Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-13 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session October 13, 1999 CALL TO ORDER At 7:03 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting to order in the RMHS Lecture Hall. Present were School Committee members Dahl, D'Antona, Keigley, Twomey and Williams. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: Warrant 28 10/4/99 $1,187,241.80 Warrant 30 10/12/99 $63,925.04 Payroll 27 10/1/99 $175,675.11 Payroll 29 10/7/99 $657,927.85 At 7:06 p.m. Ms. D'Antona left the meeting. CITIZENS' INPUT Carol Sheehan requested that the School Committee allow a group of concerned parents to speak at a future meeting regarding the need for the child care services in the Town of Reading. She stated that removing REAP from the high school will have a negative impact on many families in Reading that count of REAP for child care. Chair Dahl stated that he understood her concerns. He advised that he will look at future agendas and that the Superintendent's office will contact Ms. Sheehan to schedule a date. At 7:10 p.m. Ms. D'Antona returned to the meeting. PUBLIC INPUT Dr. Harutunian advised that Mrs. Cavicchi was not in attendance at this evening's meeting because of a conflict with her work schedule. He informed the audience that Mrs. Cavicchi informed him that she would be reviewing the video of this meeting in order to hear input from the public on the FY01 Budget. Michelle Carrick stated her concern for increased maintenance and maintenance staff at the schools, maintaining small class sizes and having a full -time nurse in each of the school buildings. Shelley Van Buren stated her concern that a full -time nurse be at each school. She stated that her child is a diabetic and at Parker there is a shared nurse rather than a full -time nurse and that many times when the nurse is not present school staff must call her to discuss health issues. Regular Session -2- October 13, 1999 Cathy Mandolese, Co- president of PSST distributed information to the Committee. She stated that she is pleased with the new Director of Extra Curricula and she appreciates the support of the School Committee. She stated that she would like to see an increase in funding of extra curricula including adding dramatic arts to the curriculum. She stated that the World Drama class being offered for the first time is already full and the Shakespeare course is also extremely popular. She stated that the students that want to pursue an education in theater need more dramatic arts in the curriculum in order to be prepared for college. Nancy Ortiz stated that continued funding for gifted and talented is needed. She stated that few teachers actually teach to the gifted and talented students and that many of these students are bored in school. She asked that additional instruction and training for teaching gifted and talented students be put into the budget. Dr. Harutunian advised that at a future School Committee meeting an update would be given on the gifted and talented. Lynne Cassinari stated that teaching time for art continues to drop at the elementary level. She stated that elementary schools used to have art once per week and now it is once every other week. She stated that some students have art only 17 times per year. She stated that she had called surrounding towns and Woburn is the only other town that is offering art less than once per week. At 7:20 p.m. John Kachichian arrived. Chair Dahl stated that a solution to the enrollment issue will also open up space for art. He stated that the current art on a cart situation is not acceptable. Rose Shor stated her support of art and drama. She stated that her daughter is at a disadvantage at RMHS because of the lack of curriculum for continuing in the arts. She stated that her family has had to pursue private drama courses because of the lack of curriculum at the high school. Ms. Shor stated that her friends in other public schools and in private schools are shocked that RMHS does not offer drama courses. She stated that students who plan to continue their education in theater would benefit from these courses but the course would help all students with public speaking skills. Donna Selger stated that she also supports art and music but she was speaking on behalf of the gifted and talented program. She stated that funding needs to continue for the gifted and talented program. She stated that gifted and talented students need support also. Regular Session -3- October 13, 1999 Denise Grannis, an English teacher at RMHS stated that an additional full -time English teacher is needed at the high school. She stated that 21 students want to double English this semester and she stated that the high school cannot meet their needs and give them the two English courses. Lindsay George, President of the Drama Club stated that she had difficulty getting into the World Drama course. She thanked the Committee for adding the course but stated that more courses are needed. Students needs to be able to explore new courses where they may find they have an interest. Gael Philips Spence stated that she supports additional educational assistants and an additional school psychologist at the elementary level. She stated that the space shortage continues to prohibit hiring additional teachers because of the lack of space. The space shortage prevents eliminating art on a cart. She stated that she agrees that art and music should be supported throughout the system. Chair Dahl thanked everyone for their participation. He stated he hopes to be able to add programs but that the budget process will be difficult this year. He asked for everyone's support at town meeting and asked that everyone contact their state representative and state senator to inform them that the state should provide adequate funding for education. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would be doing a parent budget group again this year and if anyone is interested in being a member of the group they should contact their principal. At 7:45 p.m. the Committee took a brief recess. At 7:47 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that Interim Director of Special Education, Kevin Moran, had been accepted into the Master of Education — Special Education degree program at Salem State College. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Committee is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Reading Library. Dr. Harutunian advised that Principal Orlando was requesting the School Committee's support in presenting diplomas to Reading's World War II Veterans. Mr. Twomey moved to support awarding high school diplomas to any veterans identified who meet the veterans' organization criteria Ms Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Dahl Ms D'Antona Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Regular Session -4- October 13, 1999 Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that the quarterly personnel report was included in their packet for review. He thanked Sherry Carpenella and Dennis Richards for their hard work over the summer in filling vacant positions. Dr. Harutunian advised that he and Chair Dahl had walked the Saint Athanasius site and he will be meeting with the principals to discuss the issue next week. MINUTES Ms. D'Antona made a motion to accept the minutes of August 18, 1999 includingchanges as noted in Ms. Cavicchi's memorandum of October 13, 1999. Ms. Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey voted yes. Ms. Williams abstained. Ms. D'Antona made a motion to accept the minutes of August 25, 1999. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. William -_ Ms. D'Antona made a motion to accept the minutes of September 1, 1999 including changes as noted in Ms. Cavicchi's memorandum of October 13, 1999. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 -1 Mr. Dhal, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey voted yes. Ms. Williams abstained. ADJOURN At 8:10 p.m. Mr. Twomey made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Respectfully submitted, Harry. Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools