HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-30 School Committee Minutes FR
Town of Reading
a s Meeting Minutes RECEIVED
TOWN N CLERK
Board - committee - commission - council: 2619 JU14 26 AH 10: 31
School Committee
Date: 2019-05-30 Time: 6:00 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, Jeanne Borawski, Tom
Wise and John Parks
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Superintendent John Doherty, Chief Financial Officer Gail Dowd, Assistant
Superintendent Christine Kelley, RMHS Principal Kate Boynton, Parker
Principal Ricki Shankland, Barrows Principal Beth Leavitt, Birch Meadow
Principal Julia Hendrix, Joshua Eaton Principal LisaMarie Ippolito, Killam
Principal Sarah Leveque, Wood End Principal Joanne King, RISE Preschool
Director Kelley Bostwick, Al Sylvia, Daily Times Reporter
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair
Topics of Discussion:
L Call to Order
Chair Webb called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
A. Staff Recognition
Dr. Doherty said this is a favorite event every year and this is a great way to end
the year.
Principal Boynton presented the high school awards.
FESTA EMELINE READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL 10
BLANCHARD DAVID READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL 20
MULLIGAN JOSEPH READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL 20
MOORE MARTHA READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL 35
Dailey Patrick Reading Memorial High School PTS
McIntire Timothy Reading Memorial High School PTS
Murphy Beatriz Reading Memorial High School PTS
Gregorowicz Jo-Ann Reading Memorial High School Retirement
Killian Kristin Reading Memorial High School Retirement
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Moore Martha Reading Memorial High School Retirement
Principal Leavitt presented the Barrows awards.
PAYACK LAURA BARROWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 10
HILL LORI BARROWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 20
GUARCIARIELLO ROBERTA BARROWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 30
Flaherty Patricia Barrows Elementary School PTS
Principal Ippolito presented the Joshua Eaton awards.
CARMODY CATHERINE JOSHUA EATON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 20
MCELHINEY JANET JOSHUA EATON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 20
KILEY MARIE JOSHUA EATON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 30
McQuillan Kelley Joshua Eaton Elementary School PTS
Principal Leveque presented the Killam awards.
GUSTAFSON KATE KILLAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 10
MATTHEWS ALISON KILLAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 20
MACMILLAN KATHLEEN KILLAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 35
Binns Victoria Killam Elementary School PTS
Botta Marisa Killam Elementary School PTS
Grottkau Sharon Killam Elementary School PTS
Splaine Kathleen Killam Elementary School PTS
Johnson Florence Reading Public Schools PTS
Macari Karen Killam Elementary School Retirement
Principal Shankland presented the Parker awards.
GOLDSTEIN ERIC PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL 10
WARD LAURIE PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL 10
COSTA JANE PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL 20
NORTON ANDREW PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL 20
Bettencourt Amy Parker Middle School PTS
Blackmon Jennifer Parker Middle School PTS
Seligman Ariana Parker Middle School PTS
Principal King presented the Wood End awards.
GASKA MARIALENA WOOD END ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 30
HARRINGTON AYNSLEY WOOD END ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 10
WILLIAMS JANET WOOD END ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 20
Cullen
(George) Margaret Wood End Elementary School PTS
Foresman Stacey Wood End Elementary School PTS
Nihan Marian Wood End Elementary School Retirement
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Preschool Director Kelley Bostwick presented the RISE awards.
CONNELLY M CARA RISE PRE KINDERGARTEN 10
FITZPATRICK MARIA RISE PRE KINDERGARTEN 10
REDARD I ALYSIA I RISE PRE KINDERGARTEN 20
Chief Financial Officer Gail Dowd presented the Central Office award.
SANTARPIO PAULA SCHOOL CENTRAL OFFICE 20
Dr. Doherty presented the Coolidge, Food Service and District awards.
Lozzi Jessica Coolidge Middle School PTS
Tsoutsis Pauline Coolidge Middle School PTS
NEAL MARY SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE 10
SAYMAN KARLEEN SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE 10
Rubano-Jones Francine Reading Public Schools PTS
Chair Webb called for a short recess at 6:22 p.m.
The meeting was called back to order at 6:26 p.m.
Chair Webb read the district mission statement and asked for public comment.
B. Public Far,
Deputy Chief Dave Clark provided an update on the school/police collaboration
that has occurred. Uniformed officers have served lunch to 4 of the 5 elementary
schools and will be serving at the 5" elementary school in the near future. This
event has received very positive feedback. He mentioned the updates made to the
Public Interview Room at the police station thanking local businesses that have
contributed materials. He went onto thank the two high school students that
designed and painted the murals for the space. He thanked Dr. Doherty,Principal
Boynton and the two students for the collaboration.
Resident Bill Brown asked to have 5 service flags placed above the plaques in the
Main Lobby at RMHS and encouraged the schools to become more involved on
Veterans Day.
C. Consent Agenda
Mrs. Webb asked if the committee wanted any items removed from the consent
agenda. Mr. Wise asked that the London Field trip be removed.
Mr. Wise moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson,to remove the London field trio
from the consent agenda. The motion carried 6-0.
Accept a Donation from the Friends of Reading Field Hockey
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Accept a Donation from the Coolidge School Science Olympiad
Organization
Accept a Donation from the Joshua Eaton PTO
Approval of the Parker Middle School Nature's Classroom Field Trip
Approval of Minutes (May 9, 2019)
Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski, to approve the
consent agenda without the London field trip. The motion carried 6-0.
RMHS London 2021 Field Trip
Mr. Wise was concerned that this proposed trip approval did not comply with
Policy IOJA regarding requested/mandated information to be included. He also
was concerned that the trip is so far out(2021).
Dr. Doherty pointed out that approval at this point allows the students to set-up
payment plans and prepare. Dr. Doherty shared that we will be reviewing this
policy and has already had conversations with Principal Boynton.
Mr. Wise moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to approve the London field
trip with contract details to be included in the minutes as well as information
on the number of students and alternate educational benefits. The motion
carried 6-0.
D. Reports
Liaisons
Mr. Parks reported on the Vaping Awareness meeting hosted by Senator Lewis
that he attended with Dr. Snow Dockser. It is clear there is an epidemic. He
shared that this session was very informative.
Mrs. Borawski reported that the next SEPAC meeting is scheduled for June I I".
Mrs. Borawski reminded the community of the upcoming Reading 375
celebration which starts tomorrow night. There is also a concert in the Endslow
PAC on Saturday night directed by Mr. Bill Endslow. She encouraged residents to
go to the website for information and said that Reading 375 has received
tremendous support from the school and town sides.
June 10' is Charter Day in Reading and the principals are asking students and
staff to wear purple. She went on to read the following. "On May 29, 1644, the
upper house of the Mass. Bay Colony legislature (known, then, as the Court of
Assistants) voted that "Lynn Village, at the request of the inhabitants thereof,
shall be called Reading." A couple of weeks later, on June 10th, 1644, the lower
house (then known as the House of Deputies) concurred, making it official.
Therefore, June 10th is the actual birth date of Reading. "
Dr. Snow Dockser reported that the RCASA meeting was cancelled.
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Mrs. Webb said the HRAC met and discussed Pride month. The group is working
with the clergy and library on a possible family picnic sometime during the
summer.
Mr. Robinson reported on the recent Recreation Committee meeting. Topics
included discussion on amplified sound permits and the upgrade of the Birch
Meadow tennis courts. He said the Friends of Reading Tennis are committed to
raising$10,000 to support the $70,000 project.
Superintendent
Dr. Doherty shared that the DEP has changed the guideline thresholds for water
testing. We are currently working with the DPW and Facilities Department on an
approach and recalibration of our testing schedule.
E. Old Business
Quarterly Personnel Report
Dr. Doherty reviewed the quarterly personnel report.
Quarterly Financial Report
Mrs. Dowd updated the committee on the third quarter financial status. She will
provide another update, if needed, on June 20th.
F. New Business
First Reading Revised Policy BEDG - Minutes
Dc Doherty said that the revised policy includes suggestions from MASC and the
Town Clerk.
The committee discussed what they felt should and should not be included in the
minutes. The minutes should contain enough detail to provide a sense of the
discussion but not be a transcript of the meeting.
Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Snow Dockser, to accept the first
reading of revised Policy BEDG —Minutes with the changes as noted and
captured by the Superintendent including: 1. Insert"an accurate"
summary....: correct typos in final policy: add #4—"not intended to be a
transcript of the meeting...P and include cross reference to remote
participation policy. The motion carried 6-0.
First Reading Revised Policy BEDH—Public Participation
Dr. Doherty indicated that the revisions to this policy stem from the Natick case.
He has consulted with Counsel who has provided recommendations.
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The committee offered suggestions to be incorporated into this policy ranging
from the inclusion of some wording with respect to office hours, a reference to the
bullying policy and how to protect students.
Resident Alicia Williams feels the policy is frustrating.
Dr. Snow Dockser moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson,to accept the first
reading of revised Poliev BEDH—Public Participation with the modifications
to 47 to read ...must concern the"district" educational goals....
Dr. Doherty will follow-up with legal counsel for further clarification.
The motion carried 6-0.
II. Routine Matters
a. Bills and Payroll (A)
Warrant S1946 5.16.19 $263,926.53
Warrant S 1947 523.19 $446,704.25
Warrant S1948 15.30.19 $252,815.50
b. Calendar
Chair Webb reviewed the calendar noting the next meetings are June 20"and 27°i
and graduation is Sunday.
III. Information/Correspondence
IV.Future Business
V. Adjournment
Adjourn
Mr. Parks moved, seconded by Mrs. Borawski,to adjourn. The motion
carried 6-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 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: httos://www.youtube.corP/watch?v=KIP7aG8bXa1
J F. Doherty, Ad.D.
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