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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-16 School Committee Minutes - Draft10 R Town of Reading Meeting Minutes TOWN ��CR �, �� RCADi VG. MA 'ax,°ar° Board - committee - commission - council: 1022 JAN 31 PH 1: 58 School Committee Date: 2021-12-16 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: School Library Address: 62 Oakland Road Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Draft Attendees: Members.- Present: Erin Geffen, Tom Wise, Carla Nazzaro, Chuck Robinson, Shawn Brandt and Sarah McLaughlin Members - Not Present: Others Present: Superintendent Tom Mllaschewski, Director of Finance Susan Bottan, Smirtha Srinlvasan, HR Director Michelle Roach, Director of Guidance Lynna Willians, Director of METCO Kurtis Martin Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Samantha La Pierre on behalf of the Chair Topics of Discussion: A. Call to Order Chair Wise called open session to order at 7:00p.m. and reviewed the agenda. B. Routine Matters 1. Public Input Mr. Wise called for public comment. 2. Consent Agenda Mr. Brandt moved, second by Mrs. Namam to approve the consent agenda The vote carried 5-0. Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Gaffen, Mrs. Nazzam. Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Wise. 3. Reports Smritha Srinivasan stated the choir concert took place last week and the band concert was yesterday. The first winter track meet was yesterday. The Junior class is planning a movie night for their class fundraiser. Many new clubs have been created this year. Dr. Milaschewski stated the administrative team completed their last full day school visit at Wood End yesterday. Mrs. Susan Bottan thanked the administrative secretaries. Page 1 1 Mrs. Nazzaro stated the permanent building committee met on the 6" where they provided updates on the water tower project, the Parker roof, and the Turf 1 project. She stated the library trustees met on the 136 where they discussed space planning and the director of equity position. Mrs. Gaffen state the policy subcommittee met last week to review policy JICH. She stated that SEPAC is looking for additional help on the board. Mr. Wise stated as of last night candidate Fidel Maltez was chosen as the new Town Manager by the Select Board. Mr. Robinson stated the recreation committee met. Mr. Brandt — No Report C. Old Business (.Town of Reading Energy Reduction Plan Update & Approval Mrs. Julie Mercier presented the Energy Reduction plan prepared by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council with support from the Town of Reading. She explained that the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Designation and Grant Program helps municipalities navigate and meet the five criteria required to become a Green Community. The actions taken by a community will improve the efficiency of their facilities, produce significant savings on utility expenses, and ultimately reduce their municipal carbon footprint. School buildings made up 64% of total energy consumption in the Towns FY21 baseline. This Energy Reduction Plan commits Reading to work towards reducing energy use in municipal facilities by at least 20% compared to FY21 over five years. Mrs. Mercier presented a variety of energy conservation measures that the Town has identified by building for implementation in Phase 2A. All projects and buildings will be reevaluated on a year-to-year basis to determine immediate need and compliance with the direction of essential personnel and committees. Mr. Brandt moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve the Town of Reading Energy Reduction Plan Update and Approval. The vote carried 5-0. Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Gaffen, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. D. New Business 1. RMHS Counseling Update Guidance Director Lynna Williams presented college admissions data for RMHS. She stated the goal is for every student to leave RMHS with a solid plan that meets their interest and goals and increase student awareness of all post -secondary options. She provided an overview of SAT college board mean SAT scores over the past four years. Mrs. Williams discussed the steps that have been taken to improve the Guidance Department and the developments to guidance curriculum changes. Mrs. Williams discussed Project Wayfinder which is a new program focused on social emotion curriculum. She explained in grade 9 the curriculum supports students in proactively building more belonging in their lives and communities. It helps to guide students to build healthy habits, learn to navigate conflict, stand up to others and deepen their connection to the world. Grade 10 focuses on purpose. Mrs. Williams explained that this is designed to support students on theirjourney as they explore identities, lived experiences, values, and the strengths they have to share with the world. Page 1 2 Ms. McLaughlin arrived at 8:32pm. 2. METCO Program Update & Grant Approval METCO Director Mr. Kurtis Martin presented an update of the METCO program. He explained that METCO now has a late bus which allows students to participate in after school activities/ sports and or spend time with friends in Reading after school. He discussed the enrollment expansion request that was approved by DESE earlier this fall. The district expansion award ($260,061) will be provided for FY22 upon confirmation of school committee approval to DESE. The expansion award is intended to support districts in preparing for the increase in enrollment. The district is approved to enroll 103-107 students, which is an increase of 40 students for the 2022-23 school year. The expansion funds provided in FY22 to support expansion FY23, must be used to plan for the increased enrollment of students for the upcoming school year. The district will be required to return any portion of the expansion allotment if it does not successfully accept and enroll the number of students for which the district has been approved to expand by. Mr. Martin expressed that he believes expanding the METCO program will benefit the learning experiences for all RPS students. This expansion will enable our students to learn and grow in increasingly racially and ethnically diverse setting and will provide additional funding to provide more access, support, and opportunities. Mr. Brandt moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson to annrove the expansion of the METCO ProErarn as articulated in the DESE notification letter and to accept the DESE expansion award of $260.061. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nauaro. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. 3. FY21-22 Ouarterly Personnel Update Human Resources Director Michelle Roach presented a summary of the first quarter personnel report for the 2021-2022 school year. She stated that Reading Public Schools has hired 85 new professional employees and 190 total employees since July 1ss. Currently there are 34 open positions. Ms. Roach walked the committee through the Human Resources dashboard that was created by her and her team to give an overall understanding of year over year hires, terminations/ resignations, CORI background check, absences, etc. The full dashboard is available within the packet. She explained the advancements that have been made in response to the application process, including automated messaging to candidates confirming their application has been received. The committee engaged in conversation about ways to increase substitutes and expressed the need for exit interviews. Ed Ross, Kensington Ave. Asked if the absences were expected because of the expectations about not coming to work while sick. 4. Policy EBCFA Regular Data Review Mr. Wise stated that all data is included in the packet for review. 5. FY21-22 Ouarterly Budget Update Page 1 3 Mr. Brandt moved, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro to take out of order item E5, FY21 Ouarterly Budeet Update The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. Director of Finance Mrs. Susan Bottan provided an update on the FY21 end of year report. She stated the purpose of the annual EOYR is to meet education reform and state aid compliance, adhere to federal requirements, and provide data for statistical analysis by the commonwealth of Massachusetts. The EOYR is included in the packet accompanied by a copy of the agreement between the Town of Reading and the Reading Public Schools for the allocation of costs. Mrs. Bottan discussed the financial overview in four sections which included the cost centers that comprise the FY22 budget, the first quarter financial status by cost center, recommendations for resolving negative balances by cost center and concludes with an overview of other funding sources that support RPS. Geoffrey Coram, Ridge Rd. Asked for clarification around the percentage listed for the regular ed quarterly budget. Mrs. Bottan presented a summary of all student activity accounts that exist by each secondary school. The SAA may be used for monies raised by student organizations and expended to benefit those students. The audit guidelines for student activity account were created by DESE to conduct annual audits of student activity accounts each year. The RPS audit will be conducted by an outside firm in May of 2022. 6. FY22-23 Pre Budeet-Presentation & Discussion Mr. Wise moved, seconded by Mr. Brandt to take out of order item E6 Pre Budget presentation and discussion. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. Dr. Milaschewski explained that this presentation is intended to develop a shared understanding of process to develop FY23 district budget and provide School Committee and community with a general overview of emerging priorities in the district. Mrs. Bottan discussed the FY23 proposed funding and timeline overview for the budget development. She stated that through the budget development process the leadership team will ensure the process is collaborative, transparent and that all stakeholders voices are represented. They will make decisions that are student focused, data -driven and intentional. Dr. Milaschewski stated they are currently in the listening stage- and are receiving feedback from all stakeholders to develop and research emerging priorities. Dr. Milaschewski discussed the ways in which RPS can transition to free full day Kindergarten. The committee engaged in discussion about how to absorb this cost, and how to continue to make this sustainable for the long term. Jeanne Borowski Asked how this would be sustainable past FY26. She requested a clearer picture of how this would look in the years to come.' 7. FY22-23 Preliminary School Calendar Review Page 1 Mr. Wise moved, seconded by Mr. Brandt, to take out of order item E7 FY22-23 Preliminary School Calendar Review. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt Mrs. Gagen. Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. Dr. Milaschewski stated that within the packet is a draft preliminary school calendar for the FY 22-23 school year. He stated that the teacher's association is currently reviewing this and will be providing feedback. He asked for initial feedback from the committee. The committee provided feedback on a variety of items. Some of the feedback included moving kindergarten screening back to the spring, adjusting the last day of school with five snow days based on the Juneteenth holiday, adding a key for the symbols, and changing Christmas recess to something more inclusive. All edits will be made, and a more polished calendar will be presented in a future fleeting. 8. ARPA: School Committee Representation on Finance Committee Subcommittee Mr. Wise moved- seconded by Mr. Brandt to take out of order item E8 ARPA: School Committee Representation on Finance Committee Subcommittee. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. Mr. Wise stated that the Finance Committee has established an ARPA Subcommittee and have asked that two members of the School Committee be on the ARPA subcommittee. Mr. Robinson, Mr. Brandt and Mr. Wise expressed interested. Mr. Wise appointed Mr. Brandt and himself and encouraged all others to attend as interested. E. Adjournment Ms. McLaughlin moved, seconded by Mr. Brandt to adjourn. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. The meeting adjourned at 11:05p.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 12-16-2021 - VouTube Thom s.MO sc /Z,�- ki, 91D. Page 1 5