HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-22 School Committee Minutes fy . z kl Town of Reading
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Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
School Committee
Date: 2015-01-22 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 Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent
Jeanne Borawski Martha Sybert, Director of Finance
Chuck Robinson
Gary Nihan
Chris Caruso
Members - Not Present:
John Doherty, Superintendent
Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services
Elaine Webb
Andrea Nastri & Carl Gillies, Student Representatives
Others Present:
Chris Copeland, RTA President
Mike Scarpitto, RMHS Assistant Principal
Sarah Marchant, Coolidge Principal
Doug Lyons, Parker Principal
Karen Feeney, Joshua Eaton Principal
Micheala Saunders, HR Administrator
Paula Perry, Fincom
Reading Public Schools Budget Parents
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 7:04 p.m.
Chair Caruso welcomed guests and reviewed the agenda.
Public Hearing on the FY2016 Budget
Mr. Caruso called the public hearing on the FY2016 budget to order and asked if
there was any public comment.
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Rebecca Liberman feels the major initiatives in the budget do not address the failing
achievement levels and the Level 3 status at Joshua Eaton. She also felt that there is
the lack of a pathway to advanced math classes and less money should be spent on the
PARCC implementation and more on teachers. There also should be a focus on the
high needs sub-groups.
RTA President Chris Copeland read a statement on behalf of the RTA Executive
Board. The Board does not support the proposed cuts in regular education
paraeducator hours and substitute teachers. She asked the School Committee to seek
other revenue sources which may have to include an increase in the per pupil
spending. Both of these proposed cuts will impact teaching and learning.
Chair Caruso closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m.
II. Recommended Procedure
A. Public Input (I)
Chair Caruso called for public input. There was none.
B. Reports
Sub-Committee
Dr. Snow Dockser thanked all that helped to make the Martin Luther King
celebration a tremendous success. She also reported on the Enough Abuse
Campaign workshop she attended at the Police Station. Mr.Nihan also attended
and said there would be another session in Burlington later this month.
Director of Finance & Operations
Ms. Sybert reported on the outcome of the recent Financial Forum where the
Finance Committee voted to move the modular classroom request forward and the
Board of Selectmen also voted to hold a Special Town Meeting on February 23rd
She also shared that as part of the high school midterm exam week, the juniors
participated in the Real World Problem Solving activity.
C. Continued Business
D. New Business
III. Routine Matters
a. Bills and Payroll (A)
There were none.
b. Minutes (A)
Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to approve the revised
open session minutes dated December 22,2014. The motion carried 5-0.
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Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the open
session minutes dated January 12,2015. The motion carried 5-0.
c. Bids and Donations (A )
CMS PTO
Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the donation in
the amount of$1,000 from the Coolidge PTO to be used to support the travel
and lodging expenses for the Challenge Day leaders. The motion carried 5-0.
RMHS Volleyball
Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the donation in the
amount of$850 from the RMHS Volleyball Parents Organization to be used
to purchase volleyballs and a cart for the volleyball team. The motion
carried 5-0.
d. Calendar
IV.Information
V. Future Business
VI.Adjournment
Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to adjourn. The motion
carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
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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