculum committees met over the summer. It was a great opportunity for teacher /administrator collaboration. Mr. Martin added that we also held a Writer's Workshop for elementary and middle schoolteachers. Mr. Caruso asked about the work being done on the concrete columns in the rear of RMHS. The Superintendent said that the masonry repairs being done are cosmetic and are on schedule and will be performed after school hours. Mr. Caruso then asked about the work being done at the Birch Meadow playground. The Superintendent said that the Recreation Department and Town were handling that work but believes it is complete. Mr. Caruso congratulated the Superintendent for the outstanding job he did welcoming back staff this morning. Dr. Doherty updated the School Committee on the current elementary enrollment and RMHS Class of 2014 plans for after graduation. D. Continued Business Superintendent's Evaluation Dr. Snow Dockser felt the evaluation process was a good experience to participate in and it provided her with insight and an understanding of how the teacher evaluation process works. Mrs. Webb described the Superintendent's evaluation process. The Superintendent provided a self - evaluation and feedback from the Administrators. Each member met individually with the Superintendent to discuss their individual Page 1 3 evaluations. Mrs. Webb reviewed the four standards and shared comments included in the composite evaluation. Dr. Snow Dockser felt that her meeting individually with the Superintendent allowed for a candid frank discussion. Mrs. Borawski appreciated the 360° feedback and the information provided as she began the evaluation process. Mr. Caruso thanked Mrs. Webb for taking on the task of compiling the information for Superintendent's Evaluation. Dr. Doherty felt the individual meetings were extremely powerful. The feedback provided ways to improve and grow as an educator. Second Reading of Policy JEC — Disciplinary Due Process Dr. Doherty shared the changes made to the policy. He has separated the policy from the regulation and the School Committee would only need to approve the policy. Mrs. Borawski began the second reading of Policy JEC. Discussion continued regarding the policy and the Committee asked clarifying questions. Mrs Borawski moved seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve and accept the second reading of Policy JEC — Disciplinary Due Process. The motion carried 6 -0. Second Reading of Policy ADDA - Criminal Backeround Checks Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the revised policy. He has separated the policy from the regulation and the School Committee would only need to approve the policy. Mrs. Borawski began the second reading of Policy ADDA. Mr. Robinson moved seconded by Mn. Webb to waive the reading of the Policy. The motion carried 6 -0. Discussion continued regarding the policy and the Committee asked clarifying questions. Page 14 E. New Business Approval of Parker Field Trips Nature's Classroom Mrs Borawski moved seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the Parker Middle School 7th grade field trio to Nature's Classroom in October 2014. Mr. Nihan is opposed to overnight field trips and will be voting against any overnight field trip. The motion carried 5 -1. Mr. Nihan voting against. Quebec Dr. Snow Dockser feels that students learn a lot on these overnight trips and supervision is taken very seriously. Mrs Borawski moved seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the Parker Middle School 8th Grade field trip to Ouebec in May 2015. The motion carried 5 -1. Mr. Nihan voting against. Washington, DC Mrs Borawski moved seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the Parker Middle School 8th grade field trip to Washington D C in May 2015. The motion carried 5 -1. Mr. Nihan voting against. Dr. Snow Dockser pointed out that two of these trips were for eight graders and felt it would possibly be a financial burden on families. Dr. Doherty pointed out the Quebec trip was for eighth grade students taking French only. RTA president Chris Copeland arrived. Eco -Club Dr. Snow Dockser commented on the educational philosophy applied throughout this entire trip. Mrs. Borawski asked about the cost of the trip. Dr. Doherty stated that the Parker Eco -Club is an afterschool club and students join starting in 7`" grade. The trip is a culmination of the activities over the course of the year. Mrs. Webb pointed out that this club fandraises and feels this trip is a valuable experience for our students. Mrs Borawski moved seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the Parker Middle School Eco- Club's Costa Rica Field trip in February 2015. The motion carried 5 -1. Mr. Nihan voting against. III. Routine Matt ers Page 1 5 a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1457 7.24.14 $13,262.82 Warrant S1458 6.30.14 $21,530.37 Warrant 51459 6.30.14 $2,083.06 Warrant S1460 6.30.14 $74.57 Warrant S1461 6.30.14 $2,506.16 Warrant S1505 7.24.14 $276,962.68 Warrant S1506 7.31.14 $83,502.70 Warrant S1507 8.7.14 $112,825.21 Warrant S1509 8.21.14 $336,538.99 Wamnt S1508 8.14.14 $128,806.90 Warrant P1502 7.18.14 $966,771.65 Warrant P1503 8.1.14 $963,701.32 Warrant P1504 7.28.14 $969,045.81 b. Minutes (A) Mrs Borawski moved seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the open session minutes dated June 21, 2014. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs Borawski moved seconded by Mr. Nihan, to approve the joint session minutes dated July 30 2014. The motion carried 6 -0. Mrs Borawski moved seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the Financial Forum minutes dated July 30 2014. The motion carried 6 -0. c. Bids and Donations (A) Award of Contract Masonry Services Mrs Borawski moved seconded by Mr. Robinson, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with MJS Construction, Inc for Masonry Services. Mr. Camso asked about the delay in the current masonry repair work. Dr. Doherty indicated that clarification of the scope of work was needed and there is no issue with the quality of MJS Construction's work. The motion carried 6 -0. Donation RMHS Science Department Page 16 d. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adiournment Chair Caruso declared that executive session is necessary to protect the litigation positions of the body. The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m. open session was called back to order at 10:12 p.m. Superintendent's Salary Mr. Robinson moved seconded by Mrs. Webb to adjourn. The motion carried 6 -0. The meeting adjourned at 10:14 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. 4 i Page 1 J READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT CLASS OF 2014 CATEGORY NUMBER PERCENTAGE 4 Yr. Private Colleges 126 41.3% 4 Yr. Public Colleges (Outside Mass.) 76 25.0% 4 Yr. Mass State Colleges 66 21.6% TOTAL FOUR YEAR COLLEGES 268 87.9% 2 Yr. Private Colleges 0 0.0% 2 Yr. State Colleges 18 5.9% TOTAL TWO YEAR COLLEGES 18 5.9% PREP SCHOOLS 1 0.3% TECHNICAL SCHOOLS 4 1.3 % WORK 8 2.6% UNDECIDED 4 1.3% ARMED FORCES/ SERVICE ACADEMY 2 0.7% OTHER (City Year, Americorps, Gap Year etc.) 0 0.0% TOTAL 305 100% MALES = 158 FEMALES = 147 § �U- \$2 U[§ Q! 0 20 / \) § ) } - \)! `� ` \) \) z }) \)