1997-06-16 School Committee Minutes

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READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts School Committee Meeting REGULAR SESSION MINUTES June 16, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Susan Cavicchi called the regular session to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Dennis Richards. A Reporter from the Chronicle was present. Dr. Harutunian explained the Barrows and Joshua Eaton principalship search process that recently occurred. He said four names were submitted to him for Barrows and five for Joshua Eaton. He said he interviewed each candidate then, with Principals Davidson and Guerrette, visited each candidate's school. He said he met with the Barrows and Joshua Eaton staff again last week prior to his decision. The Superintendent said they were all strong candidates with outstanding credentials. Dr. Harutunian said the replacement for Charles Papandreou, who worked in Reading for 37 years, 25 as a principal, is Ms. Karen Callan. Ms. Callan is currently an elementary principal in Wakefield and accepted the position at Barrows as of the end of July. The Superintendent introduced Ms. Callan. Ms. Callan said she was delighted to be here and felt like she was coming home. She said she currently has three children in the Reading Schools. Dr. Harutunian said Principal Papandreou will be in Reading until 8/30/97. Dr. Harutunian said the new principal for the Joshua Eaton Elementary School will be Ms. Lisa Pittella. The Superintendent said how impressed he and Principals Davidson and Guerrette were the day they spent in Haverhill. He discussed her outstanding credentials. Ms. Pittella said she was very excited to be here. Chair Susan Cavicchi said on behalf of the School Committee, they were pleased to have such qualified people join the staff in Reading. She announced that the Committee will take a brief break to introduce themselves to the two new principals. The Committee took a break at 7:47 p.m. and resumed at 7:50 p.m. BILLS AND PAYROLL The warrant for bills was as follows: March 31, 1997 - Bills - $ 136,304.66 April 7, 1997 - Bills - $ 397,041.88 April 14, 1997 - Bills - $ 222,991.28 April 22, 1997 - Bills - $ 448,241.04 April 28. 1997 - Bills - $ 54,204.54