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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-25 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session October 25, 1999 CALL TO ORDER At 7:37 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting to order. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, 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 34 October 25, 1999 $395,453.39 Warrant 32 October 18, 1999 $214,385.85 Payroll 31 October 15, 1999 $154,444.33 Payroll 33 October 21, 1999 $692,112.05 CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Chair Dahl advised the Committee that tonight would be John Kachichian's last meeting as student representative. Chair Dahl thanked John and stated that John's input was appreciated by the members of the Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that Karawan Kouki will be the next student representative John thanked the Committee for the opportunity to serve as the student representative. HIGHLIGHTS Dr. H. thanked Leo Kenney and Mike Harney for the artwork on the School Committee room walls which was the work of the graphic arts class. Dr. Harutunian advised that they were planning to take photos at all the schools and they would be on display in the Superintendent's office. Dr. Harutunian showed a video of RMHS Now! a news show produced by the students of RMHS in their Advanced Independent Study group with RCTV. Dr. Harutunian congratulated the students on their work. He stated that they were hoping to be able to expand the news show. Regular Session 2 October 25, 1999 LIAISON REPORTS Chair Dahl advised that four members of the School Committee attended the Fin Com meeting where the School Building Committee presented information about the elementary projects to the Fin Com. He advised that the School Committee received the information that was presented to the Fin Com. . Mr. Twomey advised that the School Building Committee has gone to each of the elementary schools and held informational meetings for parents. The School Building Committee has been explaining enrollment issues and answering any questions people have. Mr. Twomey stated that the meetings have been successful. The information being presented by the School Building Committee shows the population increasing slightly faster than what we saw a year ago and a revised assessment of the cost of project due to inflation. Mr. Twomey stated that it will cost the town of Reading less out of pocket to do both schools than to do one or the other because of the state reimbursement at 66 %. If we do only one school, it is not reimbursable by the state because it is not a total elementary solution and will cost taxpayers more than doing both schools. Chair Dahl advised that a cost projection for maintenance at Barrows and at Killam was done. The projection showed that if no renovations are approved the cost of repairs that will be necessary within the next ten years with no reimbursement would be Barrows at approximately $2.2 million and Killam at approximately $3.5 million. This is based on the age of the building and mechanical systems. Mr. Twomey stated that after an analysis of the numbers approving the new school and the renovations to Barrows is obviously the most cost effective thing the town can do and it is also the best thing educationally. Two more school information meetings being held this week, one at Eaton and one at Killam. Mr. Twomey also advised that an informational meeting will be held at the Parker Middle School on November 6`h from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m Dr. Harutunian distributed to the Committee a volunteer sign up sheet which was distributed to the Committee. He advised that a question and answer sheet will be going home with every student and the parents are organizing a leaflet drop. Dr. Harutunian also advised until the project moves in to the next phase of the design the final plans for the school site, design of the school and means of egress will not be completed by Town Meeting. He stated that there is more than enough room for the school as the site is eleven acres. The final location of the school will be determined by the architects once the project moves into the next phase of design. Regular Session 3 October 25, 1999 Dr. Harutunian advised that the information given to the Finance Committee will be mailed to all Town Meeting members this week. Dr. Harutunian thanked all the parents for their participation. Ms. Williams suggested that when the parents are distributing the question and answer sheets that they be sure to make some available at the senior center, town hall and the library. She stated that it is important to get the information to the senior citizens. Ms. Williams also suggested that a visual be done showing what Killam and Eaton will look like with the portable classrooms if the project does not pass. Chair Dahl agreed with Ms. Williams that a board showing the location of the portables would be an important tool. He stated that the other alternative to adding portables if the project does not pass is increasing class size that could easily reach 30 students per class. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would work with Sid Bowen to have a graphic board done showing the portables. Dr. Harutunian stated that he had received questions on why in the 1970's RMHS had 1,800 students and was now rated for 1,300. He stated that people need to remember that in the 1970's RMHS was an open campus with many students taking only 3 -4 classes. Now the RMHS campus is closed and students are taking more classes. The methodology and teaching styles have also changed since the 1970's. Dr. Harutunian advised that he needed clarification from the Committee regarding the increase of $20 per pupil. Mr. Twomey made a motion to direct superintendent to include, for the purpose of establishing the recommended budget to the School Committee, the additional $20 per pupil over last year's approved budget figure. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Ms. Williams. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on enriched learning. Ms. Cavicchi stated that she was impressed with this enriched learning program more than the old program. She asked if this program worked in unison with the MCAS. Dr. Harutunian stated that open ended questions are an important area that needs to be worked on for the MCAS. He stated that this program does help students look for more than one answer and approach problems in more than one way. Regular Session 4 October 25, 1999 Ms. Williams asked how teachers were chosen to participate in this program. Dr. Harutunian advised that it was voluntary for teachers. He stated that the teachers that were trained this summer will be brought back and trained to be trainers so that the program grows. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the after discussion with administrators, he has decided that the Friday before Memorial Day will remain as an inservice day. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that an update projected classes and students for the next three years. He stated that presently there are 87 classrooms and he is projecting 90 -91 classrooms next year and 92 -93 classrooms in the fall of 2000. He stated that he has looked at St. Athanasius and is looking at the Coolidge Middle School for space. SCHOOL AGE DAY CARE As the executive director of the REAP program, Ms. D'Antona excused herself from this discussion. Chair Dahl advised that at the October 13I" meeting the Committee was approached by a group of parents who requested to meet with the School Committee to discuss day care issues in Reading. Ms. Carol Sheehan, President of the Board of Directors of REAP, thanked the Committee for hearing the group. Ms. Sheehan stated that the need for school age day care has increased over the years. She stated that the group felt the need to speak to the Committee because of some publicity that has been in the community about the group. She stated that the REAP program services 192 families. Ms. Sheehan distributed a survey that was done of 20 communities and how child care is handled in those communities. She stated that REAP offers surround care which allows students to participate in school activities or summer recreation activities and be picked up by the REAP van. She stated that the REAP Board has active in the community sell purchased museum pass for the library and have paid over $150,000 in rent to the community. She stated that students at RMHS and SEEM are taken in as counselors in training to gain experience with child care at no cost to town or to participants. Anita Valentin stated that she was an original member of the REAP Board. She stated that when the original survey was done 15 years ago it was evident that there was a need for child care in Reading, especially care for kindergarten age students. She stated the REAP provided a safe place for children to grow and be nurtured. She stated that good day care benefits all of Reading by keeping children safe and out of trouble. Regular Session 5 October 25, 1999 Judy Casey, a Director at Boston College and REAP parent, stated that research indicates unsupervised children are more likely to get into trouble. She noted that the middle school and high school Wednesday half days are a good example of unsupervised children. She stated that the town needs a safe place for children to be after school. Statistics show that only 11% of families are made up of the traditional stay at home mother and working father. She stated that as a REAP parent she would not have been able to do what she does without the support of REAP. Carol Sheehan passed out a fact sheet and advised the Committee that many REAP parents were unable to attend this evening because of child care issues. Thomas O'Donnell stated that he has two children in REAP and is fairly new to the community. He stated that the town offers great programs for students and that he was shocked that eliminating REAP is even an issue. He stated that the child care is needed and REAP is an excellent program. He asked for the Committee's support. Linda Landry stated that REAP is an excellent program with consistency for the children. She stated that she hoped that the Committee would support the REAP program in Reading. Tim Huston stated that he had two children in REAP. He stated that there are mutual benefits to the children and to the schools. He stated that REAP offers great experiences for children and prepares them for the school years. He stated that the schools benefit because parents of REAP students get involved with the schools and school issues earlier because of the exposure to the schools by attending REAP. Martha Moore, a teacher at the high school, stated that it is important to have REAP in town. She stated that REAP is an added family friendly benefit to teachers that need child care and that helps the town to be able to hire and retain staff. She stated that without REAP she could not have returned to work. . Kathy Vella stated that she has been using the before school program at Killam. She stated that without this service children will still be dropped off to school early and there will be no supervision for them. She stated that there is no scandal in not paying rent for that space. She stated that the cub scouts and brownies do not pay for that space either. Regular Session 6 October 25, 1999 Mr. Dahl thanked the parents for their comments. Mr. Keigley stated that he never considered eliminating REAP and stated that the parents do have his support. Mr. Keigley stated that his only concern was the area being rented by REAP at the high school. Ms. Williams stated that she did not believe that any School Committee member was planning on eliminating REAP. She stated that she hopes the cards that were sent to the Committee were also sent to Town Meeting members. Ms. Cavicchi stated that she also supports child care. She stated that while the state is on one hand advocating for more quality day care on the other hand is telling the Committee that if we were to put day care in the proposed renovated high school the project would not be reimbursable. She stated that without SBAB reimbursement we can't economically consider putting day care in RMHS. Mr. Twomey stated that the Committee is stuck in the world of state regulations for reimbursement for renovation/addition projects. He stated that the town would not be reimbursed by the state for the high school project if there is any area such as day care or the superintendent's office in the proposed plan. Mr. Twomey asked the group what was said that would make the group think that the School Committee did not support child care and the REAP program. Margaret Cowell advised that with the recent publicity the group felt that there needed to be an increased awareness of what an important service REAP provides for the families in this town and how important an issue child care is for the citizen's of this town. Dr. Harutunian stated that he has been directed by the Committee to come up with a lease for REAP, hopefully before Town Meeting. He stated that the issue is when renovations are planned for the high school the REAP space cannot remain and the town be reimbursed for the renovation. Dr. Harutunian advised that he is planning to have another meeting with SBAB and will again bring the issue of child care up for discussion. He stated that the School Committee and the School Administration solidly stands behind any organization that cares for children. Mr. Dahl stated that he heard what the parents said this evening and agrees that REAP is an important part of the community. He advised that the group needs to make their voice heard to Town Meeting and also to the legislature to see if they can lobby to have SBAB guidelines changed. At 9:00 p.m. Chair Dahl advised that the Committee would take a short recess At 9:05 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order. Regular Session 7 October 25, 1999 SCHOOL SAFETY Chair Dahl thanked Lt. Silva and Assistant Chief Mooney for their patience. Dr. Harutunian advised that last spring after the Columbine High School tragedy schools across country reevaluated safety procedures. He stated that Reading also took a hard look at what things could be done to increase safety of our children in the schools. Dr. Harutunian advised that the 1 888 3 HOT TIP number has served valuable in several instances over past few months. Dr. Harutunian advised that all schools now have radios that allow communication between all schools and the central office. He stated that all administrators, the superintendent and the associate superintendent have been trained in CPR and first aid. He stated that the school department has also developed a confidential code system when there is a breach of security. Dr. Harutunian advised that studies show that locking doors, installing metal detectors or video camera do not work. He stated that what the studies do show is working is teaching children not to harass or bully and not to have tolerance for anyone that does. He stated that he asked Lt. Silva and Chief Mooney here tonight to discuss the meetings that they have held with the staff of the seven schools. He stated that the Reading Schools are fortunate to have professionals like Lt. Silva and Assistant Chief Mooney to work with the schools. Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that the Reading Police and fire have been given floor plans and schematics for all seven schools and that the central office now has those plans also. Assistant Chief Mooney stated that this idea of working with the schools was brought forward by Dr. Harutunian. He stated that at all seven schools the staff has been very supportive and enthusiastic about working to make the schools safer. He stated that this is a basic plan that will the departments will continue to work on to get more detailed. He stated that Reading is in better shape than most surrounding communities. Lt. Silva stated that communications between the schools, the fire department and the police department is important. He stated that going to the seven schools was a good start and that the police have a better understanding of who is in charge and how they will respond. He stated that he has a son who is a freshman at RMHS and he feels comfortable that the procedures that have been put in place will work to our advantage. brought forward to all police officers and they have full understanding. Lt. Silva advised that Reading is a member of NEMLEC which has been in place since the 1960s'. He stated that NEMLEC is made up of 26 towns and during a crisis a member town has access to assistance from the other towns. He stated that NEMLEC has applied for a grant regarding school place violence, and he is confident that Regular Session 8 October 25, 1999 NEMLEC will get some amount of the money to work together. He stated that the superintendents from all 26 communities signed off to support this effort. Chair Dahl stated that he was impressed with the interaction between the schools, police and fire and happy to hear that we are moving forward to keep the schools as safe as possible for all students. Ms. Williams asked if a drill for the new security procedures is being planned. She also stated that the radios are an important part of communication for issues such as medical concerns that may occur during a power outage and no telephones are operational. Dr. Harutunian advised that the idea of a drill has been discussed but there was concern about the degree of anxiousness this may cause students, and it was decided that if a drill is done it should be done on an inservice day when no students are in the building. Ms. Cavicchi asked if the security plan would be compromised if it was shared with other communities. Assistant Chief Mooney stated that he did not believe this would be an issue as SWAT teams share information also. Mr. Twomey asked if there are plans for the next steps of the security plan Dr. Harutunian advised that the level one breach plan is complete, and they would be working on level two, a physical altercation, and level three, injury or hostage situation. Dr. Harutunian thanked the police department, the fire department and the staff of the schools for working cooperatively together to enhance safety at the schools. Ms. Williams asked if there are any plans in place for library or recreation programs. Assistant Chief Mooney stated that the plans have to start from the head of the department or facility and that no one else has contacted them to began to implement a plan. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would mention this to Town Manager Hechenbleikner. Ms. Cavicchi stated that she will bring the issue up at the next recreation meeting. Chair Dahl thanked Lt. Silva and Assistant Chief Mooney for their cooperation and for attending this evenings meeting to update the Committee. Regular Session 9 October 25, 1999 Student Representative John Kachichian thanked the school department, the police department and the fire department for working to make the schools a safer place. At 9:40 p.m. Chair Dahl advised that the Committee would take a short recess. At 9:42 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order. MINUTES Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to accept the minutes of September 18, 1999 with changes as noted. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to accept the minutes of September 27, 1999. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey voted yes, Ms. Williams abstained. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to accept the minutes of September 28, 1999 with changes as noted. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey voted yes, Ms. Williams abstained Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to accept the minutes of October 7, 1999 with changes as noted. Ms. D'Antona seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 -1 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams voted yes, Mr. Keigley abstained EXECUTIVE SESSION At 9.50 p.m. Ms Cavicchi made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing 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 open session. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. es�gctfully Harry arutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools