Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-29 School Committee MinutesOFNf \ Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2016-08-29 Time: 6:45 PM Building: School -Memorial High Location: Address: 62 Oakland Road Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MASS. 1111 OCT 21 P Z. 28 i Jeanne Borawski, Linda Snow Dockser, Elaine Webb, Gary Nihan, Julie Joyce Members - Not Present: Student Representatives Nazzaro & Cutone. Chuck Robinson Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson (arrived at 7:09 p.m.), Director of Finance Gail Dowd, Chronicle Reporter Al Sylvia, Selectmen Barry Berman, RPS Principals, Assistant Director of Facilities Kevin Cabuzzi, Erik Mysliwy - Town Water Department Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chair Borawski called the School Committee to order at 6:50 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. New Teacher Introduction Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the Induction Week activities. Mrs. Leonard introduced the new teachers at the Barrows School. Mrs. Hendrix introduced the new teachers at the Birch Meadow School. Ms. Marchant introduced the new teachers at the Coolidge Middle School. Mr. Sprung introduced the new teachers at the Joshua Eaton School. Ms. Leveque introduced the new teachers at the Killam School. Mrs. Shankland introduced the new teachers at the Parker Middle School. Page I I Mr. Bakr introduced the new teachers at the high school. Mrs. King introduced the new teachers at the Wood End School. Dr. Doherty introduced the new Central Office staff. Mrs. Wilson introduced the new district Special Education staff. Dr. Doherty commended the principals for their efforts in hiring new staff over the summer. He also thanked Interim Human Resources Administrator Jenn Bove and Administrative Assistant Kristyn Cohen for their fireless work processing the new hires. Mrs. Borawski called a brief recess at 7:13 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 7:16 p.m. B. Public Input Chair Borowski asked for public input on items not on the agenda. Marianne Downing asked if School Committee archives would be added to the website. Dr. Doherty said that we are in the process of adding content to the website. C. Consent Aeenda Mrs. Borawski asked the Committee if there were any consent agenda items that they would like removed. There were none. - Approval of Minutes (July 25 & 27, 2016) Mrs. Joyce moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve the consent aeenda as presented. The motion carried 5-0. D. Reports Liaison's Report Mrs. Webb reported on the recent RCASA meeting and noted that the annual meeting is in September. Dr. Snow Dockser updated the committee on the HRAC. The next meeting will be on Sept. 7' at Town Hall. The HRAC has been planning the MLK Day Breakfast. She next reported that the SEPAC had been busy over the summer. The annual METCO BBQ and Pool Party will be held on September 10" and the Reading Street Faire is on September I la. Page 1 2 Dr. Snow Dockser shared that she was thrilled to attend the opening meeting this morning. The energy and excitement was palpable in the Performing Arts Center. Chair Borawski reported that she also attended the opening day meeting and was honored to speak. She also reported that the Board of Selectmen voted to put forward the amount of $7.5M for the override question. Upcoming meetings are September 1; Community Financial Forum, September 12; Special Town Meeting and October 18; Special Election. Superintendent's Report Superintendent Doherty thanked the custodial and facilities staff for all their hard work to ensure our buildings were ready to open on the fust day of school. He went on to provide an overview of the work done over the summer months including all schools cleaned, waxed and ready to go, preventative maintenance on our mechanical plant, painting of classrooms, refinishing of floors and the installation of ceiling fans in classrooms on the 40 floor of RMHS. Dr. Doherty updated the community on the lead in water testing. Additional testing was done at Killam, Coolidge and Birch Meadow and the solution of replacing the faucets at the sources did not result in lower results at most of the affected areas, especially at the Killam Elementary School. As a result, additional steps will be taken to ensure the safety of our students including the creation of handwashing only stations at the affected areas in the classrooms and washrooms and capping all affected water fountains and providing bottled water dispensers. The elevated lead levels in the water is a systemic problem, probably due to the age of the buildings particularly Killam. Mrs. Borawski asked about the budgetary impact and how parents have been notified. Dr. Doherty shared that all parents received information via Connect - Ed. Mr. Huggins will be tracking the cost of providing bottled water at the affected buildings. Over the summer the District Leadership Team held five days of discussion on several topics in preparation for the start of the school year. Attorney Michael Joyce presented information on student legal issues including Chapter 222, bullying and harassment, attendance, 504, special education, student records and investigations. The teacher evaluation process was reviewed and action plans developed for closing the achievement gap, math instruction, literacy and social emotional learning were all discussed during the team's retreat. Mr. Martin reviewed the summer activity in Learning and Teaching. Several professional development opportunities were held both in dist4rict and out of district. Staff members attended the 2016 International Literacy Association conference held in Boston. A Know Atom Science workshop was held for grade 3 — 5 teachers and a grade 6 Science workshop was held. Curriculum work was done in several areas. Page 1 3 A team from RPS presented on social emotional leaming at the Annual MASS Summer Institute. New teacher induction and orientation was held last week and went extremely well. Mrs. Downing asked about the status of the curriculum maps and pacing guides. Mr. Martin said he hopes to share these documents with the public later in the fall. Mrs. Wilson updated the community on the summer activities in the Student Services Department. The Extended School year program ran for 5 weeks this year and collaborated with the Kid's Club to have these students participate in several of the activities offered. Professional development opportunities in Mental Health First Aid, Team Chair Leadership, and MTSS district and building leadership team planning was provided. Mandatory employee trainings were held in harassment, discrimination, bullying and civil rights. Curriculum work was also done over the summer. Dr. Doherty reviewed the elementary enrollment, the computer replacements that occurred over the summer and status of the new website. Superintendent Doherty also shared that we will be using the interface referral service with William James College that Ms. McNamara of RCASA had presented at an earlier meeting. This service will be funded by grants and is a referral system for students and community and will be used with our SBIRT process in grade 9. Lastly, Dr. Doherty reviewed the district vision and new logo and direction E. Old Business Superintendent's Evaluation Mrs. Borawski asked that the Superintendent's Evaluation be deferred to the next meeting when all the committee will be in attendance. FYI Budget Preparation Dr. Doherty reviewed the structural deficit and the resources needed to address the challenges and the impact if these needs are not addressed. He feels that a majority of the cuts will be staffing. Mrs. Borawski said it is important that we find a way to communicate this to the staff. Mrs. Downing asked if there is any fall back if the override fails. Mr. Berman indicated that no decisions have been made at this point but it would be looked at for next year. He went on to say residents need to be asked what they are willing to give up. The town residents are happy with the services they receive and really do not want to sacrifice anything. Information needs to get out on what the impact will be and what are the potential losses in services. Page 14 Dr. Doherty shared that year 2 of the science curriculum is included in the structural deficit. If the override fails FY18 will look like FY17. He next reviewed the prioritized list of needed resources based on the $7.5M ballot question. Lastly, the Superintendent reviewed the list of resources not funded from the original prioritized list of resources. Mrs. Joyce moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve the FY18 prioritized resources needed to address educational challenges and the structural deficit as presented in the total amount of $2.960,000. Dr. Nihan expressed his concerns that we need to have a health curriculum that is evidence based. The motion carried 5-0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant 51657 6.30.16 $24,810.12 Warrant 51658 6.30.16 $12,633.26 WarrantS1658A 6.30.16 $80.00 Warrant 51659 6.30.16 $442.75 Warrant 51661 6.30.16 1,155.87 Warrant 51705 7.28.16 $89,318.82 Warrant S1706 8.4.16 $181,808.37 Warrant 51707 8.16.16 $22,596.53 Warrant 51708 8.18.16 $194,917.80 Warrant 51709 8.25.16 $77,238.29 Warrant '1703 7.29.16 $1,024,910.85 b. Calendar IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adioumment Mrs. Joyce moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 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 John F. Ir Ed.D. Handouts: Elementary Enrollment Update on Lead in the Water FY18 Prioritized List Page 1 6 £ :i j ! }Iwo \) \u \) 2) )d John F. Doherty, Ed. D. S,arintendent of Schools 82 Oakland Road Reading, MA 01867 Phone: 781-944-5800 F. 781-942-9149 Craig Martin, M.Ed, Assistant Superintendent Carolyn J. Wilson, M.Ed., JD Director of thudmt Services Gail Dowd, CPA Director of Finance Reading Public Schools Instilling a joy of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow To: Reading School Committee From: John F. Doherty, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools Date: August 29, 2016 Re: FYI Prioritized List At the July 25'^ School Committee Meeting, we presented to you a list of priorities with cost estimates for the FYI budget. This list, shown below in Table 1, contained $2,000,000 to address the structural deficit and an additional $1,925,000 in resources to address the challenges that we are facing in our school district. Table 1 -List of Resources and Structural Deficit Salary Adjustments Staff salary $360,000 Full Day of School on Wednesday at Elementary 4.5 FTE Elementary Teachers $455,000 Additional Paraeducatr Hours Middle School Health Education 2.5 FTE Health/PE Teachers at Parker and Coolidge $140,000 High School Program Improvement 4.0 FTE Teachers for AP and Electives $220,000 Additional Supports for Struggling Students 4.0 FTE Academic Tutors $150,000 -: (=Fetors,-BCBA) - - - - --1-A FTE Board Certified Behavior Analyst or ----- - -- -- Equivalent School Transformation Grant Funded Positions 1.0 FTE Data Analyst $160,000 1.0 FIE Administrator for Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum Supervision Leadership 2.0 FTE PreK-8 Curriculum Coordinators $285,000 1.0 FTE PreK-12 Fine Arts and Wellness Coordinator Restructure RMHS Department Heads Special Education Leadership 1,0 FTE Assistant Director for Student Services $95,000 Additional Clerical Support 2.5 Secretaries or Equivalent $60,000 Me ReadingG Mk Sr corn oaes rot oscnmmate on me basis of color, sex, genoer Deno,, moglan, nadoMe algin, seawr urbnNtko, ape or msaadq. On August 16'", the Reading Board of Selectmen voted to place a $7,500,000 amount for the override ballot question on October 18th. If the ballot question is approved by the voters, it has been discussed by the Board of Selectmen and School Committee that $2,960,000 of that amount will be allocated to the FY18 school department budget. Since August 16", I have been meeting with our administrators to develop a more prioritized list for the $2,960,000. This list is described below in Table 2. It should be emphasized that the entire original list was identified as resources necessary to address our current challenges and we purposely did not prioritize the list at that time. Each item on that list directly or indirectly had an impact on student learning. Therefore, the recommended list below is based on what will have the greatest overall impact on student learning with the resources that potentially could be available. Salary Adjustments Staff salary $360,000 Curriculum Supervision Leadership 2.0 FTE PreK-8 Curriculum $195,000 Coordinators Additional Supports for Struggling Students (Tutors, 4.0 FTE Academic Tutors $107,000 BCBA) .5 FTE Board Certified Behavior Analyst or Equivalent Special Education Leadership .5 FTE Assistant Director for Student $48,000 Services Middle School Health Education 2.5 FTE Heahh/PE Teachers at Parker $140,000 said Coolidge High School Program improvement 2.0 FTE Teachers for AP and Electives $110,000 Below is a brief description of the rationale behind each of the items on the list. The list below is not in a particular order. For greater backup, please refer to the document that I distributed at the July 25° meeting titled, Rationale for FY18 Budget Discussion, located on our website at http://www.readin¢.kI2.ma.wItest/budget-information/. 1. Structural Deficit ($2,000,000) -This is the meant necessary to have a level service budget in FYI S. It will allow m to continue in provide the same level of staffing, course offerings, supports, and class sizes that will exist during the 2016-17 school year. It will not restore any positions that we reduced in the FY17 budget. If the override does not pass, we will need to reduce this amount in the FY18 budget which could result in up to 30.0 FTE in teachers, administrators, and support staff being reduced from FY17 stuffing levels in the FY18 budget. 2. Salary Adjustments ($360,000) -This amount is allocated to improve salary schedules and help retain current staff and attract new staff when positions open. Currently, our teacher salary schedules are in the lower half of 30 comparable communities and it is become more and more difficult to retain staff and attract staff, particularly in the areas of special education, math, science, foreign language, school psychologists, and social workers. The FeaMng Nblk 5[Aoo6 Eoes n Me bask ofma , Mw, sex, gentler Nentlry, re11,1, na[lowl o ,In, sexual anm[a(ion, age or 1h 111, 3. Curriculum Supervision Leadership ($195,000) -This funding will provide K-8 curriculum leadership and supervision in the STEM areas and Literacy. The K-12 Fine Arts and Health Coordinator was eliminated from the original list It will help with the coordination of curriculum K-12, oversee the pacing and alignment of curriculum, and supervise and evaluate assigned staff in K-8. This will help support our building principals in the supervision and evaluation process, who currently have ratios of forty staff and above in some schools. 4. Additional Supports for Struggling Students ($107,000) -This amount will support 4.0 FTE academic tutors (2.0 FTE at the middle school and 2.0 FTE at the High School) and a.5 Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). There is a reduction of.5 FTE BCBA from the original list. The tutors will provide academic interventions for any student who is struggling. These are general education positions. The .5 Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will provide social emotional and behavioral coaching to staff to help address students with behavioral and social emotional needs. It is our intent to restructure funding from special education consulting to increase this position to 1.0. 5. Special Education Leadership ($48,000) -This amount will fund a.5 FTE Assistant Director for Special Education, which is a.5 FTE reduction from the original list. We will combine this position with either our.5 Out of District Coordinator or a .5 Team Chair at one of our schools to create a full time position. This position will provide leadership and support in special education transportation, supervision and evaluation, health services, and ELL. 6. Middle School Health Education ($140,000) -This amount will fund 2.5 FTE Health Educators at the middle school for semester long health classes in Grades 6, 7, and/or 8. Health education was cut out of the middle schools in 2013. The middle schools currently do not have a formal health education program and teach a set of concepts during scheduled Physical Education classes. 7. High School Program Improvement ($110,000) -This amount will fund 2.0 FTE Teachers at the High School, which is a reduction of 2.0 FTE from the original list. Essentially, this funding will restore the 2.0 FTE in classroom reductions (not including the Freshmen advisory program) that was cut in the FYI budget. Areas Not Prioritized for Fundine Table 3 below lists the areas from the original list that are not recommended to be funded out of the $2,960,000. As emphasized above, these areas are important, but we needed to make difficult choices given the amount of funding available. Please now that it is anticipated that in FY20, the School Transformation Grant positions will be funded out of the operating budget from the funding currently allocated in the structural deficit for science curriculum. Table 3 -Areas Not Recommended For Funding from Original Prioritized List Additional Supports for Struggling Students .5 Board Certified Behavior Analyst $43,000 High School Program Improvement 2.0 FTE Teachers for AP and Electives $110,000 Curriculum Supervision Leadership 1.0 FTE Fine Arts and Health Curriculum Coordinator $90,000 Special Education Leadership .5 Assistant Director of Student Services $47,000 Full Day of School on Wednesday at Elementary 4.5 FTE Elementary Teachers $455,000 Additional Paraeducator Hours School Transformation Grant Funded Positions 1.0 FTE Data Analyst $160,000- 1.0 FTE Administrator for Social and Emotional Learning Additional Clerical Support 2.5 Secretaries or Equivalent $60,000 'The School Transformation Grant positions will be funded for the remaining three years (FY17, FY18, FY19) of the grant. It is anticipated that mese positions will be funded in the operating budget once the grant ends because the funding for the science curriculum, which is in the structural deficit amount, will not be needed after FYI 9.) Th. Reading Maur stlroas tices nor wwlm/ivre on me ba Ls o1 ram, .1, se; penes, lcenpry, rel/glon, natlonal onym, .1 wi to an, ege arelsaaily, John F. Doherty, Ed. D. 3uperinwWent of achoola 82 Oakland Road Readin& MA 01867 Phone: 781-944-5800 Fax: 781-942-9149 Craig Martin, M.M. aeaiata•t So soontendent Carolyn J. Wilson, M.M., JD Director a student aerove Gail Dowd, CPA Du«tw of Finan« Reading Public Schools Instilling a jay of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow To: Reading School Committee From: John F. Doherty, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools Date: August 29, 2016 Re: Update on Lead in Water Testing Dating the summer, the Facilities Department and the Town of Reading Water Department worked very closely to address the lead in water testing results that were identified as a result of water testing last spring at Killam, Coolidge, and Birch Meadow. As part of this remedy, all identified faucets were replaced and additional testing was completed. We have recently received the results from the additional testing from the three schools, which I have attached. These will also be available at the Town of Reading Water Department website. As 1 mentioned to you in my report at the July 25, 2016 School Committee meeting, the Water Department lowered the threshold on lead in the water from 15 parts per billion to 12 parts per billion as an additional precaution. Unfortunately, our solution of replacing the faucets at the sources did not result in lower results at most of the affected areas, especially at the Killam Elementary School. Therefore, we are going to have to take additional steps to address the situation which include creating handwashing stations only at the affected area at the sinks in the classrooms and washrooms and providing bottled water dispensers at all of the affected drinking fountains. This work has been completed in time for the start of school on Wednesday and will be communicated to staff and students. We have consulted with other school districts that have had similar issues with lead in water above the action limit (Newton and Wilmington) and they created similar setups with handwashing stations only and providing bottled water until a more permanent solution is implemented. A summary of each affected school is listed below based on the latest test results that we have available. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Coolidge (Tested on 5/19,6/1, 6120,8/8, and 8/23; Repairs completed on 8M • Number of sources above lead limit based on 8/8 results -3 (Kitchen Cooking Kettle 1 and 2; Kitchen staff washroom sink) • Actions taken this summer o All high Lead AL (Action Level) issues have been mitigated o All Shower furfures were closed except one Handicap fixture in each Locker room • Showers not used in middle school • One shower stall in each Locker room will suffice • The remaining shower stall fixture in each tests well below AL limit 1ne Reading Public schools does not d5ulminane as Ne basis o/race, color, see, 9ende, Idntl[y, eeliyon, nausnal odian, sexual mlen2Hon, aye er alsabillty. o All fixtures that were 12 ppb lead were replaced by 08/07/16 7 Fixtures total were replaced • Extensive Flushing was done to all fixtures and the school All replaced fixtures were tested 0 2 Kitchen Kettle Fixtures were above AL Limit • The Kettles were fine on both of their 30 second flush samples • Cafeteria Workers will be instructed to flush fixture for 30 seconds before use • Further fixture components were replaced in bath Kettles • Further samples were drawn on 08/22/16 but results won't be back prior to school o I kitchen worker's bathroom sink faucet tested above AL level • Sign was posted "Hand Wash Only Sink" • Further samples were drawn on 08/22/16 but results won't be back prior to school o Issue maybe in the components and solder used in the wall piping but close to that fixture Birch Meadow (Tested on 5/19, 6/10, 8/9, 8123; Repairs completed on 8/7) • Number of sources above lead limit based on SYI results-6(Room 13, Room 21, Cafeteria Water fountains, Teacher's Room Kitchenette) • Actions taken this summer o All high Lead AL (Action Level) issues have been mitigated o All fixtures that were 12 ppb lead were replaced by 08/07/16 9 Fixtures total were replaced o All problem Classroom Faucet/fountain combo fixtures were replaced with faucet only no water fountain components o Extensive Flushing was done to all fixtures and the school o All replaced fixtures were tested • 1 Double Water Fountain in the Cafeteria were above AL Limit • Further fixture components will be replaced • Further samples were drawn on 08/22/16 but results won't be back prior to school o Issue may be in the components and solder used in the wall piping but close to that fixture o Water Fountain in cafeteria will be replaced with a Poland Springs Water Fountain until all issues are resolved 0 3 Faucets tested over the lead AL limit • Classroom 13 sink faucet tested above AL level • Sign was posted "Hand Wash Only Sink" • Further samples were drawn on 08/22/16 but results won't be back prior to school • Issue may be in the components and solder used in the wall piping but close to that future • Classroom 21 sink faucet tested above AL level • Sign was posted "Hand Wash Only Sink" • Further samples were drawn on 08/22/16 but results won't he back prior to school • Issue may be in the components and solder used in the wall piping but close to that fixture • Teachers kitchenette sink faucet tasted above AL level • Sign was posted "Hand Wash Only Sink" • Further samples were drawn on 08/22/16 but results won't he back prior to school • Issue may be in the components and solder used in the wall piping but close to that fixture me Readlny NblIc sNoas Coes not dl mmare on the W515 onace, cider, su', 5eoderldmnry, relM., nrtbnal w n, aye ordbaEl R,, Killam (Tested on 5/19,6)3,8/12, and 8/12; Repairs completed on 8/7) • Number of sources above lead limit based on 8/7 results -34 (Rooms 1,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13,15,16,17, 19,20,22,24,Water Fountain near door 17,Boys bathroom near door 17, Gals bathroom near library, Gymnasium sink, Gymnasium Hall bathroom, Library Water Fountain, Student Work Area Sinks, Teacher's Room Sink, Kitchen hand wash sink, Kitchen spray sink, Principal's bathroom, speech room • All high Lead AL (Action Level) issues have been mitigated o All fixtures that were 12 ppb lead were replaced by 08/07/16 0 47 Fixtures total were replaced o All problem Classroom Faucet/fountain combo fixtures were replaced with faucet only no water fountain components in classrooms o No longer in the school do classroom water fountains exist o Extensive Flushing was done to all fixtures and the school o All replaced fixtures were tested • All Kitchen food prep sinks/faucets tested well below the Lead AL Limit • 2 Water Fountains in the library were above AL Limit o Further fixture components will be replaced o Further samples were drawn on 08/22/16 but results won't be back prior to school o Issue may be in the components and solder used in the wall piping but close to that fixture o Issues may be resolved by opening up the walls above the fountains and replacing all older brass pipe components • ALL building Water Fountains will be replaced with a 5 Gallon Bottled Spring Water Fountains until all Lead Content issues are resolved • Many building Faucets tested over the lead AL limit o All school Classroom and bathroom faucets labeled hand washing only o Signs were posted "Hand Wash Only Sink" on each sink o Issue may be in the components and solder used in the wall piping but close to that fixture o Further replacement pmWpipes/components need to be replaced o Further testing will need to be done o Most likely the problem is too extensive to resolve fully • Best case scenario for Killam is to run the school with Poland Springs Water Fountains umil all water fountains in the school are fired and show a history of below Lead AL Limit, then drinking water only from remedied fountains and Hand washing only sinks will remain for the school. The Reading MMC SdiM& Coes not ci a ndlnate on Me basis ol2m, w , see, ge ida-IneenW, ieft", natlonal alga., svwl orlen a. , age or,llaab0ry. ., l I , !{ ( a . §. — a£a!!2KK22\ MMM /j)( M ``.`,` .\\\� I ! !I !!gBeM1MO�! |; ■ ! ) :) : ! > e : � ;l;l;§!,�!■!,;l;,l,„,O )| _ § ir � �!;!§!!!!!;;!!!!!|!`l:,,,,l;; „ !;�•!!!|�i,,,:l:;;! ,� ” �"" !!, , !||! i!!!,!!!!!! !} }! !! •.. ||!!!]..!!!!I!!.!!!! !,! |��!!l,•.;:_:,,,! ...!!!�;!l,i,`! !|!!,l..13)!