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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-12-09 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session December 9, 1999 Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Dahl, Keigley and Twomey. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. Ms. D'Antona and Ms. Williams arrived during executive session. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:05 p.m. 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 and Clerks and Educational Assistants and to discuss the possible sale or lease of real estate. To return to regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr.Dahl, Mr. Keigley and Mr. Twomey. At 7:40 p.m. Chair Dahl called the meeting back to order Chair Dahl read a statement by the Reading School Committee: Statement of Support for Ballot Question The Reading School Committee has voted on two occasions to unanimously support the plans to build a fifth elementary school. The construction of a fifth school, combined with planned renovations and additions at the Barrows School represent a program that is both educationally sound and fiscally prudent. It-must be clear to the citizen's of Reading that this plan is the only plan put forward that meets the initial criteria of being cost effective and reimbursable by the School Building Assistance Board (SBAB), while solving our elementary enrollment problems for the foreseeable future. Chair Dahl directed the Superintendent to schedule a meeting with him, the Superintendent and one selectmen to review the budget process for the School Department and to discuss the request of the Board of Selectmen that the school department budget process be pushed ahead. Chair Dahl stated that the school department has a very detailed budget process that includes public hearings and lengthy deliberations to achieve the goals of the Committee. He stated that he does not believe that providing a few dollars to the band as pandering to constituents. He stated that one goal of the Committee has been to reach parody over time in the funding of extra curricula activities. Regular Session -2- December 9, 1999 Mr. Keigley stated that he has been through many budgets and takes offense to being pressured to submit the budget early. He stated that we can't expedite a $25 million budget and that time needs to be taken and the process followed. Mr. Twomey requested that Town Manager Hechenbleikner also attend the meeting. CITIZEN'S INPUT There was no citizen input. GIFTS Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that a $2,000 anonymous donation had been made to the Birch Meadow school. Dr. Harutunian advised that the money would be used for the mini computer lab at the Birch Meadow school. Chair Dahl thanked the very generous families in the community for their continued support. LIASION REPORTS Ms. D'Antona advised that she had attended the Finance Committee meeting last evening and the Committee was reviewing the capital plan and there was some discussion about the connection to the high school. She stated that a majority of the time was spent discussing the DPW and town needs in the area of buildings. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian advised that the artwork in the Committee room was from the Parker Middle School and that at the next meeting, which is scheduled to be televised, he would be discussing the artwork further. Dr. Harutunian advised that Fox National News National, following up on Boston Globe article, asked to come into district. He stated that yesterday the news crew interviewed Paul Guerrette and Chris Redford regarding Everyday Math, they observed in Ellen Zermani's class and visited with a local resident with a different view of the Everyday Math program. He stated that the program is scheduled to air on Friday December 10th at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Harutunian advised that the Risk Youth Survey meeting had been cancelled because of the health department working on the Pertussis issue. He stated that he would keep the Committee advised on the status of the Risk Youth Survey. Regular Session -3- December 9, 1999 Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the reported cases of Pertussis. Dr. Harutunian distributed information requested by the Selectmen regarding special education spending and the effect the proposed reforms would have on the costs to Reading as well as a breakdown of staff increases in the school department. Ms. Williams requested that the increase staffing information be broken down into special education and regular education. Dr. Harutunian advised that he will break out special education, regular education and enrollment hires. Dr. Harutunian distributed information to the Committee regarding the results of the MCAS tests. Ms. Williams stated that she felt the MCAS 4th grade English/language arts was misplaced and should be given in the5th grade. Dr. Harutunian advised that there was discussion of spreading the MCAS tests into different grade levels. Dr. Harutunian discussed a meeting he attended of the North Shore Suburban Coalition. He stated that the purpose of the Coalition is to look into the special education expenses and the state's formula. He stated that the Coalition is looking at: 1. No school district should receive less than 25% of budget from state, 2. An overhaul of special education funding and possibly having the state pay a percentage of the cost of any student costing over 3 times the foundation budget. 3. Supporting tax relieve for the elderly. 4. Full funding of chapter 90. Ms. D'Antona stated that the MCAS are a tool to measure curriculum. They should not be viewed as a picture of our school district or the capability of our students. Dr. Harutunian advised that in the Committee's packet was a first draft of the Coolidge Middle School plaque. He asked that the Committee review the language and let him know of any changes they would like made. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had received a letter from RCTV stating that they needed a minimum of 2 weeks notice to televise a meeting. Regular Session -4- December 9, 1999 At 8:45 p.m. Mr. Twomey left the meeting. Dr. Harutunian advised that the School Committee needs to appoint a member to serve on the Committee to evaluate Town Counsel legal services. Ms. Williams moved to have Mr. Twomey serve as the School Committee representative on the committee to evaluate Town Counsel legal services Ms Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms D'Antona, Mr. Keidey and Ms. Williams. Dr. Harutunian advised that he was requesting that the Committee transfer money out of maintenance and into the personnel account to hire a plumber. He stated that Rick Barrett has asked to hire a plumber for $36,000 and save $8,000 on the work that has to be contracted out. Ms. D'Antona made a motion, on the recommendation of the Superintendent, to transfer money out of the maintenance account into the personnel account to hire a plumber as outlined in the memorandum dated December 7, 1999 for a figure up to $36,000. Ms. Williams seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Ms Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keidey and Ms. Williams. SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION The superintendent's evaluation forms were distributed by Chair Dahl. He advised that the same process would be used as was used last year. The Chair will collect all evaluations and give a summary. He advised that the process has been approved by the District Attorney for Middlesex County. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would like to revisit the entry plan that he had done five years ago when he started in the district. He stated that he felt it was time to update the information and talk to constituents again. He asked that the Committee let him know their feelings on this. At 9:25 p.m. Mr. Twomey returned to the meeting. TIMETABLE FOR FY01 BUDGET Ms. Williams moved to continue along the course set up for budget planning, preparation and deliberations and submit the budget number to the Town as soon as possible after the public hearing on January 18, 2000. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. KeiLlley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Regular Session -5- December 9, 1999 Ms. Williams moved to support the Statement of Support for the Ballot Question and to change the word Board to Bureau. Mr. Twomey seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. READING BOOSTERS CLUB Ms. Cavicchi moved, on the recommendation of the Superintendent, to waive the fieldhouse fee for the Booster Club to host a basketball tournament. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. STRATGIC PLANNING The Committee discussed the strategic planning goals and how they related to the School Committee goals. After discussion, it was decided that the Superintendent and Associate Superintendent would review the process used for strategic planning and how it related to the School Committee's goal and return to the Committee with information on the process and a draft sixth goal for respect and dignity. ADJOURN At 10:40 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to adiourn. Mr. Keigley seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Keigley, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Respectfully submitted, Harry K. arutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools