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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-24 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session May 24, 1999 CALL TO ORDER At 6:30 p.m. Chair D'Antona called the meeting to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, D'Antona, Keigley, Twomey and Williams. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian, Associate Superintendent Richards and Town Manager Hechenbleikner. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 6:33 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy t�gy 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. To return to regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. CALL BACK TO ORDER Chair D'Antona called the meeting back to order at 7:33 p.m. Ms. Williams left after executive session. Student School Committee Representative John Kachichian was present. HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the artwork in the School Committee conference room was the work of the students of the Birch Meadow School. Dr. Harutunian then showed the Birch Meadow video highlighting the Living Science Center. EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS The School Committee distributed Excellence in Education Awards to Coolidge Science Olympiad Team, members of the RMHS Drama Club and National History Day Winners. PUBLIC HEARING Chair D'Antona called the public hearing on School Choice to order and asked for public input. There was no public input. If Regular Session -2- May 24, 1999 The School Committee members discussed School Choice and agreed that the issue has not been a topic of discussion in town and that with the current enrollment issues they did not feel now was an appropriate time to begin to participate in School Choice. Ms. Cavicchi moved, pursuant to the provisions of G.L.c. 76 & 12B, the School Committee of Reading, following public hearing hereby withdraw from its obli ag tion to enroll non - resident students in Reading Public Schools during the school year beginning July 1, 1999 for the following reasons: Programmatic Reasons Class Sizes and General District Enrollment. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twome. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian thanked the Federated Department Stores for their donation to the Barrows School in honor of School Committee member Mary Williams' volunteer work at the school. Dr. Harutunian advised the committee that Joshua Eaton media specialist Barbara McLean has received a Global Educator of the Year Award. Dr. Harutunian advised that the School Improvement Plans would be sent to the Committee for review on June 9th. After discussion, it was decided to schedule a School Committee meeting for on June 28`h to discuss the School Improvement Plans. Dr. Harutunian advised that Committee that there would be two kindergarten sessions at Birch Meadow and two at Killam. Students living closest to the schools would be attending those schools the other students would be bussed. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the work being done by the School Safety Committee including the following: • Continuing to work on the emergency response plan. • Plan for the fire department and swat teams to walk all school buildings during the summer and receive updated copies of blueprints for the buildings. • Training by the fire and police departments for all school staff, by building, this fall. • Follow up training at RMHS and both middle schools regarding drug issues and bomb threats. • Installation of toll free, anonymous phone line for students or community members to report issues of concern. Mr. Dahl stated that he was pleased with the progress that has been made by the Committee which was started approximately six months ago. Regular Session -3- May 24, 1999 Dr. Harutunian distributed information regarding college acceptances. MINUTES Ms Cavicchi made a motion to accept the minutes of ME 10, 1999. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. ADJOURN At 8.45 ]2.m. Mr. Twomey made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion The vote was 5 -0 Ms Cavicchi Mr. Dahl Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. es ectfully sub fitted, Harry . Harutuman, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools