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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-29 School Committee Minutes FR Town of Reading Meeting Minutes - i '1 ` D ,6aP1,QOPr� .. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: - "" 1142 School Committee Date: 2020-07-29 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chuck Robinson, John Parks, Tom Wise, Erin Gaffen, Carla Nazzaro and Shawn Brandt Members - Not Present: Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Chris Kelley, CFO Gail Dowd, Director of Student Services Jennifer Stys, 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 opened the meeting and announced the School Committee was meeting in a virtual setting, fully remote via Microsoft Teams, practicing social distancing and in accordance with the Governor's suspension of certain open meeting laws. The meeting was being recorded and broadcast live on RCTV. The Chair called attendance: Mr. Parks—here Dr. Doherty—here Mr. Wise—here Mrs. Dowd—here Mrs.Nazzaro—here Mrs. Kelley- here Mrs. Gaffen—here Dr. Stys—here Mr. Brandt—here Mrs. Allard—here Mr. Robinson—here A. Public Inuut Mr. Robinson explained that public comment would be held at the end of the meeting allowing the public time to email questions to schoolcommitteegreadine.kl2.ma.us B. Consent Aeenda Mr. Robinson asked if there was anything to be removed from the consent agenda. Page I 1 Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mr. Brandt,to accept the consent aeenda. The roll call vote carried 6-0. Mr. Parks,Mr. Wise,Mrs. Nazzaro,Mrs.Gaffen,Mr. Brandt and Mr.Robinson. C. Reports Director of Student Services No report Chief Financial Officer No report Assistant Superintendent No report Superintendent No report Liaisons Mrs. Nazzaro reported on the recent Audit Committee meeting saying they reviewed the RMLD 2019 Audit. She next reported on the RCTV Board meeting saying that they will be running half day summer camps in August. RCTV livestreamed the RMHS graduation ceremony on Sunday night. Mr. Brandt reported on the Human Rights Ad Hoc meeting. They discussed the details on the proposed staff position and the network that would support it. Mr. Robinson gave a shout out to RMHS principal Kate Boynton for the hard work she and her staff put in to organize the Class of 2020 graduation ceremony. D. Old Business Preliminary School Reopening Plan Chair Robinson reminded everyone that they are a policy board. Dr. Doherty put into context the work being done. He said he receives bits and pieces of guidance daily. The administrative team and staff have been working on the development of three plans. Preliminary plans are due to DESE by July 31". He has been gathering feedback through community and staff forums. He has also held or will be holding 55 virtual office hour sessions. He said that the information gathered from these sessions is being used to inform his decision. Dr. Doherty reviewed the recent survey results from staff and families. The results of the parent survey showed that a majority of families were comfortable with the hybrid model as long as proper health and safety precautions were taken. Parents were concerned about having adequate ventilation in our schools. The majority of parents prefer the Palo Alto model (2 days in, 2 days remote)as the hybrid model. Page 1 2 Mrs. Gaffen asked if the preference of the Palo Alto model influenced decisions made in the development of the plan. Dr. Doherty said that science shows that a week in and week of remote learning is better educationally for students. This model also allows for 3 days of cleaning. Dr. Doherty reviewed the staff survey responses. Staff are concerned about heat, humidity and ventilation in the buildings. They also favored the Palo Alto model for the hybrid platform. Mrs.Nazzaro thanked Dr.Doherty, and his team for the work put into the development of the three plans. The Superintendent reviewed the feasibility study. We have ordered the necessary PPE for staff and students as well as specialized PPE for staff working with the high-risk population. We have purchased additional technology devices including computers, hotspots, ipads,cameras and adaptive equipment. All spaces in our buildings have been looked at to ensure proper health and safety measures are taken to welcome students back in person. He reviewed what each model would look like—in person, hybrid and remote. He went on to review the advantages and disadvantages of all three models. Chair Robinson read a question from Mary Gilligan: "Hello Can Dr Doherty speak to the actual advantages of the kids being in school. That's was one bullet, where as the disadvantages were expanded upon. Can he expand upon the advantages and the studies that talk about the advantages of children being back in school. Thank you very much Mary Gilligan" Dr. Doherty said the major advantage is that kids will be in school. Mrs. Gaffen is concerned about staff that have children that attend schools in another district. Dr. Doherty said that every district is doing what works best for them. We can work with staff that have children that attend school in other districts. We are doing what is best for our district with safety as a main concern. The high school will be using a block schedule which will limit student movement from class to class. Mr. Robinson read a question from Geoffrey Coram: "Dear School Committee: 1 wonder if there has been any consideration of extending school wbir access outside the school buildings. This would allow those with poor connectivity at home to get access after school hours or on their remote days, or perhaps allow classes meeting in-person to move outside in good weather. The Reading Public Library provides some access outside the building, but 1 understand the range is restricted to close to the building. -Geoffrey Coram Page 1 3 Ridge Rd." Dr. Doherty shared that we arc working with technology on the infrastructure in our buildings and we have purchased 20 hotspots for connectivity. Mr. Parks asked if we had a rough number of special education students that would be attending in person per building. Dr. Stys said her team is looking at each student and their needs individually. She said she hopes to receive additional guidance from DESE in the next week or so. The state's expectation is to provide IEP services, but they are offering some flexibility. Committee members are concerned with the specialist roles. Dr. Doherty is open to any suggestions that allows us to do the model we are proposing. We do not have full time specialists at the elementary level. Mr. Robinson read a question from Marianne Downing: "I have question about the specialists not teaching remotely. Does that apply to middle school and high school? What is happening with band and chorus then, if they cannot possibly teach live (given cannot be in the building) and are not teaching remotely (because they are helping other teachers), what exactly the band and music teachers doing? I'm asking particularly at middle school level. Wouldn't it make more sense for specialists to try to teach band remotely,for example, with students playing live via zoom? What is supposed to happen with band and music during the "live"week? Are there plans to hold these classes out of doors? Can we rent tents? Marianne Downing 13 Heather Drive" Dr. Doherty pointed out that the development of a schedule is complex. Schedules are being developed for 2 different models. Band and Chorus would need to be held outside with ten foot spacing. The administrators are working with the Fine& Performing Arts Department Head on options. Mrs. Gaffen asked about the cost of tents. Mr. Robinson said tents are difficult to find. Dr. Doherty said we can look into it. The full day kindergarten model would include 4 full days in person and longer days remotely. The length of remote learning would be developmentally appropriate. The half day kindergarten students would leave at 11:30 a.m,with I to 2 hours of remote learning. The half day curriculum would be FLA and math. Full day students would also receive instruction in science and social studies. Mr. Robinson read an email from Elizabeth Dalby: "Dear School Committee, I'm writing to ask if there has been any discussion around school choice for teachers in the district to help accommodate teachers working this new schedule who have small children. I'm specifically interested in enrollment at RISE as I am a high school teacher. Page 1 4 Thank you for the consideration on this matter. Best, Beth Dalby" Dr. Doherty said if slots are available in RISE,teachers have the option of enrolling their children. Dr. Doherty explained that remote learning will look different than the spring. He also mentioned a change in the school year calendar with students attending 170 days and the addition of training days for staff at the beginning of the year. We will only offer mandated transportation,there will be no temperature checks and we are working with extended day to offer programs for student when they are attending in person. Questions regarding technology training, the possibility of staggering the hybrid model, transportation and PPE were asked. Mr.Robinson asked if there was any update on the Birch Meadow modular project. Mrs. Dowd said there was not and we are still on track for a mid-October completion. Superintendent Search Process Mr. Robinson shared that he and Mr. Wise met with Mrs. Dowd to provide input on the Superintendent Search RFQ. Mrs. Dowd then met with Town Procurement Director Allison Jenkins to develop the Request for Proposal(RFP). Mrs. Dowd said the RFP will be posted in the Central Register on August 5`h and is looking at a two week turn around at which point the selection committee will review the proposals received to determine which vendor to move forward. The selected vendors would be scheduled to present at a School Committee meeting. The committee would use a rating system to rate each vendor. Mr. Wise and Mrs.Nazzaro lost connection to the meeting at 9:30 p.m. due to a Fios issue. Before moving onto public comment Mr. Parks wanted to wish HR Administrator Jenn Allard the best of luck as she moves on to another district. Mrs. Allard thanked everyone and said how much she has enjoyed her 7 years in the Reading Public Schools. E. New Business None F. Public Comment—emailsreceived during meeting (emails are copied and pasted in the original form) Mrs.Caffen read an email from Amy Ropple: "Hello School Committee Members, 1 am watching tonight's meeting and am impressed with the questions and clarity of the proposal. Thank you.!I realize what a massive job it is to figure out haw to get us back safely. Page 1 5 I would like to call attention to the fact that Specialist teachers (Art, Music, Phys ed.,Computer, Library, Health) will be teaching both cohorts ofstudents at each school. This is scary tome as an art teacher. The plan also calls for Specialists to be supervising satellite classrooms, as well, in addition to teaching their area.I am very concerned about this as having so many adults teach both groups could create cross contamination between cohorts. Thank you for understanding, Amy Ropple" The committee suggested the other emails received be included in the next meeting's packet because they felt they were more statements than questions. 1. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) Warrant 52055 7.21.20 $60,830.34 Warrant 52056 7.28.20 $149,932.07 Warrant 52103 7.16.20 $21,750.00 Warrant 52104 7.23.20 $1,051.99 b. Calendar 2. Information/Corresoondence None 3. Future Business None 4. Adjournment Adjourn Mr. Parks moved,seconded by Mr. Brandt,to adjourn. The roll call vote carried 4- 0. Mr.Parks,Mrs.Gaffen,Mr. Brandt and Mr.Robinson. The meeting adjourned at 9:53 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: httys,//www voutube coin/watch7v=L-F1T5Jb6-I h F. Doheri , Ed.D. Page 1 6