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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-27 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session May 27, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Carpenter, Cavicchi, Dahl and Russo. Also present was Superintendent Harutunian. Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora arrived during executive session. 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 and Clerks, Educational Assistants, Nurses, Cafeteria Employees, Custodial Maintenance Workers, 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, to discuss the sale or lease of real estate and to discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices. To return to executive session at approximately 7:30 p.m.. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, and Mr. Russo. CALL BACK TO ORDER At 7:30 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order. All School Committee members were present. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards, Former School Committee Members Griset and Twomey, Representatives Jones and Donovan and Senator Tisei Principal Frank Orlando and Teacher of the Year Jeff Ryan. Chair Dahl stated that the agenda would be taken out of order in order to accommodate various groups attending this evening's meeting. PRESENTATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIRS Chair Dahl presented School Committee chairs to former members Griset and Twomey. Chair Dahl thanked Mr. Griset and Mr. Twomey for their years of service on the Committee. Regular Session 2 May 27, 2003 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Chair Dahl welcomed Teacher of the Year Jeff Ryan. Dr. Ryan reviewed his work as teacher of the year for 2003. Ms. Cavicchi presented Dr. Ryan with an Excellence in Education Award. Mr. McFadden presented Dr. Ryan with a Congressional Certificate from Congressman Tierney who was unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Dahl presented a letter to Dr. Ryan from Senator Kennedy who was unable to attend the meeting. Senator Tisei, Representatives Jones and Donovan presented Dr. Ryan with a joint resolution in honor of being named Teacher of the Year. Representative Donovan presented Dr. Ryan with a letter from Senator Kerry in honor of his being named Teacher of the Year. Dr. Harutunian thanked Senator Tisei and Representatives Jones and Donovan for their work for the community. HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT Senator Tisei and Representatives Jones and Donovan updated the Committee on the status of the high school project being placed on the SBA list. They stated that they felt the School Committee should continue with the submittal process. Chair Dahl thanked the legislators for their efforts on the high school project. The Committee took a short recess. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order. Dr. Harutunian introduced Dave Finney of Design Partnership. Mr. Finney introduced the staff from Design Partnership and gave a presentation to the Committee on the high school project and noted the changes from Flansburgh's design. Dr. Harutunian introduced Russ Graham and stated that he was present this evening to answer any questions the Committee may have regarding the School Building Committee's work. Re ular Session 3 May 27 2003 Mr. Spadafora asked how the changes evolved and who gave input for the changes. Mr. Finney stated that they did not make significant changes but refinements based on input from the community and staff. Mr. Spadafora asked how a skate park ended up on the plans. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Town Manager gave a list of items they would like the Committee to think about, and he had asked Design Partnership to incorporate the changes for discussion by the School Committee. Mr. McFadden asked for clarification on Option 3. Mr. Hoffses stated that there was discussion about adding another gym to the field house but the field house provides all space necessary by DOE standards. He stated that the Committee may want to look at the competitive gym as an add alternate. Mr. Russo stated his concern about the changes to the Flansburgh designs and asked what percentage of the project was being changed. Mr. Hoffses said perhaps 5% to 10 %. He noted that they were not changes so much as refinements and that further refinements would be made throughout the process. Mr. Russo stated that he would like to have Flansburgh come to a meeting to discuss the changes. Mr. Graham stated that the changes are not significant and the building remains as presented to the community. He stated the refinements were made based on input. He noted that the community felt that an 800 -seat auditorium was not large enough and Design Partnership worked an additional 100 seats into the auditorium. Mr. McFadden asked how many lockers were in the varsity locker room. Mr. Finney explained that there was no specific number yet and information was still being gathered to establish a number. Mr. Carpenter asked if the elevators would all meet ADA standards. Regular Session 4 May 27, 2003 Mr. Finney advised that they would. He advised that they were still discussing whether the RISE area should be connected via elevator to the other areas of the school or if the area should remain as a separate entity. Mr. Carpenter noted his concern that rooms should be large enough to allow more than the number of students in an average class size. Mr. Spadafora asked for confirmation that the cafeteria area would be large enough for storage and noted the problem of food being stored at Coolidge for the high school. Mr. Finney stated that the kitchen area would be large enough to accommodate the needs of the school. Mr. Dahl asked about district space in the field house. Mr. Finney stated that the district space storage is included in the current field house. Mr. Dahl asked about whether there would still be natural light in the media center with the proposed change. Mr. Finney stated that there would be. Mr. McFadden discussed the input received from the Town's department heads at a recent meeting with the architect. He noted that recreation is anxious for the turf fields. Mr. Finney discussed the resurfacing of the track and noted the concern that the track was resurfaced not long ago but did not hold up well. The Committee discussed traffic and parking at the high school. They discussed possibly adding a second egress for the field house. Mr. Carpenter discussed the need for a loading dock in the drama/band area. Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the Reading Memorial High School Educational Specifications dated May 23, 2003 as presented in the Superintendent's memorandum of May 22 "d and in accordance with School Building Assistance requirements in the application process. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. Mr. Russo stated his concern about the changes. Regular Session 5 May 27, 2003 Dr. Harutunian stated that the high school administration feels confident in the plan and that there input has been taken into account and is recommending approval of the educational specifications. Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the preliminary schematic drawings and site plan for Reading Memorial High school as presented in the Design Partnership of Cambridge, Inc. drawings dated May 27, 2003 as presented in the Superintendent's memorandum of May 22 "d and in accordance with School Building Assistance requirements in the application process. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the site for the renovation /addition to the Reading Memorial High School as outlined in the site plan from Design Partnership of Cambridge dated May 27, 2003 as presented in the Superintendent's memorandum of May 22 "d and in accordance with School Building Assistance requirements in the application process. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora Chair Dahl asked that Design Partnership suspend their presentation and allow Ms. Grimm to report on the Superintendent Search. SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH Chair of the Superintendent Search Committee Carol Grimm updated the Committee on the Superintendent Search. She reviewed the process used by the subcommittee and advised that the subcommittee was recommending three candidates, Dennis Richards, Patricia Ruane and Patrick Schettini, Jr. for the School Committee to interview. Chair Dahl thanked Chair Grimm and the entire subcommittee for their work on the search. Mr. Russo asked if the School Committee would be privy to the subcommittee's ranking sheets. Ms. Grimm stated they would not. She stated that the purpose of the subcommittee was to present three candidates to the Committee for review and the School Committee should review the candidates without preconceived notions from the subcommittee. Dr. Harutunian asked the School Committee for authorization to write thank you letters to the members of the subcommittee for their work on the search and letters of accommodation sent to Anne Arrington, Sherry Carpenella and Beverly Zagarri of the Central Office staff for their logistical support. Regular Session 6 May 27, 2003 The Committee agreed that thank you letters should be sent. HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT Design Partnership continued their presentation on the high school project. The Committee discussed the exterior design of the high school. They discussed adding some pizzazz to the exterior of the building and their desire to have a suitable Veteran's memorial at the school Design Partnership stated that they have many ideas for the exterior of the building and would be happy to come back to the Committee to present their ideas. Ms. Cavicchi moved to direct the Superintendent to send a letter to Design Partnership to continue the process of architectural designs and such other matters under their responsibility until such time that the Chairman of the Reading School Committee signs an approved contract between the Reading Public Schools and Design Partnership for Reading Memorial High school that contains a termination clause in the event the project is not added to the SBA approved list. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -1 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden and Mr. Spadafora voted yes and Mr. Russo voted no. Mr. Russo stated that the Committee has an implied agreement with the community and no further funds should be expended until we are sure the high school project will be reimbursable. Mr. Carpenter stated that he is confused by Mr. Russo's statement and that the state legislators present this evening stated that the process should continue. Chair Dahl stated that the Committee's charge is to continue to move forward, and he stated his confidence in our legislators. Mr. McFadden asked about the on -going discussion at the state level about hiring a general contractor early in the process to eliminate the cost of change order. Mr. Finney stated that without an act from the legislature you couldn't engage a general contractor except for the lump sum bid procedure currently in place. Mr. Graham suggested that the Committee check with the historical society on any items they would be interested in preserving. Chair Dahl called a brief recess. Regular Session 7 May 27, 2003 CURRICULUM PRESENTATION Mr. Richards thanked the Committee for the opportunity to present curriculum information to the Committee. Mr. Richards introduced Instructional Specialist Patty DeGaravilla and Principal Lisa Cormier to discuss the K -5 English Language Arts curriculum. Ms. DeGaravilla and Ms. Cormier updated the Committee on the K -5 English Language Arts program, professional development and assessment. Mr. Russo invited Mr. Richards to present all Stanford 9's as part of the next curriculum presentation evening. Chair Dahl thanked Mr. Richards, Ms. Cormier and Ms. DeGaravilla for their presentation. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payrolls for the evening were circulated for signature. CITIZENS' INPUT Mr. Brown stated that he attend Memorial Day Services at the Coolidge Middle School and thanked the students for their donation of $1,000 to the veterans fund. NEW BUISNESS Dr. Harutuman discussed the bids for No. 2 and No. 4 fuel oil and the discussions he has had with Keyspan regarding gas conversion. Ms. Cavicchi moved to authorize the superintendent as needed to enter into a contract for procurement of No. 2 Fuel Oil for $.8959 per gallon with Dennis K. Burke as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 19, 2003. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. Ms. Cavicchi moved to authorize the Superintendent to enter into a contract for procurement of No. 4 Fuel Oil with Global Montello Group, LLC. for $37.32 per barrel as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated May 19, 2003. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. Regular Session 8 May 27, 2003 NORTHSHORE CONSORTIUM Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve an Amended Article I of the Northshore Consortium's Articles of Agreement to reflect the additions of North Reading and the Tritown Union to the Consortium as outlined in the Executive Director's letter dated May 20, 2003. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the elementary building project permit. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on kindergarten enrollment figures. Dr. Harutunian reported on the construction cost breakdown for the high school project. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on college acceptances. Dr. Harutunian stated that the New England League of Middle Schools named the Coolidge Middle School a Spotlight School. ADJOURN At 11:25 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. Respectfully submitted, Dennis A. Richards Acting Superintendent