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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-19 School Committee MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes �35J /NCOttpn� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2017-06-19 Building: School - Memorial High Address: 62 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK 'READING, Mr SS , 1011 SEP I F P 2= 0`I I Time: 7:00 PM Location: RMHS Schettini Library Session: Open Session Version: Final Gary Nihan, Chuck Robinson, Linda Snow Dockser, Mrs. Borawski and Mrs. Webb Members - Not Present: Nick Boivin, Student Representative Mario Cutone Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Finance Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Student Representatives Catie Coumounduros, Chronicle Reporter Al Sylvia, Selectman Andy Friedmann, 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 7:12 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. He apologized for the late start due to a previous meeting running late. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Comment Marianne Downing, Joshua Eaton parent, asked that data provided for Joshua Eaton be put in context in relation to the other schools, that an update on the Bridge Program be provided and would like to see the fall report card brought back into use. She also appreciates the hard work that went into the Superintendent's Evaluation process and commended the School Committee. Andy Friedmann, RMHS parent asked for clarification on a comment included in Mr. Boivin's Superintendent Evaluation document. B. Consent Agenda I Page 1 1 } Mr. Robinson asked if anyone would like to remove any item from the consent agenda. There were none. - Approval of a Field Trip — Parker's Nature's Classroom - Accept a Donation to RMHS from Reading Lacrosse - Accept a Donation to Wood End from the Wood End PTO - Accept a Donation of a Dishwasher to the Compass Program at Coolidge - Accept a Donation to the Parker Middle School - Accept an Anonymous Donation to Support AWOD - Approval of Minutes (May 22 & June 5, 2017) Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried 5-0. C. Reports Student Representative Student Representative Catie Coumounduros reported on the recent Future Freshman Night where students signed up for clubs, activities and athletics. Final exams are finishing up tomorrow. Liaison's Report Dr. Snow Dockser thanked Alicia Williams and members of the SEPAC for their hard work this year. She announced that the Human Relations Advisory Committee will be meeting on July 13 at Town Hall. She also attended a meeting earlier this evening with the Clergy Council where a plan to address the recent incidents of hate was discussed. Dr. Snow Dockser shared that the METCO pool party will be held on August l Otn Mrs. Borawski reported that Friends & Family Day was a great opportunity to connect with the community and said there were many visitors including several students. Mrs. Webb thanked Mrs. Borawski for manning the School Committee booth. Director of Student Services Mrs. Wilson said that interviews will be conducted for the restructured Behavioral Health Coach position and shared that although the SEPAC was unable to meet by the end of the school year she hopes that they will be able to meet in August. Assistant Superintendent Mr. Martin shared the results of a survey regarding the Blue Ribbon Conference stating that the feedback was positive. He also shared that the ELA curriculum standards have been added to the Learning & Teaching page of the website. Page 1 2 } Dr. Nihan asked which subject areas are posted. Mr. Martin said Grade K — 5 ELA and hopes to have the Math Standards posted soon. Superintendent's Report 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 Burlington and Bedford. They discussed what we are doing and what we could do better. The Superintendent next reported that he and Mrs. Dowd participated in the recent Financial Fair for all juniors. The Reading Cooperative Bank received a grant to host "Lessons in Life" Financial Fair Simulation. The Financial Fair was an engaging opportunity for students where they learned critical financial literacy skills to budget their money, track their income and expenses, and determine what they would need to change if their monthly budget did not balance. This experience taught students some important real life skills which they will need for the rest of their lives. Dr. Doherty handed out the FY2019 budget calendar. He shared that there will be two budgets developed; one level service and one if an override is approved. The Finance Committee will provide guidance at the October 11 th Financial Forum. The calendar has been moved up therefore the School Committee will hold the public hearing at the front end of the budget on December 18th. The School Committee will vote on the budget at the January 18, 2018 meeting. Mrs. Dowd reviewed the challenges faced with the accelerated timeline. We currently are in contract negotiations with our collective bargaining units, most of the hiring will occur over the summer and early fall which makes it difficult to project salaries. We will continue to review the out of district tuition/transportation lines and will use historical information for unanticipated costs. Mrs. Dowd said that we will continue to monitor our revolving account offsets but will not know the full effect of the increases until after the fall sign ups. We will also receive our final FY18 grant numbers in the fall. She also shared that the DESE will be changing the chart of accounts. Another factor in the budget process will be to project the incoming kindergarten numbers and transportation costs. Mr. Robinson asked if the Selectmen and Fincom have received this calendar. The answer was yes. Mrs. Webb asked when the certification of free cash took place. The answer was prior to the Financial Forum. Mrs. Borawski asked if the committee would have a budget prior to the public hearing in December. The answer was no, the budget will not be available until later in December/early January. Page 1 3 Mr. Robinson is concerned having the public hearing prior to having a budget. Dr. Nihan would like the School Committee to develop a list of priorities to give to the Superintendent instead of a list of priorities brought to them. Fincom member Vanessa Alvarado shared that she attended the Selectmen's meeting and does not believe the Board has begun discussion of a # for an override. Selectman Andy Friedmann shared that the Selectmen have not discussed an override. D. Old Business Superintendent's Evaluation Mrs. Borawski began the review of the Superintendent's Evaluation saying that each board member completed an individual evaluation which she then used to create the composite evaluation. Mrs. Borawski thanked the Superintendent for providing evidence for the committee to base their evaluation and understands that it is a time-consuming process. She also thanked Mrs. Webb for sharing the process with her as she created the composite. Mrs. Borawski reviewed the four standards and shared comments included in the composite evaluation. Mrs. Borawski explained that the evaluation process is comprehensive and rigorous. Mrs. Webb thanked Mrs. Borawski for compiling the information and the committee for completing the process in a timely manner. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser to approve the Superintendent's End -of -Cycle Summative Evaluation Report for the 2016- 17 school year. Superintendent Doherty thanked the School Committee for a very fair evaluation and appreciated the one-on-one conversations. He is appreciative of the accolades but needs to give kudos to the Central Office administrators and building principals pointing out it is truly a team effort. The motion carried 5-0. FY2017 Budget Update Mrs. Dowd updated the committee on the FY2017 budget status saying that it has remained relatively consistent from the last update. She reviewed each cost center and the transfer and reductions she will ask the committee to approve. Dr. Doherty shared that we can return money to the building based budgets to offset the effect of the $488,000 reduction in next year's budget. Mrs. Downing asked who oversees the cost center spending, specifically the Drama line. Dr. Doherty indicated conversations have been held with the Page 1 4 Department Chair regarding restrictions and limitations. She next inquired if we were charging enough for rental of facilities. Mrs. Dowd indicated we were charging enough. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to authorized the reduction of the budgeted offset from the Extra Curricular Revolving Account by $27,000. The motion carried 5-0. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to authorize the reduction of the budgeted offset from the Athletics Revolving Account by $96, 000. The motion carried 5-0. The motion carried 5-0. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to authorize the transfer'of $48,080 from the Regular Day Cost Center to the Extra Curricular Cost Center. The motion carried 5-0. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to authorize the transfer of $124,134 from the Regular Day Cost Center to the Athletics Cost Center. The motion carried 5-0. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to authorize the reduction of the budgeted offset from the Use of School Property Revolving Account by $75,000. The motion carried 5-0. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to authorize the transfer of $46,200 from the Regular Day Cost Center to the School Building Maintenance (Facilities) Cost Center. The motion carried 5-0. FY2018 Budget Update Mrs. Dowd outlined the cost centers and overall total FYI budget as approved by Town Meeting. The committee will need to vote to approve the changes in the cost centers and total budget. She also shared that the administration will bring any changes/restructuring of positions to the committee in the future. Dr. Doherty reminded the committee that we are not comfortable with and will be taking a hard look at all positions; making adjustments when necessary in the best interest of students. Dr. Nihan asked how much money would be returned to free cash. Mrs. Dowd said it will be approximately $50,000 but feels it will be less. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to approve the final FY2018 budget as approved by Town Meeting by cost center and the final approved total budget: Administration $ 926,857 Regular Day $24,957,436 Special Education $12,546,594 School Facilities $ 1,225,000 Page 1 5 Districtwide Programs $ 1,745,774 Total $41,401,661 The motion carried 5-0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant S1750 6.08.17 $263,670.41 Warrant S1751 6.15.17 $264,011.28 Warrant S1751A 6.15.17 $12,030.92 Warrant S1751E 6.15.17 $1,900.00 Warrant P1725 6.2.17 $1,600,805.59 Warrant P1726 6.16.17 $1,565,220.12 Warrant P1726 6.20.17 $1,035,130.97 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. Mr. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to enter executive session to discuss strategies with respect to collective bargaining and represented and non -represented personnel and not to return to open session. The roll call vote carried 5 — 0. Dr. Nihan. Mrs. Borawski. Mr. Robinson. Dr. Snow Dockser and Mrs. Webb. The meeting adjourned at 9.15 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. Jo F. Dohert , Ed.D. Page 1 6