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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-20 School Committee MinutesReading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts RECEIVED TOWN CLERK Regular Meeting of the School CommitteeR E A D I N G, MA S S. Open Session :2011 JUL 21 P 12: 23 Date: June 20, 2011 Time: 7:00 p.m. (Open Session) Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Chuck Robinson Karen Janowski Chris Caruso Lisa Gibbs David Michaud Hal Croft Visitors: Sean Musselman, Parker teacher Doug Lyons, Parker Principal 1. Call to Order Matt Casey, Reading Patch Barbara Jones, Reading Chronicle Joanne Senders, Reading Advocate Chairperson Caruso called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to enter into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the AFSCME Council 93 Local 1703 Reading Custodian & Maintenance Employees Association and to reconvene to open session in approximately 20 minutes. The roll call vote carried 6-0. Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud, Mrs. Janowski, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Gibbs and Mr. Croft. Chair Robinson called open session back to order at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Robinson asked for a moment of silence to honor the passing of Parker Food Service employee Cheryl Peach. He reviewed the agenda and welcomed guests. II. Recommended Procedure A. Public Input (I) Reports (1) 1. Student 2. Liaison Mr. Robinson reported on Friends and Family Day that was held on Saturday. He thanked Mr. Caruso, Mr. Michaud and Dr. Doherty for coordinating the, School Committee participation. He said it was a positive, successful day. Staff Members Present John Doherty, Superintendent Mary DeLai, Director of Finance & Operations June 20, 2011 3. Superintendent's Report Dr. Doherty reported that it is the last week of school and there were several celebratory activities occurring this week. The two middle schools had their field days today. He also reported that the teachers, secretaries and paraeducator contracts have been ratified. He thanked the bargaining unit negotiation teams for the cooperative efforts and willingness to be open to creative ideas. Dr. Doherty announced that Cathy O'Connell, Parker Middle School assistant principal has been named principal at North Reading Middle School. He wished Mrs. O'Connell the best. 4. Assistant Superintendent 5. Director of Finance and Operations B. Continued Business C. New Business . Parker Costa Rica Presentation Kerry Bowe and Jack Bloom, members of the Parker Middle School Eco-Club shared their experience in Costa Rica. Ms. Bowe focused on the biodiversity of the country. She spoke of the variety of wildlife from the beaches to the rainforest and the trip to Arenal National Park. This is a volcanic national park that featured many water falls. Mr. Bloom focused on the Costa Rican culture. He shared the Eco-Club experience at a school. The Parker students arrived at the school as strangers and left with many friends. They donated school supplies and helped paint the classrooms of the school. The Eco-Club published a book about them - Our Children, Our Community, Our Culture which they gave to the students of the school. Mrs. Gibbs asked how the trip has changed them. Mr. Bloom and Ms. Bowe explained that they have changed their views on the choices they make regarding red meat and what is required to raise cattle. Because cattle require grass, deforestation of the rainforest is a negative impact. When asked what was the most surprising thing they found on the trip both students responded that although the Costa Rican students did not have much they made the most of what they have and never complain. They live to be happy and are not consumed by the worth of material goods. Both students said that the impact of the trip is very difficult to put into words but feel it was a life changing experience. The Committee thanked the students for the information. June 20, 2011 Mr. Robinson called a brief recess at 7:52 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 7:56 p.m. Resolution to participate in The Interlocal Purchasing Svstem Ms. DeLai provided an overview of how purchasing collaboratives function. She indicated that our Network Administrator Matt Wilson has explored the use of purchasing collaboratives to secure more competitive pricing and recommends this collaborative to secure competitive technology prices. The Interlocal Purchasing System requires that the school system adopt a resolution authorizing the participation of the Reading Public Schools in this system and the execution of a participation agreement by the Superintendent of Schools. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, that the School Committee adopt the following Resolution: "WHEREAS, the Reading School Committee, Reading, Massachusetts, pursuant to the authority granted by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 4A, desires to participate in the described purchasing program offered by the Region VIII Education Service Center, and in the opinion that by participating in this program, will be highly beneficial to the taxpayers through the anticipated savings to be realized, Now therefore, be it RESOLVED that the Reading School Committee requests a stated need for participation in The Interlocal Purchasing System whereby the Superintendent of Schools shall be authorized and directed to sign and deliver any and all necessary requests and documents in connection therewith for and on behalf of the Reading School Committee." The motion carried 6-0. Superintendent's Evaluation Mrs. Gibbs reviewed the process and discussed the of the current evaluation tool. She volunteered to oversee the redesign of the evaluation tool incorporating the Superintendent's Transition Plan. Mrs. Gibbs shared that she is impressed with the Superintendent's leadership and stated that he is clearly a leader that is collaborative and easy to work with. Mr. Caruso thanked Mrs. Gibbs for undertaking this task. He also feels that Dr. Doherty has made this job his own and gained the respect of the teachers and staff of the Reading Public Schools. Mrs. Janowski echoed the previous sentiments. She also thanked the Superintendent for his willingness to meet with each committee member to discuss his evaluation. She thanked him for his willingness to listen, transparency and the excellent job he has done leading the district. Mr. Michaud agreed with all previous comments and has the utmost confidence in the Superintendent. Mr. Croft thanked Dr. Doherty for his receptive and transparent manner and was pleased that the Superintendent is a teacher first. Mr. Robinson thanked the Superintendent for stepping up in this most difficult transition period. Great leaders surround themselves with strong people and the Superintendent has done so with his team. June 20, 2011 Dr. Doherty thanked the School Committee for their continued support. He thanked the community for the continued support of the schools. Approval of Field Trip Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the Amazon field trip proposal. He indicated that this trip will have a Senior Project component similar to the Iceland trip. He fully supports this field trip. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to approve the RMHS field trip to the Amazon Jungle in the summer of 2012 as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 15, 2011. The motion carried 6-0. III. Routine Matters • Bills and Payroll (A) • Approval of Minutes • Bids and Donations Donations Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the donation of $791.75 from the RISE PTN to be used to compensate Marv Beth Trapeni for the additional hours worked to produce the RISE Preschool Spring Show as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 15, 2011. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the donation of $222.67 from the Stop & Shop Rewards Program to the Parker Middle School to be used to support the educational needs of the Parker students as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 15, 2011. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the donation of $700 from the Parker Middle School PTO to be used from educational technology as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June, 15, 2011. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the donation of $400 from the Friends of the RMHS Boys Swim Team to be used to compensate a coaching assistant as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 15, 2011. The motion carried 6- Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept the donation of $2,500 from the Reading Cooperative Bank to be used to support the second year of the "A World of Difference" program as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 15, 2011. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Janowski pointed out that Mrs. Linda Snow-Dockser has been writing about the "A World of Difference" program in the paper. June 20, 2011 Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept a donation from the Barrows PTO in the amount of $22,105 to be used to purchase technology to support the educational needs of the Barrows students as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 20, 2011. The motion carried 6-0. Mrs. Janowski moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to accept donation of $4,300 from the Young Women's League to be used replenish the elementary science kits as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 20, 2011. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Caruso thanked all that have made these donations to support our students. Mrs. Janowski inquired about the total amount of donations made to the schools this year. Ms. DeLai indicated she would provide that number. Calendar IV. Information The Director of Student Service interviews will be rescheduled to June 29tH V. Future Business VI. Adjournment Mr. Michaud moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso to adjourn. The motion carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m. NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. I J hn F. Doh , Ed.D perintendent f Schools