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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-27 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: April 27, 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 Visitors: I. II. Student Representative ED Yt,: U,_ERK A Ss- 2I,g P 12: 4 3 Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Elect Kim Oliveira, Director of Pupil Services Elect Call to Order Karen Feeney, Interim Joshua Eaton Principal Elect Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to enter into executive session to discuss litigation strategies and approval of minutes to return to open session The roll call vote passed 5-0. Mrs. Janowski, Mr. Caruso, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Croft and Mr. Michaud Mr. Robinson called the meeting back to order at 8:26 p.m. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) v r It Sheryl Love, Eaton parent expressed concerns that there will not be a search for the Joshua Eaton Principal position. She feels that the district should go through the process. Dr. Doherty reviewed Ms. Feeney's qualifications and indicated that over the past 6 years the district has had 17 administrative vacancies and 7 had been filled by direct appointment. The Superintendent stated that it is his job to put the best person in the position. He also said that it is very late in the school year to do a full search. There are several elementary principal vacancies right now in other districts' and they are difficult to fill. Rena Angelou, Eaton parent, shared her concerns over class size in grade 2. She would like to see four grade 2 classes at Eaton. April 27, 2010 Katie Wheeler echoed the class size concerns and asked that the process be open and transparent. Beth Thornton, Killam parent, addressed concerns over grade 1 class sizes and requested an additional teacher. Peg Raciti, Killam parent also is concerned over first grade class sizes. B. Reports Student Mr. O'Sullivan reported on the recent Blue Ribbon Conference and ArtsFest. He said both events were outstanding and has heard a lot of positive feedback. He also shared that the AP exams for juniors and seniors will be taking place next week and for the first time the freshman class will be having a semi-formal. 2. Liaison Mr. Caruso reported that the recent Coolidge trip to Prindle Pond was a great success. Mrs. Janowski stated that she attended the Blue Ribbon Conference on Friday and it was an outstanding day and event. It was a great sharing experience. She went on to commend Dr. Doherty and the district. Mr. Croft shared Mrs. Janowski's feelings. He stated that the event was impressive. Mr. Michaud reported that the Ad-Hoc municipal Building Committee met again. At their meeting they met with the Cemetery Committee and a group of citizen's that are proposing the development of the land across from the high school. 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty also reported on the recent Blue Ribbon Conference and ArtsFest. He was pleased at the success of both events. It was a great experience for everyone. He reported that the district will be pursuing 3 grant opportunities. Working with CAST and VHS on the Innovation grant opportunities and the high school will be applying for a Nellie Mae Foundation grant. The Reading Summer Enrichment brochures will be mailed out and are on the website. Dr. Doherty stated that an update on the early release/delayed openings would occur at the May l Oth meeting. The secondary administrators and he have been working on method to better use this time. Dr. Doherty plans on sending an e-mail out to the community asking community members to host neighborhood coffees. Apri127, 2010 4. Director of Finance and Operations 5. Director of Pupil Services C. Continued Business Friends and Family Day It was suggested that this discussion be moved to the May l Oth meeting. Some ideas were suggested for the School Committee booth such as availability of data, give-aways and possibly binders for each school with pertinent information. D. New Business Introduction of New Administrators Dr. Doherty officially welcomed and introduced the new administrators. They are Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent, Kim Oliveira, Director of Pupil Services and Karen Feeney, Interim Principal, Joshua Eaton School. The School Committee welcomed them and wished then the best of luck. Elementarv Class Size Ubdate Dr. Doherty updated the committee on the current elementary class size. He said that the numbers are continually changing. He pointed out that kindergarten screening would be taking place this week and we should be able to get a good idea of where those numbers will be. He cautioned the public and School Committee that it is too early to make any decisions but will be sending letters out to parents offering voluntary redistricting for those grades that he considers the hot spots. He also said that the district still has stimulus monies available to finance tutors in those areas of concern. Dr. Doherty went on to explain that he has looked at the possibility of doing some spot redistricting of those children entering kindergarten that have no siblings currently enrolled in the schools. The areas he looked at were Barrows to Eaton and Killam to Wood End. Doing this would require bussing of students that live over 2 miles away from the school. Mr. Caruso suggested that we relook at redistricting. Dr. Doherty stated that moving district lines could affect children that can see their neighborhood school. Mrs. Janowski suggested we take a long term view by possibly restructuring our elementary schools. Carolyn Johnson, Killam parent, asked to relook at redistricting and asked for four teachers at grade 1. Katie Wheeler, Eaton parent asked if the enrollment chart could be included with the voluntary redistricting letter being sent to parents. She also thanks the committee for being receptive and transparent. Z-.p ril , 2010 Sheryl Love, Eaton parent, asked it bussing in some capacity could solve our problems. Town Meeting Pre arp ation Ms. Dolan presented information on Municipal Medicaid. She reviewed how districts have been reimbursed in the past and how districts are now being reimbursed. The new reimbursement structure has significant impact on districts and towns because of the method that claims are processed. Mr. Robinson reviewed the Meals Tax article on the Town Meeting warrant and restated that he is generally not in favor of additional taxes but supports this article. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, that the School Committee support the proposed meal tax increase at Town Meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The members of the School Committee echoed Mr. Robinson's sentiments. Coolidge Middle School Field Trip Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to approve the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad field trip to the University of Illinois in May 2010 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 22, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the open session minutes dated April 5, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the open session minutes dated April 12, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. • Bids and Donations Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept a donation of an Apple Wad from Douglass Design & Construction as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated April 22, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Calendar IV. Information V. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to adiourn. The motion carried 5-0. Apri127, 2010 VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 10:06 p.m. ~ t J F. Doherty, B .D. S erintendent of Schools NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. F