2007-11-14 School Committee Minutes

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Reading Public Schools Reading, Massachusetts R E C E_ I V E D Regular Meeting of the School Comm TOWN CLERK Open Session G ` MASS. Date: November 14, 2007 1000 JAN - 9 A 11: 4 1 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Superintendent's Conference Room School Committee Members Present Lisa Gibbs David Michaud Elaine Webb Carl McFadden Chris Caruso Chuck Robinson Staff Members Present Patrick A. Schettini, Jr.-Superintendent of Schools Mary DeLai-Director of Human Resource and Finances John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Colleen Dolan, Director of Pupil Services Visitors: Melissa Russell, Reading Chronicle Reporter Steven Vittorioso, Reporter for the Reading Advocate Joe Huggins, Director of Facilities DJ Cacciapuoti, Energy and Facilities Services Manager Roland Butzke, Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. A. Call to Order School Committee Chair, Ms. Lisa Gibbs called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. and read the mission statement of the Reading Public Schools. Mr. Michaud read the following statement regarding a book that is currently being reviewed. In response to ongoing dialogue among community members regarding the content of the book Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts, that allegedly contains material that some Reading residents might deem inappropriate for students entering 9th grade, this committee wishes to make the following statement. The procedures described in our policy dealing with such concerns have been enacted. Because the book is not currently part of an assignment or on an active recommended reading list for any of our students, we do not feel the need to subvert our standardpolicy. We expect that the Superintendent will bring his findings and recommendation to us at a regularly scheduled meeting in early December. We believe that our policy and the procedures it describes are sound and we ask that the public respect that policy, this board and our decision to let the process play out according to the policy. The concerns expressed by the dialogue around town over the past several weeks are serious. Our response to this matter is equally serious. We wish to express our trust in the Superintendent, his staff and the teachers of Reading. We have faith that in the end we will all do what is right for our students. Regarding other reading material recently brought to our attention. As stated, we feel that our policy and its procedures are sound We respectfully request that concerns related to any other literature or curriculum materials be expressed via the procedures described in our policy. B. RoutineMatters 1. Bills and Payroll Signed as required.