2001-06-06 School Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts 4W Reading, COMMUNITY MEETING June 6,2001 CALL TO ORDER At 1 02 p.m. Chair Cavicchi called the Community Meeting to order at the Town Hall Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset and Russo. Also present were Superintendent Ilanuunian and approximately 16 members of the public. Chair Cavicchi stated that the School Committee had scheduled four community meetings to listen to any issues members of the community may have. Mr. Beech stated that he believes that the reason the override failed is that 55%of the population cannot afford higher taxes. He stated that his assessment went up 21% and of the 11 homes on his street only five of the owners are working couples who can afford the increase. Mr. Griset thanked Mr. Beech for his comments. He stated that he understood that the majority of the town did not vote in favor of the override. Mr. Griset stated that although he voted in favor of the override he recognizes that it is time to move forward and to work towards creative solutions to the issues facing the town. Mr. Brown stated that he felt that the disconnect between the School Committee and the public is an issue of credibility of the Superintendent. Mr. Brown Listed issues he felt were issues of credibility with the Superintendent. Mr. Dahl asked Mr. Brown if he felt the superintendent had moved the district forward in education and if the superintendent had credibility as an educational leader and with the students. Mr. Brown stated that the Superintendent may be 100% with the students but he felt he needed to bring the budget issues out to the town people. Ms. Cavicchi stated that all the issues brought up by Mr. Brown have been addressed in the past and asked if the group wanted the Superintendent to respond to those issues again. It was the consensus of the group that the Superintendent not respond. 4