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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-07 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session October 7, 2003 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 and Webb. Also present were Superintendent Schettini and Associate Superintendent Richards. Mr. Spadafora arrived at 7:45 p.m. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll were circulated for signature. CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT /CHAIR REPORT Chair Dahl discussed the Sunday meeting with the NEASC. Chair Dahl discussed the meeting with the RTA to open up a dialogue regarding difficult budget decisions that will need to be faced in the next year to year and one -half. Superintendent Schettini discussed the NEASC visit. Chair Dahl asked that Superintendent Schettini relay the School Committee's thanks to Principal Orlando and Dr. Ryan. Superintendent Schettini discussed the Reading MCAS results. Chair Dahl reviewed the MCAS results versus communities per pupil spending. Superintendent Schettini informed the Committee that at the September 18th meeting the Committee made and seconded the motion but did not take a vote on the motion to authorize the Chairman to negotiate with AD on behalf of the School Committee. Ms. Webb moved to authorize the Chairman of the Reading School Committee to negotiate on behalf of the Reading School Committee a contract with the selected project management firm for the Reading Public Schools' building projects. She further moved that upon negotiation of the contract the School Committee shall vote on whether to approve of the negotiated contract. She further moved that after the School Committee has approved the contract that the Chairman of the Reading School Committee shall be authorized to sign the contract on behalf of the Reading School Committee. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb Regular Session 2 October 7, 2003 Superintendent Schettini informed the Committee that the Financial Forum agenda contained an error. The Town Manager stated that the School Department budget projections included the cost to operate the new school when in fact they do not include the additional operating costs. Superintendent Schettini distributed information regarding the additional costs. After discussion the Committee agreed that further discussion was needed regarding the additional operating costs. Ms. Webb and Mr. Carpenter discussed the MASC training they attended. Both recommended that other School Committee members attend the MASC training. FY05 BUDGET Superintendent Schettini discussed the budget parent process. He advised that last week he held a budget training meeting with parents, Richard Foley and Beth Klepeis. RMHS Seniors Danielle Barry, Nick Smith, Laura Burns, Margot Wass and Kevin Harrington asked the Committee to consider adding drama classes to the curriculum at RMHS. They stated that they would like drama students to have the same opportunity as band students who are able to take a class to enhance their performance in the arts. Mr. Richards asked that the students provide him with the top ten schools for drama so he could gather information on the programs they offer their students. Ms. Mulroy stated that she was representing Coolidge Middle School and she was asked to relay to the Committee the importance of keeping the team concept at the middle schools. She also requested that the Committee consider having a nurse in each of the buildings. Ms. Bishop agreed with Ms. Mulroy's request for additional nursing. She discussed the importance of keeping elementary class sizes as low as possible. Mr. Spadafora discussed the possibility of working with graduate level students to help offset large class sizes. Mr. McFadden thanked the budget parents for attending and asked that the parents go the Selectmen's meeting to encourage the Selectmen to make a decision on RMLD and the money that RMLD has in reserve. Superintendent Schettini suggested that the Committee schedule a time to discuss the process they would like to use for this year's budget. Mr. Carpenter stated that the Committee needs to be careful not to eliminate programs just to keep class sizes small at the high school Regular Session 3 October 7, 2003 Chair Dahl discussed the variety of electives including Shakespeare courses that were at the high school in the past and why they were eliminated. Mr. Russo discussed unfunded mandates and stated that there has been no real change in the state government. He stated that prevailing wage laws still exist and the pension system needs to be changed. Mr. Spadafora stated his opinion that the Committee should review whether or not adding a business manager to the administration may save money in the long run. Ms. Webb stated that class size at the elementary level is extremely important. Ms. Packard stated that the Committee needs to be sure that they look hard before eliminating programs. She stated that once a program is gone it is very difficult to get back. She agreed that small class size at the elementary level is important. Ms. Perry stated that the Committee should discuss bringing back a technology director. Ms. Webb reminded the Committee and the audience that the Technology Fund is holding a festival of trees on December 7th as a fundraiser. Superintendent Schettini asked the budget parents to bring information back to him from the parents on priorities. Superintendent Schettini updated the Committee on the elementary building projects. He discussed delivery issues for lumber. Ms. Webb asked if AD is fully engaged in the projects at this point. Superintendent Schettini indicated that AD is working on all three projects. Mr. Carpenter asked that once the contract with AD is signed that they be scheduled to attend a School Committee meeting to update the Committee on the projects. Mr. McFadden reiterated that he is not comfortable working with AD with no contract. ADJOURN At 9:15 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjourn. Ms. Webb seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Petrick A. Schettini, Jr. Superintendent of Schools