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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-04 School Committee Minutes OSA Q Town of Reading -RECTOWNCLERKMeeting Minutes READING, MAK ,a . L Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2621 JUN 24 PM 3: 54 School Committee Date: 2021-03-04 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final 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 Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Samantha La Pierre 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—hem Dr. Stys—here Mrs.Gaffen—here Mr. Brandt—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 schoolcommitteeO,reading.kl2.ma.us This email will be included in the next packet. Page 1 1 B. Consent Agenda Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mrs.Nazzaro,to approve the Consent Agenda. - Approval of Minutes(1-21-2021 -Approval of Minutes(1-25-2021) - Approval of Minutes(1-28-2021) - Approval of Minutes(2-9-2021 - Approval of Minutes(2-10-2021) - Approval of Minutes(2-11-2021) - Parker Middle School Donation Mr. Wise offered amendments to the 1-21-21, and 1-25-21 minutes. The motion carried as amended 6-0.Mr.Parks,Mrs.Nazvaro.Mn. Gaffen,Mr. Brandt,Mr.Wise and Mr.Robinson. C. Reports Student Bridget Parks reported the March community challenge is"steps"-which will include hiking,walking, and running.The winter sports season has come to an end.The Fall 2 season has started practices and games will begin at the end of March-these sports include cheerleading football,winter track,volleyball,and girl's swim.Course selection is beginning for freshman,sophomores,and juniors for 21-22 school year.RMHS has restarted their"High Five"Program-which highlights two seniors per week,to tell them they have done a great job during their time at the high school and give them a high-five. SAT's were held March Yd There is a virtual assembly on March 0 for No Place for Hate,which students can sign up for."We the Youth"is holding a mask drive for Rosie's place,where they are accepting masks,mask filters and hand sanitizer. 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 Mr. Parks reported that there was no update on Recreation Committee. He stated there are upcoming events with the Portrait of the Graduate which have been ongoing. Page 1 2 Mr. Brandt—No Report Mrs.Gaffen stated the SEPAC was having their next business meeting on Tuesday March 91h at 7:OOp.m.On Tuesday March 166,the Reading Sub-Committee of the SEPAC is meeting, and the following Tuesday March 23'^,will be the first reading presentation on the five components of reading.These are all public meetings,and there will be Zoom links available for anyone interested in attending. Mrs.Nazzaro reported there was an RCTV board meeting,where they discussed live streaming for Fall 2 sports. RCTV is looking for volunteers who are interested in running the equipment for the live streaming option,anyone interested should reach out the angela(ailrctv.org. The stadium is all set to go live due to the equipment that was installed on Friends and Family day a few years ago.RCTV will be offering opportunities to the candidates running for School Committee to present their views,and their platforms. Mr.Wise—No Report Mr.Robinson stated we are now on the calendar for Collective Bargaining negotiations, which will begin on March 10'". D. New Business Park Bench Proposal Chair Robinson welcomed Dyan Dal Pozzo and thanked her for attending. Dr. Doherty stated there is a beautifully written letter from Dyan's daughter-Melissa in the packet,in memory of her father who passed away in December.The letter is a proposal for a bench which would be located at the entrance of the High School near Turf 1.The family is going to raise the funds and work with facilities to have the bench installed,Dr.Doherty recommended the Committee approve this request. Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mr.Parks,to approve the proposal for a park bench on the erounds of RMHS in memory of Michael Dal Pozzo.The motion carried 6-0. Mrs.Nazzaro,Mrs.Gaffen,Mr.Parks,Mr.Brandt,Mr.Wise and Mrs.Robinson. High School Principal Search Process Dr.Doherty and Mrs.Meisinger provided an update on the High School Principal search timeline. In the packet there is a timeline for the process. Dr. Doherty stated the screening committee met for the first time this week. Mrs.Meisinger stated they have utilized a variety of methods for advertising the position. The position has been posted on the district website, School Spring job board through Talent Ed,Indeed,Massachusetts Associations of School Superintendents website and the National Minority Update website.They are also working on a membership with the Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education.There have been 19 applications received as of March 0. Dr. Doherty stated there has been surveys sent out to the community,on what qualities staff and families would like to see from the next RMHS principal. There have been two focus group sessions.The first was with staff,and the second was with the community. Dr.Doherty discussed the full timeline and explained how the process will work. Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mrs.Nazzaro.to approve the RMHS Principal search process as outlined in the Superintendents memo dated March 4'h,2021.The motion carried 6-0.Mr.Brandt,Mrs.Gaffen,Mr.Parks,Mrs.Nazzaro.Mr.Wise and Mr. Page 1 3 Robinson. Appointment of Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Dr. Doherty stated under Massachusetts General law, the School Committee approves the recommendation of the Superintendent for the positions of the Assistant Superintendent and Director of Student Services.Dr.Doherty stated he is asking the committee to approve two recommendations-He requested the approval to change the title of Dr. Jennifer Stys from the Director of Student Services to the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services. Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mn.Nazzaro,to approve the Superintendents recommendation to appoint Dr.Jennifer Stys as the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services.The motion carried 6-0.Mr.Brandt,Mrs. Gaffen,Mrs.Ni zzaro, Mr.Parks,Mr.Wise and Mr.Robinson. Appointment of Director of Special Education Dr. Stys thanked the committee.Dr. Stys recommended Allision Wright,who is currently the Special Education Administrator for Student Support,be elevated to the position of Director of Student Services Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mr.Brandt,to approve the Superintendents recommendation to appoint Allison Wright as the Director of Special Education. The motion carried 6-0.Mr.Brandt,Mrs.Gaffen,Mrs.Nazzaro,Mr. Parks, Mr. Wise and Mr.Robinson. Superintendent Evaluation Process Dr. Doherty stated there are multiple documents within the packet that explain the Superintendent evaluation process.Dr.Doherty shared his screen and walked the committee through how this would work. The Superintendent self-assessment and the District Improvement Plan are also included in the packet. Dr.Doherty stated all info for the Superintendent Evaluation process was sent to the Committee the week of February 22nd,they are due to be submitted to Dr. Doherty and the Chau by March I ld'.The week of March I ld',Dr. Doherty will be scheduling individual meetings with each committee member to discuss the draft evaluation. Final edits of the evaluation are due to the Chair by March 22"d.The final summative will be in the packet, along with the School Committee evaluations on April Is. Mr. Wise requested the due date for the draft evaluation be March 10,and the individual meetings take place the week of March 15d'.Dr. Doherty agreed. Mr. Brandt suggested a future agenda item be added after the April I"meeting, in order to debrief on this timeline for future reference. E. Old Business Kindergarten Enrollment Update Dr. Doherty reviewed the enrollment chart which was included in the packet. The numbers for Kindergarten enrollment are bouncing back up to numbers similar to the 2019-20' school year numbers-currently at 291 Kindergarten students registered. Dr. Doherty stated there will continue to be two satellite schools for Half Day Kindergarten- Page 1 4 one will be Joshua Eaton,which will include Joshua Eaton and Barrows half day students,and one will be at Killian,which will include Killion,Birch Meadow and Wood End half day students. Winter Hybrid Leming 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 3/2/21.Dr.Doherty gave an update on Pool Testing. He stated the Pool testing was being phased in gradually. Beginning last week February 22"d,they started tested athletes,extra-curriculars and staff,this week March V,they included testing for preschool,kindergarten,high-needs,athletes,extra- curricular and staff and next week the week of March P will begin a full implementation of all staff and students who have consented to testing. Support for testing is being provided by the state.Dr.Doherty stated we have a team of clinicians from Medix staffing who will be working with us to provide testing. DESE is funding pool testing until April 18".Thus far,RPS has conducted 148 pools.Turnaround time is approximately 24 hours. Dr.Doherty reminded the committee and community of all the mitigation strategies for in person learning. These include,stay home if you are not feeling well,face coverings must be wom at all times,six-foot physical distancing,cohorts,hand hygiene, HVAC updating and maintenance, cleaning and disinfecting protocols and pool testing. Dr. Doherty discussed town vaccine information,stating the Governor had made an announcement yesterday,that all school staff will be eligible to get vaccinated as of March 10. Dr. Doherty discussed what we currently know at this point about returning to in person learning. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meets tomorrow at 2pm. Commissioner Riley is asking the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education tomorrow to grant him the authority to determine when hybrid and remote models no longer count for learning hours. If approved,Elementary will return full in person on April S". Middle School and High School dates are TBD. Parents will still have the option of choosing full remote for their children for the remainder of this school year. Mrs.Nazzaro asked if the decision to return of Middle School and High School would be at the local level or state level?Dr.Doherty said guidance would come from the state. Dr.Doherty discussed the challenges we will need to address going to full in person learning,and the steps and precautions they are planning for leading up to this. Dr.Doherty provided an update on the Fall 2 sports season,and singing indoors-which is now allowed under DESE guidance. Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mr.Parks to postpone the second readin r of Policy B11B until the March 18",2021 School Committee Meetine.The roll call vote carried 6-0.Mr.Parks,Mr.Brandt,Mrs.Namara,Mn. Gaffen,Mr.Wise and Mr. Robinson. F. Public Comment Sherilla Lestrade,28 Lindsey St: "Do we have any METCO students on the hiring committee representative and Have we reached out to METCO to advertise for the position?" Sherilla Lestrade,28 Lindsey St: "Does this new position require increase in pay" Page 1 5 Sherilla Lestrade,28 Lindsey St: "I would really like to know how it is possible that we cannot support getting an assistant for our METCD director but we everyone other department has assistance." Sarah Downey, 161 Nashua Rd: "What does this change mean for the Friday professional development half-days?" Kathy Bean, 138 Bancroft Ave: "In Sept what plan was sent to DESS for full in person learning?Could we see a copy of that?How can the community help to move the Middle and HS students into the classroom at the same time as the elementary students?" Erin Squeglia,30 Meadow Brook Ln: "This is not a question more of a comment--there are lots of energetic, creative-thinking parents—the more the merrier when problem solving—and I am sure you would be able to get many, marry parents to support those building principals with their challenges and logistics and help them!" 1. Routine Matters a. Calendar 2. Information/Correspondence 3. Future Business 4. Adioumment Adiourn Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mrs.Nazzaro,to enter into Executive Session to conduct neeotiations for the contract of Superintendent of Schools,Tom Milaschewski and to return to open session around approximately 9:20 p.m. The roll call vote carried 6-0. Mr.Parks,Mrs.Gaffen,Mrs.Nazzaro,Mr.Wise,Mr. Brandt and Mr.Robinson. The open session adjourned at 8:50 p.m. The open session was called back to order at 9:54 p.m. Mr.Wise moved,seconded by Mrs.Nazzaro to approve the contract of Tom Milaschewski as Superintendent of Schools beeinnine July 1,2021.The roll call vote carried 6-0.Mr.Parks,Mr. Brandt.Mrs. Nazzaro,Mrs.Gaffen,Mr.Wise and Mr. Robinson. Mr.Parks stated that the committee should discuss setting up a policy for executive session,when voting for the salary for non-represented people, so there is no confusion going forward. Mr.Parks moved,seconded by Mr.Brandt to adiour i.The roll call vote carried 6- 0.Mr.Parks,Mr.Brandt,Mrs.Gaffen,Mrs.Nazzaro,Mr.Wise and Mr.Robinson. The meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m. Page 1 6 NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. Link tomin video: httos://www.voutube.com/watch7v=¢m6uAieeiiA John Apoherty,HIT. Fa9e 1 7