Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-13 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Re ular Session March 13, 2003 Chair Griset called the regular session meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset, McFadden and Twomey. (Mr. Russo arrived later.) Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Lyle Kirtman and Donna Daly both from Future Management Systems. Bills and Payroll The Committee circulated bills for signature. Superintendent Search The Superintendent congratulated Mr. Kirtman and Ms. Daly for being selected as the consultant team to lead the Superintendent Search. Dr. Harutunian stated he was looking forward to working with Future Management Systems. Mr. Kirtman suggested that it is helpful to have one member of the School Committee be appointed as the contact person. Mr. Griset stated that since he is leaving the School Committee in April it would be a better idea to have Mr. Dahl be the contact person. The School Committee members were in agreement. Mr. Kirtman stated that the Committee would need to put together a leadership profile and that work would need to be done on the brochure. There was discussion regarding the number and types of people selected to be on the Search Committee. There was discussion whether or not a School Committee member should serve on the Search Committee. Mr. Griset stated that the last Superintendent Search Committee did not include a School Committee member. Mr. Kirtman suggested that one School Committee member is helpful. It was stated the not having a School Committee member on the search committee shows a trust in the community. Mr. Twomey stated that he and Mrs. Cavicchi were on the School Committee when the current Superintendent was hired. He thinks that no School Committee member on the search committee is a better way to go. He does not want anyone to think that the School Committee is manipulating the search process in any way. Mr. Dahl stated that search committees generally consist of one FinCom Member, one Selectman, and one Town Meeting member because we interface with these people. Mr. Kirtman suggested that the School Committee member should not be the chair of the Search Committee. If someone dominates the selection process, the consultant would then step in. Mr. Kirtman explained that the resumes of the candidates would be sent to the Superintendent's Office and would remain there for review by the Search Committee. He hoped for eight semi- finalists. , Regular Session -2- March 13, 2003 Dr. Harutunian stated that Public Meeting Laws do not apply to Superintendent Searches. The process is extremely confidential. Usually any subcommittee appointed by the School Committee is subject to Open Meeting Laws. Mrs. Cavicchi made a motion that we not appoint School Committee members to the Superintendent Search Committee. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 2 -3. Mr. McFadden, Mr. Dahl and Mr. Griset voting against and Mrs. Cavicchi and Mr. Twomey voting for the motion. The motion did not carry. Mr. Griset suggested that it was inappropriate to not include a School Committee member on the Search Committee. The discussion turned to School Committee Policy CBC. Dr. Harutunian suggested that the School Committee decide what they needed and then amend the School Committee policy accordingly. Mr. Russo arrived at 8:30. Mr. Griset took a few minutes to explain to Mr. Russo where the Committee was with the process. Mr. Twomey suggested that the Search Committee be smaller rather than larger. Mr. Dahl suggested and the other members agreed that there are two Educators, two Administrators, two parents and two people from the community on the Search Committee. Mr. Dahl made a motion that the School Committee use School Committee Policy CBC as outlined as a guideline to expand the existing School Committee Policy to include one FinCom member, one Selectmen and one School Committee member bringing the total number of the Search Committee members to eleven. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion The vote was 5-1. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Russo voted yes. Mr. Twomey voted no. Mr. Griset left the meeting at 8:45. The discussion shifted to focus groups. Mr. Kirtman suggested five focus groups: • Administrators • Central Office Staff • Parent groups • Community groups • Teachers Regular Session -3- March 13, 2003 Mrs. Cavicchi stated that the last time around, the focus group meetings were not well attended. Dr. Harutunian suggested three focus groups: • Administrators • Teachers �. Community at large Mr. Twomey suggested that all three of these meetings could be done in one day. The Committee was in agreement of three focus groups. Th discussion shifted to the salary for the new Superintendent. Mr. Kirtman suggested paying the new Superintendent in the $135,000 - $150,000 range. Mr. Kirtman would like to be able to go as high as $140,000. Mr. Twomey stated that there is no Business Manager and that may require more of a salary. Mr. Dahl noted the stability of the Administration. Mr. Russo stated that he is liberal regarding the salary issue. We want to attract a great leader. $130,000 - $145,000 or $150,000 is not that much more if we get a superior candidate. You have to offer a good salary to get candidates to make a job move. Mr. Twomey stated that the next Superintendent has large shoes to fill. Mr. McFadden stated the $150,000 salary with no override would mean one less teacher. Mr. Dahl does not think he is willing to spend $150,000. Mrs. Cavicchi stated that the high end should not be over $140,000 because there is a cost associated with benefits. Dr. Harutunian offered to help Mr. Kirtman with the Reading demographics for the brochure. Mr. Twomey made a motion to set the new Superintendent's base salary between $125,000 - $140.000. Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion. Mr. Russo amended the motion to set the new Superintendent's base salary between $125,000 to $145,000. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 4.1 on the motion as amended. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl. Mr. Twomey, Mr. Russo. Mr. McFadden voted against. Mr. Kirtman suggested that the School Committee decide what they are looking for in a candidate. At this point Dr. Harutunian left the room. Mr. Twomey suggested that the candidate possess excellent communication skills both written and verbal. The candidate should have the ability to speak very well one on one, in large groups, in small groups and at Town Meeting with ease. He or she should have a cool professional demeanor with the appropriate amount of authority and presence. He or she must be accessible and have good negotiation skills. They need to have extensive knowledge of building projects. Mrs. Cavicchi stated that the new Superintendent must be willing to speak to the community. Mr. McFadden stated the Superintendent needs to be able to delegate. Reeular Session 4- March 13, 2003 Mr. Russo stated that the candidate must be a motivator of people during chaotic times, be experienced in building projects, be a cheerleader for the schools and possess excellent communication skills. Mr. Twomey suggested that Mr. Kirtman review the current Superintendent's last set of evaluations. This would give him a flavor of what we are looking for. A Ph.D. in education would be preferred but not required. A minor in Accounting would be helpful. The school system has to be well represented on the Town side. The candidate must understand Town Government and Town Meeting. The candidate should be "street smart'. The candidate needs to be somewhat of a "salesperson" for the schools. Mr. Dahl suggested that the Candidate's set of management skills should include team building. Mr. Russo asked Mr. Kirtman how many candidate applications is: he expecting? Mr. Kirtman said between 35 and 45. He was hoping for 8 -10 very strong candidates plus maybe five additional. Mr. Kirtman stated he would meet with Mr. Dahl soon to set up the advertising and start the recruitment process. Mr. Dahl suggested a two - minute break. At 10:00 p.m. the conversation turned to the draft copy of the Architectural Firm Evaluation Form. Dr. Harutunian explained that the form was approved by the Designer Selection Board and has been approved by Town Counsel. Mn. Cavicchi made a motion that we use the form as presented by the Superintendent. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Russo gave a presentation on elementary school enrollment and the shape of the new school. He suggested that the new elementary school be shaped in a rectangle form instead of an "H" to save money on heating costs. Mr. Twomey made a motion to adiourn. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Twomey Respectfully Submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools