HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-12-15 School Committee Minutes1
Reading School Committee
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Session December 15, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair McFadden called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were School
Committee Members Carpenter, McFadden, Russo, Spadafora and Webb. Also present
were Superintendent Schettini, Associate Superintendent Richards, Finance Committee
Members Cathy Martin and Dick McDonald, Town Accountant Richard Foley and the
Reading Public Schools' Administrative Council.
BILLS & PAYROLL
Bills and payroll were circulated for signature.
CITIZENS' INPUT
There was no citizen input.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Mr. Carpenter moved to accept the anonymous donation of $2,000 for professional
development at the Parker Middle School and the Joshua Eaton Elementary School.
Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Mr. Carpenter, Mr.
McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Superintendent Schettini discussed the request from the Town Manager regarding the late
start at the high school on Election Day.
Ms. Webb moved to accept the recommendation of the administration as outlined in
the Superintendent's memorandum of December 11, 2003 to adjust the school
calendar for Reading Memorial High School only to have a 90- minute delayed start
on March 2, 2003. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Mr.
Carpenter, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb.
LIAISON REPORTS
Mr. McFadden stated that Mr. Griset was unable to attend this evening's meeting to
update the Committee on the work of the Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee.
Mary Ann Kozlowski distributed a summary of the key issues being worked on by the
Recreation Committee. She stated that the biggest issue facing Recreation is field
availability. She discussed the Recreation programs including a new program at two
elementary schools offering French and Spanish.
Regular Session 2 December 15, 2003
Ms. Kozlowski stated that the Recreation Committee needs to work with the School
Administration regarding availability of fields during construction and whether the
foreign language program offered by Recreation should be brought up to the middle
school level
Vice Chair McFadden thanked Ms. Kozlowski for the update.
Superintendent Schettini stated that John Fuedo was working with Athletic Director
Vaccaro regarding availability of fields and that John Fuedo would be discussing the
foreign language program with the principals.
Vice Chair McFadden stated that the work on the fields couldn't be moved up earlier in
the process due to costs.
Vice Chair McFadden and Ms. Webb discussed the Technology Group's Festival of
Trees fundraiser.
FY05 SUPERINTENDENT'S BUDGET
Vice Chair McFadden stated that this evening's meeting was for the Superintendent to
make a presentation on his recommended budget. He stated that questions for
clarification would be allowed but questions on the budget itself should be submitted in
writing to the Superintendent to address at a future School Committee meeting.
Superintendent Schettini gave a presentation on the FY05 Superintendent's
recommended budget. He discussed how the budget was developed and how input on the
budget was collected. He reviewed the budget assumptions, budget drivers and budget
offsets. Superintendent Schettini thanked Richard Foley, Dennis Richards and the central
office staff for their work on the budget.
Ms. Webb asked what the target class size would be.
Superintendent Schettini stated that he is working with the principals on this issue and
will come back to the Committee with a recommendation at a future meeting.
Mr. McFadden thanked Superintendent Schettini and Mr. Foley. He asked that budget
parents go back to their schools and seek input on the recommended budget.
Superintendent Schettini stated that all questions regarding the budget should be
submitted to the Central Office and he would address the questions in a future
presentation.
Regular Session 3 December 15, 2003
CUSTODIAL FEE
Mr. Carpenter moved to accept the recommendation of the administration as
outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum of December 11, 2003 to increase the
custodial fee charged to outside groups to $26.00 per hour. Mr. Spadafora seconded
the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr.
Spadafora and Ms. Webb.
ADJOURN
Mr. Spadafora moved to adiourn at 8:30 p.m. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion.
The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and
Ms. Webb.
Superintendent of Schools