Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-21 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session RECEIVED TOW CLERK READING, Mir SS. 2010 JAN i 1 P 12« 0 8 Date: December 21, 2009 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs Chuck Robinson Elaine Webb David Michaud Chris Caruso Karen Janowski Patrick O'Sullivan Student Representative Visitors: Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle I. Call to Order Steve Hagan, Reading Advocate Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Mr. Caruso, moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, for an immediate executive session meeting to discuss non-represented personnel items to return to open session. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Gibbs, Mrs. Webb and Mrs. Janowski. Chairperson Robinson called the regular session back to order at 7:45 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (Il B. Reports (1) 1. Student Mr. O'Sullivan reported on the upcoming midterms. He also shared that winter sports & activities are in full swing. The RMHS Band held the annual winter concert and the Reading High School Improv troupe held a show that was very well attended. Seniors are receiving early acceptance information from colleges. There are several charity drives occurring with a great spirit of giving and the filming for a local television show focusing on careers occurred today at RMHS. Staff Members Present John Doherty, Acting Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance & Operations December 21, 2009 2. Liaison Elaine Webb reported on the continuation of Rachel's Challenge and the decision to bring in a program given by Michael Fallon. The PTO voted to support it financially. PTO continues to have various department heads come to speak to the PTO parents to discuss program initiatives in the schools. Mrs. Webb indicated that she attended the MASC Advocacy meeting on December 10t'. A letter was sent to Linda Engelson & Chuck Robinson that contained the key points of the legislation. David Michaud met with the Board of Selectman and Dr. Doherty to discuss creating a policy on "Naming" buildings, places, etc. Coolidge Middle School will be performing Willy Wonka in January. 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported on the following: H1N1 update: The numbers remain low. Clinics were held at the high school and 2 middle schools with 45% (1036 students) receiving the vaccines at those clinics. The town is having a clinic on Sat. January 16th and there will be another school-based after school clinic planned. Dr. Doherty said thank you and extended kudos to the entire music department for preparing all students for the holiday concerts that were recently held and congratulated the student musicians on a job well done. Dr. Doherty showed a video featuring Cathy Carmody's second grade class at Joshua Eaton. Ms. Carmody entered a contest and submitted a video of her students using smartboards as a teaching tool. The video won a classroom supply of Senteos (student response systems) that can be used in conjunction with the smartboards. 4. Director of Finance and Operations No Report C. Continued Business Student Activity Account Corrective Action Plan Ms. DeLai reviewed the Student Activities Account Audit and outlined the corrective action plan to be put into place based on the findings and recommendations from the auditors at Melanson-Heath. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to increase the allowable checking account balance for the High School Student Activities Checking Account from $40,000 to $50,000. The motion carried 6-0. December 21, 2009 RMHS Field Trip Dr. Doherty asked the committee to revote the Habitat for Humanity trip due to a location change. The group will now be going to Virginia rather than West Virginia. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the proposed RM14S community service trip to Exmore, VA., as part of the Habitat for Humanity program scheduled for late June 2010 as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated December 17, 2009. The motion carried 6-0. D. New Business Administrative Procedures for Booster Organizations Ms. DeLai reviewed the proposed guidelines for Administrative Procedures for Booster Organizations. She explained what a booster organization is, what the Key Elements of the Administrative Procedures are, and what the Next Steps of implementation are. Approval of New Revolving Account Ms. DeLai reviewed the reasons to establish a Guidance Department revolving account. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to authorize the creation of a Guidance revolving account per MGL Chapter 71, Section 47 as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated December 17, 2009. The motion carried 6-0. MCAS & Student Growth Percentiles Presentation Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the Reading Public Schools 2009 MCAS and the Student Growth Percentile model. Presentation Topics: ® MCAS AYP-Adequate Yearly Progress ® The Growth Model ® Initiatives in Place to Address Gaps WAS key points: ® 86% of RMHS students received competency on all three tests * Grade 3 Reading scores have shown a downward trend since 2002. The reading curriculum was last revised in 2000 and is not research-based. Dr. Doherty stated that there are external time demands on Grade 3 curriculum overall that take away from the students learning. It is also a transition year between K-2 and 4-5. December 21, 2009 ® Dr. Doherty outlined the many School Improvement Initiatives and Curriculum Initiatives that Support MCAS Improvement and the District as a whole. Race to the Top Dr. Doherty updated the committee on the Race to the Top funding. Dr. Doherty, Chairman Robinson, and Stan Quinlan attended 2 webinars regarding the Race to the Top initiative grant over the last two weeks. Race to The Top is federal stimulus money. It is Supplement funding, not a supplant and is tied into Ed Reform 2. A timeline for the RTTT grant submission was shown as well as the final criteria that will help shape the final proposal. 50% of the funding will be passed on to participating districts using the Title 1 formula. The other 50% may be used by the State or distributed to participating districts. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to authorize Charles Robinson to sign the Race to the Top Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the School Committee. The motion carried 6-0. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the December 7, 2009 open session minutes. The motion carried 6-0. • Bids and Donations Calendar IV. Information V. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Jo F. Doherty, Ed.D. Ac g Superintendent of Schools { NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting.