HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-14 School Committee Minutes OSA —
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READING, MA.
Board - committee - Commission - Council: 2021 JUN 24 PN 3: 54
School Committee
Date: 2021-06-14 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Open Session Version: Final
Attendees: Members Present:
Chuck Robinson, Erin Gaffen, Sarah McLaughlin, Tom Wise, Carla Nazzaro
and Shawn Brandt
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Superintendent John Doherty, CFO Gail Dowd, Assistant Superintendent of
Student Services Jen Stys, Human Resourses Director Kerry Messinger
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Samantha La Pierre on behalf of the Chair
Topics of Discussion:
I. 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
Ms.McLaughlin-here Mrs. Dowd—here
Mr.Wise—here Dr. Stys—here
Mrs.Na=o—here
Mrs.Gallen—here
Mr. Brandt—here
Mr. Robinson called open session order at 6:00 p.m.
Chair Robinson stated the meeting would begin in Executive Session.
Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mrs.Nazzaro to sm into Executive Session to discuss
strategy with respect to collective bargaining in that an open meeting may have a
detrimental effect on thamaining Position of the oublic body.The motion carried
6-0.Mrs.Nazzaro Mrs.Gauen Ms.Mci,au hlip Mr.Brandt Mr. Wise and Mr.
Robinson.
Chair Robinson call the regular session back to order at 7:04 p.m.
A. Public Input
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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
schoolcommitteeRo reading kl2 ma us This email will be included in the next packet.
B. Consent Agenda
Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mr.Brandt to approve the Consent Agenda as listed
- Approval of Minutes(5-27-2021)
-Donation to Fund Boy Swim Team Coaching Assistant
-Donation for Girls Spring Track Assistant Coach
-Donation from MASBO
The motion carried 6-0. Ms. McLaughlin,Mrs.Namara,Mrs. Gaffen Mr.Brandt
Mr.Wise and Mr.Robinson
C. Reports
Student
No Report
Director of Student Services
No Report
Assistant Superintendent
No Report
Human Resources Director
No Report
Chief Financial Officer
No Report
Superintendent
No Report
School Committee
Ms. McLaughlin—No Report
Mr. Brandt stated that the audit committee will meet on Wednesday to review the town
side audit.
Mrs.Naz aro-No Report
Mrs.Gaffen stated the second SEPAC presentation on reading is tomorrow night at 7pm.
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The link was sent out by all principals,through ConnectEd by Dr. Dobety and posted on
the School Committee's Facebook page.
Mr. Wise—No Report
Mr.Robinson—No Report
New Business
Teacher/Staff Recognition
Dr. Doherty recognized all staff who have reached significant milestones in their Reading
careers.These include teachers who have earned Professional Teaching Status, 10,20,30 and
35 years of service and retirements.Staff receive a certificate,the staff reaching milestones
receive a pin and the retirees receive a crystal apple.
SEPAC Presentation
Mrs.Laura Noonan, SEPAC Board member provided a 2020-2021 year in review. She stated
that Board members participated on a rotating basis with weekly check-in meetings with the
central office staff regarding the re-opening plans.
In September 2020,business meeting focused on the progress of the special education
program descriptions that were still being drafted at that time, Team Chair staffing changes,
and Professional Development on Reading. They set short term/and long-term goals specific
for SEPAC,and discussed opportunities for parent engagement On September 29'",there
were two virtual social events designed for parent support and discussion.
In October 2020, SEPAC collaborated with the Andover and North Andover SEPACs to
make available all three Basic Rights presentations to the three communities.Virtual support
chat was hosted by SEPAC in November 2020,and in December 2020, SEPAC Business
meeting focused on the new Special Education Program Descriptions which were presented
and discussed in detail.
In January 2021, SEPAC Business meeting focused on an update from Director of Student
Services,Dr.Jen Stys,reporting on the departments five-year plan.In March 2021 SEPAC
Business meeting focused on the presentations on local family support services and resources.
SEPAC's Reading/Literacy subcommittee announced the first reading training for March
23'4.There was a presentation by Team Chair Kelly DiCato on DESE Resource Guide to the
MA Curriculum Frameworks for Students with Disabilities in April of 2021.In May 2021
there was a presentation regarding How to Read and Understand Progress Reports given by
district teachers and staff from various special education programs.
Mrs.Noonan also provided information on the SEPAC Sub Committee on Reading/Literacy
which was established during October 2020 SEPAC Business Meeting.
FY21 Budget Transfers
Mrs.Gail Dowd requested that the School Committee vote to authorize the following cost
center transfers,pending final review of all payroll entries,encumbrances and expenses,to
allow us to finalize our technology,extra-curricular,athletics,custodial purchases as well as
to finalize curriculum orders. Mrs. Dowd discussed the request in detail.
Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mr.Brand[ to authorize that the Chief Financial officer
make the following cost center transfers Pendine Lhe final review of all payroll entries,
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encumbrances and expenses to allow us to finalize our technology,extra curricular
athletics,custodial purchases as well as to finalize curriculum orders•
• Transfer up to$12,000 from Administration to School Facilities utilizing salary
savines and expense savines to be utilized to purchase additional custodial
equipment. We have experienced additional salary savings due to vacant positions
• Transfer up to$150,000 out of District Wide to School Facilities($120,000) and
Regular Education!$30.0001 The funding will be utilized to acquire replacement
equipment,additional and replacement radios as well as equipment to assist in the
grooming of Turf II within School Facilities. The funding for Regular Education
will ao towards curriculum and technology.
• Transfer up to$1.000.000 out of Special Education to Regular Education Th
savings result from reviews of salary savings transportation legal consultation and
out-of-district tuition. The funding will be utilized for curriculum and technology
purchases. The transfer will still allow for the ore-payment of out-of-district
tuition.
The motion carried 6-0.Mrs. Nazzaro,Mrs.Gaffen-Ms.McLaughlin,Mr.Brandt Mr.
Wise,and Mr.Robinson.
Green Vehicle Vote
Mr.Wise moved seconded by Mr.Brandt to approve the first reading of the Green
Vehicle Policy.
Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mr.Brandt to waive the readine of the Green Vehicle
Policy.The motion carried 6-0.Mrs.Nazzaro.Mrs.Gaffen.Mrs McLaughlin,Mr.
Brandt,Mr.Wise and Mr.Robinson.
Mr.Wise raised a suggestion for categorizing the policy in the DJ(Purchasing)area,
perhaps DJH. Mr. Wise also requested that we add buses to the list in the first bullet of
the Exceptions section on the second page of the policy. He mentioned that buses are the
only large vehicle the school district has and they should be included with fire trucks and
ambulances from the town side. Further, during the Select Board discussion this policy
was referred to as a model policy and buses were acknowledged to be good exceptions.
Mr. Brandt agreed with the request.
Dr.Doherty agreed to check on the possibility of changes.
The motion carried 6-0. Mrs.Nazzaro,Mrs.Gaffen.Ms.McLaughlin Mr.Brandt
Mr.Wise-and Mr.Robinson.
D. Old Business
Spring Update
Dr. Doherty provided a spring in-person update.Dr.Doherty provided an update on the
number of positive student and staff cases per day in June,as well as total cases as of
June 146. Dr. Doherty reported this was the last week of Pooled testing, since the start of
this program in February 3,000 test were conduct. He thanked Mary Guiliana and all of
the nursing staff for all of their work during this time.Dr. Doherty reported that a total of
908 RMHS students have received at least one dose of the vaccine/There are
approximately 150 students signed up for the vaccine clinics being held later this week.
Dr. Doherty provided a reminder about the last Student Services office hour of the school
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year,which will take place on Tuesday 6/15/21 12:00-1:00p.m.
In addition to ESY,we did receive an ASOST Grant for early literacy for incoming K-3.
Staffing is currently an issue for summer programming.
More information to come on the ESSER Grant in the June 2181 School Committee
meeting. Currently this information is being review by building principals,
Superintendent Elect Dr.Milaschewski and other staff,to determine the most strategic
was to spend the funding.
Promotion Ceremonies for P grade students at Coolidge and Parker will be held this
Thursday on the Hollingsworth Field and Track.
E. Public Comment
Amanda Haley, Tennyson Rd:
"Just wondering if there was an update on the Birch Meadow Principal search?"
Michelle Sanphy,Glenmere Circle:
"When it is appropriate during tonight's meeting,I would like to make the following
comment. The decision to purposefully exclude external candidates from submitting
applications to the Special education Literacy Coach position not only has limited the
pool of applicants, it does not seem to be in the best interest of our special needs
students. In addition, the job description does not require a special education licensure
or a minimum of 5 years of special education classroom teaching experience. Previous
literacy coaching experience is preferred and not required. Why are we not reaching for
the moon when the maximum starting salary is listed at$95,000?Asa Town meeting
member, I not only supported and advocated for this position when I voted to approve the
school budget, I have regrets in doing so."
Geoffrey Comm,Ridge Rd:
"The cost center transfers are not in the packet that I just downloaded at 7:30pm.
Michelle Sanphy,Glenmere Circle:
"My regret in supporting the Special Education Literacy Coach position stems from the
fact that the position isn't being filled as a results of a traditional search."
Michelle Sanphy,Glenmere Circle:
"The em rds/sent to the entire SC were not included in this packet The DG School
Committee link does not always work Please include my correspondences in the next
packet so that they all become public record for the community. Thank you."
L Routine Matters
a. Calendar
2. Information/Corresoondence
3. Future Business
4. Adjournment
Adjourn
Mrs.Nazzaro moved,second by Ms.McLaughlin,to adjourn.The roll call vote
carried 6-0.Ms.McLaughlin,Mr.Brandt,Mrs.Gaffen,Mrs Nazzaro,Mr.Wise
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and Mr.Robinson.
The meeting adjourned at 8:26
NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order
they occurred during the meeting.
Link ton etin video: School Committee 06-14-2021 -YouTube
Jov- Doherty, V.D.
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