HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-21 School Committee Minutes ;. Town of Reading
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2010 JUL _3 PM 6, �9
School Committee
Date: 2018-05-21 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, Linda Snow Dockser, Nick Boivin, and
Jeanne Borawski
Members - Not Present:
Elaine Webb, Student Representative Catie Coumounduros
Others Present:
Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Finance Gail Dowd, Director of
Student Services Carolyn Wilson, RISE Preschool Director Kelley Bostwick,
SEPAC Co-Chair Sarah McLaughlin, Understanding Disabilities Executive
Director Karen Serevitch, Understanding Disabilities Prgram Leader Tara
Price, Select Board Liaison Andy Friedmann, AI Sylvia - Reading Chronicle
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 at 7:00 p.m.
Recommended Procedure
A. Consent A eg nda
Mr. Robinson asked if the committee wanted any items removed from the consent
agenda. There were none.
Consent A eg nda
Accept a Donation from the RMHS PTO
Accept a Donation from the Friends of Reading High Baseball, Inc.
Accept a Donation to the RMHS Science Olympiad Team
Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin, to approve the consent
agenda. The motion carried 5-0.
B. Public Comment
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Rebecca Liberman asked for a math update or at the very least an update on the
status of the curriculum maps.
Dr. Doherty pointed out that there had been several math updates. In November
we had a full MCAS presentation; during the mid-year review in March, a math
update was done and at the last meeting the Superintendent included math
information in his evaluation preparation presentation.
Mr. Robinson suggested placing a folder on the website with the presentations.
Mrs. Liberman expressed concerns with the contents of the packets available at
the time of the meeting and asked if there was a policy regarding the contents of
the packets prior to the meeting.
Dr. Doherty indicated that the agenda has to be posted 48 hours prior to the
meeting and we do our best to include the pertinent information in the packet that
is usually sent out on the Friday before the meeting.
Mrs. Liberman suggested that the School Committee follow the same protocol as
the Select Board. Agenda items received after the posting will be moved to the
next meeting.
Select Board member Andy Friedmann said he was not aware of that protocol.
Dr. Snow Dockser encouraged Mrs. Liberman to refer to the DESE Math
Frameworks for specific information regarding math instruction.
C. New Business
Understanding Disabilities Update
Tara Price, Program Director and Karen Serevitch, Executive Director of
Understanding Disabilities (UD) reviewed the presentation for this evening. The
mission of UD is to help children see beyond people's disabilities and focus on
the ways we are all the same inside. Ms. Price went on to review the UD's value
by strengthening inclusion, increasing the learning of all students and increasing
the acceptance of all students. UD was founded in 1984 and has provided
continuous programming, has remained relevant through 33 years of change and
has impacted over 10,000 students. The UD curriculum topics include food
allergies, physical disabilities, visual and hearing disabilities,.autism spectrum
disorder, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities and emotional and
behavioral challenges.
Volunteers lead presentations and hands on activities in the classrooms on
specific units. They also have guest speakers present to students on specific
disabilities. UD is able to bring in speakers to the middle schools in the hope that
they will connect with the individual students.
During the 2017-18 school year there have been 102 total presentations, 200
classroom volunteers and 27 speaker sessions. UD has also been active in the
community holding several fundraisers including the teal pumpkins,participation
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at the Reading Street Faire, Parent University, Martin Luther King Day, Reading
Public Library and Friends & Family Day. They have also hosted several
speakers including Travis Roy, Shonda Shilling, Dr.Ned Hallowell, Jeff Bauman
and most recently Mandy Harvey.
Understanding Disabilities is also launching an"at home"piece by expanding
opportunities for further learning at home. They have created a page on their
website for parents to access with information on lessons taught and activities and
conversation starters.
Mrs. Serevitch said the program's success is driven by the parent volunteers and
thanked everyone for their efforts.
Mrs. Borawski asked if there is a tool to measure the success of the "at home"
program. Mrs. Serevitch said that they will be working with the elementary
principals for a bigger kick off to the "at home"program.
Dr. Vanden Akker wanted the public to know that this program is possible due to
the volunteers, donations and sponsorships and thanked the Board for the
remarkable work being done.
Dr. Snow Dockser shared that the group also holds a Gala in the spring each year.
Alicia Williams asked if UD had been recognized or spotlighted statewide. The
answer was no.
Chair Robinson thanked the group for presenting at the meeting.
D. Old Business
Revote to Support Chapter 70 Foundation Budget and Approval of the Ma�7,
2018 Minutes
Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Dr. Vanden Akker. to approve the
resolution, as revised, calling for full funding of the Foundation Budget
Review Commission's recommendation.
Mr. Robinson stated that this agenda item was discussed at the last meeting but
the appropriate wording was not provided.
The motion carried 5-0.
Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Dr. Vanden Akker, to approve the
open session minutes dated May 7,2018. The motion carried 5-0.
E. New Business
Special Education Update
Mrs. Wilson began by thanking Understanding Disabilities for all they do to
support us and the culture we have around students with disabilities.
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She began her presentation by saying she was calling it an end-of-year update but
we still have a lot of time left in the year. There are a lot of data points that
cannot be captured accurately until the school year is over. She reviewed the
topics she will discuss tonight.
Mid-Cycle Review
Mrs. Wilson began with an update on the Mid-Cycle Review. A progress report
was submitted to the DESE on March 29th. Mrs. Wilson provided a snapshot.
The DESE has approved the corrective action for the"Timeline for determination
of eligibility and provision of documentation to parent(issuing IEP's within 45
days for initial or reevaluations)". They have partially approved the "IEP
implementation and availability". We have been working with the Department
for providing compensatory services if a staff member is not available to provide
the services outlined in a student's IEP or if there is a delay or a pattern of not
providing services. We are obligated to provide compensatory services. We have
received guidance for staff training and are rolling out the language with the staff.
The staff will be trained and we will provide sign in sheets and agendas to the
DESS. DESE has also approved the corrective action taken for"Procedures for
approved and unapproved out-of-district placements". This is relative to the out-
of-district placements and the ongoing monitoring related to particular students.
When DESE was onsite they looked at particular student records and identified
student files that were missing documentation. The not corrected status is
because the IEP meetings had not happened at the time of the visit. We will
provide the requested documentation to the DESE related to the specific student
they were looking at. We also provide families of students turning 22 or
graduating with a summary of student performance. We were not able to provide
that information because graduation has not happened. The requested
documentation will be submitted to DESE as part of the June Progress Report at
which point the DESE will sign off as being corrected.
Mrs. Wilson reviewed the next steps for the Mid-Cycle Review which include the
training of staff on compensatory services requirements and the summary of
student performance. The file review and submission to DESE is June 8th
OCR: Follow Up on Compensatory Services
Mrs. Wilson next updated the Committee on the status of OCR complaints. We
have received no updates from OCR regarding complaints that had been-filed in
the fall. We have done what was needed and have had no communication with
the OCR. Compensatory services are being implemented with families. A few
families have requested services during the extended school year and we will be
working to accommodate this and no further documentation is required to be
submitted.
Mr. Robinson asked for an example of where we are lacking in compensatory
services. Mrs. Wilson said each week or cycle,the service providers (special
education teachers, OT, PT, SLP) all submit their schedules to the team chairs
who review them. They must indicate missed services. We are tracking to see if
there is a pattern of missed services. We are required to report the missed services
to DESE and if it is a violation of FAPE we are obligated to provide
compensatory services. Many times, over the course of the month the service
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provider is able to provide the service on a different day. In doing so, we are not
obligated to provide compensatory services. Mr. Robinson followed-up asking if
we had a monitoring system in place for our out-of-district placements and how
these placements are handled. Mrs. Wilson said that the OOD caseload is
distributed between the team chairs and herself. A monitoring system has been
developed by Kelley Bostwick which helps track IEPs and paperwork is going out
as well as the documentation required as part of the site visit observations. Part of
the Assistant Director's role will be to do a more comprehensive monitoring of
our out-of-district placements and how they are assigned. In addition, the shift in
the model has allowed the team chairs, who are connected to in-district programs,
to have conversations with families regarding our in-district programs. Our
monitoring timelines have improved greatly with the challenge being it takes time
and takes people out of the district. RISE Preschool Director Kelley Bostwick has
set up an evaluation schedule for our out-of-district students.
Mr. Boivin stated, as he views it, there are three layers; continue to follow the
law, oversight from the DESE (mid-cycle review) and Federal government(OCR
complaint). He asked what has not been partially approved regarding SE22—IEP
implementation and availability. Mrs. Wilson shared that it was the development
of the language regarding compensatory services; what was going to be the
process to determine when a student is eligible. She has worked closely with the
liaison from the DESE to develop language. The language has been approved and
now needs to be rolled out to staff and we will provide training. We will be
reviewing the process with service providers in our district on what we are
expecting around the delivery of compensatory services. As previously stated,
agenda and sign in sheets will be required and uploaded to the DESE by the June
Stn deadline. Mrs. Wilson will also do a file review and upload that information
as well. Mr. Boivin asked if the language of the approved process is publicly
available to parents and asked if it could be posted to the website. Mrs. Wilson
said that it could be posted but cautioned that this is more of an internal
monitoring process.
Mr. Boivin asked if there was any requirement regarding compensatory services
as a result of the midcycle review. Mrs. Wilson said there are no individual
requirements. DESE was looking at the process of how we determined who was
eligible. Mr. Boivin followed up if any students were identified during the file
review. The answer was no. We were actually over identifying and needed a
process that is more in line with the requirements.
Mrs. Borawski asked if there was any update regarding the timeline regarding the
OCR complaints. Mrs. Wilson said we have left this up to legal counsel.
Dr. Snow Dockser asked if corrective action has been taken to ensure the proper
staff is providing compensatory services. Mrs. Wilson indicated because the staff
is submitting their schedules at the end of a week or cycle we are able to more
closely monitor who is providing the services.
Special Education Data—Action Plan A: Closing the Achievement Gap
Mrs. Wilson began this portion of the presentation reviewing the number of
Special Education teachers by level, other Special Education staff and
Consultation and Contracted Services.
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She went on to review the staff that were trained in specialized reading in 2016 as
it compares to 2018. The numbers have increased since 2016. Staff have been
trained in several reading programs including Orton-Gillingham, Wilson. LIPS,
seeing Stars and Project Read. We have looked for diversity in the programs our
staff is trained in. We have been working hard to train staff in several programs.
If there is a gap, we will look at training additional staff.
Andy Murphy, 102 Johnson Woods Drive asked if he could ask a question before
he forgot. He inquired about the decrease in special education teachers at the
preschool level certified in Orton-Gillingham and Wilson. Mrs. Wilson said that
staff have left,but we have increased the number of teachers that provide support
in Wilson, LIPS and Seeing Stars. Mr. Murphy asked about the high school
teachers trained to teach specialized reading. He asked the total number of special
education teachers at the high school. There are 13. He then wanted clarification
on the categorization of trained. The Orton-Gillingham and Wilson programs
offer certification. LIPS provides 2 days of training and no certification.
Parent Lauren Bennett followed up asking for clarification on the designation of
certified and trained. Lindermood-Bell provides a two-day training for the LIPS
program.
Mr. Murphy asked how many students at the high school require Orton-
Gillingham& Wilson support. Mrs. Wilson did not have that number available.
He asked for a guess. Mrs. Wilson was not comfortable giving a guess. She did
share that we have 13 students in the Bridge program at the high school that could
potentially require these services with a possibility of 5 or 6 more.
Mrs. Wilson reviewed the enrollment and placement by level. She reviewed the
number of students served based on the March reporting date. There are 741
students on active IEPs, which is an increase from October of 17 students. The
majority of the students fall under the category of Specific Learning Disability—
this can be in the area of math, reading, writing or all 3;the second highest
number of students is health(ADHD),third is for neurological, fourth is
emotional and fifth is Autism. We have seen a rise in this number.
Approximately 20% of the students we serve at the RISE Preschool are diagnosed
with Autism. She pointed out that the disability areas identified under IDEA are
educational disabilities and not medical diagnosis. Mrs. Wilson reviewed the
parent referral data as of May 18, 2018. There has been an increase in parent
request for evaluations across the board. Many of the parent evaluations in the
District are still in process,the numbers eligible should rise, RISE Preschool has
seen a high number of referrals this year. The students being identified are
requiring special education services with the integrated preschool and we have a
Child Find Obligation at all levels—the District is working to identify those
children who live in Reading who have a disability that impacts their ability to
access and make progress in general education curriculum. She next reviewed the
rejected IEP data. All rejected IEPs are reported to the state. Important
information to remember regarding rejected IEPs include that the parent has the
right to reject the IEP and/or placement. They can reject in full or in part, we also
report any IEP that has been unsigned for 60 days or longer as rejected,
approximately 12.5% of parents rejected the IEP in some part and 87.5% of
parents accepted the IEP in full. During the 2016-17 school year we saw the
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highest number of rejections and highest number of students. We average around
116 rejections per school year.
The Special Education Department has a survey which can be found on the
website, a link in the email signature lines of Mrs. Wilson and all team chairs and
has been sent out to parents as part of the IEP correspondence. There have been
25 responses since March of 2017. Mrs. Wilson reviewed the responses to date.
68% of the parents felt that teachers and administrators encouraged them to
participate in the IEP meeting, 96% felt they were an active participant and were
able to voice their concerns and ask questions during the meeting, 72% felt the
eligibility criteria was explained adequately, 84% indicated their concerns and
vision was incorporated in the IEP development, 88%reported that the Team
made recommendations to meet their child's educational needs and 76% felt they
understood the recommendations made at the Team meeting.
Mr. Robinson asked a question in reference to the rejected IEP data. He wanted
to know why it seemed to be high. Mrs. Wilson said that this has been an active
year in the special education realm. They will be looking to see if they can
determine the root cause for the number of rejections. The number of rejections is
not specific to one program. One area we struggle with is the transition years
(grade 5 —6 & grade 8—9) and there seem to be more rejections and concerns
across the board. Mr. Robinson then asked that we look at all of our programs,
knowing it is the goal to keep kids in district but feels it needs to be done
correctly.
Mrs. Borawski asked about the number of request for evaluations at Joshua Eaton.
Mrs. Wilson said this is an area of concern.
Mr. Boivin has 3 major concerns that he will put in three buckets. The first being
that he would like evidence of student improvement as seen by parents, teachers
and the data. Mrs. Wilson is working with the SEPAC on a more effective parent
survey that will ask about achievement. The survey presented tonight was on the
IEP process. Second, he would like a per pupil analysis of resources. How are
we investing in students with FTEs and training? He would like to know how we
got where we are regarding the achievement gap. He would like information on
the robustness of teacher training, how are we enabling teachers to meet the needs
of students and how is it validated outside of Reading, do we have more or less
training than other districts.
Mrs. Borawski asked about the budgetary impact. Mrs. Wilson said we are
looking at staff and resources to meet the needs of students.
Mrs. Bennett asked for a list of teachers and their training. It is something she
feels will be helpful to families as their children move from level to level ensuring
that there is a teacher to meet a child's needs. Mrs. Wilson said she has received
public records request for this document and we do not have it. She is able to
provide information to individual families regarding the teachers their children
will have or have.
Mr. Robinson said this is not an unreasonable request.
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Mr. Murphy would like a commitment to develop this document today. Dr.
Doherty said he would need to gather more information before committing. Mr.
Murphy followed up by asking if there is a legal element. The response was yes.
Mr. Robinson said there will be discussions to determine a process to develop the
requested information.
Mr. Boivin sees two positions. Parents have the right to know who is educating
their child. He is requesting that a document be created listing all teachers and
their relevant certifications. He would also like, what he is calling, continuity
allowing parents to know if there is a teacher available to meet their child's needs.
