HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-28 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Session March 28, 2000
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m. Present were School Committee
members Dahl, D'Antona, Griset, Keigley and Twomey. Also present was
Superintendent Harutunian.
Chair Dahl advised that Mrs. Cavicchi would be late due to a professional obligation.
Ms. Cavicchi arrived at 8:30 p.m.
CITIZENS' INPUT
There was no citizen input.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Harutunian distributed a revised educational assistant breakdown.
Dr. Harutunian advised that he checked with the Attorney General's office and we must
go out to bid to hire someone to oversee the bills and documents from the general
contractor on a building project.
FY01 BUDGET REDUCTIONS
Dr. Harutunian reviewed the budget process up to this point.
Dr. Harutunian distributed information on Plan A and Plan B regarding proposed budget
reductions.
Dr. Harutunian distributed elementary class size information for this year and for next
year showing class sizes as they would appear if the override passed and if the override
failed.
The Committee had a lengthy discussion on pros and cons of adopting Plan A or adopting
Plan B or a combination of the two plans.
Regular Session -2- March 28, 2000
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to agree to the concept of
charging user fees. There was consensus that the money generated from user fees would
fund freshmen sports. The consensus of user fee income funding freshmen sports was for
FY01 only and the Committee stated that it was possible that the user fee may not fund
freshmen sports in FY02.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to agree to the concept of raising
rental fees for school property.
At 9:35 p.m. Chair Dahl advised that the Committee would take a short recess.
At 9:45 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order.
After discussion, Chair Dahl stated that it appeared to him that the Committee was
struggling with the decision regarding put backs and stated that the decision did not have
to be made this evening as the Committee had agreed on a bottom line figure.
It was the consensus of the Committee to meet again on April 4th at 7:00 to continue
discussions on this matter.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:55 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to adiourn from regular session and enter
into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation
for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Custodian and Maintenance
Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Association of Secretaries and Clerks, Educational
Assistants, Nurses and to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate. Not to
return to regular session. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms.
Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry . Harutunian, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools