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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-13 School Committee Minutes OFNF Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - committee - commission - council: <I20 APR 23 1!1 8: 53 School Committee Date: 2020-02-13 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, Human Resources Administrator Jenn Allard 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 Inou[ Mr. Robinson called for public comment. Geoffrey Comm, Ridge Road, shared that the MTA is moving toward stopping active shooter drills because it traumatizes young children. Dr. Doherty shared that the way drills are done has an impact and feels our drills are being done appropriately at the different levels. Chair Robinson said he would like to have a conversation with the RTA prior to any decisions. Dr. Doherty also said that there should be discussions with the police department because they may have a different perspective. B. Reports Liaison Dr. Dockser reported that the Select Board discussed the Ad Hoc Committee at their meeting. The Ad Hoc chairs presented the proposal and there was a question and answer session. No vote was taken. Page 1 1 She then reported on the Mykee Fowlin presentation and thanked Assistant Superintendent Kelley and the Pegasus Foundation for making it possible. She said he sent a powerful message. Mrs. Borawski reported that the SEPAC will be meeting on February 26'at 10:00 a.m. The group is hoping to connect with parents that have trouble making evening meetings. Mr. Wise reported that any decision regarding RMLD was put on hold. He feels this is a positive step. He attended the recent SEPAC meeting and said it was well attended and the information on the IEP process was well presented and received. He thanked the district administrators for attending. Dr. Dockser offered a change to her liaison report reflected in the February 6^minutes asking that the word "will'be changed to"may"regarding the Ad Hoc Committee's possible new time. C. Consent Agenda Mrs. Borawski asked if the committee wanted any items removed from the consent agenda. None were removed. Approval of RMHS Broadway Field Trip Approval of RMHS Band Disney Field Trip Approval of RMHS Robotics Field Trip Accept a Donation to RMHS Baseball Approval of Minutes(February 6,2020) Mrs.Borawski moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to approve the consent agenda with friendly amendment. The motion carried 6-0. D. New Business Business Manager Hiring Process Dr. Doherty began by saying it is important to move on this process now. He said that it is a two-part process. He will be looking for an Interim Business Manager from March to July to close the fiscal year. He is hoping to hire a retired business manager. Part two of the process is to conduct a search for a new Business Manager. He has done a bit of restructuring of the position moving the supervision of IT and Facilities back to the Superintendent. Dr. Doherty feels this position may be difficult to fill. Mr. Parks would like to see a member of the Finance Committee on the Search Committee. Human Resources Administrator Jenn Allard reviewed the timeline and hiring process. She shared that this is a similar process to previous administrator searches. The selected candidate would begin on July I". She hopes to finalize the composition of the search committee in the next few days. If the committee approves the process tonight the position will be posted tomorrow. We will also send out an online survey to staff and families looking for feedback on the qualities they would like to see in the next business manager. Page 1 2 Mr. Robinson asked if the School Committee could participate in small group interviews. Dr. Doherty said that would be during the vetting process March 12—18. The School Committee will interview the candidates on March 19ih during public session. Dr. Dockser asked that a parent representative be added to the screening committee. She asked if we could possibly post in other places to attract a diverse pool of candidates. Mrs. Borawski shared that she has been on several screening committees and finds the process to be very thorough. She followed up and asked that once the search committee is finalized that it be publicized. Mr. Robinson asked if Mr. Wise would be the School Committee representative on the search committee. Mr. Wise agreed to be the representative. Dr. Dockser asked about confidentiality and protecting the screening committee from the public. Mrs. Allard explained the process and confidentiality guidelines are reviewed at the organizational meeting. Dr. Dockser asked if the survey was anonymous. The answer was yes. Mr. Parks asked about getting the survey out to the community at large. Dr. Doherty said the town will not send it out via CodeRed but we can ask them to post on the website. Mr. Wise wanted to be confident that appropriate questions for the position are asked. Mrs. Allard said there are MASBO guidelines and sample questions that can be used during the development of the questions. She also shared that the screening committee takes time between interviews to discuss the appropriateness of the answers. Mr. Wise asked that thejob be posted on the MASC website and was concerned that the survey period fell in the middle of vacation. It was agreed to add a couple of days Mrs.Boarawski moved seconded by Mr.Parks to approve the Business Manager screening process and timeline as amended. The motion carried 6-0. E. Old Business There was no old business. I. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll(A) Warrant 52033 2.13.20 $151,146.10 b. Calendar Mr. Robinson shared there was an updated meeting calendar in the packet. 2. Information/Correspondence 3. Future Business Page 13 4. Adjournment Adjourn Mrs Borawski moved seconded by Mr. Parks,to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:39 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: haus//k ww.youtube.com/watch9v—pmqPD*ifltQ Joh *erty, D. Page 1 4