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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-23 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts 1 V E 0 Lit- R K Regular Meeting of the School CommitteR IF P, 01 G I x ~ Open Session Date: March 23, 2009 Time: 7:00 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs David Michaud Karen Janowski Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Elaine Webb Visitors: Steven Hagan, Reading Advocate Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle George Hines, Fincom member Joe Finigan, Principal, RMHS RPS Budget Parents Staff Members Present Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Human Resource and Finances Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services I. Call to Order Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. He welcomed the guests that attended the meeting. He also reviewed the agenda. Mr. Robinson introduced Mr. Cerullo from the Epilepsy Foundation. Epilepsy Foundation Awards Superintendent Schettini presented the Epilepsy Foundation Awards to 3rd grade students from our five elementary schools. Each student read their winning entry "Why Benjamin is My Friend" and was presented with a $50.00 savings bond. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (1 B. Reports I 1. Student Jesse Downing reported on the Laramie Project and a meeting the student council had with Mrs. Morello, Director of Food Services, to discuss student concerns and suggestions. This meeting was a follow-up to a previous meeting. March 23, 2009 2. Liaison Mr. Michaud commended the students, staff and community on the recent success of the Laramie Project. He stated that each performance gets better and better and felt that this went beyond being a school event it was a total community event. He was impressed how the community came together against hate and totally supported our students. Mrs. Janowski attended the Joshua Eaton Technology Showcase. It was an event that highlighted the integration of technology in our classrooms at all levels. Ms. Webb reported on the Parker Middle School production of Alice in Wonderland. The kids did a great job and the play was a lot of fun. She commended them on the hard work. She also updated the committee on Finance Committee meetings she attended. Mrs. Webb shared with the committee that Superintendent Schettini will be the Keynote speaker at the MCLE School Law Conference. Mrs. Gibbs reported on the celebration of unity held by the clergy association prior to the Friday evening performance of the Laramie Project. She said it was a very moving experience. She also wanted to thank the members of the Samantha's Harvest Club that attended the 25th annual Down Syndrome Conference. Mrs. Gibbs also reported on the Rotary Club meeting that Representative Jones attended. He spoke on the stimulus package and the fact that we can not move forward until there is definitive direction. Mr. Robinson reported on METCO Lobby Day at the State House. He also reported that the meeting with FinCom. He felt Fincom was pleased with the School Committee budget and thanked Mr. Hines. He also reported on two upcoming events - the Suburban Coalition Breakfast and the Citizen's for Public Schools meeting. 3. Superintendent's Report Superintendent Schettini thanked the community for the success of the Laramie Project. He stated how proud he was of the response of all segments of the community and the unified clergy. He stated that he is very proud to be a resident of the Town of Reading. Superintendent Schettini reported on the following student successes: CMS Science Team wins State Science Olympiad RMHS Science Team finishes 6th in State Competition Parker Student wins Will McDonough Writing Contest Coolidge Student qualifies for Massachusetts Geography Bee Ms. DeLai reported that Mrs. Kristin Morello has been named the Food Service Director of the Year by the MA School Nutrition Association. March 23, 2009 4. Sub-Committee C. Continued Business 1. FY09 Budget Update Ms. DeLai reported on the status of the FY09 budget. The committee commended her and the facilities department on the significant saving because of energy conservation measures in the schools and town buildings. She said the FY09 budget is where she expects it to be at this point in the year. 2. FY 10 budget Superintendent Schettini gave an update on the stimulus package. The rules and regulations for spending have not been established and until the spending rules have been established the town/schools really can not move forward with spending these funds. Mr. Robinson revisited funding of the Understanding Disabilities Program. He discussed and idea that the School Committee offer an additional $5,000 to the organization this year with the understanding that UD would return the amount to the district to support professional development for the inclusion model. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to authorize the Chair to engage in discussion with Understanding Disabilities to reopen the current contract to consider a possible increase of not more than $5,000 from the FY09 budget. The vote was 6-0. Capital Plan Ms. DeLai reviewed the new FY2010 School and Capital Project Evaluation Criteria. She handed out a memorandum outlining the school and town facilities capital plan according to the new criteria. Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to submit the entire list, minus the energy conservation categories (4 & 4/5) to the Finance Committee in a prioritized list for their meeting on Wednesday night. The vote was 6-0 3. School Entrance Requirements - Policy JEB Mr. Causo moved, seconded by Mrs Webb, to accept the first reading of revised Section JEB, School Entrance Age of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual in accordance with the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 17, 2009 This policy will take effect with school year 2010-2011. The vote was 6-0 Mr. Caruso did the first reading of the revised School Committee policy JEB - School Entrance Requirements. The Committee discussed the policy. March 23, 2009 D. New Business RMHS Field Trips Superintendent Schettini reviewed three Reading Memorial High School field trip requests: Baseball trip to Cooperstown, NY Mr.Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the annual Reading Memorial High School Baseball field trip to Cooperstown, NY during April 2009 vacation as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 17, 2009. the vote was 6-0. Trip to Japan Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the proposed Reading Memorial High School field trip to Japan in April, 2010 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 17, 2009. The vote was 6-0. Trip to Southern Italy/Greece Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Webb, to approve the proposed Reading Memorial High School field trip to Italy & Greece during the summer 2010 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 17, 2009. the vote was 6-0. Special Education Coordinated Program Review Mrs. Dolan gave the committee an overview of the DESE Coordinated Program Review. She said that each community is reviewed every six years and there are three sections of emphasis: Special Education, Civil Rights and English Language Education. She said that her previous district had just completed a review prior to her coming to Reading. This enabled her to take a closer look at our programs during the process. The DESE sent the final report in October and she is now preparing the Corrective Action plan for the areas of concern. Mrs. Dolan is answering the DESE concerns and gathering the documentation to support her answers. The whole process is a complete district effort and she thanked everyone that contributed. Mrs. Dolan was pleased with the overall results of the review and many of the changes have already been made. Superintendent Schettini thanked Mrs. Dolan for her hard work and noted that there has been a very positive change in the Pupil Services Department since she came to Reading a year and a half ago. March 23, 2009 Special Education Tuitions Mrs. Dolan provided an overview of the out of district special education tuitions. She shared the current tuition costs for students in private schools, residential and public schools. The costs continue to rise and this fact makes the budgeting process very difficult. Blue Ribbon Institute Mr. Doherty gave an overview of the upcoming Blueprint for Educational Excellence National Institute taking place at Reading Memorial High School on April 16 and 17. This conference is in partnership with Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence. He gave an overview of the conference agenda and stated the administration and staff are very excited about this national event. Day One of the conference will include site visits to our schools and several workshops. Day Two includes the keynote address by Will Richardson, National Technology Consultant and Educator. There will also be workshops all day taught by members of the Reading Public Schools faculty and staff. Mr. Doherty said we have had 125 people from out of Reading sign up for this conference. Mr. Doherty will update the committee at the next meeting on April 6tn E. Routine Matters I . Bills and Payroll (A) 2. Approval of Minutes The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes of February 11, 2009 with corrections. Motion carries 6-0. The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the open session minutes of March 2, 2009. Motion carries 6-0. 3. Bids and Donations Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept donations from the Parker PTO to support the purchase instructional technology as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 23, 2009. the vote was 6-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept donation from the Parker PTO to support the purchase Library materials as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 17, 2009. The vote was 6-0. } March 23, 2009 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept donation from Gordon College to Parker Middle School in appreciation for hosting a student for a preservice teaching experience as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 17, 2009. The vote was 6-0. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept donations from the Reading Technology & Education Fund to support the 2008 grants as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 17, 2009. The vote was 6-0. Award of Contract Ms. DeLai reviewed the bid results for Masonry Services and recommended the contract be awarded to Capuano Construction. Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to authorize the Superintendent to enter into agreement with Capuano Construction to provide Masonry Services as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated March 17, 2009. The vote was 6-0. 4. Calendar F. Information III. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud, the School Committee voted to adiourn. The vote was 6-0. IV. Future Business Mee 'ng d at 8:45 p.m. Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting.