HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-05 School Committee Minutes READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Reading, Massachusetts
REGULAR SESSION January 5, 2000
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference
Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Keigley, Twomey and
Williams. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent
Richards and Town Manager Hechenbleikner.
EXECUTIVE SESSION •
At 7:06 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to enter into executive session for the
purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the
Teachers' Association, Custodians and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees,
Association of Secretaries and Clerks, Educational Assistants, Nurses and to discuss
the possible sale or lease of real estate to return to regular session at approximately
7:30 p.m. The vote was 5-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and
Ms. Williams.
CALL BACK TO ORDER
At 7:37 Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order.
Ms. D'Antona arrived at 7:37 p.m.
Chair Dahl welcomed Finance Committee Members LaLacheur and McDonald, Town
Accountant Richard Foley and members of the budget parents and the audience to the
meeting.
HIGHLIGHTS
Dr. Harutunian advised that the artwork displayed in the School Committee room was the
work of the Coolidge Middle School. Dr. Harutunian showed a video made by students
of the Coolidge Middle School giving a tour of the new facility.
Dr. Harutunian advised that he would be scheduling a School Committee meeting at the
Coolidge Middle School so the Committee and members of the public would have an
opportunity to view the new facility.
CITIZENS' INPUT
There was no citizen input.
REGULAR SESSION -2- January 5, 2000
LIAISON REPORTS
Ms. Cavicchi stated that she had attended the Board of Selectmen's meeting and Lincoln
Properties, the second bidder for the landfill, has advised the Board that they are
interested in pursuing the landfill deal.
Ms. Cavicchi stated that Joe Connelly had submitted his resignation effective January
14th from Reading Recreation. She stated that Mr. Connelly will be missed.
Dr. Harutunian advised that at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 7th the School Committee
and the School Building Committee will hold a joint meeting in the Reading Memorial
High School Lecture Hall to answer any questions regarding the proposed elementary
building project. He advised that he and the Town Manager had jointly answered all
questions submitted to both the Chronicle and the Advocate and had held a two hour
press conference to discuss the questions and the answers.
Dr. Harutunian advised that he was pleased to announce that the CARE group had
decided to make copies of the press package for distribution at Friday evening's meeting.
Dr. Harutunian advised that the required legal notice had been run in the paper regarding
the public hearing on the budget scheduled for January 18th at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading
Memorial High School Lecture Hall.
FY01 BUDGET—REGULAR DAY
Dr. Harutunian briefly reviewed the budget process.
Dr. Harutunian stated that that due to a special education reduction the overall budget
would be going down from 9.3%.
Dr. Harutunian distributed new pages 48, 52, 53, 59 and 62 to the Committee.
Mr. Nestor stated that the Board of Selectmen had directed the Town Manager to inform
RCTV that the Board felt it important that they cover all budget meetings.
Dr. Harutunian distributed a projected K-5 enrollment for 1999,2000,2001.
Dr. Harutunian distributed charts showing staffing requests and the superintendent's
recommendations.
REGULAR SESSION -3- January 5, 2000
Dr. Harutunian advised that he believed an additional education assistant would be
needed at the Coolidge Middle School for the kindergarten classes for extra support in
taking students to the restrooms, nurses office etc.
Mr. Twomey and Mr. Dahl both stated that this position was well justified and not a
frivolous request. Mr. Twomey stated that because there are no restrooms in the rooms to
be used by the kindergarten students at Coolidge an extra person is required in order to
ensure safety of students.
Dr. Harutunian stated that he had met with the Birch Meadow community and that they
are amiable to the kindergarten at Coolidge. He stated that he would be staggering pick
up time so that parents picking up students at Birch Meadow would be able to pick up at
both Coolidge and Birch Meadow.
Dr. Harutunian distributed information regarding technology purchases.
Mr. Keigley requested a copy of the technology plan.
Dr. Harutunian advised that the increase in photocopy equipment expense is directly
related to curriculum initiatives. New curriculum requires heavy use of copied materials
and using school department copiers is less expensive than purchasing workbooks.
Mr. Twomey requested that separate accounts be shown on page 58 for photocopy
equipment and supplies.
Mr. Twomey asked who the copy supplier was.
Dr. Harutunian advised that currently it is Xerox.
Ms. Williams asked if the $40,000 in professional development was strictly for language
arts.
Dr. Harutunian advised that it was except for a small portion for social studies.
Ms. Williams asked if the cost for copying information on the Pertussis situation was
paid for by the schools or by the town.
Dr. Harutunian advised that the cost is split with the town.
REGULAR SESSION -4- January 5, 2000
ADJOURN
At 9:30 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn and reenter executive session
not to return to public session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0
Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams
Respectfully su• ted,
cx,
Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools