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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-28 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION August 28, 2000 Call to Order Chair Cavicchi called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona, Griset, Keigley and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Bills & Payroll Bills and payroll are as follows: Warrant 14 August 14, 2000 $443,412.38 Warrant 16 August 21, 2000 $178,847.06 Warrant 18 August 28, 2000 $186,062.19 Payroll 13 August 10, 2000 $331,269.62 Payroll 15 August 18, 2000 $60,137.01 Payroll 17 August 24, 2000 $316,154.81 Citizen's Input Ms. Kendra Cooper stated that the Committee has not approved executive session minutes recently. She asked that the committee review their policy on executive session minutes and begin to approve and release appropriate minutes. Gifts Dr. Harutunian thanked Mr. Thomas McGhie for his generous donation of six Gateway Computers Dr. Harutunian thanked the Reading/North Reading Stream Team for their generous donation of $400 for purchase of materials regarding biodiversity. Mr. Twomey moved to accept the gifts of Mr. McGhie and the North Reading Stream Team. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. REGULAR SESSION 2 August 28, 2000 Superintendent's Report Mr. Dahl stated that Mr. William Brown filed a complaint regarding an alleged violation of the Open Meeting Law with the District Attorney's Office. Mr. Dahl stated that he received a letter from Mary Ross of the District Attorney's Office stating that no violation occurred. Mr. Dahl then read a statement which has been attached to and is a part of the minutes. Ms. Cavicchi informed the Committee that the cost to date is $26,729.60 for the special counsel, Gadsby & Hannah defending the Town against the Mandell Lawsuit. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Flansburgh Contract has been signed by both parties and he will be working with counsel to pay the back invoices. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that included in their packet was information which will be distributed to staff and students during the first week of school. Dr. Harutunian advised that there are still vacant positions and he and staff are working to fill the positions. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on requests for information. Dr. Harutunian read a letter from Eileen Patch thanking him for providing the information she requested. Dr. Harutunian thanked Gene Kaczowka for his hard work. He stated that all 27 students who took the AP Calculus exam scored 3 or better. Dr. Harutunian advised that in the School Committee packet there was a copy of an article written by Andrea Bruno and Dave Williams Dr. Harutunian discussed the School Committee calendar and the FY02 budget calendar. It was the consensus of the Committee that Option 1 be used for the January dates allowing time for public input. Dr. Harutunian advised that at the School Committee meeting on September 12`h he would have the blue pages of the FY02 budget ready for the School Committee to review and discuss. He also advised that he would be preparing two budgets one assuming an override passes and one assuming an override does not pass. REGULAR SESSION 3 August 28, 2000 Mr. Twomey stated that the School Committee was asked by the Board of Selectmen to move the budget process forward by six months. He stated that the Committee was doing some damage by agreeing to move the process forward. He stated that the community will be expecting the regular School Committee budget process and may miss an opportunity to provide input to the Committee. He stated that the Committee agreed to the request to move the process forward on the understanding that the Board of Selectmen were moving forward with the override. He asked that the Superintendent contact the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen regarding a commitment on the override. It was the consensus of the Committee that Dr. Harutunian talk with Mr. Nestor and Mr. Hines regarding the School Committee's concern about moving their budget process forward six months without the Board of Selectmen's commitment on the override. Mr. Dahl stated his feeling that the budgets submitted both need to continue to move the school system forward. He stated that the Committee will need to go to Town Meeting to defend the needs of the school system. Dr. Harutunian suggested that the budget calendar be reviewed by the Committee each month and modified if necessary. Dr. Harutunian made a statement to Joshua Eaton parents that this morning a 10' x 24' section of ceiling tile fell in the gym. He stated that the building inspector and the health administrator were called and came to the scene to determine whether there was any asbestos in the material. He stated that the report came back that there was no asbestos in the material. A structural engineer is scheduled to inspect the gym tomorrow and check the integrity of the ceiling. Dr. Harutunian stated that a notice would be sent home to parents of Joshua Eaton students. He thanked Mr. Redmond and Ms. Fiore for their assistance. Minutes Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of March 23, 2000. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigkv and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of May 24, 2000 with changes as noted. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keialey and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of May 31, 2000. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keidey voted yes, Mr. Twomey abstained. REGULAR SESSION 4 August 28, 2000 Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of June 5, 2000. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey voted yes, Ms. D'Antona abstained. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of June 14, 2000. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of June 19, 2000 wi th changes as noted. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey, Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of June 22, 2000 for the 3:00 p.m. meeting. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey, Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of June 22, 2000 for the 8:00 p.m. meeting with changes as noted. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of June 28, 2000. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Dahl moved to approve the minutes of July 10, 2000. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey voted yes, Ms. D'Antona abstained. Executive Session Mr. Griset moved to 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 and Nurses and to discuss pending litigation and to discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices not to return to regular session. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keiglev and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully su itted, Harry . Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools