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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-10-10 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION October 10, 2000 CALL TO ORDER Chair Cavicchi called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Keigley and Twomey. Mr. Dahl and Mr. Griset arrived during executive session. EXECUTIVE SESSION Ms D'Antona moved 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 Assistant and Nurses and to discuss pending litigation. To return to regular session at approximately 7.30 p.m. Mr. Twomey seconded. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. D'Antona, Mr. Kei ley and Mr. Twomey. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: Payroll 19 9/11/00 $83,551.66 Payroll 21 9/7/00 $765,553.10 Payroll 23 9/15/00 $155,538.51 Payroll 25 9/11/0 $691,122.05 Payroll 27 9/29/00 $176,503.50 Warrant 20 9/5/00 $30,616.89 Warrant 22 9/11/00 $692,183.56 Warrant 24 9/18/00 $125,710.26 Warrant 26 9/25/00 $344,593.00 Warrant 28 10/20/00 $261,715.73 CALL BACK TO ORDER Ms. Cavicchi called the meeting back to order at 7:35 p.m. Student representative Jill Macari was present. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT REGULAR SESSION 2 October 10, 2000 Dr. Harutunian requested that the agenda be modified as per his memorandum of October 10th. It was the consensus of the Committee to modify the agenda. ENDICOTT PRESENTATION Mr. Richards advised that school districts are faced with meeting a directive of the Department of Education to work with colleges in the area to develop programs to assist teachers. Mr. Richards stated that it has, in the past, been difficult to find colleges who have similar areas of interest and are willing to collaborate with school districts. Mr. Richards listed numerous areas that he feels Endicott College and the Reading Public Schools can collaborate on. Dr. Robert Boose Vice President and Dean of the Endicott Graduate School gave a presentation to the Committee regarding areas that he believed Endicott could work with the Reading school district for professional development. He discussed the content institutes held this summer. He stated that teachers that attend courses in professional development run by Endicott receive graduate credits and professional development credit. Mr. Twomey asked if these courses are held on the college campus or in local school districts. Dr. Boose stated that it is approximately 50150. Some are at the site and some are at Endicott. Mr. Richards discussed the grants received by the Reading School District to hold three summer content institutes. He stated that Reading was the only community to receive three grants. Mr. Twomey moved to support the continuing relationship between the Reading Public School and Endicott College. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Kei ley and Mr. Twomey. NEW ELEMENTARY BUILDING PROJECT Dr. Harutunian advised that he had met with elementary principals and Sid Bowen to discuss potential cost overrun because of potential high bids. He stated that the bid documents have been sent to counsel for review. REGULAR SESSION 3 October 10, 2000 Dr. Harutunian stated that after discussions with the architect, he believes if the bids come in between $9.1 million and $9.3 million we will find a way through the contingency fund and construction alternates to make the project work. If the project comes in over $9.3 million he stated that we may ask the Reading School Committee to ask the Selectmen for a special town meeting to request additional funds from Town Meeting. He stated that a letter has been sent to the Department of Education requesting a waiver of the maximum reimbursement because of unusual amount of ledge and necessary site work. Mr. Bowen discussed the estimated shortfall of $358,588 and how that number was arrived at. He also discussed possible ways to work to lower the shortfall including a list of recommended add alternates. Mr. Bowen also advised that the estimator included building permit fees at $52,000. Mr. Bowen advised that most communities do not charge building permit fees for schools and he would be checking with the Town. The Committee discussed the list of add alternates. Mr. Griset moved to approve the add alternates recommended in the memorandum of October 6, 2000 prioritized as follows: concrete walks, solid surface counters, platform lighting, entrance canopy and trees. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset and Mr. Twomey voted yes. Mr. Keigley no. Mr. Bowen distributed a memorandum regarding three items that will be specified for the project that do not have equal alternate products. He stated that Massachusetts bid laws permit us to specify products without substitution if the awarding authority votes requiring items in the specifications without substitution. Mr. Dahl moved to accept the specified items as listed in the memorandum of October 10, 2000 from Flansburgh Associates. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. CAPITAL PLAN Dr. Harutunian reviewed the capital plan with the Committee. Mr. Twomey stated that the Reading Memorial High School is incorrect the split should be $48 million for construction and $7.5 million for design fees. REGULAR SESSION 4 October 10, 2000 Dr. Harutunian asked the Committee to approve adding the following items to the capital plan. • Architectural fees of $3.5 million and $56.1 million for renovations to RMHS • $150,000 each year for next ten for school technology • $5,000 per year in capital plan for next 10 years for drama equipment • $20,000 per year for first five years and $15,000 per year for next five years for band equipment and musical instruments Mr. Dahl asked Ms. Klepeis if she would consider these requests reasonable additions to the capital plan. Ms. Klepeis stated that the Town Manager requests that each department submit their needs for the capital plan and then he reviews the requests in light of the overall budget. She stated that at this stage it is reasonable to put in the request. Mr. Twomey stressed to the audience that this plan is what the School Committee is recommending for the Town capital plan but the next step is the plan is sent to the Town Manager for review and Town Meeting reviews and votes on the plan. Mr. Brown stated that the band members could go to the Board of Selectmen and ask for a capital exclusion on the ballot. Drama Club President Mike Mandolese discussed the needs of the drama club and thanked the Committee for their support. Student Representative Jill Macari stated her support for the drama and band expenditures. Mr. Dahl moved to accept the proposed October 6, 2000 Capital Plan for FY02 to include Major RMHS Update architectural fees for $3.5 million and major RMHS Update for $56.1 million and other items as delineated. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. Dr. Harutunian discussed transfers for the Chapter 70 funds. Mr. Twomey moved to approve the recommended transfers in column 4 sheet 2 attached to memorandum dated October 4, 2000 marked FY2002 Possible Budget Shortfalls except the two marked town meeting. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. REGULAR SESSION 5 October 10 2000 Dr. Harutunian advised that costs to date for the pending litigation are $52,958. Mr. Twomey moved to authorize the Superintendent to request Town Meeting to make a transfer of $52,958 to cover costs to date for the Mandell vs Town of Reading litigation as stated in the memorandum of October 4, 2000 Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that he expects at $40,000 shortfall in the natural gas account for town buildings. Mr. Twomey moved to authorize the Superintendent to request Town Meeting approve an additional $40,000 for natural gas. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Kei ley and Mr. Twomey. Dr. Harutunian advised that there were home school recommendations for the Committee to approve. Mr. Dahl moved to accept the home schooling recommendations as per the memorandum of October 4, 2000. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Kei ley and Mr. Twomey. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian thanked Carl and Jill McFadden and the Friends of Reading Athletics (FORA) for their generous donation. Mr. Twomey moved to accept the $10,000 donation from F.O R A as detailed in Mr. Vaccaro's memorandum of August 29, 2000. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Kei ley and Mr. Twomey. Chair Cavicchi and Mr. Twomey updated the Committee on their meeting with Jeff Wulfson of the Department of Education and Representative Brad Jones. Dr. Harutunian and the Committee thanked Representative Jones for arranging the meeting. Dr. Harutunian advised that he has been able to negotiate with Boston Gas to bring Killam, Barrows, the new elementary school and the high school on line at no cost to the town. He advised that this would put all town buildings on line by 2005. REGULAR SESSION 6 October 10, 2000 Dr. Harutunian and Mr. Richards updated the Committee on the Youth Risk Survey. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on recent requests for public information. Mr. Dahl stated that there seems to be a duplication of items relevant to the lawsuit and asked how this was being handled. Dr. Harutunian advised that our counsel had spoken to the plaintiffs counsel and plaintiff's counsel has agreed to speak to his clients so there are no duplicate requests. Chair Cavicchi read the list of liaison appointments and negotiation teams. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that 23 high school students received certificates of mastery. Dr. Harutunian advised that 8 high school students were national merit qualifiers. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Town Manager has agreed to put the maintenance of the RMHS track on the capital plan. Dr. Harutunian distributed an article from the Boston Globe regarding standardized testing. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Reading was the first community to receive DOE approval to hire a retired teacher under the new law. Ms. Cavicchi asked the members to think about whether they wanted to attend the annual MASC meeting and if so to get back to her as soon as possible. MINUTES Ms D'Antona made a motion to accept the minutes of September 12, 2000. Mr. Keidev seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey, Ms D'Antona made a motion to accept the minutes of September 18, 2000. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Kei0ey and Mr. Twomey. Ms D'Antona made a motion to accept the minutes of September 19, 2000. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley voted yes and Mr. Twomey abstained. REGULAR SESSION 7 October 10, 2000 ADJOURN At 10.30 p.m. Mr. Twomey made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Dahl 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 K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools