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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-22 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session September 22, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order in the Barrows Cafeteria at 7:38 p.m. Present were School Committee members Carpenter, Dahl, McFadden, Russo, Spadafora, Webb and student representative Laura Nelson. Also present were Superintendent Schettini and Associate Superintendent Richards. Chair Dahl stated that the order of the agenda would be modified to accommodate the parents in attendance this evening to discuss the relocation of Barrows students. Superintendent Schettini introduced student representative Laura Nelson. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll were circulated. CITIZENS INPUT There was no citizen input. GIFTS Mr. Russo moved to accept a gift of $2,020 from the League of Women's Voters, Inc. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. CHAIR REPORT Chair Dahl advised that he is appointing Maryanne Kozlowski as the School Committee representative to the Recreation Committee. DECISION ON LOCATION OF BARROWS STUDENTS Chair Dahl thanked Principal Callan for her continued work on the Barrows project. Superintendent Schettini stated he has met with the PTOs of each of the elementary schools, the preschool parent group and the Barrows faculty regarding the relocation of Barrows' students. He distributed information on questions that were asked at the meetings regarding the relocation of students. He stated that the administration's Regular Session 2 September 22, 2003 recommendation is that no students are located at Barrows during the renovation/ construction of the Barrows school. Chair Dahl reviewed the options presented by the Administration. Chair Dahl stated that the first decision that needs to be made this evening is whether to remove all, some or none of the students from the Barrows school during the renovation/construction and the second decision will be the details of that location if the Committee votes to remove the students. Mr. Russo stated that he received two calls both in favor of scenario 1A, the least expensive scenario. He stated that he would support scenario 1 A. Mr. Carpenter stated that he received several calls from staff and parents all in favor of scenario IA. Ms. Webb received only one call and that was in support of scenario IA. She stated that scenario I keeps the elementary communities intact and is least disruptive to the entire district. Chair Dahl stated that he agreed the best scenario is to have all students out of the building during renovation. He discussed the proposed scenario 1 C brought up at the PTO meeting where students at Barrows move to Birch Meadow and Birch Meadow students move to the new school. He stated that although you may save some money in bussing costs the disruption to two schools outweighs the savings. Mr. Spadafora discussed scenario 1 C, and he stated that also felt that scenario would be too disruptive to the elementary school communities. He stated he is comfortable moving all students out of the building during renovation but he stated his concerns about having a contingency plan in place if the new school opening is delayed. Bob Beckman stated that he agreed that getting students out of the building is the best solution. He discussed his desire that the Committee review redistricting twice in the next year to minimize the impact on a large majority of the Barrows students being moved twice. He stated that redistricting twice would save the town $250,000 and have less impact on students. Chair Dahl stated that redistricting is a lengthy and difficult process and the Committee would like to avoid redistricting twice. He discussed software the town manager had spoken about that would allow the district to overlay onto to the GIS system. Regular Session 3 September 22, 2003 Superintendent Schettini stated that the administration had investigated the software and the software would have to be written custom for the district and that the software would be quite expensive. Mr. Spadafora discussed the last time the Committee redistricted. He noted that Reading does not have an abundance of buildable lots and that the increase in student population is due to empty nesters selling their homes and young families moving in. He stated that it is impossible to judge when and how frequently this will occur. He discussed the Town's desire and value in having community schools. Bob Beckman asked that the Committee not vote this evening and pursue further the idea of redistricting twice to minimize the impact on the majority of the Barrows students. Ms. Webb stated that the process of redistricting is a difficult process and to do it twice in 20 months is a daunting task. She stated that the Committee should take into account the workload of the staff that would be required to do the redistricting. Alex McRae stated his concern that the scenario chart shows final redistricting not being completed until August 2005. He stated his concern that the community would need to know in advance of August 2005 the redistricting plan. He asked if the Committee had looked at kindergartners being bussed to Birch Meadow moving to the new school to eliminate that bussing cost. Mr. McFadden stated that the August 2005 date is the implementation date. He stated that the redistricting process should be completed in March of 2005. Superintendent Schettini stated that the administration hopes to work on redistricting over the summer and report back to the Committee in the fall. Alex McRae stated that people would like to know where their children would attend school prior to March of 2005. Chair Dahl stated that in March the School Committee would be in the midst of the Barrows renovation, the high school project and the budget. Patty Beckman asked if there is an alternative plan if the Barrows project is not completed in the summer of 2005. She asked if a traffic flow study had been done at the new school and if the new school could accommodate the busses. Chair Dahl stated that there is not a contingency plan yet. He stated that the Committee would be developing back up plans. He stated that the new school has turn arounds large enough for fire trucks. Regular Session 4 September 22, 2003 Ms. Webb stated that once redistricting is completed there would be car traffic in all areas. Andrew Tyler asked what the project management consultant's responsibilities are. Mr. Spadafora stated that the firm would be the interface between the School Committee and the Administration with the architect and contractor. Mr. McFadden stated that their job would be to ensure that the projects are finished on time and on budget. Mr. Russo asked the Chair to poll the audience regarding the four options. Chair Dahl stated that the poll would be flawed. He stated that if other members of the community knew a poll was being taken on the item they might have come to the meeting this evening to voice their opinion. Mr. Spadafora moved to relocate all Barrows students for the 2004 -2005 school year due to the construction /renovation of the Barrows School during the 2004 -2005 school year and to request that the Superintendent return to the Committee with a recommendation on the specifics of the relocation at a future meeting. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Andrew Tyler stated that Mr. Spadafora had a valid point and input should be taken from the project management firm on whether the new school will be ready for occupancy for the start of the school year before the Committee bids the Barrows project. Mr. McFadden stated that if something happens in July or August and we can't go forward we would make adjustments. Margaret Donnelly Moran stated her concern that the Barrows students are kept together. She stated her concern about bidding Barrows until the Committee is positive the new school would open on time. She asked if safeguards could be put into the Barrows bid. Mr. McFadden stated that the Administration is given weekly updates on the status of the new school. He stated that as of today the project is on time. Mr. Carpenter moved to instruct the Superintendent to pursue a plan consistent with Option IA and as soon as the project manager is hired that the project manager be instructed that their first task is to come up with a master schedule that demonstrates that we can get into Sunset Rock Lane School next September and the Barrows Elementary School the following September and the Regular Session 5 September 22, 2003 Committee be informed forthwith if that is not possible. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Bob Beckman stated that the Committee is responding to pressure of the room and not necessarily taking into account the needs of the entire town. Chair Dahl stated that he has had this information for four weeks and he was ready this evening to move forward. He stated he already had a strong sense of how he believed the Committee should proceed. Mr. McFadden stated that every School Committee member has attended public input meetings and heard from hundreds of people. Mr. Russo stated that the only way to guarantee the Barrows students stay together is to delay the project until the new school is built. At 9:00 p.m. Chair Dahl advised that the Committee would take a short break. At 9:05 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order. APPROVAL OF WARRANT ARTICLES FOR TOWN MEETING Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis reviewed proposed warrant article 9. She stated that the Town Manager, Town Counsel and Bond Counsel had reviewed the article. Superintendent Schettini stated that the Administration's recommendation to the Committee is that they approve Warrant Articles 9 and 10. Mr. Russo asked why the money couldn't be returned. Ms. Klepeis stated that once the money is borrowed it must be spent on this project or a like project. Mr. Spadafora moved to request that the Board of Selectmen add to the 2003 Town Meeting Warrant Article 9 attached to the Superintendent's memorandum of September 16, 2003. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms Webb. Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis reviewed proposed warrant article 10. She stated that the Town Manager, Town Counsel and Bond Counsel had reviewed the article. Regular Session 6 September 22, 2003 Mr. Spadafora moved to request that the Board of Selectmen add to the 2003 Town Meeting Warrant Article 10 attached to the Superintendent's memorandum of September 16, 2003. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms Webb. Presentation by Design Partnership Superintendent Schettini introduced Keith Hoffses, Bob Bell, Bob Vogel and Dave Finney of Design Partnership. The Committee reviewed the proposed site plan as presented, and discussed adding more green space, the number of parking spaces, whether the football field could be used as a soccer field also, a possible alternative entrance off Bancroft, fencing off the road for elections to prevent damage to the field and wiring the field for lights, Chair Dahl asked if the Committee was comfortable moving ahead with the site plan. Mr. Carpenter stated his desire that there should be a provision for a loading dock for the auditorium, more storage for the band and drama departments and additional green space be added to the site plan. Mr. McFadden agreed with Mr. Carpenter that more storage is needed for drama and band. Mr. McFadden asked RTA representative Alec Porter for his thoughts on the number of parking spaces. Mr. Porter stated that he appreciates the Committee's desire for more green space but stated that currently parking is at a premium at RMHS and the renovation should include enough parking for faculty and students on a daily basis. Chair Dahl stated that he agreed that there needs to be an accommodation for the loading of drama and band equipment but stated he did not believe a loading dock was necessary because of the types of trucks usually used for moving equipment. Mr. Russo moved to accept the site plan as presented with two provisions, look at docking for access to the stage and associated costs and look at adding green spaces within the large parking lot in front of the building. Ms. Webb seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Regular Session 7 September 22, 2003 Bob Bell reviewed the updated floor plan for RMHS with the Committee. He stated that the most significant update involved the television studio. Mr. Carpenter stated his concern regarding the amount of storage for the band and drama departments. He suggested storage under the auditorium. Mr. Hoffses stated that storage under the auditorium would be extremely expensive because of the ledge. Mr. McFadden stated that he wants to hear from the band director, drama director and principal regarding the issue of storage. Mr. Spadafora stated his concern regarding giving the project management firm time to review the plans prior to the School Committee agreeing to move forward. Mr. Finney stated that they are not into construction documents yet. He stated that the Committee could not add more space to the building without adding cost. He stated that they are at crunch time and if the Committee wants the project to go out to bid on time they need to move forward. Mr. Porter of the RTA asked if there was any thought given to installing doors between classrooms and if not could that be considered. He also stated that if restrooms were installed within the cafeteria area it would make supervision far easier and would help lessen student smoking. Mr. Bell stated that there are some classrooms that have doors between them in science and humanities. He stated that the issue of doors was discussed with faculty and there was mixed response to having the doors. He stated that there are restrooms located outside the cafeteria doors. Mr. Russo asked what the consequences of delaying a vote to move forward would be. Chair Dahl stated a delay this evening would result in a delay in the bid process. Mr. Radville stated that the architect is at a crunch time and the Committee needs to be aware that this project is a complicated phasing process. Chair Dahl asked Mr. Radville if this overall concept reflects what the School Building Committee agreed on. Mr. Radville stated that the floor plan evolved from Option 3 selected by the School Building Committee. Regular Session 8 September 22, 2003 Mr. Spadafora stated that he is concerned that he still has not had an opportunity to discuss specific concerns such as the multi -use room configuration, and the health clinic, the lack of space for gymnastics and the lack of a fitness room. He stated that he would like another week to review. After discussion, it was the concession of the Committee to delay the vote until Monday, and all Committee members agreed to submit questions and concerns, in writing, to design partnership by Wednesday. Chair Dahl stated that he did not believe this is an indication of dissatisfaction with the architect, but a decision to further review the details prior to a vote. The Committee discussed the architect's recommendation for materials to be used. Mr. Spadafora moved to instruct the architect to proceed with the architectural drawings and materials as depicted September 22, 2003 and exclude the front entryway and Veteran's Memorial for action at a later date. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb voted yes. DRIVERS' EDUCATION Mr. Richards discussed the proposed increase in drivers' education tuition. Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the recommendation of the Administration as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum of September 17, 2003 to increase the Drivers' Education tuition to $210, the hourly rate of pay for the road instructor to $20 and the hourly rate of pay for the classroom instructor to $25. Ms. Webb seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. CAFETERIA AGENT RATE Superintendent Schettini discussed the proposed increase in the cafeteria agent rate. Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the recommendation of the Administration as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum of September 17, 2003 to increase the cafeteria agent rate charged to outside groups renting Reading Public Schools facilities and utilizing major kitchen equipment to $22.00 per hour. Ms. Webb seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Regular Session 9 September 22, 2003 DIVISION OF DECISION MAKING — SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS After discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee not to discuss the proposed division of decision making until the meeting on Monday evening. ADJOURN At 12:10 a.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adiourn. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. I I E