No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-16 School Committee Minutes cog orq yi � � Town of Reading [I�+_";IVE�i Es ? Meeting Minutes '�iNN CLE } .�y� Fl i� lt G1, h1A. 'J9'IIYCOPr�' Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2020 FEB 10 PM 1: 41 School Committee Date: 2020-01-16 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: Linda Snow Dockser, Jeanne Borawski, Tom Wise, and Pat Calley Members - Not Present: Chuck Robinson, John Parks Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Chief Financial Officer Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent Christine Kelley, Director of Student Services Jennifer Stys, HR Administrator Jenn Allard, Wood End principal Joanne King, Killam principal Sarah Leveque, Barrows principal Beth Leavitt, RMHS assistant principal Jess Theriault, Coolidge principal Sarah Marchant, Joshua Eaton principal LisaMarie Ippolito, Birch Meadow principal Julia Hendrix, Assistant Director of Student Services Allison Wright, RISE Preschool Director Kelly Bostwick, RPS Team Chairs, Select Board member Mark Dockser and Fincom member Paula Perry Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: L Call to Order Vice-Chair Borawski called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.and reviewed the agenda. A. Public Input Mrs.Borawski called for public comment. There was none. B. Consent Attend a Mrs. Bomwski asked if the committee wanted any items removed from the consent agenda. None were removed. Accept a Donation to RMHS Track Accept a Donation from the RMHS Band Parent Organization Approval of Minutes(January 2&6,2020) Dr.Dockser moved,seconded by Mrs.Callev.to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried 40. Page I 1 C. Reports Chief Financial Officer Mrs. Dowd reported that there will be a security update at the Select Board meeting on Tuesday. The School Committee has been posted for this meeting. Superintendent Dr. Doherty reported that the first meeting of the Portrait of the Graduate Design team was held last night. There are 29 members on the team,and they are looking to add more including students. There will be a community and staff showing of the film "Most Likely to Succeed". The staff will view the film tomorrow as part of the Inservice day and break into vertical team groups to discuss and answer the following questions: • What are the hopes,aspirations,and dreams that our community has for our young people? • What are the skills and habits of mind that our children need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world? • What are the implications for the learning experiences we provide in our school systems? We will be doing the same with the community. Once that data is collected the Team will present to the School Committee for approval. He updated the committee on the Student Opportunity Act and will be attending a meeting next week and hopes to have more information and guidance. In Reading,the chapter 70 funding goes into the general Town fund which makes it tricky to determine the dollar amount. Once a plan is in place it will need School Committee approval. Liaison Dr. Dockser reported on the Gap Year Fair held at RMHS on Sunday. There were approximately 140 attendees and 47 exhibitors. Presenters discussed alternatives to attending college after graduation including traveling,volunteering,or pursuing an interest before continuing their studies. This is a great opportunity for students of all grades to explore their options. She thanked Lynna Williams and the guidance staff for facilitating this event. She shared information on two events she attended at Birch Meadow. The first was a Workshop: How to Look at Children's Books with an Eye Toward Equity and Anti-Bias presented by Paula Falvey,Librarian,Jan Rhein,Literacy Specialist,and Julia Hendrix Principal. In this workshop,they discussed ways to examine bias in children's literature (both chapter books and picture books)and gave the chance to review books from our own library for bias and stereotyping.The presenters shared some tools to help parents talk about bias and stereotyping with children. The second was the Birch Meadow School All School Meeting. Each month,the school is recognizing people who have contributed to the world from all racial,cultural,and ability groups. There is a monthly theme. In January the theme is Sports. Fourth grade members of Student Council will present important contributors to the world of sports. Page 1 2 Mrs.Borawski reported on the recent SEPAC meeting. A representative from the FCSN (Federation for Children with Special Needs)presented on the"Role of the SEPAC." The next meeting is scheduled for February l Ith,a representative from the FCSN (Federation for Children with Special Needs)is scheduled to put on a Basic Rights Presentation on "Understanding the IEP.' The SEPAC will hold a daytime meeting on February 26'h at 10 a.m. at the Reading Public Library. D. New Business FY2021 Budget Presentation Regular Day Cost Center Dr.Doherty began by thanking the administrators and staff that were in attendance. Assistant Superintendent Kelley presented the Regular Day Cost Center. She reviewed the major changes in this cost center. Increases in the full day kindergarten offset, regular day transportation,due to both a contractual increase and decreased paid ridership,as well as the increase in funding for curriculum materials,software and professional development for year 2 of the social studies implementation,algebra 1 at the middle and high school,and foreign language are driving this cost center. The District will also need to select an Early Childhood Dyslexia Screener. Mrs. Kelley shared that she hopes to receive more guidance from DESE in the near future on developing procedures and protocols for students that demonstrate one or more potential indicators of a neurological learning disability, including,but not limited to,dyslexia. Committee members asked clarifying questions of transportation,curriculum and full day kindergarten. Special Education Cost Center Dr. Stys started by thanking the central office administrators,principals,team chairs and BCBAs for working together to create an inclusive environment. She thanked her Administrative Assistant Annmarie Foley and RISE secretary Denise Santoro for their support. She appreciated the supportive,invested staff of the Reading Public Schools. She reviewed the mission,number of students on IEPs,key items included in this cost center,drivers,out of district placements and enrollment trends. The number of students on IEPs fluctuate throughout the year and 145 initial evaluations were requested with 38 coming from the RISE Preschool. Dr. Stys,Mrs.Kelley and RISE Preschool Director Kelley Bostwick have been working with local preschools to identify children that may require services. She shared that a representative from DESE was in-district last week for the Tiered Focused Monitoring process. As part of the process 114 parent responses were received as a result of a survey sent out by DESE. The DESE representative found that the Reading Public Schools foster partnerships and have dedicated staff supporting our students. Dr. Stys reviewed the major changes to the FY21 budget which include known increases in special education out of district tuition and transportation costs due to tuition and contractual transportation increases,a decrease in the special education tuition revolving account offset due to fewer tuitioned in students, and additional staffing to meet programmatic needs. We will be looking at our RISE tuition over the next few years. Fincom member Paula Perry asked for clarification on out of district students and tuition. Page 1 3 Laurie Noonan, Pennsylvania Ave.,asked about the BCBA FTE change. Our staffing has not changed, it is an accounting change. Vice Chair Borawski thanked the group for the thorough presentation and acknowledged all the staff in the room. She went on to thank CFO Gail Down for her work ethic, commitment and having a big impact in a position that at times is least appreciated. IL Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll(A) Warrant 52028 1 1.09.20 $94 176.80 Warrant S2029 1 1.16.20 1 $552,526.10 b. Calendar III. Inforrnation/Corresoondence IV. Future Business V. Adioumment Adiourn Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mrs Callev to adjourn The motion carried 4-0 The meeting adjourned at 9:16 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: bttys://www4youtube.com/watch?v=Gm9 Ncl-mTo Jtj F. Doherty, .D. Page 1 4