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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-30 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session January 30, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Griset called the meeting to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 7:00 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Griset, Russo and Twomey. Mr. McFadden arrived during executive session. Also present was Superintendent Harutunian. EXECUTIVE SESSION Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Administrators, Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, High School Principal, Coolidge Principal, Parker Principal, Barrows Principal, Birch Meadow Principal, Eaton Principal, Killam Principal, two high school assistant principals, Coolidge and Parker assistant principals, Directors of Special Education, Food Service, Athletics, Nurses, Facilities, Assistant Director of Facilities, Secretary to the Superintendent, Administrative Assistant to Finance, Administrative Assistant to Personnel, Administrative Assistant to Curriculum and Administrative Assistant Central Office and to discuss the sale or lease of real estate to return to re ular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 4- 0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Griset, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. CALL BACK TO ORDER At 7:40 p.m. Chair Griset called the meeting back to order. Mr. Dahl arrived at 8:00 p.m. Finance Committee members Cathy Martin, Dick McDonald and Karen Epstein were present. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian stated that he looked into the question raised by Mr. Phillips at the last meeting regarding FY04 costs for the new school. He stated that the entire cost would be $30,000 according to the Town Treasurer for FY04. Reiular Session 2 January 30, 2003 Dr. Harutunian discussed the elementary information meetings scheduled over the next two weeks. The Committee discussed the proposed date for the Financial Forum meeting. Dr. Harutunian stated that the Town Manager had mentioned putting maintenance on an override ballot as a separate question. Dr. Harutunian stated his concern over placing maintenance as a separate item. Mr. Twomey asked that Dr. Harutunian research whether or not a ballot question of that type would be binding on the School Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that Mr. Russo had requested a discussion of METCO be held at the next School Committee meeting. Dr. Harutunian discussed his meeting with the Commissioner of Education. Dr. Harutunian discussed his FY03 budget shortfall memorandum and stated that he is recommending that the School Committee ask the Finance Committee to cover from free cash the Barrows Boiler, METCO Funding, Attorney Fees, Special Education Tuition, Special Education shortfall. He stated that the remaining money would be taken from the 40% hold. Mr. Dahl asked if the Finance Committee has had a discussion about free cash. Ms. Martin advised that they had not discussed free cash yet because they knew the reductions were being publicized today. The Committee discussed Dr. Harutunian's proposal to the Committee regarding free cash. The Committee agreed that a discussion on special education pending litigation was required before a decision could be made on Dr. Harutunian's recommendation. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 9.15 p.m. Mr. Twomey moved to enter executive session to discuss pendinz litigation and strategies relevant to negotiations to return to regular session in 15 minutes Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. CALL BACK TO ORDER At 9:30 p.m. Vice Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order. Mr. Dahl advised that Chair Griset had to leave to attend another meeting. Regular Session 3 January 30, 2003 Ms. Martin stated that during the break someone had asked if it was true that the Massachusetts Department of Education was trying to find federal funds to cover the special education residential tuition that the state could not cover. Mr. Phillips asked that the possibility of federal funds be verified. Dr. Harutunian stated that the DOE has applied for federal funding but had not received confirmation on the funding. Dr. Harutunian advised that if federal funding was made available that money would be returned to the Town as has been past practice. Mr. Twomey moved to request the Finance Committee provide to the School Committee from the reserve fund and /or support a request to Town Meeting for a transfer from free cash for the following expenses: Barrows Boiler, $25,400; METCO $65,000; attorney fees for the Mola case $25,000; shortfall in the special education account, $110,000; and $70,000 to cover the lack of state funding for special education tuition for a total of $295,400. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. After discussion it was the consensus that the School Committee met with the Finance March 12th and March 19th to discuss the School Committee budget. ALL -DAY KINDERGARTEN Dr. Harutunian advised that he had reviewed the numbers for all day kindergarten and Mr. Mabius was correct the revenue from all day kindergarten is estimated at $250,914. Dr. Harutunian discussed the $35 non - refundable application fee for all -day kindergarten. He stated that the application fee would fund the curriculum writing for all -day kindergarten for next year. Mr. Russo moved to approve the $35 application fee for all -day kindergarten. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. ADJOURN At 10:10 p.m. Mr. Russo moved to adjourn. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. spectfull su fitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools