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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-12 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 12, 2000 CALL TO ORDER Mrs. D'Antona called the regular session together at 7:40 in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were Mr. Twomey, Mr. Keigley, Mrs. D'Antona, Mrs. Cavicchi and Mrs. Williams. Mr. Dahl was not present. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards, Town Accountant Foley, Fin Com members McDonald, LeLacheur and Selectmen, Matt Nestor. CITIZEN'S INPUT There is no citizen's input. BILLS & PAYROLLS There were no bills and payrolls. Mrs. D'Antona welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming. The agenda tonight is to review four parts of the Superintendent's Recommended FY01 Budget. The four areas of discussion tonight are Maintenance, Health, Athletics and Extra Curricular. Dr. Harutunian greeted and thanked everyone for coming. He wanted to take a minute to thank everyone in the Reading Community involved in the Dividence Road Project. Over 50% of the voters turned out to vote. Even though the per -pupil in Reading is less than the state average, wonderful things keep happening in Reading. Parents in Reading keep helping out. They always participate in the process. Precinct seven and eight had a strong "yes" vote. There will be four issues to deal with in the future. We have to decide on a name for the school. We have to decide on the district lines. We have to assign the school a principal and we have to look into the renovations of the two elementary schools. All of these things are very exciting. We look forward to working out all the details. Dr. Harutunian explained that since there were so many band parents in the audience, they would move extra curricula up on the agenda. Dr. Harutunian explained that Mr. Bunten is the Band Director at Reading Memorial High School. Mr. Bunten suffered a stroke last year. Dr. Harutunian hired Mr. Mulligan at full salary and benefits to pick up the slack due to Mr. Bunten's absence thus adding to the budget deficit. Mr. Bunten return to his position three weeks before school started. The Superintendent and the School Committee were under the same impression that Mr. Bunten would be out until January of 2000. He went on to say that the School Department would have to cut something in another area to make this work. The School Committee agreed to keep REGULAR SESSION -2- JANUARY 12 2000 Mr. Mulligan for the school year, but his position is indeed temporary. In the current budget process there were seven teachers requested at the high school. The high school will add only one teacher. There is only $ 210,000 slotted for Curriculum Initiatives. Mrs. D'Antona thanked Dr. Harutunian and invited the Band Parent Representatives to speak. Mrs. Janice Jones applauded Dr. Harutunian for his support when Mr. Bunten became ill. One of the problems, she felt, was that Mr. Bunten was doing the work of three people. He was working all day teaching and then until 9:00 p.m. every night doing rehearsals and sectionals. He works with the marching band, the concert band and the jazz band. He works Saturdays and Sundays during the Fall. She said to expect one man to do all this is ridiculous. You cannot expect Mr. Bunten to work from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. everyday. Mrs. Jones stated that the Band Parents just want their share of the pie. There are 119 children involved in the band. There are no cuts or no tryouts for the band. Please treat these students like the athletes. Andrew Pearson, a senior at Reading Memorial High School, stated that he was a member of the Jazz Band, Combo and Marching Band. He sees the stress Mr. Bunten is under. If Mr. Mulligan dos not come back next year, Mr. Bunten will not be able to handle everything. Mrs. Debbie Ahl has a daughter in the Middle School Band. She wants her daughter to have something to aspire to by the time she reaches the high school. There would be no where to go after Middle School. Mr. Mulligan gives 200 %. We cannot afford to loose him. Michael Jones, a senior at the high school, stated that he never really got involved at school. He hung around the band and Mr. Bunten strongly recommended that he get involved with the band. He joined the drum line two years ago. He will always remember the past two years. They have been the best two years of his life. He felt like he finally belonged somewhere. Mr. Bunten and Mr. Mulligan were there for him. Danny K. said he was called in to run the Pops Concert. He said it took thirteen people to fill in for Mr. Bunten. He said there were 5 people teaching Music on the middle school level and one at the high school. This did not make sense to him. He wanted the committee to find money for an assistant for Mr. Bunten. Dr. Harutunian took exception to the criticism of the middle school music staff. The middle school music staff services many more music students than the high school thus the increase in staff. REGULAR SESSION -3- JANUARY 12, 2000 Kris DeMoura, assisted at the high school as a long -term substitute teacher. He stated that Mr. Bunten could not continue to put in such hours. Mr. Mulligan has been doing the sectionals in the afternoon. Mr. Bunten now has the afternoons off and returns in the evening. A citizen stated that the Town of Stoneham had an excellent band many years ago. For some reason the band program fell apart. It has taken the Town of Stoneham twenty years to get the band program back to where it once was. He does not want to see this happen in Reading. Jeff Skinner, a student, feels that the band issue is serious. Mr. Mulligan has been a great influence on the students at school. Mr. Mulligan is key with the chorus students and the band students. The freshman enjoyed his classes so much that they signed up to take additional classes. Mr. Bunten and Mr. Mulligan work very well together. You cannot let Mr. Mulligan walk away. Elizabeth Suchy, student, had an opportunity this year to play different instruments. She received individual help this year. Mr. Bunten would not have had time before to give individual instruction. Mr. Keith Goodwin stated that he appreciated everyone coming out tonight. He has ten years with the band program. The program is outstanding. The band participates in many events around town, the Christmas Tree Lighting, Memorial Day parade and Thanksgiving Day Game. Mr. Bunten cannot do it alone. We would appreciate your consideration. The band should be funded through the budget. We would be losing more than you know. Mrs. D'Antona thanked everyone for their input. The band is wonderful. The articulation of all the speakers is appreciated especially the students. She announced that the School Committee would take a five - minute recess. Mrs. D'Antona called the meeting back to order at 8:32 p.m. GIFTS There are no gifts to report this evening. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR, SUPERINTENDENT & LIAISON REPORTS Dr. Harutunian asked the committee if the location of the February 7a` School Committee Meeting could be changed to Coolidge Middle School. Everyone was in agreement. There was discussion of RCTV procedures and coverage of different forums. REGULAR SESSION -4- JANUARY 12, 2000 LIASION REPORTS There were no liaison reports. Mary Williams asked the Superintendent when the parents would be able to tour Coolidge Middle School. The Superintendent told her in April. Mrs. D'Antona introduced Dick McDonald and Robert LeLacheur, Finance Committee Members, Matt Nestor, Selectmen and Richard Foley, Town Accountant. Dr. Harutunian told the Committee that Mr. Bill Brown stopped by his office to congratulate him on the new school. Mr. Brown has not stopped by in the last year. They have been communicating through the newspapers. Mr. Brown offered to volunteer some of his time to clean the high school. Dr. Harutunian will speak t6 the high school principal. The high school is fifty years old. From 1950 to 1990 they had 19 people cleaning the high school. Since the, more than half of the custodians have been cut. SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET On Page 67, please change the number of Directors from 2.0 to 1.0. There is one Director and one Assistant Director. Please change Custodians from 26.5 to 27.5. Please change the 1.8 under Clerical to 1.0. Page 64, under Health Services, please note that the Director or Nursing is 0.2. Last year this was an Interim Position, this year it is a permanent position. 80% of this position is spent as the high school nurse and 20% is in a supervisory capacity. The nurses are doing an outstanding job. The increase in clerical from $ 9,952 to $ 10,699 is due to step increases and grade increases. Mrs. Williams asked about the nurses at the elementary level dealing with Special Education students. Would it be feasible to take money out of SPED budget and put it into regular day for these services. Dr. Harutunian stated that the state does not require us to break this out. He explained that we receive grant money to help with SPED issues. Mr. Twomey asked about the increase in the Athletic Director salary. Dr. Harutunian explained that the Athletic Director salary is $3,000 to $ 4,000 lower than the 10 towns we use for comparison purposes and $ 2,000 less than the average in the Middlesex League. The coach salary line is increased by 12.5 %. This is due to step increases and salary increases spelled out in the teachers' contract. REGULAR SESSION -5- JANUARY 12,200 Mrs. Cavicchi asked what the ratio of participants in a sport was to the number of coaches. Dr. Harutunian stated he would get the ratio information for her. It was said that football revenues offset all sport expenses not just football. Dr. Harutunian explained that police details at games can be costly. Page 65, Extra Curricula — The total budget was $ 14,500. The Superintendent stated that he could easily use $ 60,000 on this line. Mrs. D'Antona asked what criteria is used in determining the number of leaders in proportion to the number of participants for any activity. Dr Harutunian stated he would get the pertinent information. Matt Nestor asked if the Athletic Director and the Director of Extra Curricula are the same position. The Superintendent stated they were. Mrs.Williams asked what the cost of a football shirt and pants. The Superintendent said he would get the information for her. There was conversation regarding the amount of time a coach spends at games and practices. It was asked if the Athletic Director-could provide more information on what went into being a coach and the amount of time involved. Debbie McCulley asked how many students receive a physical from Dr. Green, School Physician and why do we need a physician. Dr. Harutunian stated that he would get the exact number of physicals performed per year. He explained why we needed to have a physician. Cathy Mandolese, Drama Parent, stated that she was glad to hear that the Superintendent is trying to level the playing field. She thanked him for all his efforts. She realized it is not going to be equal overnight but she appreciates everything he does. Dr. Harutunian pointed out the lines in the budget which were added this year which is double the number we had last year. More Extra Curricula lines would be added next year. Mrs Cavicchi made a motion to direct the Superintendent to explore ways to get help for Mr. Bunten and report back to the Committee. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0. Mr. LeLacheur asked if a student could conceivable play three sports. He also asked how many coaches there are per sport. The Superintendent told him that a student could play three sports and he would get the coaching information for him. REGULAR SESSION -6- JANUARY 12, 2000 The $35,000 under Custodians (substitutes) was explained by the Superintendent as funds set aside to pay for substitute custodians while the regular custodian was out ill or on vacation. It is not overtime. The Superintendent approves all overtime before it occurs. Mr. Twomey asked if the price of oil was going up next year. The Superintendent told him it was expected to. Mrs. Michelle Carrick asked if the small grants applied for by PTO's were included in the revenue pages of the budget. The Superintendent said they were not. ADJOURN Mrs. Williams moved to adiourn. Mr. Keieley seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Mrs. D'Antona, Mr. Keizley, Mr. Twomey, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Cavicchi. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools