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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-08 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session September 8, 2003 TEACHER RECEPTION A reception for new teachers was held from 7:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Carpenter, Dahl, McFadden, Russo, Spadafora and Webb. Also present were Superintendent Schettini and Associate Superintendent Richards. Chair Dahl welcomed the new teaching staff to the Reading Public Schools. Superintendent Schettini welcomed the new staff to Reading. He thanked the principals for their hard work interviewing candidates over the summer. Principal Orlando introduced the new high school staff. Principal Doherty introduced the new Coolidge Middle School staff. Principal Foye introduced the new Parker Middle School staff. Principal Guerrette introduced the new Killam Elementary School staff. Principal Davidson introduced the new Birch Meadow Elementary School staff. Principal Callan introduced the new Barrows Elementary School staff. Principal Cormier introduced the new Eaton Elementary School staff. Chair Dahl stated that Reading is fortunate to have been able to attract some of the best teachers. At 7:55 p.m. Chair Dahl advised that the Committee would take a brief recess. At 8:00 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll were circulated. Chair Dahl stated that he and Elaine Webb would serve as liaisons to the Finance Committee, Carl McFadden and Rob Spadafora would serve as liaisons to the Board of Selectmen and Carl McFadden and John Carpenter would serve on the Ad Hoc Regular Session 2 September 8, 2003 Committee regarding RCTV. He also stated that he had appointed William J. Griset, Jr. to the Charter Review Committee. Mr. McFadden stated that he hosted a meeting on Thursday with the veterans and asked for input on the type of memorial they would like to see at the high school. CITIZENS INPUT Mrs. Phillips asked when the Town would receive notification that we are guaranteed to be on the reimbursement list for the high school project. Chair Dahl stated when the legislature approves the funding. SUPERINTENDENTS' REPORT Superintendent Schettini stated that the opening of school went smoothly. He thanked the teachers and administrators for their work. Superintendent Schettini informed the Committee that Dom Cacciapuoti, Director of Facilities and Reading resident, was retiring after many years of service to the district. Superintendent Schettini advised the Committee that John Thiffault would be the new Director of Facilities. He stated that he was very well qualified and came highly recommended. HIGHLIGHTS Superintendent Schettini thanked the students and staff of the RISE preschool for the artwork in the School Committee room. Superintendent Schettini introduced clerk of the works Werner Grabowski to the School Committee. Superintendent Schettini stated that the School Committee is scheduled to interview project management firms on September 18th BARROWS RELOCATION Superintendent Schettini advised that the information he was about to present regarding the possible relocation of Barrows students was available on the district website also. Superintendent Schettini discussed the chart showing the proposed scenarios for the location of Barrows students during the construction/renovation. He stated that at this point he would be asking the Committee to review the scenarios and at the next meeting decide whether all, some or none of the students should remain at the Barrows School during the renovation. He stated that he would be meeting with all of the elementary PTOs to receive input from parents over the next week. The Committee reviewed the scenarios and the costs associated with each of the scenarios. Regular Session 3 September 8, 2003 Ms. Webb stated her concern on the impact on learning for students if they remained at the school during renovations. Mr. Carpenter asked Superintendent Schettini to discuss the bussing with the Barrows parents to see if we could not spend the $280,000 on bussing and perhaps use that money for other things for Barrows students. Chair Dahl stated that he hoped School Committee members could attend some of the PTO meetings if available. Mr. Spadafora stated his concern about planning to move the Barrows' students to the new school when we are not yet positive the new school will be completed on time. Superintendent Schettini stated that this is a concern he has discussed with the architects. He stated that we are watching closely to be sure the new school comes in on time. Mr. McFadden stated his concern about the feasibility of moving the old portables. Superintendent Schettini updated the Committee on the new elementary school and the Barrows' school projects. Mr. Russo stated that he would not report scores for the project management firms' proposals he reviewed. He stated that he has objections to the process. Chair Dahl stated that the Committee wanted to hire a project manager to look after the best interest of the Town and the Committee on the building projects. He stated that the Committee received 11 proposals and he would like to identify 3, 4 or 5 companies that the Committee would like to interview. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to interview the four project management firms rated highest by the School Committee. Mr. Spadafora moved to direct the Superintendent to invite the following project management companies to make presentations before the Committee: AD, Deadelus, R.F. Walsh and URS on September 18th at 6:30 p.m. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. Mrs. Phillips stated that the School Committee did not vote to accept the RFQ or to approve the evaluation criteria as required. She stated her concern that we are being redundant as George Livingstone has been contracted to do the same work. Superintendent Schettini stated that Town Counsel had been involved with this process since the beginning and the process outlined by Town Counsel had been followed. He stated that Mr. Livingstone is providing some oversight on the elementary projects and it is an at -will agreement reviewed by Town Counsel. Regular Session 4 September 8, 2003 Mr. Russo stated that he would not vote in favor of the motion on the table because of irregularities in the process. Chair Dahl stated that he did not believe there were any irregularities in the process but that he would be willing to entertain a motion to accept the RFP and the evaluation criteria to rate the project management firms. Mr. Spadafora stated that he would table his motion until the Committee voted to accept the RFP and the evaluation criteria to rate the project management firms. Mr. Carpenter moved to formally adopt and endorse the RFP and evaluation criteria attached to that RFP that is on record for the Reading Public Schools selecting a construction project manager for up to three construction projects over the next three fiscal years. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb voted yes. Mr. Russo stated that he would vote in favor of the original motion now that the procedures were approved. Chair Dahl then asked the Committee to vote on the original motion. Mr. Spadafora moved to direct the Superintendent to invite the following proiect management companies to make presentations before the Committee: AB, Deadelus, R.F. Walsh and URS on September 18th at 6:30 p.m. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 9:45 p.m. Mr. McFadden moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the possible sale or lease of real estate and to approve executive session minutes. Not to return to regular session. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The Superintendent of Schools