1999-05-24 School Committee Minutes

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If Regular Session -2- May 24, 1999 The School Committee members discussed School Choice and agreed that the issue has not been a topic of discussion in town and that with the current enrollment issues they did not feel now was an appropriate time to begin to participate in School Choice. Ms. Cavicchi moved, pursuant to the provisions of G.L.c. 76 & 12B, the School Committee of Reading, following public hearing hereby withdraw from its obli ag tion to enroll non - resident students in Reading Public Schools during the school year beginning July 1, 1999 for the following reasons: Programmatic Reasons Class Sizes and General District Enrollment. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twome. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian thanked the Federated Department Stores for their donation to the Barrows School in honor of School Committee member Mary Williams' volunteer work at the school. Dr. Harutunian advised the committee that Joshua Eaton media specialist Barbara McLean has received a Global Educator of the Year Award. Dr. Harutunian advised that the School Improvement Plans would be sent to the Committee for review on June 9th. After discussion, it was decided to schedule a School Committee meeting for on June 28`h to discuss the School Improvement Plans. Dr. Harutunian advised that Committee that there would be two kindergarten sessions at Birch Meadow and two at Killam. Students living closest to the schools would be attending those schools the other students would be bussed. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the work being done by the School Safety Committee including the following: • Continuing to work on the emergency response plan. • Plan for the fire department and swat teams to walk all school buildings during the summer and receive updated copies of blueprints for the buildings. • Training by the fire and police departments for all school staff, by building, this fall. • Follow up training at RMHS and both middle schools regarding drug issues and bomb threats. • Installation of toll free, anonymous phone line for students or community members to report issues of concern. Mr. Dahl stated that he was pleased with the progress that has been made by the Committee which was started approximately six months ago.