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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-18 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION January 18, 2000 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Reading Memorial High School Lecture Hall. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona, Keigley, Twomey and Williams. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: PR57 $657,693.93 January 13, 2000 W58 $242,268.68 January 18, 2000 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the Youth Risk Survey. He stated that Mr. Richards is working with the secondary principals. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had met with the architect regarding the new school and that he had some dates. He stated that March 1St is the first deadline. He stated that he had included a memorandum from Mary Williams regarding naming the school. He stated that he would be working with the bargaining units on how to transfer staff and decide on a process. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the Pertusis situation. Dr. Harutunian distributed information regarding participation in all clubs and athletics. Dr. Harutunian gave the Committee background information on the Assistant Band Director position. He stated that after meeting with the band parents he would be recommending adding a stipend position for Assistant Band Director, not to change the bottom line of the budget. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on heating issues at the schools. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. REGULAR SESSION -2- January 18, 2000 PUBLIC HEARING ON FY01 BUDGET Chair Dahl stated that the public hearing would begin and asked that citizens identify themselves before speaking. Jason Korta a senior at RMHS stated his support for Mr. Mulligan. He stated that Mr. Mulligan has been of great importance to the students at RMHS and has donated instruments to students who could not otherwise afford to be in the band. He asked that the Committee consider keeping Mr. Mulligan's position. Bruce Hakanson stated that he appreciated what Dr. Harutunian was recommending and hoped that he would follow through with those recommendations. He stated that he wanted clarification on page 24. He stated that he could not make the numbers match. Dr. Harutunian advised that the majority of the expense was for supplies in the classrooms, paper, pencils, etc. He stated that the supplies are not specific to music but that the music department does use a portion of the supplies. Danny Kaye stated that there are many students in the band and only one band director. He stated that if you compare the band student advisor ratio to the football coaching staff ratio there is no equality. He stated that Reading has an excellent band program and was invited to Washington to represent Massachusetts in the National Independence Day Parade. Chair Dahl asked if it is true that if students don't participate in marching band then they can't participate in other music extra curricula activities. Dr. Harutunian advised that he received a letter regarding that issue today and he would look into the matter. Janice Jones stated that the Committee should look at the number of grades per quarter Mr. Bunten gives. She stated that her son is in 3 classes and should be counted as three students not as one. She stated that she felt $2,400 was low for a stipend and asked the qualifications of the girl's hockey coach and trainer being requested. She stated that Mr. Bunten has been a band director for a number of years and should receive more than a first year hockey coach. Dr. Harutunian advised that a trainer is somewhere between a paramedic and nursing specialty in sports medicine. REGULAR SESSION _ -3- January 18, 2000 Chair Dahl stated from the point of view of policy the Committee has tried to approach equity between extra curricula activities. He stated that providing equity will be a gradual process. We don't want to be in position to take away programs but to add programs so everyone has an opportunity to participate John Carpenter, a member of RMHS School Council and Town Meeting member stated that the report distributed at the beginning of the meeting for extra curricula activities has drama listed as 90 students. He stated that he verified the number as 190 so the ratio is 90 to 1. He stated hundreds of students participate in National History Day and the number shown, 14, is probably the number that go to the states. Dr. Harutunian advised that these numbers are done in September and are given to the Director of Extra Curricula by the advisors from each activity. Mr. Carpenter suggested that a column be added next year's form to include the number of trips and the number of competitions for each activity and note which are paid for by private funds and which are school sponsored Mike Jones a RMHS senior in the band, submitted a petition signed by 300 people stating that music does not get as much as athletics. Joanne Tedesco a band parent and music teacher thanked the Committee for their time. She stated that she had called surrounding communities, Andover has full time chorus teacher, a full time band teacher and a full time drama teacher. She stated that North Reading has a full time and part time band teacher. She stated that if the Committee wants to make Reading comparable they have to begin funding the arts. Chair Dahl stated that we are trying to increase spending on these types of programs and trying to move academic programs forward however we face budget constraints. Chair Dahl stated that with the building of the new elementary school at least we will have the core facilities at the elementary level for the arts. Dr. Harutunian stated that Reading schools have the lowest contact hours in arts in the 32 towns east of Boston. Jeff Skinner, RMHS senior, stated that football has six coaches if the band had six coaches to lead the sectionals they would be all set. Ellen Musneski stated that she has been with the band for 16 years and hasn't had a student in the band since 1985. She stated that when she came here it was a very small program that has grown over the years. She stated that it is a very well respected program. She stated that she does not want to see the program returned to what it was 16 years ago. REGULAR SESSION -4- January 18, 2000 Alexis Horn, Co- Treasurer of the band stated that Mr. Bunten's work load is too great and that he needs an assistant. He asked that Mr. Mulligan's position not be eliminated. Lee Strathmeyer freshman in high school marching band stated that both Mr. Mulligan and Mr. Bunten are wonderful instructors and Reading has a wonderful program. She stated that she hopes that the Committee will support the band. Debbie Ahl stated that Mr. Mulligan is an exceptional teacher and hopes that the Committee will support the band and Mr. Mulligan. Joe Westerman stated his support of the band and questioned the medical policy. He stated that he could not understand why a high school student needs a doctor's letter to take an Advil. Dr. Harutunian stated that there are over 4,500 students and 525 employees all with different medical conditions. There have been issues with students putting medication under their tongues and then selling the medication. He stated that the reason no medication is allowed without a doctor's letter is strictly for safety reasons. At 9:00 p.m. the public hearing ended and Chair Dahl advised that the Committee would take a five minute recess. At 9:10 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order BUDGET Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve a stipend position for Assistant Band Director. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Mr. Keigley stated that at tomorrow's Financial Forum meeting we will be discussing the Town of Reading's finances. He stated that he wanted to make it clear that the school budget is a bare bones budget. REGULAR SESSION -5- January 18, 2000 Chair Dahl stated that he had received a letter regarding the music program at the high school. He stated that the complaint was that unless a student does marching band they cannot participate in other musical programs. He asked the Superintendent Harutunian look into this issue. Dr. Harutunian advised that it is his intent to take the letter to the high school administration and contact surrounding communities for information on their programs. He stated that he would look into the matter and get back to the Committee. Ms. Williams asked if unanticipated special education students were included in this budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that there were two public and two private tuitions included. Dr. Harutunian advised that the budget being submitted is realistic non - inflated budget. Ms. Williams made a motion to accept the Superintendent's recommended budget of $26,780,535. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms Williams Ms. D'Antona commended the superintendent and staff for an outstanding job on the budget. Chair Dahl thanked the budget parents for their input and support through the budget process. SEARCH Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the proposal of the Superintendent as recommended in the January 13th memorandum with inclusion of an opportunity for public input at some type of public form. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Mr. Twomey moved to authorize the Superintendent to conduct a search process and select a Director of Special Education according to the procedures as described in the Superintendent's memorandum of January 13, 2000 with inclusion of an opportunity for public input at some type of public forum Ms Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. REGULAR SESSION -6- January 18, 2000 Dr. Harutunian advised that this would be Karawan Kouki's last meeting as student representative. Chair Dahl and Dr. Harutunian thanked student representative Karawan Kouki for her work on the Committee. MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to accept the minutes of October 28, 1999 with changes as noted. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Ms. Williams voted yes, Mr. Twomey abstained. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to accept the minutes of November 10, 1999 with changes as noted. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Ms. Williams voted yes, Mr. Twomey abstained. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to accept the minutes of November 15, 1999 Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -2 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Keigley and Ms. Williams voted yes, Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Twomey abstained. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to accept the minutes of November 22, 1999 with changes as noted. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Ms. Williams voted yes, Mr. Twomey abstained. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to accept the minutes of November 15, 1999 Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -2 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona and Mr. Keigley voted yes, Ms. Williams and Mr. Twomey abstained. ADJOURN At 10.25 p.m. Ms D'Antona made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted yes. ectfully mitted, batzt,". Harry . Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools