2005-01-06 School Committee Minutes

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Regular Session -2- January 6, 2005 Mr. William Downing from Avon Street signed a petition and asked Mr. McFadden if he had received his petition. Mr. McFadden stated all petitions, emails, letters etc. were logged in organized and reviewed by the Administration. Laura Baker from 10 Shackford Road thought the purpose of the meeting was to filter all materials and make recommendations based upon the materials. Superintendent Schettini stated that at this time it is his recommendation to leave the map alone. Mrs. Baker asked if that meant no change. Superintendent Schettini stated no change at this time. Mr. William Downing from Avon Street asked for confirmation of sources for projected population. He was told the census, surveys and NESDEC were used. Mr. McFadden stated they looked at as many sources as possible. Kathy Vaccaro, 57 Woburn Street, stated that sending Barrows students to Birch Meadow did not make sense. She stated that drawing a line down Grand Street did not make sense either. It should be drawn down a busier street. She hopes the School Committee takes these meetings seriously. She felt the parent advisory group, of which she is a member, had no weight. She thought the meetings could have been publicized better. Sandra McLaughlin, Ash Street, thought that no elementary child would be bussed to school. Now her child is 2.3 miles from school and will be bussed. She thought all the construction would result in no bussing. Superintendent Schettini said he never stated at any time that Reading would eliminate bussing. There will always be some bussing no matter where the lines are drawn. Jody Avtges from the Eaton district, Prescott Street stated that her children walk to school and she would like them to continue to walk to school. She asked if she could still submit information in writing. She was told that she could up until January 26, 2005. Mr. Norman Blanchard, 276 Ash Street, stated that after four meetings the map has not changed and he finds it disheartening. Lynn O'Brien, 34 Washington Street, her children would be going from Joshua Eaton to Barrows. She feels that it was safe or her children to walk to Joshua Eaton but not safe to walk to Barrows. Walking to Barrows her children would have to cross three major streets. This troubles her.