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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-28 School Committee Minutes • � orx b _ Town of Reading i,'�L�,..,;�;Vci% F rl Meeting Minutes j CLERK 's l -, MA. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: • G[.� )9 Ali 1(f• SS School Committee Date: 2019-10-28 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, Jeanne Borawski, Tom Wise, Pat Calley and John Parks Members - Not Present: Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Chief Financial Officer Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Christine Kelley, Director of Student Services Jennifer Stys, Human Resources Administrator Jenn Allard, Parker Principal Rick! Shankland, Eaton Principal LisaMarie Ippolito, RMHS Principal Kate Boynton Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: L Call to Order Chair Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. A. Public Inou[ Mr. Robinson called for public comment. There was none. B. Consent A egcnda Mr.Robinson asked if the committee wanted any items removed from the consent agenda. Accept a Donation from the Friends of Reading Football Approval of Minutes(October 17,2019) Mr.Wise asked that the October 17,2019 minutes be removed from the consent agenda. Mr. Wise would like a comment made by a member of the community included as part of the Math presentation portion of the meeting. He would also like questions asked by him during the MCAS presentation added to the minutes. No action was taken on the October 17,2019 minutes. Page 1 1 Mrs.Borowski moved,seconded by Dr.Dockser,to approve the consent aeenda without the October 17,2019 minutes. The motion carried 6-0. C. Reports Director of Student Services Dr. Stys reported that our SLD Committee hasjoined Boston Children's Hospital and several surrounding communities to discuss independent evaluations,reports and best practices. We have also met with our curriculum department and early childhood partners to discuss how we are going to come together. Lastly,Dr. Stys met with Austin Prep to discuss proportionate share. Chief Financial Officer Mrs.Dowd wanted to make the committee aware that due to turnover in the Human Resources Department we will be asking for a full time HR person in the Central Office as part of the FY21 budget process. The position was shared with Town Hall and in discussions with the town side it has been decided that each fill the position to meet their needs. The position will be posted in the future to fill prior to the end of the FY20 fiscal year. Assistant Superintendent Mrs.Kelley reported that we have hired a new Director of Community Education and his name is Chris Nelson. He is coming to us from Winchester where he has been for 18 years. Superintendent Dr. Doherty said that he, Dr. Dockser and Mrs.Kelley attended the Joshua Eaton United Nations Day celebration. He thanked music teacher Elena Raucci for putting the program together which featured the students singing Frere Jacques in the languages of the United Nations. The RMHS Marching Band hosted a competition that featured marching bands from all over the area. He thanked the Band Parents for organizing this massive event. The RMHS Marching Band finished in second place. Liaisons Mr. Wise shared that parents have reached out about replacing the band uniforms which are 25 years old. Dr. Snow Dockser reported that she attended her first RCTV meeting as liaison. They elected board members which includes three RMHS students. She reminded the community of the upcoming Friends of Reading METCO dinner on Saturday night. There is still time to sign up. Lastly,she followed up on the Joshua Eaton United Nations Day Celebration sharing that the grade 3 students sang in Arabic,grade 4 students in Russian and grade 5 students in Mandarin Chinese. Page 1 2 D. New Business Joshua Eaton Dyslexia Pilot Presentation Mrs.Kelley provided some background information. She said that in June we applied for two DESE early childhood grants and received one that was earmarked for Joshua Eaton. Joshua Eaton principal LisaMarie Ippolito started by saying that the purpose of the grant is to provide funding to a select number of schools to implement and analyze the benefits of a high-quality early literacy screening assessment with all students grades K—2 and to provide feedback to DESE on the piloted assessments for future use. The tool selected by DESE for Reading is[station. The grant funding will support the purchase of the tool, assessment and professional development for the administration,data collection and analysis. In October 2019,the first assessment was administered,the staff and administration participated in the second session of professional development and have begun to review the data. The students use iPads to take the assessment. The information gathered from this pilot will assist in determining what assessment tool will be used for this type of assessment which will be required by the state. Mr. Robinson asked about the state guidelines. Mrs. Ippolito said the state is determining who will be assessed, how many times per year and are developing a set of common guidelines to be used across the state. Mr. Robinson asked how much the grant award was. We received$5,900 for the licensure of the program. Mr. Wise asked if we could choose the program. The answer was no, DESE assigned Istation to Reading. He followed up by asking why it is limited to one school vs. anyone that fit the criteria. Dr.Stys said we are working within the framework of the grant. When markers are recognized,we will continue to screen,develop a tool and put interventions in place before the students start reading. The state has directed districts to continue using their current early screener materials as programs are developed. Dr.Dockser asked if the grant covers a full day of professional development. The answer was no. She followed up by asking how the teachers felt about this tool. Mrs. Ippolito said that the teachers had to agree to participate. She said her teachers are excited about the next window of testing. This tool looks at