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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-21 School Committee MinutesG Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts w -RECEIVED Regular Meeting of the School Committee r1 U ~ Q CLERK R~~~~~~ ~1 ASS Open Session Date: September 21, 2009 Time: 7:15 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Fine & Performing Arts Center, RMHS School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs Karen Janowski Chuck Robinson Elaine Webb David Michaud Chris Caruso Patrick Student Representative O'Sullivan Visitors: RMHS Administrators Middle School Administrators Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Rich Abate, School Resource Officer Steve Goldy, BOS Jamie Bonazoli, BOS Jim Cormier Chief, RPD Jim Dwyer, State Representative 1. Call to Order Steve Hagan, Reading Advocate Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle Larry Berkowitz, Riverside Community Health Jim Ryan, Northeast Center for Healthy Communities Sara Grinnell, Northeast Center for Healthy Communities Erica McNamara, RCASA Members of the RCASA Board Representatives from the RCASA Youth Crew Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. He welcomed guests and briefly went over the agenda. Il. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) B. Reports (1) 1. Student Mr. O'Sullivan reported that we are currently hosting a group of Spanish exchange students who will be attending classes with their host and participating in other activities in the area. He also added that the high school Back-to-School and Jr. Class Buffet would be happening this week. 1 2000 ml -9 P I* 50 Staff Members Present John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services Mary DeLai, Director of Finance & Operations September 21, 2009 2 3 4 5 Liaison Mr. Robinson reported on the Middlesex Partnerships for Youth's annual Chief/Superintendent Breakfast that was held this morning. He also shared that Superintendent Schettini was recognized with a Distinguished Service Award. He also showed the plaque awarded to Superintendent Schettini and read the message. He publically thanked Superintendent Schettini for his continued advocacy work while he is undergoing treatments. Mr. Caruso reminded the committee that the RCASA Annual Meeting will take place on October 1St at the Reading Public Library. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported that the schools are holding their open houses and curriculum nights. He also reported on the breakfast saying that several timely topics were discussed including cyberbullying, students at risk and the winning PSA on teen dating violence. Sub-Committee Director of Finance and Operations C. Continued Business D. New Business RMHS Field Trip Dr. Doherty introduced Mrs. Freedman, RMHS principal and Sue Hennessey, RMHS Foreign Language Teacher who presented information of the proposed French Exchange and trip. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to avvrove the Reading Memorial High School field trip to France in April 2010 as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated September 17, 2009. The motion carried 6-0. 2. Youth Risk Behavior Survey Presentation Dr. Doherty gave a quick background on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and indicated that the State results will not be available until the spring but it was important to provide the community with the information available at this time. He introduced Mr. Tom Zaya, RMHS Department Chair for Health & Wellness. Mr. Zaya discussed the value of the YRBS and gave an overview of the progress through activities that has occurred in the Reading Public Schools. He pointed out that the YRBS affords the town opportunities to discuss issues as a community. We are also able to use this survey as a tool for grant development. He indicated that using the results of this survey the district has been able to revise the computer acceptable use policy focusing on September 21, 2009 internet safety. We have undertaken emergency preparedness initiative, teacher share opportunities and have been able to establish parent/teen dialogues on YRBS with RCASA. The district has offered several parent nights to discuss areas of concerns and the health and wellness curriculum uses the YRBS results as a guide and teaching tool. The district has several programs in place to increase student awareness such as Project Challenge, Open Circle and Understanding Disabilities. We also have school based initiatives. Erica McNamara, Director of RCASA, discussed the progress the town has made to address concerns resulting from this survey. She stated that we have town leaders involved in RCASA, there have been discussions at Town Meeting regarding substance abuse and what we can do as a town to address this issue. There have been liquor policy improvements and the successful World Cafe discussion. The police department has also made improvements in the education of its officers and community. There have been joint presentations with RCASA on Opiate Preventions, RAD self defense classes at the high school and they have offered a Rx Round Up program for controlled substances. Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse has also been very involved in providing programs and information. They have hosted several prevention and informational forums for parents and launched a Rx Round Up for non-controlled substances. The addition of the RCASA Youth Crew has linked RCASA with the student population. Jim Ryan and Sara Grinnell of the Northeast Center for Healthy Communities gave an overview of the YRBS purpose pointing out the survey is used to monitor priority health behavior s of middle and high school students to help community leaders make critical decisions about effective prevention strategies and use of resources, track progress of current efforts to assist in evaluating programs and curricula and to use the data to seek out funding. Mr. Ryan reviewed the data and compared it to previous year's results. The data indicates that the Reading students' responses have stayed fairly consistent. Sara Grinnell reviewed the trends over the period from 2005 -2009. The trends confirm what the data indicate that Reading's responses are fairly consistent. There was discussion of the priorities as we move ahead which include discussions regarding the data with key stakeholders including teachers, clergy, community organizations and parents. There also a need to collaborate to address the gaps that exist and promotion of protective factors. The Chair thanked the presenters for being here and called a 5 minute recess. The School Committee to a brief recess at 8:45 p.m. Mr. Robinson called the committee to back to order at 8:55 p.m. September 21, 2009 III. Routine Matters 9 Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mrs. Caruso, moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the open session minutes of September 15, 2009. The motion carried 6-0. • Bids and Donations Dr. Doherty gave an overview of two donations to the district. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept donation of $2,250 from the Young Women's League to be used replenish the elementary science kits as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated September 17, 2009. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept donation of 100 poster sized colored copies of the RMHS schedule from Mr. Michael Shea, as outlined in the Acting Superintendent's memorandum dated September 17, 2009. The motion carried 6-0. Ms. DeLai reviewed the results of the recent Invitation to bid for Custodial Services for the Town Buildings and recommended that the contract be awarded to M & M Cleaning, Inc. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to authorize the Acting Superintendent to enter into agreement with M & M Cleaning, Inc, to provide Custodial Services for the Town Buildings as outlined in the Director of Finance & Operation's memorandum dated September 17,2009. The motion carried 6-0. 3. Calendar IV. Information V. Adjournment Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. Doherty, E .D. A t ng Superintendent of Schools