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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-17 School Committee Minutes Town of Reading Meeting Minutes t✓_W r:i 'eJ 7x1, 1 . CLERK REi :rA. ioard - committee - commission - council: 1119 JAN 28 School Committee FM 1' 43 Date: 2019-01-17 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: Student Representative Maura Drummey Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Chief Financial Officer Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Christine Kelley, Interim Director of Student Services Sharon Stewart, RMHS principal Kate Boynton, Coolidge principal Sarah Marchant, Parker principal Rick! Shankland, Barrows principal Beth Leavitt, Birch Meadow principal Julia Hendrix, Joshua Eaton principal Lisamarle Ippolito, Klllam principal Sarah Leveque, Wood End principal Joanne King, METCO Director Jason Cross, RISE Preschool Director Kelley Bostwick, Assistant Director of Student Services Allison Wright, RPS Team Chairs, Fincom members, Al Sylvia - Reading Chronicle Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order Chair Webb called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. 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. There were none. Approval of Minutes (January 7, 2019) Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Dr. Dockser, to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried 5-0. Page I I C. Report Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported on the upcoming Martin Luther King Day Celebration scheduled for Monday morning. A light breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10:00 a.m. He next reported that the Coolidge Middle School Drama's Sunday performance has been move to Saturday at 2:00 p.m. due to the impending storm. Lastly, Dr. Doherty announced that the RISE Preschool start times for the 2019- 20 school year will be 8:00 a.m. at both the RMHS and Wood End sites. Liaisons Mr. Robinson reported that the Recreation Committee met and there was continued discussion about the Birch Meadow project. Dr. Dockser wanted to thank all the vendors that have contributed to the upcoming MLK Day Celebration. Mrs. Webb congratulated Dr. Doherty on completing the recent Dopey Challenge (5K, l OK, '/2 marathon& marathon)with personal bests in the V:marathon and marathon. D. Old Business FY2020 Budget Presentation Regular Day Cost Center Dr. Doherty began by thanking the administrators and staff that were in attendance. He went on to review the Regular Day cost center. He went over the major changes including the addition of 1.2 FTE elementary teachers to address enrollment. Committee members asked clarifying questions. Mr. Dockser called the Finance Committee to order at 7:50 p.m. Special Education Cost Center Mrs. Dowd started by saying that we have made a conscious decision not to fully fund the out of district tuition and transportation lines and we have been upfront with the Town Manager and Finance Committee Chair regarding this decision. We may have to go back to Town Meeting for additional funding. Mrs. Stewart took over reviewing this cost center. She reviewed the mission, number of students on IEPs,key items included in this cost center, drivers, out of district placements and enrollment trends. Page 1 2 Y Birch Meadow principal Julia Hendrix and Coolidge principal Sarah Marchant spoke about the special education programs in their buildings. Both agreed that it is important to have these programs in our buildings. Mr. Robinson asked about students on IEPs. Fincom member Mark Dockser asked if any of the students in out of district placements could be returned to our in-district programs. Resident Tom Wise asked about the recent passage of the Dyslexia bill and what we were doing in Reading. Mrs. Stewart said we are waiting for the regulations from the state. There is funding allocated for next year. Mr. Wise asked some follow up questions and asked if the Legal services line could be broken out by settlement amount. Mrs. Webb reminded committee members that all questions were due to the Superintendent and Mrs. Dowd by noon tomorrow. E. New Business School Committee Vacancy Mrs. Webb shared that the School Committee will notify the Select Board of the vacancy and the Select Board will opt to initiate the process. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Dr. Dockser,to allow the School Committee vacancy,which occurred on 1/7/2019,to remain empty until the election on 4/2/2019, and authorize the S.C. Chair to inform the Select Board of this vacancy and vote. Mrs. Webb explained the rationale of not filling the vacancy until the Town election in April pointing out that there is a short window and there would be only one meeting prior to the April election. The Finance Committee adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Mrs. Webb indicated that this vote will not preclude the committee from participating in the process if the Select Board chooses to initiate the process. Mr. Boivin asked that the motion be read again. Mrs Borawski reread the motion. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Boivin do not feel the School Committee needs to vote. The committee would just need to inform the Select Board. Dr. Dockser said the School Committee should be allowed to share the best approach to fill this vacancy should be. Mrs. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Boivin to authorize the S.C. Chair to inform the Select Board of the School Committee vacancy which occurred on January 7,2019. The revised motion carried 5-0. Page 1 3 Resident Tom Wise asked about the status of the unresolved OCR complaints. Superintendent Doherty said we have heard nothing from OCR. II. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Wan-ant S1928 1 1.10.19 $151,887.87 Warrant S1929 1 1.17.19 $178,964.12 b. Calendar III. Information/Correspondence IV.Future Business V. Adioumment Adioum Mrs. Borawski moved,seconded by Mr. Boivin, to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 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: httt)s://www.Youtube.com/watch?v w6eWaaflic Jo . Doherty,EAD. Page 14