Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-22 School Committee Minuteso�N OF$� ' 639+ )NCO RQ0 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MA. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2018 FEB 12 PM 4: 15 School Committee Date: 2018-01-22 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: Chuck Robinson, Sherri Vanden Akker, Nick Boivin, Jeanne Borawski, Linda Snow Dockser, and Elaine Webb Members - Not Present: Student Representatives Cutone & Coumounduros Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Finance Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Craig Martin, Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson, RPS Administrators Sarah Leveque, Joanne King, Sarah Marchant, Ricki Shankland, Brienne Karow, LisaMarie Ippolito, Heather Leonard, Adam Bakr, RPS Budget Liaisons, Selectmen Barry Berman, John Arena & Andy Friedmann, Fincom members Mark Dockser, Peter Lydecker, Paula Perry and Vanessa Alvardo, Al Sylvia - Reading Chronicle, Bob Holmes - Patch Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chair Robinson reviewed the agenda and called the meeting to order and opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. RMHS Sophomore Autumn Hendrickson shared that she and her peers,find the whole budget situation scary and the students do not want to see the foreign language at the middle school cut. She went on to say that we live in a global society and taking away these opportunities from the younger students will become our Achille's heel if we do not tread carefully. She cares about the community and just because they are students doesn't make their voice any less powerful. The young people are the future urging the School Committee not to cut the double ELA block, foreign language and teachers, we won't let you down, don't let us down. Parent Julie Wall expressed concerns over the elimination of the middle school foreign language program and wondered if the 12 peer communities offered middle school language. Her research found that all 12 peer communities offered middle school foreign language and several offered other languages in addition to French and Spanish. As a former middle school foreign language teacher she pointed out that middle school students embrace learning a new language with great enthusiasm and it Page 1 1 disheartens her that our 6th and 7th grade students may lose out on this opportunity further stating that the studies of world languages are a fundamental non-negotiable component of any 21St century education. RMHS student Kevin Yatsuhashi said he developed a great foundation in Spanish during middle school and urged the committee not to cut the program. Parker student Laura Yatsuhashi said she began taking Spanish this year and after only 3 months it has become her favorite class. Learning Spanish has opened the door to learn about different cultures, people and experiences. This cut not only affects the 7th graders, it affects the 6th graders who are eager for the opportunity to take Spanish. Ann Marie Cory spoke as a parent, resident and teacher at RMHS. She said this has been an emotional time for her and others. She said that the shear logistics of teaching French and Spanish 1 is a daunting task and there will be a cultural change at the high school. Students will fit have to fit 4 years of language into what they could typically do in 3, meaning as seniors they will have fewer elective opportunities. Middle school students should have the same opportunities and urged the School Committee to look in other areas such as athletics and extracurricular for cuts. Rebecca Liberman began by asking the committee to ask themselves if this is the best they could do for students. She feels this budget is unacceptable and urged the committee to look at everything else to avoid the personnel cuts. She asked them to consider the core mission of instilling the joy of learning and the people that implement this mission. Donna Shindelman, parent of a Parker and Killam student, shared that in her work as a mental health professional she has seen what a strong foundation and support students get in education is paramount to their wellbeing. Kids deserve a well- rounded educational experience. Coolidge student Maxwell Carcione said -that this budget is detrimental -to his education and to all students that come after him. He pointed out the value of the double ELA block which allowed for his teacher to provide the extra supports needed for the students in the class. He urged the School Committee to reconsider the middle school cuts. Preschool parent Rebecca Bailey said she moved to Reading for the schools and is concerned that her kids will not have the same educational opportunities. She asked the committee to consider the little ones entering the Reading Public Schools in the future. Geoffrey Coram understands there are no easy answers and these cuts will have long term effects on the district. Once positions/programs are removed, it is difficult to restore them. The repercussions from these cuts will go beyond one year. He also urged the committee to look at all areas. Chair Robinson closed the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure Page 1 2 A. Public Comment There was none. B. Consent A enda Mrs. Webb asked if the committee wanted anything be removed from the consent agenda. There was none. Consent Agenda - Approval of Minutes (January 8 & 10, 2018) Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin, to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried 6-0. C. New Business FYI Budget —Deliberations Dr. Doherty reviewed adjustments to the balanced budget as a result of the questions, reducing the Drama stipends, reducing the 4.0 FTE to 3.0 FTE reduction in the elementary position, reducing FY 19 personnel reductions and general fund expenditures. The School Committee began deliberations on the FY2019 budget. Mrs. Webb urged the community to stand up for the override. This process has been very difficult. Mrs. Borawski said everyone agrees that this budget is not good for kids. The committee understands the value of the foreign language program but hada job to.. present a sustainable budget. In order to preserve foreign language, funding would have to be cut from other sources. She sees no other path than an override. Dr. Snow Dockser feels horrible about the cuts and is proud of how the community has come out to speak. She also supports the override. Mr. Boivin said the job as he sees it is to vote on the FY2019 budget and supports requesting the Selectmen to put an override vote on the ballot. He