2000-01-07 School Committee Minutes

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READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE READING SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts Joint Meeting with the School Building Committee January 7, 2000 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the School Committee meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall. Present were Mr. Twomey, Mrs. Cavicchi, Mrs. D'Antona, Mr. Dahl and Mrs.Williams. Mr. Keigley was ill. Chair Graham called the School Building Committee to order. Present were Mr. Radville, Mrs. Perry, Mr. Lupi, Mr. McRae. and Mr. Finigan. Mr. Struble arrived at 8:00 p.m. Chair Dahl explained that this meeting was an information session. He would make an opening statement and Mr. Graham would make an opening statement. They would then solicit and answer questions from the audience. Mr. Dahl asked that everyone direct one question toward the panel and after that if someone had a second question they would then answer second questions. Mr. Dahl introduced the School Committee members, Superintendent Harutunian and Town Manager, Hechenbleikner. The Superintendent and the Town Manger were present to provide back up information. Mr. Dahl went on to say that the School Committee voted on two occasions to build a fifth elementary school. The decision was approved by the Finance Committee and Town Meeting on two occasions. The School Assistance Bureau would reimburse the Town of Reading 66%. If we do not solve all our enrollment issues, none of the renovations or construction costs would be reimbursable. The School Committee realizes all of the enrollment issues. An Enrollment Committee was formed to review these issues. They spent thousands of hours and came up with thirty solutions. The solution has to be both cost effective and educationally sound. Mr. Graham stated that the School Building Committee is a committee independent of Town Meeting. The School Building Committee was created to bring back information and solutions. Enrollment is an issue in Reading. The majority of people on the School Building Committee and the majority of Town Meeting Members do not have school age children. They have been working to inform the public through many public forums at different schools, on several dates throughout the fall. At the November 15th Town Meeting, they did not leave until all the questions concerning the new school and renovations had been answered. Mr. Dahl stated that they would start answering questions at this time. He asked that everyone identify himself or herself before asking their question.