No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-14 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session October 14, 2003 Call to Order Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the RMHS Guidance Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Carpenter, Dahl, McFadden, Russo, Spadafora and Webb. Bills & Payroll Bills and payroll circulated for signature. Budget Priorities Chair Dahl advised that this evening's meeting was scheduled to allow the Committee to discuss budget priorities. He stated that the meeting would be a free flow of ideas and comments need not be directed through the Chair. Superintendent Schettini asked the Committee to focus on the following question: What should the instructional and operational priorities be for the FY05 budget? He stated that by answering this question the Committee would provide him with the information needed for him to prepare a budget for FY05 that accurately reflects the priorities of the Committee. The Committee brainstormed the following items: • Continue to provide direct service to children • Maintain class size especially K -5 • Prudent wage increase • Professional development • Review absenteeism level of professional staff to see if cost for OPIS substitute services can be reduced • Attention to MCAS success K -12 • Provide necessary curriculum materials and determine whether current curriculum requires enhancements • Review curriculum for updates and better programs • Building maintenance to be kept at level service at a minimum • Curriculum consistency throughout the district • Common instructional language • Collection, analysis and assessment of data for SATs, PSATs, and other standardized tests • Increase technology including hardware, software, personnel and leadership • Maintain all honors and AP courses at RMHS • Challenge talented students Regular Session 2 October 14, 2003 • Meeting the letter of the law for special education students • Collect data on colleges' opinion of Reading's programs • Perform special education trend analysis, are the programs working, grade level students are identified with special needs • Determine the effectiveness of the health and physical education program • Can athletics count as physical education, require students to participate in sports • Analysis of extra curricular activities • Community service at the high school • Special education strategies and the progress of students over time • Add business manager to the staff • Maintenance overtime account analysis and review of shifts to lower overtime costs while maintaining level service • Justify the quality and cost of the current mentor induction program • Review proposals for funding new programs • Continue current fee based all day kindergarten and look at implementing full day kindergarten for all students in the future • High school student attendance policy • Look at strengthening guidance department • Increase community involvement in the schools • Improve professional staff by supervision and evaluation • Review whether curriculum needs are meeting the needs of students not planning to attend college and mid -range students • Provide quality teachers in every classroom • Review effectiveness of teacher aides versus specialists such as reading specialists • Creative solutions to lower bussing costs • Bring foreign language into the lower grades • Utilize graduate interns in the classroom • Provide a nurse in each school building At 8:45 p.m. the Committee took a five - minute recess. Superintendent Schettini took the issues raised by the Committee as priorities for the FY05 budget and consolidated the issues into the following categories: o Instruction • Quality of Instruction Program • Professional Development • Common Language of Instruction Regular Session 3 October 14, 2003 o Curriculum • Assessment • Data Driven Improvement • K -12 Consistency • Improve course offerings o Health Issues • Curriculum • Nurses o Full Day Kindergarten • Maintain current fee -based program • Look to expansion in the future o Business Manager o Improve Maintenance Functions o Community Involvement • Community service at the high school • Involvement of community members at the schools o Efficient and effective special education services o Technology • Equipment and materials • Staffing and leadership o Maintain or improve class size o Optimize staffing After discussion, the Committee reviewed and agreed on the summary of issues for the FY05 budget Building Projects Superintendent Schettini updated the Committee on the building projects. Mr. McFadden asked where we stand on arbitrage. Superintendent Schettini stated that the Town Treasurer is reviewing the issue. Ms. Webb asked if the community would receive sufficient time to prepare if the school calendar had to be modified due to the construction schedule. Regular Session 4 October 14, 2003 Superintendent Schettini stated that he was working to ensure that there would be ample notice given to parents if a change in the calendar is required. Mr. Carpenter stated that as soon as AD is under contract that a master schedule be presented to the Committee. Ms. Webb asked if Ms. Benda was working on any grants. Superintendent Schettini stated that she would be working with Steve Gannon on a special education grant after the holidays. Superintendent Schettini distributed information regarding a memorial service for Joan Clifford and updated the Committee on the support services that the Parker Middle School and RMHS staffs have put in place for students of Ms. Clifford. Superintendent Schettini distributed information regarding a summer school payroll issue. At 9:30 p.m. Mr. McFadden moved to adjourn. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Ms. Webb. Mr. Spadafora was out of the room Respect Z Patric A. chettini, Jr. Superintendent of Schools