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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-20 School Committee Minutes f� t_ k1 Town of Reading r b Meeting Minutes s+INCOR*00* Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2015-07-20 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: Superintendent Conference Room Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: Regular Meeting Session: General Session Attendees: Members - Present: Chuck Robinson Jeanne Borawski Elaine Webb Julie Joyce Gary Nihan Linda Snow-Dockser Members - Not Present: Carl Gillies, Student Representative Others Present: John Doherty, Superintendent Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent Martha Sybert, Director of Finance & Operation Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services Sara Burd Erica McNamara Zach Camenker, Reading Chronicle Adam Bakr, RMHS Principal Lynna Williams, RMHS Director of Guidance Alex Nazzaro, Student Representative Nancy Docktor, Resident Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chair Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:02 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. Page I 1 B. Reports Students Ms. Nazzaro had nothing to report. C. New Business (Out of Order) RMHS Handbook RMHS Principal Adam Bakr provided an overview of the changes to the 2015-16 student handbook. A focus will be reviewing procedures and appropriate consequences to improve student tardiness to school. Tied into this focus will be the ongoing discussion of school core values. Core values will continue to be developed and the behavioral norms for both student and staff will be emphasized. The edits include the new configuration of the two assistant principal's responsibilities for student life. Each assistant principal will have a secretary working solely for them and will assist in the logging of student attendance and tardies. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to approve the Reading Memorial High School 2015-16 student handbook per Policy CHCA. Mrs. Webb wanted to be sure that the assistant principals and secretarial support are able to use data effectively to aid in addressing student tardiness. Dr. Doherty added that we are currently struggling with our student information system. We are unable to effectively access student attendance data. The district is looking into different student information systems to make the use of current data effectively. Mrs. Nancy Docktor asked the school department to look into a later start time for students to help address this issue. The vote on the motion carried 6-0. School Transformation/Mental Health First Aid Grant Update Dr. Doherty provided a blef overview of tonight's presentation outlining the steps we have taken to improve behavioral health of our students and said there is a strong correlation between academic and behavioral health. The journey began five years ago. There was an increase in students with anxiety, depression and hospitalization. To address these concerns the film"Race to Nowhere"was shown and discussed, which led to the formation of the Behavioral Health Task Force. An action plan with recommendations was developed and community support and grant funding was sought. Our district is on the right track. Over the course of the year our school presented their approaches to addressing the behavioral health needs of the students. Ms. Burd will update the Committee on Year One of the School Climate Transformation Grant. Page 12 Ms. Burd began by outlining the Reading's goals and the five major areas of the grant and reviewed the performance indicators for the district as part of the federal requirements. Ms. Burd went on to provide a quick overview of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). The MTSS is responsive to the academic and non-academic needs of all students. The district is hoping to have the MTSS model align districtwide. The establishment of the individual school's core values is important so all stakeholders are on the same page and understand what is expected of everyone. She went onto review the spring Tiered Fidelity Inventory for the schools. This measure is a gauge of how successful the district has been implementing behavioral health measures. Reading has done very well in the first year of this grant. Ms. McNamara next reported on the School Mental Health First Aid Grant. Work done over the past year includes Youth Mental Health First Aid training. We have been able to train 10 credentialed instructors who in turn have been able to train over 200 faculty and staff members. Ms. McNamara reminded the community that mental health issues need to be looked at as illness and not be stigmatized. The Mental Health First Aid training teaches adults how to help adolescents who are experiencing mental health or addiction challenges. RCASA will be hosting two community events in the fall. Dr. Doherty wrapped up the discussion by outlining the future steps in our journey which include engaging the community in discussions on behavioral health, discuss changes to student policies that affect learning. He said we would be looking at the start times for secondary school students and homework purpose. The administration will also review possible resource recommendations including comprehensive K— 8 Health Education and PreK—5 Counseling Services and lastly the full implementation of MTSS for academic and social emotional learning. POST Program Presentation Mrs. Wilson shared that we hope to be entering into collaboration with the Wakefield Public Schools to provide a stable program model to support students ages 18 —22. This program addresses the needs of our post graduate special education students and provides experimental and educational opportunities in the areas of daily living, employment, community inclusion, recreation, leisure and real-world academic skills in order to promote successful transition to adulthood. The costs will be shared 50/50 between Reading and Wakefield. The building that will house the program is being renovated. Students will be transported to the facility. The students will increase their peer group beyond the borders of our community. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, that the School Committee recommends the Board of Selectmen enter into an Inter-municipal agreement with the Wakefield Public Schools to provide post graduate services for our special education students. The motion carried 6-0. Page 13 First Reading of Policy JKAA—Physical Restraint of Students Mrs. Wilson provided an overview of the changes to this policy to align with the changes in the regulations on physical restraints that go into effect on January 1, 2016. The district will implement these changes at the start of the school year to avoid confusion. The revised policy provides more clarity to procedures and definitions. The administrative team has all been trained. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the first reading of Policy JKAA—Physical Restraint of Students. Mrs. Borawski began the first reading of Policy JKAA. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to suspend further reading of the policy. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Webb asked when the training was done. Most of the training of staff is done during the in-service days. Training done during the school day requires substitute coverage. All staff receives a general overview of the restraint training procedures. Mrs. Webb and Mrs. Borawski expressed their frustration over another unfunded mandate. Dr. Snow Dockser asked how the substitute coverage will be handled with the budget cuts in substitute coverage for this year. Dr. Doherty said there are several mandated trainings required of the staff each year and many are done during in- service days. The vote on the original motion carried 6-0. First Reading of Policy GCCD—Domestic Violence Leave Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the first reading of Policy GCCD—Domestic Violence Leave. Mrs. Borawski began the first reading of Policy GCCD. Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan,to suspend further reading of the policy. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Webb asked about classroom coverage. Dr. Doherty said although this is an unpaid leave of up to 15 days there would be a need for classroom coverage. The vote on the motion carried 6-0. D. Reports Liaisons Page 14 Mrs. Borawski updated the School Committee on the recent Recreation Committee meeting. The Board toured the Birch meadow complex to discuss the field lighting enhancements. There will be a public hearing later in the summer. Dr. Snow Dockser reported that the HRAC is seeking new members. This year will be the 25th anniversary of the ADA and the Board of Selectmen will acknowledge this at an upcoming meeting. She went on to mention that a date has been set for the Annual Reading METCO Pool party and all are welcome. Director of Finance Ms. Sybert reported all three construction projects are ongoing and on schedule. The modular units should arrive in Reading next week. The Administration will be keeping a close eye on the progress of the construction. There is a construction meeting tomorrow at which point we will have more information. Mrs. Joyce requested that the School Committee be provided with weekly updates. Mr.Nihan asked what the contingency plan was. Dr. Doherty said he is working on accommodations if the modular are not ready for the start of school. Mrs. Webb wanted to be sure that enough lead time was given when scheduling the final inspections because of the Building Inspector's availability. Mrs. Joyce requested a calendar/timeline of the project and would like to be sure that the Committee and community are kept informed. D. Continued Business III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1554 6.30.15 $393,104.46 Warrant S1555 7.9.15 $119,455.87 Warrant 51556 6.30.15 $52,527.66 Warrant 51603 7.16.15 $139,581.20 Warrant P1601 6.15.15 $1,201,611.39 Warrant P1602 6.29.15 $994,234.16 b. Bids and Donations (A ) Award of OPM Contract Ms. Sybert reviewed the bids and recommended that the contract be awarded to Gale Associates. Page 15 Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into contract with Gale Associates of Weymouth, MA to provide Owners Project Manager Services for the Modular Project. The motion carried 6-0. Donations Barrows Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the donation in the amount of$15,000 from the Barrows PTO to be used to support the students of the Barrows School. The motion carried 6-0. Joshua Eaton Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb,to accept the donation from the Joshua Eaton PTO in the amount of$895 to be used to support the students of the Joshua Eaton School The motion carried 6-0. Parker Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the donations totaling$340 from several families to be used to support the Instrument Fund at the Parker Middle School. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to accept the donation in the amount of$11,400 from the Parker PTO to be used to support the students of the Parker Middle School. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan,to accept the donation in the amount of$1,215.99 from the Parker PTO to be used to supplement funding received as part of the REF Grant program. The motion carried 6-0. c. Minutes Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Nihan, to approve the open session minutes dated July 2,2015. The motion carried 5-0-1. Dr. Snow Dockser abstained. d. Calendar IV.Information V. Future Business VI.Adjournment Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Page 16 NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. % 61 At Aik4 John F. Do 1 i y, Ed.D. Page 17