offered a proposal feeling that the middle school restructuring will have a negative impact. He is proposing the following reductions: $49,000 from full day kindergarten, remove the Data Coach position ($66,000), remove the School Business assistant position ($70,000), restore athletic funding to FY2016 levels ($190,000), reduce the Drama stipends ($10,000) and return the building based budget to last year's level ($68,000). Mrs. Webb responded by saying we need to provide for student needs and athletic fees would have to increase once again. Mr. Robinson thanked Mr. Boivin for his solution, pointing out it would be a one- year fix. The committee has been struggling for weeks on this budget. Page 1 3 Dr. Snow Dockser thanked Mr. Boivin for creative thinking and voiced her support for the School Business Assistant. She thanked the Superintendent, Mrs. Dowd and the administration for working so hard on this budget. She pointed out that the taxes do not pay for everything, parent groups and organizations support our schools. Dr. Vanden Akker asked about the School Business Assistant position and wanted clarification on something she heard regarding Medicaid reimbursement and the possibility that we are not getting our full amount because of the lack of support staffing to oversee the Medicaid process. The answer was yes. Mrs. Borawski spoke on the importance of the Data Coach position stating that the support provided to the teachers and administrators on best practices and how to effectively use our data is invaluable. The reduction in building based budgets is not realistic and the questioned why the committee is first hearing of the proposed athletics cut at the second public hearing. Mr. Berman referred to the funds returned to the town and said there are many factors on what is turned back. He said the Selectmen have also returned funds and said this is an indication the we are managing the taxpayer's money well. Michele Sanphy is uncomfortable with Mr. Boivin's proposed reduction in the building based budgets. Paula Perry urged the School Committee to vote a balanced budget and not doing so would be totally ingenuous and harm the relationships developed between boards. Mr. Boivin does not support the Middle school cuts, he would rather see cuts in athletics and the building based budgets. A parent asked why athletics/extracurricular was not being looked at for -further - cuts. Mr. Robinson explained that the School Committee receives the Superintendent's Recommended Budget to discuss. There is a great deal of collaboration in the process. Coaches' salaries are the only operating budget costs. The School Committee voted to raise fees last year for athletics/extracurricular activities. Michael DiGeorgio implored the School Committee to vote a balanced budget as recommended by the Finance Committee. Mr. Boivin moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, proposing the following amendment to the Superintendent's recommended Budget: $200,000 cut to the Districtwide Cost Center (athletics/extracurricular) $70,000 cut to the Administration Cost Center (School Business Assistant $66,000 cut to the Regular Day Cost Center (Data Coach) $49,880 cut to Regular Day Cost Center (full day kindergarten offset) Page 1 4 totaling $485,880 to restore 7.0 FTE teachers and programs cut at the middle schools. Dr. Snow Dockser questioned the sustainability of these cuts. Mr. Robinson said we cannot continue to move money around. Mr. Boivin agreed it is far from a sustainable path and Dr. Vanden Akker shared that when voting it is not the intent to inflict pain on anyone. The motion failed 1— 5. Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Webb, Dr. Vanden Akker, Dr. Snow Dockser and Mrs. Webb voting against. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin to approve the School Department budget as amended in the amount of $42,723,025. The motion carried 5-1. Mr. Boivin voted against. Chair Robinson called a brief recess at 9:22 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 9:40 p.m. Reconstruction/Override Budget Dr. Doherty shared that the Reconstruction Plan reflects the changes discussed earlier. Mrs. Webb said that this is not a prioritized list. Mr. Boivin questioned the sustainability of adding positions that are not already existing. Mrs. Perry shared that sustainability looks good on paper but is not always achievable. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the FY2019 School Department Reconstruction/Override Budget in the amount of $2,436,000. Mr. Robinson asked about the Curriculum Coordinator positions. Mr. Martin described their role and referred to his email response that was included in the packet. Dr. Doherty said he will provide a prioritized list at the February 5t" meeting. The motion carried 5-1. Mr. Boivin voting against. RMHS Principal Search Timeline and Process Dr. Doherty reviewed the timeline and process sharing this has been used on many searches and works well. He thanked Mr. Bakr for his time and dedication and wished him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Page 1 5 The Superintendent said requests for members of the screening committee have gone out, he will attend all meetings and hopes to make an appointment after February vacation. Mr. Robinson asked if the candidates could attend a School Committee meeting. Dr. Doherty said the Committee would have opportunities to question the finalists at the open microphone nights. Mr. Boivin asked if the timeline could be extended. Dr. Doherty said we would lose candidates. He then asked if the schedule allows for 2 rounds of interviews, 1 to occur while still accepting applications. Ms. Bove said this is a good point in the year to hire a principal. She is also concerned about losing candidates if the timeline is extended. We have a better chance for the best fit with the current model. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the RMHS Principal Search Process and Timeline as presented. The motion carried 5-1. Mr. Boivin voting against. D. Reports Mrs. Borawski reported on several upcoming events hosted by the Friends of Reading Recreation. Old Business III. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) 51828 1..11.18 $314,036.27 S1829 1.18.18 $98,342.51 b. Calendar IV. Information/Correspondence V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Adjourn Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Vanden Akker, to adiourn. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 10.48 p.m. Page 1 6 NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. 0 BIT,1, -0 Page 1 7