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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-09 School Committee Minutes�N rA� Town of Reading RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK ',„ x READING MA. A{OPp 60 Board - committee - commission - council: 2024 MAY 28 AM 7: 34 School Committee Date: 2024-05-09 Time: 7:30 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: School Library Address: 62 Oakland Road Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Tom Wise, Erin Gaffen, Charles Robinson, Shawn Brandt, Sarah McLaughlin and Carla Nazzaro Members - Not Present: Others Present: Director of Finance and Operations Dr. Derek Pinto and Superintendent Dr. Thomas Milaschewski Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Olivia Lejeune on behalf of the chairperson. Topics of Discussion: A. Call to Order —Mr. Wise called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. to review the agenda B. Public Comment Public Comment — None Focus on Excellence— None Consent Agenda 1. Minutes (04-04-2024) 2. Acceptance of FY24 Reduce or Eliminate use of time-out room Grant 3. Acceptance of FY24 METCO Supplemental Special Education Grant 4. Friends of Reading High School Baseball Donation 5. J.W. Killam PTO Donation 6. Friends of Reading Track Donation 7. RMHS Costa Rica Field Trip Request 8. RMHS Switzerland Field Trip Request 9. Parker Nature's Classroom Field Trip Request Accounts Payable Warrant Reports 1. 04-04-2024 2.04-11-2024 Page i I 3. 0418-2024 4. 0425-2024 5. 05-02-2024 Mrs. Gaffen motioned to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Brandt. The vote passed 6-0. Reports 1. Student Report: a. Graham Goodwin shared several updates: i. The jazz band had a successful performance at the Hatch Shell ii. The RMHS Drama club recently presented Twelfth Night iii. AP exams are ongoing and seniors are sharing their post -graduation plans as we inch closer to the end of school on May 1711 iv. Seniors are finishing up internships and final presentations happening tomorrow v. The unified basketball team celebrated senior night vi. Freshmen are preparing for the science MCAS vii. The Annual Kite Festival is scheduled for May 1811 viii. Finally, Mr. Wise recognized Graham's achievement of receiving the President's National Army scholarship, allowing him to attend WPI tuition -free for all four years 2. Director of Finance and Operations — Dr. Pinto has been appointed to the YMCA Advisory Board and attended a recent fundraiser. REF approved a grant for a special container to support a composting initiative in cafeterias. Dr. Pinto attended a Rotary Meeting in which a speaker from the Pleasant Street Senior Center shared an update. Dr. Pinto and Food Service Director Catherine Franzetti will speak at the MASBO annual conference about collaboration and teamwork's importance for success. 3. Superintendent — Dr. Milaschewski commended the food service department for hosting the More Than A Meal Tour, attended by Senator Jason Lewis Representative Bradley Jones, Deputy Commissioner Regina Robinson and Commissioner Russell Johnston as well as local partners and DESE, to showcase the district's food service programs. The department continues to work diligently to provide meals for students. Teacher Appreciation Week was acknowledged, along with various other appreciation weeks celebrated in recent months, thanking all educators in the district. Nomination forms for the Distinguished Teacher and Staff awards were included in the newsletter, with nominations closing on the 15th. Additionally, a form to share special shout -outs to educators will be featured in the newsletter this week. 4. Liaison/Sub-Committee a. Mr. Robinson —The SWEC final report was provided to the Select Board Tuesday evening. Mr. Robinson thanked Dr. Pinto, Dr. Milaschewski and Mr. Wise for an excellent budget presentation at Town Meeting. b. Mrs. Nazzaro — Mrs. Nazzaro attended the More Than a Meal Tour and thanked the staff. Mrs. Nazzaro provided an update on the Killam School Building Project. Page 1 2 A preliminary design report was voted on and will be submitted to the MSBA on May 20". The project will be coming to the town for a vote in spring 2025. For more information, please visit killamschool.com. c. Ms. McLaughlin — No report d. Mrs. Gaffen — No report e. Mr. Wise— Mr. Wise, having been approached by two community members regarding parking issues on Arcadia Ave, which are adversely affecting both staff and families, intends to bring the matter up to the Select Board. E. New Business 1. Reading Education Foundation Grant Update Mr. Wise noted the REF grant has been accepted already and this update is a formal update and presentation for the committee. Board members introduced themselves and others on the committee that were not present. Members advocated for new members to consider joining the board. Six immediate grants were given to the teachers this year, but the majority of grants presented will be for next year. 2. Facility Naming Request on behalf of Phil Vaccaro Mr. Wise thanked community members for joining the meeting to state their case for the proposal in accordance with the School Committee's Naming of Facilities Policy which aims to name an RMHS venue in honor of former teacher and coach, Mr. Phil Vaccaro. Mr. Pete Moscariello along with other community members advocated for the naming of a facility. School Committee members had the opportunity to ask some questions without debate and/or deliberation. A question was raised as to what portion of a facility will potentially be named in which it was shared that the request is to name the center court within the gymnasium. In alignment with the policy, during the June 6t", a recommendation will be made to form an Athletic Facility Advisory Committee covering this request and another request coming in the next week. 3. Annual Student Resource Officer Update Officer Lewis and Of0cer Vatcher provided an overview of the work completed during the 2023-2024 school year. Updates included the following: • The SROs continue to maintain excellent partnerships between the Reading Schools and Reading Police. • Officer Vatcher and Officer Lewis received State recertification as SROs. • Reading Police Comfort Dogs Rusty and Cooper were certified as Therapy Dogs from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and continue to work alongside the SROs. • Assisted running ALICE