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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-07-01 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts REGULAR SESSION July 1, 1999 CALL TO ORDER Mrs. D'Antona called the regular session meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, D'Antona, Twomey and Williams. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. EXECUTIVE SESSION Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Custodians and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees, Association of Secretaries an Clerks, Educational Assistants, Nurses and Tutors to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate and to discuss pending litigation and to return to regular session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0. Mrs. D'Antona, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Twomey, Mrs. Cavicchi CALL BACK TO ORDER Mrs. D'Antona called the Regular Session back to order at 8:10 p.m. CITIZENS INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT The Superintendent commented on the art work currently on display in the Superintendent's Conference Room. He stated that the art work was in the form of thank you notes to him from Mrs. Zermani's fourth grade class at the Killam School. The Superintendent thanked Ross Farrar, Executive Director at Palmer and Dodge and Michael Gass for donating thirty -five HP Vectra computer systems to Reading Memorial High School. He also thanked Mr. Richard Radville for donating an HP LaserJet printer for use in one of the computer labs at Reading Memorial High School. The Superintendent has been notified by Boston Gas Company that they are planning to place a large gas main on Birch Meadow Drive this summer. This will increase natural REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 JULY 1 1999 gas pressure on Birch Meadow Drive. Dr. Harutunian has been approached by the Town Manger to convert the Birch Meadow School from oil to gas. There is money available from the Town to remove the existing oil tank from the Birch Meadow School and to make the conversion. This would mean that the change over would be at no cost to the school department. The Reading Co- Operative Bank has requested permission to continue the "Savings Makes Cents" program with the Birch Meadow School 4th and 5th grade students. Mr. Twomey asked how many students participated. The Superintendent responded that he did not have that information but that he would inquire. The conversation shifted to the School Committee Goals. There was discussion pertaining to the application of goals to each school building. There was agreement that it was interesting to see how the goals effected each building in different ways. Mrs. D'Antona remarked that the Goals at Barrows were very specific. Mrs. Williams suggested that the goals should be disseminated and distributed to all administrators. The Superintendent replied that the goals would be sent out to all Administrators. NEW BUSINESS There was school improvement plan discussion. The Superintendent was seeking comments and approval on the School Improvement Plans. Mr. Twomey noted that some of the plans were simple but that they worked well. The parents and school council members have taken their roles very seriously. Mr. Twomey thanked them all. Dr. Harutunian stated that no guidelines were given and that the school improvement plans align with the school committee goals and curriculum initiatives. He has increased the role of the school council in the Budget process. Mrs. D'Antona stated that many of the schools did surveys and the results filter down into action plans. Mrs. Cavicchi stated that many schools chose to do a three -year plan and that is unique. She is favorably impressed by the three year plans. Mrs. Williams commented favorably on the three -year plans. Mrs. Cavicchi moved to approve the School Improvement Plans. The vote was 4 -0. Mrs. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mr. Twomey. Mrs. Williams, Ms. D'Antona. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mrs. D'Antona made a motion to approve the minutes of May 24, 1999. Mrs. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mrs. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey, Mrs. Williams REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 3 JULY 1,1999 Mrs Cavicchi made a motion to approve the minutes of June 7,1999 with revisions as noted Mrs Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mrs. D'Antona Mr. Twomey, Mrs. Williams Mrs Cavicchi made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 9, 1999 meeting. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion The vote was 4 -0. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mrs. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey, Mrs. Williams ADJOURN Ms Cavicchi made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions sions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Custodians and Maintenance Workers Cafeteria Employees, Association of Secretaries an Clerks Educational Assistants Nurses and Tutors to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate and to discuss pending litigation and not to return to regular session. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0. Mrs. D'Antona, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Twomey, Mrs. Cavicchi Respectfully submitted, Harry K. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools