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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 Page 1 1 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 Page 12 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 Page 1 3 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. Page 1 4 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. Page 1 5 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. Page 1 6