HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-29 School Committee Minutes -'yOFR
v. Town of Reading
A,iv,
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
School Committee
Date: 2015-09-29 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:
Chuck Robinson (arrived at 8:20 p.m.), Jeanne Borawski, Gary Nihan, Linda
Snow Dockser, Elaine Webb &Julie Joyce
Members - Not Present:
Student Representatives Gillies & Nazzaro
Others Present:
John Doherty, Superintendent, Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent,
Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services, Martha Sybert, Director of
Finance, Chris Copeland, RTA President, Al Sylvia, Daily Chronicle
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair
Topics of Discussion:
I. Call to Order
Vice - Chair Borawski called the School Committee to order at 7:02 p.m.
Vice - Chair Borawski declared that executive session is necessary to protect the
litigation positions of the body.
Mrs.Joyce moved, seconded by Dr.Nihan, to enter into executive session to
discuss strategy with respect to litigation and the approval of minutes and to
return to open session at approximately 8:00 p.m. The roll call vote carried
5-0. Mrs. Borawski, Mrs. Joyce,Dr. Nihan, Mrs. Webb and Dr. Snow
Dockser.
The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Open session was recalled to order at 8:20 p.m.
II. Recommended Procedure
A. Public Input(I)
Chair Robinson called for public input.
There was none.
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B. Reports
Liaisons
Mrs. Webb reminded the community of the RCASA Annual meeting and
screening of"If Only" at Jordan's Furniture on Wednesday night. She also
reported that she was fortunate to attend a STEM event at MIT as part of the
Governor's STEM Advisory Council.
Dr. Snow Dockser reminded the community that the HRAC will be meeting on
October 1St
Superintendent's Report
Religious Holidays
Dr. Doherty reported on the student and staff attendance for the Yom Kippur and
Eid al Adha holidays.
Other Information
Dr. Doherty updated the Committee on the following:
• The Interim Principal for Parker has been named and will begin on a full
time capacity on October 22.
• MCAS delivery has been delayed a week.
• Modular Classroom Update—Joshua Eaton students are now in the
modular. All six classrooms are up and running. Superintendent Doherty
thanked all who contributed to the three weekend moves.
• Community Presentations— Superintendent Doherty will be presenting the
results of the spring forums to the community over the next couple of
weeks.
Upcoming Meetings
The School Committee will hear the focus group presentation at the October 5th
meeting. He reminded the Committee that the meeting will be at Killam. Mrs.
Giles will update the School Committee on the transition to the modular.
On October 19th the School Committee will hear presentations from RMHS on
initiatives, guidance and YRBS.
C. Continued Business
Superintendent's Evaluation
Mrs. Webb described the Superintendent's evaluation process. The
Superintendent provided a self-evaluation and feedback from the Administrators.
Each member met individually with the Superintendent to discuss their individual
evaluations. Mrs. Webb reviewed the four standards and shared comments
included in the composite evaluation. This year 5 out of 6 members evaluated the
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Superintendent. The 6th member had just joined the committee but did meet with
the Superintendent on the process. Mrs. Webb explained that the evaluation
process is comprehensive and rigorous.
Mrs. Webb thanked Dr. Doherty and is looking forward to moving the district
forward together.
Dr. Snow-Dockser thanked the Superintendent for his dedication and focus on
continuing to move the district forward in a difficult year. She feels the
evaluation process is thorough and thought provoking.
Mr. Robinson echoed the sentiments personally thanking Dr. Doherty and
congratulating him on a job well done.
Superintendent Doherty thanked the Committee for going through this process
and appreciates the time, effort and dedication required to complete this process.
He thanked them for meeting with him individually. These meetings are an
integral part of the evaluation process.
Dr. Doherty said 2014-15 was a difficult year having to address the Level 3
designation at one of our schools, and budgetary and space issues. He is
optimistic that the district is on the right track this year. He thanked the central
office administrators and building principals for their hard work and dedication.
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan,to approve the
Superintendent's End-of-Cycle Evaluation Report for the 2014-15 school
year. The motion carried 6-0.
III. Routine Matters
a. Bills and Payroll (A)
The following warrants were circulated and signed.
Warrant S1613 9.24.15 $302,115.88
Warrant P1606 9.11.15 $1,383,667.03
Warrant P1607 9.25.15 $1,546,522.51
b. Bids and Donations (A)
Donations
RMHS PTO
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan,to accept a donation in the
amount of$21,938.25 from the RMHS PTO to be used to support the mission
and students of RMHS. The motion carried 6-0.
c. Minutes
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Dr. Nihau,to approve the open session
minutes dated September 21,2015. The motion carried 6-0.
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d. Calendar
IV.Information
V. Future Business
VI.Adjournment
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Joyce to adjourn. The motion
carried 6-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not
the order they occurred during the meeting.
I
/ F. oherty,Ed.D.
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