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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07-11 School Committee Minutes I OFR Town of Reading RECEIVED 5 Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK READING, MA. Board - committee - commission - council: 2Q! SEN 24 PM Ir 59 School Committee Date: 2019-07-11 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 Borawskl, Tom Wise, and John Parks Members - Not Present: Superintendent John Doherty Others Present: Chief Financial Officer Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Christine Kelley, Director of Student Services Jennifer Stys, Human Resources Administrator Jenn Bove, New METCO Director Grant Hightower 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 6:02 p.m. A. Public Input Mrs. Webb called for public comment. There was none. B. Consent Agenda Mrs. Webb asked if the committee wanted any items removed from the consent agenda. There were no items removed. Accept a Donation from the Barrows PTO Approval of Minutes(June 27, 2019) Dr. Snow Dockser moved seconded by Mr.Wise to approve the consent agenda The motion carried 6-0. C. Reports Student Student Representative Maura Drummey had nothing to report. Page 1 1 Assistant Superintendent Mrs.Kelley welcomed Director of Student Services Jennifer Stys to the team. She went on to introduce the new METCO Director Grant Hightower. Human Resources Administrator Jean Bove reviewed the hiring process. There were 25 applicants. Nine of the applicants were interviewed and three were moved ahead to a second round of interviews. Mrs.Kelley said that Mr. Hightower is a great fit and has met with Jason Cross to get up to speed. Mr. Hightower reviewed his background and is very excited to come to the Reading Public Schools. He appreciated the seamless interview process. Liaisons Dr. Snow Dockser reported that RCASA met recently. She said that RCASA has been very busy over the past several months. Mrs. Webb reported that the HRAC Ad-Hoc Committee has cancelled the next meeting. She added that Mrs. Kelley would be filling in for Dr. Doherty in his absence. She said the HRAC met last night and is looking for interested volunteers to join. D. Old Business E. New Business Approval of the RMHS Student Handbook RMHS principal Kate Boynton reviewed the changes to this year's handbook. The handbook has had a structural makeover making it easier to navigate. She would like to have the School Council perform a review of the handbook beginning in the fall. This will be a multiyear process. Mr. Wise shared concerns he had with specific portions of the RMHS Handbook pertaining to alignment with School Committee Policies and Regulations, distribution of student records to RCASA(specifically with respect to potential FERPA violations) and other minor formatting issues. Dr.Dockser moved seconded by Mrs Borawski to approve the Reading Memorial High School student handbook for the 2019-20 school year. Committee members provided feedback. Mr. Coram asked if the handbook was not approved,would we revert back to the current handbook. Mrs. Borawski is comfortable moving forward. Page 1 2 Mrs. Boynton stated that she wants to have a methodical and systematic review of the handbook with the School Council and other stakeholders. Mr. Parks asked that the committee plan time to review the handbook as it is reviewed and updated. The motion carried 5-1 Mr. Wise voting against. MASC Workshop/Review School Committee Protocol MASC Field Representative Dorothy Presser conducted a workshop focusing on continuous improvement and to help school committees and superintendents develop new strategies for teamwork and collaboration that will enhance student achievement.The program helps build a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the school committee and those of the superintendent. The School Committee asked clarifying questions. Discussion and suggestions were made by committee members to be incorporated into the Operating Protocols. Mrs. Webb will revise and suggested the School Committee vote to adopt the revised protocols at the next meeting. Reorganization Mrs. Webb,after consultation with Mrs.Presser,asked that the committee appoint her as temporary chair for the purpose of reorganization. Mr. Parks moved seconded by Mrs Borawski,to select Mrs.Webb as temporary chair for the purposes of reorganization. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Webb asked for nominations for chair. Mr. Parks nominated Mr.Robinson seconded by Mrs. Borawski. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Webb passed the gavel to Mr. Robinson who thanked the committee. Mr. Robinson asked for nominations for Vice-Chair. Mr. Parks nominated Mrs Borawski seconded by Mrs.Webb. The motion carried 6-0. II. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll(A) Warrant S1953 6.30.19 $110,710.69 Warrant S1954 16.30.19 $87,362.41 b. Calendar Page 1 3 1 Mrs. Webb reviewed the upcoming calendar. III. Information/Correspondence IV.Future Business V. Adjournment A6oum Mr. Parks moved seconded by Mrs Webb to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 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: h1tt)s�//voutu.be/viu_Q5gHeNPjz Page 14