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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-07 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: June 7, 2010 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Chuck Robinson Hal Croft David Michaud Karen Janowski Chris Caruso Patrick O'Sullivan Student Representative Visitors: Ben Tafoya, Board of Selectmen Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Elaine Webb Charles McDonald Jesenia Castro, METCO Director Ellie Freedman, RMHS Principal Craig Martin, Coolidge Principal 1. Call to Order r 4 t~SS. L/L` €j ..f1€. a S', @L 1 P 12• ° 55 Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services Matt Conway, Student Representative Jared Beaulieu, Student Representative METCO Students and Parents Joe Huggins, Director of Facilities Kristin Morello, Food Services Director Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent - Elect Doug Lyons, Parker Principal Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He welcomed guests and reviewed the agenda. He also welcomed the two new student representatives and thanked Patrick O'Sullivan the fine job he did this year as student representative. The committee thanked Mr. O'Sullivan and wished him well next year. IT. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Board of Selectman Chair Ben Tafoya presented Superintendent Doherty, Mary DeLai, Joe Huggins and Kristin Morello Certificates of Appreciation for their assistance during the water emergency in May. Elaine Webb and Charles McDonald updated the School Committee on recent work in the STEM fields at the state and national levels. The chair thanked both for their continued work on behalf of the Reading Public Schools. Chair Robinson presented a chair to former School Committee member Elaine Webb in recognition of her years of service. Mrs. Webb thanked the School Committee and the Reading Public Schools administrative team. She then went on to read a brief statement. June 7, 2010 'B. Reports I Student Mr. O'Sullivan reported on the senior activities week and graduation, move-up day, the success of the track team at the All-State meet and congratulated the spring sports for great seasons. He thanked the School Committee and introduced Matt Conway and Jared Beaulieu as his replacements. 2. Liaison Mrs. Janowski reported she attended the Mural Dedication at the Joshua Eaton School. She was impressed that every member of the Eaton community left their mark on the mural. Mr. Michaud reported that the Municipal Building Ad-Hoc Committee met with the DPW and reviewed possible sites for the new cemetery garage. The committee will tour the library. They are still in a fact finding mode. 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty updated the committee that senior week and graduation went smoothly. He thanked Mrs. Freedman and the high school administrative team for coordinating the events. At the recent MASS Spring Meeting he was honored to accept the Presidents Award in Pat Schettini's honor. Superintendent Doherty reported that he has attended several coffees hosted by Reading residents and they all have gone well. 4. Director of Finance and Operations 5. Director of Pupil Services C. Continued Business Friends and Family Day Mrs. de Garavilla reviewed with the School Committee the preparations for Friends and Family Day. There will be photo displays, highlights and accomplishment brochures and the district vision and mission. We will also be holding a silent auction for Red Sox tickets that were donated by a vendor. June 7, 2010 Performance Contracting Summer Schedule Ms. DeLai provided an overall project update. The project is moving along on schedule. She reviewed the major work that will be done at Killam and Birch Meadow over the summer. FYI 0 Budget Ms. DeLai gave a FY 10 budget status update and explained the need for a transfer from the RMHS Building Project to the Town Legal account.. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to authorize the transfer of $29,956.50 from the RMHS School Building Project account to the Town Legal Account to pay for litigation costs associated with TLT versus Town of Reading et al. The motion carried 5-0. Elementary Class Size Update Dr. Doherty updated the committee on the elementary enrollment and reviewed his previous thoughts regarding spot redistricting of several Birch Meadow incoming kindergarten students. With the continued fluctuation of the elementary enrollment he decided to forego that plan and proposed a spot redistricting plan that would affect new families moving into Reading. This plan will allow the Superintendent to place students based on class size. The students would be place within a 2 mile limit. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to authorize the Superintendent to implement an elementary spot redistricting plan as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 3, 2010, which would give administration the flexibility to spot redistrict any newly enrolled elementary student within a 2 mile limit of an elementary school in order to balance class sizes across the district. The School Committee asked clarifying question. Dr. Doherty indicated that the district will use ARRA money to provide class size tutors to address the areas of concern. The motion carried 5-0. D. New Business METCO Presentation Ms. Jesenia Castro and several students shared information on the METCO program. She provided a brief history and the application process used for new students. Reading Public Schools have 65 students enrolled and 8 of the students graduated on