HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-01 School Committee Minutes •
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t� oN, Town of Reading
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
School Committee
Date: 2015-06-01 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 Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services
Elaine Webb
Julie Joyce
Members - Not Present:
Carl Gillies, Student Representative
Others Present:
Alex Nazzaro, Student Representative
Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle
Nancy Docktor, Resident
Erica McNamara, RCASA
Julianne DeAngelis, RCASA
Maureen Buzby, Mystic Valley Tobacco & Alcohol Program
Joanne Senders, Reading Advocate
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.
II. Recommended Procedure
A. Public Input (I)
Chair Robinson called for public input.
There was none.
B. Reports
Page I 1
Students
Ms. Nazzaro reported that class elections were held for next year's officers. She
also reported that most of our sports are participating in post season play and the
senior prom was last week culminating with graduation on Sunday.
Liaisons
Dr. Snow Dockser reported that the HRAC went before the Board of Selectman to
ask the Board to reinstate the Human Relations Advisory Committee. The
Selectmen were receptive and supportive. She has also attended three of the
community forums and found them to be very informative with a good dialogue.
The attendees are providing a lot of useful feedback.
Dr. Doherty explained that he will compile the data he has gathered at these
forums and present to the School Committee in the fall. There will also be
additional forums in the fall with more detailed questions.
As a parent of a senior, Dr. Snow Dockser took this opportunity to thank the
administration, faculty and staff for all they do to provide quality educational
experiences.
Mrs. Webb reported on the National Spanish Honor Society ceremony being held
this evening.
Director of Student Services
Mrs. Wilson reviewed the district's approach to providing Mental Health
Services. The district has a system in place to address the social-emotional well-
being of our students. Using student's 504 plans as well as the tools associated
with the MTSS system, staff can be proactive and students can be successful.
Dr. Doherty said that as part of the School Transformation Grant the district is
required to report the status of the grant by July l st. Sara Burd will present on this
grant at an upcoming School Committee meeting.
Director of Finance
Ms. Sybert reported that there is a slight delay in the permitting process for the
Modular classrooms. The vendor will be meeting with the town Building
Inspector tomorrow.
Mr. Robinson asked how the delay will affect the project. Ms. Sybert said that
Vanguard will update the schedule after that meeting.
Mrs. Webb was startled by news of this delay. She wants to be assured that
Vanguard stays on top of this project and that they are mindful that Town Hall is
closed on Fridays.
Assistant Superintendent
Page 12
Mr. Martin reported on a workshop he and some of the team leaders attended and
presented last week. It was a collaborative event with discussion around common
measures.
Mr. Nihan asked where we were in the hiring of the curriculum coaches. Mr.
Martin shared that interviews have begun.
Superintendent
The Superintendent shared that Mrs. Patti Beckman has been named as the
Associate Principal at the Birch Meadow School for the 2015-16 school year.
Superintendent Doherty reviewed her qualifications and feels this will be a great
fit. Mr. Sprung will work collaboratively throughout the year with Mrs.
Beckman.
C. New Business (out of order)
RCASA Presentation—Vaping
RCASA Director Erica McNamara introduced Maureen Buzby from the Mystic
Valley Tobacco & Alcohol Program who will present information of"vaping".
She provided a brief background of the Mystic Valley Tobacco & Alcohol
Program saying she is the coordinator for 7 communities responsible for
educating them on these products.
She said that young people are not smoking traditional cigarettes as much but are
using these products such as hookah pens, personalized vaporizers (PV or vapes)
and e-hookahs instead. Manufacturers market them to make them attractive to
young adults. "Vaping" is the new craze among adolescents. The use of vaping
has been steadily increasing.
Ms. Buzby defined what an e-cigarette is. An e-cigarette is a nicotine delivery
device that is battery operated and is not regulated by state or federal laws. It
contains no tobacco. Local communities are doing a better job regulating the
access to these products. Reading is one of the few communities that require a
person to be 21 to purchase these products. The risk associated with the use of
these devices has yet to be determined. Nicotine is a poison and there are other
toxins in these products as well. Nicotine can cause the heart to race. Young
adults that have never used conventional cigarettes are gravitating to these devices
because they look cool, smell cool and they are gadgety. The manufacturers are
using slick marketing strategies to promote and sell their products and kids and
parents feel there is no risk in using these products. The manufacturers market
these products as a safe alternative to smoking and as a smoking cessation device.
The appeal of these products to young adults is a selection of flavors. The 3
major tobacco companies are now manufacturing these products. Online sales
also make getting these items very easy for young adults.
Mrs. McNamara said RCASA has concerns with the increase in use of these
products because kids are becoming addicted to nicotine which may lead to the
abuse of other substances.
Page 13
Mr. Robinson asked if the Decisions class was teaching the students about the
risks of vaping.
Mrs. McNamara said that she was working with the high school health educators
to educate the staff and administration on what to look for regarding the vaping
craze.
Ms. DeAngelis commented that the perception by some students during a recent
chemical health violation class is that more than 50% of RMHS students are
vaping nicotine and see it as a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes.
Steps we can take include being informed, update the curriculum and staff
education, spread the word throughout the community and include information in
our student handbooks.
Chair Robinson thanked the group for presenting this information.
D. Continued Business
Superintendent's Evaluation Timeline and Process
Mrs. Webb reviewed the timeline for the School Committee and Dr. Doherty
reviewed the process.
MASC Governance Program Discussion
Dr. Doherty asked for guidance from the School Committee on the direction they
would like to go with this opportunity.
The consensus was that it is something they should participate in and agreed upon
June 22nd as the first workshop. Dr. Doherty's office will contact the MASC to
confirm availability.
E. New Business
Approval of RMHS Field Trip - London
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to approve the RMHS field
trip to London, England in April of 2017.
Dr. Doherty met with Mr. d'Entremont on this trip. Approving this trip this early
allows more time for families to save and pay.
Mrs. Borawski asked if the chaperones fill out the state ethics disclosure form.
The answer was yes they do.
The vote on the motion carried 6-0.
III. Routine Matters
a. Bills and Payroll (A)
Page 14
The following warrants were circulated and signed.
Warrant S1548 5.21.15 $299,030.17
Warrant S1549 5.28.15 $523,367.70
Warrant P1524 5.22.15 $1,449,739.63
b. Bids and Donations (A)
Wood End PTO
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb,to accept donations totaling
$1,557.25 from the Wood End PTO to be used to purchase supplies and
materials for the music, art, physical education departments and the Library
at the Wood End School. The motion carried 6-0.
Reading Boosters
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to accept a donation
in the amount of$5,100 from the Reading Boosters Club to be used to
purchase a utility/golf cart for use by the athletic department and Athletic
Trainer at RMHS. The motion carried 6-0.
c. Minutes
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve the open session
minutes dated May 18, 2015. The motion carried 6-0.
d. Calendar
IV.Information
Dr. Doherty said the next meeting on June 15th will be the annual staff recognition
with a reception at 6:30. Prior to the reception our state senator and representatives
will be in attendance at 6:00 p.m.
He also informed the School Committee that a meeting on June 30th will be necessary
to award the High School Retaining Wall contract.
V. Future Business
VI.Adjournment
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to enter into executive to discuss
strategy with respect to collective bargaining and the approval of minutes not to
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 8:50 p.m.
NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not
the order they occurred during the meeting.
Page 1 5
it mil.
Jg F. iohert ', Ed.D.
Handouts: The Truth about Vaping,E-Cigs and Hookah Pens
E-cigarettes—8 Things Everyone Should Know
Vaping&E-Cigarettes
Page 16
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