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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-16 School Committee MinutesNnra�a RECEIVED TOWN CLERK Town of Reading Meeting Minutes READING. MA. ZY- =,:, 2021 OCT 13 PM 1: 35 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2021-08-16 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School -Memorial High Location: School Library Address: 62 Oakland Road 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 Tom Milaschewski, Assistant Superintendent Sarah Hardy Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Samantha LaPierre on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: A. Cell to Order Chair Wise called open session to order at 7:00 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. He explained that the meetingwould begin in Executive session. Chair Wise called open session back to order at 7:34p.m. B. Routine Matters 1. Public Input Mr. Wise called for public comment. Chris Haley, Tennyson Dr. Mr. Haley commended the district leadership for their visit to Boston in support of the METCO program. He also mentioned that he will be renting a dunk tank for the Reading Street Faire and welcomed the School Committee and District Leadership's participation. 2. Consent Agenda Mr. Brandt moved, second by Mr. Robinson to approve the consent agenda as listed. Page I i The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brandt Mrs. Gaffen Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro. Mr Robinson, and Mr. Wise. 3. Reports Dr. Milaschewski stated that he is excited for the start of the year, and he is beginning to feel the buzz of students around campus. He stated that at the Thursday August 19" meeting, he would providing an update on the work the district leadership team has been doing through the summer, and also information about back -[o -school protocols and guidelines. Mrs. Nazzaro stated that she attended the Board of Library Trustees meeting where they discussed policy. They are doing a space review to analyze the office space and how it can be better utilized. A new Social Justice position was posted at the start of August, they are currently accepting applications. She stated that on August 12"' she attended the trip into Boston with district leadership and thanked Dr. Milaschewski and Kurtis Martin. Mrs. Gaffen — No Report Mr. Wise — No Report Ms. McLaughlin —No Report Mr. Brandt—No Report Mr. Robinson —No Report C. Personnel Action I. Appointment of Director of Finance Dr. Milaschewski made a recommendation to appoint Susan Bottan as next Director of Finance. He stated that the process began on July 15a when the position was posted, and the selection process and timeline were approved at the July 22"^ School Committee meeting. We received four applicants and all four candidates were interviewed by the Screening Committee. The Screening Committee recommended two candidates to move forward and both candidates completed the final interviews with Dr. Stys, Dr. Hardy, HR Director Michelle Roach and Dr. Milaschewski. Mr. Brandt moved seconded by Mr. Robinson to appoint Susan Bottan as Director of Finance pursuant to MGL Chapter 71 Section 41, and pending successful contract negotiations The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brandt Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro. Mr. Robinson. and Mr. Wise. D. New Business 1. First Reading of Policy EBCFA Mr. Wise stated that this was the first reading of update to Policy EBCFA — Face Coverings. Mr. Brandt moved seconded by Mrs Gagen to accept the first reading of Policy EBCFA on Face Coverings. Mrs Gaffen moved seconded by Mrs Nazzaro to waive the readine of Policy EBCFA. The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brandt Mrs Gaffen Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson. and Mr. Wise Page t 2 Various data, information and opinions were discussed by the School Committee Based on the most recent Reading Public Schools survey of staff, as of April W, 2021, 95.7% of the 463 staff members that responded to that survey had at least one dose of the vaccination. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is not currently making allowances for remote schooling. As such, this Policy will be a key tool to allow us to keep the students and staff in the school buildings throughout the school year. Additional resources were included in the packet. Ms McLaughlin moved seconded by Mr. Robinson to make an amendment to add the word "outdoor" to read during outdoor Physical education classes. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt Mrs Gaffen Ms McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Wise. Mr. Brandt moved seconded by Mrs. Gaffen to make an amendment to add the sentence "Additionally, exceptions may be made for staff when instructional objectives are supported by the removal of the mask. Such exceptions must he approved by an Assistant Superintendent in consultation with the Director of Nurses." The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brandt Mrs Gaffen Ms McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Wise. Ms McLaughlin moved seconded by Mr. Brandt to add the wordine "when it is necessary to achieve instructional or for students with" so the sentence reads "Exception to this policy under certain circumstances, such as for students when instructional obiects are supported by the Mr. Brandt moved seconded by to amend his past amendment to read "additionally, exceptions may be made for staff when it is necessary to achieve instructional objectives" The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brandt Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson. and Mr. Wise. Mrs Nazzaro moved seconded by Mr. Brandt to remove "or the local Board of Health" The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brand[ Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson. and Mr. Wise. Mrs Gaffen moved seconded by Mrs Nazzaro to strike the sentence "Face coverines must also be worn outside when social distancing cannot be observed." The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brandt Mrs Gaffen Ms McLauehlin Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Wise. Mr. Wise moved seconded by Mrs Gaffen to add the sentences "The School Committee will reef larly every two months at a minimum, receive updates from the Superintendent or the Director of Nursing with respect to the followine data, but not limited to points that will inform the Committee's decision to rescind or modify this Policy, Vaccination Rate per School- Student and Staff, Case Rate in Reading and Middlesex County Incidence Rate in Reading and Middlesex County and Cases and transmissions inside Reading Public Schools. Additional points of information will include mitigation strategies currently in effect and guidance from public health Page 1 3 authorities The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Gaffen. Ms. McLauehlin, Mrs. Nazzaro Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Wise. The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brandt Mrs. Gaffen Ms. McLauehlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson. Mr. Wise, Mr. Wise asked for public comment on the topic. Jennifer Traino, Main St. Jennifer stated that she is not in favor of students wearing masks. She stated masking causes physical, emotions and mental damage to children. She stated that masks are not effective in preventing COVID. She asked the School Committee to not mandate masks for students this year. Julie Ross, Kensington Ave. Julie thanked the committee for their thoughtful discussion around Policy EBCFA. Cynthia Mathieu, Briarwoad Ave. Cynthia stated that children have a 99.997% survival rate to COVID. She does not believe it is safe for children to wear masks, she stated that causes physical, psychological, and emotional hams to student. She wants to see scientific data to show how masks are not harming children. Rebecca Bailey, Forest Glen Rd. Rebecca thanked the School Committee for their time analyzing the Policy tonight. She stated many students are not eligible to vaccinated and it is important for them to wear masks to protect themselves. Brian Paulsen, John Carver Rd. Asked the School Committee to make the mask policy optional for students and allow parents to make the decision. Chris Haley, Tennyson Rd Read a prepared statement from his wife. She recommended a specific type of mask to worn and asked that a clean medical mask be provided to students each day. Justin Perry, Whittier Rd Stated that the policy is not ready to be voted on, it is based on opinion and not data. He stated that N-95 mask should be provided to any student and staff who wants to wear a mask. Laura Noonan, Pennsylvania Ave. Stated she is in attendance in support of students with disabilities and make sure that there are exceptions in place for these students. The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brandt Mrs Gaffen Ms McLaughlin, Mn. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. 2. Assignment of School Committee Members as Liaison to Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support Mr. Robinson volunteered to be the liaison Page 14 Mr. Wise appointed of Mr. Robinson as Liaison to Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support. E. Old Business 1. School Committee Training' Laws involving Public and Student Records Attorney Colby Brunt presented a training for the School Committee on Public and Student Records. The two main laws that protect student's rights are Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and MA Student Record Regulations 603 CMR 23.00. Massachusetts defines Student records as transcript and temporary record. This includes "all information" that is organized on the basis of the student's name or in a way that such student may be individually identified and that is kept by the public schools. Location or physical form or records is irrelevant. Under state law the following individuals are entitled to access the student records: - Eligible students ie. Student who is 14 or has reached grade 9. - Custodial parent - Eligible non-custodial parents - Authorized school personnel i.e. personnel with an educational interest in accessing the records, including outside contractors providing services to the student. All others are considered third parties and generally do not have access to the students records without the prior informed written consent of the parent or eligible student. Under the 603 CMR 23.07(4)(a) a school may release the following information without prior consent "a student's name, address, telephone listing, date, place of birth, major field of student, dates of attendance, weight, and height, member of athletic teams, class, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, degrees, honors, and awards, and post-high school plans. However, before the school release this information it must give public notice that is releases these types of information and it must inform parents and eligible students that they have the right to request that this information not be released without prior consent. Student health records are part of a student's temporary record and pursuant to the student records regulations, they are not protected from disclosure to third parties without the written consent of the eligible student or parent These records are accessible to the eliginle student, the student's parents or guardians and authorized school personnel. Massachusetts public health laws provide special confidentiality protections for certain health records. The purpose of these laws is to give parents and students the right to privacy, inspection, amendment, and destruction of student records. Attorney Brunt provided additional resources which were included in the packet. F. Information/ Correspondence Mrs. Nazzaro stated that per Robert's Rules for rescinding, repealing or annulling votes she was providing notice that at the Thursday 8/19/21 School Committee meeting she would be making a motion to rescind the vote on the vice chair appointment and reorganize that position. G. Adioumment Page 1 5 The meeting adjourned at 10:20 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 meeti video: School Committee 08-16-2021 - YouTube oh2rschewski, Ed.D. Page 16