1997-06-09 School Committee Minutes

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C C Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES June 9, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the Executive Session to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's office. All members were present with the exception of Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Spadafora. Also present was Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian. Nurse's Union Mr. Twomey reported difficulties in scheduling a meeting with the Nurse's Union in order to present the School Committee's countero 5er. He will continue to try and arrange a meeting as soon as possible. Mr. Spadafora and Ms. D'Antona joined the meeting. RTA Dr. Harutunian reported that the executive board of the Reading Teachers Association had rejected his recommendations for shifting the teachers' in- service day at the end of the school year to during the school year. They also rejected the elementary and middle school instructional specialist becoming part of the bargaining snit. Dr. Harutunian said that they felt all of these items were appropriately discussed as part of contract negotiations. Dr. Harutunian also reported that it appeared the executive board preferred the "positional bargaining" model to the "consensus bargaining" model of contract negotiations for the upcoming talks. Dr. Harutunian left the room Superintendent's Contract Ms. Cavicchi initiated discussion of the Superintendent's contract, some suggested changes: 2.5% Base salary increase on existing salary of $90,000. Three percent merit bonus. Cost of living increase on travel reimbursement and miscellaneous expenses. Allow a vacation buyback of one week each year. Mr. Stohlman noted that the average superintendent's salary in the nine comparison towns is $87,067.00. and that taking vacation is entirely under any employee's control and that he did not agree with the vacation buybacks. Ms. Cavicchi said it was difficult and sometimes impossible for a superintendent to take vacation and that he should not be penalized for the amount of time his work requires. Mr. Twomey said that if it was impossible for the Superintendent to take five weeks of vacation, then we should --crease his base salary and reduce the vacation days. Mr. Stohlman argued for a merit system that established clear goals and yearend review.