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Home My WebLink About2018-06-18 School Committee Minutes - Executive Session r; �CtIVED 0° �, iO'iIN CLERK k ; Town of Reading READ !NG, MA. Y Meeting Minutes V1 �° 2020 FEB -5 AM 8: 10 Ja�IMa0.�� Board - committee - commission -council: School Committee Date: 2018-06-18 Time: 7:42 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: Address: 62 Oakland Road Purpose: Executive Session Session: Executive Session Attendees: Members- Present: Sherry Vanden Akker, Nick Boivin, Linda Snow Dockser, Elaine Webb, Jeanne Borawski, and Chuck Robinson Members- Not Present: Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Finance Gall Dowd Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: Executive Session 7:42 p.m. A. Call to Order i School Committee Chair Robinson called the Executive Session to order in the RMHS library Conference Room at 7:45 p.m. Collective Bargaining Strategies Dr.Doherty said that we have tentative agreements with the Custodian,Paraeducator and Secretary Unions and would like the committee to vote to accept them. The Secretaries contract has not been ratified by the membership which will happen next Friday. Reading Facilities School Custodians,Local 1703 Mrs Webb moved seconded by Mrs Borawski to accept the tentative three-year agreement with the Reading Facilities School Custodians,Local 1703 collective bareainiag unit for the term July 1,2019—June 30.2021. Dr.Doherty said that changes include language with respect to evaluations. The roll call vote carried 6—0 Mrs Webb Mrs.Borawski,Mr.Robinson.Mr.Boivin,Dr. Vanden Akker and Dr.Snow Dockser voting to annrove. Reading Pameducators Association Papel t Mrs.Webb moved,seconded by Dr.Vanden Akker,to accent the tentative three-year agreement with the Reading Parseducators Association collective bargaining unit for the term July 1,2018—June 30.2021. - Dr.Doherty said there were language changes including changes in the probationary period wording. The roll call vote carried 6—0. Mrs Webb,Mrs.Borawski,Mr.Robinson.Mr.Bofvin.Dr. Vanden Akker and Dr.Snow Dockser voting to approve. Reading Administrative Secretaries Association Mrs.Webb moved,seconded by Mrs.Borawski,to accent the tentative threavear agreement with the Readine Administrative Secretaries Association collective bargaining unit for the term July 1 2018—June 30 2021 The roll call vote carried 6—0. Mrs.Webb, Mrs Borawski Mr.Robinson Mr.Boivin Dr.Vanden Akker and Dr. Snow Dockser voting to approve. He next updated the Committee on the status of the RTA negotiations saying there has not been much movement. Mrs..Webb shared that the next session will be on July 16th. Dr.Doherty said there are tentative agreements on several items, Dr.Doherty left the meeting at 8:39 p.m. Non-Represented Personnel Mr.Robinson reviewed the proposed changes to the Superintendent's contract. The major change is in Section 2.Term,eliminating the automatic rollover for two years if the School Committee takes no action by June 3041.The new language reads as follows: The term of this Agreement shall be for the period July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021 and shall terminate on that date absent a specific written agreement to extend it provided the Committee shall note the Superintendent in writing by June 30, 2020, if it does not intend to renew the contract for at least one year. Ifthe Committee does not not6 the Superintendent by June 30, 2020, that it does not intend to renew this Agreement, it shall be renewed for a one year period. Mrs.Webb said the new language is consistent with other Superintendent contracts. N I She then reviewed Dr.Doherty's salary history. woe 12 Mrs.Borawski initially was expecting a tyro-year contract but is comfortable with a three-year term. Mr.Robinson discussed six months'notice and notice every year with Attorney Brunt. Mr.Boivin will not vote for the proposed contract and would like to see a two-year term. Mrs. Webb . Mrs.Borawski feels we may ne o pay more rf we agree to a two-yew contract because of the loss of job security. Mr.Boivin feels Dr.Doherty is a bad fit for Reading stating it is not a performance issue. Mr. Robinson asked what the right fit would be. Mr.Boivin said we need to be thinking about what direction we would like Reading to be going when Dr.Doherty retires. Mrs. Borawski agrees that a new leader would bring excitement but does not advocate for an internal search. Mrs. Webb feels this is not the right time for a change with all the negativity in the community. Dr. Snow Dookser said we just gave the Superintendent a positive review and the contract and compensation should align with that. Mr. Robinson feels a three-year contract with the annual review is the way to go. Mrs.Borawski said it would be positive motivation with a three-year contract. Mrs.Webb said that the Superintendent needs to bring these new administrators on board and bring the team together to continue the work moving the district forward. She supports the language in Section 2. Dr.Vanden Akker is torn. It has been a difficult year. Weakness was identified with communication which is impacting what is going on in the district. Mr.Boivin feels there is a long to do list. There is strength in funding next year as a result of the override and feels it will be more difficult in years 2&3. He believes the Superintendent has made poor decisions in staffing and wonders if he will be able to retain administrators. Mrs.Webb feels he has learned a lot about making staffing decisions. Mr.Robinson feels a good leader should hire people that I can replace them. Dr.Snow Dockser said the Superintendent has made some difficult but I necessary staffing decisions. Mr.Boivin asked if there is a legal risk of keeping the current contract. Mrs.Borawski is not comfortable with keeping the current contract. She would like a three-year contract ending in 2021. The committee would like the word"additional"added after the word one. .....renew the contract for at least one year and would like this entire sentence removed... If the Committee does not notify the Superintendent by lune 30,2020,that it does not intend to renew this Agreement,it shall be renewed for a one-year period. Chair Robinson will contact Ms.Brunt and said we should meet again prior to lune 30'a. The discussion turned to the Superintendent's compensation. Dr.Vanden Akker reminded the group that the Superintendent made a public promise during the budget discussion to take a zero percent increase. Mrs.Webb said a 2.8%increase would equal$188,125 annual salary. Mrs Webb moved seconded by Mrs Borawski to approve the Superintendent's salary increase of 2.8%which is an annual amount of$186,728 for the 2018-19 school year. Discussion continued. Dr.Snow Dockser asked if a lower amount could be voted for FY19 and a larger increase the next year. Mrs.Webb feels that sends the wrong message offering a zero for the fust year and the 2.8%for the second year. Dr.Vanden Akker said in the public sector trust factor is important. Mr.Robinson asked if we stand by what was said and offer a zero? Pinel] i It was pointed out that money is budgeted in the reconstruction budget in the amount of $360,000 for staff. i i Mn Webb made a friendly amendment seconded by Mrs Borawski to offer 2% totalin 5186.728 contingent on the new contract. The Chair called a brief recess to discuss the proposed contract change with the Superintendent at 10:17 p.m. The executive session was reconvened at 10:25 p.m. Mr.Robinson reported that the Superintendent will not accept the proposed changes. He was less concerned with a zero increase than getting the contract signed. Mr.Robinson will go back to Counsel on the contract and come up with language that will satisfy both sides. There will be no vote on the contract tonight and asked the committee to focus on the salary. Mn Webb moved,seconded by Mrs.Borawski to a 2%increase totaling S186,728. The roll call vote was 4.2. Mrs.Webb,Mn.Borawski,Mr.Robinson.and Dr. Snow Dockser voting to appmyo. Dr.Vanden Akker and Mr.Boivin voting against Approval of Minutes Mn.Webb moved,seconded by Mrs.Borawski to approve the executive session minutes dated November 20 2017. The roll call vote was 5—0—1 Mn Webb MrsBorawald Mr. j Robinson.Mr.Boivin and Dr. Snow Dockser voting to annrove Dr.Vanden'Akker I abstaining. � Mrs.Webb moved,seconded by Mn.Borawski to in rove the executive session minutes f dated May 7,2018.The roll call vote was 6-0 MrsWebb MrsBorawski Mr.Robinson Mr.Boivin,Dr.Vanden Aklcer and Dr.Snow Dockser voting to approve. Mn.Webb moved,seconded by MrsBorawski to approve the executive session minutes dated June 4.2018.The roll call vote was 6—0. Mrs.Webb Mn.Borawski Mr.Robinson Mr.Boivin,Dr.Vanden Aklcer and Dr.Snow Dockser voting to approve. Adjourn Mn.Webb moved,seconded by Mrs.Borawski,to adiourn. The roll call vote was 6-0 Mn.Webb,Mr.Robinson.Dr.Snow Dockser,Dr.Vanden Akker,Mrs.Borawski and Mr. oivin. Meeting adjourned at 10:46 p.m. Approved 6.20.19 oar I