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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-28 School Committee MinutesQ Town of Reading Meeting Minutes �3�= IH44RY" Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2017-08-28 Building: School - Memorial High Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM RECEIVED READING TOWN CLERK 1011 SEA 13 P 12: 22 I Location: Superintendent Conference Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Gary Nihan, Chuck Robinson, Nick Boivin, Linda Snow Dockser and Elaine Webb Members - Not Present: Jeanne Borawski, Student Representative Catie Comounduros Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Director of'Finance Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson, RMHS Principal Adam Bakr, Coolidge Principal Sarah Marchant, Parker Principal Ricki Shankland, Barrows Principal Heather Leonard, Birch Meadow Principal Julia Hendrix, Joshua Eaton Principal LisaMarie Ippolitto, Killam Principal Sarah Leveque, Wood End Principal Joanne King, RISE Preschool Director Kelley Bostwick, Human Resources Administrator Jenn Bove, Reading Advocate Reporter Joanne Senders, Reading Chronicle Reporter Al Sylvia 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 7:00 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Comment B. Consent A enda Mrs. Webb asked if anyone would like to remove any item from the consent agenda. Mr. Boivin asked that the anonymous donation be removed for further discussion. - Accept a Donation from RMHS Cheering - Accept a Donation from the Young Women's League - Accept a Donation from the RMHS Band Parents Organization Page 1 1 - Accept a Donation to the Coolidge Middle School - Accept a Donation from Reading Rotary - Approve the Disposition of Surplus Property - Approval of Minutes (June 19, 2017) Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to approve the consent agenda as amended. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Boivin asked for reassurance that this anonymous donation come with no strings attached. Dr. Doherty said the donation will go into the district gift account and will be used for professional development. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin, to accept the anonymous donation in the amount of $5,000 to be used to support professional development. The motion carried 5-0. C. Introduction of New Teachers Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the Induction Week activities. He was pleased to announce that Wood End principal Joanne King has successfully completed and defended her dissertation. Mrs. King introduced the new teachers at the Wood End School. Mrs. Leonard introduced the new teachers at the Barrows School. Mrs. Hendrix introduced the new teachers at the Birch Meadow School. Ms. Leveque introduced the new teachers at the Killam School. Mrs. Ippolito introduced the new teachers at the Joshua Eaton School. Ms. Marchant introduced the new teachers at the Coolidge Middle School. Mrs. Shankland introduced the new teachers at the Parker Middle School. Mr. Bakr introduced the new teachers at the high school. Mrs. Wilson introduced the new district Special Education staff. Ms. Bostwick introduced the new RISE Preschool staff. Dr. Doherty commended the principals for their efforts in hiring new staff over the summer. He also thanked Human Resources Administrator Jenn Bove and Administrative Assistant Kristyn Cohen for their tireless work processing the new hires. Mr. Robinson called a brief recess at 7:33 p.m. Page 1 2 The meeting was called back to order at 7:36 p.m. D. Reports Student Representative Mr. Cutone reported that fall sport tryouts are underway. Liaison's Report Mrs. Webb read a statement regarding last week's joint board executive session that was held to discuss the security study. 'At the April, 2016 Town Meeting, members of Town Meeting approved $125, 000 for the purpose of undertaking a comprehensive and thorough study of building security for our town and school buildings. As a result of that appropriation, the firm TRC solutions was hired to complete a physical and operational study of our facilities and security practices. For the past calendar year, members of the firm have met with school, municipal, and public safety officials, as well as, reviewed each of our facilities. Last week, members of the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Library Board of Trustees, and Municipal and School Officials met in Executive Session to hear an update from the consultant and determine next steps in the process. Over the next few months, the Town Manager, Superintendent, Police Chief, and other Officials will design a plan for Town Meeting to consider regarding a capital request for implementation of the plan and the projected ongoing operational budget impact. " Mrs. Webb shared that September is Recovery Month and RCASA will be hosting several events. Dr. Snow Dockser provided a brief update on the SEPAC. She also updated the committee on the Human Relations Advisory Committee sharing that the group will be meeting on September 7"' to discuss restructuring the group. She thanked everyone who attended the annual METCO Pool Party/Barbeque. There were 150 people in attendance and the PTO groups supplied the food for the event. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported that on the latest graffiti incident at RMHS. He also met with Rabbi Abramson at the end of the school year to discuss the graffiti incidents. He said he had a good discussion and the Rabbi has dealt with similar incidents in Bedford. They discussed what we are doing and what we could do better. Dr. Doherty and Deputy Chief Dave Clark attended a community forum at a private residence. He said it was a very good session. The administrative team met with a representative from the Antidefamation League. Athletics received a $3,000 grant from the New England Patriots Anti -Violence Partnership that will be used to train student leaders on ways to promote an anti -violence message to their peers. We will also be updating the district bullying prevention plan and Page 1 3 reviewing the religious accommodation plan. A new RMHS elective will be offered called Diverse Voices and there is a community planning group that has been formed and will host the first event on October 3ra Mrs. Webb referenced the Boston Globe article regarding the most recent graffiti incident and thanked the Superintendent for addressing the matter in a timely and thoughtful manner. Dr. Snow Dockser is thrilled that Athletics has received the grant and thanked Mr. Zaya for pulling the application together so quickly. Mr. Martin reviewed the summer activity in Learning and Teaching. He updated the committee on the progress of implementing the science curriculum. He said we have been able to purchase needed resources. Mr. Martin thanked the committee for the continued support in funding the science curriculum implementation. Several professional development opportunities were held over the summer. New teacher induction and orientation was held last week and went extremely well. Mrs. Wilson updated the community on the summer activities in the Student Services Department. The Extended School Year program had a very successful summer and she thanked Kelly DiCato and Karen Rando for coordinating the program. Mrs. Wilson reported that the SEPAC held one meeting over the summer and there are exciting things happening. The first meeting of the school year will be on September 141H Dr. Doherty reviewed the summer projects done over the summer and the FYI and FY18 capital projects that were done or are in progress this summer. Lastly, the Superintendent reviewed the technology work done this summer. Moving onto the FY 18 budget, Dr. Doherty pointed out adjustments that have been made including the addition of a 1.0 FTE regular education kindergarten paraeducator due to an additional classroom, an additional 2.5 FTE special education paraeducators to meet the needs of increased services for students with disabilities, the addition of a bus for the Parker Middle School and the need for additional temporary help in the finance department. Dr. Nihan asked about the funding for these positions. The savings is staff turnover. Mr. Boivin asked for information on the accounting of the $150,000 for the science curriculum, and how many or what percentage of eligible staff take advantage of the professional development opportunities. Dr. Doherty pointed out that the teachers are not being compensated for training during the summer unless it is specific curriculum work that they have been asked to come in for. Page 14 Dr. Snow Dockser wants to be sure we look at both what we spend and what we are saving and also cautioned the committee to be aware of the cost and limits of time on the administrators when requesting information. Mr. Boivin asked Mrs. Wilson if she could provide the percentage of students that attend/eligible for the extended school year program. Dr. Nihan feels it is important that we be very clear going forward on how the money is being spent. Mrs. Webb referred to the FYI budget memo and asked Mrs. Dowd to review. The committee asked clarifying questions. E. New Business RCTV Presentation Phil Rushworth updated the committee on what has been going on at RCTV. They have had a busy year and are very excited to open the new studio/classroom at RMHS. This fall a class on television production will be offered as an elective to high school students. There is also an after-school program at the high school. Kathi Crook, president of the board shared that in anticipation of RCTV's return to RMHS they have been saving money for the funding of the studio. Dr. Snow Dockser thanked RCTV for all they give back to the town. First Reading and Acceptance of Policy IMDA — Accommodations for Religious and Ethnic Observances Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan. to accept the first reading of revised policy IMDA — Accommodations for Religious and Ethnic Observances. Mrs. Webb began the first reading. Mr. Boivin moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to dispense of the further reading of Policy IMDA. The motion carried 5-0. Dr. Doherty said he has met with a committee that was comprised of teachers from the high and middle schools, administrators and community members to review and revise the current policy. He went on to review the changes. The School Committee asked clarifying questions. The original motion carried 5-0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Page 1 5 Warrant S 1805 8.3.17 $145,057.76 Warrant 51806 8.10.17 $171,651.37 Warrant S 1807 8.17.17 $74,699.62 Warrant S 1808 8.24.17 $280,047.06 Warrant P1802 7.10.17 $1,055,822.99 Warrant P1803 7.24.17 $1,070,238.46 Warrant P1804 8.7.17 $1,057,347.54 b. Calendar IV. Information/Correspondence Dr. Nihan indicated that he has received calls from Extended Day families concerned that they have been waitlisted for the programs. He asked if the program could explore other options to accommodate the increased numbers. V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Adjourn Chair Robinson declared that executive session was necessary to protect the board's bargaining position. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to enter executive session to discuss strategies with respect to collective bargaining and not to return to open session. The roll call vote carried 5 — 0. Dr. Nihan, Dr. Snow Dockser, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Boivin, and Mrs. Webb. The meeting adjourned at 9.50 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. F. Dohe y, Ed.D. Page 1 6