HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-13 School Committee Minutes Town of Reading
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7-73:1 Meeting Minutes
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X639.114(00 ,
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
School Committee
Date: 2014-11-13 Time: 6:00 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
Gary Nihan
Chris Caruso
Members - Not Present:
Elaine Webb
Others Present:
Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle
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 6:03 p.m.
II. Recommended Procedure
A. Public Input (I)
Chair Caruso called for public input.
There was none.
B. New Business
Full Day Kindergarten Discussion
Dr. Doherty recommended that the discussion be postponed until after the
registration deadline of December l9th and suggested adding a meeting on
December 22nd to discuss possible solutions including short term options. He
feels it would be best to have a better idea of the incoming kindergarten numbers.
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Mr. Robinson wanted to clarify the options presented at a previous meeting that a
lottery may be a possibility. He also referred to the information received from the
state on the possible 9C cuts.
Dr. Doherty shared that the Governor is hoping to stay away from cutting funding
for education.
Mr. Caruso addressed a rumor around town regarding the increase in full day
kindergarten tuition. The School Committee has had no discussion regarding
tuition to date.
Naming of Facilities Sub-Committee Update
Mr. Caruso updated the School Committee on the recent meeting of the naming
Sub-Committee. The group has proposed the establishment of"The Reading
Public Schools Distinguished Service Award" as a way to recognize outstanding
faculty and staff.
Mr. Caruso asked the School Committee to review the document and hopes to
have a first reading at the next meeting.
Mr. Robinson asked if this would supersede the current Naming of Facilities
policy. The answer was that it would not.
FY15 Budget Update
Ms. Sybert provided a FY2015 budget update to the School Committee.
Mr. Nihan asked if there was a spending freeze in place. Ms. Sybert explained
that traditionally there is a 30%hold back taken from the individual school and
facilities account. Dr. Doherty added that these funds are usually released in
April to allow for the building principals to plan what the needs will be for the
upcoming year.
Mr. Robinson asked about the recent information received from the state on the
possible 9C cuts.
Dr. Doherty said there is no time frame other than having the decision prior to the
Governor-Elect taking office.
Mr. Robinson then asked if there has been any word on the health insurance costs
from the Town Manager. Dr. Doherty believes that the information should be
available at the beginning of December.
Approval of RMHS Field Trips
Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to approve the RMHS
Model UN field trip to UMass-Amherst from March 13— 15,2015. The
motion carried 5-0.
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Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to approve the RMHS
Model UN field trip to Boston University from February 6—8,2015. The
motion carried 5-0.
C. Reports
Sub-Committee
Mrs. Borawski reported on the MASS/MASC Joint Conference that she, Dr.
Snow Dockser and the Superintendent attended last week. She said it was a
fantastic experience and was great to be able to collaborate with administrators
and School Committee members from other districts around the state.
Superintendent
Dr. Doherty reported on the Veterans Day celebration on the Common. He was
pleased to report several Reading Public Schools students were participants in the
ceremony.
He also reported on the Fall National Honor Society induction held earlier in the
evening and congratulated the students that were inducted.
Director of Finance
Ms. Sybert reported that she attended the NESBA competition in Lawrence and
was impressed with the RMHS Marching Band performance.
III. Routine Matters
a. Bills and Payroll (A)
The following warrants were circulated and signed.
Warrant S1518 10.23.14 $397,449.06
Warrant S1519 10.30.14 $421,292.26
Warrant S1520 11.6.14 $193,882.30
Warrant S1521 11.13.14 $126,654.99
Warrant P1509 10.6.14 $1,421,918.72
Warrant P1510 11.7.14 $1,488,563.77
IV.Information
V. Future Business
VI.Adjournment
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to adjourn. The
motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
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NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not
the order they occurred during the meeting.
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A' ' PA
F. Doher0, Ed.D.
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