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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-16 School Committee PacketOpen Session 7:00 p.m. RMHS Schettini Library Reading Public Schools School Committee Meeting Packet March 16, 2023 Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be dis cussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 1 2018-07-16 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2023-03-16 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: School Library Address: 62 Oakland Road Agenda: Revised Purpose: Open Session Meeting Called By: Shawn Brandt, Chair Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays. Please keep in mind the Town Clerk’s hours of operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in an adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be dis cussed at the meeting must be on the agenda. All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will not be accepted. Topics of Discussion: 7:00 p.m. A. Call to Order 7:05 p.m. B. Public Comment Consent Agenda 1. Minutes (03-02-2023) 2. AP Warrant Report S2338 3. AP Warrant Report S2337A 4. AP Warrant Report S2316 5. Payroll Warrants 2309-2318 6. Food Services Grant Reports 1. Student 2. Assistant Superintendent of Student Services 3. Assistant Superintendent of Learning & Teaching 4. Director of Finance and Operations 5. Superintendent 6. Liaison/Sub-Committee 7:30 p.m. C. Personnel 1. Q3 Personnel Update 8:00 p.m. E. New Business 1. Review and Approve FY23-24 School Calendar 2. R.I.S.E Director Search Process 3. Discussion of School Committee Engagement in District Strategic Plan 4. FY23 Q2 Financial Report and Review / Vote on Budget Transfers (A) 5. Review and Approve Updates to Policy GBA – Equal Opportunity Employment Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be dis cussed at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Page | 2 6. Review and Approve Updates to Policy DA – Fiscal Management Goals 7. Review and Approve Updates to Policy DB – Annual Budget 8. Review and Approve Updates to Policy DBC – Budget Deadline and Schedules 9. Review and Approve Updates to Policy DBD – Budget Planning 10. Review and Approve Updates to Policy DBG – Budget Adoption Procedures 11. Review and Approve Updates to Policy DBJ – Budget Transfer Authority 12. Review and Approve Updates to Policy DD – Grants, Proposals and Special Reports 9:30 p.m. Adjourn **Times are approximate Join Zoom Meeting https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/83657021146 Meeting ID: 836 5702 1146 One tap mobile +16469313860,,83657021146# US +13017158592,,83657021146# US (Washington DC) Reading Public Schools School Committee Meeting Packet March 16, 2023 Con sent Agenda Town of Reading Meeting Minutes School Committee Date: 03-02-2023 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Memorial High School Location: Library Address: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA Members Present: - Shawn Brandt, Sarah McLaughlin, Carla Nazzaro, Charles Robinson, and Tom Wise. Others Present: Superintendent Dr. Tom Milaschewski 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. Consent Agenda 1. Minutes (01-26-2023) 2. Minutes (02-16-2023) 3. SNL Athletic Donation for Equipment 4. RMHS Girls Basketball Jersey Donation 5. M. Boyle Weight Equipment Donation 6. Ski Club Ragged Mountain Field Trip Ms. Nazzaro motioned to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Robinson, roll call vote, passed 5-0. Reports 1. Student-No Report. 2. Assistant Superintendent of Student Services-No Report 3. Assistant Superintendent of Learning & Teaching-No Report 4. Director of Finance and Operations- No Report 5. Superintendent- • Dr. Milaschewski reviewed Killam Building project status. • Congratulations to RMHS student, Abigail LeBovidge is a National Merit finalist. She is one of 8, 000 finalists nationwide out of over one million students who took the PSATs. 6. Liaison/Sub-Committee • Ms. McLaughlin- Update on RCTV meeting regarding funding. • Mr. Robinson- No report • Mr. Wise- Policy Sub Committee- Reviewed updates on different policies from two meetings. Formal notice was given that these will be reviewed by school committee in the future. Mr. Wise reviewed the updates of the meeting that Dr. Milaschewski and Susan Bottan gave final presentation of school budget to Finance Committee. • Ms. Nazzaro- Bylaw Committee and MSBA Board meeting updates. E. New Business 1. School Resource Officer Annual Update • School Resource Officers Brian Lewis and Matthew Vatcher delivered presentation, along with Cooper and Rusty RPS Comfort dogs. Lt. Richard Abate was also present. • A thank you from Dr. Milaschewski and the committee to both officers for their support to and partnership they have with Reading Public Schools. G. Executive Session Ms. Nazzaro motioned to approve the enter executive session to conduct strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body (all collective bargaining units) seconded by Mr. Wise, roll call vote, passed 5 -0. Mr. Brandt adjourned public meetings at 7:30 pm to enter into executive session. Mr. Brandt called the regular session of the school committee back to order at 8:26 pm. E. New Business 2. SY23-24 Kindergarten Enrollment Update- Dr. Milaschewski Enrollment updates and projections are provided in the packet. 3. Discussion and Potential Vote to Form Subcommittee to Evaluate School Committee Counsel (A)- Mr. Brandt reviewed history and facilitated discussion. Ms. Nazzaro motioned to form a subcommittee to develop a recommendation for Special Education counsel, seconded by Mr. Wise, roll call vote, passed 5-0 • Ms. McLaughlin and Mr. Wise volunteered to be on the subcommittee. Mr. Brandt appointed Mr. Wise as Chairperson of this subcommittee. Mr. Robinson motioned adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin, roll call vote, passed 5-0 8:42 pm Meeting Adjourned YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w50BlS2W6pY TO: Reading School Committee FROM: Susan Bottan, Director of Finance and Operations DATE: March 16, 2023 RE: Vote to Accept Grant Awarded by New England Dairy and Food Council Please vote to accept the grant award of $7,500 from the New England Dairy and Food Council for the purchase of blenders at RMHS, Coolidge and Parker Middle Schools, and Killam Elementary School. The Food Services Program will match the grant by purchasing blenders for the remaining four elementary schools to ensure that healthy breakfast and lunch smoothies can be available to and enjoyed by all Reading Public Schools students. Thank you. Reading Public Schools Instilling a joy of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow 82 Oakland Road Reading, MA 01867 Phone: 781-944-5800 Fax: 781-942-9149 Reading Public Schools School Committee Meeting Packet March 16, 2023 Personnel To: Reading School Committee From: Michelle Roach, Human Resources Director Date: March 14, 2023 Re: Human Resources Quarterly Update During the School Committee meeting on March 16th, we will review the Human Resources Quarterly Update presentation. Reading Public Schools Instilling a joy of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow 82 Oakland Road Reading, MA 01867 Phone: 781-944-5800 Fax: 781-942-9149 Human esources Update Michelle Roach Director of Human Resources Hiring Current Leadership Searches Elementary Assistant Principals (5) RISE Director Open Positions Food Services: 2 Paraeducators: 12 Teachers: 2 Leaves and Terminations Anticipated June 30th Departures (13) Teacher Retirements: 10 Staff Resignations: 3 Leave of Absences (58) Current: 16 Completed: 30 Anticipated: 12 Substitute Fill Rate Comparison Month Average Daily Absences SY22 Average Daily Subs SY22 Average Fill Rate (%) SY22 Average Daily Absences SY23 Average Daily Subs SY23 Average Fill Rate (%) SY23 October 36 7 26.1%50 16 43.3% November 42 12 37.7%43 14 43.0% December 49 16 39.9%63 22 47.9% January 57 17 36.3%48 26 71.7% February 34 14 53.3%49 16 45.3% March 38 15 49.7%46 18 51.9% High Volume Substitute Pay Average Daily Absences Average Daily Substitutes Average Fill Rate (%) Non-High Volume Day ($100/day)48 18 50% High Volume Substitute Day ($125/day)65 29 62% The District is piloting an adjustment to the daily substitute rate for high volume days. These are days we have identified as requiring higher than average substitute needs due to events that significantly impact staffing (i.e. District-wide professional development). Additional Updates RMHS Interns 25 Education interns processed and ready to start Meet with STEM interns next week after matched with placements ARPA Coordinated disbursement of approximately $609k in ARPA funding to staff members who worked from March 2020 through June 2021 Recruitment Outreach Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education •Building Bridges: Creating Cultures of Belonging: February 16, 2023 •Recruitment Fair: March 18, 2023 •MTEL Reimbursement Massachusetts Educational Recruiting Consortium Career Fair: April 20, 2023 Reading Public Schools School Committee Meeting Packet March 16, 2023 New Business TO: Reading School Committee FROM: Sarah Hardy, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning DATE: March 16, 2023 RE: FY23-24 School Calendar To follow is the proposed draft of the district-wide academic calendar for the 2023-24 school year. In preparing this draft, the central office leadership team reviewed the calendar for 2022 -23 to determine which dates should be brought forward in the same timeframe and which dates needed reconsideration. The changes were reviewed with building leaders and RTA leadership, and their feedback was incorporated into the draft. Below are the changes in the 2023/24 calendar and the rationale for the changes. Kindergarten Delayed Start The district-wide calendar for 23/24 shifts the start day for kindergarten students to the Tuesday after Labor Day. Here is the rationale: • Allows schools to use the first two days of school to provide an appropriate orientation for families and students • Provides a soft transition into school, while building a thoughtful start that fosters the sense of belonging for learners new to our schools • Will allow us to partner our early childhood grades of preschool and K in consistent practices • Removes discrepancies for kindergarten staff during the first 2 staff-only days during which they had historically been hosting families unlike their grade 1-12 peers. Name Change of Fall “Open Houses” to “Back to School Nights” • The 22/23 district calendar lists an “Open House” in the fall for all levels and again in the spring for elementary and middle schools. While labeled with the same name, the two events have different goals and formats. • We’ve changed the name of this fall event on the calendar to be “Back to School Night” to reflect that it is a different event from the spring “Open House”. Elementary Conferences Shifted to December The district-wide calendar for 23/24 shifts elementary conferences from November to December. Here is the rationale: • Report cards are sent home to families the week of conferences. Elementary grading is a trimester whereas middle and secondary is quarterly, this move to December splits the grading terms more evenly for elementary report cards • This shift gives teachers more time to get to know their students before completing the report card and conferencing with families • Holding elementary and high school conferences on different dates decreases any conflicts of schedules families might experience if they have students at both levels • The schedule in November is significantly interrupted for all levels due to holidays, but especially for elementary with the early release Fridays. Moving conferences to December decreases that impact, and will provide for 1 “full” week of school in November for elementary students Adjusted Times on District-Wide Early Dismissal Days Thanksgiving, Dec. 22nd and Last Day of School will now have staggered release time. This is due to bussing, traffic flow, and equitable ½ day time on learning. The new times are: • Middle School: 10:45am • RISE & Elementary: 11:00am • High School: 11:15am Moving March Teacher In-Service Day to a Monday This shift away from a Friday is to avoid the loss of professional development time for elementary staff. Reading Public Schools Instilling a joy of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow 82 Oakland Road Reading, MA 01867 Phone: 781-944-5800 Fax: 781-942-9149 Reading Public Schools | 2023-2024 CALENDAR AUGUST ‘23 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 21-25 New Staff Induction 28-29 Staff In-Service 30 First day of School (1-12) 30-31 Pre-K & K Orientation Teacher Days: 4 Student Days: 2 JANUARY ‘24 S M T W Th F S H 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 H 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 01 New Year's Day: No School 02 School Resumes 12 MS & HS Early Dismissal 15 M.L. King Day: No School Teacher Days: 21 Student Days: 21 SEPTEMBER ‘23 S M T W Th F S V 2 3 H 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 No School 4 Labor Day: No School 5 First day of School PK and K 13 K-5 Back to School Night 14 HS Back to School Night (Early Dismissal) 20 PK Back to School Night (Early Dismissal) 21 MS Back to School Night (Early Dismissal) 29 MS & HS Early Dismissal Teacher Days: 19 Student Days: 19 FEBRUARY ‘24 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 H V V V V 24 25 26 27 28 29 9 MS & HS Early Dismissal 19 Presidents’ Day: No School 19-23 February Vacation: No School Teacher Days: 16 Student Days: 16 OCTOBER ‘23 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 H 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 9 Columbus Day: No School 27 MS & HS Early Dismissal Teacher Days: 21 Student Days: 21 MARCH ‘24 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 8 MS & HS Early Dismissal 18 Teacher In-Service: No School Teacher Days: 21 Student Days: 20 NOVEMBER ‘23 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 H 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 H V 25 26 27 28 29 30 7 Teacher In-Service: No School 10 Veterans Day (Observed): No School 17 HS Conferences MS Teacher In-Service No School for 6-12 22 Early Release* 23-24 Thanksgiving Recess: No School Teacher Days: 19 Student Days: 17/18 APRIL ‘24 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 H V V V V 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 15 Patriots Day: No School 15-19 April Vacation: No School Teacher Days: 17 Student Days: 17 DECEMBER ‘23 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 H V V V V 30 31 7 PK-5 Conferences: Early Release 8 PK-5 Conferences: No School for PK-5 8 MS & HS Early Dismissal 22 Early Release* (Staff dismissed at 1PM) 25-29 Winter Recess: No School Teacher Days: 16 Student Days: 15/16 MAY ‘24 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 H 28 29 30 31 10 MS & HS Early Dismissal 15 PK-5 Open House 23 MS Open House (Early Dismissal) 27 Memorial’s Day: No School 31 High School Graduation Teacher Days: 22 Student Days: 22 *Note: On 11/22/23, 12/22/23 and the last day of school, the below release schedule will be observed: District-Wide Early Release Schedule School: Start: Early Release: Elementary 8:25 AM 11:00 AM Middle 7:50 AM 10:45 AM High School 8:30 AM 11:15 AM Total Student Days: 180 Total Teacher Days: 185 JUNE ‘24 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 H 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 13 Last Day of School* (No Snow Days) 19 Juneteenth 21 Last Day of School * (5 Snow Days) Teacher Days Without Snow Days: 9 Student Days Without Snow Days: 9 School Closed District-Wide Early Release Teacher In-Service Days: No students Early Dismissal for HS/MS BACK TO SCHOOL AND OPEN HOUSE NIGHTS . Fall: Back to School Nights Preschool - September 20, 2023 Kindergarten – 5th Grade – September 13, 2023 Middle School – September 21, 2023 High School – September 14, 2023 Spring: Open Houses PK and Elementary – May 15, 2024 Middle School – May 23, 2024 PARENT/GUARDIAN – TEACHER CONFERENCES Elementary: December 14 and 15, 2023 High School: November 17, 2023 ELEMENTARY EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS .. Elementary will be dismissed at 12:45 every Friday. Exceptions are listed below: September 20, 2023 PK Back to School Night 12:45 PM September 15, 2023 Full Day 2:45 PM November 22, 2023 District-Wide Early Release 11:00 AM December 7, 2023 PK – 5 Conferences 12:45 PM December 22, 2023 District-Wide Early Release 11:00 AM June 13/21, 2024 Last Day of School 10:45 AM SCHOOL START AND RELEASE TIMES . School Start Time End Time Early Dismissal District-Wide Early Release Elementary 8:25 AM 2:45 PM 12:45 PM 10:45 AM Middle 7:50 AM 2:30 PM 12:30 PM 11:00 AM High 8:30 AM 3:04 PM 1:04 PM 11:15 AM MIDDLE SCHOOL EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS .. September 21, 2023 Back to School Night 12:30 PM September 29, 2023 Professional Development 12:30 PM October 27, 2023 Professional Development 12:30 PM November 22, 2023 District-Wide Early Release 10:45 AM December 8. 2023 December 22, 2023 Professional Development District-Wide Early Release 12:30 PM 10:45 AM January 12, 2024 Professional Development 12:30 PM February 9, 2024 Professional Development 12:30 PM March 8, 2024 Professional Development 12:30 PM May 10, 2024 Professional Development 12:30 PM May 23, 2024 MS Open House 12:30 PM June 13/21 2024 Last Day of School 10:45 AM STUDENT ABESENTEE LINES: . HIGH SCHOOL EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS .. September 14, 2023 Back to School Night 1:00 PM September 29, 2023 Professional Development 1:00 PM October 27, 2023 Professional Development 1:00 PM November 22, 2023 District-Wide Early Release 11:15 AM December 8. 2023 December 22, 2023 Professional Development District-Wide Early Release 1:00 PM 11:15 AM January 12, 2024 Professional Development 1:00 PM February 9, 2024 Professional Development 1:00 PM March 8, 2024 Professional Development 1:00 PM May 10, 2024 Professional Development 1:00 PM June 13/21 2024 Last Day of School 11:15 AM SCHOOL CLOSURE DATES September 1, 2023 January 1, 2024 September 4, 2023 January 15, 2024 October 9, 2023 February 19 – 23 November 7, 2023 March 18, 2024 November 10, 2023 April 15 – 19 November 17, 2023 (6-12 only) May 27, 2024 November 23 – 24 June 19, 2024 December 8, 2023 (PK-5 only) December 25 - 29 EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR July 8 – August 8, 2024 Reading Public Schools | 2023-2024 CALENDAR Barrows ambabsences@reading.k12.ma.us 781-942-9166 Birch Meadow bmeabsences@reading.k12.ma.us 781-944-2335 Joshua Eaton jeeabsences@reading.k12.ma.us 781-942-9161 Killam JWKAbsences@reading.k12.ma.us 781-944--7831 Wood End weeabsences@reading.k12.ma.us 781-942-5420 Parker wspabsences@reading.k12.ma.us 781-944-1236 Coolidge awcabsences@reading.k12.ma.us 781-942-9158 RMHS Tracey.jorgenson@reading.k12.ma.us 781-670-2819 When sending an email or leaving a voice message, please leave your child's name, teacher name (if elementary), reason for absence/tardy and expected date/time of return. MAJOR RELIGIOUS & CULTURAL HOLIDAYS . Sept 16-17* Rosh Hashanah Jan 1 New Year’s Day Sept 25* Yom Kippur Jan 7 Orthodox Christmas Nov 12 Diwali begins Feb 10 Lunar New Year Nov 23 Thanksgiving Mar 11 Ramadan Begins Dec 8-15* Hanukkah Mar 24 Palm Sunday Dec 25 Christmas Mar 29 Good Friday Dec 26-Jan 1 Kwanzaa Mar 31 Easter and Orthodox April 22-30 Passover *Begins the night before at sundown April 9 Eid al-Fitr TO: Reading School Committee FROM: Thomas Milaschewski, Superintendent DATE: March 16, 2023 RE: R.I.S.E Director Search Process During the March 16th School Committee meeting we will introduce the upcoming R.I.S.E. Director search process. As the community knows, Dr. Joanne King served in a 1-year interim role during the 2022-2023 school year. We are deeply appreciative to Dr. King for her strong leadership within the R.I.S.E. Program over the past year and the positive impact she has made on the R.I.S.E. community in a short period of time. The timelines and phases of the upcoming search process are outlined in a document within the packet. Reading Public Schools Instilling a joy of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow 82 Oakland Road Reading, MA 01867 Phone: 781-944-5800 Fax: 781-942-9149 R.I.S.E. Preschool Director Search 2023 The Screening Committee will be facilitated by Dr. Tom Milaschewski, Superintendent, and Allison Wright, Director of Special Education. To the extent possible, the composition of the committee will represent the many constituencies that comprise the R.I.S.E. Preschool Community. All information and discussions by screening committee members are confidential and cannot be shared during the process or after the process is complete. Screening Committee Members • District Administrator • District Principal • District Team Chair • 3 R.I.S.E. Staff Members • 2 R.I.S.E. Caregivers • 1 SEPAC Representative Date* Time Event March 17 Position posted on TalentEd; SchoolSpring; Indeed; LinkedIn; Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents; Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education; METCO; NESDEC; 19 New England-based colleges/universities Week of March 20 Staff and community survey and outreach for Screening Committee participation April 5 Posting closes ; No longer accepting applications April 7 TBD Organizational meeting with Screening Committee April 10 – 12 TBD First round candidate interviews by Screening Committee, finalists recommended April 12 Finalist candidates selected April 13-17 TBD Finalist candidate interviews by Superintendent, Central Office Leadership Team; R.I.S.E. Preschool site visit; Reference checks conducted Week of April 17 Offer extended to selected final candidate *Dates are tentative and subject to change based on candidate availability Reading Public Schools Instilling a joy of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow 82 Oakland Road Reading, MA 01867 Phone: 781-944-5800 Fax: 781-942-9149 TO: Reading School Committee FROM: Thomas Milaschewski, Superintendent DATE: March 16, 2023 RE: Discussion of School Committee Engagement in District Strategic Plan During the February 9th, 2023 School Committee meeting we introduced a draft outline of the 2023- 2025 District Strategic Plan. One point of feedback from the School Committee was for us to consider what School Committee involvement with the plan could look like moving forward. During the March 16th School Committee meeting, we hope to engage in this discussion. As a high-level overview, we recommend having two School Committee members serve on our Strategic Plan Advisory Board. This advisory board will meet quarterly to assess progress and provide feedback within each of the four strategic objectives of the plan (1. Supportive, Equitable and Safe Learning Environments 2. Coherent Instructional Systems 3. School Operations 4. Family and Community Engagement). This advisory board will include representative leads from each of the four strategic objectives. These two School Committee representatives to the advisory board would be in addition to the one School Committee representative on the Family and Community Engagement planning team. While we are open to other ideas and possibilities of School Committee involvement in the District Strategic Plan, we think this proposal should serve as a solid starting point for our conversation. Reading Public Schools Instilling a joy of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow 82 Oakland Road Reading, MA 01867 Phone: 781-944-5800 Fax: 781-942-9149 To: Reading School Committee From: Susan Bottan, Director of Finance and Operations Date: March 16, 2023 Re: FY23 Second Quarter Financial Report In the spring of 2022, the Reading Public Schools was appropriated $51,783,363 by Annual Town Meeting for the Fiscal Year 2023. The School Department expects to meet all financial obligations within the total amount appropriated. Please find on the pages to follow a financial overview of the School Department’s FY 2023 Second Quarter Report, spanning the period from July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. The Quarter 2 Financial Report will be presented to School Committee on March 16, 2023. Subsequent quarterly reports are scheduled for completion as follows: • Quarter 3 –Financial status through March 31, 2023, will be presented in May 2023 • Quarter 4 – End Year Financial Report through June 30, 2023, will be presented in September 2023 This Quarterly Report is organized into four sections: 1. Financial Summary of the Operating Fund by Cost Center through Quarter 2 with Projected End Year Balances 2. Description of the Cost Centers and Drivers Impacting Projected Fund Balances 3. Recommendation for Quarter 2 Budget Transfers between Cost Centers 4. Financial Summary of Special Revenue Funds: Grants and Revolving Accounts 5. Brief Overview of the Medicaid Reimbursement Program and Funds Generated for the Town of Reading: FY18 through FY22 Please contact me if you have any questions or would like more information related to the FY23 Second Quarter Financial Report. Thank you. Reading Public Schools Instilling a joy of learning and inspiring the innovative leaders of tomorrow 82 Oakland Road Reading, MA 01867 Phone: 781-944-5800 Fax: 781-942-9149 FY23 SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT 1. Financial Summary of the Operating Fund by Cost Center through Quarter 2 with Projected End Year Balances At the end of Quarter 2, 45.5% of the appropriated funds had been expended and $349,800 was projected for the end-year balance. Although this balance appears to be holding steady based on known information through February 28, 2023, it will likely fluctuate during the remainder of the fiscal year due to factors that influence and drive expenditures. Factors that may impact the projected balance include, but are not limited to, staff leaves, new student enrollment, changes in student needs, delays in hiring, and substitute teaching and paraprofessional coverage. This quarterly report reflects an end-of-year balance based on information available at the time of its publication. The format of this financial overview begins with defining the accounts that comprise each cost center follow ed by the second quarter financial status by cost center and follows with naming the drivers that drive the projected end year balances. This report also provides an overview of other funding sources that support the Reading Public Schools: Grants, Revolving Funds and Student Activity Accounts. Lastly, given the interest in Medicaid Reimbursement by the Finance Committee at the March 1 budget meeting with the School Department, a summary of the school-based Medicaid program and the funds generated from FY18 through FY22 concludes this report. 2. Description of the Cost Centers and Drivers Impacting Projected Fund Balances The Reading Public Schools’ general fund consists of five cost centers, which are approved by the Reading School Committee annually through the budget development process. The type of expense accounts associated with each cost center are named below. Funds can be transferred between cost center with the consent and approval of the School Committee: Cost Center FY23 Original Budget *Budget Transfers FY23 Revised Budget FY23 Q2 Expenditures FY23 Q2 Encumb./Req. FY23 Q2 Available FY23 Q2 % USED FY23 Remaining Requirement FY23 Projected End Year Balance Administration 1,303,760 0 1,303,760 634,675.46 52,907.40 616,177 52.70 610,377 5,800 2.5% General Education 29,704,746 427 29,705,173 11,134,132.00 414,995.02 18,156,046 38.90 18,156,046 - 57.4% Special Education 16,931,568 -41,163 16,890,405 5,784,775.90 3,309,869.80 7,795,760 53.70 7,470,760 325,000 32.7% District Wide: Health Services 801,949 40,736 842,685 306,266.31 590.84 535,828 38.30 535,828 - Extra Curricular 69,548 0 69,548 40,660.07 4,605.00 24,283 65.10 24,283 - Athletics 691,105 0 691,105 436,493.33 125,759.18 128,852 81.40 128,852 - Technology 659,842 0 659,842 329,570.54 24,066.90 306,205 53.60 306,205 - Sub-total District Wide 2,222,444 40,736 2,263,180 1,112,990 155,022 995,168 238 995,168 0 4.3% School Facilities 1,620,845 0 1,620,845 755,340.34 215,065.42 650,439 59.90 631,439 19,000 3.1% GRAND TOTAL 51,783,363 (0) 51,783,363 19,421,914 4,147,860 28,213,589 45.5% 27,863,789 349,800 *Budget Transfers: $427 Budget Transfer was a "housekeeping" transfer conducted during Q2. seeing School Committee approval on March 16, 2023. READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS FY23 SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT Administration – Budget makes up 2.5% of total appropriation. Administration – represents 2.5% of the appropriated budget and is comprised of central office administrators and assistants, legal and audits, accounts payable, payroll, human resources, data information management, telecommunication services, professional development. At the end of Quarter 2, 52.7% of the appropriated Administration Cost Center budget had been expended and encumbered. A positive balance of $5,800 is projected at year-end. This balance was driven by projected savings generated from shifting the requirement of physical examinations for all new employees to job-related requirements. As noted in Q1 report, some of these sustainable savings were redeployed to publish the first annual Community Report, one component of our efforts to engage the community and inform our residents of the work happening in our schools. In addition, funding was allocated to digitize inactive Human Resources files to consolidate paper files, reduce storage space, and repurpose the space to expand the RMHS Robotics studio. This work will be completed in the summer of 2023. Regular Day – Budget makes up 57.4% of total appropriation. Regular Day – represents 57.4% of the appropriate budget and is comprised of school principals and secretaries, general education teachers, tutors, paraprofessionals, guidance counselors, English Language and instructional specialists, leadership and mentor stipends, substitutes, transportation, professional development, instruction and curriculum materials, instructional technology, library materials, assessment software. At the end of Quarter 2, 38.9 of the appropriated Regular Day Cost Center budget had been expended and encumbered. A break-even end year balance is forecasted. Salary savings that have been generated this year have been or are planned to be allocated in the following ways: • conduct ELA and math vacation academies for students in grades 2-8 • provide mentoring to school