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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-12-22 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session December 22, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Carpenter, Dahl, Russo, Spadafora and Webb. Also present were Superintendent Schettini and Associate Superintendent Richards. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll were circulated for signature. CITIZENS INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Chair Dahl stated that Mr. McFadden was unable to attend this evening's meeting due to a prior committee. Chair Dahl and Superintendent Schettini stated their appreciation to Mr. McFadden for arranging the meeting with Governor Romney. They stated the meeting gave Reading officials an opportunity to discuss important issues with the Governor. Superintendent Schettini updated the Committee on the status of the new elementary school. He notified the Committee that they are meeting with all parties regarding how the weather is affecting the schedule. He noted that more detailed information would be brought to the Committee in January. Chair Dahl asked that Superintendent Schettini look into getting a wireless microphone from RCTV. RMHS PROJECT Mr. Hoffses stated that there are four agenda items regarding the high school. He stated they would be discussing the upper parking lot, the budget update and the color palette in regular session and then enter executive session to discuss security. Mr. Hoffses stated that due to the Conservation Commissions' concern about impervious space, the high school principal's concern about security at the upper lot and DPC's concern about the cost that they are recommending that the upper parking lot be eliminated from the RMHS project. He stated that there would still be 524 spaces after the elimination of the upper parking lot. Regular Session 2 December 22, 2003 Superintendent Schettini stated that he would be meeting with abutters after the holidays to present the issues. H stated that initial discussions with abutters have indicated that they would be pleased not to have the upper parking lot. Chair Dahl stated that we are still increasing parking by 80% and parking spaces would meet the needs of the project with the exception of large football game crowds. Superintendent Schettini stated that it is the recommendation of the administration that the Committee accept the proposal to eliminate the upper parking lot. Chair Dahl stated that a vote was not necessary. He asked if any Committee members had serious issues with the proposals. There were no serious issues with the proposal. Mr. Bell stated that he reviewed the turning radius at the fieldhouse. He stated that he determined that it is possible to push the area back five feet as requested. Ms. Webb, Chair Dahl and Mr. Bell discussed the tour last week of school facilities to view materials and the meeting at DPC to review materials further. They thanked the staff and students who attending the tour and gave input. Students Melanie Dahl and Katie Crimmins discussed the tour and facilities they saw and the process used to select colors /patterns. Mr. Bell discussed the exercise used to establish the colors /patterns. Chair Dahl stated that since there are no objections from the Committee that the architect would be moving forward with the colors /patterns displayed this evening. Mr. Russo asked about chemical emission from new carpeting. Mr. Hoffses said there are state standards and they will be met. Mr. Russo asked if we are in the construction phase yet. Mr. Hoffses stated that we are in the construction document phase. He stated that the next submission deadline for the Conservation Commission would be at 70 %. He stated that he has a good indication of what Conservation is looking for and sees no major obstacles. At 8:30 p.m. the Committee took a short recess. �r Regular Session 3 December 22, 2003 Superintendent Schettini acknowledged the Barrows Elementary School artwork in the School Committee room. Mr. Hoffses updated the Committee on the costs. He stated that the project is on budget but just barely. He stated that there would be three add alternates, the synthetic practice field, replacement of the bleachers within the field house and the porcelain pavers in the main atrium space all totaled just over $1 million. Chair Dahl thanked Mr. Hoffses for the update and stated that the project continues to move forward. Mr. Spadafora asked Superintendent Schettini to clarify whether the all -day kindergarten is part of the budget. Superintendent Schettini stated that he would have more information on all -day kindergarten at a future School Committee meeting regarding the budget. He stated that what is in the budget is the offset for all -day kindergarten fees. Ms. Webb stated that she is looking forward to hearing the evaluation of the all -day kindergarten program at a future meeting. Mr. Russo asked for the number of students in the all -day kindergarten program. Superintendent Schettini stated that he did not have the number with him but he would get back to Mr. Russo with the number. Ms. Phillips asked for confirmation that the press box and bleachers are now included as part of the contract. Mr. Hoffses confirmed that they were. Ms. Phillips stated her concern that the press box and bleachers are not reimbursable and she would prefer to see that outside of the budget and furniture and technology included. Chair Dahl explained that once they begin construction they have to deal with the press box, which is not ADA compliant. Ms. Phillips stated that she understands that something needs to be done but she feels that that it should be a community project rather than taking money out of the project. J. Regular Session 4 December 22, 2003 EXECUTIVE SESSION At 8:50 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the deployment of security personnel or devices not to return to regular session. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Superintendent of Schools