HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-13 School Committee Minutes - DraftU
Town of Reading RECEIVED
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
READING, MA.�/
Board - committee - commission - Council: 2022 JAN 31 PM Ii 57
School Committee
Date: 2022-01-13 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 Gaffen, Sarah McLaughlin, Tom Wise, Carla Nazzaro, Chuck Robinson
Members - Not Present:
Shawn Brandt
Others Present:
Superintendent Tom Milaschewski, Assistant Superintendent Sarah Hardy,
Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Stys, Director of Finance Susan Bottan,
Smritha Srinivasan
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Samantha LaPierre 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. There was none.
2. Consent Agenda
Mr. Wise moved, second by Mr. Robinson to approve the consent agenda. The vote
carried 5-0. Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLauehlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Wise.
3. Reports
Smritha Srinivasan shared opinions from Reading students about the 1:1 initiative for laptops
that was released on Tuesday. Some students have expressed that they were upset that they
had to use these laptops and were not allowed to use their own and that they will not be able
to use any personal electronic devices when in the building.
Dr. Milaschewski thanked all the educators for all of their hard work.
Page I 1
Dr. Samh Hardy stated the first Reading in Reading committee meeting took place last night.
She stated the committee is made up of 11 educators 13 parents or guardians and 2 members
of community.
Dr. Jen Stys stated the SEPAC met on Tuesday. They have formed a subcommittee to look at
the bylaws to reduce the formality of the SEPAC meetings. The next meeting will take place
on February 81h. Dr. Stys stated that MIAA announced their coaches of the year and Michelle
Roach HR Director was named as coach of the year. Michelle coaches girls hockey for
Peabody/Lynnfield.
Mrs. Nazzaro stated the permanent building committee met on Monday night where they
discussed the Parker roof project. Turf 1 will be out for bid in the next few weeks. The Board
of Library Trustees met on Monday night where a librarian discussed collection services.
They interviewed four applicants for the Social Justice position.
Mrs. Gaffen — No Report
Mr. Wise—No Report
Ms. McLaughlin — No Report
Mr. Robinson stated the recreation committee met on Monday night where they met with
Reading Little League softball about a proposal to install a score board. They also received an
an update about Birch Meadow master plan.
C. New Business
1. Learning & Teaching Mid -Year Update / Student Services & Special Education Mid -Year
UVdade
Dr. Hardy discussed some of the ongoing work that has been taking place this year. She stated
the main goals for the year have been improving academic outcomes, supporting students'
social emotional needs, enhancing adult practices, and streamlining systems. She provided
targeted ways in which RPS plans to support these goals.
Dr. Stys provided an update on staff and student absences this year due to the continued
pandemic, and what types of supports are in place to help assist students during this time. She
provided an update on COVID testing and thanked the nursing staff for their continued work.
Dr. Hardy stated RPS will be implementing new internal curriculum work. She stated RPS is
implementing a new math program for grades 3-6. The leadership team continues with review
of literacy, especially early literacy. She stated it is important that to have high quality,
evidence -based literacy programs and instructional practices at all levels. Reading in Reading
committee is also partnering in the literacy work.
Dr. Hardy discussed multiple staff rolls that will he added to support student social emotional
needs. Dr. Stys stated that RPS has maximized the role of Team Chairs to enhance support of
all students, such a leading student study teams, which will provide more support to school
principals allowing more time for learning and teaching.
2. FY23 Budget — Regular Day Cost Center
Mrs. Bottan stated that there will be an increase of $1,244,623 to the regular day cost center,
for a total of $29,704,746 to support salaries, services, materials, and equipment for all regular
Page 12
day instruction programs. This will support the personnel increase of COLA and contractual
agreements. This will also be used to support academic outcomes including a reduction of full
day kindergarten tuition, additional teachers and academic supports, support students social
and emotional needs, and enhance adult practicetsystems. Non personnel will increase by
$122,214 to increase translation services district wide, contract teaching fellows and introduce
new high school pathways for example dual enrollment with Endicott College and gateway to
college at North Shore Community College.
3. FY23 Budget — Special Education Cost Center
Mrs. Borten stated there would be an increase of $666,839 to the special education cost center,
for a total of $16,931,568 to support the salaries, services, materials and equipment for all
special education programs in -district and out -of -district. A personnel increase of $389,424 to
support COLA and contractual agreements. A non -personnel increase of $277,415 to support
an increase in out -of -district tuition fees driven by projected tuition fee increase of 5%,
settlement agreements, and projected pending and new enrollment in out -of -district
placements.
D. Adjournment
Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro to adjourn. The roll call vote carried 5-0.
Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise.
The meeting adjourned at 9:29p.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 01-13-2022 - YouTube
Thomasmas ilaschewski, Ed.D.
Page 13