1999-09-24 School Committee Minutes

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MINUTES of MEETING School Building Committee, Enrollment Subcommittee [ "SBCES "] Friday, September 24, 1999, 7:30pm Reading Memorial High School - Guidance Center / Cafeteria Present: Dennis LaCroix, Alex McRae, Jeff Struble Absent: Roger Sansted This four - member subcommittee had previously been appointed by the full SBC, at its meeting of September 21, 1999. A quorum was present at 7:45 in the RMHS lobby. As a courtesy, the Superintendent's office had posted this meeting to be held in the Guidance Center, but the room was locked that evening and no building personnel could be found to unlock it. At about 8:00, a sign was prominently placed on the main entrance to the High School directing interested parties to use an unlocked side entrance and proceed to the nearby Cafeteria, where the meeting was called to order. Two guests and a member of the press were also in attendance. There was no public input. As the first order of business, A. McRae asked if the subcommittee felt a Chair should be appointed. J. Struble moved to nominate A. McRae for Chair, seconded by D. LaCroix. By a vote of 3 -0 -0, A. McRae was elected Subcommittee Chair. A. McRae suggested the meeting agenda should focus on (1) identifying what needs to be done to carry out the mission of the SBCEC, and (2) how we are going to do it. The most critical task was to receive and review an update of the Reading Elementary enrollment projections. A. McRae reported this had been discussed with the School Committee Chair, and the Superintendent, and that there were concerns to resolve about the availability of NESDEC, and how their services might be paid for. The official enrollment data for the current school year will be available soon, as of October 1. A. McRae also reported he had studied enrollment data, past, present and future, at some length over the summer, in an effort to demystify and possibly improve the projections. He noted that recent and projected birth rates were the most important factor in establishing reliable enrollment projections at the elementary level. Recent increases in births seen in Reading appear to be consistent with trends in other similar upper middle class suburbs, and consistent with the demographic makeup of the community, whereas State averages are weighted by offsetting trends in urban and rural areas. In- migration trends are also important. Reading has always historically drawn more children into the school system than were originally born here. [Post meeting note: Elementary enrollment projections from the architect, ERF&A were reviewed and finalized October 12, 1999, and presented to the full SBC.] J. Struble also urged the subcommittee to reexamine "the need ", i.e. to confirm and update the current programmatic space requirements at each elementary school, as well as to identify deficiencies that exist now. D. LaCroix also volunteered. J. Struble offered to set up a meeting with each Elementary Principal, after consultation with the SBC Chair and Superintendent. [Post meeting note: J. Struble and D. LaCroix completed this task and reported back to the full SBC] There was some interest in having another meeting as soon as Sept 27 (to be posted no later than noon, Sept 25), where Dan Ensminger and former members of the ESSC might be invited. A. McRae agreed to contact Dan and notify the subcommittee of the next meeting. [Post meeting note: No further meetings of the SBCES were called in 1999.] A. McRae asked if there was any further input from the public. None was offered. D. LaCroix moved to adjourn, seconded by J. Struble. By a vote of 3 -0 -0, meeting adjourned at about 9:00. IF.—WO