HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-06 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools
Reading, Massachusetts R' C E I V E D
C S
Regular Meeting of the School Committee R, J
Open Session
P 12: 2 q
Date: October 6, 2008
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Open Session)
Place: Superintendent's Conference Room
School Committee Members Present Staff Members Present
Lisa Gibbs Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools
David Michaud John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Karen Janowski Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services
Chris Caruso Mary DeLai, Director of Human Resource and Finances
Chuck Robinson
Elaine Webb
Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter
Steven Vittorioso, Reading Advocate Reporter
State Representative Brad Jones
Joe Finigan, Principal, RMHS
Phil Vaccaro, Athletic Director
Bob LaLecheur, Assistant Town Manager
Rick Schubert, Board of Selectman
1. Call to Order
Chairperson Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. He welcomed the guests that
attended the meeting. He also reviewed the agenda.
ri
~GL
H. Recommended Procedure
A. Public Input (Il
No public input this evening.
B. Reports I
1. Student
• Jesse Downing, the student representative, talked about the following:
1.
The RMHS Back to School Night that happened on September 25th
2.
Last Friday night's football game and school dance
3.
The CAD Competition that is currently going on at the high school where
students are designing an airplane
2. Liaison
• Elain
e Webb talked about the following:
1.
A conference that she attended with Superintendent Schettini and Mrs.
Janowski on School District Consolidation and Regional Collaboration.
2.
The successful RMHS Back to School Night
3.
The Suburban Coalition meeting that she attended on October 1 st
4.
Chair of the Board of Education, Maura Banta's presentation of the Citizen's
of Public Schools meeting that she attended with Superintendent Schettini
5.
The Education Policy & Leadership Fellowship that she will be attending
6.
The RCASA meeting that she attended with Superintendent Schettini
October 6, 2008
7. The joint MASS/MASC conference in November
Lisa Gibbs reported on the following:
1. The robotics teams at each of the elementary school
David Michaud reported on the following:
1. The Finance Committee last week where the Finance Committee supported
the Performance Contracting proposal for Town Meeting. Mr. Michaud
commended Ms. DeLai and Mr. Huggins for their hard work.
Karen Janowski reported on the following:
1. The school visits that she attended at Wood End
3
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Schettini reported on the following:
1. The Killam artwork which is on display this month in the School Committee
Conference Room
2. The meeting he and Mr. Finigan attended with Representative Patricia Haddad
about 21St Century Skills and Learning
3. The RCASA meeting that occurred last week
4. Sub-Committee
C. Continued Business
D. New Business
1. Discussion with Representative Brad Jones
• Representative Brad Jones commented on the following:
1. Summary of Gubernatorial Powers under 9c
2. The November 4th Question 1 Referendum on the repeal of the state income
tax
• School Committee and Audience questions about 9c cuts, the potential impact of 90
cuts and what would the impact be if Question 1 passed
2. RMHS Receives Ames Award
Superintendent Schettini introduced Mr. Phil Vaccaro who talked about the winning
of the Ames Award for the second consecutive year. He complimented the athletes
and coaches on their sportsmanship and cited several examples. He thanked the
School Committee, Superintendent Schettini, and Principal Joe Finigan for their
support.
3. Update on Happenings at RMHS
• Principal Joe Finigan gave a brief overview of what is happening at RMHS. He
commented on the following:
1. The positive comments by the parents on the safe environment of RMHS
2. How well prepared students are for college
3. The positive start to the school year
4. Program changes
a. Addition of AP Biology, AP English, AP Photography, and AP Art
over the last 2 years
b. Grade 9 Biology Change
c. The success of the AP scores
d. The CAD I and 11 courses that are being offered this year
October 6, 2008
e. The addition of music courses this year
f. The addition of Virtual High School courses
g. Piloting of Senior Projects
5. Current happenings
a. Aligning the mission and expectations to the Partnership for 21St
Century Skills
b. Project Based Assessments
c. Rigorous Curriculum
d. Personalizing the learning environment
e. The supportive culture of the high school
f. Project Challenge
g. Delayed Openings
h. Steering Committee for School Improvement
i. Substantial progress on RMHS Edline Page
j. Naviance Guidance Program
k. Reading Cooperative Bank
1. The Orbit is now online
m. 28 Clubs and Activities
6. Future Happenings
a. Restructuring of School Schedule
b. Advisories and Personalizing the Environment
c. Project Based Learning
d. CAD Competition Design Challenge
e. Young Engineer's Club
4.
5
Approval of RMHS Field Trips
Superintendent Schettini and Principal Finigan proposed two high school field trips for
the committee's approval.
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud to
approve the proposed Reading Memorial High School Band field trip to
Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida during April, 2009 vacation as outlined in the
Superintendent's memorandum dated October 1, 2008. Motion carries 6-0.
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to
approve the proposed Reading Memorial High School Drama field trip to New York
City on Saturday May 23, 2009 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum
dated October 1, 2008. Motion carries 6-0.
Approval of Coolidge Field Trip
Superintendent Schettini introduced a Coolidge proposed field trip.
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mr. Michaud to
approve the proposed Coolidge Middle School's seventh grade field trip to Prindle
Pond during April, 2009 vacation as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum
dated October 1, 2008. Motion carries 6-0.
October 6, 2008
6. Approval of Parker Field Trip
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to
approve the proposed Parker Middle School field trip to Quebec in May 2009
outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated October 1, 2008. Motion
carries 6-0.
E. Routine Matters
1. 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 September 22, 2008. Motion carries 6-0-0.
3. Bids and Donations
4. Calendar
Information
III. Adj ournment
The committee voted on a motion by Mr. Caruso, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to adjourn. Motion
carries 6-0-0.
IV. Future Business
Meeting adjourned a y):40 p.m.
Patrick A. Schettim, Jr., J.D.
Superintendent of Schools