1998-03-06 School Committee Minutes

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i Reading Public Schools Minutes of the Finance Committee, School Building Committee and School Committee__: :, t :,S. Finance, School Building & School Committees Meeting �` arch 6, 1998; , The meeting was called to order by Finance Committee Chairman Mr. James Keigley at 7:06 p.m. Also present from the Finance Committee were Ms. Carol Grimm, Mr. Paul K* ukor, Ms. Catherine Martin, Mr. Richard McDonald and Mr. Nathan White. The School Building Committee members present were Chairman Richard Graham, Mr. Richard Radville. Mr. Roger Sanstead and Mr. Jeff Stroeble. The School Committee members present were Chairman Timothy Twomey, Ms. Susan Cavicchi and Mr. Tom Stohlman. Also present was Dr. Harutunian, Superintendent of Schools and Principal Doherty of the Coolidge Middle School. Chairman James Keigley said the reason for this meeting is the discussion of the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School Building Project. Mr. Graham said the School Building Committee made a presentation this past week to the Board of Selectman and the School Committee and they are here this evening to ask support and answer any questions from the Finance Committee. Ms. Grimm asked who will oversee the Coolidge project. Mr. Radville said he will be involved with this project but not to the extent of the Parker project. He said the committee does not know yet who will oversee it. Mr. Graham said Principal Delaney was their strongest manager on the Parker project. Mr. R. McDonald said the 9 million cost estimate seemed excessive, how good are the estimates? Mr. Graham said they spoke to an architect regarding the sprinkler system and the windows and he felt it was a reasonable estimate. Dr. Harutunian said the SBAB said it was well within the 66% limit. At 7:13 p.m. Mr. Gerry MacDonald, Finance Committee arrived. Chairman James Keigley reiterated to Mr. G. MacDonald what has transpired so far in the meeting. Ms. Martin questioned the conversion of the gymnasium to the library media center and whether the were satisfied it was a good plan. Mr. Doherty said the gymnasium is a perfect size for the library media center and the architect thought it was best. The architect is looking into the new gymnasium. He said the architect said cost -wise it is not a major expense to convert the gymnasium to the library media center. At 7:17 p.m. Ms. Margaret Cowles, School Building Committee and Mr. James Francis, Finance Committee arrived. sMr. White asked everyone to keep in mind that the actual cost of the project is not 9,000,000 but X16,920,000. He also said that in 1974 the schools were at peak capacity. The enrollment that year was 6,300 and next year it is expected to be 4,183, what did the schools do then for space? Ms. Grimm said there were twice as many elementary schools, only two grades at the middle schools and double sessions at the high school. Mr. Sanstead said there is a big difference in the schools now. Mr. White did not