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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-11 School Committee MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes ,��9j►x(0 to � Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2017-09-11 Building: School - Memdrial High Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: :L I is ot, CLE' 1011 OCT 23 P t: 4'21 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Superintendent Conference Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Gary Nihan, Chuck Robinson, Nick Boivin, Linda Snow Dockser, Jeanne Borawski, and Elaine Webb Members - Not Present: Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Finance Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Student Representatives Mario Cutone & Catie Comounduros, Chronicle Reporter Al Sylvia,Coolidge Assistant Principal Bree Ka row 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 Rebecca Liberman asked about a math curriculum update. Dr. Doherty said no date has been set at this point. B. Consent A eg nda Mr's. Webb asked if anyone would like to remove any item from the consent agenda. The donation of the clock was removed to be accepted separately. Donation of Clock Mr. Joe Cain provided the background of the clock that was being donated to the district. In 1935 The Reading School Committee bought a state of the art clock and bell system for Reading High School, then located on Sanborn Street. It was manufactured by the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and Page 1 1 consisted of a programmable oak master clock in the Principal's Office with synchronized wall clocks in every classroom. Following the high school's move to Oakland Road in 1954, the building was used as a Community Center or shuttered until it was sold to developers in1988. Prior to the sale, members of the School Department and the Reading Historical Commission toured the building to determine if there were any items that might be worth retaining. This clock was one of the artifacts that were removed prior to turning over the building. In 1990, a battery powered quartz movement replaced the antique clock mechanism and Stephen Trites of Furniture Restoration of Reading donated the refinishing of the clock case. The clock hung in the RMHS Media Center until the most recent renovation; since then, the clock has not really had much of a home. We're pleased to finally have it in a place where it can be enjoyed as a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, a technological curiosity of its time and an interesting piece of Reading history. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to accent the donation of a clock to be hung in the Central Office. The motion carried 6-0. Consent Agenda - Accept a Donation to RMHS Volleyball - Approval of Coolidge Field Trip - Quebec - Approval of Minutes (August 28, 2017) Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin, to approve the consent agenda as amended. The motion carried 6-0. C. Reports Student Representative Ms. Comounduras reported that the football team won their first game. Mr. Cutone reported that Back to School Night is Wednesday. Liaison's Report Dr. Nihan reported that RCASA is celebrating Recovery month. Mrs. Webb followed up sharing the line-up of events that will occur during Recovery month. Dr. Snow Dockser shared that the SEPAC is meeting on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. The HRAC did not have a quorum at the last meeting and the Board of Selectmen delayed the decision on the sun -setting of the group until December 1 st. Dr. Snow Dockser also announced that she has resigned from HRAC and that her resignation letter was public record and should be included in an upcoming Selectmen's Packet. Page 1 2 Dr. Snow Dockser reported that the Reading Embraces Diversity Working Group is currently planning their Kick Off Event in response to the increased manifestations of anti-Semitism and Hate in our community and the nation and world. The Kick Off will take place on October 3rd at 7 in the William Endslow Performing Arts Center at RMHS. Mrs. Borawski shared information from a community member regarding a Reading Public Schools employee that went above and beyond the call of duty. Assistant Superintendent Mr. Martin reported on the recent professional development that has occurred relating to the district goals. All of the kindergarten teachers attended a writer's workshop. He did state that the timing of the training was not the best but we had an opportunity to secure a quality trainer for the sessions. The feedback from the teachers was positive. Director of Finance Mrs. Dowd reviewed two memos in the packet addressing concerns of the committee at the last meeting. The first memo, which was included in the June 19th packet outlined adjustments made to the FY 18 budget due to the difference in funding between the School Committee approved and final Town Meeting budget. She also said that she will provide detailed information during the quarterly updates. The second memo outlined how the $150,000 for the science curriculum implementation was used and reminded the committee that the funds were approved during the April Town Meeting and are out of the FY17 budget. Superintendent's Report Superintendent Doherty took a moment to introduce Brienne Karow, Coolidge Assistant Principal. Ms. Karow provided a brief background. The Fall Street Faire was a great success and Dr. Doherty thanked all the volunteers and business/vendors that played a part in the success. There were a great number school groups and organizations that participated this year. Dr. Snow Dockser wanted to thank the RMHS Student Liaisons to the HRAC for volunteering at the HRAC Booth at the Faire: Joshua Liberman and Tali Schoerr. The elementary schools held their back to school nights last week, Wednesday will be the high school and RISE @ RMHS and the middle schools will be on September 27th. D. Old Business Second Reading and Acceptance of Policy IMDA — Accommodations for Religious and Ethnic Observances Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accent the second reading of revised policy IMDA — Accommodations for Religious and Ethnic Observances. Page 1 3 Mrs. Webb began the second reading. Mr. Boivin moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, to dispense of the further reading of Policy IMDA. The motion carried 6-0. Dr. Doherty reviewed the revised policy. He thanked those that participated on the committee. Mr. Boivin thanked the Superintendent for capturing the committee suggestions in this policy. He had a concern with the continuity between the policy and the implementation regulations. He would like to add a statement to the regulation under section III clarifying how the parent would handle calling in their child's absence. Mr. Boivin moved, seconded by Dr. Nihan, that the following be added to Section III of the Accommodation Regulation — "notification to the school will be in accordance with the normal process in reporting a student absence". The motion carried 6-0. The original motion carried 6-0. E. New Business FY 19 Budget — GuidingPrinciples Chair Robinson shared that in previous years the guiding principles were proposed and discussed at the meeting. This year, the guiding principles have been submitted to the Superintendent and feels that there is no need for further discussion. The Superintendent and Director of Finance have them to use as they begin the budget process. Mr. Boivin would like to see a document that outlines how the guiding principles will be used to develop the budget. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant S1809 8.31.17 $146,350.94 Warrant S1810 9.7.17 $184,755.88 b. Calendar IV. Information/Correspondence V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Page 1 4 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 and not to return to open session. The roll call vote carried 6 — 0. Dr. Nihan, Dr. Snow Dockser, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Boivin, Mrs. Borawski, and Mrs. Webb. The meeting adjourned at 7.50 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. F. Dohert, Ed.D. Page 1 5