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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-26 School Committee Minutes _ OFq - fQ `,/ Town of Reading Meeting Minutes s39+1NCOtL e Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2015-03-26 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 Gary Nihan Members - Not Present: Elaine Webb Chris Caruso Andrea Nastri, Student Representative Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services Others Present: Carl Gillies - Student Representative Eric Sprung, Birch Meadow Principal Patti Beckman, Birch Meadow teacher Danielle Tucker, Birch Meadow teacher Chris Copeland, RTA President Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John F. Doherty, Ed.D. Superintendent Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Vice Chair Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:02 p.m. Vice Chair Robinson welcomed guests and reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Vice Chair Robinson called for public input. There was none. B. New Business (out of order) Birch Meadow Presentation Page I 1 Mr. Sprung provided a brief introduction to the presentation which will focus on the role of teacher leaders and the importance of the teacher leaders in the MTSS model. He introduced Patti Beckman and Danielle Tucker who would be presenting this evening. Ms. Tucker described what teacher leadership looks like at Birch Meadow. The teacher leaders have a voice in the development of policies and decisions that are in the best interest of the students. The teacher leaders also guide in the growth of their colleagues acting as a conduit conveying information to the teachers and staff in the building. Mrs. Beckman shared who was on the leadership team at Birch Meadow. There are teachers from every level, principal Sprung and the School Psychologist. Ms. Tucker provided a brief overview of the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and the process the team used to develop a strategy for the students and staff at Birch Meadow. The TEAM has created school-wide values that are incorporated throughout the school and are taught and reinforced in many ways. The core values of present, safe, kind, respectful and responsible make up the "Give me five!" initiative. The TEAM has worked to develop consistency throughout the school by gathering input for each representative of the team. The TEAM then spent time on each decision to ensure that it aligned well with the school climate and culture. There are visual reminders throughout the school to reinforce the behavioral expectations of the students and staff. The TEAM also spent a good amount of time developing a behavioral matrix that outlines the expectations for the five parts of the "Give me five" mantra. Birch Meadow students are recognized for displaying one of the core values with a"Paws"itive Character Award. Any staff member or parent can fill out a character card for a student. The character cards are read as part of the morning announcements. Birch Meadow holds school wide assemblies to reinforce and outline the expectations. The first half of the year is used to focus on the core values using the matrix as a guide. The second half of the year is used to focus on expected behavior throughout the different parts of the school as described in the matrix. Additionally, Birch Meadow students perform age appropriate community service as part of the Birch Meadow Cares project. Teacher leaders are active members of the School and Student Councils at Birch Meadow. They also actively embrace the role of teachers teaching teachers. The school used data from the TellMASS survey to teach and model best practices in order to improve instruction across the school. They take active roles in staff meetings, PLC's, observations and facilitating meetings. The teacher leaders have also assisted in grant writing opportunities from REF and other sources to support the academic, social emotional and creative arts needs of the school. The School Librarian coordinated a school wide challenge to read as part of the Read Across America program and in Fine Arts area teacher leaders have coordinated, developed and directed the elementary chorale program and coordinates and displays the student art work for Artsfest. Page 12 Ms. Tucker and Mrs. Beckman continued describing the role of the Student Support Team and Data Teams. The Student Support Team is comprised of teacher leaders, specialists and the school psychologist who strategize about interventions that can be used to support teachers that are experiencing challenges, academically or behaviorally with students. The SST meets weekly. The team leaders assist the Data Team during their weekly meetings as they monitor student progress and achievement. They pointed out that the Reading Specialist at Birch Meadow has met with each grade level to discuss strategies to improve student success. Mr. Robinson asked how bad behavior is addressed. Mrs. Beckman said the TEAM has developed a strategy with defined steps to address students that are not following the core values. Mrs. Borawski asked how differentiation is made between grades. Mrs. Beckman said this is an area of concern but the use of music, videos, skits and powerpoints allows the staff to provide grade specific information. The "Give me five" program has created an atmosphere of student engagement and enthusiasm. Ms. Tucker shared that during the whole school assemblies provide basis lessons that are reinforced in the classrooms. Mr.Nihan stated that shared leadership is valuable and asked how the Leadership team was selected. Mrs. Beckman said it was a volunteer process and ideally they would like to have representation from each grade level. Mr. Nihan followed up asking what specific data is being reviewed. Ms. Tucker said that ELA is the main focus at this point and they are looking at the whole child. Visits to other schools may be an option to see how other data teams function. Dr. Snow Dockser was impressed at how teachers are willing to go above and beyond their day to ensure their schools succeed. Mrs. Beckman said the Leadership team meets before school. Vice Chair Robinson thanked the Ms. Tucker and Mrs. Beckman for presenting tonight. Approval of the Camp Bournedale Field Trip (out of order) Mr. Nihan moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the annual grade five field trips to Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, MA as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum. Mr. Sprung provided a brief history of this opportunity saying that the first year was for the grade 5 students at Killam and Birch Meadow to help them team build and get to know each other prior to entering grade 6 because the two schools have students that will go to both middle schools. This is also a good opportunity to give the grade five students an overnight experience. The School Committee asked clarifying questions. The motion carried 4-0. Page 13 C. Reports Students Student Representative Gillies reported that the girl's hockey team won State Division 1 championship. This is the 4th state championship in 3 years for RMHS students. He also reported that the sophomore semiformal was last week and it went well. The spring sports have begun and Mr. RMHS is this Friday night. Liaisons Mrs. Borawski reported on the recent Recreation Committee meeting. She shared that the successful flag football program"Friday Night Lights" will be partnering with Pro-Camps to offer a summer program. She also reported that the Finance Committee voted to approve the Birch Meadow complex lighting article on the Special Town Meeting warrant. She next shared two upcoming events. The first on April 2m1 will be a presentation by Chris Herron in the RMHS PAC. This is recommended for parents and middle school students. On April 28 Bob Bigelow will be a presenting at Coolidge. This presentation is recommended for any elementary/middle school parents and coaches. Mr. Robinson reported on the outcome of the Finance Committee meeting last night. Dr. Snow Dockser attended METCO Lobby Day with our METCO Director Jason Cross. It was an inspiring day. The group met with Representative Jones and other legislators. She would like to invite our State representatives to a future School Committee meeting. Dr. Snow Dockser wanted to make the community aware that the Human Relations Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Winchester group will be hosting a multi-cultural event on April 11th. She also reminded the community that the HRAC is looking for new members as well as anyone interested in volunteering. Dr. Snow Dockser attended the Parker Middle School production of"Just So" and said the students did a wonderful job. She then reported on the upcoming Improv Night featuring Natalie Cunha on April 10th and the upcoming Drama production of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow the first weekend in May. Director of Finance Ms. Sybert shared the results of the recent single audit required for the IDEA grant and she is happy to report there were no findings. Assistant Superintendent Mr. Martin reported on the upcoming Blueprint for Educational Excellence Institute on April 16th & 17th. This year's keynote speakers are Susan Campbell Bartoletti and Bruce Taylor. Both were recommended by staff members that had attended conferences in which each spoke and highly recommended them. He Page 14 also shared that there will be a variety of offerings to meet the interests of the attendees. Superintendent Dr. Doherty reported that the turf fields have been cleared for the spring sports and thanked Ms. Sybert for her diligence in the hiring of an insured and experienced contractor to perform the work. Reading students were busy over the past couple of weeks. The RMHS Color Guard earned a silver medal at the NESBA competition held in Reading. The RMHS Robotics team performed well in their second invitational tournament and now will have to wait until the outcome of this week's competition to find out if they qualify for the state tournament. The three district Science Olympiad teams performed well at the state competition. The Parker and RMHS captured several awards and the Coolidge group won the state championship and will head to the nationals in Nebraska in May. The annual Artsfest is April 14th and 15th. This annual event is highly recommended and features student performances and art displays along Main Street at RMHS. Lastly the Superintendent updated the Committee on the status of the two searches. Both are progressing. The RMHS Assistant Principal Application deadline has passed and the search committee will interview candidates on April 8th The Joshua Eaton Principal search application deadline is April 6th and candidate interviews will be held on April 13th. D. Continued Business FY15 Budget Update -Natural Gas Ms. Sybert reviewed the unanticipated usage overage at the DPW garage and her recommendation for handling the overage. She said that the Finance Committee voted to support the Town Meeting article last night. Mr. Robinson asked if the rates are based on the current gas contract. Ms. Sybert said they were. RMHS Retaining Wall Update Ms. Sybert reviewed the information provided in the packet on the RMHS retaining wall repair. Dr. Doherty said that the warrant article was sponsored by the Board of Selectmen as a courtesy for the School Committee because the warrant closed on Tuesday night. The Finance Committee votes to support the article. Modular Classroom Update Page 15 Ms. Sybert thanked the Selection Committee and reported that the project will be rebid. Mr. Robinson said that this is a good decision and is in the best interest of the district. Ms. Sybert reviewed the calendar with the goal of the School Committee approving a contract at a meeting on April 17th Dr. Doherty added that the meeting on the morning of April 17th is necessary to meet the project timeline. It also allows the district to have information to provide guidance to the Town Meeting. He also said that the Town Manager would like to convert this to debt rather than free cash. This would allow the Town to maintain funding for the unanticipated snow removal costs. The chosen contractor would have to agree to wait for the first payment if this is converted to debt. If the contractor opposed waiting for the first payment the funding would stay as free cash. If this funding is converted to debt then the funding for the RMHS retaining wall would come out of free cash. Mr. Nihan moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to support Article 5 and Article 6 on the Special Town Meeting Warrant dated April 27,2015. The motion carried 4-0. Mr. Nihan moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to request that$49,616 be added to the natural gas line from the Town's FY15 budget to compensate for the unanticipated usage overage at the DPW garage. The motion carried 4-0. E. New Business Friends & Family Day There was preliminary discussion regarding the annual Friends & Family Day. It was agreed that the Committee will participate. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1538 3.12.15 $141,414.29 Warrant S1539 3.19.15 $649,106.24 Warrant S1540 3.26.15 $128,204.10 Warrant P1519 3.13.15 $1,440,293.05 b. Bids and Donations (A) Award of Contracts Glass Repair & Replacement Page 16 Mr. Nihan moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with Glass & Mirror to provide glass repair and replacement services. The motion carried 4-0. General Carpentry Mr. Nihan moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with Marino Construction to provide general carpentry & construction services. The motion carried 4-0. Donations RMHS BPO Mr. Nihan moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the donation from the RMHS Band Parent Organization in the amount of$10,511.12 to be used to support coaching assistant positions. The motion carried 4-0. Girls Soccer Mr. Nihan moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the donation from the RMHS Girls Soccer Parent Association in the amount of$1,500 to be used to support a coaching assistant position for the 2015 fall season. The motion carried 4-0. c. Minutes Mr. Nihan moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to approve the open session minutes date March 9, 2015. The motion carried 4-0. d. Calendar IV.Information V. Future Business VI.Adjournment Mr. Nihan moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to adjourn. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the ore er they occurred during the meeting. \ OW, I • F. Doherty, Ed.D. Page 17