all data including information we have not looked at previously. Lauren Bennet, Summer Ave. said she does not feel this tool is appropriate for all students. Mrs.Kelley said we have no loyalty to this product,and it is the tool assigned to us by DESE. Mrs. Williams asked the committee to Google the reviews for Istation. She asked what happens when the grant is gone. Mrs. Kelley responded by saying that once the grant is over,the program will be gone. We expect to hear more tomorrow. Mrs. Calley asked when the professional development time is planned. Mrs.Ippolito said she has been creative using staff meeting time and PD days. Page 1 3 Mr.Wise said we should screen at the PreK level. Mrs. Kelley said as part of a long term plan the district will be meeting with the preschools in town to discuss best practices, screening and assessment tools. We hope to hold collaborative professional development opportunities with the preschools. Dr. Stys added that the Preschool Directors have been invited to attend SEPAC meetings. We hope to develop a strong community partnership. District& Superintendent Goals/Evaluation Process Superintendent Doherty started the presentation by saying that DESE has created a new pilot Superintendent and District Administrator rubric and the committee will need to make a decision on which rubric to use for this year's evaluation. The pilot rubric includes some new indicators, has tightened up language and eliminated redundancy. Dr.Doherty reviewed the 5-step evaluation process. The committee had discussion regarding the rubrics. District Improvement Plan Dr. Doherty said that the process began over the summer with the District Leadership Team and Central Office Administrators. They have opted for a one-year plan versus a three-year plan. This is a result of the Superintendent's leave and the plan to develop the "Vision of the Graduate". It was a priority to set District Improvement Plan goals that were manageable asking if the goals and objectives are achievable by June. He reviewed the District Goals and Strategic Objectives for the 2019-20 school year. Dr.Dockser would like to see more of a priority order of outcomes.Mr.Wise was concerned that some of the outcome dates are after the evaluation period in lune. Mr.Coram wondered if data collection,by survey,is the best method to measure improvement. Superintendent's Goals Dr. Doherty went on to review the Superintendent's Goals which align with the District Improvement Plan. Goal#l -The Student Learning Goal for 2019-20 is to improve data systems,provide training and support for staff,and provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. Goal#2-The Professional Practice Goal will improve the physical and psychological security of our schools through changes in policies, procedures,infrastructure,and safety drills.Goal#3—Professional Practice Goal is to work with the Town Manager,Chief Financial Officer,and Director of Facilities to develop a multi-year capital plan to upgrade and improve school facilities. Dr. Doherty said that he is working closely with the Town on Goals 2&3.Goal#4—District Vision of the Graduate—Over the next two years,the Superintendent will work with Reading educators,parents, local officials and community members to learn about and develop a vision of what skills,knowledge,and dispositions Reading students should attain and develop during their PreK— 12 years in our schools. Mr. Parks expressed concerns he has heard from parents that their kids are anxious about safety drills. Dr.Doherty said we have worked hard to make our drills developmentally appropriate and they have a useful purpose. Some drills are required by law. Mrs.Borawski moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to move forward in 2019-20 usin¢ the new rubric for the Superintendent's Evaluation. The motion carried 6-0. The committee will need to make a decision on the indicators that will be part of the evaluation process. Dr. Doherty will make recommendations of 6—8 indicators as a starting point for the next meeting. Page 1 4 Discussion regarding a vote to accept the District Improvement Plan and Superintendent's Goals was held. Mrs. Borawski said the committee did not have to vote tonight. Mr. Wise said he was not ready to vote tonight. Mr. Wise said the District Improvement Plan and the School Improvement Plans have a symbiotic relationship and the committee has not seen the School Improvement Plans. Dr. Doherty shared that he is holding goals meeting with the principals and the School Improvement Plans align with the District Improvement Plan. Mr. Wise cited the MGL that says the School Committee has a responsibility to review the School Improvement Plans. Dr. Doherty said by voting to accept the District Improvement Plan,the School Improvement Plans must align. Mrs. Borowski offered contacting our attorney regarding this law. Mr. Parks suggested tabling the discussion until the next meeting. Dr. Doherty said he has contacted DESE Legal regarding this law and is still awaiting guidance. He asked that the committee trust the principals to do the jobs they were hired to do. Mr. Coram felt a vote needs to be taken. Mrs.Borawski moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to approve the 2019-20 District Improvement Plan as presented. The motion carried 5-1. Mr.Wise voting against. Mrs.Borawski moved,seconded by Dr.Dockser,to approve the 2019-20 Superintendent Goals as presented. The motion carried 5-1. Mr.Wise voting a ae inst. Mrs.Borawski moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to table the First Reading of the Social Media policy and School Committee Brochure agenda items. The motion carried 6-0. E. Old Business it. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll(A) Warrant 52017 10.24.19 $200 839.07 b. Calendar III. Information/Correspondence IV. Future Business V. Adioumment Page 15 Adiourn Mrs.Borawski moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:22 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?v=N7uvrFLJO W O&Iist=PLkibnMpzKYxt6AcM02oLu P V C9Hw20TARx&index=2&rOs JVn F. Doh d.D. Page 1 6