HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-11 School Committee Minutes � FR
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
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School Committee -2 3- OS
Date: 2015-05-11 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
Elaine Webb
Julie Joyce
Members - Not Present:
Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services
Andrea Nastri, Student Representative
Others Present:
Carl Gillies, Student Representative
Debbie Butts, Director of the RISE Preschool
Erica Boran, RISE teacher
Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle
Nancy Docktor, Resident
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John F. Doherty, Ed.D. Superintendent
Topics of Discussion:
I. Call to Order
Chair Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:05 p.m.
Chair Robinson welcomed guests and reviewed the agenda.
He opened the public hearing on School Choice at 7:06 p.m.
Dr. Doherty provided a brief overview and reviewed the projected district enrollment
for the 2015-16 school year. Dr. Doherty recommended not to enroll non-resident
students due to general enrollment concerns.
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, pursuant to the
provisions of G.L.c. 76 & 12B that the School Committee of Reading, following a
public hearing, hereby withdraws from its obligation to enroll non-resident
students in Reading Public Schools during the 2015-2016 school year for the
following reason: General District Enrollment.
Page I 1
Mr. Robinson asked for input from the audience. There was none.
The School Committee asked clarifying questions regarding school choice.
The vote on the motion carried 6-0.
Chair Robinson closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
II. Recommended Procedure
A. Public Input(I)
Chair Robinson called for public input.
There was none.
B. New Business (out of order)
RISE Presentation
RISE Preschool Director Debbie Butts began by thanking the administration for
their support. She provided a brief overview of the RISE program. The Reading
Integrated School Experience (RISE) is the Reading Public Schools preschool
program that provides an integrated school experience for children age 3 — 5.
RISE is the first face that many families meet as they begin their children's
educational journey.
RISE teacher Erica Boran reviewed the curriculum. The curriculum follows the
Common Core standards and the students are provided with Literacy,
Mathematics, STEM and Social Skill lessons geared for the preschool student.
Mrs. Boran shared that the teachers were able to work on ELA curriculum over
the summer. They were able to purchase books and materials to help reinforce
lessons. Mrs. Boran said that the preschool years set the foundation for student's
learning and success. Oral language, alphabetic code and print awareness are
literacy components that need to begin in preschool and are linked to later
learning, reading and academic success. The RISE staff incorporates these skills
into the everyday learning through play, social skills, structured and designed
activities.
Ms. Butts said that as part of the MTSS initiative in the district the RISE staff has
developed a matrix outlining the expectations for behavior. Students can earn
tickets for showing effort, respect, safety and inclusion during the day.
Mr. Robinson asked for an example of a behavior that would earn a ticket. Mrs.
Boran said a student can earn a ticket for inclusion by asking another student to
play or join his/her group.
Dr. Snow Dockser asked about communication with families. Mrs. Boran said
that she sends a daily email home to parents reviewing the day's activities. This
strengthens the home/school connection extending learning. She is able to talk to
parents at drop off and pick up to address any issues that may have arisen.
Page 1 2
Ms. Butts added that it is important to reinforce the fact that all students are
different and learn at different rates.
Mr. Nihan asked if the student's had physical education during their day. Ms.
Butts said that the Wood End students are able to have physical education and
thanked Mrs. King for working the time into the schedule. The RISE students at
the high school do not have physical education but engage in outdoor activities.
Mrs. Boran added that she incorporates movement in activities and learning with
her students.
Ms. Butts shared slides of students participating in the activities of a typical day.
Chair Robinson thanked Ms. Butts and Mrs. Boran for coming tonight.
C. Reports
Students
Mr. Gillies reported that the seniors have 7 days left and senioritis is running
rampant. He reported that the boy's lacrosse team remains undefeated and
tomorrow night is the RMHS Scholastic Awards Night which will honor National
Honor Society and Century Club inductees as well as College Book Award
recipients.
Liaisons
Dr. Snow Dockser reported on three events:
• RMHS Choral Department's Spring into Song
• Understanding Disabilities 30th Anniversary
• The recent REF Imagination Celebration
She also reported on the HRAC and ongoing discussion of the direction the group
would like to go. They are weighing options of going private. The Committee
will dissolve as of June 30th unless the Board of Selectman reinstates the Human
Relations Advisory Committee. She once again asked that anyone that may be
interested in becoming a member contact the Committee or attend their meetings.
Mr. Robinson asked about the advantages of going private. Dr. Snow Dockser
said the group is still exploring the pros and cons. One advantage would be they
would not be subject to the Open Meeting Laws.
Mrs. Webb thanked all the administrators and teachers that attended the REF
Imagination Celebration last week.
D. Continued Business
Modular Classroom Update
Ms. Sybert updated the School Committee on the status of the modular classroom
project. She handed out conceptual site plans of the locations of the modular at
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each building. Ms. Sybert, Mrs. Colon and Superintendent Doherty met with the
principals of the three buildings to discuss the project. The work zones will be
fenced off and the principals will develop and notify parents of new walking
patterns to avoid these sites.
Superintendent Doherty said the site work will begin after Memorial Day.
FYI Budget Update and Transfers
Ms. Sybert updated the School Committee on the budget status as of April 30,
2015.
She reviewed the request to transfer funds from Special Education to the
Technology cost center. The funds available in the Special Education cost center
are partially attributable to the district's pre-payment of approximately $300,000
in special education tuitions in fiscal year 2014. In addition, some placement
decisions have resulted in savings to the district while some placements have not
yet been settled but are expected to be settled in the current fiscal year.
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to authorize the transfer of
$170,000 from the Special Education cost center to the Technology cost
center. The motion carried 6-0.
Friends & Family Day
Mr. Robinson asked the Committee for input on activities for Friends & Family
Day. A suggestion was made to ask the Architect to provide plans of the three
modular classroom sites for the public to see.
Dr. Snow Dockser suggested providing an activity for young children to do while
their parents were speaking to committee members.
Dr. Doherty suggested 1.5 hour shifts for the Committee members. A schedule
will be created.
E. New Business
RCTV Community Night
Mr. Robinson explained the format of the community night. The School
Committee has the 8:30 slot on Wednesday night. He asked for input on what
kind of information the group would like to share. It was determined that they
will share the role of the School Committee and Mrs. Borawski and Mrs. Webb
will represent the Committee.
III. Routine Matters
a. Bills and Payroll (A)
The following warrants were circulated and signed.
Warrant S1545 4.30.15 $203,217.35
Page 1 4
Warrant S 1546 5.7.15 $108,417.08
Warrant P1522 4.24.15 $1,495,767.53
b. Bids and Donations (A)
Ms. Sybert reviewed the bids received for the Joshua Eaton Roof Replacement
and Associated Work project.
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to authorize the
Superintendent to enter into contract with Reliable Roofing and Sheet Metal
for the Joshua Eaton Roof Replacement and associated work. The motion
carried 6-0.
Donations
RMHS Hockey
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to accept the donation from
the Friends of Reading Rockets Hockev in the amount of$500 to be used to
support a coaching assistant. The motion carried 6-0.
RMHS Lacrosse
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Joyce, to accept the donation from
Reading Lacrosse in the amount of$4,500 to be used to support coaching
assistants for the 2015 season. The motion carried 6-0.
RMHS Drama
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the donation from
the Reading PSST in the amount of$1,300 to be used to support the
Playwritim Instructor as part of the RMHS drama program. The motion
carried 6-0.
Dr. Snow Dockser thanked the parent organizations for their efforts raising the
money for the donations.
c. Minutes
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to approve the open session
minutes dated April 28, 2015. The motion carried 6-0.
d. Calendar
IV.Information
V. Future Business
VI.Adjournment
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to enter into executive session to
discuss strategy with respect to litigation and approval of minutes and not to
Page 1 5
return to open session. The roll call vote carried 6-0. Mr. Nihan, Mrs. Joyce,
Mrs. Borawski, Mr. Robinson, Dr. Snow Dockser and Mrs. Webb.
The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not
the order they occurred during the meeting.
o F. lNherA, Ed.D.
Page 1 6
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