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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-01 School Committee MinutesOF Town of Reading # TOWN CLERK = Meeting Minutes kE'CE�IVED READING, MA. Board -Committee -Commission -Council: 2623 MAY -4PH 4: 59 School Committee Date: December 1, 2022 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Memorial High School Location: Library Address: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA Members Present: - Shawn Brandt, Erin Gaffen, Carla Nazzaro, Sarah McLaughlin, Tom Wise Others Present: Superintendent Dr, Tom Milaschewski, Dr. Sarah Hardy, Susan Bottan, layda Hayes, Heather Leonard, Caitlin Shelburne, Nicole Schwartz, Alissa Gallegos, Rochelle Rubino, Sarah Marchant Minutes Respectfully submitted by: Susan E Brown on behalf of the chairperson A. Call to Order - Mr. Brandt called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM Mr. Brandt reviewed the evenings agenda. B. Public Comment— no public comment Consent Agenda -Ms. Nazzaro motioned to approve consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Wise. Discussion on 1.3 -million -dollar gift. Dr. Milaschewski shared that a Reading Town Meeting Member David Libby who had passed left in his estate a gift designated for scholarships for deserving graduating seniors. There will be further discussions on details surrounding this generous donation and how it will be distributed. Incredibly generous of his estate. Discussion surrounding the changing of the field trip forms, Dr. Hardy explained that they now have two forms for staff surrounding field trips to obtain approval from the School Committee. Discussion surrounding HBCU Trip, how is the trip funded, and extending the trip to non -Boston resident students so that they can attend the college tour as well. The guidance department in collaboration with METCO will be managing the students attending this trip. Discussion surrounding the need for a member of the nursing staff to attend the out of state field trips. There has been discussion with Mary Giuliana, Director of Health Services, and we will get further information surrounding the needs for medical staff in attendance. Correction to the minutes from 11/30 misspelling of Erin Gaffen's name Reports: 1. Miss Hayes reported coming back from Thanksgiving break the students are very busy, congratulations to RMHS Drama Club on the production of Scrooge starting 12/2, also winter sports has started as well. 3. Dr. Hardy presented on behalf of Dr. Stys, 2 opportunities with Community Partners Reading Rec is sponsoring special skates, skating lessons for children and adults with physical and intellectual challenges, you can find on Rec website, and Communitas is also offering some fun events as well and those are found on their website. The next SEPAC is 12/20 iYs a parent orientation regarding the DESE review that is upcoming. You can find the link on the SEPAC website. Regarding Innovation Pathways, we are seeking 2 designations with the pathways, we received word from DESE that our Part A has been approved and we are starting work on Part B. So that can get approved by Feb 9. We will soon find out if we will get a 25k planning grant and be able to prep for Innovative Pathways. Shout out to Grade 3, 4, 5 teachers on ARC Core work with this new program, this is a heavy lift in pivoting into implementation of this new program and they have done an incredible job Another Shout Out to JE, on the Jaguar Jog, a run in the neighborhood with grades 3, 4, S. Dr. Hardy ran in support of the run, and many neighbors of JE came out to support the students. 5. Dr. Milaschewski reported that the final part of the MSBA Phase 1 has been submitted. We will move onto phase 2 once the MSBA Board meets in March. 6. Ms. Gaffen reported on the SEPAC meeting on November 15, PAIR held a meeting November 16, and discussed allyship within the community. PAIR is not having a December meeting. Mr. Wise reported on the finalized ABPA fund distribution and those employees will receive a letter from the ABPA committee surrounding those funds. Ms. Nazzaro reported on the Permanent Building Committee, both she, Shawn and Dr. Milaschewski attended a breakfast with Chair and Vice Chair of Select Board, Fin Com and Town Manager the discussions were surrounding the SR. Center. Mr. Brandt reported on Town Meeting and the article supporting the Killam Feasibility Study passing, thanks to Dr. Milaschewski and Ms. Bottan on their work on this project. There will be a new baseball field built at JE, and Symonds Way exploratory committee will begin work soon; recapped a brief meeting surrounding safe routes to school grant thaYs being submitted A. Old Business 1. Review and approval of updated SY 22-23 District Calendar, moving RMHS Graduation to Friday, lune 2nd in the evening. Mr. Tracey had reached out to RMHS Senior families, none articulated specific concerns about having the graduation on a Friday night on the new field. Ms. Nazzaro made a motion to approve the SY 22-23 district calendar which moved graduation from June 41h to lune 2nd seconded by Mr. Wise, vote carried 5-0. 2. Second reading of JFABE —"Education Opportunity for Military Children", Mr. Brandt made a motion to waive the reading and seconded by Mr. Wise. Passed 5-0 Ms. Nazzaro made a motion to adopt policy 1FABE seconded by Mr. Wise, vote passed 5-0. 3. Second Reading of JFABF— Motion made by Ms. Gaffen Seconded by Ms. McLaughlin; vote carried 5-0. Ms. Nazzaro made a motion to adopt JFABF, seconded by Mr. Wise, Vote passed 5-0. E. NEW BUSINESS - 1. Dr. Milaschewski and the elementary and middle school principals presented The School Improvement Plans for 2022-2023. The presentations in their entirety are available in the packet. Some discussion and comments from the committee, including expressing appreciation for the consistency of the application of the district's goals and priorities while maintaining the unique culture and needs of each school. Ms. Nazzaro motioned to approve the elementary and middle School Improvement Plans, seconded by Mr. Wise, vote carried 5-0. 5 -minute recess Meeting was reconvened at 8:39pm 2. STEM Curriculum Update presented by Heather Leonard, the presentation in its entirety is available in the packet. Some discussion and comments from the committee. 3. Discussion and vote of revocation of Policy JHBA, Mr. Wise reviewed School Committee Policy JHBA, surrounding no makeup or credit work will be allowed for truant students, legal counsel recommendation is to remove the policy entirely, the policy subcommittee met and agreed to revoke the policy. Ms. Nazzaro made a motion made to revoke JHBA, seconded by Ms. Gaffen, vote carried 5-0. 4. First reading of Polity JE Attendance, Mr. Wise reviewed the policy JE surrounding attendance, the changes were grammatical and legal counsel agreed with the changes, the policy committee recommends approval of the polity. Ms. Nazzaro proceeded to read first reading of policy JE, Mr. Brandt made a motion to waive the reading, seconded by Ms. Gaffen, vote carried 5-0. S. First reading of Policy 1H - Mr. Wise reviewed the School Committee Policy Student Absences and Excuses, the policy committee and legal counsel reviewed the adjustments and edits. Ms. Nazzaro proceeded to read first reading of policy surrounding the absentee policy for RPS, Mr. Brandt made a motion to waive the reading, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin, vote carried 5-0. 6. First reading of Polity JFABD— Homeless students, this policy was reviewed through the TFM review, it's been adjusted to align with MASC, in agreement with legal counsel and polity committee. Ms. Nazzaro proceeded to read the policy, Mr. Brandt motioned to waive the reading, seconded by Ms. Gaffen, vote passed 5-0. 7. First reading of Policy EFDA—"Unpaid Meal Charge Policy" — Mr. Wise reviewed the policy changes, it is adjusted to align with guidance from legal counsel, Ms. Bottan, and the Policy Committee. Ms. Nazzaro proceeded to read first reading of the policy, Mr. Brandt waved the reading, seconded by Mr. Wise, vote passed 5-0. Comment from the committee, change to remove the name of the vendor, and add that the school system offers an online payment system so that the polity outlives the vendor changes. Geoffrey Corum, Ridge Road Reading, MA, had questions surrounding previous debt for students' lunch payments. Some discussion from the committee surrounding the question. B. Discussion on Social Media Liaison — Mr. Brandt is recommending that 2 committee members take on the liaison position for the year as opposed to changing it every 3 months. Some discussion from the committee took place. No decision was made there will be further discussion at another meeting. Ms. Gaffen made a motion to adjourn seconded by Ms. McLaughlin, vote carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:23pm