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Home My WebLink About2010-09-13 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts Regular Meeting of the School Committee - e , Z , Open Session 2 A H* 4q Date: September 13, 2010 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Memhers Present Chuck Robinson Hal Croft Karen Janowski Chris Caruso Lisa Gibbs David Michaud Arrived at 8:10 p.m. Jared Beaulieu Student Representative Visitors: Linda Snow Dockser Matt Casey, Reading Patch Steve Hagan, Reading Advocate Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle 1. Call to Order Staff Memhers Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Kim Oliveira, Director of Pupil Services Matthew Conway, Student Representative Chairperson Caruso called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Chair reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) B. Reports (1) 1. Student Student Representative Beaulieu reported that this week would be the first full week of school and the fall activities were underway. Student Representative Conway reported that the Reading Street Faire was a great success with many student activities and groups participating. He also shared that a group of Spanish exchange students are at RMHS for 8 days. September 13, 2010 2. Liaison Mrs. Janowski inquired if the late bus for the METCO students is running. Dr. Doherty said that Ms. Castro and Ms. Folopoulos were working out the schedule for the students and he believed they will be transported to Oak Grove. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported on the start of school and thanked the building principals and directors for their help in making it seamless. Dr. Doherty also reported on the Race to the Top funding that the state will be receiving. Reading will receive approximately $36,000 over four years. He indicted that the RFP will be available soon and the administrators will work on putting the proposal together in the next month. Dr. Doherty updated the School Committee on the district and elementary enrollment. He indicated that the district is showing an increase of 34 students with the largest increase at the middle school level. This increase is a result of the large fifth grade class moving to sixth grade. Dr. Doherty indicated that the MCAS results will be shipped to the district in the next week. The embargo will be lifted on Tuesday. He indicated that their will be presentation on MCAS and the growth model at the next meeting. Superintendent Doherty also reported on the highly successful Reading Street Faire. It was a great community building event. He handed out information on the new Open Meeting Law and the School Committee would have a training session with Town Clerk Gemme at a future meeting. 4. Director of Finance and Operations Ms. DeLai handed out a copy of the draft Statements of Interest for the MSBA Green Repairs program. She stated the SOI will be submitted on Thursday and wanted to thank Joe Huggins, D.J. Cacciapuoti and Dr. Doherty for their support and work in preparing these documents. Dr. Doherty indicated much thanks should go to Ms. DeLai for preparing these documents for submission. Ms. DeLai updated the committee on the status of asbestos removal from Killam over the weekend. The removal was handled quickly and efficiently. The removal was paid for out of the operating budget. 4. Director of Pupil Services September 13, 2010 C. Continued Business Policy ACAB/ACAC - Harassment Discrimination Bulling and Hazing Dr. Doherty outlined the changes he has made to the draft policy. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs. to accent the second readinL of nolic ACAB/ACAC-Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying, and Hazing, and approval of policy ACAB/ACAC-Harassment Discrimination, Bullying, and Hazing of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual in accordance with the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 8, 2010. Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski to waive the second reading of Policy ACAB/ACAC. The motion carried 5-0. Mrs. Janowski asked if the Superintendent had incorporated all the information from the DESE. Dr. Doherty stated he had and would provide more information when he presents the Bullying Plan at a later meeting. Linda Snow Dockser, parent, expressed her concerns about confidentiality. She asked that the policy be transparent to avoid rumors and misinformation. Mr. Michaud arrived. She continued that this policy should empower everyone to come forward without fear of repercussions. She asked if the action taken could be disclosed. Dr. Doherty indicated when the confidentiality issue is addressed, that he is guided by two sets of laws. The student privacy regulation (FERPA) prevents him disclosing any information regarding the student or action taken. The other governs personnel files. He is not able to disclose any information that is in an employee's personnel file. Ms. Snow Dockser was pleased that the policy provided avenues for reports to be channeled and acted upon. The motion carried 6-0. Policy FF - Naming of New Facilities or Places Within or On School Property_ Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accent the second readim! of Policv FF - Namine of New Facilities or Places Within or On School Property, and approval of Policy FP - Naming of New Facilities or Places Within or On School Property of the Reading Public Schools Policy Manual in accordance with the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 8. 2010. Mrs. Gibbs moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to waive the second reading of Policy FF. The motion carried 6-0. Dr. Doherty reviewed the changes to Policy FF per the request of committee members. September 13, 2010 Mr. Michaud thanked the Superintendent for incorporating the changes. - Mr. Croft requested that the second sentence of the first paragraph be moved to promote a positive first paragraph. Mr. Michaud moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to move the second sentence of the first paragraph to the second to last sentence in the fourth paragraph. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Michaud asked the chair to consider holding the first nominating session this fall. D. New Business Approval of Field Trips (Out of Order Dr. Doherty reviewed the two proposed field trips for the Parker Middle School (Quebec and Nature's Classroom Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the Parker eighth grade French trip to Quebec in November 2010 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 8, 2010. The motion carried 5-0 Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the Parker seventh grade field trip to nature's Classroom in November 2010 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 8, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Dr. Doherty reviewed the two proposed field trips for the Coolidge Middle School (Quebec and Washington, DC). Mrs. Janowski expressed concerns of the financial burden on parents with 2 eighth grade field trips in the spring. Dr. Doherty indicated that the Quebec trip is usually in the fall but due to unforeseen circumstances the trip is being offered in the spring. He also indicated that this trip is only open to the students in two French classes. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the Coolidge eighth grade French trip to Quebec in April 2011 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 8, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the Coolidge eighth grade field trip to Washington D.C. in late May 2011 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 8, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Financial Forum Preparation (Out of Order) Ms. DeLai handed indicated that in discussions with the Town Manager and Finance Director that the focus would be on revenue generation and sources. She handed out a spreadsheet listing the school department revenue sources. September 13, 2010 Creation of Revolving Accounts Ms. DeLai requested that the School Committee vote to establish an additional revolving account for the band fees. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, authorize the creation of a RMHS Band Extracurricular Activities Revolving Fund per MGL Chapter 71, Section 47 The motion carried 6-0. Superintendents Evaluation Mr. Caruso reviewed the composite scores and comments for the Superintendent's Evaluation. The School Committee thanked Dr. Doherty for his dedication to the district and look forward to working with him for many years to come. Dr. Doherty thanked the School Committee for the positive feedback. He shared that he was able to meet one on one with each committee member to discuss their comments and feedback. He will use this information to continue to grow and move the district forward. He thanked Mary DeLai and the School Committee for the support they provided during this difficult year keeping the focus on kids. Mr. Caruso suggested the School Committee form a sub-committee to update the evaluation tool. Mr. Hagan, Reading Advocate, asked about the process. Chair Caruso reviewed the process. III. Routine Matters ® Bills and Payroll (A) ® Approval of Minutes Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes dated August 30, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. ® Bids and Donations (Out of Order) Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to accept donation of 150 Poster sized colored copies of the RMHS schedule from Mr. Michael Shea as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 8, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Caruso inquired about the TV mounts for Main Street. Dr. Doherty indicated that the Class of 1990 is considering making a donation to complete the installation of the TVs along Main St. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by_Mrs,_ Gibbs to accept a donation in the amount of $400 from the Young Women's League of Reading to be used to support the students and staff of the Coolidge Middle School as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated September 8, 2010. The motion carried 5-0. September 13, 2010 Calendar Chair Caruso reminded the committee that the Financial Forum is Wednesday evening at the Reading Public Library at 7 p.m. and the next meeting is September 27th. IV. Executive Session V. Information VI. Adjournment Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0 VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. J n F. Doherty, Ed.D. erintendent of Schools f`