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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-20 School Committee MinutesOFR Town of Reading ,M Meeting Minutes r./NCBIZp Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2017-11-20 Building: School - Memorial High Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: i CL ( v - A ..1 i. n A ^ 1!'L t't L)� i L.i-r {-1 t -AJ.}. 1011 DEC 18 P 1: 40 a 1"'iUFiAIIIlau Location: Superintendent Conference Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Chuck Robinson, Nick Boivin, Linda Snow Dockser, Jeanne Borawski, and Elaine Webb Members - Not Present: Carolyn Wilson Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Finance Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Student Representative Catie Coumounduras, 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 There was none. B. Consent Agenda Mrs. Webb asked if anyone would like to remove any item from the consent agenda. Mrs. Borawski asked that the October 30th minutes be removed. Consent A eg nda - Accept a Donation from the Coolidge School Science Olympiad - Approval of Minutes (October 30 & November 6, 2017) Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin to approve the consent agenda as amended. The motion carried 5-0. Page 1 1 Approval of October 30, 2017 Minutes Mrs. Borawski pointed out a correction to the minutes; Reading 275 needs to be changed to Reading 375 in her report. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin, to approve the October 30, 2017 minutes as revised. The motion carried 5-0. C. Reports, Student Representative Ms. Coumounduros reported on the fall musical Pippen, the upcoming powderpuff game, pep rally and Thanksgiving Day football game. Liaison's Report Mrs. Webb attended the Reading375 Trivia Night and said it was a great event. Mrs. Borawski concurred and said it was well attended. The group will be holding another Trivia Night in the spring. Dr. Snow Dockser reported that the Reading Embraces Diversity (RED) group held a successful organizational meeting. RED and the Reading Public Library sponsored the recent Kindness Rocks event. RED and the Human Relations Advisory Committee will be co -sponsoring "A Conversation with Anna Ornstein: on November 29th at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Ornstein will also be presenting at the middle and high schools. in the future. She next reported on the successful Jams for Jake event; a community event addressing the struggle against addiction. She thanked all that contributed to the success of this great community event. Dr. Snow Dockser attended the RMHS production of Pippin and commented on how well done it was. She congratulated the cast and crew. Mrs. Borawski reported on the Audit Committee meeting. The RMLD audit was discussed. It was a clean audit and the committee was happy with the results. There will be changes in the accounting practices that she wanted the community to be aware of. The Reading Education Foundation Festival of Trees is coming up the first weekend in December. She said it is a great fundraiser to support the schools. She thanked the committee for supporting this year's tree themed "Joy of Learning". Assistant Superintendent Mr. Martin reported on the November 7th in-service day activities. Our district hosted many different workshops. Our elementary teachers worked on literacy and writing goals, high school teachers looked at literacy and how to close the achievement gap, the effect of the consolidation of levels, tiered instructional Page 1 2 models and the 5 components for reading. The middle school teachers looked at the MCAS data with social studies and ELA teachers collaborating on methods to address the needs of our students. RPS also hosted the Next Gen STEM Conference with several of our science teachers attending. This event was sponsored by KnowAtom. In collaboration with several other districts there were also PD activities off site for specialists. Using the November election day affords the opportunity for collaborative professional development with peers outside of home communities. It is the hope that this will continue. Director of Finance Mrs. Dowd reported that Town Meeting approved both capital requests. Plans and specifications are being prepared to go out to bid for the Wood End skylight. The technology improvements are also being scheduled. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty thanked REF for sponsoring Internet/Technology safety expert Katie Greer who presented to middle school students and to parents on this important topic. She presented information on the latest technology trends and dangers, social media, digital tattoos, tips for safe interactive gaming, cellphone/smartphone/device use, and cyberbullying rules and regulations. An in-service day was held on November 17th which was parent conference day at the high school and elementary level and PD for the middle school staff, paraeducators and nursing staff. - - - At the middle school level, all staff received training in the curriculum Facing History and Ourselves which is being implemented during Advisory this year. Preschool, Elementary and High School paraeducators received training on a variety of topics including math and literacy instruction, inclusive practices, the many faces of autism, special education basics, underage substance abuse, and collaborative problem solving. Nurses received training on 504 accommodations. Dr. Doherty thanked Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson and the elementary principals for coordinating the trainings. Dr. Doherty congratulated three RMHS student/athletes who signed National Letters of.Intent or National Letters of Commitment to play a sport at a college next year. Kevin Spear (swimming/Drexel), Jack Geiger (lacrosse/UMass- Amherst) and Ben Brungardt (baseball/UMass-Amherst). This is a special event for the athletes, coaches and families. Dr. Doherty provided some additional information on the MSBA School Survey Report. He said that this report is available online. The MSBA uses this report as one piece of information when determining funding eligibility. All