HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-14 ad Hoc - School Committee Policy Subcommittee Minutesa
Town of Reading
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Meeting Minutes
TOWN CLERK
READING, MA.
Board - committee - Commission - Council:
2023 FEB 16 AM 7: 47
School Committee Polity Subcommittee
Date: 2022-12-14 Time: 9:00 AM
Building: Location:
Address: Session:
Purpose: Open Session Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Erin Gallen, Tom Wise, and Chuck Robinson
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Stys, Director of Human Resources
Michelle Roach
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Tom Wise, Chair
Topics of Discussion:
The meeting was held remotely via Zoom. A recording of the meeting can be found here.
Chair Wise called the meeting to order at approximately 9:05 a.m. via roll call.
B.1. Consent Agenda
Mr. Wise mentioned that the meeting minutes have not been completed yet so he will ask to table the meeting.
Mr. Wise moved to table the Consent Agenda until the next meeting. Mr. Robinson seconded. The
motion was carried 3-0 via roll call vote.
E.1. New Business- Review. Revise. and ADDrove MASC and Lecal chances to Policv JIC - Student
Discipline (FKA Student Conduct)
Mr. Wise outlined the changes to Policy JIC. Mr. Wise is suggesting we pause this review. He mentioned that
he believes that MASC inverted Policy JIC and JK back in 2014. They switched Student Discipline and Student
Conduct, which is odd considering the sub -policies of both JIC and X.
There was a brief discussion about changes that came out on November 9'h regarding engagement in learning
prior to suspension. This also means the District Handbook needs to be updated accordingly. Mrs. Gaffen
asked a clarifying question. Dr. Stys explained more fully. Mrs. Geffen raised a point about the consistency, or
lack thereof, with the capitalization of principal. There were other discussions around changes.
Mr. Wise moved that we table the vote for JIC until the next meeting at which point it may or may not be
JIC. Mr. Robinson seconded. The motion was carried 3-0 via roll call vote.
E.2. New Business- Review. Revise. and Aoorove MASC And Legal changes to Policv JICA- Student Dress
Code
Mr. Wise outlined the changes made that were grammatical in nature.
Mr. Wise moved that the Policy Subcommittee recommend the amended Policy JICA to the full School
Committee for approval. Mrs. Gaffen seconded. The motion was carried 3-0 via roll call vote.
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E.3. New Business — Review. Revise. and Approve MASC and Leoal changes if ready. to Policy JB— Equal
Educational O000rtunities
Mr. Wise outlined the changes in alignment with MASC in alignment with the Acts of 2022. The legal counsel
added a few additional references and adjusted some language. Dr. Stys raised a question about "pregnancy,
or pregnancy -related condition" with the comma separator. Discussion ensued on what a pregnancy -related
condition is. Based on a quick MGL google search, the condition may include things like nursing a child. The
Subcommittee agreed to remove the comma. Mr. Robinson asked a clarifying question about the' before the
word race.
Mr. Wise moved that the Policy Subcommittee recommend the amended Policy JB to the School
Committee for adoption. Mrs. Gaffen seconded. The motion was carried 3-0 via roll call vote.
E.A. New Business— Review. Revise. and Approve MASC and Legal changes if ready. to Policy JFBB —
School Choice
Mr. Wise outlined the changes asked of Legal counsel and expressed the view that alignment with MASC
would make the Policy easier to maintain in the future. Mr. Wise proposed matching the MASC language with
the addition of athletic performance at the end of the list. Mrs. Gaffen and Mr. Robinson agreed. The
Subcommittee made the recommended changes.
Mr. Wise moved that the Policy Subcommittee approve the amended Policy JFBB and push It to the
School Committee for full adoption. Mrs. Gaffen seconded. The motion was carried 3-0 via roll call vote.
The Subcommittee reviewed the Book of Work for future meeting agenda understanding. The Subcommittee
discussed dates in January and February options and tentatively set dates.
Motion to adjourn by Mrs. Gaffen, seconded by Mr. Robinson at approximately 8:38 a.m. The motion
was carried by a roll call vote of 3-0.
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