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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-07 School Committee Minutes /0-K- Town of Reading Meeting Minutes `Y,'��r tk4aTtP��c Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2015-12-07 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: Superintendent Conference Room Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: General Meeting Session: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: Jeanne Borawski, Linda Snow Dockser, Elaine Webb, Chuck Robinson &Julie Joyce Members - Not Present: Members Gary Nihan, Student Representative Carl Gillies Others Present: John Doherty, Superintendent, Craig Martin, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson, Director of Finance Martha Sybert, Catherine Spinelli, Daily Chronicle, Student Representative Alex Nazzaro, RTA President Chris Copeland, Joshua Eaton Principal Eric Sprung, Joshua Eaton teachers Anne Manna, Jaime Quinn and Michele Ofilos and members of the Joshua Eaton PTO and School Council Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chair Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:06 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input Marianne Downing asked when the communication audit would be presented. Dr. Doherty said we are waiting for the final report. B. Consent Agenda Mr. Robinson reviewed the consent agenda and asked if any members would like any items removed from the consent agenda. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb,to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried 5-0. C. New Business Page I 1 2016-2017 School Year Calendar Dr. Doherty reviewed the proposed 2016-17 school year calendar. Once again school will be in session on Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah and Good Friday(this will be a professional development day as part of the annual Blue Ribbon Conference). School will begin for teachers on August 29th and August 31St for students. The traditional professional development day scheduled for the Tuesday after Columbus Day will be moved next year,to Election Day November 8th. Dr. Doherty reviewed the absence rate on religious holidays. Mrs. Webb shared information on the School Committee's Religious Accommodations Policy. Dr. Snow Dockser appreciates the fact that the district has the Religious Accommodation Policy and that the non-national religious holidays appear on the calendar to allow for both families and staff to be aware of them. Mr. Robinson asked that a review of Policy IMDA be put on the agenda for a meeting in the spring. RMHS senior Stefanie Sack shared her experience this fall. She felt that when the religious holidays are a day off for all, reasons behind the importance of these observances are more easily understood by the community. She felt the implementation of the policy was inconsistent at the high school. Students are hesitant to speak up on the reasons they are out of school. Rebecca Liberman, parent asked if the first day of Yom Kippur could be a half day of school instead of April 13tH The committee expressed concerns that not all schools are properly implementing the Accommodation Policy. Dr. Doherty pointed out that this is the first year of this policy being in place and will strive to ensure all teachers understand its implementation. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve the 2016-17 school calendar. The motion carried 4-1. Dr. Snow Dockser voting against. Joshua Eaton Presentation Joshua Eaton Principal Eric Sprung provided an overview of the topics to be discussed tonight. He also thanked members of the Joshua Eaton staff, School Council and PTO for their support. He reviewed that school accountability measures the progress in districts and schools for all students and up to 11 student"subgroups" including a high needs subgroup consisting of economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners. The state's accountability measures include the progress and performance index (PPI). This index is a 100 point scale that combines information from up to seven indicators; looking at narrowing proficiency gaps in English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science, growth scores in ELA and math, annual dropout rates and cohort graduation rates (high school). Schools and districts receive two types of PPI scores; Annual PPI which measures improvement from one year to the next and cumulative PPI which is a measurement of improvement over the past four years. Most districts, schools Page 2 and groups receive an annual PPI based on improvement over 2 years and a cumulative PPI that measures over 4 years. Extra credit can be awarded for demonstrating improvement on MCAS/PARCC and for strong language acquisition. Although Mr. Sprung is confident that progress has been made by the high needs subgroup, mathematically the school will fall short of the Annual PPI to change level. Mr. Sprung reviewed areas of strength in the PARCC results. Overall Joshua Eaton students performed very well. There are areas of improvement which include how we provide students with disabilities access to grade level standards, review IEP accommodations to ensure students have appropriate access and work with regular and special education staff to identify inclusion opportunities. Joshua Eaton is also looking at the grade 3 PARCC data as well as identifying needed grade 4 student support by reviewing grade level results by teacher and student to identify trends and patterns,provide ELA and math coaching to ensure consistency of instruction in grade 3 and provide extra Title 1 support to students that perform at levels 1 and 2. Lastly, Mr. Sprung indicated the Joshua Eaton is investigating ways to improve Title 1 results working with Title 1 staff to ensure more inclusive instruction, hiring highly trained staff trained staff for teaching of grade level standards and progress monitor students on a more regular basis to ensure interventions are yielding appropriate results. Mr. Sprung introduced Eileen Manning, a member of the School Council and Task Force to present the Joshua Eaton goals that have been developed as a result of the task force findings and work of the School Council. The Joshua Eaton community also held a World Café forum and the results from that event were shared with the School Council. The School Council also created a communication survey for parents to identify strengths and weaknesses. The goals that have been developed include meeting the academic needs of all students, continuing to identify ways to meet the social emotional needs of all students and creating a consistent and clear communication between home and school to benefit the school community. Mr. Sprung shared some initiatives that are occurring at Joshua Eaton this year which includes the use of the Know Atom science program in grades 4 & 5, weekly data meeting, DSAC support Title 1 interventionists and the math and literacy coaches. Mr. Sprung shared that Joshua Eaton has a strong community of engaged parents. Mrs. Borawski appreciated that and agrees success is contingent on having engaged parents. She then asked how we ensure that what is being done at the school level is consistent across the district with our students with disabilities. Mr. Sprung answered that we make sure all teachers have skills and abilities to address the needs of all students. Mrs. Wilson added that the administration is constantly reviewing how we support students with special needs districtwide. Mrs. Borawski then asked how Joshua Eaton's grade 3 PARCC results compared to the rest of the district. Mr. Sprung said the scores are slightly lower than the state average and it is an area of concern. Mr. Robinson called for a brief recess at 8:21 p.m. Page 13 The meeting was called back to order at 8:27 p.m. First Reading of Revised Policy BEDH—Public Participation at School Committee Meetings Mrs Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to accept the first reading of revised Policy BEDH—Public Participation at School Committee Meetings. Mrs. Borawski began the reading of the policy. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser,to dispense with the reading. The motion carried 5-0. Dr. Doherty shared that this is the policy the committee worked on during the retreat. Legal counsel has reviewed the policy. Dr. Dockser would like the following added to the policy: "While the Committee and/or administration will not typically respond to citizen comments or questions posed at Public Comment, the Chair, as presiding officer of the meeting, may answer or request an answer to a question if he/she deems it expeditious. " The motion carried as amended 5-0. D. Reports Student Ms. Nazzaro reported on the upcoming band and choral concerts this week. She also shared that the Select Chorus and members of the band performed at the Festival of Trees. RMHS Drama will be holding its annual Dickens Faire and Marketplace on Saturday, the Select Chorus is once again offering caroling performances and winter sports have begun. Liaisons Mrs. Borawski shared that the Recreation Committee held a community forum to discuss the lighting of the Birch Meadow field and will be presenting to the Board of Selectmen at an upcoming meeting. Mrs. Joyce attended the Festival of Trees and said it was a great community event. Mrs. Webb attended the recent opioid dialogue hosted by Senator Lewis. Mr. Robinson stated that as unpopular as our Chemical Health policy may be it is having an impact on our community. Dr. Snow Dockser was pleased that other community coalitions attended this session. Dr. Snow Dockser updated the committee on the HRAC work. The group is working with the Reading Public Library and the Unitarian Church putting together a celebration of diversity. There will be a community showing of the Page 14 movie "SELMA" at RMHS and she reminded everyone of the Martin Luther King celebration on January 18th from 9:30— 11:30 p.m. Director of Student Services Mrs. Wilson reported that the SEPAC will be meeting on December 10th at 7 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. There will also be a discussion on Special Education transportation at 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Borawski stepped out at 8:51 p.m. Superintendent's Report Superintendent Doherty reported that he and Mrs. Wilson are on a sub-committee at SEEM that is looking at transportation and attended a meeting this morning. There was a presentation by the Northshore Education Consortium on their Recovery High School. Members of the high school administration,team chairs, guidance staff and NEC Director Fran Rosenberg were in attendance. This program is for students recovering from substance abuse and is an option available to them. He reported that the PARCC accountability ratings will be released by the state on Wednesday and the PARCC mailing has gone out and all families should have received the results. The Reading Rotary has once again visited the kindergarten classrooms to read to the students and give each kindergartener a bag with two age appropriate books. Dr. Doherty thanked Mike Foley and all the volunteers that made the Festival of Trees a great success. Mrs. Borawski returned to the meeting at 8:57 p.m. Dr. Snow Dockser wanted to thank the local businesses that donated to the Festival of Trees and all other activities. Mr. Robinson complimented our football captains for representing the team and school so well at the Rotary Football Luncheon. E. Continued Business III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) The following warrants were circulated and signed. Warrant S1622 11.25.15 $104,345.22 Warrant S1623 12.03.15 $385,892.51 Warrant P1611 11.20.15 $1,507,806.65 Page 15 b. Bids and Donations (A ) c. Calendar IV.Information V. Future Business VI.Adjournment Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mrs. Joyce to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0. 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. hn ''Dohe y, Ed.D. Page 16