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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-10 School Committee Minutes1 Reading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session March 10, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Griset called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, 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, Secretaries & Clerks, Custodial Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Educational Assistants; Nurses and 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 approve executive session minutes. To regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. CALL BACK TO ORDER At 7:35 p.m. Chair Griset called the meeting back to order. All School Committee Members were present. Also present was Representative Donovan, Representative Jones, Senator Tisei, Board of Selectmen Camille Anthony, Matt Cummings, George Hines, Rick Schubert, Gail Woods, Finance Committee Members Dick McDonald, Bob LeLachuer, Andrew Grimes, Town Accountant Foley and Town Treasurer Klepeis. Chair Griset introduced State Representatives and State Senator and thanked them for attending this evening's meeting. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll circulated for signature. - Regular Session 2 March 10, 2003 NEW BUSINESS Senator Tisei, Representative Jones and State Representatives Donovan outlined the current fiscal status of the Commonwealth and gave a brief history of what has lead to the current fiscal difficulties. Chair Griset opened the meeting up to questions for Senator Tisei, Representative Jones and Representative Donavan from members of the Committees. Dr. Harutunian asked whether what the Governor has sent out as a proposed budget is our best -case scenario. Representative Jones stated that what the legislature does not accept from the Governor's proposals may result in pressure for deeper cuts. Mr. McFadden asked about the status of the high school renovation project on the SBA list. Representative Jones stated that he was confident that unless some stringent criteria is used the high school project will be included on the SBA list. He stated he is unsure how quickly the project will be funded but that Reading was fortunate to get in to the SBA under the old scenario. Ms. Klepeis thanked the representatives for their assistance with the legislation for the high school project. She asked if they could see if there is support to go to level debt for 30 years. Senator Tisei stated that it seemed like a reasonable request and that he would look into the matter. Mr. Dahl stated that he understands there is a limited amount of money to fund projects. He suggested that buying down interest rates for communities be reviewed as one option to save money. Mr. Russo stated his concern over unfunded state mandates. He stated that he had sent a letter to the Governor regarding this issue and he would forward a copy to each representative. Representative Jones stated that both items have been raised as topics of discussion. Regular Session 3 March 10, 2003 Dr. Harutunian reviewed the other budget reductions including $108,000 for transportation. He also discussed the special education circuit breaker being underfunded again this year. Representative Jones discussed a possible federal grant for the special education 50150. Mr. Twomey stated that the money Reading has received in education reform increases is equivalent to the special education increases over the same period. He stated that he did not want to see a reduction in special education services but at the same time he did not think the students in regular education should shoulder the burden of education reform. He stated that a long -term plan to deal with very expensive special education issues is needed. Ms. Anthony asked if the legislature is going to get bogged down in discussions regarding the cuts the Governor has made and whether the projected savings will be as high as estimated by the Oovernor Representative Donovan discussed the pension proposal not being a short-term solution but perhaps could work as a long -term savings and other consolidations that she felt may not be viable. Representative Jones stated that this is the most serious consideration that a Governor's budget has ever received. Mr. Dahl discussed looking at SBA and some type of reform to the sub - bidding laws which would save towns money. Senator Tisei stated that type of reform is included in the Governor's budget. Mr. Dahl suggested that one way to save money would be to reform the Massachusetts sub -bid laws. Senator Tisei stated that sub -bid reform is part of governor's budget. Mr. Schubert stated that he agreed with Mr. Twomey that a long -term solution is needed. He asked if the legislators felt that a budget would be in place by July, 2003. Representative Jones stated that the Senate would be taking up the budget one week after the House and past practice was the Senate would take up the budget one month after the House. Reeular Session 4 March 10, 2003 Ms. Cavicchi discussed her concern that small cuts now such as MCAS remediation lead to greater costs in the longer run. Representative Donovan agreed with Ms. Cavicchi that long -term affects need to be looked at. Mr. McDonald discussed the limitation of proposition 2 %z. He stated that the income tax should have been held at 5.6 %. Ms. Webb discussed the need for an override. Representative Donovan discussed the group in Woburn that worked on the override. Mr. Russo asked what unfunded mandates have been considered for waivers. Senator Tisei stated that he will send a complete Senate list to the School Committee. He stated that they are also soliciting ideas from local officials to add to the list. Mrs. Phillips thanked the representatives. She discussed the new SBA advisory and stated that Reading is only required to submit schematics to the SBA. She stated her concern about moving forward on the project. Senator Tisei stated the Reading is on the SBA list but he could not say when the project would be funded. Ms. Klepeis stated that it would be short-sited to make a quick decision on a retirement overhaul. She stated that the system needs to be studied and should eventually be overhauled but only after a thorough study. Mr. Grimes asked if the tax revenues for FY05 were projected to be better or worse. Senator Tisei stated that most economists predict that the economy will pick up in the last quarter of this year. Superintendent Harutunian commended the Representatives and Senator for their information on budget reductions and asked if, in their opinion, the cuts for Reading would reach the 20% mark. Regular Session 5 March 10, 2003 Representative Donovan stated that she could not at this point say, she stated it will depend on revenues. Chair Griset thanked Senator Tisei, Representative Jones and Representative Donovan for attending this evening's meeting to share information. He thanked the members of the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen for also attending. Chair Griset called for a brief recess at 9:15 p.m. At 9:30 p.m. Chair Griset called the meeting back to order Dr. Harutunian thanked the Coolidge Middle School staff and students for the artwork. CITIZENS' INPUT Mr. Ryan stated that on January 14, 2003 he appeared before the School Committee and asked questions regarding the School Committee policy on political activities on school property. He stated that to date he has not received an answer. He discussed an incident at the fieldhouse during the election with an individual wearing a YES button. He stated that the NO committee wants to know the policy. He stated that the NO Committee does not in any way intend to advance its program of information through backpack tactics. Chair Griset stated that the button wearing during an election falls under the responsibility of the Town Clerk. He also stated that the Committee is at the beginning of a 3 -year process of revising the policy manual. He informed Mr. Ryan that he would be contacted when the School Committee is reviewing the policy regarding political activity on school grounds so he would have an opportunity to participate in the discussion. Mr. Carpenter suggested that the Committee review whether or not it would be more appropriate to hire an interim superintendent rather than rush the search process. Chair Griset stated that the Committee would discuss Mr. Carpenter's suggestion. He stated that the Committee would be interviewing search consultants next evening, and he reminded anyone in the community interested in serving on a search committee to submit a letter to him as soon as possible. Mr. Spadafora stated that Reading has an excellent reputation, and he suggested that the Committee discuss with the search firms the type of applicant pool they felt they could obtain for Reading. Regular Session 6 March 10, 2003 Mrs. Mandell stated that the final report from Flansburgh had not been received, and the other high school architects are at a disadvantage because they have not had an opportunity to review the report. Chair Griset stated that the report was available and each architect who bid on the project was notified that they could pick up a copy of the report. He stated that the function of interviewing architects has less to do with specifics of the design and more to do with the architectural theory and history of the company. Chair Griset discussed his decision not to run for reelection. He thanked the Committee for their support. Dr. Harutunian stated that the transition of Dr. Delaney as interim principal at the Joshua Eaton Elementary School went very well. Dr. Harutunian announced the award of the MIAA sportsmanship awards to the girls' basketball team and the girls' track team. Dr. Harutunian discussed the success of National History Day, Jazz Band Competitions, and the Drama Competition. Dr. Harutunian advised that on Wednesday evening the School Committee would hear a presentation from Flansburgh regarding the J&J /J &W A Joint Venture, the apparent low for the new elementary school. Chair Griset announced the Killam PTO fundraiser Joey & Maria's Comedy Wedding on March 28`h and the Reading Technology Fund event at the Hillview Country Club on March 10. Dr. Harutunian discussed School Committee policy DJCA. He asked the Committee to vote to amend the policy so each of the architectural firms could be interviewed for the high school project. Ms. Cavicchi moved that the School Committee move to amend the Reading School Committee Designer Policy as follows: Paraeraph 2 shall be amended as follows: The School Committee (hereinafter "Awardine Authority ") may establish an Advisory Committee (hereinafter "Committee ") preferably of non - school committee members, to evaluate and select at least three finalists to be considered by the Awardine Authority. If the Awardine Authority chooses not to establish an Advisory Committee, the Awarding Authority may review all proposals and select a limited number of finalists. The selection of the finalists will be based on: experience, past performance, financial capabilities, qualifications of consultants Regular Session 7 March 10, 2003 who are listed as party to the project by the designer and any other criteria the Committee and/or the Awarding Authority considers relevant. If applicable the Committee shall rank the finalists in order of qualifications or describe them as equally qualified, and provide a record of its fmal vote and may include a written statement explaining its actions for the ranking or its choices. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev. Mr. Russo stated that he would like to be able to have an advisory committee if the Committee desired. Chair Griset stated that the amendment to the policy does not prohibit forming an advisory committee if the Committee desires. Chair Griset stated that they would have a second reading and second vote on the policy amendment at the School Committee meeting scheduled for March 11, 2003. Chair Griset stated that the FY04 budget discussion would be moved to another evening as a stand alone item. Superintendent Harutunian suggested March 20, 2003 as the evening to discuss the budget. Mr. Russo stated his opinion that the high school architect selection should be held until after the election. Mr. Dahl stated that up until certain members are no longer on the Committee they are the representatives and the Committee needs to continue to move forward in an expeditious manner. Mr. Russo stated that he was not interested in compromising the event. Mr. Twomey stated that the School Committee urged the Selectmen to place an override on the ballot as early as possible so the Committee could meet the deadline. Mr. McFadden stated his concern that he was uncomfortable selecting an architect for a $54 million project after one interview. Mrs. Phillips asked the Committee why they were hiring an architect when everything needed for the June I" submittal was completed. Regular Session 8 March 10, 2003 Dr. Harutunian discussed the items that must be submitted by June Is' to meet SBA requirements. MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of February 10, 2003 with changes as noted. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomeyy, Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the minutes of February 24, 2003 with changes as noted. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomev Chair Griset stated that the Committee would meet on March 2e to discuss the FY04 budget. Mr. Twomey asked Dr. Harutunian to have the information regarding the budget the Committee asked for available as soon as possible. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 10:25 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Secretaries & Clerks, Custodial Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Educational Assistants, Nurses and Administrators, Superintendent, Associate Suyerintendent,-Hiah 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 approve executive session minutes. Not to return to regular session Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools