1999-12-09 School Committee Minutes

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READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session December 9, 1999 Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Dahl, Keigley and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Ms. D'Antona and Ms. Williams arrived during executive session. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:05 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Custodians and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Association of Secretaries and Clerks and Educational Assistants and to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate. To return to regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr.Dahl, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. At 7:40 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order Chair Dahl read a statement by the Reading School Committee: Statement of Support for Ballot Question The Reading School Committee has voted on two occasions to unanimously support the plans to build a fifth elementary school. The construction of a fifth school, combined with planned renovations and additions at the Barrows School represent a program that is both educationally sound and fiscally prudent. It-must be clear to the citizen's of Reading that this plan is the only plan put forward that meets the initial criteria of being cost effective and reimbursable by the School Building Assistance Board (SBAB), while solving our elementary enrollment problems for the foreseeable future. Chair Dahl directed the Superintendent to schedule a meeting with him, the Superintendent and one selectmen to review the budget process for the School Department and to discuss the request of the Board of Selectmen that the school department budget process be pushed ahead. Chair Dahl stated that the school department has a very detailed budget process that includes public hearings and lengthy deliberations to achieve the goals of the Committee. He stated that he does not believe that providing a few dollars to the band as pandering to constituents. He stated that one goal of the Committee has been to reach parody over time in the funding of extra curricula activities.