HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-16 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Session August 16, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. in the Coolidge Middle School
Library. Present were School Committee Members Carpenter, Dahl, McFadden, Russo,
Spadafora and Webb and Superintendent Schettini
Chair Dahl stated that the purpose of today's meeting was an open discussion among
Committee Members regarding the initiatives in the year ahead
Superintendent Schettini stated that he will be doing a walk through of the schools this
week and a day -long meeting is scheduled Tuesday with administrators.
Mr. Spadafora thanked Chair Dahl and Superintendent Schettini for putting together the
timelines and information regarding initiatives for the upcoming year.
Superintendent Schettini discussed the timelines and draft agenda items.
It was the consensus of the Committee that a subcommittee be formed to discuss an
appropriate memorial at the high school in honor of Reading's Veterans. It was agreed
that it would be best if subcommittee could complete its work prior to the RMHS project
going out to bid.
Superintendent Schettini stated that the architect was working to bring forward a
recommendation to the Committee on whether Barrows students should be relocated
during the renovation of the Barrows project.
Mr. Spadafora stated that he would like to know whether the Town could receive a
discount by bidding the Barrows project and the high school project together. The
Superintendent stated concerns regarding freezing out smaller firms in the bidding
process.
After discussion regarding the three building projects, it was the consensus of the
Committee to move forward with the process to hire a construction management firm.
The Committee discussed the responsibilities of the project management firm.
The Committee discussed hiring a new director of facilities. The Superintendent stated
that he and the Town Manager had interviewed six candidates for the position and there
were several strong candidates in the pool. He stated that he would like to move forward
with the process but stated his concern that he be able to inform the candidates that the
position would continue to report to the Superintendent. Chair Dahl stated that there is
nothing at this time to indicate that the position would not report to the Superintendent.
Regular Session 2 August 16, 2003
It was the consensus of the Committee to move forward with the hiring of a director of
facilities.
Superintendent Schettini discussed the 2004 recertification process. He stated that
approximately 50% of the teachers would be going through the process and described
how the process would impact the budget.
Superintendent Schettini discussed the NEASC, Title I and No Child Left Behind
initiatives. He distributed information to the Committee on NEASC.
The Committee discussed the new RISE classroom. It was the consensus of the
Committee that Director of Special Education Steve Gannon and Director of RISE Vicki
Griffin be scheduled to attend a School Committee meeting to discuss the RISE program.
The Committee discussed the need to investigate ways to increase revenue to the Town
including the possibility of having a college use the high school as a satellite or having a
company like Kaplan use the high school for SAT courses and how ideas such as this
could be included in the design phase of RMHS.
Superintendent Schettini stated that he had contacted representatives from Merrimack
College and Salem State College and was waiting to hear back from them.
Superintendent Schettini discussed the grant initiative. He stated that the grant writer
would be used on an hourly basis to turn around grants quickly and to search for grants
that the district would be eligible for. He stated that this would be a cost efficient way to
try to increase revenue from grants. Superintendent Schettini stated that he had discussed
the issue with the Town Manager and if appropriate would work with the Town to obtain
certain grants.
Mr. McFadden stated his concern that Reading does not have a resource police officer for
the high school. He stated that he believed having a uniformed officer at the high school
would serve as a deterrent for drugs at the high school.
Mr. Russo agreed that he would like a resource officer at the high school but also that a
social worker type employee was also needed to identify students at risk.
Mr. Spadafora stated his concern about having an armed officer at the schools.
It was the consensus of the Committee that Chief Silva be contacted to arrange for the
resource officer and other appropriate personnel from Winchester to attend the joint
meeting with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the program currently used in
Winchester.
Regular Session 3 August 16, 2003
The Committee discussed the hospital trust fund and whether funds could be used to
expand the health center at the high school to become more of a community health center
and whether the high school design plans should a health center. In addition the
Committee discussed having the high school serve as a civil disaster center and what
changes may have to be made to the design plans and possible federal money available
for making the high school a civil disaster center. It was the consensus of the Committee
to discuss these possibilities at the joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen and that
Jane Fiore Health Director for the Town should attend the meeting.
At 10:35 a.m. the Committee took a recess.
At 10:45 a.m. Chair Dahl called the Committee back to order.
Chair Dahl stated that because of the large number of initiatives facing the district this
year that any Committee member that wanted information from the Superintendent that
would require research on the part of the Superintendent should bring the item to the
Committee for a vote to determine whether the Committee wanted to take the
Superintendent off the initiatives discussed today to research the requested information.
The Committee discussed operating procedures and reviewed the Welcome to the
Reading School Committee brochure that had been used several years ago. It was the
consensus of the Committee that the brochure be updated for use.
The Committee discussed liaison positions. Ms. Webb advised that she would be willing
to be the second liaison to the Finance Committee.
The Committee discussed forming a school building committee that reports to the School
Committee or having the Superintendent form an advisory building committee that would
report to him. The Committee discussed concerns about maintaining control of the
projects, whether the Superintendent should be authorized to sign change orders and if so
to what dollar amount. After discussion it was the consensus of the Committee that each
School Committee agenda include under Old Business — Update on Building Projects and
that before a decision is made on the building committee that the construction
management firm be brought on board and meet with the Superintendent and architects to
discuss the two options proposed.
The Committee discussed a presentation to Town Meeting in November on the status of
the building projects. The Committee agreed that Town Meeting wanted to hear from
elected officials. It was suggested that a power point presentation be prepared on the
building projects.
Reiular Session 4 Aueust 16, 2003
The Committee discussed a request to begin school after Labor Day. Superintendent
Schettini asked that a decision be held until after it is determined whether the opening of
school may be delayed a week due to construction.
WNW I 11
At 12:05 p.m. Mr. Carpenter moved to adiourn Mr. Spadafora seconded the
motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr.
Spadafora and Ms. Webb.
Respec IWV ubmit, ,
Patriclt/A. KWKtini, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools