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Home My WebLink About2017-02-06 School Committee Minutesi o�N OFI? Town of Reading a b Meeting Minutes rte' p fi4 's39. INCOf�p�aP Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2017-02-06 Building: School - Memorial High Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: Open Session Attendees: Members - Present: F IJ 1118 JAN 29 P Z. 12 1 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Superintendent Conference Room Session: Open Session Version: Draft Jeanne Borawski, Chuck Robinson, Elaine Webb, Linda Snow Dockser, Nick Boivin Members - Not Present: Gary Nihan, Student Representatives Mario Cutone & Alex Nazzaro Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Finance Gail Dowd, Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, RPS Budget parents, Reading Chronicle reporter Al Sylvia, Erin Calvo Bacci, Fincom members Mark Dockser & Paula Perry, Selectman Barry Berman Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chair Borawski called the School Committee to order at 7:02 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. Il. Recommended Procedure A. Public Comment Resident Rebecca Liberman asked about the collapsing of tracks at the high school. She asked how students will be supported (college prep students in class with strong college prep students). She felt there was no communication. Dr. Doherty responded that information was communicated to parents last year on this matter. Mr. Robinson added that some of the questions were answered during the budget presentation and Dr. Snow Dockser encouraged the public to attend the Superintendent's Office Hours with their questions and concerns. B. Consent Agenda Page 1 1 Mr. Robinson asked the Committee if there were any consent agenda items that they would like removed. There were none. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin, to approve the consent agenda as amended. The motion carried 5-0. Accept a Donation from the RMHS PTO Accept a Donation to the Barrows School Accept a Donation to the Wood End School Approval of Minutes (January 19 & 23, 2017) Dr. Snow Dockser pointed out that she is continually amazed by the generosity of the clubs and organizations. C. Reports Student Representatives No Report Liaison's Report Mrs. Webb reported on the Board of Health public hearing on tobacco regulations and encouraged parents and community members to stay informed on this subject. Dr. Snow Dockser reported on the recent RMHS Drama production stating it was fabulous. She added that a group of Killam teachers that are part of a mentor program brought their students to the production. She next reported on work being done by the Human Relations Advisory Committee supporting a Human Rights Resolution that the group provided feedback. She asked that the School Committee vote to accept this resolution at a future meeting. She added that the HRAC will be meeting with Senator Jason Lewis on March 2"d. There is a Human Rights Commission meeting on February 10th and METCO Lobby Day is March 14th Director of Student Services Mrs. Wilson reported on the SEPAC business meeting. She went on to update the committee on professional development activities in the district. Alan Blume presented a workshop on data driven IEPs, it was a full day workshop and time in each building. She will be using grant funding to implement a SPED districtwide data team comprised of 6 teachers, a retired SPED Director, a principal and 3 team chairs. Superintendent Dr. Doherty congratulated the Reading students recently recognized as Globe Scholastic Arts & Writing honorees. He went on to thank the teachers that supported these students. The student artwork will be on display at the State Transportation Building in March. Page 1 2 i The Superintendent announced his office hours for the week. He has added an evening meeting at the request of parents that are unable to attend during the day. D. Old Business Quarterly Personnel Update Dr. Doherty reviewed the quarterly personnel update. Chair Borawski liked the new format of this report and asked if the committee could receive a report on reasons for leaving year to date. FY2018 Budget Continued Discussion Mrs. Borawski began by addressing the concerns of the public regarding the use of free cash. She said the only way the request to use free cash would work would be with support of an override. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to request that the Board of Selectmen work in collaboration with the School Committee over the upcoming weeks to develop and commit to a plan for a Proposition 2 1/2 override ballot question that will address the current and future needs of the Reading Public Schools as well as any other municipal needs as determined by the Selectmen. Mrs. Webb is concerned that the motion does not specify a timeframe. Discussion continued regarding a possible override. Mrs. Webb indicated she is hesitant to ask for another override and feels not enough has been done to support the concerns of those who are opposed to an override. Dr. Snow Dockser feels that all avenues need to be explored including a possible override. We need to listen to the community. She feels the request for an override should be a smaller amount and a shorter period of time. She would like to see a deadline of February 28 added to the motion as a safety net to get the article on the warrant. Mr. Robinson pointed out that the Town has a healthy balance in reserve and feels we should tap that resource to address the budgetary shortfalls. Mr. Boivin asked what problems do we address — what are the alternate plans. Mr. Robinson pointed out that the priorities were established when the committee voted on the budget. The committee feels that the public understands what cuts will need to be made if the funding is not available. Dr. Snow Dockser offered an amendment to the original motion adding the phrase "prior to February 28th" in place of over the upcoming weeks. Page 1 3 Mr. Robinson pointed out that the Chair put a lot of time into this motion and wanted to be sure that everyone understands that no one is looking for a way out and we are all willing to make ourselves available to begin the conversation. Chair Borawski said she was uncomfortable with the suggested amendment and feels the motion as originally read should be used. Dr. Snow Dockser withdrew her suggested amendment and proposed a new amendment to replace "upcoming weeks" with prior to February 28, 2017 and add the word "initial" before plan which was seconded by Mrs. Webb. Dr. Doherty asked if by proposing this amendment that there needs to be a posted meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee prior to February 28''. Mrs. Borawski said she does not feel there needs to be because members of the School Committee will be attending the Selectmen meeting tomorrow evening and we will see which direction to go with the discussion. Dr. Snow Dockser offered an amendment, seconded by Mrs. Webb, replacing "upcoming weeks" with prior to February 28, 2017 and adding "initial plan" after "to develop and commit to an..". The vote on the amendment carried 4-1. Mrs. Borawski voting against. The original motion with amendments reads as follows: Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to request that the Board of Selectmen work in collaboration with the School Committee prior to February 28, 2017 to develop and commit to an initial plan for a Proposition 2 1/2 override ballot question that will address the current and future needs of the Reading Public Schools as well as any other municipal needs as determined by the Selectmen. The vote on the original motion carried with the amendment 5-0. Selectman Barry Berman suggested that the BOS chair and Town Manger be informed that School Committee members will be at their meeting tomorrow night. E. New Business None III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant S 1731 1.26.17 $135,272.45 Warrant 51732 2.2.17 $371,804.47 Warrant P1716 1.27.17 $1,550,726.95 b. Calendar Page 1 4 IV. Information V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Adjourn Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining, the approval of minutes and to not return to open session. The roll call vote carried 5-0. Mr. Boivin, Mrs. Borawski, Mr. Robinson, Dr. Snow Dockser and Mrs. Webb. The meeting adjourned at 8.50 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. V)C)A- Jj F. Doherty, Ed.D. Page 1 5