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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-10 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session May 10, 1999 CALL TO ORDER At 7:04 p.m. Chair D'Antona called the meeting to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Keigley and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:05 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, n Custodians and Maintenance Workers Cafeteria Employees Association of Secretaries and Clerks Educational Assistants Nurses and Tutors and to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate and to discuss pending litigation To return to regular session at anproximatel 7.30 p.m. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. Mr. Dahl and Ms. Williams arrived during executive session. CALL BACK TO ORDER At 7:36 p.m. Chair D'Antona called the meeting back to order. PRESENTATION OF CHAIR The School Committee presented Thomas Stohlman with a School Committee chair in honor of his service on the Committee. HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Harutunian showed the Coolidge Video on electives. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: PR 81 4/8/99 $599,478.15 PR 83 4/16/99 $762,362.61 W82 4/12/99 $89,683.62 W84 4/20/99 $747,284.79 W86 4/26/99 $268,954.45 Regular Session -2- May 10, 1999 CITIZENS' INPUT There was no citizens' input. OLD BUSINESS (out of order) Restructuring & Graduation Requirements Dr. Harutunian advised that Mr. Orlando and the Restructuring Committee had been working on the restructuring and graduation requirements for approximately 20 months. Dr. Harutunian distributed a list of the town and school groups that the Committee had met with. Mr. Orlando distributed an agenda for the Restructuring Committee's presentation this evening. Mr. Orlando began the presentation by giving the history of the process, resources and participants. Mr. Orlando then informed the Committee of the procedures and organization. Ms. O'Brien and Mr. Finigan presented information regarding the restructuring effort to address the program of studies at RMHS through continued examination and documentation of alignment wit the Mass Curriculum Frameworks. Mr. Orlando then described the recommended changes to the requirements for graduation and informed the Committee that the number of credits required for graduation would increase from 82 to 90. The presentation was then opened up to questions from the School Committee. Ms. Cavicchi asked if the requirements would create more conflicts in scheduling for students, particularly those who wanted to take more Advanced Placement courses. Mr. Orlando advised that he reviewed the scheduling and felt that there would be less conflicts. Ms. Cavicchi asked if the math remediation program would start in the 9th grade. Mr. Orlando stated that the results of the 8th grade MCAS tests are not received until the fall and it would be to late at that point. He stated that the Restructuring Committee was still looking at perhaps using learning packets rather than a specific program. Ms. Cavicchi asked about the changes in Social Studies and questioned whether there be room for a course in Civics. Regular Session -3- May 10, 1999 Mr. Darrin advised that Civics was one of the courses that was being looked at for an elective in the senior year. Mr. Dahl asked that Mr. Orlando describe the courses offered in practical arts. Mr. Orlando advised courses such as accounting, keyboarding, word processing, computer applications, technical drawing would be offered. Mr. Dahl asked whether requiring two semesters of a practical art would limit too much a student's options for creating a schedule with more courses of the type that they may have a particular interest in such as science for example. Mr. Orlando advised that the feedback he had gotten from parents was that they felt strongly that a computer course should be required. He also stated that discussions had been held with the Fine Arts and Practical Arts departments about allowing a student who may miss one class per week due to a 2 period science lab for example, to make up for the missed class. Mr. Dahl asked what negative feedback Mr. Orlando had received. Mr. Orlando advised that he had really received no negative feedback, the most common comment from parents was why are you requiring only 3 years of science or only 2 years of a foreign language. Mr. Dahl asked what the state requirement is for physical education and whether that is a good use of time. Mr. Orlando advised that some part of the school week must be involved in a physical education class. He advised that physical education now includes such things as team building skills, stress management skills etc. Ms. Williams asked how many more teachers will be needed to implement the increased requirements. Mr. Orlando advised that it is a difficult question to answer because the increase in requirement will also be coming at a time when enrollment is increasing. He stated that the Committee was discussing the idea of investigating clustering students in the 9th grade similar to the middle school clustering in order to smooth the transition from middle school to high school. He stated that the Administration was trying to be pro- active and prepare the Class of 2003 for the state requirement of passing the MCAS test in order to graduate. Regular Session -4- MAY 10, 1999 Mr. Orlando stated that the Committee had looked at how many students would not have graduated if the 90 credit requirement was already in place. He stated that 12 students in the graduating class had less than 90 credits. He stated that the requirement of 90 credits would keep Reading up to par with comparable communities. Ms. Williams asked what factors would be used to determine a cluster. Mr. Orlando stated that at this time he thought the most efficient way to cluster would be to cluster like students together. Dr. Harutunian advised that research shows that clustering increases self -worth, productivity and reduces the drop out rate. Mr. Twomey asked whether the students would be able to test out of any of the Practical Arts courses so they could take another subject that would be of more interest to them. Mr. Orlando stated that testing out was not an option, the Committee felt that there were enough courses offered that a student could find a course of interest to them. He also stated that only 90 credits were required and it was possible to earn 112 credits and that students would still have opportunities to take more courses in a particular area that they are interested in. Mr. Twomey stated that he had no objections to the increased requirements but felt the Committee should try to keep the process flexible for students. He also asked if these requirements met college expectations. Mr. Orlando stated that the requirements do meet college expectations. Dr. Harutunian advised that they had discussed the possibility of setting up some type of waiver system but that the Committee was not ready to move forward with the waiver system at this time. Mr. Keigley stated his support of the increased requirements. Mr. Keigley moved to accept the graduation requirements as proposed in the RMHS Restructuring Progress Report dated May, 1999 beginning with the class of 2003. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Dr. Harutunian thanked Mr. Orlando and the Committee for their work on this project. At 9:20 p.m. Chair D'Antona advised that the Committee would take a short break. Regular Session -5- May 10, 1999 At 9:25 p.m. Chair D'Antona called the meeting back to order. HIGHLIGHTS ARTWORK (out of order) Dr. Harutunian advised that the artwork on the School Committee Conference Room was the work of the RMHS art students. RMHS Feasibility Study Dr. Harutunian, Chair D'Antona and Mr. Twomey updated the Committee on the results of their meeting with the SBAB. They confirmed that the SBAB was consistent and advised that the Options in the RMHS Feasibility known as Option A and Option D would not be reimbursable under SBAB guidelines. Option A would not be reimbursable because it was only a partial renovation. Option D would not be reimbursable because the square footage of the current high school was sufficient and the building was structurally sound. Dr. Harutunian also advised that he was continuing to work with counsel to determine whether there would be any Title Nine issues with the remaining options. Mr. Dahl moved that the School Committee not support any renovation to the high school that is not reimbursable and that the School Committee not support the building of a new high school as it is not reimbursable. Ms. Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Joshua Eaton Project Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to accept the Joshua Eaton Project for school purposes. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Coolidge Calendar Dr. Harutunian advised that due to the construction, Mr. Doherty had requested to move the last day of school for students and teachers to June 23`d and teachers would come in one day earlier than the rest of the district to make up the day. Mr. Twomey made a motion to adjust the calendar as outlined in Mr. Doherty's memorandum to Dr. Harutunian dated May 10, 1999. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Regular Session -6- May 10, 1999 FY00 Prioritized Put Back List The Committee discussed Dr. Harutunian's recommended FY00 Prioritized Put Back List. Mr. Twomey made a motion to accept the Administration's Prioritized Put Back list as identified in the May 5th memorandum. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams_ SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT School Security Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on school safety. He advised of the steps that he had taken in response to the Columbine incident. He advised the Committee that six months ago a committee was formed to investigate creating and implementing an emergency response plan. Dr. Harutunian advised that the committee was made up of four principals, one representative from the police and one representative from the fire department. He stated that the committee was looking at other communities' emergency plans. SBAB Update Dr. Harutunian, Chair D'Antona and Mr. Twomey reviewed their previous update regarding the meeting with the SBAB. Acceptable Use PolicX A discussion was held regarding the acceptable use guidelines and whether it should be made into a school committee policy rather than administrative guidelines. After discussion, it was suggested that because it is still a working document, The Acceptable Use Guidelines should remain as administrative guidelines and the Committee look at the issue again during their goal setting meeting to see if making the guidelines into a policy should be included as a goal. Election of Officers The date of June 21 st was suggested for the election of officers. Ms. Williams was unsure whether she could make the June 21St meeting and advised that she would get back to Dr. Harutunian to confirm. The Committee decided that they would go to dinner after the June 21 st meeting. Wrestling Coach of the Year Dr. Harutunian advised that Tom Darrin was chosen at the 1999 Massachusetts Wrestling USA Magazine's Man of the Year. Reeular Session -7- May 10, 1999 Harassment Discrimination and Bully Prevention Dr. Harutunian advised that included in the Committee's packet was information from the seven schools regarding how they are handling harassment, discrimination and bully prevention. Chair D'Antona and Mr. Dahl asked for information on how many reports had been made, how many third party reports had been made and whether there was an increase or a decrease. Dr. Harutunian advised that he felt it was premature to ask for these statistics until the strategic plan is put in place and all training occurs. He felt that the trends would not present a true picture of what is going on. Mineral Street Bridge Dr. Harutunian advised that the Mineral Street Bridge will be opening on Wednesday morning and that the schools had notified parents of this opening. Coolidge Building Project Update Dr. Harutunian advised that as of today the Coolidge project is coming in on time and on budget with the exception of the oil tank issue which has not yet been resolved. Kindermarten Enrollment Dr. Harutunian advised that the kindergarten enrollment for 1999 -2000 was low because of the change of registration date from December to August. He stated that he was planning to eliminate one kindergarten teacher and transfer the money to hire a high school teacher. SPED Search Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee on the process he planned to use to hire a new Special Education Director. Mr. Twomey moved to give the Superintendent the authority to hire a Special Education Director. Ms Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl Ms D'Antona Mr. Keiglev Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. MINUTES Ms Cavicchi made a motion to approve the minutes of April 8 1999 as amended. Mr. Keiglev seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona Mr. Keiglev Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Regular Session -8- May 10, 1999 Ms Cavicchi made a motion to approve the minutes of April 15 1999. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms..D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 11.15 p.m. Ms Cavicchi moved to adjourn from regular session and re -enter executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy trategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association Custodians and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees Association of Secretaries and Clerks, Educational Assistants, Nurses and Tutors and to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate and to discuss pending litigation Not to return to regular session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. A arry ctfu lly submitted, . Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools