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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-24 School Committee Minutes fo t �/ Town of Reading • h, .7' Meeting Minutes 63 9•lNCOP, Y �f, Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2015-02-24 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 Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Chuck Robinson Martha Sybert, Director of Finance Chris Caruso Elaine Webb arrived at 7:05 p.m. Gary Nihan Members - Not Present: Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services Others Present: Andrea Nastri - Student Representative Carl Gillies, Student Representative Adam Bakr, RMHS Principal Kerry Gallagher, RMHS teacher Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle Nancy Docktor, SC Candidate 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 7:02 p.m. Chair Caruso welcomed guests and reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input(I) Chair Caruso called for public input. There was none. B. New Business (out of order) RMHS Presentation Page I 1 Principal Bakr provided a brief overview of tonight's presentation on the Rockets Help Desk which is made up of student led tech teams. These teams assist teachers and students on the use of technology and applications. He turned the meeting over to RMHS teacher Kerry Gallagher. Ms. Gallagher talked about the mission of the Rockets Help Desk which in part is to leverage student curiosity and creativity for the benefit of the Reading Public Schools community. Students strive to solve real world problems in a school setting and create media that teaches the public. Mrs. Webb arrived at 7:05 p.m. Methods used to carry out this mission are done through the creation of tutorials, classroom visits and networking. Ms. Gallagher then turned the meeting over to her students Megan Catalano and Julia Donohue. Ms. Catalano described how tutorials are used. Teachers and students can request informational screencasts and videos. Once created, these are typically accompanied by a blog post and some easy to view screenshots. Ms. Catalano shared a screencast Prezi tutorial she created in response to a request from a science teacher. Ms. Donohue said members of the Rockets Help Desk recently visited a fifth grade classroom at Barrows to work with the students in creating Google graphs. Help Desk members can go to classrooms district-wide to assist teachers in deploying new technology allowing the teacher to concentrate on content and class management. Ms. Catalano then touched on networking opportunities. Help Desk members recently attended and presented at the MassCue Conference in Foxboro. They have also presented at the Blue Ribbon Conference. Networking allows the members to meet with other technology specialists through a variety of mediums which include professional presentations, Google Hangouts with tech teams, or any other medium as suggested by the Help Desk team or advisor. The students shared a video chat with Swaroop Raju of Educanon. During this video chat the team members were able to ask questions of Mr. Raju. Networking provides opportunities to share and learn about the strides in technology all over the country and world. The Rockets Help Desk also offers in person consultation which allows anyone in the RMHS community to talk one-on-one with a student of the Help Desk. Members of the Help Desk can answer simple questions about an application or more complex questions on technology and how to use it effectively in their class. English Department Head Mike McSweeney was one of the first to take advantage of this service inquiring about methods for his students to effectively document and share in preparation for an upcoming unit in journalism. Mr. McSweeney was able to brainstorm ideas with the Help Desk members. Ms. Gallagher said that currently the Rocket Help desk is a volunteer activity. Next year the Rocket Help desk will become a semester elective with credit towards a business requirement for graduation. She also shared that she has Page 12 applied for a grant from the Reading Education Foundation for equipment to be used for the Rocket Help Desk. They will also be presenting at this year's Blue Ribbon Conference with Andrew Marcinek. Ms. Gallagher has been invited to participate in the Personalized Learning Symposium March 25-26, 2015 at Stanford University to explore current trends in personalized and online learning research and best practices for digital curriculum and blended learning implementation. She will be on a panel on the 26th with 3 or 4 other EdSurge contributors to discuss the 50 States Project that we were a part of over the past year. The Fifty States Project is an initiative to showcase educators and their stories of supporting learning by using technology. Mr. Bakr said that the Rocket Help Desk exemplifies authentic learning and thanked Ms. Gallagher and her students on their dedication to this project. Dr. Snow Dockser and Mrs. Borawski both commended the group on this outstanding project. When asked what they liked most about being involved in the Rocket Help Desk, both students enjoy the teaching aspect. Mrs. Webb asked what the focus of the class would be next year. Ms. Gallagher said they are still working out the details. Mrs. Webb followed up asking about scheduling. Mr. Bakr said the high school administrators will work with Joe Cain to determine where this offering will fit best in the schedule. Mr. Nihan asked if technology was being used to flip classrooms. Mr. Bakr said it is difficult to coordinate. Ms. Gallagher added that teachers will flip the classroom for particular units. Student Representative Nastri said this is a great idea and students are so heavily involved in the core and content of the Help Desk. She wished it was available when she was trying to figure out how to create a Prezi for a class. Chair Caruso thanked the group for sharing tonight. C. Reports Students Student Representative Gillies reported that winter sports have ended. He also reported on the Real World Problem Solving activity all juniors participated in during midterm week. He found it very rewarding and a great experience. Student Representative Nastri reported on the next Drama production Antigone which is the weekend of March 6th. She also shared that the RMHS Chorus will be hosting a mini-golf fundraiser at RMHS on February 27th. The course will be set up within the high school with clubs and sports teams creating and manning holes. Page J 3 Liaisons Mrs. Webb reported the boys swim team represented Reading well at the state swim meet and wrestler Adam Morton won the state championship in the 152 lb. weight class. Mr. Caruso reported on the Town meeting held last night. He appreciated the healthy discussion and thanked the body for supporting the modular classroom article. He also complimented the DPW and School Department on the excellent job of snow removal. Mr. Nihan commended Chair Caruso on his role at Town Meeting. Director of Finance Ms. Sybert reported on the snow removal efforts thus far. She and Kelly Colon, Director of Facilities have been in contact with the DPW, Public Safety and structural engineers during the past few weeks to monitor our building roofs. We continue to monitor the roofs. Mr. Nihan asked about the cost of the snow removal. Ms. Sybert said that we have incurred overtime costs. We are tracking those costs for FEMA reimbursement. Mrs. Webb would like us to also request reimbursement from Town Meeting as part of the request from the town side. Ms. Sybert next reported on the emergency generator testing that took place last week. She thanked all for the coordinated effort to be sure our technology systems were not compromised. The last report was on the Reading Police Department emergency response training exercise that took place at Wood End. Several administrators participated and observed. She said it was very useful as we continue to improve our A.L.i.C.E. protocol. Superintendent Dr. Doherty reported that the projected last day of school will be June 25th. He also updated the Committee on the latest 9C cuts which affect the current METCO funding. He stated that the METCO districts are crafting a letter to legislators asking for consideration for future budget discussions. The Superintendent provided a brief update on the kindergarten registration to date. Placement letters will be sent to families next week. Dr. Doherty thanked the DPW and our Facilities Department for the great job they have done with the snow removal and clean up. The Superintendent also announced that Karen Feeney, Joshua Eaton principal has announced her resignation. He will present the screening process and timeline at the March 9th meeting. The last item reported on was the upcoming Taste of Metro North to be held in the RMHS Field House on February 25th. This event is hosted by the Page 14 Reading/North Reading Rotary. This is a major Rotary fundraiser with a good deal of the proceeds used to benefit the Reading Public Schools and the Reading Education Foundation. D. Continued Business Update on Kindergarten and Elementary Space Needs Ms. Sybert reviewed the modular classroom procurement process and reviewed the timeline. She will ask the School Committee to award the contract at their March 26th meeting. Mrs. Webb asked about the procurement process. Ms. Sybert indicated we are guided by state procurement laws and regulations. Mr. Caruso announced that he has asked Mr. Robinson to be part of the bid evaluation committee. FY15-25 Capital Plan Ms. Sybert reported that she has been working with the Town Manager to adjust the capital plan. The Town Hall, West Side and Main Street Fire roofs have reached the end of their useful lives and will need to be replaced. These roof replacements, except the Town Hall Annex, can safely be deferred until 2017. Mr. Robinson asked if the replacement costs will remain the same deferring the work for a year. Ms. Sybert said that she and Ms. Colon will continue to review the Capital Plan. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to revise the FY2015-25 Capital Plan as follows: • Reduce the Town Hall roof repairs from $200,000 to $80,000 for the Annex hallway portion only and add the balance to the $300,000 requested in FY2017 • Defer the West Side roof repairs to FY17 • Defer the Main Street Fire Station roof repairs to FY17 The motion carried 6-0. E. New Business Discussion to Support the Naming of the Baseball Field Mr. Caruso said he had received a letter from former Athletic Director Phil Vaccaro, sent to the Board of Selectmen Chair Arena, requesting that the varsity baseball field be renamed. Mr. Caruso pointed out that the School Department does not oversee the naming of this field. He asked the School Committee to support this request. Mrs. Webb asked if the Board of Selectmen have a process in place for the naming of facilities. The response was that they do not. Page 15 Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to support Mr. Vaccaro's request to rename the Varsity Baseball Field to Morton & Moscariello Field. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Caruso thanked the Committee for supporting this request and he will contact Mr. Arena and Mr. Vaccaro. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1535 2.19.15 $135,751.33 b. Minutes (A) c. Bids and Donations (A) Donations Arbella Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the $300 donation from Arbella Insurance to the Joshua Eaton School to be used to offset transportation costs for the grade 4 trip to the Boston Symphony. The motion carried 6-0. Alliance Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the $500 donation from Alliance Energy to the Joshua Eaton School to be used in the areas of math and science. The motion carried 6-0. Friends of Reading Football Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept a donation in the amount of$1,400 from the Friends of Reading Football to be used to support a coaching assistant position for the 2014 season. The motion carried 6-0. Minutes Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve the open session minutes dated February 2,2015 as amended. The motion carried 6-0. d. Calendar Mr. Caruso reviewed the calendar. Page 16 IV.Information V. Future Business VI.Adjournment Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. 1 th- ) J F. Doherty, Ed.D. Page 17 John F.Doherty,Ed.D. .v Craig Martin Superintendent of Schools Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching 82 Oakland Road Reading,MA 01867 t+ Phone:781-944-5800 /�,� Martha J.Sybert Fax:781-942-9149 „�' Director of Finance and Operations Reading Public Schools Instilling a joy of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow MEMORANDUM TO: Reading School Committee FROM: Martha Sybert DATE: February 24, 2014 RE: Modular Classroom Project Update At tonight's meeting we will provide an update on the Modular Classroom Project. The funding for the procurement of the six modular classrooms was approved at the February 23rd Special Town Meeting. We will continue to meet with Town Officials and follow all appropriate code specifications and permitting requirements. Below is a calendar of next steps and milestones: • February 24th submitted RFP data to Central Register • February 24th conference call with Town Counsel regarding RFP and draft contract. Town Counsel will review RFP and Contract. • March 4th PRF will be posted on Central Register, advertised on local paper and posted at Town Hall. Bill documents will be available to public. • March 12th a mandatory walk-through site visit of all three sites will take place. • March 19th sealed proposals are due by 10am. • March 19th—21st review of proposals • March 26th School Committee meeting to award the contract • March 30th Contract executed with selected vendor • Project Schedule to be developed • Occupancy to be ready for use no later than August 15th This is an aggressive time table that is nineteen weeks long from contract award date to planned occupancy date. If you have any questions in advance of the meeting,please feel free to contact me. The Reading Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race,color,sex,gender identity,religion,national origin,sexual orientation,age or disability.