principals through a partnership with Salem State and participate in effective student scheduling training through the District Management Council • renew technology devices to maintain five-year life cycle • purchase RMHS classroom tablets for a digital hall pass system 2.5% 57.4% 32.7% 4.3% 3.1% FY 23 Budget by Cost Center Administration General Education Special Education Districtwide School Facilities • expand sections of American Reading Company literacy materials for elementary general education and special education students Through sustainable savings from salary differentials between incoming and outgoing staff, we allocated funds this year to accomplish the following: • expended the role of the grade 9-12 Academic Coordinator to a Director position to focus on the new Academic Center at RMHS as well as develop Innovation Pathways for students supported by State grant funding and local business partnerships • expanded RMHS Department Head roles to include Special Education • hired 1.5 FTE Mulit-language learner teachers to support a surge in enrollment of beginner multi-language learners • added stipends for MCAS and World Language department coordination Lastly, the district continued the increase of substitute teacher wages on days when there is an unusually high number of substitutes needed. Special Education – Budget makes up 32.7% of total appropriation. Special Education- represents 32.7% of the budget and is comprised of special education administration and secretaries, special education teachers and paraprofessionals, therapeutic specialists (occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech/language pathologists) extended school year staff and expenses, special education legal services, home and hospital tutoring, consultation and evaluation services, adaptive equipment and technology, testing and assessment services and materials, special education instruction materia ls, special education transportation, out of district tuition. At the end of Quarter 2, 53.7% of the appropriated Special Education Cost Center budget had been expended and encumbered. A positive end-year balance of $325,000 is projected. The projected end year balance reflects an anticipated balance of unused district tuitions budgeted to pay for potentially new placements. In addition, a pre- payment of $980,000 is factored into remaining requirement for out of district tuition fees for the following year. Massachusetts General Laws allow out of district pre-payments of up to three months of any approved private placements and up to 100% of collaborative placements in which students are attending. Prepayment of special education private day and collaborative out of district placements is a practice used over the years in Reading and in other school districts. Sustainable savings this year have been generated by replacing the category of positions charged to the SPED 240 grant. By replacing licensed with hourly staff charged to the grant allowed the district to eliminate MTRS expenses and thus increase the availability of operating funds by nearly $80,000. This shift in no way effects staff members retirement benefits or employment status. Delays in hiring licensed and hourly positions and unfilled substitute coverage for special education paraprofessionals also created savings that have been reallocated to address a need at Joshua Eaton for a 1.0 FTE SPED Learning Center Teacher to reduce large student groupings and at RISE for nursing services and an increase of the Director’s position to 1.0 FTE. SPED transportation costs have exceeded the budget this year driven by a one-year cost related to 504 accommodations and homelessness. District Wide – Budget makes up 4.3% of total appropriation. District wide – represents 4.3% of the appropriated budget and is comprised of the following categories: •Health Services – makes up 36% of the District Wide Cost Center and is comprised of a director of nursing, nurses, nurse substitutes, school physician consultant services, medical supplies, testing equipment. •Extracurricular – makes up 3% of the District Wide Cost Center and is comprised of an assistant principal (.25 FTE), advisor stipends, transportation, membership, supplies, equipment. •Athletics - makes up 31% of the District Wide Cost Center and is comprised of an assistant principal (.50 FTE), secretary, coaches, officials, transportation, venue rental membership, supplies, equipment, uniforms. •Technology – makes up 31% of the District Wide Cost Center and is comprised of a network administrator, computer technicians, Internet services, software and licensing, clocks, bells and telephones, network infrastructure repair, maintenance, supplies, equipment. At the end of Quarter 2, 56.0% of the appropriated District Wide Cost Center budget had been expended and encumbered. A total end of year breakeven balance is projected. Each subgroup comprising the District Wide Cost Center and their projected end year balances, is outlined below: o Health Service – a nurse was hired in FY23 to meet an unanticipated need to meet required services through a 504 accommodation. Funds were approved and transferred in Quarter 2. o Extracurricular – a projected balance of $0 is projected at the end of the fiscal year. o Athletics – essentially a break-even projected balance. Within the Athletics Cost Center, a projected shortfall is anticipated in transportation. Through expenditure savings and support through the Athletic Revolving Account, this shortfall is expected to be covered. o Technology – a projected balance of $0 is projected at the end of the fiscal year. School Facilities – Budget makes up 3.1% of total appropriation. School Facilities – represents 3.1% of the total appropriated budget and is comprised of a custodial manager, custodians, courier, contracted cleaning services (RMHS, Coolidge,) radios, equipment, supplies, uniforms. At the end of Quarter 2, 59.9% of the appropriated budget had been expended and encumbered. A balance of $19,000 is anticipated driven by salary savings generated through the salary differential between outgoing and incoming staff and delays in filling open positions. The projected end year balance is net of the earmarked spending that will take place in the spring on minor renovations of spaces at the elementary schools to reconfigure direct service spaces and to purchase custodial equipment. 3.Recommendations for Quarter 2 Budget Transfers between Cost Centers Please find below a summary of the recommended budget transfer that will allocate available funds to the accounts where an expenditure has been incurred. The $427 in savings from the RMHS Special Education Instructional Technology budget was transferred to the Regular Day account to complete the purchase for the digital hallway pass system: Recommendations for Budget Transfers: Transfer from: ($427) from RMHS Special Education Instructional Technology. Transfer to $427 to RMHS Regular Education Instructional Technology. 4. Financial Summary of Special Revenue Funds: Grants and Revolving Accounts In addition to the General Fund, Special Revenue Funds consisting of grants and revolving funds support the delivery of services to students attending Reading Public Schools. Please find below the Quarter 2 financial summary and a description of each grant awarded followed by a financial summary of revolving funds for FY23: Grants All FY 23 grants awarded to the Reading Public Schools have been approved by School Committee. Some grants are expended across fiscal years. Please find below Quarter 2 Financial Overview and End Year Status for all grants with beginning balances in FY23: Beginning in FY22, the school department has been diligent about expending oldest grant funds first in compliance with their acceptable use. This year, the district has improved its approach to effective monitoring and making timely decisions that have allowed the district to better leveraging grant funds. The school district has requested from the State, and the request was approved, to carry forward any remaining Title 1 funds awarded in FY22 for one year, if necessary, to support students from low-income families across the three qualifying Title 1 schools (Parker, Killam, and Joshua Eaton). Grant Beginning FY23 Year Balance Q2 Expended & Encumb. Remaining Requirement Projected End Year Balance Beginning FY23 Year Balance Q2 Expended & Encumb. Remaining Requirement Projected End Year Balance Beginning FY23 Year Balance Q2 Expended & Encumb. Remaining Requirement Projected End Year Balance Amount of FY23 Award Q2 Expended & Encumb. Remaining Requirement Projected End Year Balance STATE METCO $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 238,005 $ 238,005 $ - $ - $ 815,699 $ 107,937 $ 707,762 $ - Dept. of Public Health $ 40,000 $ 1,283 $ 38,718 $ - TOTAL STATE -$ -$ 238,005$ -$ 855,699$ -$ FEDERAL killam eaton parker parker and eaton parker, killam and eaton Title I $ 21,764 $ 14,521 $ - $ - $ 75,320 $ 4,250 $ - $ - $ 95,672 $ 11,374 $ 84,298 $ - $ 91,584 $ 2,778 $ 75,069 $ 13,738 Title II $ 1,661 $ 1,661 $ - $ - $ 29,535 $ 29,535 $ - $ - $ 43,765 $ 36,048 $ 7,717 $ - $ 45,040 $ 3,816 $ 41,224 $ - Title IV $ 601 $ 601 $ - $ - $ 1,121 $ 1,121 $ - $ - $ 10,000 $ 8,499 $ 1,501 $ - $ 10,000 $ 770 $ 9,230 $ - IDEA 240 $ 40,603 $ - $ - $ - $ 1,895 $ 1,895 $ - $ - $ 98,223 $ 48,110 $ 50,113 $ - $ 1,112,484 $ 264,088 460,829$ $ 387,567 IDEA 262 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 328 $ 328 $ - $ - $ 20,718 $ 6,400 14,318$ $ - IDEA 274 $ - $ - $ - ARP 252 $ 161,187 $ 144,788 $ 16,399 $ - ARP 264 $ 19,824 $ 9,673 $ 10,151 $ - ESSER II $ 233,305 $ 71,610 $ 161,695 $ - ESSER III $ 560,098 $ 94,929 $ 189,000 $ 276,169 ACCEL LITERACY ACCEL MATH $ 119,748 $ 119,748 $ - $ - TOTAL FEDERAL 64,628$ -$ 107,871$ -$ 1,342,150$ 276,169$ 1,279,826$ 401,305$ FY 23 Quarter 2 Grant Balance FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 Illustrated in the table below are the spending deadlines for each State and Federal grant: Descriptions and acceptable uses of each State and Federal grant follows below: State Grants: • METCO –the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity is a state funded, voluntary educational desegregation program designed to eliminate racial imbalance through the busing of children from Boston, MA and Springfield, MA to suburban public schools in thirty-eight communities. These funds pay for program coordination, transportation, instructional services, and community engagement related to Boston resident students attending Reading Public Schools through participation in the METCO program. • Department of Public Health – provides for mandated screenings, professional development, and substitute coverage for nurses. • Note – although not a grant, DESE reimburses school districts for a portion of out of district tuition placement and transportation costs. In FY 23, DESE will defray $1,499,728 in tuition and transportation costs, charging those expenses directly to the Circuit Breaker reimbursement fund. The end year balance is expected to be zero. Federal Grants: • Title I - aids schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. These funds are allocated to paraprofessional and extended school year instructional services. • Title II A - provides supplemental resources to school districts to support systems of support for excellent teaching and leading. The priorities of Title IIA are to: increase student achievement consistent with the challenging State academic standards; improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders; Increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools; and provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders. These funds are allocated to provide professional development for teachers. • Title IV -ensures that all students have access to a high-quality educational experience. The priorities of Title IV are to: support well-rounded educational opportunities; support safe and healthy students; and support effective use of technology. These funds pay for technology integration activities and materials for teachers and classrooms. SPENDING DEADLINES FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 STATE METCO 12/31/2022 12/31/2023 Dept. of Public Health 6/30/2022 6/30/2023 FEDERAL Title I 9/30/2022 9/30/2022 9/30/2023 9/30/2024 Title II 9/30/2022 9/30/2022 9/30/2023 9/30/2024 Title IV 9/30/2022 9/30/2022 9/30/2023 9/30/2024 IDEA 240 9/30/2021 9/30/2022 9/30/2023 9/30/2024 IDEA 262 9/30/2022 9/30/2023 9/30/2024 ARP 252 9/30/2023 ARP 264 9/30/2023 ESSER II 9/30/2023 ESSER III 9/30/2024 ACCEL MATH 6/30/2023 • IDEA 240- provides appropriate special education services for eligible students and to maintain state/local effort in special education. These funds pay for special education paras, BCBA, and professional development. • IDEA 262 - ensures that eligible 3, 4, and 5-year-old children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education that includes special education and related services designed to meet their individual needs in the least restrictive environment. These funds pay for early childhood instruction and professional development. • ARP 252 – addresses challenges related to the pandemic, including school re-entry, disruption in the education of children with disabilities, mental health services; sustainability; focuses on issues of equity in special education and early intervention services. Funds are allocated to provide professional development, instructional materials, and testing/assessment materials. • ARP 264 - addresses early childhood special education and family engagement, such as improving systems to assist with the transition from early intervention to pre-kindergarten to kindergarten to increase educational outcomes for students. Funds from this grant are allocated to fund student assessment, induction, and transition programs.’ • ESSER II – addresses learning loss and provides mental health services and supports. These funds are allocated to pay for special education teachers, adjustment counselors and tutors and social-emotional curriculum. • ESSER III - helps schools safely reopen and respond to the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students, and particularly those disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds are allocated to pay for team leaders, special education teachers, adjustment counselors and tutors. • Accelerated Math - professional development for K-2 math implementation, print resources for those grade-levels, 1-year digital access for K-2, additional PD for year 2 supports, and additional teacher manual copies to ensure all staff (special education included) have access to the curriculum resources. Revolving Accounts Revolving Accounts are comprised of fee-based programs, extracurricular activities, and donations. Apart from donations, a total of $2.1M of Fee-based Revolving Funds offset the FY 23 operating budget with user and event fees generated by the special revenue funds noted in the table on the page to follow: • Athletics - Fees are paid by families for students’ participation in athletics. • Community Education, Drivers Education, Summer Programs– Fees are paid by families for students to participate in drivers’ education and summer programs. Fees paid by individuals for participation in Community Education events and courses. • Drama and Band – Fees are paid by families for students’ participation in after school drama and bands programs. • Extended Day – Fees are paid by families for students to participate in extended day programs before and after schools. • Extracurricular Activities – Fees are paid by families for students to participate in afterschool band and fine and performing arts activities. • Guidance – Fees are paid by families for students to take PSAT, SAT and AP tests. • Full Day Kindergarten – Fees are paid by families for enrollment in the Full Day Kindergarten program. • RISE Preschool - Fees are paid by families for enrollment in the RISE preschool program. • Special Education Tuition – Fees paid by other another public school district for students to attend special education programs in Reading. • School Lunch – Revenues are generated through state and federal reimbursements and lunch time a la carte sales. • Transportation – Fees are paid by families for students to ride existing bus routes, based on seats available. • Use of School Property – Some community organizations which use school facilities pay a fee for space and/or custodial coverage. • Lost Books – Fees are collected and used to replaced lost or damaged books. Fee-Based Programs Fund code FY23 Beginning Year Balance FY23 Q2 Actual Revenue FY23 Q2 Year to Date Expend./Enc. FY23 Q2 Balance FY23 Projected Offsets After School Activities Parker 4370 68,330$ 19,450$ 12,177$ 75,603$ Athletics 4320 171,525$ 211,834$ 25,339$ 358,020$ 392,900$ Community Education - Summer Programs 4400 39,974$ -$ 24,083$ 15,891$ Community Education -Drivers Education and Adult Education 4390 94,027$ 29,827$ 18,480$ 105,374$ 75,000$ Drama Activities Coolidge 4380 38,355$ 6,660$ 13,866$ 31,149$ 15,000$ Drama Activities Parker 4360 51,229$ -$ 1,357$ 49,872$ 15,000$ Drama Activities RMHS 4350 74,113$ 9,582$ 32,123$ 51,572$ 34,000$ Extended Day Program 4378 541,177$ 520,520$ 407,616$ 654,081$ Extracurricular Band Activities 4354 30,704$ 1,000$ 14,804$ 16,900$ Extracurricular Coolidge 4326 4,738$ -$ -$ 4,738$ Extracurricular Parker 4327 3,860$ -$ -$ 3,860$ Full Day Kindergarten Tuition 4440 621,319$ 381,545$ -$ 1,002,864$ 1,110,000$ Guidance Testing 4325 10,397$ 69,669$ 3,490$ 76,576$ Lost Books 4450 27,902$ 592$ -$ 28,494$ RISE Preschool Program 4410 235,065$ 175,882$ 17,418$ 393,529$ 350,000$ School Lunch Program 4310 1,427,218$ 486,589$ 974,988$ 938,819$ School Transportation 4330 (100)$ 36,980$ 8$ 36,872$ Special Education Tuition 4430 66,899$ 21,053$ 7,993$ 79,959$ 50,000$ Use of School Property 4420 92,247$ 92,447$ 40,562$ 144,132$ 105,000$ TOTAL Fee-based Revolving Funds 3,598,979$ 2,063,630$ 1,594,304$ 4,068,305$ 2,146,900$ FY23 Seoncd Quarter Financial Report and End Year Status: Revolving Accounts • Donations – Restricted donations for specific purposes and unrestricted donations for general use are made to the School Committee for approval and acceptance in accordance with School Committee Policy Student Activity Accounts A Student Activity Account (SAA) may be used for monies raised by student organizations and expended to benefit those students. MGL c.71 Section 47 governs monies deposited into a student activity account. Q2 financial activity: The Town Treasurer’s Office designates an account into which all SAA funds generated through student activity clubs are deposited and a SAA checking account has been established for each secondary school with which funds are expended for the sole purpose of supporting student activity clubs. Interest is generated on these funds. 5. Brief Overview of the Medicaid Reimbursement Program and Funds Generated for the Town of Reading: FY18 through FY22 Through its contract with UMass Chan Medical School, Reading Public Schools participates in a joint Federal and State program to apply for partial reimbursement for mandated health services provided to students during the Gifts/Donations Fund code FY23 Beginning Year Balance FY23 Q2 Actual Revenue FY23 Q2 Year to Date Expend./Enc. FY23 Q2 Balance FY23 Projected Offsets District Donation Fund 4790 14,031$ -$ 2,063$ 11,968$ Barrows Donations Fund 4791 8,621$ 128$ 5,948$ 2,801$ Birch Meadow Donation Fund 4792 6,836$ 167$ -$ 7,003$ Joshua Eaton Donation Fund 4793 2,506$ 284$ -$ 2,790$ JW Killam Donation Fund 4794 20,206$ 176$ -$ 20,382$ Wood End Donation Fund 4795 5,336$ 99$ -$ 5,435$ Coolidge Donation Fund 4796 11,107$ 12,149$ -$ 23,256$ Parker Donation Fund 4797 9,092$ 1,033$ 230$ 9,895$ High School Donation Fund 4798 13,754$ 1,220$ 1,424$ 13,550$ SEPAC Donation Fund 4760 551$ -$ -$ 551$ Special Education Donation Fund 4799 319$ -$ -$ 319$ TOTAL Gift/Donation Revolving Funds 92,359$ 15,256$ 9,665$ 97,950$ -$ *Note - Actual Revenue column's calculations reflect donations received from “Friends of” all of the athletic groups and Reading Education Foundation Student Activity Accounts Fund code FY23 Beginning Year Balance FY23 Q2 Actual Revenue FY23 Q2 Year to Date Expend./Enc. FY23 Q2 Balance FY23 Projected Offsets Barrows Student Activities 8950 4,014$ 2,303$ -$ 6,317$ Birch Meadow Student Activities 8950 7,774$ 847$ 420$ 8,201$ Joshua Eaton Student Activities 8950 9,416$ 2,629$ -$ 12,045$ JW Killam Student Activities 8950 10,105$ 2,699$ 1,265$ 11,539$ Wood End Student Activities 8950 12,529$ 1,805$ -$ 14,334$ Coolidge Student Activities 8950 42,388$ 42,534$ 46,188$ 38,734$ Parker Student Activities 8950 20,760$ 67,244$ 21,909$ 66,095$ High School Student Activities 8950 180,069$ 43,673$ 30,489$ 193,253$ RISE Student Activities 8950 5,423$ 2,009$ -$ 7,432$ TOTAL Student Activity Accounts 292,478$ 165,743$ 100,271$ 357,950$ -$ school day. There are two categories of reimbursement streams: direct services and administrative services. Each quarter, licensed staff participate in a Random Moment Time Study, which is a prescribed methodology used to compile and calculate direct service claim activities to determine reimbursement rates for Medicaid–allowable incurred costs related to services delivered to MassHealth enrolled students. Medicaid-allowable services include mental/behavioral health services, therapy services, and medical services. Administrative service reimbursement is calculated based on the activities necessary to administer the Medicaid state plan by each school district, including Medicaid outreach, application assistance, student service planning and coordination, and managing transportation. The reimbursable portion of the district’s costs are calculated quarterly by UMass and the reimbursement is paid to the Town of Reading. Please find below the amount of reimbursement the school department generated for the Town of Reading from FY18 through FY22. In FY22, additional effort was made by the school district to capture unclaimed funding from prior years and improve our process for compiling data for claiming, which is why FY22’s reimbursement rate is 318% higher than the prior year: In most communities, like in Reading, school districts compile and submit the data to the State and the Town receives and deposits the reimbursement into the Town’s General Fund for future appropriation. Please contact me if you have any questions or requests for additional information related to the FY23 Quarter 2 Financial Report. Thank you. REVENUE FY18 FY19 FY 20 FY 21 FY 22 Description Total Local Sources $202,874 $160,542 $113,053 $86,834 $363,143 Medicaid $ Change prior year -$42,332 -$47,489 -$26,219 $276,309 % Change prior year -21%-30%-23%318% READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS END OF YEAR REPORT SUMMARY Administrative Offices 82 Oakland Road Reading, MA 01867 781 944-5800 READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Shawn Brandt Chair Carla Nazzaro Vice-Chair Erin Gaffen Sarah McLaughlin Charles Robinson Thomas Wise Thomas Milaschewski, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools TO: Reading School Committee FROM: Shawn Brandt, Reading School Committee Chair DATE: March 12, 2023 TOPIC: Policies for Review on March 16, 2023 Included on the agenda for March 16th are 8 policy updates which have been advanced out of the Policy Subcommittee, each by a 3-0 vote on February 15th or February 16th. Per our policy on Policy Adoption, we publicly noticed that these would receive a reading and provided the proposed updates to the Committee last week, so they are eligible for a single meeting review and adoption. In the packet are the current and marked up versions of each policy. The policies for consideration are as follows: o GBA – Equal Opportunity Employment o DA – Fiscal Management Goals o DB – Annual Budget o DBC – Budget Deadline and Schedules o DBD – Budget Planning o DBG – Budget Adoption Procedures o DBJ – Budget Transfer Authority o DD – Grants, Proposals, and Special Reports Subcommittee Chair Wise provided the following additional context: “Updates to GBA are driven by the Acts of 2022. Updates to the D policies are driven by MASC reviews in 2021 and 2022. All updates have been reviewed by legal and their edits have been incorporated.” File: GBA Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Reading School Committee subscribes to the fullest extent to the principle of the dignity of all people and of their labors and will take action to ensure that any individual within the district who is responsible for hiring and/or personnel supervision understands that applicants are employed, assigned, and promoted without regard to their race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, national origin or sexual orientation. Every available opportunity will be taken in order to assure that each applicant for a position is selected on the basis of qualifications, merit and ability. Adopted by Reading School Committee on August 24, 2006. Revised and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on April 8, 2013. LEGAL REF.: 603 CMR 26:08 CROSS REF: AC, Nondiscrimination File: GBA Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Reading School Committee subscribes to the fullest extent to the principle of the dignity of all people and of their labors and will take action to ensure that any individual within the dDistrict who is responsible for hiring and/or personnel supervision understands that applicants are employed, assigned, and promoted without regard to their *race, creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, active military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, homelessness, ancestry, ethnic background, national origin, or sexual orientation any other category protected by state or federal law. Every available opportunity will be taken in order toto assure that each applicant for a position is selected on the basis ofbased on qualifications, merit, and ability. Adopted by Reading School Committee on August 24, 2006. Revised and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on April 8, 2013. LEGAL REF.: MGL 151B:4 603 CMR 26:00 Acts of 2022, Chapter 117 (*race to include traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, hair length, and protective hairstyles.) CROSS REF.: AC, Nondiscrimination LEGAL REF.: 603 CMR 26:08 Adopted by Reading School Committee on August 24, 2006. Revised and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on April 8, 2013. Reviewed, Revised, and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on CROSS REF: AC, Nondiscrimination File: DA Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 FISCAL MANAGEMENT GOALS The quantity and quality of learning programs are directly dependent on the effective, efficient management of allocated funds. It follows that achievement of the school system's purposes can best be achieved through excellent fiscal management. As trustee of local, state, and federal funds allocated for use in public education, the Committee will fulfill its responsibility to see that these funds are used wisely for achievement of the purposes to which they are allocated. Because of resource limitations, there is sometimes a temptation to operate so that fiscal concerns overshadow the educational program. Recognizing this, it is essential that the school system take specific action to make sure education remains central and that fiscal matters are ancillary and contribute to the educational program. This concept will be incorporated into Committee operations and into all aspects of school system management and operation. In the school system's fiscal management, it is the Committee's intent: 1. To engage in thorough advance planning, with staff and community involvement, in order to develop budgets and to guide expenditures so as to achieve the greatest educational returns and the greatest contributions to the educational program in relation to dollars expended. 2. To establish levels of funding that will provide high quality education for the students. 3. To use the best available techniques and technology for budget development and management as well as for financial processes, procedures and analysis 4. To provide timely and appropriate information to all staff with fiscal management responsibilities. 5. To establish maximum efficiency procedures for accounting, reporting, business, purchasing and delivery, payroll, payment of vendors and contractors, and all other areas of fiscal management. Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. File: DA Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 FISCAL MANAGEMENT GOALS As a trustee of local, state, and federal funds allocated for use in public education, the Committee will use these funds wisely in pursuit of the district’s goals. The quantity and quality of the district’s educational programs are dependent on the effective, efficient management of allocated funds. Achievement of the district's purposes can best be achieved through excellent fiscal management. It is imperative that the educational program be held of paramount importance. Decisions made due to resource limitations must center on the educational goals of the district. This prioritization will be incorporated into all aspects of district management and Committee decision making. Regarding the district's fiscal management, it is the Committee's intent: 1. To allocate public funding, centering equity while achieving the greatest educational returns and the greatest contributions to the educational program in relation to dollars expended. 2. To engage in thorough advance planning, with staff and community involvement, in order to develop budgets. 3. To advocate for levels of funding that will provide high quality education for the students. 4. To support the use of the best techniques for budget development and management. 5. To ensure that timely and appropriate information is provided to the School Committee, the professional municipal and school staff with fiscal management responsibilities, elected citytown officials, and the citizens of the citytown.provide timely and appropriate information to the community. Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. Reviewed, Adjusted, and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on ________________. File: DB Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 ANNUAL BUDGET The annual budget is the financial expression of the educational mission and program of the school department. The budget then is more than just a financial instrument and requires on the part of the Committee, the staff, and the community orderly and cooperative effort to ensure sound fiscal practices for achieving the educational mission, goals, and objectives of the school system. Public school budgeting is regulated and controlled by legislation, state regulations, and local School Committee requirements. The operating budget for the school system will be prepared and presented in line with state policy and will be developed and refined in accordance with these same requirements. The Superintendent will serve as budget officer but he/she may delegate portions of this responsibility to members of his/her staff as he/she deems appropriate. The three general areas of responsibility for the Superintendent as budget officer will be budget preparation, budget presentation, and budget administration. Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 15:1G; 71:38N; 71:59 File: DB Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 2 ANNUAL BUDGET The annual budget is the financial expression of the goals of the School Committee in meeting the educational needs of all students. The annual budget then requires an orderly and cooperative effort by the Committee, the staff, and the community to achieve the goals of the district. Public school budgeting is regulated and controlled by legislation, state regulations, and local School Committee policy. The operating budget for the school district will be prepared and managed in line with state legislation and regulations, the Reading Home Rule Charter, and local School Committee policy state policy and will be developed and refined in accordance withfollowing these same requirements. Budget Process: In developing a budget, care shall be taken to make all presentations and documents associated with the budget clear and accessible to the members of the School Committee, to the municipal officials, and to the general public. As such, in compliance with Section 7.3 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, the Committee will hold a Public Hearing on the annual budget and the annual budget will be submitted to the Town Manager at least five months prior to the start of the fiscal year. The budget shall be in compliance with the foundation budget. It is acknowledged that the foundation budget reflects the minimum recommended spending for a District and excludes transportation costs, debt service costs, and costs associated with the acquisition of fixed assets. The aforementioned items must, therefore, be budgeted in addition to the foundation budget, and funds to support those expenditures must be raised from the community, after the use of any offsetting revenues received from the state. The Superintendent will serve as the budget officer but may delegate portions of this responsibility to members of theitheirr staff, as they deem appropriate. The three general areas of responsibility for the Superintendent as the budget officer will be budget preparation, budget presentation, and budget administration. A budget is a spending plan, which is developed well in advance of the fiscal year. Circumstances may occur which necessitate changing spending priorities and redirecting funds within the budget accordingly. Revisions to the budget may be made from time to time bymade by the Committee, on the recommendation of in collaboration with the Superintendent. Annual budgets for each school operated by the District shall be developed with input from the School Council and shall reflect the priorities established in the annual school improvement plan. In developing a budget, care shall be taken to make all presentations and documents associated with the budget clear and accessible to the members of the School Committee, to the municipal officials, and to the general public. The School Committee will comply with the Reading Home Rule Charter concerning the budget process, publication, notification, and hearings. As such, in compliance with Section 7.3 of the Reading Home Rule Charter, the Committee will hold a Public Hearing on the annual budget and the annual budget will be submitted to the Town Manager at least five months prior tobefore the start of the fiscal year. Further, File: DB Reading Public Schools Page 2 of 2 At least fourteen (14) days before the meeting at which the School Committee is to vote on its budget request, the School Committee shall cause to be published in a local newspaper, a general summary of such budget request. Tthe specific charter language is as follows: “The budget requested by the School Committee shall be submitted to the Town Manager at least five (5) months before the start of the fiscal year to enable him to prepare the total Town budget pursuant to Section 7.2. At least fourteen (14) days before the meeting at which the School Committee is to vote on its budget request, the School Committee shall cause to be published in a local news medium a general summary of such budget request. The summary shall indicate specifically any major variations from the current year’s budget and the reasons for such variations and a notice stating the times and places where complete copies of the budget shall be available for examination by the public, as well as the date, time and place, not less than seven (7) days (see Section 8.5) following such publication, when a public hearing shall be held by the School Committee on the budget request.” Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. Reviewed, Revised, and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on ______. LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 71:34; 71:37; 71:38N Reading Home Rule Charter, Section 7.3 Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. Reviewed, Revised, and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on ______. File: DBC Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 BUDGET DEADLINES AND SCHEDULES Preparation of the annual budget will be scheduled in stages throughout the school year with attention to certain deadlines established by law and charter. In accordance with Massachusetts General Law, the School Committee will hold a public hearing on a proposed budget before it takes a final vote on a proposed budget. Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006 LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 71:38N Town Charter File: DBC Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 BUDGET DEADLINES AND SCHEDULES Preparation of the annual budget will be scheduled in stages throughout the school year with attention to certain deadlines established by law and charter. The calendar year for budget preparation will be determined by calculating backward from the final adoption date. The Committee will abide by the following schedule: At least five (5) months before the start of the fiscal year, July 1st: Submission of the budget request to the Town Manager Two weeks or more before the meeting at which the School Committee is to vote on its budget request: Publication of the a budget summary for the meeting by the local newspaper media At least a week following such publication: A public hearing shall be held by the School Committee on the budget request Whatever dates are assigned, the final date for the submission of the budget to the Select Board will be arranged cooperatively with the School Committee and Finance Committee. The Select Board has the authority to impose a date as early as December 31. In reaching its decision on the budget amount that it will submit to the Town ManagerSelect Board, the School Committee will also observe the statutory requirement of holding a public hearing on the proposed budget not less than seven days after the notice for this hearing has been published in a local newspaper. Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. Reviewed, Revised, and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on _______. LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 71:38N Reading Home Rule Charter, Section 7.3 Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. Reviewed, Revised, and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on _______. File: DBD Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 BUDGET PLANNING The major portion of income for the operation of the public schools is derived from local property taxes, and the School Committee will attempt to protect the valid interest of the taxpayers. However, the first priority in the development of an annual budget will be the educational welfare of the children in our schools. Budget decisions reflect the attitude and philosophy of those charged with the responsibility for educational decision making. Therefore, a sound budget development process must be established to ensure that the annual operating budget accurately reflects this school system's goals and objectives. In the budget planning process for the school system, the School Committee will strive to: 1. Engage in thorough advance planning, with staff and community involvement, in order to develop budgets and guide expenditures in a manner that will achieve the greatest educational returns and contributions to the educational program in relation to dollars expended. 2. Establish levels of funding that will provide high quality education for all our students. 3. Use the best available techniques and technology for budget development and management. The Superintendent will have overall responsibility for budget preparation, including the construction of, and adherence to, a budget calendar. Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. File: DBD Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 BUDGET PLANNING A sound budget development process must be established to ensure that the annual operating budget accurately reflects the District’s goals. The budget is a financial planning tool that grounds itself in careful analysis of student achievement, enrollment, mandated services, and community values to allocate resources towards the goals set by the Committee. The first priority in the development of an annual budget will be the educational welfare of the children in our schools. The Committee also holds in balances the valid interest of the taxpayersfinancial interests of the community. The budget document shall reflect all sources of revenue. It shall clearly explain how those funds will be used. In the budget planning process for the school district, the Superintendent will: 1. Engage in thorough advance planning, with staff and community involvement, in order toto develop strategic budgets and guide expenditures resource allocations in a manner that will achieve the greatest educational returns and contributions to the educational program in relation to dollars expended. 2. Establish levels of funding that will provide high-quality education for all our students. 3. Use the best available techniques for budget development and management. The Superintendent will have overall responsibility for budget preparation, including the construction of, and adherence to, a budget calendar which will be shared publicly with the community. Such a calendar will take into consideration the requirement that School Councils are to be consulted in developing school budgets. In an annual collaborative planning process between the School Committee and the Superintendent, the School Committee will identify annual budget prioritiesguidance which aligns with District and Superintendent goals. that tThe Superintendent will include whenthis feedback when crafting a recommended budget. The School Committee and Superintendent will provide information and special opportunities for the Reading Finance Committee to ask questions and provide guidance on the budget. LEGAL REF: M.G.L 71:59C Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. Reviewed, Revised, and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on ____________. NOTE: Include in this category statements on the general plan for budget development and on staff/student/public participation in the process (but not the official hearings). If advisory committees take part, this might be included in the policy, with details on their functioning presented as an accompanying regulation. File: DBG Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 BUDGET ADOPTION PROCEDURES Authority for adoption of the final school budget lies with the Town Meeting. The fiscal year shall begin on the first day of July and shall end on the thirtieth day of June, unless another provision is made by general law. The General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts also establish the following procedures pertaining to the School Committee budget: Public Hearing by School Committee - As per Chapter 71 Section 38N of the General Laws. "The School Committee of each city, town or regional school district shall hold a public hearing on its proposed annual budget not less than seven days after publication of a notice thereof in a newspaper having general circulation in such city, town or district. Prior to such public hearing said Committee shall make available to the public at least one copy of said proposed budget for a time period of not less than forty-eight hours either at the office of the Superintendent of Schools or at a place so designated by said Committee. At the time and place so advertised or at any time or place to which such hearing may from time to time be adjourned all interested persons shall be given an opportunity to be heard for or against the whole or any part of the proposed budget. Such hearing shall be conducted by a quorum of the School Committee. For the purposes of this section a quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of said School Committee." LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 71:34 Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. File: DBG Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 BUDGET ADOPTION PROCEDURES The district budget is adopted by the School Committee at the cost-center level. Cost centers should represent appropriate levels of transparency for the Committee to oversee goal implementation while allowing for administrative day-to-day work. Cost centers will be agreed upon by the Committee and administration. All revenue sources are subject to adoption by the School Committee. The budget is adopted by a simple majority. Authority for the adoption of the final school budget bottom line lies with the citizens who comprromise, and who are entitled to vote at, the town meeting. The school budget is presented as part of the total town budget for action at the annual town meeting. LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 71:34; 71:37 Reading Home Rule Charter, Article 7 CROSS REF.: DBJ, Budget Transfer Authority Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. Reviewed, Revised, and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on _________. File: DBJ Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 BUDGET TRANSFER AUTHORITY In keeping with the need for periodic reconciliation of the school department's budget, the School Committee will consider requests for transfers of funds as they are recommended by the Superintendent. The Committee wishes to be kept abreast of the need for these adjustments so that it may act promptly and expedite financial record keeping for the school system. All funds in the general account not expended by the close of the fiscal year will be returned to the town. Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. File: DBJ Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 BUDGET TRANSFER AUTHORITY In keeping with the need for periodic reconciliation of the school department's budget, the School Committee will consider requests for transfers of funds between cost centers as they are recommended by the Superintendent. The Committee wishes to be kept abreast of the need for these adjustments so that it may act promptly and expedite financial record-keeping for the school system. Once the annual budget is approved, Aall requests for transfers between cost centers as approved during the annual budget deliberation mmust be submitted to the School Committee for approval as part of the Director of Finance and Operations’sOperations’ quarterly report at the business meetings of the School Committee. If a transfer is required more urgently, the School Committee will consider the request as needed. All funds in the general account not expended by the close of the fiscal year will be returned to the town. LEGAL REF.: M.G.L. 71:37 DOR 94-660 CROSS REFS.: DBG, Budget Adoption Procedures DI, Fiscal Accounting and Reporting Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. Reviewed, Revised, and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on ___________. NOTE: Certain provisions in a policy in this category may be established by the town or city charter. If so, appropriate citations should be added as legal references. File: DD Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 FUNDING PROPOSALS AND APPLICATIONS The School Committee will encourage the administration to seek and secure all possible sources of state, federal, and other special funds that will enhance the educational opportunities for the children in our schools. The Superintendent will keep informed of all possible funds available to the school system under the various state and federal programs, and in what manner these funds can best be used in the school system. The Superintendent will be responsible for seeking out and coordinating the development of proposals for all specially funded projects. The Superintendent is authorized to sign all reports for these projects and will be responsible for the proper expenditure of funds received for such projects. LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 44:53A P.L. 874 Impact Aid Board of Education 603, CMR 32:00;34:00 Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. File: DD Reading Public Schools Page 1 of 1 GRANTS, PROPOSALS, AND SPECIAL REPORTS The School Committee School may accept grants or gifts for educational purposes , operations, and facilities purposes from federal, state, county, and municipal governments or agencies thereof, charitable foundations, and private corporations and disburse the same for such purposes. In accordance with state law, all grants and gifts to the District shall be reviewed and accepted by the School Committee before expenditure. The School Committee will encourage the administration to seek and secure possible sources of state, federal, and other special funds that will enhance the educational opportunities for the children in alignment with district goals. The Superintendent will submit for School Committee approval spending plans at the same cost center level as the district budget. The Superintendent will be responsible for coordinating the development of proposals for all specially funded projects and for keeping the Committee apprisedapprised of and updated on all such projects. The Superintendent shall ensure the district has and follows a written set of procedures in grant administration that aligns with state and federal laws and regulations. LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 44:53A; 71:37A 2 CFR 200 Federal Uniform Administrative Requirements Adopted by the Reading School Committee on September 28, 2006. Reviewed, Revised, and Adopted by the Reading School Committee on ________________. NOTE: The district business office must have a state and federal grant manual with procedures aligned with state and federal law and regulation in order to comply with state granting requirements. The approval of such a document is not subject to the School Committee; the administration should ensure such a document is being followed. Reading Public Schools School Committee Meeting Packet March 16, 2023 Calendar Reading School Committee – Remaining SY22-23 Meetings Note: All Regular SC Meetings will be held at the RMHS Library at 7 PM unless otherwise noted February February 9th – Regular SC Meeting March March 1st – Posted for Finance Committee review of School Committee’s Recommended Budget March 2nd – Regular SC Meeting March 16th – Regular SC Meeting April April 6th – Regular SC Meeting April 24th – Town Meeting Night 1 April 27th – Town Meeting Night 2 May May 1st – Town Meeting Night 3 May 4th – Town Meeting Night 4 May 8th – Regular SC Meeting (Monday night) May 25th – Regular SC Meeting June June 2nd – RMHS Graduation June 8th – Regular SC Meeting June 22nd – Regular SC Meeting