Mrs. Wilson shared that we have diversity in our training at all levels. We have
offered transition open houses where parents can meet teachers and ask questions
and for the first time an open house for the high school Bridge program.
Walker Report
Mrs. Wilson updated the committee on the status of the Walker report
recommendations since the 2014-15 school year.
In the area of MTSS,we have continued to work on developing a structure of
data, systems and practices to improve student outcomes at all levels. Each
school has a building leadership team looking_at data, the district-wide data team
meets 6 times per year to review district data and practice data protocols with the
District Data Coach and we continue to use the DCAP. Next year we will work to
develop essential elements to the SST process and ensure each school has a"pre-
referral"process that is articulated to staff and parents as well as reviewing the
DCAP to ensure it reflects current practices.
Areas addressed in Administration include the addition of team chairs. We have
increased the total number of team chairs and through the proposed model for
next year there will be more stability. There was a recommendation to create a
procedural manual. At this point several documents have been created for the
special education staff and can be found on the District Share drive. Additionally,
a Team Chair binder has been created that is a reference guide for each Team
Chair. The Walker Report also pointed out the need for clerical help and an
Assistant Director. The area of clerical support remains a concern and we are in
the final stages of hiring an Assistant Director.
Mrs. Wilson reviewed the program development work done which includes
vertical professional development learning communities for special education
teachers and learning center teachers,the continued review of program spaces,
continued clinical supervision for our counseling staff, the refinement of the
Program Exploration process to ensure that IEP teams use a thorough process
including observations of the student, review of the current IEP and testing and
discussions at the team meeting, and improved service delivery for the Killam
TSP program through increased staffing and the implementation of a level system
and specific curriculum to work with students with emotional disabilities. Next
year all programs will complete a program description that includes placement
type, description of the population, methodologies used in the program, expected
goals for students in the program, and tools for monitoring progress. We will
continue the work in the PLC.
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We will continue to support co-teaching models in all schools. Currently Birch
Meadow has a full day co-teaching model in the Connections program and in
other classrooms. We will continue to work with the principals to discuss how
co-teaching can happen and use classroom walk-throughs and other classroom
visits to discuss how to use additional staff in the classroom. Next year the
professional development focus at the secondary level will be differentiation and
utilization of additional staff in the classroom. Birch Meadow will focus on
increasing the capacity of staff to work in the co-taught model and to ensure there
are inclusive practices across the school.
Mrs. Wilson reviewed the professional development activities this year. She
pointed out the activities were limited due to funding. We'continue to work with
Allan Blume on IEP writing, Introduction to Verbal Behavioral Training and
PECS training at the RISE Preschool, Lips training at the high school, on-site
coaching with Landmark and Landmark on-line courses, reading training with
Melissa Orkin from Tufts for the Eaton Special Education teachers, writing
evaluations, math interventions, a presentation on evaluation tools for School
Psychologists and Bridge Special Education teachers, 3 modules of PBS for RISE
teachers and training in PBS for paraprofessionals and a reading panel for Special
Education teachers by Parker Special Education teachers.
Next year we will provide teacher training in RAVE-O (specialized reading
program), support middle and high school in teaching executive functioning (tier
1 supports), coaching support for Joshua Eaton with Landmark School, coaching
and support for the Crossroads and Connections program with Melissa Orkin and
Anne Waters on integration of language-based strategies, continued work with
Allan Blume, work with the Mass Down Syndrome Congress and we will begin
work across the District on differentiated instruction.
Other important work this year includes a program review of the Bridge Program
at Parker. We are working with Melissa Orkin from Tufts. We are anticipating
receiving the report soon and will review it with the administrators, staff, Parker
parents and then SEPAC, we will continue to build connections with the SEPAC.
Mrs. Wilson will continue classroom visits and office hours and there is a report
card working group that has met 1 time and will meet 1 more time this year. This
group is looking at the report card as it relates to students with disabilities.
Mrs. Borawski ask that we are provided with a report on the Bridge Program
Review at Parker.
Mr. Boivin would like to see the student benefits from the professional
development and training opportunities. He went on to say he would like a
comparison of the capabilities of the instructors for kids in out-of-district
placements vs. in-district and is there a training gap.
Mr. Robinson also asked about professional development and wondered if we are
doing too much with limited resources. Mrs. Wilson said that the grant funding
we were using for professional development was received very late and was
significantly less than anticipated. The FYI budget has professional
development built in enabling us to hit the ground running next year. It is
important that we continue to do what we are doing in this area.
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Mr. Boivin asked how many professional development trainings are one hit
wonders, how many are robust and are impacting student learning. He asked
what we could do better with additional resources. Mrs. Wilson looks to provide
boosters to revisit practices, using staff to train is low cost, shorter term with a big
impact. She referenced the recent PECS training for the new RISE teacher who
could not wait to use it in her classroom.
Dr. Snow Dockser as if there were procedures and tools in place to get feedback
from staff on trainings. Mrs. Wilson said she sent a survey out to staff last spring
asking what was beneficial/empowering, impacted practices, what future
opportunities they would like to see and what did not work. This feedback drives
the planning for next year.
Mr. Murphy asked what percentage of the Walker recommendations have been
implemented.
Mrs. Williams asked if a definition of co-teaching has been created. At this point
it has not been defined as a district. The co-teaching model being used at Birch
Meadow has a regular education teacher and a special education teacher in the
same classroom for the entire day in the Connections program. Mrs. Williams
then asked about entry/exit criteria. Mrs. Wilson is hoping that the development
of the program descriptions will aid in this by outlining the needs of the student
that is eligible for the particular program. These decisions are made by the team
and are based on the individual student's needs. The next question was the status
of the hiring of the BCBA. Mrs. Wilson has candidates and will begin the
interviewing process in the next week or so. Mrs. Williams asked about the
Compass program and then asked if it was possible to get a cost analysis by
student with disabilities.
Mrs. Borawski interjected that one student may have multiple disabilities making
it difficult to create the cost analysis she is requesting.
Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Sarah McLaughlin, Co-Chair of the SEPAC began her presentation sharing the
SEPAC mission. The SEPAC works for the understanding, acceptance, support
and inclusion of all children with special needs in the community by supporting a
network of parents of children with special needs and providing a forum to share
information, they advise the.Director of Student services, Superintendent and
School Committee on special education programs, policies, and parent/teacher
training needs, promotes communication and sharing of information and provides
informational workshops. The SEPAC has hosted several workshops from Basic
Rights to Essential Components of Reading Instruction. This year a new Board
started in October, they sponsored a tree at the REF Festival of Trees, worked to
bring parent concerns to the District's attention through group discussions at
SEPAC and regular check-ins with the Director of Student Services, started work
on amending the report cards to reflect students' academic modification,
discussion regarding the LLD program evaluation needs, will be hosting a table at
Friends &Family Day and have begun planning for next year.
Mrs. McLaughlin outlined ongoing parent concerns which include progress
toward closing the achievement gap and implementing district wide goals and
recommendations, support for students with learning disabilities, and the need for
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more detailed information/resources in the special education process and district
programs (program descriptions, including entrance and exit criteria&
documentation of staff training and certifications at each school and program).
Mrs. Wilson finished by outlining where we go from here. There will be
continued collaboration with the SEPAC, work to improve communication
through newsletters or blogs, strengthen in-district programs and ensure vertical
alignment,more focus on Middle School and High School TSP programs based
on the population and needs of students, collaboration with the new Assistant
Superintendent on goals around Literacy for all students and recommendations for
report cards, complete program reviews for the Bridge programs, develop the role
of the Assistant Director, strengthen the role of the team chairs and support them
in increasing the amount of supervision and evaluation they provide in the
buildings, revise the DCAP, and review and update the Student Services website
in consultation with SEPAC and Special Education staff.
Chair Robinson thanked Mrs. Wilson for providing the update.
