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Home My WebLink About2019-01-24 School Committee Minutes OIA s Town of Reading a Meeting Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK «R READ! ,NG SAA. v, Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2019 FEB -7 School Committee AMiI 09 Date: 2019-01-24 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: Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Chief Financial Officer Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Christine Kelley, Interim Director of Student Services Sharon Stewart, Student Representative Maura Drummey, RMHS principal Kate Boynton, Parker principal Rick! Shankland, Barrows principal Beth Leavitt, " Birch Meadow principal Julia Hendrix, Joshua Eaton principal Lisamarie Ippolito, Killam principal Sarah Leveque, Wood End principal Joanne King, Director of Facilities Joe Huggins, RPS Budget Liaisons, Fincom members, 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. and opened the public hearing on the FY2020 budget. Geoffrey Coram expressed concerns regarding the Special Education budget. Alicia Williams would like to see the RISE music position restored. Rebecca Liberman feels that with the increases in administration salaries there should be an increase in accountability. Chair Webb thanked those who spoke for their input. The public hearing was closed at 7:08 p.m. A. Public Int) Mrs. Webb asked if there was any public comment on topics not on the agenda. Page 1 1 Rebecca Liberman asked for a curriculum math update,particularly the math curriculum, at an upcoming meeting. B. Consent Aeenda Mrs. Webb asked if the committee wanted any items removed from the consent agenda. There were none. Approval of Minutes (January 17,2019) Dr.Dockser moved seconded by Mr. Robinson.to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried 5-0. C. Reports Student Representative Student representative Maura Drummey reported on the recent Marin Luther King Day Celebration saying it was well attended in spite of the weather conditions. The high school students are taking midterms this week with the juniors participating in the Real World Problem Solving activity. The Mock Trial team has a meet on Friday. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported on the recently released Governor's House 1 budget. There are increases in Chapter 70 funding although Reading will not see a significant increase.The Foundation Budget formula is also being discussed. The Superintendent will be working with M.A.S.S. to be sure the concerns of communities and districts are heard. Mrs. Webb shared that she will reach out to MASC as well. Dr. Doherty added that the circuit breaker is not fully funded in the Governor's budget. Liaisons Mrs. Borawski reported on the recent SEPAC meeting and shared the next meeting is scheduled for February 12d. Mr. Robinson asked about the status of Turf 2. Mrs. Dowd shared that a company has been out to survey the area. Dr. Dockser reported that there will be opportunities to wish RCASA Outreach Coordinator Julianne DeAngelis a happy retirement coming up next week. Mrs. Webb shared that Dr. Doherty spoke today at the M.A.S.S. Mid-Winter meeting and shared excerpts from the speech. D. Old Business Page 1 2 FY2020 Budget Presentation- Questions Mrs. Dowd began the question review by saying that the questions have been grouped by cost center and we will post the information on the website tomorrow. Dr. Doherty thanked Mrs. Dowd and the rest of the administrative team for their time and effort in answering the 100 questions submitted. He reviewed the Regular Day cost center questions. Many of the questions were concerning the curriculum,supplies and other line items. Mrs. Stewart reviewed the Special Education cost center questions. The focal points of this cost center questions were program enrollment, staffing, legal costs, program changes and cost increases. Mrs. Dowd reviewed the Districtwide and Facilities cost centers questions. The committee asked clarifying questions. Mr. Burkhart called the Finance Committee to order at 8:05 p.m. Fincom member Paula Perry expressed thoughts on the Special Education budget. The Chair thanked the administrators for their efforts in answering the questions submitted. Mrs. Webb shared that the March 21"meeting will now be on March 28a. E. New Business Director of Student Services Search Process&Timeline Dr. Doherty shared that Mrs. Stewart has played a key role in the district and thanked her for her efforts. Dr.Doherty reviewed the search timeline indicating that he feels this is the proper time of year to initiate a search. Dr.Dockser moved seconded by Mr. Boivin to approve the Director of Student Services Search Process and Timeline as amended with a new announcement date of March 281h. Mr. Boivin asked for clarification on the Search Committee selection process. Dr. Doherty said they would be looking for a diverse cross-section for the committee. The motion carried 5-0. II. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant P1913 12.28.18 $1,645,633.91 Page 1 3 s' Warrant P1914 1.11.19 $1,534,068.16 Warrant P1915 1.25.19 $1,632,300.20 b. Calendar III. Information/Correspondence IV.Future Business V. Adjoumment Adioum Mn. Borawski moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson,to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0. The Finance Committee adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 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?vfpDRvkP THsg JO . Doherty, Rd.D. Page 14