drills at RMHS and Middle Schools. SROs also lead professional development classes on ALICE to elementary school staff. • Worked with the schools to implement School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) for administrators and counselors and have assisted in conducting assessments as necessary. Page 1 3 • Continued to work closely with the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support to provide resources to students and families in need. • The SROs continue to be a part of the District Crisis Team and RMHS Core Crisis Team and work as a group to address safety issues and concerns as needed. • The SROs are working with Dr. Stys and the District Crisis Team to overhaul the District Emergency Protocols. The new protocols will be rolled out to district admin for the 2024-2025 school year. • Worked with the Reading Police Civil Rights Officer and the Director of the Office of Equity and Social Justice to address any hate -based incidents. • SROs attended training from the FBI Boston on best practices when responding to bomb threats and "swatting' calls at schools. • Facilitated a lunch meeting with District Attorney Marian Ryan and 8th -grade students for National No One Eats Alone Day. • The SROs worked with the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support to assist with Youth Mental Health First Aid training to junior health classes. • We will be working with the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support to teach choose to refuse (opioid prevention) in RMHS health classes this spring. • Officer Vatcher presented internet and social safety and responsibility to 5th -grade students at Joshua Eaton and Barrows and will continue with this training at the other elementary schools for the remainder of the year. • Officer Vatcher and the Reading Coalition assisted Coolidge Health Classes with their presentations on substance use and abuse. • SROs joined other members of the Reading Police to serve elementary school lunches. • Officer Vatcher presented at Wood End and Barrows for their Community Helpers Unit • Reading Police provided rides to schools to winners of various PTO raffles. • Officer Vatcher participated in evening reading events at both Barrows and Birch Meadow. • The SROs are helping to organize the first Reading Police Youth Academy this summer for middle school -aged students. The Youth Academy runs July 29th -August 1st. 4. School Committee Discussion on Policy FF Mr. Wise highlighted that the discussion serves as a follow-up to address a request previously brought forth by student group leaders from SOCA4EJI during the February 29th meeting. After a brief discussion, the committee concluded that it is worthwhile to revisit the policy. S. School Committee Review, Update, and Vote on METCO Funding Advocacy Letter for State Budget (A) Mr. Wise delivered an update also conveyed by Senator Lewis, which is detailed in the memo included in the packet. METCO is set to be level funded in FY25. Next Friday marks METCO Advocacy Day at the state level, and with input on a co-sponsored budget increase for the METCO line, a letter of support could bolster efforts to secure additional funding. Mr. Brandt pointed out the letter is on old letterhead in which Mr. Wise will update this information before sending the letter. Page 14 Mrs. Gaffen motioned to approve the METCO Advocacy letter, seconded by Mr. Brandt. The vote passed 6-0. 6. School Committee Discussion and Vote on Use of Reading Rocket Logo for Hal Croft Bobble -Head Doll (A) Mr. Wise discussed the Hal Croft filming noting that the film producer has reached out to the district for guidance regarding the use of the Reading Rocket logo for CROFT Bobble - Heads. Information regarding the logo's origins, dating back to its creation in 1945 by Charlie Arthur on the back of a napkin in a restaurant, was shared. It was proposed that the committee consider approving the logo's use on the bobble -heads and potentially sharing in the profits generated from this use, with the understanding that it would be limited solely to the bobble -heads. Mr. Wise motioned to approve the use of the Reading Rocket logo on the limited use of the Hal Croft Bobble -Head doll with the intent to request that a portion of the proceeds return to the schools for educational use, Mr. Robinson seconded. The vote passed 6-0. 7. Q3 Financial Update w/ Potential Vote on Cost Center Transfers (A) Dr. Pinto provided the Q3 financial update to the committee spanning the period of July 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. The committee had the opportunity to ask questions about the financial update. Mrs. Gaffen motioned to approve a budget transfer of $82,000 from the regular day cost center to districtwide athletics, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro. The vote passed 6-0. 8. School Committee Vote for SY24-25 Calendar Update for High School Schedule Change (A) Dr. Milaschewski highlighted in the packet a memo detailing the adjustments to the calendar due to the new high school schedule. It is proposed to shift the school dismissal time from 3:02 PM to 3:05 PM, a change that has also been discussed with the union. Mrs. Gaffen motioned to approve the 2024-2025 calendar update for the district seconded by Mr. Robinson. The vote passed 6-0. 9. School Choice Discussion Dr. Milaschewski noted each year the School Committee has to decide whether to vote to opt out of the School Choice Program. The last two years the committee has decided not to opt out and in the last two years we have enrolled 25 students in the program. We have limited the number of seats to five per grade level. We feel this is a benefit to our district because we have a lot of staff members with children enrolling in the district which is a perk and retention tool. We also receive $5,000 per student and reimbursement of up to 100% for special education services. Page 1 5 During the meeting, the committee deliberated on potentially increasing the number of available kindergarten seats due to lower enrollment. Dr. Milaschewski noted that despite this decline, class sizes remain within desired parameters for most schools. With no further conversation, applications will be posted on the website tomorrow with a due date of Friday, May 31" at 3:00 PM. httos://www.youtube.com/watch?v--6DEvCf52cp8 Meeting Adjourned from regular session at approximately 9:16pm. Page 1 6