HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-09 School Committee MinutesoiR
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
School Committee
Date: 02-09-2023 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Memorial High School Location: Library
Address: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA
MECEiVEU
TOWN CLERK
%cEADING, MA.
Rk
1823 MAY -4 PM 4: 57
Members Present: - Shawn Brandt, Erin Gaffen, Carla Nazzaro, Sarah McLaughlin, Charles Robinson,
and Tom Wise.
Others Present: Superintendent Dr. Tom Milaschewski, Finance Director Susan Bottan, Assistant
Superintendent of Learning & Teaching Dr. Sarah Hardy, Humanities Curriculum Coordinator Erin
Burchill, and Director of School Counseling Lynna Williams.
Minutes Respectfully submitted by: Denise P. Santoro on behalf of the chairperson.
A. Call to Order— Mr. Brandt called meeting to order at 7pm and reviewed the agenda for the
evening.
B. Public Comment
No public Comment.
C. Consent Agenda -
Ms. Nazzaro motioned to approve consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Wise.
Mr. Brandt asked to strike the minutes due to some transcription errors when the document was
converted to PDF. Vote passed 6-0 on the remaining items on the consent agenda. Committee will
vote on 1/26/2023 minutes at the next meeting.
1. Minutes (01-26-2023) (stricken from consent agenda)
2. Science Olympiad Tournament Field Trip
3. Robotics Competition Field Trip
4. PSST Improv Advisor Donation
S. PSST Playwriting Advisor Donation
6. Proficiency -Based Outcomes in Languages Other than English Grant
No further discussion on consent agenda.
D. Reports
1. Student- No Student Report.
2. Assistant Superintendent Learning and Teaching
• Update from Dr. Hardy on the Math night for families at the Elementary Level in
collaboration with Wakefield Public Schools.
• Seal of Biliteracy- demonstrated competency of English and one other language.
Eleven students earned with this honor and more will test later this year.
3. Director of Finance and Operations
• Updates on Killam School Building Project
• All of school spaces have been toured by Ms. Bottan and Facilities to examine how to
best use our spaces.
4. Superintendent
• Thank you to Facilities team dealing with the cold weather and enabling our schools to
open Monday morning after the extreme cold weather.
• Thank you to Lori Miller, who retired from working as the administrative assistant to
the Assistant Superintendent of Learning & Teaching. Lori has worked for the district
for twenty-four years and will be greatly missed.
• Thank you to the staff members that have met with Dr. Milaschewski to check in. He
went to five schools over five days to meet with staff in the district.
5. Liaison/Sub-Committee
• Mr. Brandt shared a Select Board update.
• Fidel Maltez, Town Manager contract has been renewed for three years.
• Shared updated on grants that have been approved —including two which will
improve traffic and pedestrian safety in and around the Birch Meadow complex.
• March 2nd School Committee meeting will include a discussion about evaluating
counsel and considering new representation
E. New Business
1. K-8 Literacy Update- Presentation by Erin Burchill, Humanities Curriculum Coordinator
a. Members asked a number of questions about the implementation of ARC and
progress in other areas.
2. RMHS Guidance Department Overview and Update- by Lynna Williams,
Director of School Counseling.
a. Discussion around presentation occurred including questions about Mrs. Williams'
perception of the trends we're seeing in college vs. other options.
Recess started: 9:01 pm
Return from recess 9:07 pm
3. Introduction to Multi-year District Strategic Plan
a. Dr. Milaschewski reviewed the plan and discussed the additions that were made.
b. Dr. Milaschewski asked for feedback from the committee. School Committee
members shared feedback and questions.
4. Discuss and vote to request Town Meeting warrant article to create
Special Education OOD Stabilization Fund (A)
Ms. Nazzaro Motioned to approve, Mr. Robinson seconded, Mr. Wise moved to
amend the motion and remove "Out of District". Amended motion reads "to
recommend to the Select Board and to Town Meeting a warrant article establishing a
Special Education Stabilization Fund." Vote passed 6-0.
Public Comment: Geoffrey Coram Ridge Rd. - Commented regarding wording of statement —
placeholder text in packet didn't reflect the final language that will be included on the warrant.
4. Review and approve Superintendent Formative Assessment
a. Mr. Brandt summarized their positive observations regarding Dr. Milaschewski. Mr.
Wise asked that a sentence be added at the end of the evaluation highlighting a
focus on math pathways by the end of the year. Mr. Brandt will add that language
and share the final version with Dr. Milaschewski.
Ms. Nazzaro motioned to approve as amended, Ms. Gaffen seconded the
Superintendent's Formative Assessment for FY 22-23. Vote passed 6-0.
5. Discussion regarding the recommendation of the bylaw change regarding staff needing to
have new employee physicals.
a. Ms. Nazzaro motioned, Ms. Gaffen seconded to recommend to the Select Board
and to Town Meeting a warrant article eliminating from the bylaws a requirement
for new staff physicals.
b. Mr. Wise motioned to amend, stating that the wording was adjusting the
requirement not eliminating the requirement of physicals for new hires.
c. Vote as amended passed 6-0.
6. Ms. Nazzaro made the motion to adjourn, Ms. Gaffen seconded. Vote 6-0.
Meeting adjourned at: 10:12 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoVzoy7udyw&t=2859s