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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-12-11 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION December 11, 2000 CALL TO ORDER Chair Cavicchi called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Griset, Keigley and Twomey. Mr. Dahl arrived during executive session. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. EXECUTIVE SESION Mr. Griset made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Secretaries and Clerks, Nurses, Custodial Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Educational Assistants and Administrators and to discuss pending litigation and to approve executive session minutes. To return to regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey, CALL BACK TO ORDER At 7:40 p.m. Chair Cavicchi called the meeting back to order STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Dr. Harutunian introduced the new student representative Jake McAleer. CITIZEN'S INPUT Cathy Guyott stated that she would like to know the timetable for a non - override budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that the School Committee would be addressing this issue later this evening. ARTWORK Dr. Harutunian advised that the artwork in the School Committee conference room was provided by the Killam Elementary School. REGULAR SESSION 2 December 11, 2000 CLEANING CONTRACT Dr. Harutunian requested that the Committee accept the bid for the cleaning contract with the understanding that he would later be asking the Committee to transfer money to cover the $14,544 shortfall. Mr. Twomey moved that the School Committee accept the bid of $56,544 from S.J. Services for cleaning services as noted in memorandum of December 7, 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. Mr. Twomey asked for confirmation that the contract could be cancelled if it was determined that the work was not satisfactory and he asked if CORI checks would be performed on personnel of the company. Dr. Harutunian advised that there was a clause for cancellation and that CORI checks would be done. Mr. Keigley asked if references had been checked. Town Manager Hechenbleikner advised that references had been checked. He outlined how the cost comparison between contracting out and hiring additional employees was done. HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO A video from the Killam Elementary School regarding the Pillars of Character was shown to the Committee. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: Payroll 41 November 6, 2000 $687,731.76 Payroll 45 November 30, 2000 $686,147.36 Payroll 43 November 24, 2000 $159,470.83 Warrant 44 November 24, 2000 $172,369.86 Warrant 42 November 20, 2000 $122,273.37 Warrant 46 December 4, 2000 $146,867.20 REGULAR SESSION 3 December 11, 2000 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that the sub bids for the new elementary school were opened on December 5t" and information on the sub bids was included in the packet. Dr. Harutunian advised that articles regarding the increasing costs of gas and electricity were included in the packet. Dr. Harutunian thanked State Representatives Casey and Jones and Senator Tisei for attending the meeting with members of the School Committee, Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen. Chair Cavicchi stated that she was pleased that Representatives Jones, Casey and Senator Tisei attended the meeting and will work on our behalf during the budget process. Mr. Dahl stated that it was a very positive meeting. He stated that they discussed the teachers' retirement legislation that was passed and how that legislation has a significant financial impact on cities and towns. He stated that it was important to make our representatives aware of the impact of the issues they work on. Ms. D'Antona stated that although they could not speak in definite terms about funding she believed that the discussion validated some of the financial projections. She agreed with Chair Cavicchi and Mr. Dahl that it was a positive meeting and she appreciated the time Representatives Casey and Jones and Senator Tisei took to attend the meeting. Policy Statement on Harassment and Discrimination. Dr. Harutunian thanked Mr. Richards for his hard work on the Coordinated Program Review. As part of that program he advised that revisions were needed to our policy statement on harassment and discrimination. Dr. Harutunian advised that legal counsel had reviewed the policy and made recommendations as noted on the memorandum. Ms. D'Antona moved that the School Committee accept the changes to the Policy on Harassment and Discrimination as recommended by the Superintendent. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. Ms. D'Antona stated that she would like to add the term bullying to the phrase prohibit discrimination and harassment. REGULAR SESSION 4 December 11, 2000 Mr. Griset stated that he had no objection to including the term. bullying however he would like to know the legal definition of bullying. He stated that harassment and discrimination can be legally prohibited and he wants to confirm that bullying can also be legally prohibited. Mr. Twomey stated his concern of including the term bullying in the sentences that reflect on law. He stated that he would like the sentence including the new terms physical and mental rewritten to read smoothly Dr. Harutunian advised that he would like to bring the changes suggested by the Committee to counsel prior to implementing the changes. Mr. Dahl moved to table the previous motion regarding the Harassment and Discrimination Policy. 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. FY02 Budget Dr. Harutunian distributed the proposed header page for the FY02 budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that he was requesting that the Committee approve the proposed header page. Mr. Twomey moved to accept the total increase for FY02 over FY01 of $2,241,980 as noted on the summary sheet. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Twomey asked what the percentage increase of the $2,241,980 is. Dr. Harutunian advised the increase was 7.9 %. Dr. Harutunian advised that this year's budget was being prepared without the yellow pages. Mr. Twomey stated that he would like to see the yellow pages updated at some point in the process to include a paragraph summarizing the impact of this year's budget on each curriculum area. Mr. Dahl asked for confirmation from the Superintendent that in the event the override does not pass that a second budget would not be presented but that a list of reductions from this budget would be presented. REGULAR SESSION 5 December 11, 2000 Dr. Harutunian discussed two options for presenting reductions to the FY02 budget. Ms. D'Antona stated that it is important that either option that is selected includes the rationale for each reduction. She stated that it is important for the Committee and for the public to understand the impact of each reduction. Mr. Twomey stated his preference for the second approach. He stated that he felt public input is needed on the reductions. He stated that the Committee went through the process of implementing a strategic plan with community input and budget reductions that will affect the strategic plan should be presented to the community. Mr. Dahl agreed with the need for public input. He stated that he felt it would be better to have input based on a set of recommendations drafted by the administration. Mr. Griset stated that he believed both option one and two give the same level of opportunity for public comment. He stated that he preferred option one because he would like to see what the professional educators recommend reducing from the budget. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to move forward with option one. Mr. Twomey stated his preference for option two. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would have to the Committee on January 3rd his recommended prioritized list of reductions. The following changes to the budget calendar were agreed to by the Committee: Janaury 4th Administration and Regular Day budget would be presented, January 8th Special Education and other services would be presented, January 9th maintenance and food service budgets would be presented. January 16th would be a review of the recommended reductions, January 18th would be to hold a public hearing on the budget and continue to review reductions if necessary. Dr. Harutunian requested that any questions regarding the reductions by submitted to the Superintendent by January 10th so they could be addressed at the January 16th meeting. He stated that all questions would be sent to each Committee Member. MINUTES Ms. D'Antona made a motion to approve the minutes of October 21, 2000. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keidey and Mr. Twomey. REGULAR SESSION 6 December 11, 2000 Ms D'Antona made a motion to approve the minutes of November 2, 2000. Mr. Griset seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Griset, Mr. Keidey and Mr. Twomey. Ms D'Antona made a motion to approve the minutes of November 6, 2000. Mr. Griset 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. Mr. Dahl made a motion to approve the minutes of November 21, 2000. 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. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 9.55 p.m. Mr. Griset made a motion to reconvene into executive session for the reasons previously specified, 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. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. Respe fully submitted, �/Z-, �� Ha 7Harutunian Ph.D. n'Y Superintendent of Schools