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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-24 School Committee Minutes ' Pq Town of Reading RE GE l b'E(j a 't Meeting Minutes TOVdN 01-ERK M.A,4/ Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 21210CT -j PM 12: 05 School Committee Date: 2020-09-24 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 Geffen, Carla Nazzaro and Shawn Brandt Members - Not Present: Others Present: Superintendent John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Chris Kelley, CFO Gail Dowd, Director of Student Services Jen Stys, Director of Facilities Joe Huggins (arrived at 5:45 p.m.) 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 Mr. Robinson—here Mr. Robinson called open session order at 7:00 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. A. Public Input Mr. Robinson explained that for public comment, please use the live chat feature on the Microsoft Teams link which will be posted on the Superintendent's Blog and sent out via Connect Ed prior to the meeting. In lieu of the live chat,you may send an email in advance of the meeting to schoolcommitteegreadine.kt2.ma.us This email will be included in the next packet. Page 1 1 B. Consent Agenda Mr.Wise moved seconded by Mr.Parks,to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried 6-0 Mr.Parks Mrs.Gaffen,Mrs.Nazzaro,Mr. Wise,Mr. Brandt and Mr.Robinson. C. Reports Director of Student Services No Report Assistant Superintendent No Report Chief Financial Officer No Report Superintendent No Report Liaison Reports Mr. Brandt reported on the recent ad hoc Human Rights Committee, They held ajoint meeting with the Library Board to discuss the Director position and transferring oversight to the Library. The ad hoc committee is due to sunset at the end of the year. Mrs. Gaffen reported on the recent SEPAC meeting and shared dates of upcoming events and meetings. The SEPAC is still looking for on-call volunteers. Mrs.Nazzaro reported on the recent RCTV Board meeting sharing that 2 RCTV classes that are being taught at RMHS. These courses are very popular. The RCTV annual membership meeting which will take place on Thursday, October 29th. Mr. Robinson reported that the School Committee will hear proposals from the two respondents to the RFQ to facilitate the Superintendent Search on October I". D. Old Business FY20 End of Year Summary Mrs. Dowd shared that the fiscal year 2020 ended with an unencumbered balance of $471,182 in the School Department Operating Budget(approximately 1.01°/of the total Fiscal 2020 Budget). During the FY'20 Budget process,the School Department requested an additional $300,000 in special education funding due to uncertainty in transportation and out-of-district costs(as well as associated consultation and legal fees). As stated during the budget process, if the landscape changed and the additional funds were not required,we would return the funds to free cash. Due to several factors, including the closure of the schools on March 13th,continuous monitoring through the school year of legal and consultation fees, savings from changes in out-of-district placements and students returning in district, reduced transportation fees due to school closure and reviewing bus routes,we were able to recognize savings throughout the Page 1 2 Special Education Cost Center. Excluding the savings recognized within the Special Education Cost Center the amount being returned to free cash is $121,330 or 0.26%of the total budget. Social Media Coordinators Mr. Wise moved seconded by Mr. Parks to appoint Mr.Robinson and Mn. Na aro as Social Meda Coordinators for the remainder of September and all of October. The roll call vote carried 6-0. Mr.Parks,Mrs.Gaffen,Mrs. Nazzaro,Mr. Wise,Mr. Brandt and Mr.Robinson. E. New Business Every Day Anti-Racism Book Discussion Mr. Robinson stated that the committee is using the same book as the RPS administrators for the book discussion. Dr. Doherty will facilitate the discussion. Dr. Doherty said it will be a structured conversation using National School Reform Faculty's Four"A"Text protocol. Tonight,the committee will discuss Chapter 4: Beginning Courageous Conversations about Race. Question 1: What assumption does the author of the text hold? Committee responses included look to teachers to start the conversation, presumes the reader is open to the idea and willing to do the work,educators and students come to the conversation with their own ideas and we should be open to it, buried emotions&big assumptions, students are better at engaging in racial conversations,how can the school committee make a difference,and educators can tackle topics as related to personal experience. Question 2: What do you agree with in the text? Committee responses included letting go,recognizing patterns in the dialogue that can be harmful to the progress of the dialogue, be willing to self-reflect and examine important conversations,and let the conversation evolve and dont assume the worst. Question 3: What do you want to argue with in the text? Comments included classroom discussions with conflict and controversy can be productive and not inherently disorderly,courageous conversations can be had and do not need to be created, want students to feel safe in the classroom,we don't have as many diverse voices among staff,discussion leader has to be flexible in thought and how to steer discussion,and should not assume the discussion will not come to a resolution before it has started. Question 4: What parts of the text do you want to aspire to? Comments included accepting that there may be a lack of closure and the issue may never be resolved,need to keep an open mind, speak the truth, be honest,don't fall silent, be more courageous in your own conversation about race, help others recognize an ongoing conversation and learning opportunities,expect the best from everyone, and stay engaged. Preliminary District Improvement Plan Discussion Page 1 3 Mr. Robinson shared that this is a starting point to get the conversation started. Dr. Doherty added that the conversation will help identify areas for the next District Improvement Plan. Question l: What areas in the current District Improvement Plan(see attached)would you like to see continued? Mr. Wise would like to see cuff iculum maps and guides, 5-year special education program review,closing the achievement gap and Vision of the Graduate included. Mr. Brandt would like to see the long-term space needs plan with timelines and deliverables, readdress how security and safety drills are performed using an evidence- based approach,and a tangible approach to hiring and retaining a more diverse faculty. Mr. Parks would like more professional development opportunities in SEL,trauma and equity and diversity. Mr. Robinson asked about remote learning and how many devices had been deployed. We have deployed 850 and the number is going up. He would like to provide all students with district devices. Dr. Doherty said this a goal we have and are looking at the financial impact and creating a solid technology plan and infrastructure. Mr. Robinson would like to have a better understanding of the purchase and maintenance of devices. Mrs.Gaff n,would like an adjustment to student learning goal#I to the reality of teaching this year and how data is collected. Mrs. Nazzaro would like to hit the reset button and determine where we are. She would like curriculum maps,testing to determine student needs and special education screening. Questions 2. What areas in the DRAFT Student Opportunity Act Plan(see attached) would you like included in the District Improvement Plan? Mr. Wise feels it is a big year for data collection and what data we are collecting. We need the correct tools and they need to be integrated into the performance platform, continue to refresh and renew tools and cycles. Mr. Parks would like to see a focus on the recruiting, hiring and retaining administrators and staff. Mr. Brandt would like to see a more diversified staff. Mrs. Gaffen would like to see a greater effort in the diversification of staff and curriculum materials. Mr. Robinson echoed the need for hiring and retaining a more diversified staff. Mrs. Nazzaro supports a safe learning environment and quality professional development. Mr. Parks would like to see a Leadership Pipeline Development Program that allows us to promote from within the district. We have a talented pool of administrators and teachers. Question 3. What new areas would you like considered in the next District Improvement Plan? Page 1 4 Mr. Wise would like to see staff growth and training, promoting from within and looking at the possibility of partnering with a local college. He would also like a focus on reading;the science and implementation. He would like to look at other tools for reading, improving high school course offerings in business, computer science, life skills and more AP offerings and to be more proactive in family engagement. Mr. Wise offered some school committee goals which include the hiring of a new superintendent, union contract negotiations, learn more about reading, update the policy manual and school space needs. Mrs.Nazzaro concurred with a policy update and would like a review of legal counsel contracts. Mrs. Gaffen would like an ongoing anti-racism conversation. Mr. Brandt suggested that the discussion of school committee goals be tabled. Mr. Parks does not feel the Science of Reading program is appropriate. F. Old Business(continued) Dr. Doherty began by saying that the first two weeks of school have been very positive, and he thanked all teachers and staff for the amazing job they are doing to teach our students. He went on to review the in-person special education numbers in response to a committee member question at the last meeting. The Superintendent reviewed the current staffing situation and the number of teacher and paraeducator vacancies. He cautioned that these numbers may change due to neighboring districts going to remote and our district phasing into the hybrid model. On October 13" grades 1, 2, 6-8 will begin in the hybrid model with the high school and grades 3-5 phasing in at the end of October. Mr. Huggins joined the meeting at 8:45 p.m. to update the committee on the modular classroom progress. Since delivery to the site on September I I"a great deal of work has gone on and has gone well. The completion date timeline has changed by a few days to October I5". The furniture and technology will be installed. A series of inspections will take place before the Certificate of Occupancy can be issued. Dr. Doherty added that we are working on a transition schedule for staff and students. Mrs.Nazzaro asked for a playground update. Mrs. Dowd said that atter the last meeting a discussion was held with the superintendent,her,the chair and vice chair and it was determined to follow the Board of Health and CDC guidelines. Hand sanitizing stations were installed at each playground as well as at turf 1 & 11. G. Public Comment (via live chat) Mr. Coram thanked those who were able to open the playgrounds for the students. 1. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll(A) Page 1 5 b. Calendar 2. Information/Correspondence 3. Future Business None 4. Adjournment Adjourn Mr.Parks moved,seconded by Mrs Nazzaro to adioarn. The roll call vote carried 6-0 Mr.Parks Mrs Gaffen Mrs.Nazzaro,Mr.Wise,Mr. Brandt and Mr. Robinson. The meeting adjourned at 9:02 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: haps //www.voumbe.com/watch9v=DH7-4BFRTUU J hn F. Doherty, N.D. Page 1 6