Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-17 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session June 17, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. in the RMHS Lecture Hall. Present were School Committee Members Carpenter, Cavicchi, Dahl and Russo. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Mr. Spadafora arrived at 6:40 p.m. and Mr. McFadden arrived at 7:05 p.m. EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS The School Committee presented Excellence in Education Awards to high school, middle school and elementary school students. Mrs. Cavicchi announced her resignation from all public service positions in the Town of Reading effective June 30, 2003. Chair Dahl presented Mrs. Cavicchi with a School Committee chair in honor of her years of service. Chair Dahl took a brief recess. BILLS & PAYROLL There were no bills and payroll. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the bond anticipation notes. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the new elementary school construction. He stated that Werner Grabowski would serve as Clerk of the Works for the new elementary school. Mr. Spadafora asked if the school is on target for a September 2004 opening. Dr. Harutunian advised that we are on schedule. Regular Session 2 June 17, 2003 Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the Barrows Elementary school project. Mr. Phillips asked why new designs were being developed for the Barrows School when we already paid the architect for July 2000 SBA submittal. Chair Dahl suggested that Mr. Phillips attend the July meeting to discuss his concerns with the architect. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the high school project and the status of the high school being placed on the SBA list. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the status of natural gas service to the Reading schools. Mr. Russo stated that there is a potential of a severe shortage of natural gas and asked whether the pipes being run to the schools could be dual purpose. Dr. Harutunian stated that natural gas may cost a little more but is probably worth the investment due to the cleaner burn and less moving parts on the burners. He stated that start up costs to go back to oil would be high due to replacing the tanks. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on all -day kindergarten enrollment figures. NEW BUSINESS Dr. Harutunian thanked Maureen Hanifan for her work on the fire alarm and elevator bids. He stated that he received confirmation from counsel that the new school could not be included in the bid but that the vendors will grant addendums once the project is completed. Ms. Cavicchi advised that she would not be voting on the fire alarm contract award. Mr. Spadafora moved to authorize the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with Simplex for fire alarm testing and inspecting for the school buildings as outlined in Superintendent's memorandum of June 6, 2003. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora voted yes, Ms. Cavicchi abstained. Mr. Spadafora moved to authorize the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with Associated Elevator for elevator and chair lift maintenance as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum of June 6, 2003. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora voted yes. Regular Session 3 June 17, 2003 Dr. Harutunian advised that the maintenance department cannot match the price for private cleaning services for the Town buildings. Mr. Spadafora moved to authorize the Superintendent to enter into a contract with S.J. Services for custodial services for the Town buildings as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum of June 13, 2003. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0. Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora voted yes. Mr. Harutunian discussed a newspaper article regarding teacher absenteeism. He stated that Reading has one of the lowest absenteeism rates. The Committee discussed the school improvement plans including having the people that work on those plans attend a School Committee meeting next year to discuss the plans. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the school improvement plans for the 7 schools as presented and outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated June 12, 2003. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. Mr. Richards introduced Mr. Gilbert of MASC and advised that the Committee would review School Committee policies C and D this evening. Mike Gilbert reviewed the policies to be removed and those to be added. The Committee requested that Mr. Gilbert come back to the Committee with a revised Policy CBC. The Committee discussed policy CBI the Superintendent Evaluation policy. Ms. Phillips asked if she should assume that since the Committee did not evaluate the Superintendent he did not receive a merit increase. Chair Dahl stated that the evaluation forms were submitted by the Committee but never summarized because of Dr. Harutunian's resignation. Ms. Phillips asked if the Committee voted a merit increase for the Superintendent. Chair Dahl stated that was still a matter of executive session. Chair Dahl stated that it was not worth the Committee's time to summarize evaluations for an employee no longer in the district. He stated that the forms would be put in the file at some point in the future and would be available upon request. Regular Session 4 June 17, 2003 Mr. Spadafora moved to accept policy sections C & D as amended in the MASC memorandum dated March 18, 2003 in addition to the amendments discussed this evening. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. Dr. Harutunian advised that he has a meeting scheduled with Pat Schettini and will work to make this a smooth transition. Dr. Harutunian stated that this was his last School Committee meeting. He thanked the Committee and the administration for their support over the last 8 years. The Committee thanked Dr. Harutunian for his contributions to the district. MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of May 12, 2003. Mr. Spadafora 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 minutes of May 27, 2003 with changes as noted. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. The Committee thanked Ms. Cavicchi for her years of service on the Reading School Committee and her dedication to the children of Reading. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 10:05 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations on the Superintendent's contract and to approve executive session minutes. Not to return to regular session. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. Patrick A. chettini, Jr. Sunerinte dent of Schools