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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-15 School Committee Minutes ov O� A t �� Town of Reading r b� Meeting Minutes 00!:, Board Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2014-12-15 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 Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services Gary Nihan Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Chris Caruso Elaine Webb Members - Not Present: Others Present: Carl Gillies, Student Representative Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle Chris Copeland, RTA President 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 7:01 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. Chair Caruso read a statement regarding the death of a high school junior over the weekend. He asked that a moment of silence be observed. Dr. Doherty expressed sympathies to the family of the student. He said that Mr. Bakr and the high school crisis team working with NEMLEC met on Sunday afternoon to develop a plan to provide support to the students and staff The team wanted to be sure that the needed support was provided and maintain normalcy as much as possible for the students and staff II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input(I) Chair Caruso called for public input. Page I 1 Carl McFadden updated the School Committee on the Burbank Ice Arena. He shared the rink will be celebrating its 20th anniversary and is in solid fiscal shape. B. Reports Students Student Representative Gillies reported that the Jazz Band and Choral concerts are this week and winter sports are starting. He also said the student body is mourning the loss of a classmate. Sub-Committee Mr. Robinson attended the Football Team banquet on Sunday night. He said it was a great event and congratulated Student Representative Carl Gillies on being named one of next year's captains. Dr. Snow Dockser reported on the Choral Concert this Thursday and the Select Chorus Caroling fundraiser. She also reported on the recent Challenge Day at Coolidge and RMHS. She participated in the day at Coolidge and described it as an amazing powerful experience. She next reported on the Red Cross Blood drive at the high school the annual Dickens Faire, and Improvosaurus; all that occurred last week. The last update was a report on the Human Relations Advisory Committee. They are currently looking for members to join the group and said they meet on the first Thursday of the month. They are currently addressing graffiti found in town. She also reported that Eastern Bank has awarded a community grant to be used for the Martin Luther King Day celebration in January. Artist Rob Surette will be attending and painting portraits of different role models. Moynihan Lumber will be donating funds to be used toward the purchase of portraits as part of the celebration. She made a request of the Committee to participate in the AWOD challenge that Zinga hosted during the tree lighting and handed out"We stand together" footprints for the Committee in order to share an instance when they stood up for someone or have seen someone else stand up for someone. Superintendent Dr. Doherty shared that he and Mr. Martin also participated in the Challenge Day activities at Coolidge. The Reading Education Foundation provided funding through the grant program for this event. He thanked Lynna Williams and Marlene Lifshin for coordinating the day's events. He felt the students walked away from the day empowered and said it was a moving experience. Dr. Doherty reported that the first Budget parent meeting was held last week. Representatives from each school and RISE attended. This year the PTO presidents and School Council co-chairs have been invited. C. New Business (out of order) Page 12 2015-16 School Calendar Mr. Robinson began the conversation and said he is leaning toward option B which would be a start before Labor Day and the elimination of the three religious holidays. He felt that starting after Labor Day next year is too late and likes the idea of continuity of full weeks during September to enhance learning and teaching. Mrs. Webb agreed but wants to be sure that the guidelines in Policy IMDA are followed. She believes the focus should be on a strong execution of this policy especially with the elimination of the religious holidays. She agreed that students are ready to learn in September and leans toward starting in September as we move forward. Mr. Nihan agreed with the previous comments and feels students are less productive in June. He suggested that the start of school date vary year to year taking into account when Labor Day falls. Mrs. Borawski also agrees that Option B is the correct choice for this year. Dr. Snow Dockser expressed concerns regarding the elimination of the religious holidays. She feels, as Mrs. Webb does, that the accommodation policy must be implemented. She also feels it is important to do an annual review of Policy IMDA. She asked about the possibility of having school on the Friday before Labor Day as a way to add a day in lieu of the elimination of the religious holidays. Mrs. Webb shared that she feels many families appreciate having the four day weekend. Mr. Caruso reiterated that the Committee will review the calendar each year to start in September. Mr. Gillies likes the idea of starting in September and said most students would agree. Mr. Robinson asked if we have been using all of our snow days. Dr. Doherty said we have been over the past few years. Dr. Snow Dockser asked that, due to block scheduling at the secondary levels, that it is important to look at the day rotation to avoid students missing out on the same block due to absence because of religious holidays. RTA President Chris Copeland said the EBoard has voted to support the before Labor Day start. They feel that the optimal quality of learning occurs in the beginning of the year. Jon Wilcox, parent, asked if the School Committee has considered a two year calendar. Mrs. Webb thought a two year view would address issues. Page 13 Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to approve Option B as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 11, 2014. The motion carried 5-1. Dr. Snow Dockser voted against. D. Continued Business Second Reading and Approval of Policy FF-R-Naming of Facilities Distinguished Service to Education Award. Mr. Robinson began the second reading. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to waive the second reading of Policy FF—R. The motion carried 6-0. Dr. Doherty pointed out that he made the recommended changes to this policy. Mrs. Borawski thanked the Naming Sub-Committee for developing this policy and award and she felt the edits were very positive. Mrs. Webb asked about the current Naming of Facilities nominations. Mr. Caruso indicated that those nominators will be asked to resubmit using Policy FF-R. Dr. Doherty feels the School Committee will need to revisit Policy FF—Naming of Facilities to reflect Policy FF-R. Mr. Robinson feels the policy review is the School Committee's job. A question was asked about the number of years of service to be eligible. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to offer a friendly amendment of Policy FF-R which read..."The Committee may waive the time requirement based on extenuating circumstances." to be added to Section A, third bullet. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser,to approve and accept the second reading of Policy FF - R—Naming of Facilities Distinguished Service to Education Award as amended. The motion carried 6-0. E. New Business Approval of Collaborative Agreements Dr. Doherty explained that Under the Acts of 2012, M.G.L. Chapter 43, An Act Relative to Improving Accountability and Oversight of Education Collaboratives, Special Education Collaboratives are required to develop a set of agreements which must be approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Collaborative Board of Directors, and each member School Committee. He explained that all Collaboratives are using the same rules and regulations. The SEEM Collaborative and Northshore Education Consortium of which the Reading Public Schools are members are fiscally sound. Page 14 The Superintendent pointed out the advantages of memberships in Collaboratives which include reduced tuitions and priority access for students who require highly specialized and potentially expensive out-of-district special education placements, access to cost effective consultation and professional development and opportunities for regional collaboration on program quality or cost-savings initiatives. Additionally, SEEM and NEC both offer professional development opportunities for staff. Mr. Robinson asked why we are members of these two collaboratives. Dr. Doherty pointed out memberships are determined by geographic location and the two we belong to service our area. Mrs. Wilson added that we work collaboratively with both SEEM and NEC when students are transitioning back into a public school setting. Dr. Doherty reviewed the annual membership fees, enrollment and cost savings for SEEM and NEC. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to approve the Special Education Collaborative Agreements as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 43 for the SEEM Collaborative and Northshore Education Collaborative. The motion carried 6-0. Approval of Field Trip Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to approve two out-of state field trips on December 29th & January 24th for the RMHS Wrestling team to compete in Windham & Plaistow, NH. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Webb pointed out that this is a great opportunity for the Wrestling team and that they would be facing former coach Tom Darrin's team. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant P1512 12.05.14 $1,459,933.17 Warrant S1524 12.04.14 $118,086.93 Warrant S1525 12.11.14 $168,661.04 b. Minutes (A) Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the open session minutes dated November 24,2014. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the open session minutes dated December 1,2014. Page 15 Dr. Snow Dockser and Mr. Nihan asked that the minutes more clearly reflect their statements and it was decided to table this motion until the next meeting. c. Bids and Donations (A) Donations RMHS Track Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to accept the donation in the amount of$1,000 from the Friends of Reading Track to be used to support the coaching assistant for the RMHS Track Teams. The motion carried 6-0. RMHS Swim Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser,to accept the donation in the amount of$1,000 from the Friends of RMHS Boys Swimming to be used to support the coaching assistant for the RMHS Swim team. The motion carried 6-0. RMHS Baseball Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the donation in the amount of$3,239.15 from the Friends of Reading HS Baseball to be used to support the coaching assistant for the RMHS Baseball team. The motion carried 6-0. Lueders Environmental Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the annual donation from Lueders Environmental on behalf of their customers to be used for district professional development. The motion carried 6-0. d. Calendar IV.Information V. Future Business Mrs. Webb asked for an update on the Joshua Eaton Task Force. Dr. Doherty said the group has been selected and the first meeting is this week. VI.Adjournment Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. Page 16 Ali John F. Doh rty, Ed.D. Page 17