The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2020-02-06 School Committee Minutes clkl? 7' ;11 Town of Reading Y11'� Meeting Minutes R Board - Committee - Commission - Council: UA • ]� School Committee FES !d PI`FI2c 0$ Date: 2020-02-06 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, John Parks, Linda Snow Dockser, Jeanne Borawski, Tom Wise, and Pat Calley Members - Not Present: Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Chief Financial Officer Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Christine Kelley, Director of Student Services Jennifer Stys 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 7:00 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. A. Public Input Mr.Robinson called for public comment. Geoffrey Coram,Ridge Road,asked if there would be a discussion of revolving accounts at a future meeting. Mr. Robinson said that he and the Superintendent are updating the meeting calendar. Mr. Coram asked about the attendees listed in the minutes and if there was a policy. He pointed out that all candidates were not listed as being present in previous minutes. Mr. Robinson said that future minutes will reflect those invited and presenters. The minutes being voted tonight have had all candidate names removed. B. Consent Agenda Mrs. Borawski asked if the committee wanted any items removed from the consent agenda. None were removed. Approval of RMHS Music Field Trip Approval of RMHS Color Guard Trip Page 1 1 Accept a Donation to the Food Service Department Approval of Minutes(January 16,23 &27,2020) Release of Executive Session Minutes(February 26, 2018,March 28,2018,June 18,2018,June 22,2018,August 30,2018,March 11,2019,June 20,2019, September 12,2019,October 23,2019 November 7, 2019 and December 19, 2019) Mrs.Borawski moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to apmrove the consent aeenda. The motion carried 6-0. C. Reports Director of Student Services Dr. Stys shared that the SEPAC's next meeting is February l Is'in the high school library. Elizabeth Bostic will be presenting on understanding the IEP process. The group will also be holding a daytime meeting at the Reading Public Library on February 26 at 10 a.m. Superintendent Dr. Doherty participated in a DESE webinar on the Student Opportunity Act. The information shared was outlining the process to apply for the funds. Reading will be submitting the short form. It requires a three-year plan which is different than the District Improvement Plan. He hopes to have the School Committee review and vote on it at the March 26"meeting. Superintendent Doherty and CFO Gail Dowd will be meeting with Senator Lewis on Friday to discuss Chapter 70 funding in relation to free full day kindergarten. Liaison Dr.Dockser reported on the recent Ad Hoc Committee meeting. The group decided on the structure to be proposed to the Select Board on February 111h. The name of the organization may be"The Reading Alliance for Equity and Social Justice",structurally emulating the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support. The group may fall under the jurisdiction of the Reading Public Library and staffed and funded by the Town with a paid,full-time Executive Director.A Board of Directors will be appointed. D. New Business There was no new business. E. Old Business Kindergarten Update Dr.Doherty reviewed the memo saying that our numbers are lower than last year. The census showed 302 children eligible to enter kindergarten in the fall of 2020.We have found that the census is not the most reliable source of information. Families move out of Town,do not return the census or are unaware that the process had begun. This fall we will have 13 full day classrooms and 2 half day classrooms. At this point the half day sessions will be in the morning. Dr. Doherty wanted to clarify some confusion regarding the modular classrooms approved by the fall Town Meeting. These classrooms are not intended to address Page 1 2 kindergarten space needs. They are to provide additional special education space needs and an anticipated large grade one class at Birch Meadow. Mr. Wise asked if half day could be moved to Wood End. Dr.Doherty said he does not have an extra classroom there. He also wanted to confirm there would not be an integrated model. The answer was there will be no integrated model. If enrollment numbers for half day go over the recommended class sizes,an afternoon session would be added. Shawn Brandt,Franklin St.,asked about the number of modulars. Dr. Doherty is assuming 2,cost will direct 2 or 3. Mr.Coram asked where we stand on the bid process. Mrs. Dowd said we are on track to go out to bid in the February timeframe. Approval of School Committee Brochure Mrs. Borowski thinks it is a great idea to have a brochure. Mrs. Borawski moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to approve the School Committee Brochure. Dr.Dockser shared her proposed edits to the brochure(center panel, back side)which include a change to: "The School Committee formally and publicly evaluates only the Superintendent every two years with a formative evaluation of the Superintendent and his goals during the interim year. The Superintendent..." The next paragraph should say "The School Committee does not supervise staff nor determine curriculum." The next paragraph would be clearer if we added at the end the words: "education in the district"rather than 'them."So, the last sentence will read: "...ensuring up-to-date understanding of district curriculum,assessment,and the finances enabling education in the district." Mr.Robinson would like to eliminate the third paragraph. He added the only employee that reports to the School Committee is the Superintendent. Mrs. Borowski doesn't see the need to include what the School Committee doesn't do. Mr. Parks would like to add to the second paragraph after ...the annual budget "and oversees management of staff' ... Mr.Wise suggest the date be removed from the front side. Mrs.Borawski said the brochure would have to be updated each year and feels it is easy enough to change the date. Megan Fidler-Carey,Charles St., suggested buttering the left panel in the School Committee's Job portion of the brochure. The School Committee voted to approve the brochure as amended. The motion carried 6-0. Page 1 3 Portrait of the Graduate Dr. Doherty provided information on the work of the group to this point There are 30 members including educators,business and community participants and students. He feels it is a very diverse group. They have met three times. At last night's meeting the group went through the activity done with staff which included viewing the documentary, Most Likely to Succeed,and breaking into small groups to discuss three questions. There will be a community showing of Most Likely to Succeed on February 27"at 6:00 p.m. in the Endslow,PAC. The Superintendent would like the Committee to have a discussion and answer the three common questions that we are asking staff,community,and the Portrait of Graduate Design Team. He would like to limit the discussion to ten minutes/question. Those questions are as follows: 1. What are the hopes,aspirations,and dreams that our community has for our young people? Dr.Dockser—happy,healthy,motivated, informed and engaged citizens,empathetic, remove stresses,upstanders Mrs. Borawski—ability to participate in democracy,what makes you happy,financial independence,confidence to try things and take risks Mr. Robinson—good communicators,good listeners and leamers,proud of where they came from-recognizable Mr. Parks—ability to reflect on oneself and make change,public speaking skills Mrs.Calley-critical Mr.Wise—self-realization of happiness,resilient,not be afraid to fail,adventurous, take chances,self-starters,adaptable,humble,wants/dreams—want the best schools, opportunity to do so, support vocational education,technology,move blockages 2. What are the skills and habits of mind that our children need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world? Mr. Robinson—social skills Michele Sanphy—tolerance and civility Mr. Parks—creative,critical thinker, collaborator—absolutely need in today's society Mrs.Calley—communicator, nimblenesshesilience Mrs.Borawski—value of information,focus on health Dr.Dockser—make&value a mistake,take responsibility for actions,how to address a challenge Mr. Wise—time management/organizational skills Page 14 3. What are the implications for the learning experiences we provide in our school systems? Dr. Dockser—multiple choice tests—lose creativity, don't take risks,creative expression Mr.Parks—collaborative problem solving,community involvement,soft skills at younger ages—how do you assess? Mrs. Borawski—public speaking,help individuals identify own mission, own self, report cards,skills,assessments,focus on the individual Mr. Wise—implication on learning experience,soft skill/HS& business/computer/data classes,graduation requirements? State standards, structure changes,brain research,rewire brain 4. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll(A) Warrant S2031 1.30.20 $48,401.82 Warrant 52032 2.06.20 $333,085.97 Warrant P2013 12.27.19 $1,698,083.40 Warrant P2014 1.10.20 $1,565,257.81 Warrant P2015 1.24.20 $1719549.03 Warrant P2016 2.07.20 $1,686,291.09 b. Calendar 5. Information/Correspondence Mrs. Dowd announced that she submitted her resignation on Monday and thanked the committee for the opportunity to grow and learn. Mr. Robinson thanked the three outgoing members of the School Committee. He thanked Mrs. Calley for stepping up and providing an educator's perspective. He thanked Dr. Docker for working passionately and Mrs.Borawski for her level-headed calm approach and appreciated her guidance and advice. Mr.Parks thanked Mrs. Borawski and Dr.Dockser for their guidance and knowledge helping him get up to speed. He thanked Mrs.Calley for stepping up to fill the seat. Mr.Wise thanked the departing members for their time. Dr. Doherty thanked the three outgoing members for their service and their unique strengths that they brought to the committee. Dr. Dockser thanked everyone and expressed how much she has enjoyed her service. Mrs. Borawski said it has been a privilege and honor to serve on the School Committee. 6. Future Business 7. Adiournmen[ Page 1 5 Adjourn Mrs. Borawski moved,seconded by Mrs. Callev,to adjourn. The motion carried 6- 0. The meeting adjourned at 8:22 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: httus://www.youtube.wm/watch?v=G8uNitbwwfk Y*- F.Doherty, E3.6-- Page .D. Page 1 6