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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-15 School Committee MinutesOF Town of Reading RECEIVED a= Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK R=ADING, MA. Roard— Committee — Commission — council: PAPA MAY —4 PM 4: 59 School Committee Date: December 15, 2022 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Memorial High School Location: Library Address: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA Members Present: - Shawn Brandt, Carla Nazzam, Tom Wise, Chuck Robinson, Erin Gaffen Others Present: Superintendent Dr. Tom Milaschewski, Susan Bottan, Kadi Buckley Members Absent: Sarah McLaughlin 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. Dr. Milaschewski introduced the two RMHS students awarded as the 2022-2023 MASS Certificate of Academic Excellence recipients B. Public Comment- Amanda Haley 71 Tennyson Road— presented on daughter who is a V grader, wanted to thank the Superintendent, Central Office Staff, and School Committee for the implementation of the new reading program. 1. Consent Agenda —Ms. Nazzaro made a motion to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Wise, vote passed 4-0. Reports 1. Ms. Bottan asked that we acknowledge and give appreciation to the staff members who work behind the scenes to ensure the staff and students have all the technology needed to be able to do their jobs. 2. Dr. Milaschewski announced that subs will be paid $125 a day for surge days, we need substitute teachers please check our website for details. We have many RMHS graduates coming to work during their winter break. Also thank you to Al Sylvia from the Chronicle, this is his last night covering the School Committee with the newspaper. 3. Mr. Robinson attended the Hall of Fame dinner that is held every 4 years, one of the inductees was an RMHS 2DO8 graduate Jim Queeney he was valedictorian of his class as well as the captain of many sports teams, he went on to graduate from Colgate University. Mr. Robinson also attended the Symonds Way Committee meeting, there is much work to be done in a short amount of time, next meeting is Jan 18, the REC committee meeting was Monday, there was discussion about working with Inclusive Sports and be able to offer sports teams to those who need assistance due to disabilities. Mr. Wise reported on the Polity Committee meeting, there are three more Policies that need review and 40 more to review later in the coming year. Mr. Wise also thanked the drama club supervisors for their work on the recent musical production, he thanked the administration who participated as well. He also congratulated the music department on their concerts this week. Mr. Brandt reported on Select Board meeting, there was a presentation from Dr. Chatterjee on herjob in working with the town, and the schools on inclusion etc. Dr. Chatterjee could assist on Policy revisions. The Select Board is working on the budget process on the town side, also mentioned the upcoming Policies being reviewed at next meeting. Currently there is no nomination for review of naming school facilities. If there are nominations they will be presented January V. E. NewBusiness- 2. RMHS School Improvement Plan—Review and Approve, Ms. Kadi Buckley, Assistant Principal presented on behalf of the administrative team at RMHS, the presentation in its entirety is available in the packet. Ms. Nazzaro made a motion to approve the RMHS School Improvement Plan, seconded by Mr. Robinson, vote carried 5-0. 3. Quarterly Financial Update - Ms. Bottan presented and this presentation in its entirety is available in the packet. Some questions from the committee about the source of the funds available for transfer. The budget transfer will be voted on at next meeting 1/5/23. 4. Pre-Budget—Preview and Discussion — Ms. Bottan presented an overview of the January budget process and some of the emerging priorities. The presentation in its entirety is available in the packet. Public hearing will occur on January 19th and vote will take place on January 26, 2023. Some discussion and questions from the committee. Ms. Nazzaro made a motion to move to enter executive session to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel (Central Office and Principals), seconded by Mr. Robinson, roll call vote, by all committee members present. Meeting for Executive Session at 8:33 pm Called back to order 8:59pm D. Old Business 1. Second Reading of Policy JE—"Student Attendance" Ms. Nazzaro started the second reading of policy JE, Ms. Gaffen made motion to waive the second reading of Policy JE, seconded by Mr. Robinson, vote passed 5-0, no discussion from committee. Ms. Nazzaro motioned to adopt Policy JE, seconded by Mr. Wise, no further discussion, vote passed 5- 0. 2. Second reading of Policy JH —"Student Absences and Excuses", Ms. Nazzaro began second reading of Policy 1H, Ms. Gaffen made a motion to waive reading of Policy JH, Seconded by Mr. Robinson. Vote passed 5-0. Ms. Nazzaro made a motion to adopt Policy JH, seconded by Mr. Wise, no further discussion vote passed 5-0. 3. Second reading of Policy JFABD — "Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services", Ms. Nazzaro began second reading of Policy JFABD, Ms. Gaffen made a motion to waive second reading, seconded by Mr. Robinson, vote passed 5-0 Ms. Nazzaro made a motion to adopt Policy JFABD, seconded by Mr. Wise, Mr. Wise clarified the changes made, and vote passed 5-0. 4. Second reading of Policy EFDA, Ms. Nazzaro began the reading, Ms. Gaffen made a motion to waive the reading, seconded by Mr. Robinson. Vote passed 5-0. Ms. Nazzaro motioned to adopt Polity EFDA, seconded by Mr. Wise. Mr. Wise explained the update in the polity, and further discussion was had by the committee. Vote carried as adopting amended policy 5-0. Prior to moving on to new business, there was some discussion surrounding the next four policies and the changes. The Policy Subcommittee met to discuss changes needed to be made to the following policies, DEC, DKC, GCF and ACK. New Business 5. First Reading of Policy DEC—"Federal Funds Supplement Not Supplant Policy" Ms. Nazzaro began reading the policy DEC, motion made to waive the reading by Ms. Gaffen, seconded by Mr. Robinson, vote passed 5-0. 6. First Reading of Policy DKC— "Expense Reimbursements" Ms. Nazzaro began reading Policy DKC, Ms. Gaffen made a motion to waive the reading, seconded by Mr. Robinson. Vote passed 5-0. 7. First Reading of Policy GCF— "Professional Staff Hiring", Ms. Nazzaro began reading Policy GCF, Ms. Gaffen made a motion to waive the reading, seconded by Mr. Robinson. Vote passed 5-0. 8. First Reading of Policy 11CK— "Harassment of Students", Ms. Nazzaro began reading Policy ACK, Ms. Gaffen made a motion to waive the reading, seconded by Mr. Robinson. Vote passed 5-0. Committee briefly discussed these new policies. Ms. Gaffen motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Wise. Vote passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:33pm