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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-08 School Committee Minutesar Town of Reading TOWN CLERK r:ECEIVEU :; �k= Meeting Minutes REAMNG. MA. 7.4 -- Board — Committee — Commission — Council: 4--Board—Committee—Commission—Council: 2023 MAY —4 PM 5:01 School Committee Date: 2022-09-08 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Memorial High School Location: Library Address: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA Members Present: - Tom Wise, Shawn Brandt, Erin Gaffen, Carla Nazzaro, Sarah McLaughlin Others Present: Superintendent Dr. Tom Milaschewski, Susan Bottan Minutes Respectfully submitted by: Susan E Brown on behalf of the chairperson A. Call to order— Mr. Brandt opened the session at 7:30 pm and reviewed the agenda. Marianne Downing called the Reading ARPA Advisory Committee to order (quorum) B. Consent Agenda Public Comment— no public comment Reports 1. Student - none 2. Assistant Superintendent of Student Services- none 3. Assistant Superintendent of Learning & Teaching - none 4. Director of Finance and Operations -- none 5. Superintendent - none 6. Liaison/Sub-Committee— Mr. Wise reported that the ARPA committee voted on several recommendations to present to the Select Board. If these projects are all approved, there will be approximately $1.9 million remaining to allocate, with premium pay for essential workers and water/ sewer funding among the remaining items. Next ARPA meeting will be Oct. 12th E. New Business 1. Hearing for public input on Killam Feasibility Study Warrant Article Mrs. Nazzaro called the Killam School Building Committee to order. Pat Tompkins called Permanent Building Committee to order. Ms. Nazzaro read the notice to the town regarding the Killam Feasibility Study warrant article. Mr. Brandt outlined the procedures for the public hearing Presenters Dr. Milaschewski, Ms. Bottan, Ms. Nazzaro and Mr. Brandt summarized the need for a Killam project, the MSBA process, and what the requested funding would provide for the town. The presentation in its entirety is available in the SC packet. Karen Herrick called Select Board to order. Floor opened to town officials— no comments Marianne Downing —13 Heather Drive, member of fin. Comm questioned the inclusion of an increase in RISE enrollment as part of submissions to MSBA. Jay Gallagher asked about the impact on other community elementary schools, what are the plans and visions for those schools. Committee members and Dr. Milaschewski explained that the MSBA support is specific to a site, and we are only able to have one project in the MSBA process at a time, work on additional buildings would be fully paid for by the town, every other elementary school has received fundings to update the schools, Killam is the only school in the district that has not had updates since the 60's. The other elementary schools are not in the need category where there is lead in the water, student access is a challenge etc. —Additionally, while there are no plans to close any of the other elementary schools at this time. Gienapp study encompasses the entire town, and some potential outcomes would have the effect of freeing up space at the other schools by shifting RISE to the Killam school. Matt Holman asked about when the actual construction starts, where will the current students attend school. It was explained that the building would likely be built on the same site as the current building but allow the current building to remain open during construction. Ms. Gaffen—The need within the town has grown for the need to have additional classrooms for pre - K, 51% typical learners are required to maintain that program. The needs of the town have increased exponentially. Marianne Downing— do we think the number of students with IEP's will double? Geoffrey Coram Ridge Rd — member of finance committee, asked whether Killam will be large enough to remove the modular rooms at the other elementary schools. Mr. Wise —there is a regulation that covers child find, 3, 4, 5 -year-old level, and that will historically increase the number of RISE students, we will need to follow that regulation as well. Ms. Gaffen —we are not looking to increase the number of RISE spots at this time, but we can't address town school space needs and not address the need for additional RISE space. Motion to close the hearing Ms. Nazzaro motioned to close the hearing but leave the record open until 6 PM on 9/15, seconded by Mr. Wise Roll call vote of all committee —5-0 in favor of closing the hearing and leaving the record open until 9/15. Mr. Brandt asked that community members send any/all additional questions or input to the School Committee. 2. Mr. Brandt explained that warrant articles require a background for the warrant report and summarized a draft background included in the packet. Mr. Wise suggested the addition of MSBA charts depicting the process, and to clarify that the eligibility period wasn't started until June 19. RAAC adjourned. Permanent Building Committee adjourned. Killam School Building Committee adjourned Select Board adjourned Mr. Wise made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin. Vote was 5-0 in favor of adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm