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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-05 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: January 5, 2009 Time: 7:30 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 F . C IVED VWKI~4 CLERK Itn 3M 23 A 11, 31 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 Jesse Downing, Student Representative Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter Steve Vittorosio, Reading Advocate Reading Public Schools Budget Parents Reading Public Schools Administrators Debra Kwiatek George Hines Barry Berman Hal Torman I. Call to Order Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He welcomed the guests that attended the meeting. He also reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) B. Reports I 1. Student • Jesse Downing, the student representative, reported on the following: 1. The Polar Express event with many of the National Honor Society members participating. 2. Liaison • Chris Caruso reported on the following: 1. The School Committee Office Hours. 3. Superintendent's Report • Superintendent Schettini reported on the following: 1. New artwork is from the Barrows School 2. A donation to the RISE Preschool from the parents of a student. 3. RMLD T-Shirt Contest winners January S, 2008 4. Sub-Committee C. Continued Business D. New Business Field Trip Approval Mr. Caruso moved seconded b Mrs. Gibbs to a rove the ro osed Readin Memorial High School field trip to the FDR Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY on a Saturday in April, 2009 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 30, 2008 The vote was 6-0. Mr. Caruso moved seconded b Mr. Michaud to approve the proposed Readin Memorial High School field trip to London, England in April 2010 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 30, 2008. The vote was 6-0. 2. MCAS Presentation Mr. John Doherty, Instructional Specialist Debra Kwiatek and Joshua Eaton Principal Patricia de Garavilla presented an overview of the district MCAS results and other assessment tools used by the district. Mr. Doherty stated although the MCAS is an important assessment, especially at the high school level, it is not the only assessment tool that is used to help determine the needs of our students. Mr. Doherty pointed out that starting with the Class of 2010 students will be held to higher standards in math and English Language Arts. Mrs. Kwiatek and Mrs. de Garavilla discussed the strategies being used to help our students improve the ELA scores. Programs such as Wordly Wise, DBELS, and Guided Reading are great tools as well as professional development activities and study groups where teachers can share teaching strategies to improve student achievement. Mrs. de Garavilla added the increasing use of data is paramount to identifying students that are struggling and we have early intervention programs in place. They also pointed out the importance of the Library Media Specialists role and Mrs. Kwiatek's ability to incorporate ELA strategies across the curriculum. School Improvement Plans Superintendent Schettini gave a brief overview of the school improvement plans indicating that the administrators and their school councils have worked hard aligning their plans with the district mission and vision. January 5, 2009 Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs Gibbs, to approve the School Improvement Plans from the eight schools as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated December 30, 2008. The vote was 6-0 4. FYI 0 Budget Overview Superintendent Schettini presented his FYI 0 Budget overview. He pointed out that the Reading Public Schools mission and vision are the guides upon which the budget was developed. He indicated that it is vitally important to stay on track in accomplishing the vision of the Reading Public Schools. He stated that the administration's goal was to develop a level funded budget that minimizes the negative impact on teaching and learning and, to the best it can, remains consistent with the Mission and Vision of the Reading Public Schools. Our progress may be slowed but not stopped. He noted that we are in a difficult financial climate with a lot of uncertainty and there will be reductions (listed below) across the board. Staffing Reduction Teachers (5 FTE) $250,000 Paraeducators (13.2 FTE) $225,000 Facilities Assistant Director (1 FTE) $60,000 Subtotal $535,000 Additional Revenue Increased Athletic/Ex Curricula Fee $126,000 Increased Use of Offsets $160,000 Subtotal $286,000 Materials and Supplies Curriculum Purchases $132,400 Instructional Supplies/Materials $35,000 Supplies and Materials Ex Curr/Athletics $13,000 Special Education Supplies $10,000 Subtotal $190,400 Professional Development Professional Development (Regular Ed) $131,460 Professional Development (Special Ed) $10,000 Subtotal $141,460 Instructional Technology Subtotal $102,150 Savings Energy and Utilities $70,000 Medicaid Billing Services $12000 Subtotal $82,000 Other Grant Writing $10,000 Pre-Employment Physicals $10000 Dues and Memberships $15000 Understanding Disabilities $20000 In-District Sped Educ Transportation $10,000 Subtotal $65,000 Building Maintenance Subtotal $50,000 TOTAL $1,452,010 Ms. DeLai reviewed the budget book for the committee, indicating that it has a different look. Discussion on the sections of the budget will take place at subsequent meetings. E. Routine Matters 1. Bills and Payroll (A) 2. Approval of Minutes The committee voted on a motion by Mr Caruso, seconded by Mrs Janowski, to approve with corrections the open session minutes of December 8, 2008 Motion carries 6-0. 3. Bids and Donations 4. Calendar F. Information III. Adjournment The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs Gibbs to adjourn Motion carries 6-0. IV. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. -Patrick A. Schettini, Jr., J.D. Superintendent of Schools