Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-19 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts ; Regular Meeting of the School Committee J Open Session SEA 2: 3 1 Date: July 19, 2010 Time: 7:30 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Chuck Robinson Hal Croft David Michaud Karen Janowski Chris Caruso Lisa Gibbs Jared Beaulieu Student Representative Visitors: Linda Snow Dockser Joanne King Steve Hagan, Reading Advocate Christine Lyons, Reading Chronicle I. Call to Order Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Assistant Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations Joan Clarke Margaret O'Sullivan Chairperson Caruso called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He welcomed guests and reviewed the agenda. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) B. Reports (1) 1. Student 2. Liaison Mr. Michaud reported that the Municipal Building Ad-Hoc Committee visited the Senior Center and Town Hall. The committee has one more tour of the properties on Oakland Road. They are still in a fact finding mode. 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported that he is a participant in a new superintendent induction program and recently attended their first meeting. This is a three year program. Dr. Doherty July 19, 2010 handed out his transition plan and explained that over the next several months he will be meeting with administrators, staff, town officials, media, citizens, students and parents to gather information. He is planning on presenting the findings at a meeting in January. Dr. Doherty handed out a copy of the latest elementary enrollment. 4. Director of Finance and Operations 5. Director of Pupil Services C. Continued Business First Reading of Policy ACAB/ACAC - Harassment Discrimination Bullying and Hazing Mr. Caruso indicated that this is the first reading of this policy and the second reading would take place at the September 13th meeting to allow for time to review the draft policy thoroughly. Dr. Doherty indicated that this policy and subsequent plan will not stop bullying but will be in place to address concerns. He went on to state it is important how the plan is implemented that will make the difference. The presentation included an Overview of Bullying Legislation. He reviewed the new legislation, what is currently happening in Reading, an overview of the draft policy and allowed for questions and answers. Superintendent Doherty explained that there are three major components of the new law. The school district's obligations are expanded to include monitoring, reporting and investigation of complaints; it adds an educational component for all staff and requires an anti-bullying curriculum for all students. Superintendent Doherty explained that all districts must develop a plan for bullying prevention and submit it to the state by the end of December. He indicated that he would be meeting with administrators this week to start working on the district bullying plan. He also indicated that several administrators recently attended a workshop on this new legislation. He went on to review the bullying plan criteria. The DESE is required to publish a model plan that can be used as a guide in bullying plan development. School districts will be required to update student handbooks, provide written notices of the plans and policy annually to staff, provide training and post the plan on the district website. Dr. Doherty reviewed the definition of bullying and stated that cyberbullying is a new piece Dr. Doherty pointed out that the district will be required to provide professional development opportunities for staff. He indicated the DESE is required to provide information on alternative methods to provide professional development, including no cost options. He went on to outline the reporting requirements. Superintendent Doherty outlined what the Reading Public Schools have been doing and what the DESE has been doing in preparation for implementation of the new bullying requirements. Mr. Caruso asked if there were any questions. Mrs. Gibbs asked if the Superintendent felt there was enough time to get the plan done. She is also concerned that the professional development requirements will lead to unforeseen costs. July 19, 2010 Dr. Doherty felt that there is enough time to meet the deadlines and feels this is an opportunity to do what is right for kids. Mrs. Janowski asked if the district's previous antibullying programs had been effective. Dr. Doherty has no information on those programs. He stated that we have some curriculum pieces in place such as Open Circle and each school has programs in place that are culture/respect building initiatives. Mr. Robinson asked if this plan will be implemented grades K-12. The answer was yes it will be. Mr. Robinson pointed out that the School Committee should include the implementation in budget discussions. Mr. Beaulieu indicated that freshman bullying and hazing is not as severe in Reading as in other districts. He feels that a proactive approach to character building is a good direction to go in. Dr. Doherty continued providing an overview of the revised policy. He stated the draft policy has been reviewed by counsel. Our current is very good but is missing some pieces which will be addressed in the revised policy. He reviewed the components of the revised policy - policy, procedures and the appendix. Chair Caruso asked if there were any questions. He asked the Superintendent to remove the bulleted examples in the policy. Mrs. Janowski and Mr. Croft offered grammatical and clarifying amendments. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to accept the first reading of policy Section ACAB/ACAC - Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying and Hazing, of the Reading Publi c Schools Policy Manual in accordance with the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Caruso indicated that any comments could be sent to the Superintendent or any school Committee member. First Reading Policy FF - Naming of New Facilities or places within or on School Property Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept the first reading of policy Section FF - NaminLy 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 July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Michaud proceeded with the reading of Policy FF. Mr. Croft wanted to be sure that the committee remembers that it is a Memorial High School. The School Committee offered grammatical as well as clarifying comments. Dr. Doherty indicated he would include the suggestions into the policy. July 19, 2010 FYI 0 Budget Ms. DeLai gave a FYI 0 budget status update and explained that this report closes out the FY10 year. She shared that the final circuit breaker reimbursement came in a little higher than we expected and we have approximately $300,000 remaining in that account that will be used to pay tuition bills. D. New Business RMHS Field Trip Approval Dr. Doherty outlined the proposed Spanish Club field trip to New York City. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the RMHS Spanish Club field trip to New York City in November 2010 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to approve the Fincom minutes dated March 10, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Michaud, to approve the open session minutes dated June 7, 2010. The motion carried 5-0-1. Mrs. Gibbs abstained. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to approve the open session minutes dated June 21, 2010 as amended. The motion carried 6-0. • Bids and Donations Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept a donation in the amount of $500 from the Reading Boosters.Club to be used to defer the costs for the Model UN Club 2011 Conference as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Janowski, to accept two donations totaling $1,100 from the Reading Boosters Club to be used to support the RMHS High Five and Leadership Conference T-Shirt programs as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Croft, to accept a donation in the amount of $4,304 from the RMHS PTO to be used to offset the cost of the 2010-2011 student agendas as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6- 0. July 19, 2010 Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs Gibbs, to accent a donation of lanyards and ID badges from Jim Burditt on behalf of BradyPeople, Inc as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0 Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accent a donation in the amount of $500 from the Diorio family to be used to benefit the students and staff at the Parker Middle School as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010 The motion carried 6-0. 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 to benefit the students and staff of the Parker Middle School as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs Janowski, to accent a donation in the amount of $812.15 from the Coolidge PTO that was used to support the Stn grade promotion ceremony and awards as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to accept a donation in the amount of $1,250 from the Coolidge School Science Olympiad Support Group to be used to compensate the head coach for the 2010-2011 season as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs Gibbs, to accept a donation in the amount of $2,175 from the Young Women's League of Reading to be to support the elementary science program as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept a donation in the amount of $2,000 from the Parents Supporting Student Theatre to be to for the installation of wall brackets, electrical outlets and cabling in preparation for the installation of TV monitors along Main Street as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to accept a donation in the amount of $861 from the Barrows PTO to be to offset the cost of the handbook and informational student folder as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 15, 2010 The motion carried 6-0. Calendar N. Executive Session Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to enter into Executive Session to conduct contract negotiations with non union personnel and to return to open session The roll call vote was 6-0._ Mrs. Janowski, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Croft, Mr. Robinson Mr. Caruso and Mr. Michaud. July 19, 2010 The open session meeting was called back to order at 9:18 p.m. Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs to authorize a base salary increase of 0% for Superintendent John F. Doherty. The committee authorizes the chair to execute this agreement. All other terms and conditions in the employment contract remain unchanged for the 2010-11 school year. The motion carried 5-0-1 Mr. Croft abstained V. Information Mrs. Gibbs inquired about the Common Core Standards. Dr. Doherty indicated that the DESE is expected to vote in support next week. Dr. Doherty informed the School Committee of a building inspection of the Killam and Birch Meadow Schools on August 31, 2010 to see the Performance Contracting progress. Mr. Michaud asked if the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee were invited. VI. Adjournment Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to adjourn The motion carried 6-0 VI. Future Business Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. jperJhn F. Do he, Ed.D. intendent of Schools