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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-14 School Committee Minutes - DraftHOIq,o e Town of Reading RECEIVED r. Aga Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK READING, MA!4-- 9+I.yOPP�• Board - committee - commission - Council: 2022 ,IAN 31 PM 1: 57 School Committee Date: 2021-10-14 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 and Shawn Brandt Members - Not Present: Others Present: Superintendent Tom Milaschewski, Assistant Superintendent Sarah Hardy, Director of Finance Susan Bottan, Smirtha 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 7:01p.m. and reviewed the agenda. B. Routine Matters L Public Input Mr. Wise called for public comment. Karen Janowski, Azalea Circle Mrs. Janowski thanked to leadership time and School Committee for their energy and new vision for Reading Public Schools. She provided her input on the previous issue regarding Mr. Brandt and the release of personal student information. 2. Consent Agenda 3. Reports Smirtha Srinivasan was welcomed to the committee. She provided some background about herself and expressed her excitement about being the student representative. Dr. Milaschewski — No Report Page 1 1 Dr. Samh Hardy — No Report Mrs. Susan Bottan stated within the packet that there is an analytical tool that was created by the Director of Human Resources to report on recruitment details. Mrs. Nazzazo attended the permanent building committee meeting on October 4"where talked about the water tower, the MSBA process with Killam, the project on the Stadium turf. Board of library trustees meeting took place on October 12" and discussion about charging stations in town, specifically at the library. They discussed the Director of Equity and Social Justice position. Mrs. Gaffen stated the SEPAC had a routine monthly business meeting on 11'" where they had a turnover of the Board. Tuesday October 19'° the SEPAC is offering a meeting about parents basic rights around the IEP at 7pm virtually. Mr. Wise stated that the seven -member search committee was select for the Town Manager interview process. Ms. McLaughlin — No Report Mr. Robinson stated that the Coalition Annual meeting took place on September 29'", during the meeting they recognized the recipients of the "Making a Difference" awards. The recreation committee met on Tuesday- a lot of discussion on adaptive programming and approved a new score board at Hunt Park. Received $150,000 in the capital plan which they will use to begin the study of the Birch Meadow project. Mr. Brandt stated there would be a Financial Forum next Wednesday. Mr. Brandt moved, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin to take aeenda item D1 on the agenda Strategy and Vision Action Steps out of order. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mm. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. C. Personnel Action 1. 2022 MAEA Elementary Art Educator of the Year Mr. Brandt moved, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro to take out of order item Cl. MAEA Elementary Art Educator of the Year. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Gaffen. Ms. McLauehlin, Mn. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. Dr. Milaschewski recognized Amy Hussey, visual arts specialist at Killam, for being awarded Elementary Art Educator of the Year by Massachusetts Art Education Association. Dr. Milaschewski stated that Amy earned this recognition through her strong instructional practices, her deep commitment to all students and her dedicated leadership at both the school and district level. 2. RMHS Principal Entry Plan Findings RMHS Principal Mr. Kevin Tracey presented an overview of his entry process. He shared his findings from the recent NEASC visit and the findings from the result of the initial staff survey, entry meetings and leadership conversations. Within the packet, Mr. Tracey included a detailed listed of the strengths of RMHS, as well as area in need of attention or improvement. Mr. Tracey outline clear goals for RMHS in 2021-2022. 1. Foster a positive, professional, supportive and collaborative school culture among staff, students, parents and community. Page 1 2 2. Through a more consistent practice of instructional walkthroughs and feedback, focus our instructional work on formative, real-time assessments, monitoring student progress and utilizing the data to inform our instruction and curriculum pacing. 3. Create clear and transparent systems for communication and operations; including, but not limited to messaging around our Portrait of a Graduate adoption, ABAR, Project Wayfinder and important happening and events at the school. 4. Continue a school -wide focus on equity; including, but not limited to a review of student data, student access to programs and opportunities, and support ongoing staff and student efforts to create a school culture and learning environment that is challenging, safe and welcoming for all. 3. Finalize and Approve Superintendent Goals Dr. Milaschewski presented added language to the Superintendent Goals after receiving feedback in the September 30'^ School Committee meeting. Within the packet are the full set of goals, and added language is indicated in blue. Mr. Brandt moved- seconded by Mr. Robinson to approve the Superintendent's Goals as outlined in the Superintendent's Memo dated October 13, 2021. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt, Mn. Gaffea. Ms. McLaughlin, Mn. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. In addition to the goals, Dr. Milaschewski presented several potential focus indicators for his leadership. The committee provided feedback on evaluating Dr. Milaschewski on each of the focus indicators or the overall goals. Mr. Brandt moved- seconded by Mr. Robinson, to approve the focus indicators as the basis of the Superintendent evaluations for the upcoming performance school year as provided in the September 30, 2021 meetine. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt- Mrs. Gaffen, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. D. Old Business 1.Policv EBCFA Data Update' Staff COVID Vaccination Data Dr. Milaschewski provided an update on staff vaccination data that had been self-reported thus far. He stated that _the leadership team is continuing to collect this information from staff, more accurate data will be reported as more staff report. Within the packet, is updated vaccination data from staff, broken down by school. 2. ARPA Fund Discussion, Update on Priority Items and Prioritization Dr. Milaschewski provided an update on the floating nurse position. He stated the position has been posted and Nurse Director Mary Giuliana has been conducting interviews. Five substitute nurses have been hired to fill in to help out until the full-time position is filled. Mr. Brandt provided an overview of the structured approach to identify and organize the critical inputs of using ARPA funds to support universal full day kindergarten. Vice Chair Mr. Brandt, Assistant Superintendent for Leeming and Teaching Dr. Hardy and Director of Finance and Operations Susan Bottan have been and continue to conduct research and collect data in order to justify this funding. Geoffrey Coram, Ridge Rd. Page 1 3 Mr. Coram stated that the funds would need to be encumbered by the fall of 2024. 3. Reading in Reading Advisory Committee Mr. Brandt moved, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin to take from the table the motion Pertaining to the reading in Reading Advisory committee The vote carried 6-0 Mr. Brandt Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise Mr. Brandt moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson. to table the reading in Reading advisory committee to the next meeting The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt. Mrs. Gaffen, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. E. New Business 1. Celebration of MASS Mr. Brandt moved, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro to take out of order item EI Celebration of MASS Certificate of Academic Excellence. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt Mrs. Gaffen. Ms. McLaughlin, Mrs. Nazzaro, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise Dr. Milaschewski recognized RMHS seniors, Sarah DiCostanzo and Weston Lewin as the two recipients of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' certificate of Academic Excellence. 2. Youth Risk Behavior Survey Presentation Mr. Brandt moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson to take out of order E2 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Presentation. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt Mn.Gaffen. Ms McLauehlin, Mrs. Nazzaro. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise Coalition Director, Mrs. Erica McNamara presented the youth risk behavior survey findings. She stated that for the 2021 survey year, JSI worked with 1 I school districts to determine a core questionnaire, administer the survey, collect and analyze data, and write reports of the findings. Parents were able to review the survey in the RPS Main Office as well as, opt out their students. All surveys and answers were anonymous, and participation was voluntary- allowing students to skip questions or opt out at any time. Within the packet, are key data points from the Coalition highlighting elements of the 2021 YRBS data. 3.2020-2021 MCAS Results Review Mr. Brandt moved, seconded by Mrs Nazzaro to take out of order item E3 MCAS Result review. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt, Mrs Gaffen Ms McLaughlin Mrs Na aro Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. Dr. Hardy presented an overview of the MCAS Results from the spring of 2021. Dr. Hardy stated that three sets of data provide a strong overview of the spring 2021 results. First, a comparison of spring 2021 results in Reading to Statewide results help to situate students achievement in Reading. In reviewing summary data for Grades 3-8 and for Grade 10, Reading students performed better than the statewide average. Second, Reading's ELA scores were impacted slightly, while Reading's Mathematics scores were significantly impacted. Third, analyging the scores of particular groups on the spring 2021 MCAS reveals differences in achievements within Page 1 4 out student population. Analysis of subgroup results show some student groups are not performing in line with district results, revealing a need for further review of how the needs of all students are being address at RPS. Included in the packet are specific data and trends from the spring 2021 MCAS results. 4. Enrollment Update Mrs. Bottan discusses the enrollment data for grade PreK-12 by school building as of October 1, 2021. These enrollment counts by school and grade taken directly from our student information system and are being review for submittal to DESE by the end of the month. The full Reading Public Schools enrollment summer by grade and school is included in the packet. F. Adjournment Mn. Naz aro moved, seconded by Mr. Brandt to adjourn. The vote carried 6-0. Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Gaffen, Ms. McLauehlin, Mn.Naz aro,Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wise. The meeting adjourned at 11:22p.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 10-142021 - YouTube Thomas hewski, Ed.D. Page 1 5