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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-07 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: December 7, 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: Joe Huggins, Director of Facilities Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle The Gibbs Family 1. Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Acting Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance & Operations CEI V L TON CLEF READING, MA 2810 JAN 11 pG Steve Hagan, Reading Advocate Danielle Powers, Secretary, Samantha's Harvest Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to enter into Executive Session to discuss negotiation strategies, collective bargaining, personnel matters and approval of minutes and to return to open session. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Webb, Mr. Caruso and Mrs. Janowski. Mr. Robinson called the meeting back to order at 8:56 p.m. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) B. Reports (1) 1. Student Mr. O'Sullivan reported on the following: • The success of the football team winning the Division II Eastern Massachusetts championship • He reported that the Marching Band had an opportunity to perform on the field at Gillette Stadium. • The annual trip to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City took place last weekend and was a huge success • There are currently 2 community service drives going on at FMHS, one being sponsored by the Community Service Club collecting hand sanitizer etc. to prevent illness and the Right Club is conducting a coat drive for kids • The HIM clinic held at RMHS today was well run December 7, 2009 a Winter sports tryouts have concluded and the teams have begun practicing for the start of the season ® Drama has held auditions for the winter performance ® The RTEF held its annual Festival of Trees over the weekend ® The RMHS band and chorus winter concert is on December 16'h ® Drama is presenting an Improvisation show on Dec. 18th 2. Liaison Mr. Robinson congratulated the RMHS football for its recent success and pointed out that they are the only football team to finish 13-0. Mrs. Webb reported that she will be attending a meeting of the MASC Advocacy Committee this weekend. She also congratulated Mr. O'Sullivan on being awarded a part in the winter production. Mrs. Janowski reported on the Festival Trees. She wanted to acknowledge all the volunteers who helped to make this event so successful. It was a magical community event. She also pointed out that the RTEF is the only non-profit group that provides grants to teachers. Mr. Robinson pointed out in the past the School Committee has donated a tree but due to scheduling conflicts were unable to donate this year. He indicated that the committee will contribute a tree next year. 3. Superintendent's Report Superintendent Doherty updated the committee on HINE He reported that the first round of vaccinations took place at Reading Memorial High School today with 432 students that had returned their permission slips received the shot. He thanks Larry Ramdin and Lynn Dunn for coordinating this clinic. He also reported that Kindergarten registration will take place in early January. The administration would like to have solid numbers going into the budget season. Kindergarten screening will take place in late April. Dr. Doherty also congratulated the football program for its success. He said it was a true community event. It was great to see our Marching Band, Color Guard, Dance Team and cheerleaders performing at Gillette Stadium. Mr. Doherty also shared information on the success of all of our fall sports programs. He reported that Mary DeLai and he met with the RTEF board today. They discussed the technology proposals that the teachers submitted. RTEF indicated that they had received $52,000 of grant applications. 4. Director of Finance and Operations No Report C. Continued Business December 7, 2009 D. New Business Sub-Committee Appointment Chair Robinson reported that the Town Manager had discussed the formation of an ad hoc Municipal Building Committee. The committee's role will be to oversee the inventory of the town buildings and activities related to municipal building projects. Mr. Robinson asked for nominations. Mr. Michaud stated he would serve as the representative. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to nominate Mr. David Michaud to be the School Committee representative. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to appoint David Michaud to serve as the School Committee representative to the Municipal Building Committee. The motion carried 6-0. RMHS Field Trips Dr. Doherty reviewed the proposed tripled by Dr. Ryan to Eastern Europe during the summer of 2011. Mr., Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the proposed field trip to Eastern Europe during the summer of 2011 as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated December 3 2009 The motion carried 6-0 Dr. Doherty outlined the proposed trip to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in the fall of 2010. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the proposed RNMS field trip to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in fall of 2010 as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated December 3, 2009. The motion carried 6-0. Dr. Doherty outlined the proposed Drama Club trip to attend two Broadway shows in New York City in the fall of 2010. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the proposed RMHS field trip to New York City to attend a Broadway show in May of 2010 as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated December 3, 2009. The motion carried 6- 0. III. Routine Matters ® Bills and Payroll (A) ® Approval of Minutes Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes as amended dated November 23 2009. The motion carried 6-0 ® Bids and Donations Mr. Rob Gibbs, along with his children, Douglas, Alec and Samantha, were present at the meeting as Ms. Danielle Powers, secretary of Samantha's Harvest, presented the Reading Public Schools with a donation from Samantha's Harvest to be used for professional development for inclusion training. December 7, 2009 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud to accept the donation from Samantha's Harvest to be used to support professional development for inclusion training as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated December 3 2009 The motion carried 5-0-1. Mrs. Gibbs abstained. Dr. Doherty shared that the RMHS PTO has generously made a donation to help defray the costs for two teachers to attend the Blue Ribbon Conference in Orlando. Dr. Doherty reminded the committee that all attendees are either paying their own way or are being subsidized by the PTOs. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the donation from the PN MS PTO to used to help defray the cost for two faculty members to attend the upcoming Blue Ribbon Conference as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated December 3, 2009. The motion carried 6-0. Superintendent Doherty also reported that the Reading Co-Operative Bank generously made a donation to offset the cost of the Excellence Luncheon Program at the high school. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the donation from the Reading Cooperative Bank to be used to support the Excellence Luncheon Program as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated December 3 2009 The motion carried 6-0 Calendar IV. Information MCAS Presentation was postponed until the December 21St meeting. V. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. J ' F. Dohe Ed.D. A1ng Superintendent of Schools NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting.