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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-20 School Committee Minutes a orxeb r Town of Reading .,. Meeting Minutes O /yy 'Q�PIMfOPP�' Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2119 JAN -9 PM 2: 41 School Committee Date: 2018-12-20 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: School Library Address: 62 Oakland Road Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chuck Robinson, Linda Snow Dockser, Elaine Webb, Nick Boivin, Jeanne Borawski Members - Not Present: Sherri Vanden Akker Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Chief Financial Officer Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Christine Kelley, Director of Student Services Sharon Stewart, Human Resources Administrator Jenn Bove, Reading Police department Lt. Dave Clark, Guidance Director Lynna Williams, RMHS principal Kate Boynton, Director of Athletics Tom Zaya, Killam principal Sarah Leveque, METCO Director Jason Cross, Fincom liaison Paula Perry, Student Representative Maura Drummey, Al Sylvia - Reading Chronicle Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: 1. Call to Order Chair Webb called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. She reviewed the agenda and read the Reading Public Schools Mission Statement. A. Public Input Mrs. Webb asked if there was any public comment on topics not on the agenda. There was none. B. Consent Agenda Mrs. Webb asked if the committee wanted any items removed from the consent agenda. Mr. Robinson asked that the November 15,2018 minutes be pulled pointing out that the meeting was called to order by Chair Webb and not Chair Robinson. Approval of Coolidge Field Trip Accept a Donation from the RMHS Band Parent Organization Page 1 1 Accept a Donation from the Friends of Boys Swim Accept a Donation from the Alumni of Reading Memorial High School Accept a Donation from Lueders Environmental,Inc. Accept a Donation to the RMHS Band& Choruses Approval of Minutes (December 6, 2018) Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin, to improve the consent agenda without the November 15,2018 minutes. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved,seconded by Mr. Boivin,to revise the November 15, 2018 minutes to reflect that Chair Webb called the meeting to order. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Boivin moved, seconded by Mn. Borawaski,to approve the November 15,2018 minutes as revised. The motion carried 5-0. C. Reports Student Representative Student Representative Maum Dmmmey reported on the RMHS High 5 students and the Students of the Month. She also reported that 30 students attended a training session with the Anti-Defamation League as part of the A World of Difference program. Director of Student Services Mrs. Stewart updated the committee on staff openings and an upcoming SEPAC meeting at which parents will be able to meet new staff. Director of Finance - Mrs. Dowd updated the committee on the status of the Turf 11 Capital Project. Which is currently in the design phase. She will continue to provide periodic updates. Superintendent Dr. Doherty provided an update on kindergarten. He shared that emails have been sent to the 12 families that had been placed outside of the traditional home districts informing them that they will be able to return to their home schools for grade 1. We have heard from 9 families that will be returning to their home schools. Kindergarten registration for the 2019-20 school year is progressing. Dr. Doherty feels we have received approximately 95%of the applications based on the census. Most families are opting for the full day program. Weare currently working on balancing class sizes across the district and are confident that the placement letters will be sent by February I". Liaisons Page 1 2 Dr. Snow Dockser reported on the recent RCASA meeting. (See attached statement). Mr. Robinson reported that he and Mrs. Webb attended the recent Select Board meeting at which capital decisions where discussed. He was also pleased that the Select Board was looking at a more realistic cost for health care. Mr. Robinson also reported that Nelson Burbank was honored at the recent boys hockey game and dropped the puck. Mrs. Webb acknowledged the donations the committee accepted tonight and thanked the groups and organizations for their continued support of the Reading Public Schools. D. Old Business Late Start Committee Update Assistant Superintendent Chris Kelley and RMHS principal Kate Boynton provided an update based on feedback and questions from the last meeting and ongoing correspondence. Mr. Robinson is sold as far as the educational aspect. He said it comes down to logistics and communication and feels we need to have everything in place to go. Dr. Doherty said that the committee will be updated throughout the year. Mr. Boivin asked about discussions with the police regarding traffic and safety concems. Lt. Clark shared that there is a traffic plan in place at the start of every school year. There is an increased police presence at the beginning of the school year and the police work at educating parents on the traffic patterns around the schools. He is confident that it will all go smoothly especially with Coolidge drop off being taken out of the mix. Mr. Boivin followed up asking about the RISE start time. Mrs. Kelley said there is no time set at this point and she is working with the RISE Preschool regarding start time. Dr. Dockser asked about bus transportation. Mrs. Kelley indicated that we will be working with the bus company, adjusting times and routes as necessary. Parent Maureen Hurley asked about the METCO bus. Mr. Cross said that he is also working with the bus company but feels the high school students will gain 15 or 20 minutes in the morning. Autumn Hendrickson,junior at RMHS,stated the change deeply concerns her pointing out that she is familiar with the research. She cited the amount of homework that is given, and the amount of stress students are under as areas that need to be addressed. Page 1 3 Parent Marcie Maffeo asked if different times have been considered citing concerns about drop-offs at multiple schools. Mrs. Kelley said that the Late Start Sub-Committee had considered different times but all the research points to an 8:30 start. The high school will be open at 8:00 a.m. Mrs. Hurley referred to her email to the committee sharing concerns of the strain that will be put on families by deviating away from a 7:30 a.m. start Parent David Cory understands the concerns about the amount of homework. He supports this change and knows that all concerns will not be solved all at once. Mr. Robinson would like updates as the year progresses on the continued work of the Late Start Sub-Committee and the Homework Committee. Mrs. Boynton is hoping to convene the Homework Committee in the January/February timeframe. She mentioned the upcoming Alumni Day and is looking forward to hearing what these alums say about their college and career readiness. Mrs. Borawski suggested that the way we assign homework be looked a differently. Autumn Hendrickson would like students to have the opportunity to attend or serve on working groups. RMHS teacher Annemarie Cory is in favor of the change hoping her students will be more engaged and enjoy school more. She said that we need to teach our kids to manage their time better and be happier. Parent Sarah Picard supports the change in start time. Mrs. Hurley asked about extracurricular activities and if practices and rehearsals would go later. Mrs. Kelley said they would not. Dr. Dockser moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to approve the recommendation to change the start time at Reading Memorial High School to 8:30 a.m. beginning in the 2019-20 school year. Mr. Boivin asked to reword the motion to read: Authorize the Superintendent to delay the start time at RMHS up to one hour for the 2019-20 school year. Dr. Dockser offered a friendly amendment to Mr. Boivin's motion to read "Recommend and authorize the Superintendent......... Mrs. Borawski is uncomfortable with Mr. Boivin's motion. She feels it introduces uncertainty. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve Mr. Boivin's amended motion. The motion failed 1 —4. Mr. Boivin voting in favor. Mr. Robinson said he would like an update on the formation of the homework committee and the RISE-parent update sometime in January. Page 1 4 The vote on the original motion carried 5-0. FYI Personnel Update Human Resources Administrator Jenn Bove provided a summary of the 1"quarter personnel report. The report is inclusive of all relevant personnel actions between the dates of July 1, 2018 through December 14, 2018. The committee asked clarifying questions. FY19 Budget Update Mrs. Dowd updated the committee on the status of the FY 19 budget. She is asking for a transfer to the Special Education Cost Center to cover the projected deficits which will continue to be monitored throughout the year. Dr. Dockser moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to authorize the transfer of $250,000 to the Special Education Cost Center from the Regular Day Cost Center. The motion carried 5-0. Superintendent's Goals Superintendent Doherty said that after reflecting on the comments and feedback from the committee he has made revisions to his goals. He reviewed the changes to his goals. Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to approve the Superintendent's goals as revised. The motion carried 5-0. E. New Business FY2020 Prebudget Presentation Mrs. Dowd provided a high-level overview of the budget process. She updated the committee on the override,the school budget structure, the FY20 budget process, communication and the calendar. II. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll(A) b. Calendar 11I. Information/Correspondence IV.Future Business V. Adioumment Page 1 5 Adjourn Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 10:50 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: his://vv w.voutube.com/watch?v=ew38nRdbmKO J(j F. oherty, d.D. Page 1 6 RCASA Liaison Report for Dec. 20, 2018 Submitted by Linda Snow Dockser At the meeting on Dec. 1311, we learned more about RCASA's partnership with the Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition's social marketing campaign to inform and empower middle school parents to intervene with their children to prevent underage drinking and substance abuse . The goal is to share "fact-based information and tools"that will enable meaningful conversations with students and adults in the community. Research shows that substance use is not a forgone conclusion and what parents do,does make a difference. Check out www.mvsticvallevpublichealthcoalition.org for more information. RCASA is looking to fill board positions if you are interested in joining. Kevin Sexton just joined as liaison from the Board of Health. RCASA is also looking for a full-time Outreach Coordinator with a potential March 2019 start time—check out their website for more information. Projects with the Reading Public Schools continue: This Feb,the Youth Risk Behavior Survey will be filled out on-line and will be sponsored by Lahey Health. For the first time, it will have an added regional component which will enable us to compare our data with neighboring communities. The Student Outreach Team at RMHS now has 7 students who will be planning vaping prevention outreach to the middle schools. Director, Erica McNamara presented to the RMHS Child Development class on Substance Exposed Newborns. She and the SROS are visiting 91h grade health classes for opiod prevention. RCASA is collaborating with Wakefield's coalition,the police dept, and Eliot Community Care to raise funding for a pilot project which will enable a certified Recovery Coach to service Reading Students with referrals for treatment and support services for 10 hours/week.The other hours she will be in the other communities. Professional training for the director continues this time focused on prevention communication strategies. There will be two opportunities to celebrate Julianne DeAngelis's Retirement—on Wed,Jan 30 from 9-11 at Police Station and at the RCASA Board meeting on Jan 31'x.