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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-23 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee Open Session Date: November 23, 2010 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Chuck Robinson Hal Croft Chris Caruso David Michaud Karen Janowski Lisa Gibbs Jared Beaulieu Student Representative Visitors: Alex Ballantyne, RMHS Science Teacher Emily Crampe, RMHS Student Katchen Lachmayr, RMHS Student Bob Mooney RTA President 1. Call to Order ~,Fc n r~ Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Conway, Human Resources Administrator Matt Casey, Reading Patch Chairperson Caruso called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Reports I) (Out of Order) Student Student Representative Beaulieu updated the School Committee on activities at the high school including the following: Fall sports are wrapping up Girl's swimming won the Division 2 State Championship RMHS students were recognized at the recent MIAA Sportsmanship Summit for submitting the winning video RMHS Drama had successful perfonnances over the past two weekends 2. Liaison Mr. Michaud updated the committee on the Municipal Building Sub-Committees recent work. They will meet 2 more times and hope to have their recommendations by the end of the year. November 23, 20 10 Mrs. Gibbs congratulated Student Representative Beaulieu on his outstanding performance in the Scarlet Pimpernel. She added that she was very impressed by the talent and number of participants. 3. Superintendent's Report Superintendent Doherty also commented on the recent performances of the Scarlet Pimpernel. He was able to observe the backstage activities and commended the PEST group for the unbelievable work they do to help get this shows on stage. He stated that the PSST is an outstanding group of dedicated parents. 4. Director of Finance and Operations Ms. DeLai updated the School Committee on the MSBA Green Initiative grant program. The town has been invited to apply. The MSBA moved 98 out of approximately 180 projects forward and she feels we are in a good shape to move forward. Human Resources Mrs. Conway updated the School Committee on the changes in personnel over the first quarter of the year. B. Continued Business Review of Naming Nominations and Vote to move Nominations Forward to Sub-Committee Mr. Caruso reviewed the process and shared an email received from Mr. Vaccaro asking to withdraw his name from consideration. Mrs. Gibbs felt that nominations for current Reading Public Schools employees should be deferred until the nominee is no longer an employee. Mr. Michaud clarified that the Hollingsworth nomination was for the field only. He also inquired about the possibility of selling the naming rights of some of our facilities. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to advance the nomination of John Hollingsworth Field forward to the Naming Sub-Committee for further study. The motion carried 6-0 Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski to advance the nomination of Veterans' Memorial and Hal Croft Athletic Stadium forward to the Naming Sub-Committee for further study. The motion carried 4-2. Mrs. Gibbs and Mr. Michaud voting against Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski to advance the nomination of Charlotte Harlan Library or Playground at the Barrows School forward to the Naming Sub-Committee for further studv. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to advance the nomination of Thomas Darrin Iresthn2 Room forward to the Naming Sub-Committee for further study. 'The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to advance the nomination of Cutcliffe Field i forward to the Naming Sub-Committee for further study. The motion carried 6-0 November 23, 2010 Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud to advance the nomination of Hal Croft Track forward to the Naming Sub-Committee for further study. The motion carried 4-1-1. Mrs. Gibbs voting against. Mr. Croft abstaining: Mr. Robinson moved seconded by Mrs Gibbs to advance the nomination of Patrick A Schettini, Jr. Library Media Center forward to the Naming Sub-Committee for further study. The motion carried 6-0. _Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to advance the nomination of Patrick A. Schettini Jr. Performing Arts Center forward to the Naming Sub-Committee for further study The motion carried 4-2. Mrs. Gibbs and Mr. Michaud voting against. _Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to advance the nomination of William Endslow Performing Arts Center forward to the Naming Sub-Committee for further studl. Mr. Michaud asked about revenue generating possibilities for the PAC. Mr. Michaud moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to amend the motion adding: "Instruct the sub-committee to approach the nominating group to consider naming the stage instead of the entire PAC in honor of Mr. Endslow". The motion failed 3-3. Mrs. Gibbs Mrs. Janowski and Mr. Croft voting against. The original motion carried 5-1. Mrs. Gibbs voting against. _Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski to advance the nomination of Kevin M. McCarthy Memorial (location to be determined) forward to the Naming Sub-Committee for further study. The motion failed 0-6. The committee determined that this nomination did not need to be moved forward to the sub-committee. It was felt that this Memorial should be established to honor those that lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks and had ties to Reading. Mr. Croft moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to establish a 9/11 Memorial on the premises to be named the Kevin M. McCarthy Memorial. The motion carried 6-0. C. New Business Iceland Presentation Chair Caruso turned the meeting over to the Superintendent who introduced Dr. Alex Ballantyne who went on to provide an overview of the trip to Iceland. He said there were three students who participated. The trip was the kick off to a year long course culminating in a senior project presentation. He introduced Emily Crampe, whose project will focus on "Geology and environmental science of Iceland - Fire and Ice" and Katchen Lachmayr, who will be researching the oceanographic environment of Icelandic waters - its fauna, resources and firture. The students shared highlights of their trip to Iceland. The trip was focused on the southern part of Iceland. They visited the area of the recent volcanic eruption and pointed out that the vegetation had `r started to recover sprouting up through the ash. They also were able to hike on the Falljokull Glacier at the edge of the Vatnajokull Icecap. During the hike on the glacier they saw many crevasses and cauldrons of varying depths. They were able to see the water flows under the glaciers and how the ice is November 23, 20 10 carved by the water flow. The group went on a boat tour of a glacial lagoon. The glaciers were all different sizes and colors and at times intimidating. The group was able to spend time in Reykjavik. Ms. Crampe indicated that the city was environmentally friendly and very clean. Ms. Lachmayr indicated they were able to visit several historical sites and learn of the Viking history. They both found this very interesting. During the summer in Iceland the sun never fully sets. Iceland is referred to as the land of the midnight sun. They went on a whale watch one evening and came back to shore at approximately 11 pm and saw children playing outdoors. They found that interesting. Ms. Lachmayr told the committee they were fortunate to see an endangered White Tailed Eagle and several other birds. She liked the puffm the best. Part 2 of the course is their research papers. Ms. Lachmayr will be studying the migratory patterns of whales and Ms. Crampe focusing on the geology of Iceland. They will compare how there subjects come together. Dr. Ballantyne would like to offer another trip in 2011. His hope is to have more participation and would possibly focus on the northern section of Iceland. The Committee thanks Dr. Ballantyne, Ms. Crampe and Ms. Lachmayr for the presentation. Chair Caruso apologized that the presentation was not filmed. Kindergarten Assignment Plan Dr. Doherty briefly reviewed the kindergarten assignment plan to balance class sizes. This will be used if x kindergarten class sizes are above the 18-22 students per class in particular school. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to authorize the Superintendent to implement the proposed kindergarten assignment plan as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated November 17, 2010, which would give administration the flexibility to place a kindergarten student, who will not have a sibling in their neighborhood elementary school, within a 2 mile limit of another elementarv school in order to balance class sizes across the district. The motion carried 6-0. III. Routine Matters ® Bills and Payroll (A) ® Approval of Minutes Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the open session minutes dated November 1, 2010. The motion carried 5-0-1. Mrs. Gibbs abstainin Mrs. Janowski asked what the Reading Public Schools was doing about Inclusive Schools Week. Mrs. de Garavilla said the district will promote what vie do and have similar events as last year during Inclusive Schools Month. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the open session minutes dated i, 4,1 November 6, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. n November 23, 2010 Bids and Donations Mr. Robinson moved seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to accept the anonymous donation of $769 to the Coolidge Middle School to be used to provide scholarship funds for students wishing to participate in the Washington, D.C. field trip. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to accept a donation of $300 from Karen and Peter Brown to the Coolidge Middle School to be used to support the music instruction. The motion carried 6-0. Calendar IV. Information V. Adjournment Mr. Robinson moved to enter into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and approval of minutes and not to reconvene to open session The roll call vote was 6-0 Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mrs. Janowski, Mr. Robinson Mrs. Gibbs and Mr. Croft. VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. r 9 F. ko Doherty d.D. rintendent of Schools