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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-29 School Committee Minutes OR (_) yGU - � Town of Reading F rl Meeting Minutes OWPd CLERK, R1_ 1 ,t Z. MA.� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 4�'i 16 PM 2: 34 School Committee Date: 2020-10-29 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: John Parks, Tom Wise, Erin Gaffen, Carla Nazzaro and Shawn Brandt Members - Not Present: Chuck Robinson Others Present: Superintendent ]ohn Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Chris Kelley, CFO Gail Dowd, Director of Student Services ]en Stys Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: 1. Call to Order Vice Chair Wise 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. 'I he 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. Wise called open session order at 7:30 p.m. and reviewed the agenda A. Public Input Mr. Wise 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 schoolcommitteega reading kl2 ma us This email will be included in the next packet. B. Consent Agenda Page I 1 - Accept a Donation from SNL University - Accept a Donation to the Parker Instrument Fund - Approval of Minutes(10.15.20) Mr. Brandt wanted to recognize the generosity of the community as exhibited by the donations being accepted tonight. Mrs.Nazzaro agreed and shared that the donation to the Parker Instrument Fund truly benefits the students. Mr. Parks moved,seconded by Mr.Brandt to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried 5-0. Mr.Parks, Mrs. Gaffen,Mrs.Nazzaro,Mr. Wise.and Mr. Brandt C. Reports Director of Student Services Dr. Stys reported on the SEPAC meeting held this week. There was good participation and the current members will remain on the board except for Mrs. Morgan. Dr. Stys thanked Mrs. Morgan for her contributions and hard work over the past year. SEPAC continues to look for support people for the Friends of SEPAC to work as liaisons to the schools. We continue to work with staff on reading strategies and continuing throughout the year. The SEPAC will be forming a subgroup to determine what professional development opportunities they would like to have for parents. Dr. Stys said that the staff continues to reach out to families for compensatory services that they may require. The services provided are very individualized. She assured the community that the staff continues to work on the Program descriptions. Chief Financial Officer Mrs. Dowd reported that the MERV-13 filters are in and the maintenance stafffhas begun replacing the MERV-8 filters on the roof top units. She gave a shout out to the facilities and maintenance staff. We continue to work with the bus companies due to a shorter school year and less days in school. We are in a similar situation as in the spring and want to maintain continuity of service. Dr. Doherty and Mrs. Dowd are on the SEEM Transportation Team. Mrs. Dowd next reported on the DESE Report for Creating a Diverse Workplace which has been reviewed by the Central Office Leadership Team. This document will be used as a guide for the District Improvement Plan. Mrs. Dowd provided a Chapter 70 Foundation Update. She said that there has been no clear guidance at this point. She added that the October 1"enrollment data is a crucial piece in determining funding. She encouraged eligible families to apply for free& reduced lunch benefits because this also impacts the funding. DESE, Lawrence General Hospital and Abbott Labs are teaming up to offer BIMAX Antigen Testing in schools. Our nursing staff would perforin the tests on symptomatic students with parental permission. Reading Public Schools will not be participating in Phase 1 but will be following the program. Mrs. Nazzaro asked how long phase I would last. Mrs. Dowd is not sure of the number of tests available. Mr. Parks asked about the lifespan of the MERV-13 filters. Mrs. Dowd indicated it will be shorter than other filters and facilities will be monitoring our equipment for wear. We Page 1 2 have ordered more filters for December. Mrs. Dowd added that the maintenance staff is replacing the filters in the rooftop units and the custodial staff is handling the unit ventilators in the classrooms. The classrooms need to be empty to replace the filters, so this process is a little slower. Mr. Wise asked about the status of the Student Opportunity Act. Mrs. Dowd said that in preliminary conversations the funding has been pushed back to next year. This also affects circuit breaker. Superintendent Dr. Doherty said that since the change in title for the HR Director there has been an uptick in interest. He hopes to have someone in place in the next several weeks. The MIAA cancelled all winter athletic tournaments and we hope to hear on the winter season shortly. Dr. Doherty next reported on the shortage of substitutes and the impact. We currently have about 20 people interested in subbing for us. A protocol for coverage has been developed. At this point the building principals have been covering classes. November 3 is a synchronous learning day for all, no school on November 20th for elementary/HS conferences and professional development at the middle schools. November 25° is an 11:00 a.m. dismissal for the Thanksgiving holiday. Dr. Doherty expressed concerns about students not following the health guidelines outside of school and encouraged all families to follow good safety practices. Liaison Reports Mr. Parks reported that the RMHS back to School night went very well. Mrs.Gaffen reported on the SEPAC meeting who will be holding a virtual support night for parents on November 51h. The next business meeting will be held on December 8 and as Dr. Stys shared the SEPAC is seeking volunteers to act as school liaisons. Mrs.Nazzaro shared that the RCTV Board is holding its annual membership meeting tonight. They may add a board member. Mr. Wise shared that the committee will be meeting on Monday at 5:00 p.m. to begin the Superintendent Search Process. D. Old Business Reopening Plan Update Dr. Doherty reviewed the timeline sharing that grade 3 cohort A and grades 9& 10 will begin in person learning on Monday. Grade 3 —cohort B and tentative plans to have grades 4 & 5 -cohort B begin on November 9". He held three community forums last week that were well attended at which he answered as many questions as possible. He reviewed the staff vacancies saying there was a tremendous response to the job share opportunities and thanked the community for its support. He thanked Dr. King, Ms. Leveque and Mrs. Hendrix for the work they have done hiring and coordinating thejob share applicants. He also thanked the HR Administrative assistants for doing a greatjob processing the applicants. We are currently working on solutions to fill the high school vacancies. Page 1 3 Mr. Parks asked if there have been additional requests of leaves at the high school. Yes. there have been 2. We have been able to provide the appropriate accommodations for one and the other will be a leave. Mr. Wise read a question from Mr. Comm. "Are there paras that are assigned to the high school, but not being used in the half- hybrid status, that could be temporarily ""loaned""to the elementary schools so they can start up?" The answer was no we cannot. Second Reading and Approval of Policy ECAF— Security Cameras in Schools Mr.Parks moved,seconded by Mrs Nazzaro to accept the second reading and approval of Policy ECAF—Security Cameras in Schools. Mr. Parks began the second reading of the policy. Mr. Brandt moved,seconded by Mrs Nazzaro to waive the further reading of the policv. The roll call vote carried 5-0 Mr.Parks,Mrs Gaffen MrsNazzaro,and Mr.Wise,Mr.Brandt. Dr. Doherty said we have added the sentence requested that was in the MASC policy. The roll call vote carried 5-0. Mr. Parks,Mrs.Gaffen.Mrs.Nazzaro Mr. Wise and Mr.Brandt. Second Reading and Approval of Pol'cv JLCB—Immunization of Student Mr.Parks moved,seconded by Mrs Gaffen to accept the second reading and approval of Policy JLCB—Immunization of Students Mr. Parks began the second reading of the policy. Mrs.Nazzaro moved,seconded by Mr.Brandt.to waive the further reading of the Policy. The roll call vote carried 5-0. Mr. Parks,Mrs. Gaffen,Mrs. Nazzaro,and Mr. Wise Mr.Brand[ Mr. Parks said that he is still not comfortable with the enforcement of this policy but after discussions with Dr. Doherty he feels better and can support this policy. Mr. Wise asked if the note at the bottom of the policy is needed and asked the committee to discuss. After a brief discussion, Mr. Wise asked if the second reading should be tabled to clean up the language. Mr. Parks moved,seconded by Mr.Brandt to table the vote on the second mading and approval of Policy JLCB to allow for further review and update with Massachusetts General Law 76.15 until the meetino on Thursday might. The roll call vote carried 5-0. Mr. Parks,Mrs.Gallen,Mrs.Nazzaro,Mr.Wise and Mr. Brandt. Discussion of Poliev Placement of Political Ideology Page 1 4 Dr. Doherty reviewed other policies that this subject would be better aligned. Mrs. Gaffen looked at the 5 policies referenced and feels it would be best aligned as part of the Bullying Prevention Plan rather that the referenced policies. Mr. Brandt agreed that it was not a great fit in the referenced policies and agrees that the Bullying Prevention Plan would work. Mr. Parks concurred. Dr. Doherty pointed out that the Bullying Prevention Plan is a procedure and the addition of political ideology would not require a School Committee vote. Mrs. Nazzaro feels we need to provide safe spaces for our students in our schools and would like to see it in this policy. Dr. Doherty indicated that he would not be able to enforce this in Policy AC. Discussion continued on the placement of political ideology. Mr. Wise asked Mr. Parks to read the motion for Policy AC. Mr.Parks moved,seconded by Mr.Brand[ to accept the second reading and approval of Policv AC—Nondiscrimination and Harassment. Mr. Parks began the second reading of the policy. Mr. Brandt moved,seconded by Mrs.Nazzaro to waive the further readinE of the policy. The roll call vote carried 5-0 Mr. Parks Mrs G ffen Mrs Nazzaro Mr. Wise,and Mr. Brandt. Mrs.Nazzaro asked that the language in the policy be consistent. Dr. Doherty will go back to legal counsel for the reason the wording around protected classes differs throughout the policy. Mr. Parks moved,seconded by Mr. Brandt to table the second reading and approval of Policy AC until the meetine on Thursday ni ht The roll call vote carried 5-0. Mr.Parks,Mrs.Gaffen,Mrs. Nazzaro Mr.Wise Mr.Brandt and Mr. Robinson. Enrollment Update Dr. Doherty updated the committee on the October I district enrollment. E. Old Business None F. Public Comment None 1. Routine Matters a. Bills and Payroll (A) b. Calendar 2. Information/Correspondence Page 1 5 3. Future Business Mr. Wise reminded the committee that they will be meeting Monday,November 2 at 5:00 p.m. to start the Superintendent Search process. 4. Adjournment AJourn Mr.Parks moved,seconded by Mrs Gaffen to adiou n The roll call ote carried 5-0. Mr.Parks,Mrs. Gaffen,Mrs.Nazzaro Mr. Wise and Mr. Brandt The meeting adjourned at 9:41 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: https:lhvww voutube eom/watch?v=Y VxXnf ZM o *Dohrty, D. Page 1 6