Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-10 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session D 1., 1. lr 4_ i t 1 1 3"S. 21 P 12: 4 Z 14 Date: May 10, 2010 Time: 7:00 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Chuck Robinson Hal Croft Lisa Gibbs Karen Janowski Chris Caruso Arrived at 7:26 p.m. Patrick O'Sullivan Student Representative Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services Visitors: Erica McNamara, RCASA Executive Director Connie DeBenedetto, RCASA Assistant Director Dan Pomerleau, RCASA Youth Crew Alex Grinnell, RCASA Youth Crew Erin Cunningham, RCASA,Youth Crew I. Call to Order Tom Zaya, RMHS Wellness Department Head Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle Steven Hagen, Reading Advocate v 1, d.c Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He welcomed guests and reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (1) B. Reports 1. Student Mr. O'Sullivan reported on the AP exams currently being administered at RMHS. He also recognized two students that have won awards - Eric Pratt, National Merit Scholar and Tim O'Sullivan, Northeast Youth Leadership Award. He went on to indicate that the high school and middle schools have recently been recognized. The middle school jazz band won a gold medal at a recent competition held at RMHS and the high school jazz band will be performing at the Hatch Shell this Sunday. RMHS drama will be presenting the final production of the year this weekend. He recommends if you have a chance try to see it. May 10, 2010 Mr. O'Sullivan also indicated that his replacement as Student representative to the School Committee will be Jared Beaulieu. 2. Liaison Mrs. Janowski reported that she attended the meeting of the Human Relations Advocacy Committee and that Reading METCO Director Jesenia Castro was the guest speaker. She shared information on METCO program in reading. Mrs. Janowski relayed the request from Ms. Castro of the possibility of holding a School Committee meeting in Boston. She also asked Superintendent Doherty to invite Ms. Castro to a meeting to discuss advocacy and fundraising for METCO. Mrs. Gibbs thanked the staff at Birch Meadow for the calm, professional manner they handled the recent "Shelter in Place" event. She said that there were approximately 25 parents in a classroom for a presentation and all were impressed with the effective manner in which the staff handled the situation. Mr. Robinson indicated that there is a petition drive to hold a special election on the meals tax increase. He indicated that the School Committee remained committed in supporting the meal tax increase. 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty updated the committee on elementary enrollment and that the letters for voluntary transfer have been sent. He indicated that if he did not get enough families to move he would consider spot redistricting with the possibility of utilizing our existing bus routes. Dr. Doherty indicated that the secondary administrators have been working on the early release calendar and hopes to have the finalized plans by the next meeting. He shared that he attended the Spring Awards Assembly at RMHS last week. Awards were given out in the areas of community service, band drama and athletics. The Scholastic Awards Ceremony is this week. Students will be inducted in the National Honor Society, recognized as members of the Century Club and receive College Book awards. 4. Director of Finance and Operations Ms. DeLai reviewed the Booster Club Guidelines included in the information packets and indicated that we would be implementing a web-based fee and tuition management system over the next couple of months. Director of Pupil Services Mrs. Dolan reported that 27 students participated in the recent Special Olympics "School Games Day" in Malden. She thanked Tara Herlihy for organizing the event. She also shared that the Wood End community greeted the returning Olympians in grand fashion lining the halls and balcony areas cheering their return. May 10, 2010 C. Continued Business Friends and Family Day Discussion continued regarding Friends & Family Day. Mrs. Janowski suggested that the School Committee booth display information regarding the initiatives the schools currently are involved with such as Inclusion, Project Challenge, and the Health & Wellness Expo. It was suggested that the table be set up adjacent to the RCASA table to be able to highlight their work. FY10 Budget Ms. DeLai gave a FY10 budget status update and request for transfers. She indicated the school department currently has an unencumbered balance of $407,421, the majority of which is in the School Building Maintenance cost center. Most of the balance is a result of energy saving measures due to Performance Contracting work done in the district. She reviewed several energy conservation projects that the school department will be putting out to bid and awarding over the next few weeks. These projects are a result of recommendations made by NORESCO but not included in the Performance Contracting project. Ms. DeLai requested that the School Committee vote to transfer funds between cost centers. She indicated that she neglected to account for payment for vacation time owed to the late Superintendent's estate. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to authorize the transfer of $20,000 from the School Building Maintenance Cost Center to the Administration Cost Center outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations memorandum dated May 6, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. She went on to review the Town Building Maintenance budget and stated that plan is to complete the window replacement project at Town Hall with the unencumbered balance. D. New Business RCASA Youth Crew Presentation Dr. Doherty introduced Erica McNamara, RCASA Executive Director. She went on to introduce members of the RCASA Youth Crew. The RCASA Youth Crew has been working on a Tobacco Prevention Research Project. This research project is being funded by a grant which they wrote and applied for and are working with several other communities on the research project. They have conducted surveys with 40 stores in Reading and Stoneham regarding the availability of tobacco products. The students went on to explain that there are several new products on the market that are being marketed to youth. Products such as blunt wraps (used for wrapping marijuana), a dissolvable tablet (Arriva) and smokeless tobacco are now being sold in flavors. The smokeless tobacco, called snus, do not require the user to spit and is mint flavored. These products can contain more nicotine than one cigarette, are less expensive than cigarettes and are readily accessible. May 10, 2010 Ms. McNamara indicated that the retailers have been diligent in their carding of purchasers. These products are to be sold to people over 18 years old. People under 18 years old will ask others to "buy" for them. Mr. Robinson inquired about the possibility of having the RCASA Youth Crew doing a similar presentation at the middle school levels. Dr. Doherty said he would discuss it with the building principals. The School Committee thanked the students for their presentation. Wellness Fair Presentation Tom Zaya and Erica McNamara presented an overview of the lst Annual Health & Wellness Day. Mr. Zaya explained that it was very important during the district committee work that the gaps in the results of the YRBS were addressed. The committee as well as the youth crew brainstormed ideas to help address these concerns. They decided to provide information for staff, students and parents. The day began with an informational meeting for staff. Representatives from Blue Cross-Blue Shield and the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) presented a health consumerism workshop. Faculty and staff where then able to visit tables, booths, workshops and displays. Mr. Caruso arrived. Students were given a passport and evaluation to the Expo. The assignment was to visit at least 8 tables and get their passport stamped for completing an activity. There were several ways they could attend the Wellness Expo. They could attend during there Wellness class, during a study or with another class. Several teachers brought their classes to the Expo. Many of the activities and booths offered crossover educational opportunities. The eighth grade students from the two middle schools also attended. They were divided into groups of 10-12 and paired with an RCASA Youth Crew member or an Upper Connections member. The middle school students had guided tours at the Expo and then debriefed with their high school guides. There were also several workshops that the high school students could sign up and participate in. The parent event was a presentation by the Middlesex District attorney's Office on Social Host Liability. Mr. Zaya and Ms. McNamara were thrilled with the response to participate in the Expo. The number and variety of booths and tables had something for everyone. They hope to expand on the Health & Wellness Expo for next year. Mrs. DeBenedetto provided an overview of the Rx Round Up program and handed out information. Public Hearing - School Choice Superintendent Doherty outlined school choice and recommended against Reading Public Schools from participating in the School Choice Program due to general district enrollment. There was no public input. May 10, 2010 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, pursuant to the provisions of G.L.c. 76 & 12B, that the School Committee of Reading, following a public hearing, hereby withdraw from its obligation to enroll non-resident students in Reading Public Schools during the 2010-2011 school year for the following reason: General District Enrollment. The vote was 5-0. Before & After School Program Uudate Dr. Doherty gave a brief overview of the programs. He stated that the idea for these programs came out of the revenue producing discussions the School Committee had earlier in the year. He went on to introduce Margie Ploch, Director of Adult & Community Education. Ms. Ploch updated the School Committee on the before & after school programs starting in the fall of 2010. She reviewed the hours, days, location and staffing of the programs. Ms. Ploch is very pleased she is able to offer before & after school programs in all five of the elementary schools. She has visited established programs in Tewksbury, Wilmington and Lynnfield to help her model the Reading program. Ms. Ploch went on to provide an overview of the current enrollment, typical daily schedule, fees and staffing. She reviewed the projected budget for the program. The committee inquired how the program would be staffed. Ms. Ploch indicated that there will be a head teacher at each site plus another teacher. The goal is to have a 13:1 ratio. The projection is to hire approximately 25 staff, all of which will be part time. She is currently working with Elizabeth Conway to finalize the job postings. Mrs. Gibbs inquired if the program had to be licensed by the state. Ms. Ploch said there is an application process which she has submitted to the state. Mrs. Gibbs also inquired about enrolling students with special needs. Mrs. Ploch stated that she would work with the Pupil services Department and the parents to provide opportunities that are in the best interest of children with special needs. The School Committee thanked Ms. Ploch for her hard work and wished her luck with the program. RTEF Presentation Deb Boschetti and Lori Weir of the Reading Technology Education Foundation outlined the upcoming brick fundraiser. They plan to launch the fundraiser in the next few weeks. All ordering will be online. The bricks will be installed at the memorial entrance at RMHS. The RTEF goal is to use 50% of the proceeds to establish a technology maintenance fund for all eight schools and the other 50% to support the grant requests they receive. The cost of the bricks will be $99. Mrs. Janowski thanked Mrs. Boschetti and Mrs. Weir for the continued support the RTEF provides and wished them luck with the upcoming fundraiser. Reading Memorial High School Field Trip Dr. Doherty reviewed the proposed trip to the National History Day competition in Maryland in June. This year one student has qualified and RMHS History teacher Caroline Allison will be accompanying the student on the trip. He recommended that the School Committee approve this trip Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to approve the trip to the National History Day Conference in Maryland as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 6, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. May 10, 2010 Superintendent's Evaluation Process Review Mr. Robinson provided a brief overview of the Superintendent's Evaluation process. He requested that the School Committee return the completed forms to Mr. Caruso by June 1st. The School Committee will review the comments at the June 21St meeting. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the open session minutes dated April 27, 2010. The motion carried 4-0-1. Mrs. Gibbs abstained. • Bids and Donations Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into agreement with Cooling & Heating Specialists to provide Air & Water Balancing Services as outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations memorandum dated May 6, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into agreement with R & R Window to provide Window replacement services at the J.W. Killam School as outlined in the Director of Finance and Operations memorandum dated May 6, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept the donation of office furniture and supplies valued at $1,400 from Mrs. Nancy Dahm as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 6, 2010 The motion carried 5-0. 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 9:02 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. w Jbhp F. Doherty, d.D. *,,Oerintendent of Schools,