HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-27 School Committee Minutes �n t1FkF,Q
Town of Reading
a rl t
,. Meeting Minutes
TOWIN CLERK
''an,oxo�P�~
Board - committee - Commission - Council: 2029 FEB 10 PM 1: 4
School Committee
Date: 2020-01-27 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,
Barrows Principal Beth Leavitt, Coolidge Assistant Principal Bri Karow,
Joshua Eaton Principal LisaMarie Ippolito, Birch Meadow Principal Julia
Hendrix, Parker Principal Ricki Shankland, RMHS Principal Kate Boynton
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair
Topics of Discussion:
1. Call to Order
Chair Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.and reviewed the agenda.
A. Public Input
Mr.Robinson called for public comment.
There was none.
B. Consent Agenda
Mrs.Borawski asked if the committee wanted any items removed from the consent
agenda. None were removed.
Approval of Minutes(December 19,2019)
Mrs.Borawski moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to approve the consent agenda.
The motion carried 6-0.
C. New Business
FY2021 Budget Presentation
Page 1 1
Chair Robinson opened the Floor to the School Committee to ask clarifying questions
regarding the FY21 budget.
Mr. Wise asked for clarification on several questions. There was discussion about
uniform replacement/refresh, specifically the band uniforms. Dr. Doherty has not been
made aware of any issues with the band uniforms.
Dr. Dockser appreciated the time and effort put into answering the submitted questions.
She is concerned about the increased load on teachers and administrators.
Dr. Doherty said this is a level service budget which will allow us to continue to move
the district forward.
Mrs.Borawski moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to approve the FY2021 School
Department Budget in the amount of$48.419.663.
Dr.Dockser appreciates the hard work that went into developing this budget. A level
service budget is not ideal.
Dr. Doherty said this is a good budget and it allows us to continue to move the district
forward.
Geoffrey Comm,Ridge Road, said that in previous years the committee had to cut items
from the budget and wondered what we are missing out on with the level service budget.
Mr.Robinson said it could be many items. Dr. Doherty added that he is not comfortable
discussing a"wishlist"without going through the process of consultation with the district
and central office leadership teams. Mr. Robinson said that this discussion could
possibly take place after the budget season.
Mr. Coram asked,"what do we need to address at this time to save money down the
line."
The motion carried 6-0.
IL Routine Matters
a. Bills and Payroll(A)
b. Calendar
111. Information/Correspondence
Mrs.Calley shared that the Human Relations Ad Hoc Committee is meeting Thursday night
at 7:30 p.m.
IV. Future Business
V. Adiournment
AdFourn
Page 1 2
Mrs.Borawski moved,seconded by Mr. Parks,to enter into executive session for the
purpose of the approval of minutes and not to return to open session. The roll call
vote carried 6-0. Mr.Wise,Mrs.Borawski,Dr. Dockser,Mrs.Callev,Mr.Parks
and Mr.Robinson.
The meeting adjourned at 7:36 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: hos://y .youtube.com/watch9v=arAva9Rb7Ds
)50�
J . Doherty, 4d.D.
Page 1 3