HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-07 School Committee Minutes r Town of ReadingKECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
e Meeting Minutes R xi 0 : lG. 14A. 0 .
2121 OCT 20 AM If: 40
Board - committee - commission - council:
School Committee
Date: 2020-10-07 Time: 6:00 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:
CFO Gail Dowd
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 Mrs. Dowd—here
Mr.Wise—here
Mrs.Nazzaro—here
Mrs.Gaffen - here
Mr. Brandt—here
Mr. Robinson—here
Mr. Robinson called open session order at 6:00 p.m. and reviewed the agenda.
A. Old Business
Superintendent Search
Mr. Robinson began by saying the sole purpose of this meeting was to discuss the
selection of the Search Finn, He, Mc Wise and Mrs. Dowd met to complete the scorecard
ratings last Friday. Based on the scorecard highly advantageous ratings,the
recommendation would be to select MASC to conduct the Superintendent Search.
Mr. Wise said that there were eight categories that the firs were rated using highly
advantageous,advantageous,not advantageous and unacceptable as the rubric ratings.
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Mr. Brandt asked if any detail could be shared around the scoring, asking how close it
was between the two firms. Mrs. Dowd shared that there was no weighing by category.
Mr. Parks asked if the scorecards were available and was concerned about transparency
and OML violations. Mrs. Dowd pointed out that examples of the categories were in the
RFP which the committee received when it was posted. Mr. Robinson said once the
decision is made and the contract entered into,the scorecard will become a public
document. He followed up by saying that it was determined at an earlier meeting that the
chair,vice chair and Mrs. Dowd would oversee this process.
Mr.Wise reviewed the categories that were in the RFP adding that it was a
straightforward rubric.
Mrs. Gaffen asked if the reference checks were focused on the company or the consultant
that we will be working with. Mrs. Dowd said she specifically asked for reference on
lead consultant.
Mrs. Nazzaro thanked the team for the work done on this process and asked what the next
steps were in the process. Mrs. Dowd shared that she will reach out to both companies
with the results and then open the cost proposal from the company being awarded the
contract. This bid award is based on qualifications and not low bid.
Mrs. Gaffen asked if the School Committee would be in control of the timeline and
process. Mrs. Dowd said that once the contract is negotiated,we can map out the process
and timeline with MASC.
Mrs.Gaffen asked how the negotiation process would work. Mrs. Dowd said she will
work with Allison Jenkins at Town Hall on the contract prep. We have a general sense of
what these searches typically cost. Mr. Robinson added that we have a ceiling of
$25,000.
Mr.Wise moved seconded by Mrs Nazzaro to award the bid for the Readine
Public Schools Superintendent Search Consultancy to the Massachusetts
Association of School Committees. The roll call vote carried 6-0. Mr.Parks Mrs.
Gat7en Mrs.Nazzaro,Mr.Wise,Mr.Brandt and Mr.Robinson.
1. Adioummen[
Adioum
Mr.Parks moved seconded by Mn.Nazzaro to adiourn. The roll call vote carried
6-0 Mr.Parks Mrs Gaffen Mrs.Nazzaro,Mr.Wise,Mr.Brandt and Mr.
Robinson.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 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: hftps*//www.Noutube.com/watchnv—SWMxGOT49cY
*, F*,h,k, Ed.D.
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