Approval of the POST Agreement
Mrs. Wilson began by saying that that we would like to continue the collaboration
with the Wakefield Public Schools. It has been very successful pointing out that
this partnership allows our students to remain local, increase their social networks
and access to local internships. She referenced the new three-year agreement
which will need to be approved by the School Committees & Select Boards in
Reading and Wakefield. In working with Wakefield several significant changes
that will benefit both communities have been proposed. The proposed agreement
allows greater flexibility in cost share due to quarterly fluctuations in enrollment.
In addition, the capital expenses section that Reading paid in the first agreement
as part of the renovation of the space has been removed from the new agreement.
These are both adjustments from the current agreement and will make the
agreement more financially feasible for both districts. We are also looking at the
possibility of trying to get additional communities to participate in the program,
which will further reduce overall shared costs.
Mr. Boivin asked about cost. Mrs. Dowd responded that on average the cost per
student ranges from$35,000 - $50,000 per year. This year the cost per student
has been $80,000.
Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the
proposed three-year intermunicipal agreement between the Town of
Wakefield and the Town of Reading for the POST program. The motion
carried 5-0.
Mrs. Dowd made the committee aware that the Select Board is scheduled to vote
on this agreement at their next meeting.
Appointment to Collaboratives
Dr. Doherty said the School Committee must vote each year to appoint a
representative to our collaboratives. The Superintendents of the member
communities serve as representatives.
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Mr. Robinson asked if any School Committee members are currently sitting on
the boards of our collaboratives. The answer was no.
NEC Appointment
Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to appoint
Superintendent John F. Doherty as the Reading Public Schools'
representative to the Board of Directors of the Northshore Education
Consortium for the 2018-2019 school year. The motion carried 5-0.
SEEM Appointment
Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to appoint
Superintendent John F. Doherty as the Reading Public Schools'
representative to the Board of Directors of the SEEM Collaborative for the
2018-2019 school year. The motion carried 5-0.
F. Reports
Liaison
Mrs. Borawski reported that she spent a great morning at Joshua Eaton visiting
classrooms and assisting in Reader's Workshop. She was impressed how relaxed
and happy the students were. She thanked Mrs. Ippolito and the staff for creating
a safe and nurturing environment.
Dr. Vanden Akker thanked Understanding Disabilities and the Young Women's
League for sponsoring the Mandy Hardy event. She said it was a profound
experience. She also thanked the Parker Music Department for assisting in setting
up for the event.
Dr. Snow Dockser wanted it noted that she wanted to thank Lori Hodin for
coordinating the Upstanding Training she attended at the high school.
Dr. Snow Dockser attended the Slam Poetry at Barrows. She thanked the Library
Media Specialists for putting this event together.
She also attended the Unity Project set-up at RMHS and was impressed with the
student/teacher interactions.
She next reported on the Pulse of Reading event. She said it was a great
opportunity to have a community conversation, hearing all different voices. She
thanked the Reading Public Library for hosting.
Superintendent
Superintendent Doherty reported that there will be a Security/Safety Summit in
the Schettini Library at RMHS on Wednesday night. He followed up by reporting
that there was a shelter-in-place/lockdown event in the Birch Meadow Complex
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last Friday. The incident occurred after'the students had been dismissed from the
three schools affected and said there was a positive outcome. He held a debrief
meeting today and wanted to commend the staff in the three buildings.
II. Routine Matters
a. Bills and Payroll (A)
Warrant 51845 5.10.18 $139,261.25
Warrant 51846 5.17.18 $202,314.74
b. Calendar
III. Information/Correspondence
IV.Future Business
Mr. Boivin would like to add the following items to future agendas:
• Collapsing tracks—assessment
• Results of the Pride Survey
• Curriculum
• Conserving override resources
• Quarterly Special Education update—student outcomes and SMART Goals
for the Assistant Special Education Director
V. Adjournment
Adjourn
Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin to adiourn. The motion
carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not
the order they occurred during the meeting.
Link to meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zALuJx_4hM
*W I
o F. Doherty,td.D.
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