Sunday. The success of the program in Reading and other METCO communities is the support from the parents and communities in which their children attend school. Ms. Castro outlined several challenges that impact the METCO programs. A major challenge is funding for the program. The students shared their experiences thus far in the Reading Public Schools. The students want to take full advantage of all club, athletic and academic activities June 7, 2010 that are offered. They also appreciate the opportunities in Reading. The lack of a late bus makes participation in some of these extra-curricula activities difficult. Mrs. Annette shared her experience as a parent. She stated her daughter loves being in Reading and is an active member of the school community. There was discussion regarding the need for a late bus to service these students. Ms. Castro she has had discussions with other METCO Directors on this issue and they will continue to collaborate on possible solutions. The School Committee thanked Ms. Castro, the students and parents for their presentation. Early Release/Delayed Opening Update Mrs. Freedman, Mr. Lyons and Mr. Martin updated the School Committee on the early release schedule. The secondary administrators have worked with the department heads and staff to determine the best use of professional development time. They also conducted a parent survey for feedback. At the high school level it was determined that the delayed opening did not allow enough time and a release day scheduled the same day as building based meetings made more sense and afforded several hours of uninterrupted time for professional development. The middle school principals agreed. By scheduling the building based meeting and release days on the same day it afforded greater continuity of work. Mrs. O'Sullivan, parent, liked the delayed starts, it allowed her kids to sleep in. The administrators understand that the students need the additional sleep by found with the delayed opening the students were still tardy and the time was not used efficiently. The School Committee thanked the principals for the information. Education Foundations Ms. DeLai and Mrs. Webb updated the School Committee on the investigation into establishing educational foundations as a source of revenue generation. Ms. DeLai indicated that they recently met with the Education Foundation president from Winchester. Mrs. Webb has made initial contact with other Foundations and will continue to gather information. They have also contacted Deb Boschetti of the Reading Technology and Education Fund to keep her updated. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the open session minutes dated May 10, 2010. The motion carried 4-0-1. Mrs. Michaud abstained. June 7, 2010 • Bids and Donations Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into agreement with Cleaning Services Group of Danvers, MA to provide Cleaning Services at Reading Memorial High School and the Coolidge Middle School as outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations memorandum dated June 3, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into agreement Jupiter Electric of North Reading, MA to provide Fire Alarm Panel Replacement at the J.W. Killam School as outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations memorandum dated June 3, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso, moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept a donation in the amount of $500 from the Friends of Reading Softball to be used to support the assistant coach position as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 3, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept a donation in the amount of $2,900 from the Parker Middle School PTO to be used to support technology and technology integration as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 3, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept a donation in the amount of $600 from the Reading Memorial High School PTO to be used to offset the costs of hosting Career Day as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 3, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept a donation in the amount of $895 from the Reading Memorial High School PTO to be used to offset the costs of attendance at the World of Difference Conference as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 3 2010. the motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept a donation in the amount of $100 from the Reading Cooperative Bank to be used to offset the costs of hosting Career Day as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 3, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept a donation in the amount of $100 from the Young Women's League of Reading to the RISE Preschool as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 3, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept a donation in the amount of $7,000 from the Joshua Eaton PTO to be used to support technology purchases as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 3, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept a donation in the amount of $577.94 from the Wood End PTO to be used to purchase agendas for fourth and fifth grade students as z outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 7, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. June 7, 2010 Calendar IV. Information V. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0. VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 10:22 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. Jo F. Doherty, d.D. Su Vrintendent o-Schools