Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-08 School Committee Minutes Town of Reading g- i +1 Meeting Minutes r Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2014-09-08 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 Jeanne Borawski Martha Sybert, Director of Finance Chris Caruso Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Gary Nihan Elaine Webb Chuck Robinson Members - Not Present: Others Present: Andrea Nastri, Student Representative Carl Gillies, Student Representative (arrived at 8:10 p.m.) RTA president Chris Copeland Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle Demetra Tseckares, Resident 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 7:00 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input(I) Chair Caruso called for public input. Demetra Tseckeres presented a petition signed by almost 400 residents requesting that the School Committee consider a change in the school calendar to start school after Labor Day. Geoffrey Coram asked about the directory information requirements for parents. He would like the request for student's date of birth and Reading email address removed. Page I 1 Dr. Doherty said the directory information form is aligned with the FERPA regulations and a parent has the option not to provide that information. B. Reports Students Student Representative Nastri reported on the opening of school and said it went very smoothly and is off to a great start. She also shared that the cast is set for the fall drama production of Urinetown and rehearsals will begin soon. Reading Memorial High School is currently hosting the Spanish exchange students. Our sports teams are off to a good start and the RMHS Improv Troupe is holding auditions. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation and the approval of minutes and to return to open session at approximately 7:45 p.m. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mr. Robinson, Dr. Snow Dockser, Mr. Nihan,Mr. Caruso, Mrs. Borawski and Mrs. Webb. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. The open session meeting was called back to order at 8:01 p.m. Sub-Committee Dr. Snow Dockser thanked Ms. Sybert for sitting down with Mrs. Borawski and her to discuss the warrant procedure. Dr. Snow Dockser said the Human Relations Advisory Committee met with the Board of Selectmen and informally as a committee to discuss the Committee's mission and means of being proactive in educating the community about their mission. She went on to share that the Street Faire was very successful and the RMHS "A World of Difference" group shared the tent with the Human Relations Advisory Committee sharing what they can do as high school students to educate the community on how to promote a positive culture. She next reported on the visit to Parker Middle School by Secretary of Education Matt Malone last week. The Secretary toured the school and met with students, faculty, community members and administrators. Mrs. Borawski followed up on Dr. Snow Dockser's comments sharing some of the great things happening at Parker during the Secretary's visit. He visited a math classroom where students were engaged and focused. The class made great use of the technology in the classroom. He visited a science classroom were no two groups were working on the same activity. It was very individualized learning to achieve the same goal. Mrs. Webb reported on the upcoming RCASA Annual Meeting on October 1St Student Representative Gilles arrived at 8:10 p.m. Page 12 The documentary"The Hungry Heart" will be aired. The subject matter is drug abuse and she encourages all members of the community to attend. Mrs. Webb also reported on an upcoming multi-community World Café on October 23rd. Substance abuse issues will be the focus of this event. Students Student Representative Gillies reported on the start of school and how popular the air conditioned water fountain on the third floor was during the recent heat wave. He went on to share that Mr. Scarpitto will be using the new"Rocket"bell to acknowledge student success during the morning announcements. He also reported that Principal Bakr will be meeting monthly with senior leaders and feels this is a great start to build a strong principal/student relationship. Superintendent The Superintendent reported on Secretary Malone's visit to Parker. He commended and thanked the administrators, faculty, staff and students of the Parker Middle School for the great representation of what is happening in the Reading Public Schools. Students were engaged and active learners and willing to share the work they were doing. The secretary was extremely impressed with the focused engagement of students and the use of technology on the 4th day of classes. He reported that Erica McNamara and Sara Burd will be at the next School Committee meeting and part of the discussion will be an update on the work that has been done by the Behavioral Health Task Force in the past 18 months. Dr. Doherty handed out a memorandum outlining the search process to reconvene the Early Childhood Education Space Needs Working Group. He has incorporated the School Committee feedback. He explained that the School Department was waiting to receive the geo-technical survey results as well as the feasibility report to build at the elementary schools before bringing this item to the School Committee. Mr. Caruso pointed out that Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Borawski have been appointed as the School Committee representatives to the Working Group. Dr. Doherty also pointed out that a portion of the retaining wall in front of the high school has shifted. A Structural Engineer has been brought in to survey the wall and has determined it is in need of repair. C. New Business (out of order) FY2015-2025 Capital Plan Ms. Sybert reviewed the memorandum outlining the reallocation of funds between fiscal years within the Capital Plan. Mrs. Colon reviewed the work to be done on the Joshua Eaton roof The entire building roof will be replaced in one fiscal year to address several issues. Dr. Page 13 Snow Dockser asked if consideration had been given to adding solar panels or other green solutions. Dr. Doherty said that solar is not a feasible option at this time. Mrs. Borawski asked about the work to be done in the Parker Middle School Multipurpose Room. Mrs. Colon said that the roof is in need of repair and the possibility of doing some HVAC work. Dr. Snow Dockser wanted to be sure that the $75,000 allotted for technology was not for additional devices. The Superintendent indicated those funds will be used to support/improve our network and server capacities. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the outlined revisions to the FY2015-2025 Capital Plan totaling$664,000. The motion carried 6-0. Chair Caruso thanked Mrs. Colon for overseeing the concrete work and requested that the columns be uniformly painted to match. He was happy the RISE playground is available to our students. D. Continued Business Naming of Facilities Sub-Committee Report Mr. Caruso updated the School Committee on the recent meetings of the Naming of Facilities Sub-Committee. He shared concerns the sub-committee had discussed regarding the process. The sub-committee felt the application itself is too vague and does not have standard requirements. He went onto say that the sub-committee did not feel they could make informed decisions on the three nominations for this past year without supplemental information. Another concern was the naming of"things" in the district and the possibility of"running out of stuff to name". While some applications named specific areas; others left it up to the sub-committee to determine the appropriate spot. Chair Caruso reviewed the possibility of the creation of"The Reading Public Schools Distinguished Service Award". The Naming Sub-Committee discussed this idea at their August meeting. The Award would be a way to honor and recognize truly extraordinary, one-of-a-kind Reading educators, administrators and staff. The sub-committee would like to suggest changes to the current School Committee policy to make the process clearer and more thorough by using some of the language outlined in"The Reading Public Schools Distinguished Service Award" draft policy. Mr. Robinson asked if the sub-committee was requesting changes in the current policy. Mr. Caruso said they were suggesting changes to the policy. School Committee members like the idea of this award and asked clarifying questions. Page 14 Mr. Robinson suggested that the Naming Sub-Committee collaborated with the RMHS Hall of Fame committee for guidance and suggestions. Chair Caruso will report back to the sub-committee with the information from tonight's discussion. Mr. Robinson asked about the sub-committee's policy revision recommendations. Dr. Doherty indicated they were forthcoming. Mrs. Webb asked about the status of the current nominations. Mr. Caruso said no action has been taken on the three nominations and hopes that once the School Committee makes a decision on the proposed Educator Hall of Fame,the three applicants will be asked to resubmit their nominations. E. New Business First Reading of Policy JICFB—Bullying Prevention Dr. Doherty shared the changes made to the policy. Mr. Robinson began the second reading of Policy JICFB Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb to suspend further reading of the policy. The motion carried 6-0. Mr.Nihan would like to have a clearer definition of bullying. Superintendent Doherty said the changes are based on the law and have been reviewed by counsel. Ms. Sybert left the meeting at 8:59 p.m. School Committee members asked clarifying questions on definitions and procedures. Dr. Doherty indicated that the policy has been reviewed by Counsel and a significant amount of time was put into writing this policy. Ms. Sybert returned to the meeting at 9:01 p.m. Dr. Doherty also shared that Counsel is well versed in these matters. Mr. Caruso agreed that the definition of bullying does not define it clearly for the common person. Mrs. Webb asked if the principal received a written report prior to taking action. Dr. Doherty said they do not. Dr. Snow Dockser stated that a report can be made by the target or anonymously and feels in some cases a phone call would be appropriate if the target or aggressor were considered to be in danger. Page 15 Dr. Doherty suggested that the School Committee submit any changes to the policy to him. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan to accept the first reading of Policy JICFB—Bullying Prevention. The motion carried 6-0. First Reading of Policy ACAB/ACAC—Discrimination& Harassment Grievance Procedure Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the revised policy. Mr. Robinson began the second reading of Policy ACAB/ACAC—Discrimination & Harassment Grievance Procedure. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb to suspend the reading of the policy. The motion carried 6-0. Dr. Doherty indicated that most of the revisions were minor and tied to the harassment prevention order. Discussion continued regarding the policy and the Committee asked clarifying questions. Mr.Nihan asked if the students were aware of the process. Dr. Doherty did not specifically know the answer but said that it is important to develop a school culture where students are comfortable to confide in an adult regarding harassment and discrimination matters. Mrs. Webb pointed out that parents sign off that they have read the policy at the beginning of each school year. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the first reading of revised policy ACAB/ACAC—Discrimination & Harassment Grievance Procedure. The motion carried 6-0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1510 8.28.14 $221,417.39 Warrant S1511 9.4.14 $276,951.51 b. Minutes (A) Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson,to approve the open session minutes dated August 25, 2014. The motion carried 6-0. c. Bids and Donations ( A) Donation Page 16 RMHS BPO Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to accept the donation in the amount of$3,100 from the RMHS Band Parents Organization to be used to support band staff. The motion carried 6-0. d. Calendar IV.Information Mr.Nihan apologized for his strong stance of opposing all overnight field trips. He would like to receive more information to allow for an educated decision. Chair Caruso reported Office Hours were held this evening prior to the meeting. He reminded the Committee of the Financial Forum on Wednesday evening and the next meeting is September 22nd V. Future Business VI.Adjournment Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. OWirs IF. Doherty, Ed.D. Page 17