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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-06 School Committee Minutes 414 t Town of Reading r ( Meeting Minutes 639,isc an?°/ Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2014-10-06 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 Jeanne Borawski Martha Sybert, Director of Finance Chuck Robinson Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Gary Nihan Chris Caruso Members - Not Present: Elaine Webb Others Present: Andrea Nastri, Student Representative Carl Gillies, Student Representative Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle Sarah Marchant, Coolidge principal Laura Warren, Coolidge teacher Ryan Twomey, Coolidge student Dahni Censi, Coolidge student 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. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input(I) Chair Caruso called for public input. Paul Devlin,parent, asked the School Committee to reconsider the fingerprint policy. He doesn't like the message being sent requiring volunteers to be fingerprinted. He is concerned with privacy issues. Pant. I 1 Mr. Caruso thanked Mr. Devlin for his input and offered that the School Committee will include the Fingerprinting policy on a future agenda. B. Reports Students Student Representative Gillies reported on the Rocket Bell. The bell is a gift from the Class of 2013 and arrived last week with a damaged base. The bell has been returned to the sender. Once the bell is in place it will be rung to recognize notable events at RMHS. Student Representative Nastri reported that the Swiss Exchange students are leaving next Monday. Sub-Committee Dr. Snow Dockser reported on the recent meeting of the Human Relations Advisory Committee. The group is working on the program for the Martin Luther King Day celebration. Mrs. Borawski reported on the recent Audit Committee meeting. C. New Business Coolidge Middle School Presentation Principal Sarah Marchant introduced teacher Laura Warren and eighth grade students Ryan Twomey and Danhi Censi who would be assisting her with the presentation. Mrs. Marchant began the presentation on the implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Student Support(MTSS) for behavior at Coolidge. MTSS is part of the districtwide vision and there is a need for consistency for behaviors, expectations, and interventions. This consistency is important for the students as well as the adults in the building. Coolidge has many social-emotional and behavioral supports already in place which include advisory groups, morning mentors, lunch bunches and individual and group counseling. The initial vision was to develop a Behavior Matrix that would show what the core values would look like in different school environments. To be able to create the Behavior Matrix it was determined that by looking at the foundation of the school a group of core values could be established. In the spring of 2014 data was collected via staff and student surveys as well as using the Tell Mass data, student connections survey and a student risk screening scale. Mrs. Warren said the MTSS Leadership Team which was made up of 5 interdisciplinary team leaders, 3 specialties team leaders, 2 administrators and a school psychologist met to review the data that was collected. The group was facilitated by the teachers and held structured conversations about what they wanted for core values at Coolidge. Work was done over the summer to rewrite the core values and finalized in August to include Perseverance, Accountability, Respect and Teamwork (P.A.R.T). Prior to the beginning of the school year the onno I MTSS Leadership Team shared the Coolidge Community Core Values with the staff. The next step was to empower students to be a P.A.R.T.,taking ownership in the development of the goals. Through their Advisory groups (homerooms) the students worked together to set weekly goals and work on Core Values projects. Mr. Twomey shared that the 7th grade is decorating doors to reflect the core values. Ms. Cenci shared that the 8th graders are creating boxes to reflect the goals. Coolidge will be holding a Core Values celebration assembly in October featuring METCO Director Jason Cross as the guest speaker, slideshow and videos of projects and awards. It will also be the kick-off for the "positive promotions"to promote modeling of behaviors we want to see. Tickets will be given to students and teachers that demonstrate the core values. Mrs. Marchant hopes to expand the positive promotion ticket effort to the parents. Parents are an important part in the efforts to move this initiative forward. Mrs. Marchant concluded that the MTSS team will continue to develop the Behavior Matrix including collecting feedback from all constituents, and to make this an official document for the future as part of the School Handbook. The school will continue to create lessons that reinforce the Behavior Matrix. When students and adults are clear on the values and expectations of the school, it is a safer place for learning. Mr. Robinson asked the student group make up. Mrs. Marchant said the Advisory groups were the student's homerooms and teams. The groups meet 25 minutes each day usually in the morning. During that time the plans for the day are developed and discussed. Ms. Censi said going to Advisory provides a comfort zone for her each day. Mr. Twomey agreed and said this time sets the tone for the day and is a good way to start the day. Mrs. Warren added on Monday's the group is able to organize for the week and students can be held accountable to be prepared. Mr.Nihan was impressed with the work done. Dr. Snow Dockser congratulated the team at Coolidge for making this happen. She asked how parents are being engaged. Principal Marchant said she uses her blog and newsletter to keep parents informed. Mrs. Twomey added that the correspondence from the principal has been great. Coolidge will continue to solicit feedback from the School Council, PTO and parents. Approval of Coolidge 8th Grade Field Trip to New York City Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the Coolidge 8th grade field trip to New York City in June 2015. Page 13 Dr. Doherty pointed out that we are now capturing the process on paper that we have been using. The motion carried 5-0. First Reading of Policy IJOA—Field Trips Mr. Robinson began the reading of the policy. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to suspend further reading of the policy. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso reiterated that this policy reflects the procedure that the district has been using. Mrs. Borawski added that she appreciates this policy and she likes the fact that the cost per student is easily identifiable and the trips are connecting to curriculum standards. Mr. Nihan would like clarification on the student/chaperone ratio. Mr. Robinson asked about cancellation of field trips and if there were protections for refunds. He asked the Superintendent to gather information on the insurance policies of the travel companies. Dr. Snow Dockser asked about adding a bullet to the required documentation listing what travel insurance is offered. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the first reading of Policy IJOA—Field Trips. The motion carried 5-0. D. Continued Business Second Reading of Policy JICFB—Bullying Prevention Dr. Doherty said the only revisions to this policy were to incorporate the changes suggested by Dr. Snow Dockser. Mr. Nihan would like to have references to some outdated curriculum removed from the bullying plan. Mr. Robinson began the reading of the policy. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to suspend further reading of the policy. The motion carried 5-0. Mr.Nihan likes the Coolidge MTSS model and feels that all stakeholders are participants in the creation of a positive school culture. Dr. Doherty pointed out that all of our schools have been implementing this model. The work has been ongoing for the last year and a half. Mrs. Borawski felt clarification is needed on"who a target that is perceived to be in immediate physical danger..." should report. She offered a revision for direction outside the regular school day. Mr. Robison pointed out that a similar revision should be made on the Appendix pages of the policy as well. Chair Caruso suggested that further action on this policy be postponed until legal counsel reviews the wording of Dr. Snow Dockser's suggestion. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to table the approval of the second reading of Policy JICFB due to the Committee's request for additional clarification. The motion carried 5-0. Second Reading of Revised Policy ACAB/ACAC—Discrimination&Harassment Grievance Procedure Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to approve and accept the second reading of revised policy ACAB/ACAC—Discrimination & Harassment Grievance Procedure. Dr. Doherty pointed out that the only changes from the first reading were the contact names at the end of the policy. Mr. Robinson began the reading of the policy. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan,to suspend further reading of the policy. The motion carried 5-0. The original motion carried 5-0. Early Childhood Education Working Group &Enrollment Update Dr. Doherty said that the sub-committee has been appointed and the first meeting will be October 22nd. He went on to update the School Committee on the elementary enrollment and pointed out that in most cases the class sizes are within the recommended ranges. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1514 9.25.14 $184,792.79 Warrant S1515 10.2.14 $184,484.75 Warrant 51515E 10.2.14 $1,422.56 Warrant P1507 9.26.14 $1,467,699.01 b. Minutes (A) Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to approve the open session minutes as revised dated September 22, 2014. The motion carried 5-0. c. Bids and Donations (A) Donations Wood End Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the donation in the amount of$433 from the Wood End PTO to be used to support the purchase of library books. The motion carried 5-0. Coolidge Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the donation in the amount of$220 from the Vigorito family to be used to support the purchase of educational software to support the ILP Program at Coolidge. The motion carried 5-0. RMHS Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan,to accept the donation in the amount of$400 from the Reading Cooperative Bank to be used to support the Excellence Luncheons at RMHS. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to accept the donation in the amount of$1,400 from the Reading Cooperative Bank to be used to support the "A World of Difference" program at RMHS. Dr. Snow Dockser thanked the Reading Cooperative Bank and all the families for these donations. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the donation in the amount of$1,400 from the RMHS PTO to be used to support the "A World of Difference" program at RMHS. The motion carried 5-0. Young Women's League of Reading Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to accept the donation in the amount of$4,000 from the Young Women's League of Reading to be used to support the elementary science programs as part of the BEAKER fundraisers. The motion carried 5-0. Dr. Doherty pointed out that the Young Women's League also donated the plaque and tree for the Barrows 50th anniversary celebration. d. Calendar Reports continued(out of order) Superintendent Dr. Doherty reported on the recent MCAS results. He stated the district opts to mail the results to the homes therefore there is about a week's delay in the families receiving the results. The administration is taking the results very seriously and will be reviewing the areas of concern. A MCAS presentation will take place at the November 3rd meeting. He also reminded the community that the MCAS is only one tool in a variety of assessments used in Reading. He next updated the School Committee on the retaining wall at the front of the high school. We will be soliciting bids for architectural services for the design/redesign of the wall. Barrows Elementary School celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Friday. There was a parade of the decades, tree dedication and remarks from Principal Leonard, Mr. Robinson and students of the Barrows School. It was a wonderful event. The Superintendent thanked the PTO for spearheading this celebration which will continue through the spring. The RCASA Annual meeting was held last week. The event featured the showing of the documentary"The Hungry Heart"which was about opiate abuse and recovery in a Vermont community. Dr. Doherty said this film was very powerful. IV.Information V. Future Business VI.Adjournment Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and the approval of minutes and not to return to open session. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. Pit ill& Ji F. Dohe , Ed.D. Paae 17