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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-31 School Committee MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes \E-'C VE 1) �` f 4°'c3y�w TOWN 1 I `K RE DING, M:;sS: Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee 2011 SEP ! I P 2' 01 1 Date: 2017-07-31 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: Superintendent Conference Room Address: 82 Oakland Road Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Gary Nihan, Chuck Robinson, Nick Boivin, Jeanne Borawski and Elaine Webb Members - Not Present: Linda Snow Dockser, Student Representatives Catie Comounduros & Mario Cutone, Director of Pupil Services Carolyn Wilson Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Finance Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, RMHS Principal Adam Bakr, Selectman John Arena, RCASA Director Erica McNamara, Lt. Rich Abate, SRO Mike Muolo, New SRO Brian Lewis, Chronicle Reporter Al Sylvia, Fincom member Vanessa Alvarado 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 7:03 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Comment B. Consent A eg nda Mr. Robinson asked if anyone would like to remove any item from the consent agenda. There were none. - Accept a Donation to RMHS — Student Agendas - Accept a Donation from Friends of Reading Football - Accept a Donation to the RISE Preschool - Approval of Minutes (June 19, 2017) Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin, to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried 5-0. Page 1 1 C. New Business Approval of the RMHS Student Handbook Mr. Bakr outlined the changes in the student handbook. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the Reading Memorial High School Handbook for the 2017-18 school year. The motion carried 5-0. Introduction of New SRO Ms. McNamara took the opportunity to congratulate SRO Mike Muolo on his promotion and thank him for his work as the School Resource Officer and welcomed new SRO Brian Lewis. Dr. Doherty reviewed the hiring process and said that SRO Lewis has been on the force since Feb. 2016. Prior to coming to Reading he was an officer with the Portsmouth, NH department. Lt. Abate added that SRO Brian Lewis will shadow outgoing SRO Muolo. YRBS Presentation High School Ms. McNamara began her presentation on the 2017 results of the YRBS. This year the information will be presented in two parts. Tonight's presentation will focus on School Climate, Behavioral Health and Substance Misuse. Data is collected every two years as required as part of its state and federal funding to collect this data. The Reading Public Schools provide the survey, oversight and collection, RCASA is responsible for coordination, materials, development, comparison and data targets and a third party is used for data cleaning and analysis. The YRBS survey is conducted every 2 years to the high and middle school students. This is a voluntary survey and parents can opt their children out of taking the survey. In 1991, 26 states participated in the survey. In 2015, 47 states participate in the survey, with 15,624 public/private school students comprising the 2015 probability sample. Our high school students were asked 123 questions which was administered by the Wellness teachers, it was anonymous and confidential and students were told that participation was voluntary and they could skip any questions that they were not comfortable answering. She went on to review selected findings of this year's data. There was an increase in the response that students felt they had a trusted adult in school they could go to which is good news. Ms. McNamara next reviewed questions dealing with stress. Data showed that sources of stress included workload, worry about the future, school expectations, lack of sleep and busy schedules. She next reviewed the sleep data stating that sleep is necessary for physical and mental health and is particularly important during adolescence. The analysis of national YRBS numbers indicate that insufficient sleep is associated with higher odds of current Page 1 2 use of cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol; current sexual activity; seriously considering attempting suicide; feeling sad and hopeless; physical fighting; physical inactivity; obesity; engaging in injury -related risk behaviors and engaging in unhealthy weight control behaviors. It is recommended that teens aged 14 —17 years old get 8 —10 hours of sleep per night. Adolescents are not getting enough sleep and one of the contributing factors is that they are sleeping with their phones and sleep is continually interrupted. This is a national trend. 29% of RMHS freshmen got 8 or more hours of sleep a night compared to 19% of juniors getting the same amount. A question regarding concussion was added to the 2017 survey. There is no national data at this time on concussion rates. Students/parents self-report incidents of concussion to the school. Ms. McNamara reviewed the depression data, non -suicidal self -injury and suicidality. When analyzing the suicide data, it is important to note that youth that have made a plan to commit suicide are at extreme risk and should be offered assistance and counseling. The mental health data revealed that more young people are accessing treatment and support. Survey results indicate that use of nicotine and marijuana is down but there is an increase in the vaping and the use of synthetic marijuana. Underage drinking showed decreases and this can be attributed to the comprehensive strategy across the community to address this issue. The implementations of the Town Liquor Policy and the School Chemical Health & Police Zero Tolerance Policies have been major factors in this shift. In looking at lifetime substance use at RMHS we are seeing decreases in alcohol and cigarette use and an increase in the use of e-vape products. Current substance use at RMHS shows decreases in alcohol, marijuana, binge drinking and cigar use. Misuse of pharmaceuticals remained steady as did lifetime substance use results. Middle School She went on to review selected findings of this year's data. Data was analyzed across risk categories which were the same as the high school survey but contained fewer questions. There was an increase in the response that students felt they had a trusted adult in school they could go to which is good news. There are systems in place to assist kids to connect with staff members in the buildings. Staff members have students that they are assigned to reach out to for this type of support. Data showed that sources of stress included workload, studying hard things, getting up in the morning and teacher expectations. In the area of sleep, 66% of our middle school students got 8 or more hours of sleep a night. 29% of RMHS freshmen got 8 or more hours of sleep a night compared to 19% of juniors getting the same amount. A question regarding concussion was added to the 2017 survey. There is no national data at this time on concussion rates. Students/parents self-report incidents of concussion to the school. Ms. McNamara reviewed the depression data, non -suicidal self -injury and suicidality. Non -suicidal self -injury is a coping mechanism for youth. When analyzing the suicide data, it is important to note that youth that have made a plan to commit suicide are at extreme risk and should be offered assistance and Page 1 3 counseling. Suicide has multiple contributing factors that range from biological, predisposed, proximal and immediate triggers. The mental health data revealed that more young people are accessing treatment and support. It is important to continue to break the stigma surrounding mental health. A new mental health question was asked dealing with concentration. Survey results indicate that use of nicotine and marijuana is down but there is an increase in the vaping and the use of synthetic marijuana. Underage drinking showed decreases and this can be attributed to the comprehensive strategy across the community to address this issue. Ms. McNamara reviewed the added supports by school level: High School: School Policies, Health education in grades 9 & 11, SBIRT in grades 9 & 11, Chemical Health & Diversion Programs, Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, INTERFACE Referral Service, Mobil Crisis Service and SAFE Project Collaboration & Recovery High School. Middle School: School policies and team based support, expanded health education lessons, Youth Mental Health First Aid training, INTERFACE referral service, Mobil crisis service. Elementary: Open Circle, Yoga in the Classroom, Core skills in health education, Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, INTERFACE Referral Service, Mobil Crisis Service. The Interface Referral Service has assisted in 60 cases in the first 8 months. RCASA will be participating in Recovery month in September. There will be a candlelight vigil on September 26th at the Memorial Wall at RMHS with 6 communities participating. D. Reports Liaison's Report Mr. Boivin reported on the recent Selectmen's meeting at which the community override survey was discussed. He asked Mr. Arena to provide more information. Mr. Arena said that the Selectmen have finalized the community survey but it has not been posted on the Town website. It will also be available in paper form at senior center, town hall, and library. The goal of the survey are primarily to find out why folks did or did not support the past override and how they feel now. The Selectmen hope to have several hundred responses. Mrs. Borawski was happy to report that the Hunt Playground construction is now complete. Director of Finance Page 1 4 Mrs. Dowd reported on the FY2016 End -of -Year Audit. DESE requires an end of year audit which it uses to calculate the next fiscal year's school spending. We use the information as a basis for budget development. Mrs. Dowd indicated that we had addressed the findings in the report. Eventually the Department of Education would like the financial reporting for per pupil expenditures to be by school. This will require the placement of personnel that have been included in the district cost center to be broken out and be placed in individual buildings. Some examples of these positions include team chairs, data collection personnel, and technology integrators. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty wanted to clarify information that had been presented at an earlier meeting regarding discipline data. He asked Mr. Martin to explain the slide in question which deals with the 2014/15 discipline data - schools with black/white discipline gap greater that 10%. Dr. Doherty reported that he met with Rabbi Abramson to discuss the recent 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. He has also had conversations with the Bedford Superintendent regarding strategies. Dr. Doherty and Deputy Chief Dave Clark attended a community forum at a private residence. He said it was a very good session. The Superintendent said that we are in the process of updating the religious accommodations policy and hopes to have it ready for the first reading on August 28tH We will also be updating the bullying prevention plan. The administrative team will be meeting with a representative from the Antidefamation League this fall. Summaries of each schools School Improvement Plans have been included in the packet providing information on what has been accomplished to this point. Dr. Doherty pointed out the email correspondence from the community that has also been included in the packet. The Superintendent updated the committee on the 2017-18 enrollment. The Superintendent toured the buildings last week and feels we are in great shape as we get closer to the start of school. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant S 1752 6.22.17 $291,206.26 Warrant S1753 6.29.17 $326,634.27 Warrant S1755 6.30.17 $113,960.24 Warrant 51756 6.30.17 $76,406.00 Warrant S1757 6.30.17 $37,807.85 Warrant S1803 7.20.17 $70,338.05 Warrant 51804 7.27.17 $109,888.29 Warrant P1727 6.30.17 $1,261,204.85 Page 1 5 Warrant TLS 17 16.20.17 $1,035,130.97 Warrant P1801 17.14.17 $1,019,752.85 b. Calendar IV. Information/Correspondence 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 Mrs. Borawski, to enter executive session to discuss strategies with respect to collective bargaining, approval of minutes and not to return to open session. The roll call vote carried 5 — 0. Dr. Nihan, Mrs. Borawski, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Boivin, and Mrs. Webb. The meeting adjourned at 9.31 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 6