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Home My WebLink About2016-06-06 School Committee MinutesTown of Reading bJ Meeting Minutes AU ECE ,fig, , ry ��° f .r► f' IVED L P RK �I c3y txcac+Q° ' � , tj 0, S S. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Vr School Committee Q: 43 Date: 2016 -06 -06 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: �-o- Address: 62 Oakland Road Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Jeanne Borawski, Linda Snow Dockser, Chuck Robinson, Julie Joyce, Elaine Webb, Gary Nihan Members - Not Present: Chuck Robinson Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Student Representatives Alex Nazzaro and Mario Cutone, Chronicle Repo er Al Sylvia, RTA President Chris Copeland, New RTA President Eric Goldstei ; Facilities Director Joe Huggins, Facilities Manager Kevin Gerstner, Town Water & Sewer Manager Peter Isbell, Erik Mysliwy of the Town Water Department, Stephen Estes - Smargiassi of the MWRA I 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 7:05 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input Vice -Chair Borawski asked for public input on items not on the agenda. There was none. Dr. Doherty introduced new student representative Mario Cutone. Mr. Cutone provided a brief background about himself. B. Consent A eg nda Mrs. Borawski reviewed the consent agenda and asked if any members would like any items removed from the consent agenda. Page 1 1 • Approval of RMHS Field Trips — Scotland/Ireland in 2018 & Metropolitan Opera in 2017 • Approval of Grade 5 Camp Bournedale Field Trip in 2016 • Accept a Donation to the Killam School • Approval of open session Minutes — May 9, 2016 Mrs. Joyce moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to The motion carried 5 -0. C. New Business (out of order) Staff Recognition grove the conser Dr. Doherty explained that each year we recognized members of our staff that have achieved milestones which include Professional Teacher Status, 10, 20, 3 years of service and retirees. He wanted to thank HR Administrator Micheala Saunders for her work putting this celebration together. Mrs. Leonard presented the awards to her staff. Barrows ELIZABETH Birch 10 MCGRATH MARY Barrows 10 CASAVANT CAROLE Barrows 10 WALCOTT NANCY Barrows 20 PAPA KELLEY Barrows 20 FORESTELL DEBRA Barrows PTS BURCHILL DEBRA Barrows Retirement Mr. Sprung presented the awards to his staff. Eaton ELIZABETH Birch 10 MCGEVNA ELIZABETH Eaton 10 QUINN JAIME Eaton 10 COOPER JUDY Eaton 10 LYNCH MAUREEN Eaton 20 MERRILL JANE Eaton Retirement Mrs. Beckman presented the awards to her staff. Birch Meadow SLATER ELIZABETH Birch 10 MCDERMOTT MARGARET Birch 10 SPINUZZI JULIE Birch 10 TUFTS JESSICA Birch PTS KYRITSIS ANNA Birch PTS THRASHER -HYBL TRACY Birch PTS DOWNES RICHARD Birch Retirement GERETY JANIS Birch Retirement Mrs. Giles presented the awards to her staff. Page 1 2 LEBLANC VICTORIA Killam 10 NAWROCKI LAUREN Killam 10 MCGINNITY JO -ELLEN Killam 20 OSTERLIND PRISCILLA Killam 30 BYRNES ALLISON Killam PTS CAFFREY MEGHAN Killam PTS GALLANT HOLLLY Killam PTS GOMEZ ALICE Killam PTS GRAMOLINI LAUREN Killam PTS Mrs. Marchant presented the awards to her staff. Coolidge RENEE Parker 10 KENNEY DINA Coolidge 10 HENERBERRY JAMES Coolidge 10 JACOBSMEIER ANN Coolidge 20 BARBERA CYNTHIA Coolidge PTS Dr. Doherty presented the Parker staff with their awards. Parker GELIN RENEE Parker 10 WEBSTER JENNIFER Parker 10 BEAN ELISABETH Parker 10 GAUTHIER VONDA Parker 20 COPELAND CHRISTINA Parker 30 BREHAUT JESSICA Parker PTS NEUGARTEN MARTI Parker PTS NATALE ANNE Parker Retirement COPELAND CHRISTINA Parker Retirement CASTELLANOS YERI Parker Retirement Mr. McSweeney presented his staff with their awards RMHS SANCHEZ ERICA RMHS MEUNIER SARAH RMHS ALLISON CAROLINE RMHS CORREA MAURA RMHS CROSBY KATHERINE RMHS DAILEY KATHLEEN RMHS DIVIRGILIO- THOMAS JENNIFER RMHS LATIMER VERONIQUE RMHS MAHONEY DANJA RMHS DIMATTEI COLLEEN RMHS KENNEDY STEVEN RMHS Page 1 3 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 DENTREMONT GARY RMHS 20 THOMASES JEANNE RMHS 20 FIORE JOHN RMHS 20 HILLIS MAURICE RMHS 30 ALBRIGHT RAYMOND RMHS PTS BAILEY JESSICA RMHS PTS CUMMINGS SARAH RMHS PTS FREEDMAN CASEY RMHS PTS KANE KYLIE RMHS PTS MCSORLEY TANYA RMHS PTS WILLIAMS LYNNA RMHS PTS SCARPITTO NOREEN RMHS Retirement Ms. Butts presented her staff with their awards. RISE BARRY KELLY Rise 10 BOUTIN JANELLE Rise 10 Dr. Doherty recognized the Wood End Staff. Wood End TAINSH LINDSEY Wood End 10 DINAPOLI KERI Wood End PTS Mrs. Borawski called a brief recess at 7:37 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 7:41 p.m. Lead Water Update Dr. Doherty introduced representatives from the Town Water Department, Facilities and the MWRA who would provide an update on the status of water testing in our buildings. Dr. Doherty said he has met several times with Mr. Huggins and town officials since the Flint, MI incident to be proactive in ensuring that the water quality in our schools is within the acceptable levels of lead. W are following the new EPA Guidelines; testing several faucets /water bubblers in each school more frequently. He said this is another example of town and school collaboration. At Killam, as a precaution, we have removed from service all drinking fountains in classrooms and corridors until further testing can be performed and the determination of where the lead is coming from can be determined. Mr. Mysliwy explained that additional water samples were taken on Friday and we should have the results in the next couple of weeks. Reading performs more than the required testing that is required by the state. Mr. Huggins continued by saying that we will focus on the Killam kitchen onc� the results of the additional testing comes back at which point a plan of action can Page 1 4 be developed. Lunch is not being prepared at Killam. It is being prepared at RMHS and delivered to Killam. Mr. Estes - Smargiassi of the MWRA said this is not a water problem it is a plumbing problem. Materials used in the plumbing systems may contain lead which leeches into the water over the course of time. He was pleased that Reading officials have reached out to him to brainstorm a course of action. Mrs. Borawski asked that an update be included on the July agenda. Mrs. Borawski called a brief recess at 8:14 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:18 p.m. FYI Budget — School Lunch Prices Ms. Sybert provided an overview of the school lunch program laws and regulations. The last increase in lunch prices occurred in the 2012 -13 school That increase was $.25 and carried us through several years. Ms. Sybert is as] the School Committee to approve a $.25 increase for the 2016 -17 school year. Mrs. Joyce moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to approve the increase in lunch prices in the amount of $.25. The motion carried 5 -0. D. Reports Student Ms. Nazzaro reported on graduation where the Symphonic and the RMHS S performed. Final exams are upcoming, fall sports meetings are taking place the Underclassman Awards Night will take place on Monday night. Future Freshman Night will be held on Wednesday night. She also shared that the Robotics team will have a booth at Friends and Family Day. Liaisons Mrs. Webb shared that graduation went very well and the Baccalaureate was a nice celebration. She also appreciated the fact that the calendar of senior activities was effectively communicated to parents. Dr. Snow Dockser echoed Mrs. Webb's sentiments regarding the Baccalaureate Celebration adding she found it to be moving and beautiful. She added that the Human Relations Advisory Committee will have a tent at Friends & Family Day and the group will be presenting to the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday evening to present their proposal to change the name to Human Rights Committee. Director of Student Services Mrs. Wilson said that due to a posting snafu the SEPAC meeting for tomorrow evening had to be cancelled and will be rescheduled. The SEPAC will also have a tent at Friends & Family Day. I i Page 1 5 Director of Finance Ms. Sybert said the information regarding parent paid bussing will be going this week. Assistant Superintendent Mr. Martin updated the committee on the science curriculum roll out stating t: the district will be using Know Atom for grades 3 — 5 for the first year of implementation. The middle school curriculum choice is still being explored. Superintendent Superintendent Doherty complimented the high school administration and senior class advisors for their efforts coordinating the graduation ceremony and all of h( senior week activities. Graduation of 317 seniors was a wonderful celebration of the accomplishments of this class. Dr. Doherty updated the committee on the Killam principal search. There are 3 finalists that will spend the day at Killam visiting classrooms and meeting staff concluding with open microphone sessions for staff and parents. He hopes to make the announcement by the end of the school year. E. Old Business Friends and Family Day The event is June 11th and Mrs. Borawski asked for the Committee to man the booth if they were available. She will be glad to coordinate the coverage schedule. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant S 1648 5.26.16 $314,687.10 Warrant 51649 6.2.16 $392,363.42 Warrant S1649E 6.1.16 $49,895.36 Warrant P1624 5.20.16 $1,483,500.80 b. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mrs. Joyce moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan 0. Page 1 6 5- The meeting adjourned at 8:43 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 7