The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2021-01-25 School Committee Minutes u,t C IVEl Town of Reading TC4'"4 CLERK Meeting Minutes " = MA. MI11 -9 AMI 40 Board - committee - Commission - council: School Committee Date: 2021-01-25 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Draft Attendees: Members - Present: Chuck Robinson, Erin Gaffen, John Parks, Tom Wise, 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, Human Resourses Director Kerry Meisinger, Parker Principal Rick! Shankland, Director of Facilities Joe Huggins, Network Administrator Julian Carr, Members of the Finance Committee Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Samantha LaPierre 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.Robinson—here Dr. Doherty—here Mr.Parks-here Mrs. Dowd—here Mr.Wise—here Mrs. Kelley-here Mrs.Nazzaro—here Dr. Stys—here Mrs.Gaffen—here Mr.Brandthere 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 schoolcommittee(oreadine kl2 ma us This email will be included in the next packet. Page I 1 B. Consent Agenda - Accept a Donation from Global Partners,LP. Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to approve the consent agenda.The motion carried 60.Mn.Namaro.Mrs.Gaffen,Mr.Parks,Mr. Brandt,Mr.Wise, Mr. Robinson. C. Report Student No Report Director of Student Services No Report Assistant Superintendent No Report Human Resources Director No Report Chief Financial Officer None Superintendent None School Committee No Report D. New Business School Committee Vote on FY22 Budget. Dr.Doherty thanked the committee for all of their questions and work around the FY22 budget. Dr.Doherty also thanked Mrs. Dowd and her team for all of their work putting together this budget,and the changes that are being made to the budget book based on the discussion had on Thursday night. Mrs.Gail Dowd and her committee will be letting the town manager know the bottom- line budget that was approved,and then they will be preparing the revised budget book to send out to the members of the finance committee. Page 1 2 Mr Wise moved,seconded by Mrs.Nazzaro,to approve the FY22 Budget.The motion carried 6-0.Mrs.Nazzaro,Mrs.Gaffen,Mr.Parks,Mr. Brandt,Mr.Wise and Mrs.Robinson. E. Old Business Winter Hybrid Learning Update Dr. Doherty provided a Winter Hybrid Update: Please see slides. Dr.Doherty gave an update on the number of COVID-19 cases,as of 1/25/21 as well as the total number of cases since September.He reported that Reading Public Schools is currently investigating bringing pooled COVID-19 testing for staff and students during in person weeks. Pooled Testing is a strategy for surveillance/screening of asymptomatic staff and students. The use of these tools and resources will increase the districts capacity and resiliency to maintain safety for students,faculty, and staff by keeping transmissions in schools low. This program is being funded until March 28"through DESE.After March 28'",districts and schools may continue using pooled testing by purchasing the tests and any other accompanying test materials and software from a statewide contract using other funds. Pooled testing involves mixing roughly 10-25 samples together in a"batch"then testing the pooled sample with a PCR test.The test is performed once per week on an anterior nasal swab,and results are delivered in approximately 24-48 hours. If the pooled rest result is negative,then all individuals within that pool are presumed negative and may remain in school.If a pooled test result is positive,then all individuals in the pool are retested individually,called"reflex testing".For more information please go to httys://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/r)ooled-testing . Dr. Doherty also provided an update on town vaccine information. F. Public Comment Marianne Downing, 13 Heather Drive "1 have a few questions. 1. Will staff be participating in the pool testing(as in, taking the tests like students are taking the tests)?2. Is parental consent required jar students to take the test?3. What if parents ofsome students do not consent to the test-does that mean a student cannot attend in person?4. What if a parent consents but, at the time of the test, a child refuses to go along and provide a sample." Dr.Doherty replied stating that there would be a consent form sent home,that would require parental approval prior to testing. If a child does not participate in the pooled testing,we cannot prohibit a student from attending school in person. Students who are participating in sports or extra-curricular activities will have to participate in pooled testing if they want to participate in activities. Kathy and Joe Bean: 138 Bancroft Ave "As parents of an RMHS Student could you please let us know the plan to get the students back into the classroom? Thank you, Tom Wise for offering help on 1114 as a 'fresh set of eyes"Have we re-visited this offer? What about a 3N party independent group to be formed by tae payers/RMHS parents led by Tom Wise with the goal of getting the students back into the school?Could the school committee please vote on this tonight? Regardless ofpool testing. " Mc Wise stated that he didn't think that was the right thing at this point in time. He mentioned that Dr. Doherty,Mrs.Boynton and the rest of the department heads have demonstrated they are working through this. Finally,he mentioned the on-going survey on the topic was a key input to this process. Page 1 3 Kim Shanley: 32 Whitehall Lane I know that less than half of the HS has responded to the survey that was sent last week. Will there be any change to the hybrid plan in 3rQ quarter so parents/students know how to respond to the survey? Will the High Schoolers potentially be in the 4 days a week as promised?" Mrs.Nazzaro asked if the survey could be administered during A Block? Dr.Doherty replied stating this was a survey for families,not for students. Diane Naczas: 50 Victoria Ave "Is it legal to mandate any child to be tested" Kim Shanley: 32 Whitehall Lane "So the 4 day a week would be alpha split not by grade? That is not what we were promised in August" Kim Shanley:32 Whitehall Lane Incredibly difficult to fill out a survey when you don't know the plan. " Diane Naczas: 50 Victoria Ave "These 2 pictures are directly from the CDC website. It doesn't appear mandating testing is allowed". Dr. Doherty replied that it is legal to mandate testing for those who participate in extra- curricular activities or sports. 1. Routine Matters a. Calendar 2. InformatioNComesoondence 3. Future Business 4. Adiournment Adjourn Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mr.Brandt,to adjourn. The roll call vote carried 6- 0. 0. Mr.Parks,Mrs.Gagen,Mrs.Nazzaro,Mr.Wise.Mr. Brandt and Mr.Robinson. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 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: School Committee 01-25-2021 -YouTubo Page 1 4