of our buildings received the highest rating for environment and 6 of our 7 buildings received the top 2 ratings for building condition. Killam received a rating of 3 for building condition. Dr. Doherty pointed out that the building is structurally sound Page 1 3 but is in need of updates in the areas of handicap accessibility, water quality, and aging windows and doors. Wood End was not evaluated during this process because it was built in 2007. Dr. Doherty will continue to review this information and the criteria for funding eligibility over the next few months. D. New Business Parent University Update Director of Community Education Sandy Calandrella presented on the recent Parent University. She said it was a huge success with approximately 150 participants. A variety of workshops were offered during two sessions. The keynote speakers were well received and there were several staff members that also presented. She shared that the event was funded through a grant from the Reading Cooperative Bank. Prior to the event a survey was sent to the community to determine what information people would like workshops on and at the end of the day a survey was given to the participants. Mrs. Webb asked how many responded to the survey. Ms. Calandrella was not sure saying that following the conclusion of the second session there were door prizes available. For those who were there and filled out the survey their name was entered into the drawing. Dr. Snow Dockser feels_this.is. a catalyst for -parents to think -outside _the._box when dealing with their kids. She asked about the childcare. Ms. Calandrella said the extended day staff and some high school students provided childcare in the field house. Chair Robinson asked about another date. This will probably be offered the third week in October once again. Mr. Robinson followed up by asking about the funding. Ms. Calandrella said it was spot on with the keynote speaker costing the most. She feels it is important to have a keynote speaker that will draw the public in. Ms. Dowd said the entire event was grant funded with no funds coming out of the operating budget. Mr. Boivin asked what the takeaway was from this event. Ms. Calandrella said she will keep the structure but may look at the topics offered differently. Dr. Snow Dockser asked if we reached out to senior citizens in town. Mrs. Webb was interested in the gender breakdown. Ms. Calandrella will be sure to reach out to seniors in town and said that there were many dads that attended. Mrs. Webb asked where the idea came from. Dr. Doherty indicated that Burlington and Wakefield have held these events and Ms. Calandrella attended the Burlington Parent University and felt it would be a good thing to offer in Reading. Mr. Robinson asked if the grant was for one year. The answer was yes but the Page 1 4 Reading Cooperative Bank has indicated that they are interested in continuing their support for this event. 2018-19 School Year Calendar Discussion and Vote Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the 2018-19 School Year Calendar. Dr. Doherty said the calendar being presented is similar to the past few years. Teachers start on August 27 and the kids come in on the 29th. The two in-service days at the beginning of the school year are contractual. As discussed earlier in the evening, the November election day in-service day will continue, November 16th is scheduled for parent conference/in-service day and March 22 is the Blue Ribbon Conference Day. There are 5 snow days built into this calendar. The RTA has reviewed this calendar. Dr. Snow Dockser asked if the accommodation policy committee had reviewed the calendar. The answer was no they just reviewed the policy. Dr. Snow Dockser is concerned that absences are not going up on the days of the Jewish holidays because the students still fear that they will miss work. Dr. Doherty indicated that the policy was adhered to and there were no tests, quizzes, new material or projects given or due on those days. There was continued discussion about the start of school before Labor Day. The consensus from staff is that the like starting before Labor Day using the first 2 days to ease the students back into the school routine and then are able to hit the -- ground running- after Labor Day. - - - - The motion carried 5-0. E. Old Business First Reading of Revised Policy JICFB — Bullying Prevention Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to accept the first reading of revised Policy JICFB — Bullying Prevention. Mrs. Borawski begin the policy reading. Dr. Snow Dockser, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to waive the reading of the policy. The motion carried 5-0. Dr. Doherty indicated that there are two parts to this agenda item. Every two years the District Bullying Prevention Plan needs to be updated. The last time it was updated was in 2015. Dr. Doherty referred to an opinion from Attorney Michael Joyce recommending that there should be a shift in policy that the policy is truly a policy and the implementation is put into the Bullying Prevention Plan. This does not change the process. Mrs. Borawski feels it is a good idea to separate the policy from the plan. Page 1 5 Mr. Boivin asked for clarification on the definition of bullying and would like to see consistency throughout the plan. He is curious to know why the plan definition is narrower than the MGL definition. Dr. Doherty will check with Attorney Joyce. The motion carried 5-0. III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant S1819 111.09.17 1 $246,255.25 b. Calendar The meeting on December 4t" will be moved to December l ltn IV. Information/Correspondence V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Adjourn Mrs. -Webb-moved, seconded by Mrs.-Bor-awski, to -enter --into executive -- ---- -- session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and not to return to open session. The roll call vote carried 5 — 0. Mr. Boivin, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Webb, Dr. Snow Dockser and Mrs. Borawski. The meeting adjourned at 8.30 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. ,jn F. Doherty, Ed.D. Page 1 6